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25 NECBL alumni were on Opening Day Major League 25-man rosters. The San Diego Padres lead the charge with four NECBL products- pitchers Tim Stauffer and Joe Thatcher, infielder Andy Parrino and outfielder Chris Denorfia.
The 25 players are scattered over 16 Major League teams. Each of the six divisions includes at least one alumnus.
Six other teams will also suit up with multiple alumni- the defending World Champion St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Washington Nationals, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels and San Francisco Giants field two NECBL products each.
Five of the alumni- Andrew Bailey, Joe Nathan, Andre Ethier, Brian Wilson and Matt Joyce- have combined to make 12 Major League All-Star Game appearances. A sixth, Stephen Strasburg, is predicted by many pundits to make the 2012 Mid-Summer Classic.
For Parrino, Chicago Cub first baseman Bryan LaHair, Giant pitcher Danny Otero, Astro teammates pitcher David Carpenter and outfielder Brian Bogusevic and National infielder Stephen Lombardozzi, the selections mark the first time that they have have broken with a Big League club on Opening Day.
The numbers validate the NECBL's position as a launching point for some of the best baseball talent in America. Nine of the ten NECBL teams or their forbearers have produced a current active Major Leager. Over 75 participants in the NECBL have played in the Major Leagues.
The data is as of the evening of April 4th:
Alumni on an Active Roster, including those on the Disabled List:
Pos Name MLB Team NECBL Yr NECBL Team
OF Andre Ethier L.A. Dodgers 2001 Keene Swamp Bats
P Andrew Bailey Boston 2004 Lowell All-Americans
INF Andy Parrino San Diego 2005 Manchester Silkworms
C Bobby Wilson L.A. Angels 2002 N. Adams SteepleCats
OF Brian Bogusevic Houston 2003 Danbury Westerners
P Brian Wilson San Francisco 2001 Keene Swamp Bats
INF Bryan LaHair Chicago Cubs 2002 Keene Swamp Bats
OF Chris Denorfia San Diego 2000-01 Manchester Silkworms
C Chris Iannetta L.A. Angels 2003 Newport Gulls
P Craig Breslow Arizona 1999 Middletown Giants
P Danny Otero San Francisco 2005 Newport Gulls
P David Carpenter Houston 2005 Vermont Mountaineers
P Graham Godfrey Oakland 2004 Manchester Silkworms
P Jason Motte St. Louis 2002 Sanford Mainers
INF Jeff Keppinger Tampa 1999 Keene Swamp Bats
P Joe Nathan Texas 1994 Fairfield Stallions
P Joe Smith Cleveland 2004 N. Adams SteepleCats
P Joe Thatcher San Diego 2001 Danbury Westerners
DH Matt Joyce Tampa Bay 2004 Danbury Westerners
P Mitchell Boggs St. Louis 2004 Newport Gulls
OF Rajai Davis Toronto 2001 Middletown Giants
C Ryan Hanigan Cincinnati 2001 Lowell All-Americans
INF Steve Lombardozzi Washington 2008 Holyoke Blue Sox
P Stephen Strasburg Washington 2007 Torrington Twisters
P Tim Stauffer San Diego 2001 Keene Swamp Bats
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