LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Every Wednesday this season, NM State Baseball will feature the former Aggies who are now playing in either the Major or Minor Leagues. As 2023 gets underway, nine former Aggies find their name on an Opening Day roster, scattered between the Single-A and Major League Baseball.
 
MLB
Kyle Bradish (Baltimore Orioles) – Bradish worked 1.2 innings in his first start of the season against the Texas Rangers before being struck in the foot with a line drive. In just five outs, Bradish fanned two and allowed just one hit. Unable to continue, Bradish lands on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to April 4.
 
Triple-A
Nick Gonzales (Indianapolis Indians; Pittsburgh) – After getting the call to Triple-A Indianapolis, Gonzales has made some noise at the plate through four games. Thus far, the infielder has recorded three hits, including a double and a home run.
 
Joey Ortiz (Norfolk Tides; Baltimore) – After missing the first three games of the season with a concussion, Oritz made his season debut on Tuesday, going 0-4. Ortiz should be a mainstay in the lineup as Norfolk continues a series against Gwinnett.
 
Double-A
Daniel Johnson (San Antonio Missions; San Diego) – Johnson begins his journey within the Padres organization with the San Antonio Missions. As Johnson looks to return to the major leagues, his next stop will be with the El Paso Chihuahuas – Just a 45-minute drive from Presley Askew Field.

Marcel Renteria (Binghamton Rumble Ponies; New York Mets) – After recovering from a season-ending injury in 2022, Renteria will kick off 2023 in Double-A for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. Binghamton begins the season on Thursday at Portland.
 
High-A
Ian Mejia (Rome Braves; Atlanta) – Mejia will get the nod as the Opening Day starter for High-A Rome. This spring, Mejia saw time in a spring training game against the Boston Red Sox.
 
Sammy Natera (Tri-City Dust Devils; Los Angeles Angels) – After being selected in the seventeenth round of the MLB Draft, Natera will make his professional debut at High-A as a starting pitcher.
 
Brock Whittlesey (Lansing Lugnuts; Oakland) – Whittlesey is off to Michigan and will join the Lansing Lugnuts for Opening Day on Friday. The right-hander saw time with Double-A Midland throughout the 2022 season.
 
Single-A
Alex Bustamante (Tampa Tarpons; New York Yankees) – Bustamante will begin the 2023 campaign with Tampa. After appearing on the lineup card for multiple New York Yankees spring training games, the organization sends him back to the place in which he finished 2022. Tampa opens the season on Friday against the Lakeland Flying Tigers.
 
Chris Jefferson (Modesto Nuts; Seattle) – Jefferson heads to the central valley, joining the Modesto Nuts to begin 2023. Modesto opens the season on Thursday, April 6 on the road against Stockton.