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MLB's Black population grows again two years after bottoming out
MLB said 6.8% of opening-day players were Black, up from 6.2% last season and the third straight year of growth.
- Major League Baseball's Black player representation on opening-day rosters reached 6.8% this season, marking back-to-back increases for the first time in approximately two decades.
- Developmental programs including the MLB Youth Academy, Breakthrough Series, DREAM Series, and Hank Aaron Invitational are driving the gains; 20 of the 64 Black players participated in these initiatives.
- The Minnesota Twins and Cincinnati Reds lead all teams, together comprising 17.7% of the Black population, while Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin remains the only everyday Black player at his position.
- Despite recent growth, 11 teams have no more than one Black player on their rosters, while international expansion continues with 26.1% of MLB players born outside the United States.
- With just eight Black players older than 32, the league's demographic skews young; 34 players are 27 or younger, positioning the sport for potential continued gains.
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More Black players joining ranks of pro baseball, officials say - Los Angeles Wave Newspaper Group
Associated Press NEW YORK – The percentage of Black players on opening day rosters increased in consecutive years for the first time in at least two decades, according to recent statistics released by Major League Baseball (MLB). Some 6.8 percent of players on opening day rosters, injured lists and the restricted list were Black, up from 6.2% at the start of the 2025 season and 6.0% at the beginning of 2024. This year’s 0.6% increase was the m…
The Billings Gazette+15 Reposted by 15 other sources
MLB's Black population grows again two years after bottoming out
After sinking in 2024 to its lowest Black population since 1955, MLB has shown an increase in back-to-back years for the first time in about two decades.
·Billings, United States
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Total News Sources17
Leaning Left3Leaning Right0Center14Last UpdatedBias Distribution82% Center
Bias Distribution
- 82% of the sources are Center
82% Center
L 18%
C 82%
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