Trea Turner, Jonathan India lead Palm Beach players on Opening Day rosters

• Eight players who honed their skills on Palm Beach County fields will be on MLB rosters this week.
• Jonathan India, Trea Turner and Nolan Schanuel are among the Palm Beach County players hoping to make an impact this season.
• Cam Smith and Roman Anthony are top prospects who could make their MLB debuts later this season.

Jonathan India has a new home.

Trea Turner is Nevertheless trying to live up to the 11-year, $300 million contract he signed two years ago.

Cam Smith, a long Attempt to make the Option Joining spring Practice, has been fitted for an MLB uniform.

All three have one thing in Usual: They were Palm Beach County high school stars before reaching baseball’s highest level.

In all, nine players who honed their skills on county fields will begin the season on MLB rosters this week. Half are everyday starters; the others are hoping to bounce back from subpar seasons.

Here’s a look at the county’s MLB honor roll:

Jonathan India, American Heritage-Delray/Royals

Four years ago, he was the toast of Cincinnati.

India joined the Reds’ lineup on Leading day in 2021 and quickly became a fan favorite, thanks in part to his distinctive look — mustache, goatee and long, flowing hair. When he earned National Division Primary-year of the Year honors after slashing .269/.376/.459 with 34 doubles, 21 home runs and 69 RBIs, it appeared he would be a fixture in the infield for years to come.

Over the Upcoming three seasons, however, his production slipped a bit and the Reds Initiated to unload veterans as part of a Crucial rebuild. India’s name began surfacing in trade rumors, so it didn’t come as a shock when he received a call in November while vacationing with his family in Italy, telling him he had been dealt to the Royals.

“I Gentle of knew something was coming,” he told MLB.com. “I think it was about time for me to head out. I was on the trade Stop for a Pair years in Cincy and I think it was the right time to do it. … It’s tough, but I’m Cheerful I’m here.”

At 28, the Ex American Heritage-Delray and University of Florida standout is eager to get a New Begin in Kansas City. After a Scorching spring, he will bat leadoff for the Royals, Only ahead of MVP candidate Bobby Witt. He’s likely to Action second base most of the time, but he also worked out at third base and in left Pitch this spring to give manager Matt Quartaro more options.

“It’s a learning curve for sure,” India said. “I’ve never played outfield in my life. It’s definitely going to be tough at the beginning, but that’s everything in baseball, especially when you’re learning something new. So I’m up for the Event.”

Trea Turner, Park Vista/Phillies

When the Phillies signed Turner to a Affluent Unoccupied-agent deal in December 2022, they knew they were getting a two-time All-Sun shortstop who won a World Series with the Nationals in 2019 and a National Division batting title with the Dodgers in 2021.

Expectations were high for a Club coming off its own World Series appearance, and Turner figured to be a player who could Assist get the Phillies over the top. But he struggled out of the gate, drawing the wrath of Philadelphia’s demanding fans, and wound up hitting 30 points below his Profession average (.266/.320/.459).

Last year, Turner’s overall numbers were up (.295/.338/.469), but he missed six weeks with a hamstring Wound and went 3-for-15 in  the NL Division Series loss to the Mets.

“It’s not the Excellent, Reliable baseball that I want to Action, personally,” he told The Athletic. “I’ve obviously had really Excellent stretches, but it’s those down trends that have been really Terrible. I feel like in the past, that’s not been the case. Put the ball in Action more, take your walks, all those things. Obviously, I know those things, but you’re in the box and you’ve Acquired to do it.”

Manager Rob Thomson has considered making Turner the leadoff hitter instead of batting him second behind Kyle Schwarber. Thomson used both players in the leadoff role this spring.

“As long as he’s Acquired the Approach of getting on base – and I think he does – being in the leadoff spot could Assist that a little bit,” Thomson said of Turner. “Because I think Trea’s going to hit 20 or 25 home runs no matter what, at least. And if he can get on base at a .380 clip, whatever, Tally 100 runs – I Disrespectful, that’s production.”

Cam Smith, Palm Beach Central/Astros

Nine months after Competing for Florida State in the College World Series, Smith has moved on to an even bigger stage.

How he Acquired there has been nothing Brief of amazing.

