Opening Day is special for a number of reasons, but when it comes to baseball’s exploding popularity across the globe, it’s especially exciting when internationally born players take the field as MLB begins a new season.
On Thursday, when the 2025 season officially began for 28 of the 30 clubs (the Dodgers and Cubs opened the season in Japan from March 18-19), 265 internationally born players appeared on Opening Day rosters -- that represented 27.8% of all players on Opening Day rosters, as well as 18 countries and territories outside of the 50 United States.
The 265 internationally born players on Opening Day rosters is also the fourth-most all-time. The Dominican Republic led the way with 100 players, continuing its streak of leading MLB in this category since the annual data was first released in 1995.
Venezuela is second this year with 63 players, and Cuba ranks third with a record 26 players. Those countries are followed by Puerto Rico (16 players), Canada (13), Japan (12), Mexico (11), Cura?ao (4), Panama (4), South Korea (3), Aruba (2), Australia (2), Colombia (2), the Bahamas (1), Germany (1), Honduras (1), Nicaragua (1) and South Africa (1).
The Astros and Padres had the most internationally born players on their Opening Day rosters with 16 -- Houston had at least a share of the lead in that category for the fifth consecutive year. The Astros are followed by the Braves (14), Mets (13), Orioles (12), Marlins (12), Phillies (11), Mariners (11), Guardians (10), Dodgers (10), Yankees (10) and Rays (10).
With players from eight countries and territories outside the 50 United States, the Padres led all MLB clubs. San Diego is followed in that category by the Astros (7), Red Sox (7), Blue Jays (6), Braves (6), Orioles (6), Mariners (6) and Rays (6).