The Major League Baseball season will begin as many of us are sleeping or just waking up.

The Seattle Mariners and Oakland A's throw the first pitch of the 2012 season Wednesday morning (6:10 a.m), in Toyko, Japan.

Schenectady native Casper Wells might not be in the opening day lineup, but he will certainly play some this season for the Mariners, as he is the fourth or fifth outfielder.

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Wells was traded last season from Detroit to Seattle. He battled injury issues, after getting hit with a pitch up in the face. He fought through problems with his vision and headaches, but should be healthy for this upcoming season and battling for playing time.

Wells isn't the only Major Leaguer with local ties.

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There's Saratoga Catholic grad Tim Stauffer (San Diego Padres).

How about Washington's John Lannan? He pitched with Siena College and last season emerged as the Nationals ace of their pitching rotation. Or Houston Astros outfielder J.D. Martinez, who play summer league ball with the Saratoga Phillies and started his professional career in Troy, playing with the Tri-City ValleyCats.

Here are some other locals that are kicking around the Minor Leagues. Listed in (xx) are the organization that the player is with.

Eric Beaulac - Troy (New York Mets)
Anthony Giansanti - Siena (Chicago Cubs)
Brendan Harris - Queensbury (Baltimore)
Tommy Kahnle - Shaker (New York Yankees)
Joe Mahoney - Troy (Baltimore)
Dan Paolini - Siena (Seattle Mariners)

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Are there any players missing from this list that you know of?

Let us know.

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