Rosters announced for second annual “HBCU Swingman Classic presented by T-Mobile & Powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation”
The rosters of the 50 HBCU student-athletes playing in the second annual “HBCU Swingman Classic presented by T-Mobile & powered by the *MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation*” on Friday, July 12th at Globe Life Field were announced today LIVE on MLB Network from the 2024 MLB Draft Combine. The players for this second annual HBCU All-Star experience, during MLB All-Star Week, were selected by a committee which included Hall of Famer and MLB-MLBPA YDF Global Ambassador Ken Griffey Jr. in addition to representatives from MLB, the MLBPA, and across the baseball scouting community.
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.
The players were selected from the following Division-I HBCUs:
- Alabama A&M University
- Alabama State University
- Alcorn State University
- University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff
- Bethune Cookman University
- Coppin State University
- Delaware State University
- Florida A&M University
- Grambling State University
- Jackson State University
- Mississippi Valley State University
- Norfolk State University
- North Carolina A&T University
- Prairie View A&M University
- Southern University
- Texas Southern University
Tickets for the HBCU Swingman Classic presented by T-Mobile, which includes a special battle of the bands in-game event, are on-sale NOW at AllStarGame.com. Ticket sale proceeds, starting at $15, will benefit the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation, a joint initiative by MLB and MLBPA to support efforts that focus on improving the caliber, effectiveness and availability of amateur baseball and softball programs across the United States and internationally. MLB Network will air the HBCU Swingman Classic presented by T-Mobile Powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation LIVE, beginning at 7:00 p.m. CT/8:00 p.m. ET.
Below is the full roster of the participants selected for the HBCU Swingman Classic presented by T-Mobile & powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation:
NOTE: * indicates second time participant
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.