Countries represented in MLB in 2024

While baseball is often referred to as America’s pastime, it has truly evolved into a global game. The sport’s international influence is clearly evident on Major League Baseball rosters, which feature players from countries all over the world.

Aldegheri is set to become the first pitcher born and raised in Italy to reach the Majors, as well as the first Italian-born player overall to appear in an MLB game since Alex Liddi in 2013.

Ahead of Algheri’s debut, here are all of the countries and territories that have been represented by MLB players (going by place of birth) this season.

Aruba
Aruba has produced six MLB players, including four-time All-Star Xander Bogaerts, one of two players born in Aruba to appear in the Majors this season along with Chadwick Tromp.

Australia
Red Sox reliever Liam Hendriks’ impending return from Tommy John surgery will make him the third Australian-born player to appear in the Majors this season, joining the Rays’ Curtis Mead and the A’s Jack O’Loughlin. Hendriks (three times), Grant Balfour (once) and Dave Nilsson (once) are the lone Australian-born players to earn an MLB All-Star selection.

Bahamas
One of nine Bahamian-born players in MLB history, Jazz Chisholm Jr. made his big league debut with the Marlins in 2020 and earned an All-Star selection in 2022. He was traded to the Yankees in July.

Brazil
Veteran catcher Yan Gomes is one of five players born in Brazil to reach the Majors all time and the country’s lone All-Star.

Germany
Two current Major Leaguers were born in Germany: Twins outfielder Max Kepler and Cardinals utility man Brendan Donovan.

Guam
Mets pitcher Sean Reid-Foley was born in Guam, a United States territory, while his father was stationed there as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard. John Hattig and Reid-Foley are the only players born in Guam to reach the Majors.

Honduras
Only two players born in Honduras have ever made it to the bigs, and only one remains active in 2024 – Astros utilityman Mauricio Dubón, who’s appeared in 112 games for Houston this season.

Japan
There have been 140 players from Japan to play in the Majors, including 12 in 2024. The unquestioned standout among them this season is two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, who made history this season by reaching the 40/40 club faster than anyone in history.

Mexico
Of the 15 players born in Mexico to appear in the Majors this season, Mariners closer Andrés Muñoz and Cubs third baseman Isaac Paredes are among the standouts.

Nicaragua
Yankees righty hurler Jonathan Loáisiga is one of three Nicaragua natives to play in the Majors in 2024, and though he suffered a season-ending UCL injury in April, he has represented his home country well during parts of seven seasons in New York.

Panama
Phillies utilityman Edmundo Sosa, one of eight Panamanian players in the bigs in 2024, has proven himself plenty valuable during his three seasons with Philadelphia, with big hits in big moments. This season, Sosa has a .749 OPS in 77 games for the Phils, and his overall contributions have been worth 2.3 bWAR.

Peru
The lone Peruvian to reach the Majors is Marlins lefty Jesús Luzardo. He has a career 4.29 ERA over parts of six seasons in Miami and Oakland, though he’s been on the IL with a back injury since late June.

Portugal
Red Sox pitcher Isaiah Campbell is one of two players to ever reach the Majors from Portugal. This season, he’s 0-1 with a 16.20 ERA in eight appearances. But last season with Seattle, he was 4-1 with a 2.83 ERA in 27 games.

Puerto Rico
There are and have been many standout players from Puerto Rico, but this season the crown goes to Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, who’s having an MVP-caliber season. Lindor has 28 homers, an .829 OPS and has been worth 5.9 bWAR.

South Africa
Houston righty Tayler Scott is one of two South Africans to reach the Majors, and he’s been quite a valuable piece of the Astros’ bullpen, pitching to a 7-3 record and 1.86 ERA in 57 appearances.

South Korea
Padres utilityman Ha-Seong Kim, one of three South Koreans to play in the Majors in 2024, has been a standout offensive and defensive player during his four seasons with San Diego. This season, he has 11 homers and a .700 OPS.

United Kingdom
When he made his MLB debut with the Dodgers on June 18, Michael Petersen became the first player born in the U.K. to appear in the Majors since P.J. Conlon in 2018.

United States
The top U.S.-born player in the bigs this season is easily Aaron Judge, who’s having a historic season for the Yankees and leading MLB in just about every major hitting category. He may even threaten his own AL record of 62 home runs.

Venezuela
The best player from Venezuela to play in 2024 is Ronald Acuña Jr., though he hasn’t played since suffering a season-ending ACL injury in late May. Last season, Acuña made history during an MVP campaign by becoming the first player ever with a 40/70 season. Other standout players from Venezuela include nine-time All-Star Jose Altuve and two-time batting champ Luis Arraez.