By Byron Dixon, MLBbro.com

 

Having two rookies start on Opening Day on an MLB Roster is one thing, but having two rookies on two teams expected to compete within the same division is a major storyline to pay attention to all season long. 

Cam Smith & Ryan Bliss Get Acclimated To The MLB Grind 

 

Cam Smith and Ryan Bliss will be major factors in the wide-open American League West. Cam Smith dazzled in Spring Training and quickly ascended to being a starting outfielder for the Houston Astros. Ryan Bliss was given the starting Second Base designation for the Seattle Mariners.

 

 

Cam Smith was the gem in the December trade for Kyle Tucker was two for 18 before Tuesday Night. Smith, who is batting .200 with 0 homers and just two RBI, had his chance to break out in the top of the fourth inning in Seattle when the Astros faced the Mariners. Smith did not deliver with the bases loaded and two outs. He flew out to right field, stretching his hitless streak to 10 at-bats. 

 

Smith, who is the Houston Astros top prospect, showed why he is ranked at the top on his next chance by turning on a hanging Sweeper, pulling it down the line for his first career RBI. This was Smith’s first career extra-base hit (a triple) and Astros’ first three-bagger of the young season. He also ran an impressive 11.53 second home-to-third.

On Wednesday night, Smith got it going with a 2-for-4 showing and another RBI. So, he seems to be heating up.

Ryan Bliss Placed On IL With Left Biceps Tear

Ryan Bliss is batting .200 and just when things seemed to be getting better, the rookie second baseman has hit some bad luck. After hitting his first home run of his MLB career — a 387-foot, two-run blast on Monday Night in a victory over the Astros — Bliss was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a left biceps tear. The injury will keep him out for the foreseeable future, just as it seems he was finding his groove as well. 

The 25-year-old won the Seattle Mariners second base job in spring training. Keep an eye on these two as their production will impact their team’s potential success this season.