From the Cubs’ Corey Abbott to the Royals’ Angel Zerba and from 20-year-old Wander Franco to 33-year-old Mickey Jannis, 265 players made their MLB debuts in 2021. In this post, I’d like to present a lineup (by position) of what Baseball Roundtable rates as 2021’s “best” debut games. But first, a few 2021 trivia tidbits:
- 2021 debuts included 164 pitchers and 101 position players (including designated hitters).
- The Orioles saw the most 2021 MLB debuts at 16, followed by the Angels and Cubs at 15.
- The Braves and Cardinals saw the fewest debuts at three, followed by the White Sox and A’s at four each.
- April first (Opening Day) was the earliest 2021 debut date – with nine players making their first major-league appearance on that date.
- Two players made their debuts on October 3 – the season’s final day.
- National League Rookie of the Year Jonathon India of the Reds made his debut in 2021; American League Rookie of the Year Randy Arozarena of the Rays made his MLB debut in 2019 (with the Cardinals) and had played 42 regular-season MLB games and 25 post-season games before the 2021 season opened.
- Twelve countries were represented among the debut players.
Baseball Roundtable Rates the Top 25 (All-Time) MLB Debuts
For Baseball Roundtable’s rating of the top 25 MLB debuts, click here. You’ll find players from stars like Willie McCovey (four-for-four with two triples in his debut) to record-setters like Karl Spooner (15 strikeouts in his debut) to lesser-known players like Ray Jansen (with four hits in his only MLB game, which was also his first-ever professional game at any level).
Now, that All-2021 Debut Lineup.
Kent Emanuel, Astros … April 24, 2021
- 8 2/3 IP, five hits, two earned runs, zero walks, five strikeouts
There were a handful of pitchers whose 2021 MLB debuts deserved consideration. Pirates’ 23-year-old righty Max Kranick, for example, made his debut on June 27 (starting against the Cardinals) and pitched five perfect innings (three strikeouts), picking up his first MLB win. Or there’s the Rangers 25-year-old right-hander Glenn Otto, who debuted on August 27 – starting against the powerful Astros – and gave up just two hits (no runs) over five innings, while fanning seven. But, for Baseball Roundtable, the most striking (pun intended) 2021 pitching debut belonged to the Astros’ 29-year-old southpaw Kent Emanuel.
The rookie, who had already spent seven seasons in the minors, settled into the Astros’ bullpen ready to watch Houston starter Jake Odorizzi go to work, He didn’t get to watch for long. Odorizzi retired leadoff hitter David Fletcher on five pitchers, but then had to had to leave the game with forearm tightness – and suddenly Emanuel found himself heading to an MLB mound for the first time. Emanuel finished the game, tossing 8 2/3 innings, giving up just five hits and two runs (on home runs by Albert Pujols and Shohei Ohtani), walking none and fanning five. He threw 90 pitches, 55 for strikes. Emanuel picked up the win, as the Astros triumphed 16-2.
Emanuel pitched in nine more games for the Astros, before an elbow injury (requiring surgery) ended his season in late May. He never pitched more than two innings in any of those appearances and ended the season at 1-0, 2.55, with a total of 17 2/3 MLB innings on his resume. In November, the Astros placed Emanuel on waivers and he was claimed by the Phillies.
Emanuel was drafted in the third round of the 2013 MLB Draft (out of the University of North Carolina, where he had gone 28-10, 2.52 in three seasons).
Kent Emanuel was name Atlantic Coast Conference Pitcher of the ear in 2013.
In seven minor-league seasons – interrupted by 2015 Tommy John surgery, Emanuel went 35-25, 4.77. In 2019, he was 8-2, 3.90 with the Triple-A Round Rock Express.
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Catcher – Nick Fortes, Marlins … September 18, 2021
- Two-for-three, one run, two RBI, HR
Nick Fortes was drafted by the Marlins in the fourth round of the 2018 MLB Draft (out of the University of Mississippi, where he had played 126 games over three seasons, going .308-16-82,with 14 stolen bases). In three minor-league campaigns he hit .232-10-84 in 190 games.
