MLB average age drops below 29 on Opening Day

The Associated Press

7 years ago

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop J.P. Crawford (2) celebrates with teammates after scoring in the eleventh inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, March 30, 2018, in Atlanta. The Philadelphia Phillies won 5-4 in extra innings. (AP Photo/Todd Kirkland)

Toronto Blue Jays’ Justin Smoak, right, is greeted at home plate by teammates Aledmys Diaz and Russell Martin after he hit a grand slam against the New York Yankees during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Sunday, April 1, 2018. (Fred Thornhill/The Canadian Press via AP)

NEW YORK — The average age of a major league player on opening day dropped to 28.91 years from 29.13 at the start of last season.

The Philadelphia Phillies are the youngest team at 26.92, according to the commissioner’s office. Other teams with young averages are Cincinnati (27.49), Miami (27.85), Pittsburgh (27.97), St. Louis (28.02) and the New York Yankees (28.04).

Toronto is the oldest team, averaging 31.01. Others averaging over 30 are the Los Angeles Angels (30.32), Seattle (30.17), San Francisco (30.15) and Cleveland 30.08).

The MLB average was 29.17 in 2015 and 29.04 in 2016.