The HBCU Swingman Classic Invited 50 HBCU Baseball Players For This Year's All-Star Game In Texas
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HBCU baseball in the previous season was full of thrills, with exciting finishes and heroic performances. More fans watched with curiosity, interested in the game and its players.
The 2024 HBCU Swingman Classic, presented by TMobile, is a significant event where the players will have MLB scouts and executives observing and recognizing the talent from HBCUs. Also, the young men will have an opportunity to meet and get mentoring from current and past MLB players.
The MLB has extended a special invitation to 50 HBCU baseball players to participate in Ken Griffey Jr.'s annual event. SWAC, MEAC, CAA, and CIAA student-athletes will showcase their talent to professional decision-makers in hopes of catapulting their careers.
"In addition to their upcoming participation in the HBCU Swingman Classic presented by T-Mobile, several student-athletes have participated in elite-level development program events, notably the Hank Aaron Invitational (powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation), Breakthrough Series, Dream Series, the Andre Dawson Classic and Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities Program (Nike RBI). These players include Joseph Eichelberger, who has participated in the Breakthrough Series specifically. Additionally, Cameron Bufford, has participated in the Breakthrough Series and the Nike RBI Program, Manny Jackson, who has participated in the Hank Aaron Invitational, Breakthrough Series and Dream Series, while Khyle Radcliffe and Irvin Escobar have participated in both the Breakthrough Series and the Hank Aaron Invitational. Brycen Hammonds has competed in the Hank Aaron Invitational."
“It is important because without those organizations I would not be here.. You put a spotlight on kids like us that go out and compete.”@GramSt_Bsb infielders Cameron Bufford and Kyle Walker talk about the HBCU Swingman Classic.
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) June 18, 2024
📅 July 12th
📺 MLB Network pic.twitter.com/QS15SUojvH
"Teams will be managed by three-time All-Star & two-time World Series Champion Ken Griffey Sr. and Lloyd McClendon, with coaching staffs including Hall of Famer & HBCU alumnus Andre Dawson, former Major League Manager Jerry Manuel, former Big Leaguer Mark Mclemore and former Big Leaguers who are also HBCU alumni (Courtney Duncan, Trenidad Hubbard, Lenny Webster, Ralph Garr Sr. and Vince Coleman). Additional coaches include HBCU alumni Lester Strode, Corey Wimberly, and current Tampa Tarpons' Manager James Cooper, in addition to former Minor League infielder and current Arizona Diamondbacks Scout, Garry Templeton Jr."
ROSTER 1
- Edwin DeLaCruz - UAPB
- Jamal George - Alabama State
- Manny Jackson - Norfolk State
- Juan Cruz - Alabama State
- Lenny Montesano - Jackson State
- Kyle Walker - Grambling State
- Robert Tate Jr. - Jackson State
- True Fontenot - Florida A&M
- KJ White - Southern
- Justin Journette - Norfolk State
- Ty Jackson - Florida A&M
- Michael Smith - Praire View A&M
- Tiger Borom - Grambling State
- Michael Burroughs - Prairie View A&M
- Joseph Eichelberger - Jackson State
- Janmikell Bastardo - Florida A&M
- Sam Nieves - Coppin State
- Jafet Martinez - Alabama State
- Tanner Boccabello - Bethune-Cookman
- Mason Martinez - Grambling State
- Coley Kilpatrick - North Carolina A&T
- Christian Womble - Jackson State
- Tristan Curless - Alabama A&M
- Renard Grace - Southern
- Kieran Etwaru - Delaware State
The 2024 HBCU Swingman Classic presented by @TMobile & powered by the @MLBPA - @Baseball_YDF Roster‼️
— MLBDevelops (@MLBDevelops) June 18, 2024
Friday, July 12th at Globe Life Field during MLB All-Star Week ⚾🌟 pic.twitter.com/5AJc1mgCl9
ROSTER 2
- Michael Goudeau - Texas Southern
- Canyon Brown - North Carolina A&T
- Irvin Escobar - Bethune-Cookman
- Tatsunori Negishi - North Carolina A&T
- Dreylin Holmes - Mississippi Valley State
- Randy Flores - Alabama State
- CJ Castillo - Texas Southern
- Garrett Palladino - Alcorn State
- Jose Vargas - Grambling State
- Cameron Bufford - Grambling State
- Tyeler Hawkins - Southern
- Ali LaPread - Alabama State
- Rodney Hibler Jr. - Jackson State
- Khyle Radcliffe - Southern
- Brycen Hammonds - Alabama A&M
- Jamal Ritter - Norfolk State
- Tre Williams - North Carolina A&T
- Pablo Torres - Bethune-Cookman
- Caleb Granger - Florida A&M
- Evan Bouldin - Delaware State
- Luis Rodriguez - Alabama State
- Domenic Martinez - Texas Southern
- Christian Davis - Southern
- Daniel Gaviria - Bethune-Cookman
- Isaiah Williams - Jackson State
Alabama A&M (@AlabamaAM_Bsb) stars Tristan Curless and Brycen Hammonds are among the 50 players selected to participate in the second annual HBCU Swingman Classic.
— Max Cohan (@MaxCohan) June 18, 2024
Bulldogs' head coach Elliott Jones (@Coachejones1) couldn't be happier for his guys: pic.twitter.com/oWLCBaPlYP
Cheering on our five star athletes as they represent us with pride and excellence at the HBCU Swingman Classic in Globe Life Park! 🌟🏆 pic.twitter.com/LVUfExu5fX
— Southern Jaguars Baseball (@BsbSouthern) June 19, 2024
What an honor! 🏅
— Norfolk State Baseball (@SpartanBSB) June 19, 2024
Three Spartans are heading to the second annual Swingman Classic!
📝 https://t.co/6iv1muQrws#GoldStandard🔰 pic.twitter.com/ZFzHUV0zec
Congrats to our G-Men on being selected to play in the 2024 HBCU Swingman Classic presented by @TMobile & powered by the @MLBPA - @Baseball_YDF‼️
— Grambling State Baseball (@GramSt_Bsb) June 18, 2024
Friday, July 12th at Globe Life Field during MLB All-Star Week ⚾🌟#GramFam | #ThisIsTheG🐯 pic.twitter.com/tJe9ZHfPRM
Congrats to Michael Burroughs @m1keyqb and Michael Smith @mikesmithjr2 being selected to represent #PVAMU in the @MLB Ken Griffey Swingman HBCU classic played the day before the All-Star game at the Rangers stadium. Congrats fellas #Mayfa #AhHooHoo pic.twitter.com/kIYrOh7YDv
— PVAMU Panthers Baseball (@pvamubsb) June 19, 2024
Congrats to the 4️⃣ Wildcats selected to the The 2024 HBCU Swingman Classic! 😼⚾
— ⚾️Bethune-Cookman Baseball (@BCUDiamondCats) June 18, 2024
They'll rep Wildcat Nation in front of the baseball world during MLB All-Star Week!
📅Friday, July 12th
📍Globe Life Field#𝙃𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙨 | #𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙮𝙏𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 pic.twitter.com/voDPmhD55D