Opening Day Rosters feature 264 internationally-born players; Cardinals have three on the major league roster

By Sally Tippett Rains and Naismith Rains

27.8% of Players Born Outside the U.S., Spanning 19 Countries and Territories

When we were in spring training our grandson, Naismith was looking at the roster and he noticed a lot of Cardinals players were not born in America. We got together and looked up the players and assembled a list just for fun. Turns out it was a good idea because Friday, MLB did a press release on all of the internationally-born players.

Here is our list from the Cardinals of the players who were in spring training who were not born in the U.S. The Cardinals have three players on the 26-man opening day roster who were not born in the U.S.

Players not born in the U.S.– who were at spring training for the Cardinals:

(List compiled by Naismith Rains)

Leonardo Barnal non-roster catcher- Panama

Willson Contreras- Puerto Cabello, Venezuela

Giovanny Gallegos- Mexico

Ivan Herrerra- Panama

Jose Fermin- Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Matt Koperniak- London, United Kingdom

Pedro Pages- Maracay, Venezuela

Cesar Prieto- Cienfuegos, Cuba

Jeremy Rivas- Valencia, Venezuela

Sem Robberse- Zeist, Netherlands

Wilking Rodriguez- Puerto Cabello, Venezuela

Jared Young- Prince George, British Columbia, Canada  first baseman, outfielder

(Brendan Donovan was born in Germany but is not considered an international player as he is a U.S. Citizen– his dad was in the military)

And now for the MLB Press Release:

       A total of 264 players represented 19 different countries and territories outside of the 50 United States on 2024 Opening Day rosters and inactive lists, Major League Baseball announced today.  The total of 264 international players marks the fourth-most all-time on Opening Day rosters, behind only 2020 (291, with expanded 30-man active rosters); 2022 (275, with expanded 28-man active rosters); and 2023 (270, with 26-man active rosters).

       The 264 players born outside the U.S. (27.8%) come from a total pool of 949 players (779 active 26-man roster players and 170 Major League players on inactive, injured or restricted lists) on March 28^th rosters.  Opening Day and inactive list players represented 19 countries and territories by birthplace.

       As it has each year since MLB began releasing this annual data in 1995, the Dominican Republic again leads the Major Leagues among countries and territories outside the United States with 108 players, representing its second-highest total ever behind only 2020 (110).

       Venezuela ranks second with 58 players, while Cuba places third with 18 players.  Rounding out the totals are Puerto Rico (17); Canada (13, marking its highest total since 17 players on 2013 Opening Day rosters); Mexico (12); Japan (10, marking its highest total since having 11 players on 2013 Opening Day rosters); Colombia (5); Panama (5); Curaçao (4); South Korea (3); Australia (2); Aruba (1); the Bahamas (1); Brazil (1); Germany (1); Honduras (1); Nicaragua (1); and South Africa (1).  Houston Astros pitcher Tayler Scott, a native of Johannesburg, South Africa, became just the second South African-born player on Opening Day rosters in Major League history, joining Toronto’s Gift Ngoepe (2018).

       For the fourth consecutive season, the Astros have the most internationally-born players with a total of 16 on their roster.  They are followed by the San Diego Padres (15), Boston Red Sox (14), Miami Marlins (14), Cleveland Guardians (12), Minnesota Twins (11), New York Mets (11), Pittsburgh Pirates (11) and Tampa Bay Rays (11).  The Red Sox, Astros, Padres and Rays each have players from seven different countries and territories outside the U.S., tied for the most in the Majors among the 30 Clubs.  They are followed by the Chicago Cubs (6) and the Twins (6).

       Please see below for the complete list of internationally-born players on 2024 Opening Day rosters and inactive lists.

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