Major League Baseball and USA Baseball today announced the roster for the second edition of the “High School All-American Game” scheduled at Coors Field on Friday, July 9th as part of 2021 MLB All-Star Week in Denver.
This premier All-Star showcase game will feature a roster of 39 participants who are some of the top U.S.-based high school baseball prospects for the 2022 MLB Draft.
If you had any doubt that MLB was serious about increasing its number of Black and Brown participants, then look no further than the recent appointments of Ken Griffey Jr. (Senior Advisor to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred with an emphasis on baseball operations, youth development and diversity) and former Stros manager Bo Porter (MLB Director of Coaching Development).
“Being selected to the High School All-America Game is an honor, “ Porter told The Shadow League. It places student-athletes into an intense competitive environment with their present and future competition. They will also be surrounded by coaches with hundreds of years of experience and wisdom. I wish all of our High School All-Americans well as they continue towards conquering a lifetime goals of reaching their full potential in baseball and life.”
The roster boasts a diverse mix of athletes, from future MLBbros to the rising Latin Lords of MLB and is notably highlighted by:
- Players from 17 States, including two from Colorado, and Puerto Rico
- Sons of former Major Leaguers CC Sabathia, Andruw Jones and Lou Collier.
Like fathers, like sons: Carsten Sabathia III and Andruw Jones Jr. squared off in the @mbpallamerican game.
📷: @MBPTakeover pic.twitter.com/0Aj9vHIwG9
— MLB (@MLB) November 25, 2020
Additionally, eight of the All-American players will compete in the annual “High School Home Run Derby,” scheduled for Saturday, July 10th at 12:30 p.m. MT at Coors Field. MLB.com will livestream this round, with commentary by Braun, Jonathan Mayo and Yonder Alonso.
The players will vie for a chance to compete in the Finals during breaks of the T-Mobile Home Run Derby, including:
- Elijah Green
- Termarr Johnson
- Jared Jones
- Kaden Martin
- Robby Snelling
- Riley Stanford
- Sal Stewart
- Jason Torres
Yeah, you can forget about that one. 🔥 #BreakthroughSeries pic.twitter.com/pbxvkQGcOM
— MLBDevelops (@MLBDevelops) June 29, 2021
Several players featured in the High School All-American Game and High School Home Run Derby rosters have previously participated in diversity-focused development initiatives led by MLB & USA Baseball.
Out of these players, we are seeing a stream of second-generation MLB hopefuls emerging; from Cameron Collier (Breakthrough Series, DREAM Series and Hank Aaron Invitational) son of former Major Leaguer Lou Collier to CC’s boy Carsten Sabathia (Breakthrough Series and Hank Aaron Invitational) and former Braves slugger Andruw Jones’ son, Junior (DREAM Series)
Other MLB diversity products being featured include Elijah Green (Breakthrough Series, DREAM Series and Hank Aaron Invitational, which is also supported by the MLBPA); Termarr Johnson (Breakthrough Series, DREAM Series and Hank Aaron Invitational); Kaden Martin (Breakthrough Series); Aiden Moffet (Breakthrough Series); and Kassius Thomas (Breakthrough Series, DREAM Series and Hank Aaron Invitational).
Full Roster
The High School All-American Game will be led by an All-Star cast of coaches, including Managers Clint Hurdle (former Colorado Rockies Manager) and Clint Barmes (former Rockies infielder, 2003-2010), who will be supported by Chad Cordero (2005 MLB All-Star), Roy Hallenbeck (Retired Head Baseball Coach, Millville – N.J. – High School), Jason Maxwell (former MLB infielder; 18U National Team Manager, USA Baseball), Todd Pratt (former MLB catcher, 1992-1995, 1997-2006), Jerry Royster (former MLB infielder, 1973-1987) and Bianca Smith (Boston Red Sox Player Development Coach).
The High School All-American Game will serve as a feeder for the Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP) League, the primary identification event for the USA Baseball 18U National Team, which is slated to compete in the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup in Sarasota and Bradenton, FL in September.
The PDP League will take place in late July at the USA Baseball National Team Complex in Cary, N.C.
Baseball continues to develop tremendous talent through its diversity programs and shape the future of MLB in a positive, inclusive, and multi-talented fashion.
The key to this successful process is utilizing elite, seasoned minds to directly affect the grassroots level and cultivate a pipeline and next generation of diverse baseball participants.
