Photo by: Joey Kurtz
Three Former Bluejays Make MLB Opening Day Rosters
3/27/2025 11:04:00 AM | Baseball
Omaha, Neb. -- Former Bluejays Isaac Collins (2017-19), Nicky Lopez (2014-16) and Alan Roden (2019-22) each made opening day rosters for their respective MLB teams on Opening Day (March 27). Collins broke camp with the Milwaukee Brewers, Lopez inked a major league deal late in the spring with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Roden made the cut with the Toronto Bluejays.
After making his major league debut late during the 2024 season with Milwaukee, Collins earned a roster spot for his first Opening Day. After being drafted by the Colorado Rockies during the 2019 Draft, Collins earned playing time in the minor league on affiliate teams including Spokane, Fresno and Hartford. In 2022, the Brewers plucked him from Colorado, where he has played the last two seasons in the upper levels of Milwaukee's minor league system. In September of the 2024 season, he was called up to the big league level where he appeared in 11 games, mainly as an outfielder, collecting a single in his first at-bat. During his three seasons at Creighton, Collins played in 150 games, starting in 148 of those leaving with a .281 batting average, 170 hits, 116 runs scored, and 69 RBI. A two time All-BIG EAST selection, Collins was a part of the 2019 squad that made it to the NCAA tournament.Â
A 2016 Draftee, Nicky Lopez is beginning his seventh season at the major league level. He started his professional career with the Kansas City Royals franchise, making his debut in 2019 and playing for the Royals into the 2023 season. He was traded to Atlanta in 2023 and played for the Chicago White Sox last season. Despite posting a sizzling slash line of .450/.542/.550 in 24 plate appearances this spring with the Chicago Cubs, Lopez was designated for assignment and recently signed a major league deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Lopez spent three years with the Bluejays where he racked up 144 hits, 84 runs scored and 61 RBI in 146 games. Known at every level as a plus defender, Lopez ended his collegiate career with a .973 fielding percentage.Â
Roden has steadily worked his way up the minor league system over the past three seasons. Roden started at the low A level in 2022, and has now earned an opening day spot for the 2025 season with the Toronto Blue Jays. Roden had an impressive career with the Creighton Bluejays, earning several honors, including 2021 First-Team Freshman All-American, BIG EAST Freshman of the Year, First Team All-BIG EAST and 2022 BIG EAST Co-Player of the Year. In 91 games, the Wisconsin native put up an outstanding .383/.484/.640. His on-base percentage remains the highest in Creighton's record book, and he also secured top-10 rankings in both batting average and slugging percentage. Roden's greatest asset was his ability to control the strike zone, striking out just eight times during the 2022 season and 27 times in his Creighton career (342 official at-bats).
Roden is the only of Creighton's trio to be in the starting lineup on Thursday, hitting ninth for Toronto and playing right field.
After making his major league debut late during the 2024 season with Milwaukee, Collins earned a roster spot for his first Opening Day. After being drafted by the Colorado Rockies during the 2019 Draft, Collins earned playing time in the minor league on affiliate teams including Spokane, Fresno and Hartford. In 2022, the Brewers plucked him from Colorado, where he has played the last two seasons in the upper levels of Milwaukee's minor league system. In September of the 2024 season, he was called up to the big league level where he appeared in 11 games, mainly as an outfielder, collecting a single in his first at-bat. During his three seasons at Creighton, Collins played in 150 games, starting in 148 of those leaving with a .281 batting average, 170 hits, 116 runs scored, and 69 RBI. A two time All-BIG EAST selection, Collins was a part of the 2019 squad that made it to the NCAA tournament.Â
A 2016 Draftee, Nicky Lopez is beginning his seventh season at the major league level. He started his professional career with the Kansas City Royals franchise, making his debut in 2019 and playing for the Royals into the 2023 season. He was traded to Atlanta in 2023 and played for the Chicago White Sox last season. Despite posting a sizzling slash line of .450/.542/.550 in 24 plate appearances this spring with the Chicago Cubs, Lopez was designated for assignment and recently signed a major league deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Lopez spent three years with the Bluejays where he racked up 144 hits, 84 runs scored and 61 RBI in 146 games. Known at every level as a plus defender, Lopez ended his collegiate career with a .973 fielding percentage.Â
Roden has steadily worked his way up the minor league system over the past three seasons. Roden started at the low A level in 2022, and has now earned an opening day spot for the 2025 season with the Toronto Blue Jays. Roden had an impressive career with the Creighton Bluejays, earning several honors, including 2021 First-Team Freshman All-American, BIG EAST Freshman of the Year, First Team All-BIG EAST and 2022 BIG EAST Co-Player of the Year. In 91 games, the Wisconsin native put up an outstanding .383/.484/.640. His on-base percentage remains the highest in Creighton's record book, and he also secured top-10 rankings in both batting average and slugging percentage. Roden's greatest asset was his ability to control the strike zone, striking out just eight times during the 2022 season and 27 times in his Creighton career (342 official at-bats).
Roden is the only of Creighton's trio to be in the starting lineup on Thursday, hitting ninth for Toronto and playing right field.
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