- Chien-Ming Wang
Chien-Ming Wang, born March 31, 1980 in Tainan City, Taiwan, is a starting pitcher for the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball. He was initially signed as an amateur free-agent for the 2000 season, playing for the Staten Island Yankees. Wang, Hong-Chih Kuo and Chin-hui Tsao are the current Taiwanese players who play in the MLB. Kuo and Tsao are pitchers for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- Vernon Wells
Vernon Wells III (born December 8, 1978, in Shreveport, Louisiana) is a Major League Baseball player for the Toronto Blue Jays. Wells has appeared on two all star teams in career, and been awarded three Gold Gloves.
- Adam Kennedy
Adam Thomas Kennedy (born January 10, 1976 in Riverside, California) is a Major League Baseball player. He currently plays second base for the St. Louis Cardinals. Kennedy attended J.W. North High School in Riverside, California, playing baseball and basketball. He attended Cal State Northridge, where he played shortstop for the Matador baseball squad. He set school records in career hits, RBIs and batting average and was a three-time All American.
- Chase Utley
Chase Cameron Utley (born December 17, 1978) is a Major League Baseball second baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies. Utley bats left-handed, but fields right-handed.
- Rafael Furcal
Rafael Antonio Furcal (born August 24 1977 in Loma de Cabrera, Dominican Republic), nicknamed "Fookie", is a shortstop in Major League Baseball who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- John Maine
John Kevin Maine (born May 8, 1981 in Fredericksburg, Virginia) is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York Mets. He bats and throws right-handed.
- A. J. Burnett
Allan James "A.J." Burnett (born January 3, 1977 in North Little Rock, Arkansas) is a right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who currently plays for the Toronto Blue Jays. Previously, he played for the Florida Marlins. In a nine-year career, Burnett has posted a 64-62 record with 942 strikeouts and a 3.79 ERA in 1061.1 innings. Burnett throws several different types of fastballs as well as a knuckle-curve.
- Carl Crawford
Carl Demonte Crawford (born August 5, 1981 in Houston, Texas) is currently the left fielder for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays Major League Baseball team.
- Stephen Drew
Stephen Oris Drew (born March 16 1983 in Valdosta, Georgia) is a shortstop in major league baseball who plays for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Drew was selected for the 2006 All-Star Futures Game. He is the younger brother of Red Sox outfielder J.D. Drew and current minor league pitcher for the Indians Tim Drew. On July 13, 2006 during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Craig Counsell injured his ribs, …
- Zack Greinke
Donald Zackary Greinke (born October 21, 1983 in Orlando, Florida) is a Major League Baseball player for the Kansas City Royals. He went to high school in Apopka, Florida. He is a right-handed pitcher, who throws a fastball topping out at 97 miles per hour; a slider; changeup; curveball; and a slow curve, which he has thrown as slow as 50 miles per hour. After being selected out of high school (and turning down a scholarship to Clemson) in the first round of the 2002 draft, …
- Chad Tracy
Chad Austin Tracy (born May 22, 1980 in Charlotte, North Carolina) is a third baseman in Major League Baseball who plays with the Arizona Diamondbacks.Tracy also commonly known as "Opposite Field Tracy" bats left handed and throws right handed. Tracy compiled a .339 batting average during his career at East Carolina University strictly hitting the ball to the opposite field hence the nickname.
- Mark Mulder
Mark Alan Mulder (born August 5, 1977 in South Holland, Illinois) is a left-handed starting pitcher for the St.Louis Cardinals MLB. After playing for Michigan State University, Mulder was selected by the Oakland Athletics with the second overall pick in the 1998 MLB amateur draft. Mulder was quickly placed on the fast track to the major leagues and made his major-league debut on April 18, …
- Miguel Cabrera
José Miguel Torres Cabrera is a Major League Baseball player for the Florida Marlins. When he started his Major League career in 2003, Cabrera was 6'2" and weighed 210 pounds; he is now 6'4" and 240. He bats and throws right handed. He is the regular third baseman for the 2007 Florida Marlins. Unusually, the onetime shortstop has played a number of positions - he has at least 100 starts at each of third base, left field and right field. Cabrera didn't attend college.
