NEW MEXICANS IN THE MAJOR LEAGUES
(Players listed on Opening Day rosters)
ALEX BREGMAN HOUSTON ASTROS
High School:
Albuquerque Academy
Position: 3B Age: 23
Last season: After being called up in July, Bregman overcame a 2-for-38 start to hit .264 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs in 49 games. After playing primarily shortstop in the minors, Bregman adjusted quickly to playing third base and became the Astros’ everyday starter at the position.
2017 outlook: Bregman, who celebrated his 23rd birthday Thursday, is again penciled in as the Astros’ everyday third baseman and will start the season batting second in front of star second baseman Jose Altuve. Bregman spent much of the spring with for Team USA on its run to a World Baseball Classic championship. He played in just two games, going 2-for-4.
KEN GILES
HOUSTON ASTROS
High schools:
Eldorado/Rio Grande
Position: RHP Age: 26
Last season:
Giles struggled early in the season after the Astros acquired him in a trade from Philadelphia. He turned things around, however, and finished the year as Houston’s primary closer. Giles appeared in 69 games with a 2-5 record, 15 saves in 20 chances, a 4.11 earned-run average and 102 strikeouts in 65⅔ innings pitched.
2017 outlook: Giles again projects as the closer for a deep Astros bullpen, but manager A.J. Hinch has said he may also use the right-hander in set-up situations at times. Giles had a
solid spring, posting a 2.00 ERA in nine games with 14 strikeouts in nine innings.
MIKE DUNN COLORADO ROCKIES
Hometown:
Farmington Position: LHP Age: 31
Last season:
Made 51 relief appearances for the Miami Marlins after missing time with a left forearm strain. He compiled a 6-1 record with a 3.40 earned-run average, totaling 38 strikeouts and 11 walks in 42⅓ innings.
2017 outlook: Dunn signed a three-year, $19 million free agent contract with the Rockies and figures to be a late-inning setup man in a veteran bullpen. He’s coming off an outstanding spring, during which in 10 games, he struck out 12 in 9⅔ scoreless innings.
MATT MOORE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
High School: Moriarty Position: LHP Age: 27
Last season:
The Giants acquired Moore from Tampa Bay at the trade deadline to bolster their rotation. Moore went 13-12 for the season, 6-5 with San Francisco, and posted a 4.08 ERA with each of his teams. Moore pitched eight strong innings against the Chicago Cubs in an NLDS start but got no decision.
2017 outlook: San Francisco picked up a $7 million option on Moore’s contract, and he is expected to start the season as the team’s No. 4 starter. He went 1-2 in six spring training starts with a 5.60 ERA.