Academy Notebook: Twelve Academy athletes advance in USA Baseball National Team Identification Series

By | April 8, 2022

Twelve Academy athletes invited to round two of USA Baseball National Team Identification Series

Twelve Texas Rangers Youth Academy athletes have officially been extended invitations to participate in round two of USA Baseball’s National Team Identification Series.

The opening round of the Dallas Regional took place in late March at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy, giving athletes a chance to compete for a spot on one of USA Baseball’s National Teams. Following the conclusion of round one, NTIS scout Ryan Sullins said, “Today went great. We had a lot of good athletes out here and the weather was perfect. We saw a lot of good talent and a lot of returning talent. USA Baseball has a bright future.”

Sullins shared that the NTIS evaluators base their eventual selections on criteria surrounding each players' grasp of the basic fundamental skills. “We look for guys that can swing a bat and have good throwing mechanics," he said. "And we always look for velocity and the basic tools these players need, like footwork, glove work and how fast they can run.”

With a dozen Academy athletes advancing to round two this year, the Rangers have nearly doubled the number advanced compared to seven in 2021.

Round two of the NTIS Dallas Regional will take place in July, with athletes around the U.S. competing for a spot on two All-Region teams that will play at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C.

The twelve athletes selected to represent the Rangers in round two includes:

Texas Wesleyan University improves record at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy

On Tuesday, April 5, Texas Wesleyan University returned to the Texas Rangers Youth Academy in West Dallas to face Jarvis Christian College. Texas Wesleyan defeated Jarvis, 8-3, to extend the team’s win streak to four games.

Starting pitcher Garrett Moltzan commanded the game through four complete innings and finishing with six strikeouts. On offense, right fielder Marcos Sanchez led the team with three hits and centerfielder Aiden Kenney batted in three of the team's eight runs.

Following the win, head coach Bobby Garza shared his thoughts on playing at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy, saying, "It was a good day at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy. We are so thankful that they opened up their facilities for us. We have developed a great relationship with them and look forward to continuing bringing college baseball to the Academy."

Texas Wesleyan’s three-game series with Sterling College earlier this year marked the first college baseball games to be played on Johnny Oates Field at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy.

Following Tuesday’s win, Texas Wesleyan is now 2-2 when playing at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy and 24-13 in regular season play.

Rangers RBI open tryouts

The Texas Rangers Youth Academy will hold free-agent tryouts tomorrow for athletes looking to participate in this summer’s Rangers RBI League. Newcomers ages 13-18 will take the field on Saturday, April 9, to showcase their skills and formally try out for the Rangers RBI League.

Rangers RBI is one of over 200 RBI programs operating under Major League Baseball’s Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program. Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities is a youth baseball and softball initiative designed to drive participation and create opportunities for young athletes from underserved and diverse communities looking to play ball.

Each year the Youth Academy’s Rangers RBI League sees dozens of teams compete throughout the regular season and into the post-season until one team in each division has been crowned a champion.

Tomorrow’s free-agent tryouts will give new athletes a chance to showcase their skills in front of Rangers RBI coaches looking to add talent to their teams.

Opening Day for the 2022 Rangers RBI League is set for Saturday, May 7, at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy. To register for Rangers RBI free-agent tryouts, visit rangersrbi.leagueapps.com.

April High School baseball & softball schedule

Below is the schedule of the Pinkston, Sunset and Thomas Jefferson High School baseball and softball games to be played at the Academy in April. Scheduling is subject to change.

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