MARIANNA, Fla. – The Major League Baseball season starts today in stadiums all across the country and Chipola has four former players on Opening Day Rosters of big league clubs.
Adam Duvall – Chipola 2008
Chipola fans that love the Atlanta Braves will happy to see one of their own back in Truist Park this season. After a year with the Boston Red Sox, Adam Duvall will be back with Braves.
Duvall started 2023 off as one of the hottest players in the MLB. In his first seven games with the Red Sox, he hit three home runs and drove in 12 runs. He was awarded the American League Player of the Week on week one of the season. Unfortunately, he spent much of the season on the injured list due to a distal radius fracture in his left wrist. Duval did return to the team and was once again name AL Player of the Week for August 21 after hitting five home runs and driving in 12 with a batting average of .483.
After the 2023 season, Duvall became a free agent. On March 14, he signed a one-year, $3 millon contract with the Braves.
The Braves season-opener was postponed due to the weather forecast in Philadelphia. The Braves and the Phillies will open the season on Friday.
Patrick Corbin – Chipola 2009
PATRICK CORBIN MLB BIO & STATS
Patrick Corbin begins his 12th season in the MLB and his sixth with the Washington Nationals. He was the winning pitcher in Game 7 of the 2019 World Series when the Nationals defeated the Houston Astros.
Corbin is coming off his fifth season with double digit wins on the mound and his just three wins shy of 100 for his career.
The left-hander is scheduled to make his first start of the 2024 season on Saturday in Cincinnati against the Reds.
Jose Caballero – Chipola 2016 & 2017
JOSE CABELLERO MLB BIO & STATS
The MVP of the 2017 JUCO World Series is in his second season of Major League Baseball after making his debut with the Seattle Mariners in 2023. Jose "Chema" Caballero will be closer for Chipola fans when he opens 2024 as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays.
In Seattle, Caballero batted .221 with four home runs and had 26 stolen bases. He hit his first home run on May 21, 2023 against the Atlanta Braves.
Caballero and the Rays open the season on Opening Day at home against the Toronto Blue Jays. Chema will most likely start at shortstop for Tampa Bay.
Bowden Francis – Chipola 2016 & 2017
BOWDEN FRANCIS MLB BIO & STATS
Another member of Chipola's 2017 National Championship team will open 2024 in the starting rotation for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Francis debuted with the Blue Jays in 2022, and pitched out of the Jays' bullpen in 2023. In 36.1 innings pitched in the big leagues last season, he struck out 35 and carried an ERA of 1.73.
The Blue Jays will open the season on Thursday in Tampa. Francis will most likely get the start on Sunday and should face his Chipola teammate, Caballero.
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