Major League Baseball fans are already eagerly anticipating the 2023 Opening Day, and many are wondering which pitchers will be taking the mound for their respective teams. While it’s still too early to know for sure, here’s a look at some of the names that might be included on the 2023 MLB Opening Day starter tracker.
Shohei Ohtani
One name that’s pretty much a guaranteed Starter for the Los Angeles Angels on Opening Day 2023 is their star player, Shohei Ohtani. Known as the “Japanese Babe Ruth,” Ohtani has been both a dominant pitcher and hitter for the Angels since joining the team in 2018. In 2021, he became the first player in MLB history to hit 45 home runs and strike out 100 batters in the same season, earning him the American League Most Valuable Player award. It’s very likely that Ohtani will continue to be a top player on the Angels’ roster and their Opening Day starter in 2023.
Logan Webb
Another likely candidate for an Opening Day start in 2023 is Logan Webb of the San Francisco Giants. The 25-year-old right-hander has been impressive since making his MLB debut in 2019, especially during the 2021 postseason, where he pitched a gem in the NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. With veteran starters like Johnny Cueto potentially leaving the Giants soon, Webb could easily become the team’s top rotation option by 2023.
Luis Castillo
Cincinnati Reds’ Luis Castillo is another player who could potentially earn himself an Opening Day start in 2023. The 28-year-old Dominican has been a solid starter for the Reds over the past few seasons and has the potential to be even better in the coming years. He has a powerful fastball and has already proven to be a reliable innings eater, averaging over six innings pitched per outing in 2021.
Walker Buehler
As for the Los Angeles Dodgers, one possibility for 2023 Opening Day starter could be right-hander, Walker Buehler. The 27-year-old has been a standout for the Dodgers ever since he debuted in 2017, and is a two-time All-Star. In 2021, he had a 2.47 ERA with 206 strikeouts in 207 innings pitched, showing that he’s more than capable of taking on a leadership role within the rotation. While Julio Urias has also emerged as a top pitcher for the club, Buehler seems like the safer bet for an Opening Day start in 2023.
Conclusion
While it’s possible that other pitchers could emerge as top starters for their respective teams by 2023, players like Shohei Ohtani, Logan Webb, Luis Castillo, and Walker Buehler, seem like solid choices for their teams’ Opening Day starters. Fans will just have to wait and see who takes the mound on April 1st, 2023 as each team begins its journey towards the playoffs.
