In the steamy preseason days in Peoria, Arizona, the team’s management broke the suspense on Saturday morning, finally announcing their Opening Day starter. The honor goes to Logan Gilbert, who will be leading his team into the face-off against the Athletics on March 27 on home ground. This marks the first time Gilbert will be starting on Opening Day, a milestone for any major league pitcher. With anticipation sparkling in his eyes, Gilbert shared, ‘It’s an achievement that every pitcher aspires to reach.’
Now heading into his fifth season in the big leagues, Gilbert was the indubitable choice given his compelling performance during the last season, typically the most influential factor in such decisions. However, debates were fueled by the prospect of Luis Castillo, the virtuoso chosen for this role in the preceding two years. A deeply cherished duty for Castillo, he was at Gilbert’s side when the news was delivered.
As Gilbert absorbed the news of his new responsibility, he remained silent for a few seconds, still processing the gravity of the announcement. From the sideline, Castillo, ever the jester, waved his hands at him, rallying him to express his excitement. ‘There’s great energy with everyone around,’ Gilbert commented on the team’s camaraderie. ‘Everyone is supportive and often guides me to move in the right direction.’
Further details were provided by the team’s top brass highlighting their comprehensive decision-making process. ‘Clearly, Logan dominated the last season, throwing more than 200 innings, establishing himself as a front runner. We believe strongly in recognising and rewarding such commitment and achievement. Much like ‘The Rock’, he’s been unflappable.’ In respect to Castillo, they added, ‘He holds a certain steadiness, a consistent approach that has made a significant impact on younger teammates.’
The changing of rolls isn’t an easy process to watch, especially when dealing with such monumental positions. However, the managerial staff was full of praise for Castillo’s accepting and supporting attitude towards Gilbert. Both pitchers have lined up for their respective fourth starts of the Spring Training in split-squad matches on Saturday.
Preceding this breakthrough decision, Gilbert had an exceptional season the prior year. He walked off with an astonishing record of throwing 208 2/3 innings across 33 starts, sporting a 3.23 ERA, and handed 220 strikeouts along with 37 walks. His control over the game reflected in his WHIP of 0.887 and a .589 OPS.
Gilbert’s success speaks volumes about the team’s drafting and development strategy. Except for Castillo, who joined the team at the 2022 Trade Deadline, the entire rotation has been groomed by the team. Gilbert shines as a torchbearer of their baseball ideals, the first home-bred pitcher to start on Opening Day since Félix Hernández.
Hernández has the distinction of having done this in 2007 and then continuously from 2009 to 2018. When asked if he had considered such possibilities when he was drafted in 2018, Gilbert replied, ‘Honestly, the thought had never crossed my mind. At the time, the position seemed so steadfastly held by Félix. The thought of succeeding him seemed distant.’
Despite being deeply ingrained in the sport’s happenings, Gilbert has proven himself equal to the titans of the game. From remembering the beginning of the baseball season during high school and college, the Opening Day always posed as a memorable date on his calendar. Like most fans, Gilbert stated, ‘On the first game of the year, all leading pitchers are out there, making it feel like a holiday.’
He further elaborated on his mindset as an extreme baseball enthusiast. The excitement of witnessing top-tier pitchers duel on the opening day made it seem like the whole world had come to a standstill. Everyone, including him, left everything else to glue themselves to their TV screens, engrossed in watching the masters of the sport weave their magic.
Now, Gilbert finds himself in the position he once admired from afar, a testament to his hard work and consistent growth as a top-tier player in Major League Baseball. Nearing the pivotal start of the season, anticipation mounts not only for Gilbert but also for the entire team as they gear up to push their boundaries and overcome the challenges of the upcoming season.