ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Opening day for Major League Baseball is scheduled for March 27, but the season started on Tuesday with the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers taking on the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo, Japan. 

With another season opener in the books, another group of Elk Grove baseball products are fighting for positions on Major League Baseball teams. 

One guy who you may see in the big leagues this year in Anaheim is J.D. Davis, who struggled last season as he split time starting in spring training with the Giants where he was later cut. He signed with the Athletics and was then traded to the Yankees. 

Davis had a slashline of .218/.293/.338 in 46 games played last season and was released by the Yankees on Aug. 2, 2024. He was picked up by the Baltimore Orioles on a minor league contract a few days later. 

Davis signed a minor league contract with the Angels on Jan. 24 of this season, where he’s been assigned to Triple-A Salt Lake but has the opportunity for a comeback year and help a struggling ballclub like the Angels. 

In the Pacific Northwest, fans can catch Rowdy Tellez in Seattle after he was released by the Pirates last season. The release was perhaps to avoid paying him his $200,000 bonus in his contract for reaching 425 plate appearance; He finished his season with 421.

Tellez signed a minor league deal with an invite to spring training with the Mariners and was assigned to Triple-A Tacoma but could be a valuable leader and bat in a struggling Mariners lineup. 

Last season, Tellez had a slashline of .243/.299/.392 with 13 home runs and 56 RBIs and proved to be a clubhouse leader in Pittsburgh whether it was defending his teammates or mentoring young superstar Oneil Cruz. 

The former first-round pick of the Chicago White Sox in 2018, Nick Madrigal, signed on Jan. 31, with the New York Mets.

About a month later, he was placed on the 60-day injured list with a left shoulder fracture, which is another injury to the major injuries he sustained in the past few years, including a left pinky fracture, right hamstring strain and groin strains. 

Last season, Madrigal slashed .221/.280/.256 in 51 games with the Cubs. 

Elk Grove High School standout Dylan Carlson departed from the only team he’s known his entire career in the St. Louis Cardinals when he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays. On Jan. 27, he signed with the Baltimore Orioles. 

Carlson looked to be a big part of the Cardinals' future but a left ankle sprain in 2023 prevented him from showing his full potential. 

So far this spring training, he’s slashing .273/.455/.545 with two home runs and five RBIs for the Orioles. 

Another former first round pick of the Detroit Tigers in 2014, Derek Hill, was picked up by the Marlins after being designated for assignment by the Giants last season and is slashing .242/.375/.424 with two home runs and 3 RBIs. 

After being drafted in 2014, Hill didn’t debut until 2020, and the Marlins could be a great opportunity for him to get everyday playing time and show why he was a first-round pick 11 years ago.

Last year, Hill hit a career high 39 hits, seven home runs, 25 RBIs, tying his career high with six stolen bases and games played with 53. 

Once again, we have another first round pick but in 2016 also with the Tigers in Matt Manning who is the only local ballplayer who has remained with the same team who initially drafted him.

He’s had his highs and lows as a Tiger and last season he started in five games and pitched 27.2 innings while posting a 4.88 ERA with an 0-1 record. 

Manning will have to fight for a spot in the rotation in Detroit that includes reigning Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal and World Series champion Jack Flaherty. He’s been assigned to Triple-A Toledo to start the season.