The 10 Best Cleats of MLB Opening Day 2024

Ten MLB players stood out with their cleats on MLB Opening Day 2024.

Mookie Betts debuted new Air Jordan cleats on Opening Day. / Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

We are so back. The 2024 MLB regular season has officially arrived. Technically, it began for two teams last week and four teams today. But it all counts as Opening Day in our book. The importance of the games was not lost on players who brought the heat with their cleats.

Just like the first day of school, athletes want to show up crisp and clean for the new year. Baseball fans were treated to plenty of nice footwear, and this list was not easy to make. However, FanNation Kicks has narrowed the list down to ten cleats that stand out in a crowded field.

10. Shohei Ohtani

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani wears New Balance cleats. / Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

It has not been the smoothest of weeks for Shohei Ohtani. The two-way star's debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers has been overshadowed by off-field drama. Nevertheless, Ohtani made the most out of his Dodgers debut and rocked a crisp pair of unreleased white and blue New Balance cleats. Even better, New Balance launched a new ad campaign starring Ohtani.

9. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wears custom Air Jordan cleats. / Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Hitting a 450-foot home run is a great way to start the season. A homer that long should count for two runs - especially when combined with fire custom cleats. Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wore custom Air Jordan cleats that were conceptualized by XAMPLE's CEO & Founder, Nick Drbal, and expertly crafted by Stadium Custom Kicks.

8. Elly De La Cruz

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz wore Air Jordan 1 cleats. / Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY

One of the newest members of Jordan Brand got off on the right foot. Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz scored two runs while wearing a pair of midnight navy and white Air Jordan 1 cleats. Welcome to Team Jumpman, Elly!

7. Oneil Cruz

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz wears J Balvin x Air Jordan 1 cleats. / Michael Laughlin-USA TODAY Sports

So, apparently Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz has decided not to play fair with his footwear. Oneil smashed a home run on Opening Day while wearing custom cleats inspired by the J Balvin x Air Jordan 1. You already know XAMPLE and Stadium Custom Kicks are to be thanked for this awesome pair of cleats.

6. Anthony Volpe

New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe wears adidas Ultraboost cleats. / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

It has been about a decade since adidas introduced Ultraboost cushioning technology, and I am still yet to find anything more comfortable. So you can imagine my excitement upon seeing New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe rocking adidas Ultraboost cleats.

5. Mookie Betts

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts wears Air Jordan cleats. / Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

Everyone knows that Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts is one of the biggest sneakerheads in MLB. Arguably the face of Jordan Brand in baseball, Betts constantly outdoes himself. His Air Jordan 1 cleats are exquisite, and it looks like he hooked up third base coach Dino Ebel with some Air Jordan 6 cleats. We love to see it.

4. Adolis Garcia

Texas Rangers right fielder Adolis Garcia wears adidas cleats. / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Adidas feels like an underdog is most American professional sports, so I like when they make bold statements. Last night, Texas Rangers right fielder Adolis Garcia rocked an unreleased colorway of the adidas Afterburner 9 cleats. Even the name of the cleats sounds exciting.

3. Ha-Seong Kim

San Diego Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim wears New Balance cleats. / Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

New Balance is worn on the field by approximately 20% of MLB starters (per last year's stats). However, the Boston-based brand has several exciting players, such as San Diego Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, who rocked the New Balance FuelCell 4040v7.

2. Zac Gallen

Arizona Diamondbacks Zac Gallen (23) pitches against the Colorado Rockies on Opening Day at Chase / Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY

Excuse me, Zac Gallen. I was not familiar with your game. Upon further research, the Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher is a criminally underrated sneakerhead. Gallen rocked Air Jordan 13 cleats in a teal that perfectly matches his team's uniforms.

1. Fernando Tatis Jr.

San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr.'s custom cleats. / Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. is on a mission to wear 50 custom cleats this season. In the Padres' home opener, Tatis rocked a custom pair of Air Jordan 1 cleats that paid tribute to the late Peter Siedler. Earlier this morning, we posted the full story behind the heartfelt cleats.