- B. J. Ryan
B.J. Ryan (born Robert Victor Ryan, Jr. on December 28, 1975 in Bossier City, Louisiana) is a closer in Major League Baseball for the Toronto Blue Jays of the American League. Previously, Ryan played with the Cincinnati Reds (1999) and Baltimore Orioles (1999-2005). He bats and throws left-handed. In a career that has spanned eight years, Ryan has compiled an 18-21 record with 551 strikeouts and a 3.19 ERA in 453 and one-third innings pitched.
- Alfonso Soriano
Alfonso Guilleard Soriano (born January 7, 1976 in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic) is a Major League Baseball player for the Chicago Cubs. His most common nickname is Alf So, which is short for Alfonso Soriano.
- Ryan Howard
Ryan James Howard (born November 19, 1979 in St. Louis, Missouri) is a baseball player who plays for the Philadelphia Phillies. Howard is the reigning National League MVP and the fastest player to reach 100 homeruns in Major League Baseball history. He graduated from Lafayette High School in 1998 and attended Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University). He bats and throws left handed; he has a twin brother, an older brother, and a sister, …
- Toby Hall
Toby Hall (born October 21, 1975 in Tacoma, Washington) is a major league catcher for the Chicago White Sox. Hall attended El Dorado High School in Placerville, California where he earned All-State honors. The first time he played catcher was in his sophomore year at American River College. Then while in college he was an All-American at UNLV.
- Adam Laroche
David Adam LaRoche (born November 6, 1979 in Orange County, California), is a Major League Baseball player. He is currently the starting first baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who traded for him in 2007 after he spent three seasons playing for the Atlanta Braves.
- Adrian Gonzalez
Adrian Gonzalez (born May 8, 1982 in San Diego, California) is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the San Diego Padres. He was the first overall pick in the 2000 draft by the Florida Marlins. Gonzalez was the first infield position player to be drafted first overall since Alex Rodriguez in 1993. Adrian was drafted out of Eastlake High School and given a $3 million signing bonus. After a wrist injury, the Marlins felt Adrian would be hindered swinging the bat, …
- Lyle Overbay
Lyle Stefan Overbay (born January 28, 1977 in Centralia, Washington) is a Major League Baseball first baseman who currently plays for the Toronto Blue Jays. Overbay was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 18th round of the 1999 amateur draft and was acquired by the Brewers in the trade on December 1, 2003 that sent Richie Sexson and Shane Nance to Arizona for Overbay, Craig Counsell, Junior Spivey, Chris Capuano, Chad Moeller, and Jorge de la Rosa.
- Matt Garza
Matthew Scott Garza (born November 11, 1983 in Selma, California) is a right handed starting pitcher who plays for the Minnesota Twins. Garza was the first round draft pick of the Twins in 2005. He attended school at Washington Union High School in Easton, Ca and Fresno State University. Garza gained attention for rising through the ranks of the minor league system, starting the 2006 season at Single-A Fort Myers Miracle, …
- Orlando Hudson
Orlando Thill Hudson (born December 12, 1977 in Darlington, South Carolina) is a major league second baseman for the National League's Arizona Diamondbacks. He is popularly known by his nickname "O-Dog". Hudson was drafted in the 43rd round by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1997 MLB Draft. Hudson is renowned around the major leagues for his fielding prowess, known for making spectacular lunging catches and diving stabs at grounders.
- Hanley Ramírez
Hanley Ramírez is a shortstop in Major League Baseball for the Florida Marlins. He was born on December 23, 1983 in Samana, Dominican Republic, and currently resides in Santo Domingo. Ramirez was named 2006 NL Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association of America.
- Justin Morneau
Justin Ernest George Morneau (born on May 15, 1981 in New Westminster, British Columbia) is a Major League Baseball player. He is currently the Minnesota Twins' everyday first baseman. Though he dislikes the label, Morneau, along with teammate and former roommate Joe Mauer, is sometimes referred to as one of "The New M&M Boys." Growing popularity is the nickname Paul Bunyan, given to him due to his Canadian heritage.
- Ben Sheets
Ben M. Sheets (born July 18, 1978 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) is a Major League Baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team. He throws a four-seam fastball clocked between 94-98 MPH, a big, sharp breaking curveball in the 80-83 MPH range, and a changeup. He also has great command of his three pitches, as evidenced by the outstanding strikeout-walk ratios he has posted over recent seasons.
- David Wright
David Allen Wright (born December 20, 1982 in Norfolk, Virginia) is an All-Star Third Baseman in Major League Baseball for the New York Mets. Wright attended Hickory High School in Chesapeake, Virginia. In high school, he was a three-time All-State selection and, as a senior, was named the Virginia All-State Player of the Year. He finished his high school career with a .438 batting average, 13 home runs, and 50 RBI.