He made his MLB debut on September 18, catching and batting seventh for the Marlins (versus the Pirates in Miami). In his first at bat (leading off the bottom of the third against the Pirate starter Bryse Wilson), he hit an 0-1 pitch for a groundball single up the middle. He came up against Wilson again in the fifth, with a runner on first, one out and the Marlins trailing 5-0. In that at bat, he hit Wilson’s first offering for a home run to deep left. In his third at bat, he grounded out to short, The Marlins lost the game 6-3,
Fortes got in 14 games for the Marlins in 2022, hitting .290, with four home runs, seven RBI, six runs scored and one stolen base.
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First Base – Alfonso Rivas III, Cubs … August 29, 2021
- Two-for-three, one double
Rivas was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the fourth round of the 2018 MLB Draft (out of the University of Arizona, where he hit .323-15-141, with nine steals in 173 games over three seasons). In two minor-league seasons in the Oakland system (183 games), Rivas hit .289-10-88. Then, in January 2020, he was traded to the Cubs. When called up in 2021, Rivas was hitting .284-4-32 (58 games) for the Iowa Cubs.
In his first MLB game, he was at first base, batting eighth, as the Cubs faced the White Sox. The White Sox’ Dylan Ceases (10-6, 3.92 at the time) started and went six innings (four hits, one run, 11 strikeouts) for the win. Cease retired the first seven Cubs he faced, before Rivas singled up the middle on the first MLB pitch he saw (top of the third). He came up again in the fifth – again facing Cease – with the Cubs down 3-1, and doubled down the left field line. (Cease showed his “stuff” by fanning the next three Cubs.) In the seventh, Rivas flied out to center off reliever Ryan Tepera.
In his next four games, Rivas went zer0-for-ten, but he then hit safely in 11 of his final 13 2021 games, ending the season at .318-1-3 in 18 contests.
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Second Base – Jonathan India, Reds … April 1, 2001
- Two-for-four, one double
Jonathan India was a first-round pick (fifth overall) for the Reds in the 2018 MLB Draft (out of the University of Florida, where he it .310-31-126, with 41 steals in 194 games over three season).
In 2018, Jonathon India was a first-team All American and the SEC Player of the Year. In that season, he went .350-21-52, with 15 steals in 68 games.
In two minor- league seasons, India hit.254-17-67, with 17 steals in 165 games.
The 24-year-old made his first start for the Reds on April 1, 2021, playing second base and batting seventh against the Cardinals in Cincinnati. It was a less than auspicious start, as the Cardinals’ Jack Flaherty fanned him looking on a 3-2 pitch to end the second inning. India got the better of Flaherty in the fourth inning (with the Reds already down 11-3), doubling to left. India then led off the sixth with a single to left center off reliever Ryan Hensley, before flying out to right in his final at bat of the day (bottom of the seventh.). India got off to a good start overall, with 10 hits (.476 average) and 10 RBI in his first six MLB games. He ended the season at .269-21-69, with 12 steals and 98 run scored in 150 games – capturing the Rookie of the Year honors.
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Third Base, Wander Franco, Rays… June 22, 2021
- Two-for-four, two runs, three RBI, one double, one home run, one walk
Wander Franco was considered a top international prospect when he signed (as a 16-year-old) with the Rays during the 2017 international signing period. He immediately began delivering on his potential with a .351-11-57 season (61 games) at Rookie-Level ball in 2018. In 2019, he hit .327-9-53 at A and High-A. In 2021, still just 20-years-old, he was hitting Triple-A pitching for a .313 average, with seven homers and 35 RBI in 40 games.
The switch-hitting Franco made his first start for the Rays on June 22, 2021 (batting second and playing third base against the Red Sox) and kept right on raking. In his first MLB plate appearance, he showed great discipline for a 20-year-old, working a six-pitch walk off starter Eduardo Rodriguez (the only walk Rodriguez would surrender in six innings of work). Wander later scored on a single by Francisco Mejia.
Wander worked the count to 3-2 again leading off the third, before flying out to center. Then in the fifth, with the Rays trailing 5-2, he jumped on the first pitch from Rodriguez for a game-tying three-run home run to left. Wander wasn’t done yet, as he doubled to left off reliever Josh Taylor in the seventh. He came up again in the bottom of the ninth needing a triple for the cycle, but grounded out to pitcher Matt Barnes. The Red Sox won in 11 innings by a 9-5 score.
Franco went on to play 70 games for the Rays in 2021 (starting 61 at SS). He’s at third base here because that was his debut position. He hit .288, with seven home runs and 39 RBI for the season. He then went on to hit .368-2-4 in AL Division series (verso Boston).
