October has arrived, and the 2024 MLB Playoffs are in full swing as USA Baseball alumni are taking the field across the league. Over forty players that have donned the red, white, and blue are a part of Wild Card rosters and have already made their mark. Catch up with all the action and see which USA Baseball alumni are making an impact for their team!

METS VS. BREWERS

The NL Wild Card matchup between the New York Mets and the Milwaukee Brewers was full of fireworks and plenty of USA Baseball alumni. It was all Mets in Game 1 thanks in large part to Mark Vientos (2014 15U) and Jesse Winker (2011 18U). Vientos nabbed a 2-for-4 line at the plate with two RBIs while also scoring twice. Winker matched Vientos and his game-high RBI count with two of his own thanks to a hard-hit triple. 2011 & 2012 Collegiate National Team alum Ryne Stanek came on in relief for the Mets and sealed the win with a scoreless, no-hit frame.

The Brewers grabbed Game 2 via strong efforts at the plate from both Garrett Mitchell (2019 Collegiate National Team) and three-time Team USA alum Brice Turang. Mitchell crushed a two-run homer to give Milwaukee the lead in the bottom of the eighth while Turang added two hits and scored a run in the contest. The pitching duo of Joe Ross (2007 14U) and Devin Williams (2023 Pro) kept the Mets’ offense at bay throughout the game. Ross earned the win, tossing 1.1 innings of scoreless, no-hit baseball. Like Ross, Williams tossed a scoreless frame to earn the save, pushing the series to a much-anticipated Game 3.

Game 3 boiled down to the very last inning of play. With the Mets down 2-0 going into the top of the ninth frame, 2023 Pro Team alum Pete Alonso cranked a 367-foot, three-run homer to give his side a one-run advantage. After the homer, Winker tacked on a run after being hit by a pitch and scoring on a hit to give the Mets some breathing room. With a two-run lead, David Peterson (2016 CNT) made an appearance on the bump in the ninth and did not disappoint as he sent down three straight Brewers to push the Mets to the NL Division Series.

ROYALS VS. ORIOLES

Powering Kansas City on an improbable run and to its first playoffs since 2015, rising star Bobby Witt Jr. provided the offense desperately needed in a pair of pitcher’s duels. The 2018 18U National Team alum produced two of the Royals’ three total runs and drove in the decisive run needed to win Game 1. Witt showcased his speed and came up clutch in Game 2, legging out an infield single to plate the go-ahead run in the sixth inning. 2016 18U National Team alum MJ Melendez picked up a base hit in Game 2 while Garrett Hampson (2015 CNT) made a pair of appearances in the field.

On the other side, six Team USA alumni made appearances for Baltimore across the two games. Veteran Cedric Mullins, a 2023 WBC participant, went 3-for-7, including an extra-base hit in Game 1 and a game-tying solo shot in Game 2. Colton Cowser (2019 CNT) picked up a base knock in Game 1 while 2019 Golden Spikes Award winner and 2018 Collegiate National Team alum Adley Rutschman started both games and secured a base hit in the series. Zach Eflin (2015 Pro) produced a strong outing in Game 2, tossing 4.0 innings and surrendering only one run on four hits. James McCann (2011 Pro) started one game as the Orioles’ backstop while 2019 Collegiate National Team alum Heston Kjerstad made a pair of pinch-hit appearances.

BRAVES VS. PADRES

Team USA alumni came through in big moments for the Padres in the Wild Card round, leading San Diego to its third National League Divisional Series in five years. First-year Padre Kyle Higashioka (2023 Pro) stood out both behind and at the plate, belting a pair of homers including a towering, 387-foot home run in Game 1 that put San Diego up by four. Higashioka’s impressive 2-for-5, three RBI performance accounted for a third of the team’s nine runs in the series. Long-time Padre and 2009 18U National Team alum Manny Machado drove in a pair of runs in Game 2 and handed San Diego a lead it would never relinquish. Jake Cronenworth (2019 Pro) served as San Diego’s everyday second baseman, while Jason Adam (2023 Pro) made a pair of relief appearances, highlighted by a scoreless inning in Game 1 where he struck out the side.

For Atlanta, Travis d’Arnaud (2011 Pro) started at catcher in Game 1 and picked up an extra-base hit, while 2010 16U National Team alum Matt Olson also contributed a base knock.

TIGERS VS. ASTROS

Team USA alums Tyler Holton (2017 CNT) and Spencer Torkelson (2018 & 2019 CNT) played important roles in the Tigers’ sweep of the Astros AL Wild Card Series. Holton made his presence felt on the mound, tossing 1.1 innings across two games while keeping the Astros scoreless throughout that stretch. Torkelson drew three walks throughout the series, helping put his squad in scoring position a number of times including in the late innings of Game 2 to secure his side the victory. Additionally, 2015 15U National Team alum Justyn-Henry Malloy went 2-for-3 with a walk during the series.

For the Astros, five-time USA Baseball alum Alex Bregman got the start at third base in both games and posted a 3-for-8 line at the dish, leading Houston with two hits in Game 1. Josh Hader, a member of the 2015 Pro Team, made two appearances on the mound. He tossed 2.1 frames and was particularly strong in Game 1 as he yielded only a single and kept Detroit from scoring in his outing. Ryan Pressly (2023 Pro) suffered the loss in Game 2, giving up two hits and three runs through 0.2 innings.

The 2024 MLB Playoffs continue with Division Series action, beginning on Saturday. Be sure to follow @USABaseball on all social media to keep up with Team USA alums in the postseason!