These are the best debuts in recent MLB history

MLB Network, launched on Jan. 1, 2009, is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2024. Through Jan. 19, MLB Network will count down the top 15 moments it has covered in its history, via weeknight segments on MLB Tonight (6 p.m. ET), as well as across its social platforms. And don’t forget to catch MLB Network’s 15th Anniversary retrospective show – “MLB Network Legendary Moments” presented by Budweiser, with Greg Amsinger, Sean Casey and Harold Reynolds -- scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Monday, Jan. 22.

The No. 15 moment on the countdown: Stephen Strasburg's electrifying debut back in MLB Network's debut season.

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MLB debuts represent special milestones in the lives of those players who realize their dreams as players in the big leagues.

Sometimes, those debuts are so special that they can leave a lasting impression on a player's resume for the rest of their careers. In the MLB Network era (since 2009), the baseball world has seen countless dazzling debuts from a wide array of players. Some players carried their successful debuts over long careers while others are best known for the strong first impression they had in the Majors.

Here's a look back at the top debuts in recent MLB history dating back to MLB Network's inaugural 2009 season.

1. Stephen Strasburg, RHP, Nationals, June 8, 2010 vs. PIT
Stats: 7 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 14 K, 75.0 game score

Few prospects have been hyped the way Strasburg was after being selected first overall out of San Diego State by the Nationals in the 2009 Draft. Boy, did he deliver on that promise right out of the gate. Nearly a year to the day that he was drafted, Strasburg debuted at home against the Pirates and produced one of the most memorable debuts in MLB history.

Strasburg punched out 14 hitters, behind only J.R. Richard (15 in 1971) and Karl Spooner (15 in 1954) for most in a debut. Strasburg struck out seven hitters on 99-plus mph fastballs, four on his curveball that would become a staple in his repertoire and three on changeups in the low 90s. Outside of a two-run homer by Delwyn Young in the fourth inning, Strasburg was downright unhittable and overpowering.

2. J.P. Arencibia, C, Blue Jays, Aug. 7, 2010 vs. TB
Stats: 4-for-5, 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI

A first-round Draft pick by the Blue Jays in 2007, Arencibia forced Toronto’s hand in 2010 with a blistering season at Triple-A Las Vegas. Called up to make his debut against the Rays in August, Arencibia delivered a performance no debuting hitter has matched since.

Out of the No. 9 spot in the order, Arencibia hit a two-run home run off James Shields on the first pitch of his first at-bat. His next three ABs? A double, a single and another homer on a scorching 4-for-5 day. Arencibia’s 11 total bases are the most in a debut since 1901, and no debuting player since then has had more than four hits in a nine-inning game. The rest of Arencibia’s debut season didn’t go well, though -- he had just one other hit in the 10 other games he played in 2010.

3. Nick Kingham, RHP, Pirates, April 29, 2018 vs. STL
Stats: 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K, 84.0 game score (best since 2009)

Drafted as a high-schooler in the fourth round by the Pirates in the 2010 Draft, Kingham slowly climbed the ranks to become a top prospect in Pittsburgh’s farm system. After reaching Triple-A at the end of the ‘14 season, Kingham was rated as MLB Pipeline’s No. 74 prospect entering the 2015 season. Tommy John surgery in May slowed his development and prolonged his debut until 2018.

It was worth the wait for Kingham, who produced one of the most dominant debuts by a pitcher in recent memory. Kingham took a perfect game through 6 2/3 innings against the Cardinals before allowing a single to Paul DeJong. He recorded one more out to put the finishing touches on his spectacular debut. While Kingham didn’t end up having a long and successful MLB career, few players have performed as well as the right-hander did in his debut, as evidenced by his 84.0 game score -- the best by a debuting pitcher since 2009.

4. Matt Harvey, RHP, Mets, July 26, 2012 at AZ
Stats: 5.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 11 K on the mound; 2-for-2, 2B at the plate

Harvey’s Major League debut was his first step toward becoming a core member of the Mets’ “Fab Five” rotation that took the team to the 2015 World Series. The No. 7 overall Draft pick in 2010, Harvey was MLB’s No. 38 prospect at the time of his 2012 debut. And what a debut it was.

Harvey carved up the D-backs at Chase Field, racking up 11 strikeouts in 5 1/3 scoreless innings and touching 99 mph on the radar gun. He even laced a double to center field off Wade Miley in his first career at-bat and singled his next time up, adding a 2-for-2 day at the plate to his outstanding performance on the mound.

5. Steven Matz, LHP, Mets, June 28, 2015 vs. CIN
Stats: 7.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 6 K on the mound; 3-for-3, 2B, 4 RBI at the plate

Like his Mets teammate Harvey three years prior, Matz made his debut memorable both as a pitcher and as a hitter. The lefty spun 7 2/3 strong innings against the Reds at Citi Field, settling down after a leadoff home run by Brandon Phillips to allow just one run the rest of the way.

