The 2023 Major League Baseball (MLB) season has officially begun, and with the opening weekend of the season coming to a close, sports fans and analysts alike are already beginning to discuss and debate the standout players and performances from the past few days.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale has offered his own opinions on the subject, naming several players and teams as deserving of recognition for their impressive efforts on the field.
First on Nightengale’s list is Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout, who he describes as “the best player in baseball” and who hit two home runs in his team’s opening game against the Oakland Athletics. Trout’s strong performance has sparked excitement among fans and experts who are eager to see what he will achieve throughout the rest of the season.
Nightengale also praises the Toronto Blue Jays for their impressive victory over the New York Yankees on opening day, citing their “dominant” pitching and “explosive” offence. He also notes the standout performances of several Blue Jays players, including starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu and shortstop Bo Bichette.
Additionally, Nightengale highlights the strong start made by the San Francisco Giants, who won their first two games against the San Diego Padres thanks to stellar performances from starting pitchers Johnny Cueto and Kevin Gausman. He also notes the impressive debut of Giants catcher Joey Bart, who hit a home run in his first-ever Major League at-bat.
While it is still early in the season, these standout performances and successes have already generated buzz and excitement among baseball fans. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see which players and teams continue to impress and make their mark on the league.