USC baseball boasts 109 former players that have gone on to suit up in the major leagues, which is more than any other school in the country. As a new season dawns this week, here are the Trojans on MLB Opening Day rosters:Lucas Duda, 1B, Mets
The lone position player on the list, Duda is coming off a breakout season during which he slugged 30 home runs for the Mets and drove in 92 runs. The big man has shelved contract extension talks for the time being, but he is becoming a star in the Big Apple.
Brad Boxberger, RP, Rays
The hard-throwing right-hander found a home in Tampa Bay last season as the ace out of the bullpen for the Rays. In 2014, he made 63 appearances to the tune of a 2.37 ERA. He overpowered big league hitters, striking out 104 in 64.2 innings.
Tommy Milone, SP, Twins
Milone was traded from Oakland to Minnesota last season after three strong campaigns in the Bay Area. He won 31 games over 73 starts, while sporting a 3.84 ERA. He earned the final spot in the Twins rotation this spring.
Ian Kennedy, SP, Padres
Ike could play a key role in San Diego's rapid rebuild this season. The Padres front office spent significant dollars to bolster one of the league's worst lineups, providing a boost for Kennedy and starting rotation. In 2014, Kennedy went 13-13 with a 3.63 ERA in his first full season in San Diego.
J.P. Howell, RP, Dodgers
Howell started his college career at USC before finishing at Texas. He has been a really solid pro, serving as a crafty southpaw out of the bullpen. Entering his third season in Los Angeles, Howell owns a sparkling 2.18 ERA as a Dodger.
Ryan Cook, RP, A's
The powerful reliever has been a stalwart in the Oakland bullpen the last three seasons, picking up 17 saves over that span. He had a rough spring training, so he will begin the year in Triple-A, but he is still on the 40-man roster.
Grant Green, OF, Angels
Green was a candidate to replace Howie Kendrick as Anaheim's every day second baseman, but instead, Mike Scioscia has turned him into a utility man. Green, who came up as an infielder, spent most of spring learning the outfield. He is on the 40-man roster, but he will start the season in the minors.
Chad Smith, RP, A's
Smith made 10 appearances out of the Detroit Tigers' bullpen last season, pitching to a 5.40 ERA. He made Oakland's 40-man roster coming out of spring training.