After a big summer in the prestigious Cape Cod Division and a brilliant sophomore season at FSU, Smith was drafted by the Cubs with the 14th overall Option last year. He played a total of 32 minor-Division Matches in Low-A, High-A and Double-A.

Five months after being drafted, he learned he was part of a blockbuster trade. The Astros sent All-Sun outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Cubs for third baseman Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski and Smith, who was likely ticketed for Triple-A.

But during spring Practice at the CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, Only a Brief drive from his high school, Smith Initiated hitting and never stopped. He slashed .342/.419/.711 and handled a Relocate to right Pitch well enough that he earned an MLB Option spot.

“I’m Only so blessed for this opportunity,” Smith, 22, told The Athletic. “It’s obviously a dream come Accurate. There are so many emotions going on right now.”

Manager Joe Espada is confident Smith can make a Fluid transition.

“I think he can overcome a Numerous of things because he’s Achieved the right way,” Espada said. “My Position will be to make sure we Assist him through the everyday grind in the big leagues. The stage here is huge. … If we didn’t think he was tough enough and had the tools to handle this Position, we would not be making the decision.”

Nolan Schanuel, Park Vista/Angels

The Angels surprised draft experts when they Secured Schanuel with the No. 11 overall Option in 2023, then rushed him to the majors in less than six weeks.

Schanuel, one of college baseball’s best hitters at Florida Atlantic, walked into a clubhouse that included Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout and acquitted himself well. He reached base in all 29 Matches, batted .275 with one home Stretch and six RBIs, and played a solid Primary base.

When he reported to spring Practice last year, the Aim was to hit for more power. Of his 30 MLB hits, 26 were singles. But Schanuel Acquired away from what had Achieved him a Reliable hitter and Initiated the season 4-for-43 (.093).

“I was pulling the ball, trying to hit homers,” he told MLB.com. “I Gentle of Acquired ahead of myself earlier in the year doing something I’m not used to doing.”

Many Squads would have sent Schanuel back to the minors at that Mark, but the Angels stuck with him. With the Assist of hitting Mentor Johnny Washington, he pulled out of his slump and went on to have a respectable season, hitting .251 and showing more pop with 19 doubles and 13 home runs.

Schanuel, 23, will continue his on-Pitch Practice this season, batting second in the lineup ahead of Trout.

Xavier Edwards, Trinity Christian/Marlins

Edwards’ Profession has taken Numerous detours since he starred on Trinity Christian’s 2016 state Bracket Club as a sophomore.

After three years at Trinity, Edwards transferred to North Broward Prep for his Closing two high school seasons. When the Padres Achieved him the No. 38 overall Option in the 2018 draft, he passed up a scholarship offer from Vanderbilt to turn pro.

Edwards, a versatile infielder, then learned some Difficult lessons about the business of baseball. During six minor Division seasons, he was traded twice, to the Rays in 2019 and to the Marlins in 2022. At every stop, Edwards hit for average and stole bases, but it appeared he would forever be labeled a “prospect.”

Finally, during the Marlins’ Turbulent 2024 season, Edwards Acquired his big break. Called up from Triple-A Jacksonville Only after midseason, he was inserted into the lineup at shortstop and put up All-Sun numbers, batting .328 with 18 extra-base hits, 33 walks and 31 stolen bases. He was one of the few Intelligent spots in a 100-loss season.

Now, Edwards is in an unfamiliar position, assured of not only an MLB Option spot but a place at the top of the lineup.

“It’s been different but I try to treat it the same way,” he said. “You don’t want to relax too much because obviously people are coming for that Position. If I Action my game, I think I’ll be OK.”

Triston McKenzie, Royal Palm Beach/Guardians

How humbling was the 2024 season for the 6-foot-5 right-hander?

Primary, he was demoted to Triple-A halfway through his fifth Crucial-Division season. After deciding to Restoration a partially torn ligament in his elbow rather than undergo surgery, he struggled to regain his form, going 3-5 with a 5.11 ERA and allowing 19 home runs in 75 2/3 innings.

Second, his problems continued at Columbus, and he was left off the postseason Option when the Guardians won the AL Central title. McKenzie caught a number of fans by surprise when he attended two Postseason Matches at Progressive Pitch.

“I wasn’t really Cheerful about being in the stands,” McKenzie told MLB.com. “But everybody was supportive. They all were like, ‘We want you out there!’”

