The 2026 Major League Baseball season gets started this weekend, so it’s time for an annual check-in on where Long Beach’s baseball stars are playing, and what could lie ahead this summer on the diamond.
A pair of Long Beach State Dirtbags will open the season on active rosters, including veteran Jeff McNeil, set to begin his first season with the Athletics in Sacramento. The 33-year-old utilityman spent his first eight big league seasons with the New York Mets and will join a potent young lineup on the West Coast this year.
McNeil has gone 10-for-43 (.233) this spring, and is in line to start at second base this season for the Athletics, though he’s got the flexibility to play multiple positions.
Another former Dirtbag, Jarren Duran, is expected to be a key part of the Boston Red Sox lineup this season. The 29-year-old outfielder has had a terrific offseason, both as a member of Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic and for the BoSox in Spring Training. In his 27 Grapefruit League at-bats, Duran hit .407 with three home runs, while collecting six walks and a pair of stolen bases.
In the National League, Long Beach native Trevor Megill is back in a key role in the Milwaukee Brewers’ bullpen. After his first All-Star Game appearance in 2025, Megill will continue to close games in 2026, and is coming off an impressive spring. In 5.2 innings, the 32-year-old right-hander posted a 1.59 ERA, racking up an impressive 13 strikeouts against just one walk.
Speaking of the bullpen, Wilson High’s Tommy Nance remains with the Toronto Blue Jays and will look to build on a solid 2025 campaign. The 35-year-old had a career-best 1.99 ERA in 30 appearances last season, and remains squarely in the Jays’ bullpen picture this summer.
Spring Training hasn’t quite gone to plan for Lakewood High alum J.P. Crawford, who is set to embark on his eighth season as the Seattle Mariners’ shortstop. Crawford, 31, played in just seven Spring Training games until a sore throwing shoulder derailed his build-up to the season. He’s not expected to miss much time, but could begin the season on the injured list.
Another Lakewood Lancer, catcher Travis d’Arnaud, is geared up for his 14th MLB season in 2026. The 37-year-old will be in his second season with the Los Angeles Angels, serving as the team’s backup behind the dish.
The Cincinnati Reds have a crop of Long Beach guys in the organization this year, led by Millikan High grad Spencer Steer. At age 28, Steer has been a valuable member of the Reds’ lineup for the past three full seasons, playing a number of positions around the diamond, but mostly at first base and left field.
Steer is expected to play plenty of left field for the Reds in 2026, but has also gotten Spring Training reps at first base and second base, where he’s appeared 28 times in his MLB career. After a slow start to his spring, he had an extra-base hit in three out of four games from Mar. 15-20, inducing a two-run home run against the Cubs.
Also in the Reds’ organization, fellow Millikan alum Julian Aguiar is on the 40-man roster to begin the 2026 season. The 24-year-old right-hander will begin the season in the minor leagues, but is a candidate for a call-up after making seven starts during the 2024 campaign.
Long Beach State product Garrett Hampson is also with the Reds after signing a minor league deal this offseason, but would need to be added to the 40-man before rejoining the big club.
Lakewood High graduate Ricky Tiedemann is still waiting to make his MLB debut after battling injuries as a professional. The 23-year-old lefty remains an exciting prospect for the Toronto Blue Jays, and was added to their 40-man roster this offseason. As he works his way back from Tommy John Surgery back in August 2024, he’s a candidate to join the Blue Jays later in the season.
He’s not the only Lakewood alum with a bright future on the mound, as excitement continues to build over righty Anthony Eyanson. After going in the third round of the 2025 MLB Draft, Eyanson showcased his talents for the Boston Red Sox during the recent Spring Breakout series.
Eyanson struck out all three batters he faced, going against some of the Baltimore Orioles’ top prospects, while throwing 10 of his 14 pitches for strikes. He also reached a personal milestone, hitting 100.2 miles per hour on his fastball for the first time in his career. Eyanson is already ranked the No. 10 prospect in Boston’s system by MLB.com, but could move up that list in a hurry if he continues to display improved velocity and an ability to miss bats consistently.
The MLB season begins on Wednesday evening with the New York Yankees playing the San Francisco Giants, with a fuller slate of games set for Thursday.