- Jeff Niemann
Jeffrey Warren Niemann (born February 28, 1983 in Houston, Texas) is a starting pitcher who plays for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays organization. He is currently on the 40-man roster. Niemann was the Devil Rays' first-round draft pick out of Rice University in 2004 as the fourth overall pick. He signed a major-league contract in January 2005 worth $5.2 million.
- Alex Gordon
Alex Jonathan Gordon (born February 10, 1984 in Lincoln, Nebraska) is a Major League Baseball player for the Kansas City Royals. Gordon, a third baseman, played collegiately at the University of Nebraska. In 2005, Gordon won the Golden Spikes Award, Dick Howser Trophy, Brooks Wallace Award, ABCA National Player of the Year Award, and Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year Award, and was considered by many to be the best collegiate player in the nation.
- Bryan Bullington
Bryan Paul Bullington (b. September 4, 1980, in Indianapolis, Indiana) is a Major League Baseball right handed pitcher who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and attended Ball State. Bullington was the first overall pick in the 2002 draft by the Pirates. He was the first player from the Mid-American Conference to be selected with the first pick in a major sport's draft.
- Khalil Greene
Khalil Thabit Greene is a Major League Baseball shortstop who plays for the San Diego Padres. He bats and throws right-handed. He is an adherent of the Bahá'í Faith, and says his faith has helped his athletic performance.
- Zach Duke
Zachary Thomas (Zach) Duke (born April 19, 1983 in Clifton, Texas) is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Duke bats and throws left handed. He is considered one of the best pitching prospects in major league baseball.
- Jeff Mathis
Jeffrey Stephen ("Jeff") Mathis (b. March 31, 1983 in Marianna, Florida) is a major league baseball catcher playing with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and made his Major League debut on August 12, 2005 with them. He bats and throws right handed. After playing both football and baseball for Marianna High School (winning four district titles, a regional title and appearing in the state championship game in football in 2000, as well as a 1999 state title in baseball, …
- Felipe López
Felipe López is a Puerto Rican shortstop for Major League Baseball's Washington Nationals franchise. In 1998, López graduated from Lake Brantley High School in Altamonte Springs, Florida where he set school records by hitting .521 with 15 doubles, five triples, seven home runs, 28 runs batted in and 34 stolen bases in his senior year. He was also voted Florida's Player of the Year, was a "USA Today" All-USA selection, …
- Chris Young
Christopher Brandon Young, is a center fielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 2001 Amateur Draft, he was traded to the Diamondbacks with Orlando Hernández and Luis Vizcaíno for Javier Vázquez after the 2005 season. He made his major league debut on August 18, 2006. Chris began the 2007 season as the Diamondbacks everyday center fielder. He graduated from national powerhouse Bellaire High School (Bellaire, Texas).
- Joba Chamberlain
- Brad Penny
Bradley Wayne Penny (born May 24, 1978 in Blackwell, Oklahoma) is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- Marcus Giles
Marcus William Giles (born May 18, 1978 in San Diego, California) is a San Diego Padres Major League Baseball player who most recently played for the Atlanta Braves. He is a second baseman and bats right-handed. The second baseman has agreed to a one-year contract with a club option for 2008. Marcus Giles will get a base salary around $3.25 million this season with incentives that could take his contract to $4.25 million. The club option for 2008 is at $4 million.
- C.C. Sabathia
Pitcher with the Cleveland Indians, 2001-present. Made major league debut on 8 April 2001. Named to Baseball Digest magazine's 2001 Rookie All-Star Team. Has a son Carsten Charles Sabathia III [September 15, 2003] and a daughter Jaeden Arie [September 20, 2005]
- Lastings Milledge
Lastings Darnell Milledge (born April 5, 1985) is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the New York Mets. He was the youngest player in the National League during the 2006 season.
- Anthony Lerew
Anthony Allen Lerew (born October 28, 1982 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania) is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves. Lerew was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 11th round of the 2001 amateur draft. He signed on June 16. After 4 seasons in the Braves minor league system, he debuted on September 4, 2005, in a home game against the Cincinnati Reds. In the 2005 season, Lerew recorded no wins, no losses, 5 strikeouts, and a 5.62 ERA in 7 games, …