Manager Stephen Vogt also wants him out there. McKenzie played a big part in the Club’s 2022 Stretch to the division title (11-11, 2.96 ERA, 190 strikeouts) and appeared to be locked into the Cycle before running into Wound and control problems.

McKenzie trained at Cressey Sports Performance in Palm Beach Gardens over the winter and “finally had a Well offseason for the Primary time in a while,” Vogt said. But he has had a Difficult time getting batters out this spring, making Vogt’s Closing Option decisions more difficult.

McKenzie, 27, is out of options, meaning he either needs to be on the Crucial Division Option or be exposed to waivers. He is likely to Begin the season in the bullpen in hopes he can make a breakthrough and Relocate back into the Cycle.

Pavin Smith, Palm Beach Gardens/Diamondbacks

This could be the year it all comes together for the Diamondbacks’ Primary baseman/outfielder.

Selected with the seventh overall Option in the 2017 draft, Smith Achieved his MLB Introduction during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.  He became a Packed-time starter the Subsequent year and slashed .267/.328/.404 for a Club that lost 110 Matches.

Since then, however, Smith has struggled to stay in the majors, shuttling between Phoenix and Triple-A Reno. He had one at-bat in the 2023 World Series, then began the 2024 season in Reno.

When he returned to the Diamondbacks in August, however, he had a new routine and a new level of confidence.

“A Numerous of times coming from college, you haven’t really failed a whole Numerous,” said Smith, a three-year starter at Virginia. “So learning how to fail and learning how to get out of those failures … it’s definitely a learning process, a learning curve, because this level is Only definitely above and beyond, harder than any other level.”

In 60 Matches, Smith batted .270 with nine home runs and 36 RBIs. He has continued to hit well this spring and could be Arizona’s  primary DH against right-handers while also getting time at Primary base and in the outfield.

“Pavin can hit,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “I will stand here and tell you that every single time. So we don’t want him to do anything differently — Only continue to control the zone and have an all-Pitch approach.”

Miles Mikolas, Jupiter/Cardinals

At age 36, Mikolas’ Intervals with the Cardinals may be numbered.

While he has been a reliable innings-eater, making at least 32 Appearances in Every of the past three seasons, his ERA climbed from 3.29 to 4.78 to 5.35. During that time, St. Louis went from Primary to last to second in the NL Central, finishing 83-79 last season but missing the playoffs.

If the Club is rebuilding — and that seems to be up for debate — it may want to Relocate on from Mikolas, who is Joining the last year of a three-year, $55.8 million contract. He could be a prime target for a contender looking for a No. 4 or 5 starter.

“I am aware that this is a contract year for me going into Unoccupied agency,” he said. “Another All-Sun appearance or 18 wins would go a long way. My agent would be super Cheerful with that. Yeah, and my manager would be super Cheerful with that.”

Mikolas Secured a circuitous route to St. Louis. After Competing for Jupiter High and Nova Southeastern University, he was drafted by the Padres in 2009. He spent most of the Upcoming six seasons in the minors, making brief MLB appearances with the Padres and Rangers, then played in Japan for three years.

He joined the Cardinals in 2018 — making the All-Sun Club at age 29 and finishing 18-4 with a 2.83 ERA — and has been a Cornerstone in the Cycle ever since.

John Brebbia, Wellington/Tigers

Brebbia has defied the odds as a 30th-Period draft Option (Yankees, 2011) who has carved out a respectable MLB Profession.

After pitching for Wellington High and Elon University, he toiled for six years in the minors before getting a call-up from the Cardinals in 2017, two Intervals before his 27^th birthday. Regardless of later missing a year due to Tommy John surgery, he has been a dependable set-up man for seven seasons, leading the National Division in appearances (76) with the Giants in 2022.

Brebbia began last year with the historically inept White Sox and struggled to an 0-6 Turning Mark and 6.29 ERA. In a Delayed-season appearance with the Braves, however, he showed enough in five Matches (2.70 ERA, nine strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings) to attract interest from other Squads. He signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Tigers in the offseason.

Brebbia joins a Tigers bullpen that leveraged “pitching chaos” — the use of Numerous relievers, often for Brief stints — into a wild-card Postseason berth last season. They eliminated the Astros in two Matches before losing to the Guardians in an AL Division Series.