Where every 2025 MLB Opening Day starting pitcher went to high school

California and Florida arms lead the way as baseball begins today.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Thomas Frey
By
Mar 27, 2025, 11:30am
With Opening Day of the 2025 MLB season set for Thursday, we look back at where all of the starting pitchers went to high school. California and Florida each have four of the 30 projected starters.

A California and Florida starter will face off as North Florida Christian (Tallahassee, Fla.) alum Cole Ragans of the Kansas City Royals will pitch against the Cleveland Guardians and Tanner Bibee, who hails from Mission Viejo (Calif.).

Mississippi and North Carolina are the only other states with at least two Opening Day starting pitchers. Magnolia State natives Garrett Crochet and Justin Steele are expected to take the mound for the Red Sox and Cubs, respectively. For North Carolina its MacKenzie Gore of the Nationals and Carlos Rodon from the Yankees.

Kyle Freeland of the Colorado Rockies will make his Opening Day start just 13 miles away from where the lefty pitched in high school at Thomas Jefferson (Denver, Colo.).

In total, 15 states are represented along with the Dominican Republic, Japan, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.
(Graphic: Ryan Escobar)
(Graphic: Ryan Escobar)
California – 4
Starting pitcher, MLB team, high school
Tanner Bibee, Guardians, Mission Viejo
Hunter Greene, Reds, Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks)
Paul Skenes, Pirates, El Toro (Lake Forest)
Logan Webb, Giants, Rocklin

Florida – 4
Zach Eflin, Orioles, Hagerty (Oviedo)
Logan Gilbert, Mariners, Wekiva (Apopka)
Cole Ragans, Royals, North Florida Christian (Tallahassee)
Chris Sale, Braves, Lakeland

Mississippi – 2
Garrett Crochet, Red Sox, Ocean Springs
Justin Steele, Cubs, George County (Lucedale)

North Carolina – 2
MacKenzie Gore, Nationals, Whiteville
Carlos Rodon, Yankees, Holly Springs

Alabama – 1
Clay Holmes, Mets, Slocomb

Arizona – 1
Tarik Skubal, Tigers, Kingman Academy (Kingman)

Colorado – 1
Kyle Freeland, Rockies, TThomas Jefferson (Denver)

Georgia – 1
Zack Wheeler, Phillies, East Paulding (Dallas)

Indiana – 1
Ryan Pepiot, Rays, Westfield

Massachusetts – 1
Sean Burke, White Sox, St. John's (Shrewsbury)

New Jersey – 1
Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks, Bishop Eustace Prep (Pennsauken)

Rhode Island – 1
Michael King, Padres, Bishop Hendricken (Warwick)

Tennessee – 1
Sonny Gray, Cardinals, Smyrna

Texas – 1
Nathan Eovaldi, Rangers, Alvin

Washington – 1
Blake Snell, Dodgers, Shorewood (Shoreline)

Dominican Republic – 4
Sandy Alcantara, Marlins
Freddy Peralta, Brewers
Luis Severino, Athletics
Framber Valdez, Astros

Japan – 1
Yusei Kikuchi, Angels

Puerto Rico – 1
Joes Berrios, Blue Jays

Venezuela – 1
Pablo Lopez, Twins

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