While all 50 states have been represented over the generations of MLB history, a few states have long been baseball powerhouses.
The calendar has officially flipped to February, which of course means that baseball is right around the corner.
With Pitchers & Catchers Report just over a week away for most clubs, fans across the country are clocking back into baseball, with both spring training and the 2026 World Baseball Classic ahead before the start of the regular season in late March.
As the upcoming MLB season approaches, I figured it would be fun to take a look at where American players have originated from over the years, similar to pieces I did surrounding players in the NBA and NHL.
Unlike those two leagues, all 50 states have been represented by an MLB player at some point or another, though there is a decisive skew towards certain states – with both the game’s extensive history and the warmer climate in some states playing a factor.
As of the conclusion of the 2025 MLB season, six different states have had at least 1,000 players born in a given state make it to the big leagues. Though it should come as no surprise that historic population centers such as Illinois and Pennsylvania were close to the top, all states were dwarfed by a clear number one.
With over 1,000 more players than the next-closest state, California has produced by far the most MLB players of any state in the country – a fact that probably isn’t too hard to sink your teeth into. On top of being the nation’s most populous state, the friendly winter climate in most of the state’s population centers provide an advantage to California-born players that those in winter climates do not have.
As a Chicago-area native now living in California, it’s not at all an uncommon sight to see players at the nearby university getting in outdoor swings and drills, even in January, showcasing an advantage that has persisted throughout the league’s existence.
Every U.S. state has at least cracked the double digits when it comes to MLB player birthplaces, with Alaska standing out as the last-place state with just 12 players – though that short list does include Curt Schilling, a generational great pitcher who likely would be a Hall of Famer if he wasn’t one of the biggest assholes on the planet.
The league’s rich history spanning well over a century has also led to incredible diversity in where players are born throughout the country, even considering California’s relative dominance. Only 15 of the country’s 50 states have yet to send at least 100 players to MLB.
Of course, the range of birthplaces within America is quite wider than that of the rest of the world, with the league’s international presence typically concentrated within a few countries. Only Canada, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Venezuela have sent at least 100 players to the big leagues over MLB’s history, with over 300 players born in the American territory of Puerto Rico as well.
When it comes to players born stateside, here’s a look at the 10 states that have produced the most MLB players:
Last updated: May 26, 2026
1. California: 2,539 players
Notable players: Barry Bonds, Ted Williams, Tom Seaver, Randy Johnson, Joe DiMaggio, Henry Heilmann, Alan Trammell, Gary Carter, Tony Gwynn, Eddie Murray
2. Pennsylvania: 1,520 players
Notable players: Honus Wagner, Stan Musial, Christy Mathewson, Eddie Plank, Ken Griffey Jr., Mike Mussina, Bobby Wallace, Reggie Jackson, Ed Walsh, Buddy Bell
3. New York: 1,285 players
Notable players: Eddie Collins, Alex Rodriguez, Lou Gehrig, Warren Spahn, Carl Yastrzemski, George Davis, Dan Brouthers, Edgar Martinez, Craig Biggio, Hank Greenberg
4. Texas: 1,205 players
Notable players: Tris Speaker, Rogers Hornsby, Frank Robinson, Greg Maddux, Joe Morgan, Eddie Mathews, Nolan Ryan, Clayton Kershaw, Ernie Banks, Norm Cash
5. Illinois: 1,159 players
Notable players: Rickey Henderson, Robin Roberts, Robin Yount, Jim Thome, Rick Reuschel, Red Ruffing, Lou Boudreau, Bret Saberhagen, Kirby Puckett, Curtis Granderson
6. Ohio: 1,095 players
Notable players: Cy Young, Roger Clemens, Mike Schmidt, Phil Niekro, Pete Rose, Barry Larkin, Ed Delahanty, Sal Bando, George Sisler, Thurman Munson
7. Florida: 761 players
Notable players: Steve Carlton, Chipper Jones, Zack Greinke, Tim Raines, Andre Dawson, Manny Machado, Gary Sheffield, Chris Sale, Dwight Gooden, Fred McGriff
8. Missouri: 693 players
Notable players: Max Scherzer, Pud Galvin, Carl Hubbell, Clark Griffith, Ken Boyer, David Cone, Jake Beckley, Zack Wheat, Yogi Berra, Mark Buehrle
9. Massachusetts: 684 players
Notable players: Tim Keefe, John Clarkson, Tom Glavine, Jeff Bagwell, Joe Kelley, Wilbur Wood, Mickey Cochrane, Rabbit Maranville, Mark Belanger, Pie Traynor
10. Georgia: 585 players
Notable players: Ty Cobb, Frank Thomas, Johnny Mize, Kevin Brown, Jackie Robinson, Tim Hudson, Bill Terry, Kenny Rogers, Mike Cameron, Adam Wainwright
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