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MLB Debut Extra – A Long Time A’Comin’
Orioles’ pitcher Mickey Jannis, at 33-years-old, was the oldest player to make his MLB debut in 2021. It came on June 23 – in his eleventh professional season. He came in in the top of the fifth, with the Astros leading the Orioles 6-0 and the number four-five-six hitters coming up. The knuckleballer fanned the first MLB hitter he ever faced (DH Yordan Alvarez); got SS Carlos Correa on a flyout to right; and walked RF Kyle Tucker (who was erased trying to steal). Unfortunately, things didn’t go as well after that inning, as Jannis gave up seven runs in 3 1/3 innings. Still, his perseverance did get him to the major-league mound.
Shortstop, Oneil Cruz, Pirates … October 2, 2021
- Two-for-five, one run, one RBI
Cruz almost didn’t make this lineup. First, he didn’t get make his MLB debut until the second-to-last game of the Pirates’ season. Second, Wander Franco might seem like the logical choice here, but the fact that Franco made his debut at third base, left the shortstop spot open on in this lineup.
Cruz made his MLB debut for the Pirates, playing Shortstop and batting eighth. It came on October 2, 2021. The late-season call up recognized Cruz’ fine 2021 season at Double-A and Triple-A – .310-17-47, with 19 steals in 68 games.
When Oneil Cruz stepped onto the field on October 2 in Pittsburgh, he – at 6’-7” – became the tallest shortstop to start an MLB game.
In his first MLB at bat, Cruz grounded out to short to end the bottom of the second. He came up again in the fifth, with the Pirates trailing 5-0, with two runners on and no outs. In that plate appearance, he hit an RBI single through the right side of the infield, helping spark a six-run Pirates’ rally. He batted again the inning, striking out. He later added single in the seventh inning and a strikeout in the eighth. Cruz was in the lineup again for the season finale, going one-for-four and collecting his first MLB home run.
Cruz was signed out of the Dominican Republic by the Dodgers (as a 16-year-old) in July of 2015. In 2016, he hit .294, with 23 RBI and 11 steals (no home runs) in Rookie-Level ball. Then, in 2017, he was hitting .240-8-36 at A-Level, when the Dodgers traded him to the Pirates (July 31). Cruz has played in five minor-league seasons, hitting .281-49-207, with 60 steals (404 games).
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Left Field, Akil Baddoo, Tigers … April 4, 2021
- One-for-three, solo home run
Akil Baddoo made his debut playing left field and batting ninth, as the Tigers faced the Indians in Detroit. His first plate appearance came leading off the bottom of the third inning (Tigers ahead 2-1) and he hit the first MLB pitch he ever saw (from Aaron Civale) for a home run to left field. It was one of only three Tiger hits that afternoon, as Detroit fell 9-2.
“Hitting” the Ground Running
In his first four MLB games, Akil Baddoo went five-for-eleven (.455), with a triple, two home runs and seven RBI.
Badoo finished his rookie MLB season at .259-13-55 in 124 games. He also had seven triples and was successful on 18 of 22 steal attempts.
Baddoo was signed by the Twins (out of Salem High School in Conyers, GA) in the second round of the 2016 MLB draft. While he struggled as a 17-year old in the Gulf Coast Rookie League (hitting .178 in 38 games), he found his footing the following season, when he hit .323-4-29 in 53 Rookie-Level games. In four minor-league seasons in the Twins’ organization, he hit .249-21-93, with 47 steals (in 233 games). Baddoo had Tommy John surgery in 2019 (and, of course, did not play in 2020 due to the Corona virus). The Twins left him available in the Rule Five draft and he went to the Tigers, where a strong Spring earned him a roster spot.
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MLB Debut Extra … I Get Around
Luke Williams made his MLB debut for the Phillies, as a pinch hitter, on June 8, 29012 – bunting for a single to lead off the fifth inning and eventually scoring a run. That’s not what gets him in as an “Extra” in this post. What gets him here is that, in his debut MLB season, he appeared (and handled fielding chances) at every position except pitcher and catcher.
