Breakthrough Series club suits up in Florida

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- As the Florida sun beamed down on JetBlue Park on Thursday morning, 23 handpicked high school student-athletes worked to fine-tune their skills and prepare for a weekend of competitive ball.

The 2021 WWBA Underclass World Championships in Fort Myers (Sept. 30-Oct. 4) is officially underway, as the Breakthrough Series team made up of Black and Latino athletes graduating in either 2023 or '24 arrived to showcase their skills among a vast array of talent.

Comprised of student-athletes from all across the country, the Breakthrough Series team is managed by former Major Leaguer Lou Collier. The coaches, who were giving pointers and advice all morning to players, also include former MLB skipper Jerry Manuel and retired Major Leaguers Tye Waller, Sergio Santos and Antonio Grissom.

From the Midwest to the West Coast to the Northeast, the love of baseball is what brings these kids of all walks of life together. Some have experienced a tournament of this caliber in previous years, while others are taking in the moment and enjoying the surroundings of a big league Spring Training park and Major League talent.

Class of 2023 infielder Brandon McClain-Banks, a Pittsburgh native, said he hopes to make the most of the opportunity to be surrounded by great baseball minds that can help him elevate his game.

“It’s a great experience to be here,” McClain-Banks said. “I came here ready to ball and play. And it’s all about having fun. It’s very exciting and I can’t wait to play.”

The Barack Obama Academy product has a unique load and output with his swing, with a knack for hitting line drives. He also has blazing speed that he uses to his advantage both in the field and at the plate.

“My approach is to hit hard line drives or hard ground balls,” he said. “I can use my speed to steal or in a sacrifice situation. I love stealing bags. I can steal second, third, maybe even home, you never know.”

McClain-Banks, who earned his spot on the Breakthrough Series team via the Pittsburgh Pirates' RBI program, said his favorite aspect of the game is flashing some leather.

“I really love fielding,” he said. “I like making diving plays, highlight plays, even the routine plays -- I just love fielding. I don’t know what there is about it, I just love it.”

Another new face to the Breakthrough Series is Brooklyn, N.Y., native, outfielder Isaiah Shivers. Standing 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds as a sophomore, Shivers has a sweet left-handed swing that’s not too busy, with the sound of the ball off the bat reverberating throughout the park when right.

The Southern University commit was discovered at the ID Tour, showing he is no longer an “unknown talent” in the game.

“It’s amazing to be part of the Breakthrough Series,” Shivers said. “I always wanted to work hard and get here officially. It’s an accomplishment to be here. It’s nice being a guy under the radar and to shock eyes.”

He said he’s looking to build his baseball knowledge and mechanics from the experienced coaches at his disposal.

“I definitely want to work on my IQ and my situational hitting,” Shivers said. “I want to be a gap-to-gap hitter, the best defender I can be, and be coachable.”

Two student-athletes who have participated on this stage in the past once again returned to the field to show why they belong.

Isaac Hawthrone, a Woodcreek High School (Calif.) product and Santa Clara University commit, said being able to take the field with those who look like him while enjoying the game is special.

“It’s great to be out here,” Hawthrone said. “It’s great to play with different African-Americans from around the country -- and they have talent. It pushes you to another level.”

Hawthrone, who stands 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, said he’s looking to work on his defensive proficiency most during his time in Fort Myers.

“Coming out here and being taught by MLB coaches elevates you to another level. You learn so many new things you never thought about,” he said.

While Hawthrone’s work at first base will undergo some fine-tuning, his work at the dish with a bat in his hands is ahead of his 2023 graduation class.

“My mindset is to stay smooth and let my hands work,” he said of his approach at the plate. “I don’t try to overswing -- just see the ball well and catch the barrel.”

Another familiar face to the Breakthrough Series is Michigan commit Dillon Head. A Glenwood, Ill., native who patrols center field, Head has found success with his glove and in being a catalyst at the plate.

“I try not to do too much with my bat -- just stay level, hit line drives, get on base and do what I do best,” he said. “And defensively, the goal is to not let anything drop -- no fly zone.”

Head looked quite impressive roaming center field during the team’s infield/outfield session Thursday morning, showing off an arm to go along with his ability to read the ball off the bat.

“Me and my friend back home long toss every day,” Head said. “Just fielding fly balls, ground balls, working on getting behind the ball, throwing on a line -- just working the fundamentals.”

He said the experience of the Breakthrough Series is one of a kind.

“It’s really like being a big leaguer,” Head said. “It gives you the actual experience, which is awesome. We all want to be in the big leagues one day and this is just getting us prepared for that.”

The Breakthrough Series team will play Thursday afternoon, as well as Friday and Saturday (and additionally, Sunday and Monday, should they advance).