Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – With Thursday bringing Opening Day of the 2023 MLB season, the Virginia Tech baseball team is proudly rooting for the continued success of its four MLB Hokies as they depart on this summer's journey to the Fall Classic.
Kerry Carpenter
OF • Detroit Tigers • Virginia Tech (2019)
Detroit Tigers @ Tampa Bay Rays
3:10 p.m. ET
Kerry Carpenter will dress on Opening Day for the first time during his professional career after making his MLB debut last August with Detroit.
Carpenter batted .333 during 20 spring training appearances with the Tigers, cracking two doubles, one triple and three home runs, scoring seven runs and totaling nine RBIs. Last fall, he hit .252 with Detroit, totaling four doubles, one triple and six home runs during his first 31 career MLB appearances.
Nic Enright
P • Miami Marlins • Virginia Tech (2016-19)
New York Mets @ Miami Marlins
4:10 p.m. ET
Nic Enright was selected by Miami (from Cleveland) during December's MLB Rule 5 Draft that allows clubs to pick up emerging minor league talent (non-40-man players) and promote them to their 40-man roster – simultaneously preventing teams from hiding prospects at lower ranks.
Enright did not make a spring training appearance with the Marlins after announcing in December he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. While undergoing cancer treatments, Enright shared with MLB.com that he has, "no current physical limitations," as Miami irons out a plan to have him return to the mound with medical approval.
In his personal statement released on Instagram in December, Enright expressed his goal is to, "provide hope and inspiration to others who fight their battles with cancer. I'm going to continue to tackle this challenge with the same perseverance that I do baseball – and I can't wait to return to the mound and the game I love."
He is yet to make his MLB debut.
Joe Mantiply
P • Arizona Diamondbacks • Virginia Tech (2010-13)
Arizona Diamondbacks @ Los Angeles Dodgers
10:07 p.m. ET
After pitching in the 2022 MLB All-Star Game while representing the National League, Joe Mantiply is set to begin his sixth MLB season this year and his fourth with Arizona.
Mantiply made six spring training appearances with the Diamondbacks, allowing six earned runs across six and one-third innings pitched, recording five strikeouts without issuing a walk. One of the top relief options in the National League last season, Mantiply led Arizona's staff with 69 appearances, boasting a 2.85 ERA while stamping 61 strikeouts across 60 innings pitched (earning two saves).
Packy Naughton
P • St. Louis Cardinals • Virginia Tech (2015-17)
Toronto Blue Jays @ St. Louis Cardinals
4:10 p.m. ET
Packy Naughton is among a contingent of left-handed relievers who will suit up with St. Louis on Opening Day.
Naughton, who made his MLB debut in 2021 with the Los Angeles Angels, made 11 spring training appearances with the Cardinals, allowing 10 earned runs across 10 innings pitched while recording seven strikeouts. Last season, Naughton sported a 4.78 ERA with St. Louis, earning his first career save while racking up 31 strikeouts across 32 innings pitched.