Three Texas Rangers Youth Academy athletes recognized during pre-game ceremonies at Major League Baseball World Series

DALLAS— The Texas Rangers Youth Academy had three athletes recognized during Major League Baseball’s pre-game ceremonies at the 2022 World Series between the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday, Oct. 29.

Ana Gonzalez, Julie Gonzalez and Ximena Zamarron traveled to Houston over the weekend to be recognized for their various softball accomplishments, and attend Game 2 of the World Series, courtesy of MLB.

Major League Baseball recognized dozens of youth baseball and softball players on-field at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, which included MLB Youth Academy Youth of the Year winners, RBI World Series Championship teams, Jennie Finch Empowerment Award winners, MLB Develops MVPs, PLAY BALL Players of the Month and Pitch, Hit & Run finalists.

Texas Rangers Youth Academy athlete and Midlothian High School student Ana Gonzalez was named the MLB Develops Most Valuable Player at the Oklahoma City Softball Breakthrough Series in August. As unanimously voted on by the Breakthrough Series coaching staff, Gonzalez was named the Most Valuable Player out of dozens of participating athletes from across the country selected to attend the invitation-only series.

Julie Gonzalez, a Berry Middle School seventh grader, advanced through two rounds of local and regional competition to reach the national finals of MLB's Pitch, Hit & Run skills contest. Gonzalez is the first Rangers Academy athlete to reach the finals and competed in the 12U softball division Sunday, Oct. 30, where she fell short of first place.

Also recognized on Saturday was the Texas Rangers Youth Academy’s 2022 Youth of the Year award winner Zamarron. The Youth of the Year recognition is awarded annually to a dedicated Rangers Youth Academy athlete that demonstrates excellence on and off the field.

During her time at the Academy, in addition to regularly attending year-round softball programming and participating in the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) League, Zamarron was selected to compete in several MLB Develops events, tournaments and international competitions.

Following their on-field recognition, the athletes watched the Astros top the Phillies 5-2, evening the series at one game a piece.