At the dish, Matz delivered a two-out, two-run double in the second inning, slashed a single in the fifth and drove in two more runs with a sixth-inning single. It was quite the debut for Matz -- now with the Cardinals -- both at the mound and at the plate, and it kick-started a stellar rookie season in which the southpaw posted a 2.27 ERA in six starts.

6. Trevor Story, SS, Rockies, April 4, 2016 at AZ
Stats: 2-for-6, 2 HR, 4 RBI

Story opened the 2016 season -- and his MLB career -- with an unforgettable performance. On Opening Day at Chase Field in Arizona, Story homered twice off D-backs starter Zack Greinke, slugging a three-run shot and a 439-foot solo smash. Story became the first Rockies player to homer twice in his debut -- and he was just getting started.

Story homered in each of his next three games, becoming the first player to go deep in each of his first four career games. He added his seventh homer in his sixth career contest, furthering a ridiculous run that won’t be easy to beat.

7. Starlin Castro, SS, Cubs, May 7, 2010 at CIN
Stats: 2-for-5, 3B, HR, 6 RBI

One of MLB’s top prospects prior to the 2010 season, Castro certainly lived up to the hype in his first career game. Castro started at shortstop in his Major League debut May 7 against the Reds in Great American Ball Park, and it didn’t take him long to start absolutely raking.

Castro clubbed a three-run home run off Homer Bailey in his first at-bat and cleared the bases with a three-run triple in the fifth inning. Castro’s six RBIs remain the most by a player in his debut since at least 1901. A four-time All-Star, Castro was the lone Major League piece of the Marlins’ trade return for Giancarlo Stanton in 2017 -- two years after being dealt from the Cubs to the Yankees.

8. Collin McHugh, RHP, Mets, Aug. 23, 2012 vs. COL
Stats: 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K

Before his breakout with the Astros in 2014 that led to a long career that is still going, McHugh had a wild ride through his first two MLB seasons. An 18th-round pick by the Mets in the 2008 Draft, McHugh posted an 8.94 ERA in 47 1/3 innings with New York and the Rockies from 2012-13 before he was designated for assignment after the ‘13 season.

While his first two seasons were a struggle, McHugh’s first game very much was not. In front of the Citi Field crowd, McHugh stifled Rockies hitters with seven scoreless innings, punching out nine hitters and allowing just three baserunners. He posted a game score of 81, second among pitchers making their debut since 2009.

9. Freddy Peralta, RHP, Brewers, May 13, 2018 at COL
Stats: 5.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 13 K

Since debuting in 2018, Peralta has the fifth-highest strikeout rate (31.1%) among pitchers who’ve thrown at least 500 innings. The names ahead of him: Jacob deGrom, Gerrit Cole, Max Scherzer and Blake Snell. Peralta made his elite swing-and-miss stuff abundantly clear right from the get-go.

While Peralta only pitched 5 2/3 innings in his debut, he struck out 13 of the 21 batters he faced. That’s tied for the most strikeouts in a start in AL/NL history for any pitcher who’s faced 21 batters or fewer -- Peralta also struck out 13 of 21 batters against the Reds in a start in 2023. Peralta also allowed just three baserunners and did not allow any runs.

10. Daniel Ponce de Leon, RHP, Cardinals, July 23, 2018 at CIN
Stats: 7 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K

Fourteen months before he made his MLB debut, Ponce de Leon was struck in the head by a line drive while pitching during a Triple-A game. When surgeons successfully capped the bleeding in his brain, the next step was more about getting Ponce de Leon back to normalcy and less about getting back to a baseball field.

The fact that the right-hander recovered enough in a little over a year and made his MLB debut was nothing short of special. That he tossed seven no-hit innings made his story all the more incredible. Ponce de Leon departed with a 1-0 lead after seven innings after throwing 116 pitches, putting him in line for a marvelous victory in his debut. Unfortunately, the Cardinals bullpen couldn't hold the lead in a 2-1 loss. Still, this was a magical debut that is hard to top in terms of pure storyline.

Honorable mentions

Joey Gallo, 3B, Rangers, June 2, 2015 vs. CWS
Stats: 3-for-4, BB, 2B, HR, 4 RBI

Singled, homered and doubled in his first three career at-bats in a 15-2 Rangers rout.

Brendan McKay, LHP/DH, Rays, June 29, 2019 vs. TEX
Stats: 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K

Started his career with 5 1/3 perfect innings, setting a new franchise record.

Kent Emanuel, LHP, Astros, April 24, 2021 vs. LAA
Stats: 8.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 5 K

Threw 8 2/3 strong innings of relief after starter Jake Odorizzi left with an injury after recording just one out.

Zach Remillard, 2B, White Sox, June 17, 2023 vs. SEA
Stats: 3-for-3, BB, 2 RBI (off bench)

Replaced Tim Anderson in the lineup in the fourth inning and delivered the tying hit in the ninth and the walk-off hit in the 11th.

Sal Frelick, OF, Brewers, July 22, 2023 vs. ATL
Stats: 3-for-3, 2 RBI

Made two highlight-reel catches in the outfield, drove in the tying run with a single and plated the winning run with an eighth-inning sac fly.