The percentage of Black players in Major League Baseball has been on the decline for decades, but prospects at MLB's Draft Combine this week think that may soon change. Several highly touted Black players are hoping to become the next Aaron Judge, Mookie Betts or Andrew McCutchen. A recent study from The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at Central Florida found Black players represented just 6.2% of players on MLB opening day rosters, down from last year's previous record low of 7.2%. But four of the first five players picked in last summer's amateur draft were Black for the first time. Black catching prospect Zion Rose says "we're starting to come through."
The Atlanta Braves have reason to hope right-hander Kyle Wright, the majors' only 20-game winner last season, still has time to be ready for opening day. If Wright requires more time to prepare for the season, the Braves appear to be developing sufficient depth to fill their rotation. The 27-year-old Wright has yet to appear in a spring game after having a cortisone shot to address a right shoulder issue in January. Ian Anderson and Bryce Elder are competing for the No. 5 spot in the rotation and provide depth if Wright isn't ready for the start of the season.
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Andrew McCutchen, who played in Sahlen Field as a member of the Indianapolis Indians in 2008, offered his own salute to Buffalo's return to baseball Tuesday.