Long Beach State University Athletics
Former Dirtbags Open 2026 Season Across Major League Baseball
3/25/2026 3:32:00 PM | Baseball
Former Long Beach State players and staff are represented across MLB this season.
LONG BEACH, Calif. — With the 2026 Major League Baseball season opening this week with a special Opening Night matchup Wednesday and a full slate of Opening Day games on Thursday, Long Beach State again has former Dirtbags represented across active rosters and professional staffs.
Jarren Duran returns to Boston Red Sox after another standout season in 2025, batting .256 with 159 hits, 16 home runs, 84 RBI and 24 stolen bases across 620 at-bats. The former Dirtbag outfielder led the American League with 13 triples, ranked third in doubles, 13th in stolen bases and ninth in games played. Duran also represented Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, where he hit three home runs, stole two bases, and posted a 1.412 OPS in four games while earning All-World Baseball Classic Second Team honors.
A former Dirtbag from 2011-13, Jeff McNeil enters his ninth major league season after being traded from the New York Mets to the Athletics. McNeil hit .243 in 2025 with 97 hits, 12 home runs and 54 RBI in 122 games, adding a .335 on-base percentage and .746 OPS. He also ranked among National League leaders with five triples last season.
Long Beach State's presence also continues in professional dugouts and training rooms. Former Dirtbag Bobby Crosby remains with the Athletics after shifting into the third base coach role following the offseason coaching staff changes. Fellow alum Eric Martins was named a player development instructor with the Athletics on Feb. 6, 2026.
Cesar Ramos continues as bullpen coach for the Philadelphia Phillies, while Yosuke Nakajima remains a major league assistant athletic trainer for the defending champions, Los Angeles Dodgers.
Jarren Duran returns to Boston Red Sox after another standout season in 2025, batting .256 with 159 hits, 16 home runs, 84 RBI and 24 stolen bases across 620 at-bats. The former Dirtbag outfielder led the American League with 13 triples, ranked third in doubles, 13th in stolen bases and ninth in games played. Duran also represented Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, where he hit three home runs, stole two bases, and posted a 1.412 OPS in four games while earning All-World Baseball Classic Second Team honors.
A former Dirtbag from 2011-13, Jeff McNeil enters his ninth major league season after being traded from the New York Mets to the Athletics. McNeil hit .243 in 2025 with 97 hits, 12 home runs and 54 RBI in 122 games, adding a .335 on-base percentage and .746 OPS. He also ranked among National League leaders with five triples last season.
Long Beach State's presence also continues in professional dugouts and training rooms. Former Dirtbag Bobby Crosby remains with the Athletics after shifting into the third base coach role following the offseason coaching staff changes. Fellow alum Eric Martins was named a player development instructor with the Athletics on Feb. 6, 2026.
Cesar Ramos continues as bullpen coach for the Philadelphia Phillies, while Yosuke Nakajima remains a major league assistant athletic trainer for the defending champions, Los Angeles Dodgers.
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