UCLA Baseball Alumni Shine on 2024 MLB Opening Day Rosters

UCLA Baseball Alumni Shine on 2024 MLB Opening Day Rosters

As the 2024 Major League Baseball season commenced, the spotlight shone brightly on UCLA’s baseball program, with ten former Bruins making their mark on Opening Day rosters across various clubs.

Among the notable alumni were four standouts securing spots on active rosters: Jake Bird (Colorado Rockies), Griffin Canning (Los Angeles Angels), Brandon Crawford (St. Louis Cardinals), and Michael Toglia (Colorado Rockies).

The managerial realm also boasted UCLA representation, with Dave Roberts (Los Angeles Dodgers) and Torey Lovullo (Arizona Diamondbacks) returning to helm their respective teams, making UCLA the sole college with multiple alumni managing MLB clubs.

Injury sidelined four other Bruin alums at the season’s start: Gerrit Cole (New York Yankees), Matt McLain (Cincinnati Reds), Garrett Mitchell (Milwaukee Brewers), and Zack Weiss (Minnesota Twins).

For Bird and Toglia, it marked their inaugural participation in Opening Day festivities, while Crawford embarked on a new chapter with the Cardinals after a distinguished tenure with the San Francisco Giants.

Bird, entering his third MLB season, showcased promise with a strong sophomore campaign, while Canning, in his fifth year with the Angels, demonstrated growth and consistency in the rotation.

Crawford, a seasoned veteran, brings experience and defensive prowess to the Cardinals, eyeing multiple career milestones. Toglia, though new to Opening Day, has already made his mark with the Rockies, displaying versatility and offensive prowess.

As the season unfolds, the UCLA baseball community eagerly anticipates the continued success of its alumni on the grand stage of Major League Baseball. Stay connected with UCLA Baseball’s journey