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Center Field Jarren Duran, Red Sox … July 17, 2021
- One- for-two, one run, one walk
Jarren Duran debuted for the Rd Sox, manning center field and batting seventh, as they took on the Yankees and Gerrit Cole in New York. On the very first MLB pitch he saw (from Cole), Duran singled to deep center – eventually coming around to score on a single by Red Sox’ second baseman Christian Arroyo (scoring the only run in a 3-1 Red Sox loss). Duran also drew a five-pitch walk against Cole, who pitched all six innings of the rain shortened game (Cole gave up five hits, two walks and fanned 11). So, Duran was on base in two of three plate appearances versus the Yankee “ace.”
Duran was drafted by the Red Sox in the seventh round of the 2018 MLB Draft (out of Californian State University, Long Beach, where he hit .294-3-66, with 49 steals in 169 games over three seasons). In three minor-league seasons, he hit .307-24-109, with 86 steals in 259 games. In his first MLB season, Duran hit .215-2-10 in 33 games. His MLB season was cut short by an early September positive COVID test. After returning from the COVID list, he was sent down to Triple A.
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Right Field, Kyle Isbel, Royals … April 1, 2021
- Three-for-five, one run, two RBI
After just two (uneven) minor-league seasons (.327 average in 2018 & .233 in 2019), Kyle Isbel found himself in the starting lineup (RF, batting seventh) for the Royals (versus Rangers) on Opening Day of the 2021 season. And, he acquitted himself well. In the bottom of the fist inning, he lashed an RBI single to right. He struck out on four pitches leading off the third inning, but came back with a single to left in the fourth. Like his up and down minor-league seasons, he fanned again on four pitches in the fifth, but came back with a run-scoring single in the seventh – giving him a nice three-for-five debut in the Royals’ 14-10 win.
Isbel got in 12 April games for the Royals, hitting .265,with one extra base hit (a triple) and three RBI. However, he had just two walks versus 15 strikeouts in 36 plate appearances. In late April, Isbel was sent down to the Royals’ alternate training site (and then to Triple-A Omaha, where his .269-15-55 and 22 steals in 105 games earned him another look from the Royals). Called back up in mid-September, he hit .286-1-4 for the Royals in 16 games between September 12 and August 3. His final line in his first MLB season was .276-1-7 in 28 games.
Isbel was drafted by the Royals in the third round of the 2018 MLB Draft (out of the University of Nevada, where he went .322-21-110 in three seasons (170 games).
In 2016, Kyle Isbel was the Mountain West Conference Co-Freshman of the Year. In 2018, he earned First-Team All Mountain West Conference recognition.
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Designated Hitter – Yohei Pozo, Rangers … August 13, 2021
- Two-for-three, one run, three RBI, one home run
A catcher by trade, Yohei Pozo made his debut for the Rangers as a DH, batting eighth. He had quite a day, knocking in three of the Rangers’ runs in an 8-6 win over the Athletics (in Texas).
He started with a single leading off the bottom of the second. Then, a taste of reality in the big leagues, a three-pitch strikeout in the fourth. He followed that with a three-run home run off veteran Sergio Romo in the sixth and finished with a foul pop up in the seventh.
Pozo ended up the MLB season, hitting .284-1-9 in 21 games.
Pozo was signed by the Rangers (out of Venezuela) as a 16-year-old in 2013. By age 22 he had six minor-league seasons under his belt (.278-25-192 in 444 games). Then, in November of 2020, he was signed as a minor-league free agent by the Padres. The Rangers, however, got him back in the fold a month later in the Rule Five Draft. It proved to be a good move. Assigned to Triple-A to start the season, Pozo hit .337 with 19 home runs in 66 games to earn his call up to the Rangers. Note: Pozo was sent back down to Triple A in late September.
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Debut Post Extra – Show about a Beer?
How can you not include the MLB debut of a ballplayer names “Beer?” There’s jersey I have to have. Seth Beer made his MLB debut as a pinch hitter for the Diamondbacks on September 10, 2021. And he did it in style. Beer, In the eighth inning of that contest, in his first MLB plate appearance, stroked a pinch-hit home run to right field off reliever Diego Castillo to pull the Diamondbacks to within one run of the Mariners (4-5, the eventual final score). Seth Beer played in five 2021 games for Seattle, going four-for-nine with four runs scored, one home run and three RBI. His season was cut short by a shoulder injury (which required surgery). When called up by the Mariners, Beer was hitting .287-16-59 (100 games) for the Triple-A Reno Aces. Baseball Roundtable first wrote about the player with the perfect baseball name back in 2017. For that post, click here.
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