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Major League Baseball held its opening day of the 2025 season on Thursday, and there was some Troup County flavor in Seattle. Troup alum Ryan Bliss (class of 2018) earned his first ever opening day start against the Athletics, helping the team rally to win 4-2.

Bliss slotted in at second base and flashed the leather on multiple occasions. The standout defender made a couple of plays in the first inning to get a pair of outs before making a sensational defensive play in the sixth inning that saw the 25-year-old infielder make a twirling grab and throw to first base for an out. 

Bliss’ defensive prowess was on full display, and the former Troup Tiger showed his other tools as well. While Bliss did not end up getting a hit in the game, he walked twice and stole two bases. 

“Regardless where I start, regardless what my role is, my mentality this year is do whatever I can to help the team win,” Bliss said earlier this month. “We’re so close, we have the team. And we’ve been there. I was up there when we had the 10-game lead (in the AL West), I was there when we lost the 10-game lead. I’ve seen what it takes to be up there; I’ve seen what it takes to lose. And I just want to do my part and my goal is to help the team win as best as possible. Whatever that role is, just try my best.”

Last year saw Bliss make his Major League debut for the Mariners as he split time with their AAA team. Bliss ended up playing 33 games for Seattle last season, hitting .222 with two home runs and nine RBIs. 

“Definitely last year, making my debut was big,” Bliss said. “I learned a lot about playing everyday, I also learned a lot about sitting on the bench and having a role in that way. So I learned a lot. Definitely gave me more confidence coming into this spring training — knowing what I need to work on, what it looks like, and having an idea of what it can be. So,I took this offseason to come in here and work on what I needed to do… Now I’m feeling confident. But definitely feels good, being here for a year. You know all the guys and you can help the guys that just got over here or the younger guys that are literally in my spot last spring training,” Bliss told KPUG 1170.

In 17 Cactus League games this spring, Bliss slashed .308/.325/.462. 

“I worked on just keeping the ball lower, don’t miss the fastball. I feel like this spring has been really good,” Bliss said before the season started. “Hopefully, I can take everything I’ve done and just continue doing it. Don’t change anything. Nothing’s different.”

Bliss has been working on hitting the fastball this off-season. According to Baseball Savant, Bliss hit .350 against breaking balls and .194 against fastballs in 2024.

“That was something that I knew I had to tackle coming into this spring and heading into the season,” Bliss said. “Worked on it this offseason and it’s been showing off in-game. Just my whole focus just — getting on the heater, being on the heater and not letting that be me. And I feel like I’ve been doing well, my work has paid off. And I just hope I can keep that going into the season.”

Seattle acquired Bliss, a former second-round pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks, in a trade in 2023 and the infielder has worked his way up the ladder since. Before being selected in the 2021 MLB draft by the Diamondbacks, Bliss was a three-year star at Auburn, where he batted .328 with 121 runs, 20 home runs and 22 stolen bases in 134 games.

It did not take long for Bliss to adjust to his new home in the Northwest. Bliss has formed a strong bond with starting shortstop J.P. Crawford, so much so that Bliss, who got engaged this offseason, asked Crawford to be the officiant of his wedding in January of next year.

“I was really honored … and I can’t wait,” Crawford told the Seattle Times. “I’ve already been doing my research on what to say.

“There’s not too many of us in these clubhouses, so when you get a chance, you know, you have to capitalize on it,” Crawford added. “I took it upon myself to get close to him and show him the way and how to do things here. We got really close after that.”

Bliss beat out Golden Glove-winning utility player Dylan Moore this spring to earn the starting nod at second base. Moore was penciled into that spot heading into spring training, but Bliss beat him out and slotted in the no. 8 hole on Thursday night.

“Ryan has done such a great job of taking to this idea of identity and his identity as a player,” Seattle skipper Dan Wilson told MLB.com. “Defensively, he handles the ball. Offensively, he’s gonna use the middle of the field and get on base. And when he gets on base, he’s gonna use his legs.”

There is still a long way to go in the 2025 season, but one thing is for sure: Bliss is not giving an inch as he looks to claim a spot as a full-time starter in the MLB. After last season’s 33-game cameo and this season’s opening day start, Bliss’ star is continually on the rise.