Major League Baseball started its “Summer of Development” in style, hosting dozens of elite high school-age players at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Fla., for the first Breakthrough Series event of the summer.

From the moment the players and coaches arrived, it was all baseball. The staff includes many former Major Leaguers who have participated as instructors for such MLB development programs as the Breakthrough Series and the DREAM Series.

Notable coaches present for the Breakthrough Series included Jerry Manuel, Denard Span, Brian Hunter, Marvin Freeman and Marquis Grissom, among others.

MLB uses these programs to identify talent that can potentially excel at the next level. This is why it comes as no surprise that there are plenty of former MLB Development alumni in the Major Leagues.

Nick Gordon (Marlins), Kyren Paris (Angels) and Lars Nootbaar (Cardinals) have all participated in MLB Develops events, and all have taken the opportunities offered through them to take the next step as professionals.

Nine-year veteran Hunter, a familiar development coach for many of the young players, shared his thoughts on the weekend.

“I mean, it's the Breakthrough Series,” Hunter said. “We've got a lot of young kids getting ready to break through. … We're so fortunate to get to coach these kids, and we have a great time seeing them and coaching them.”

Hunter, who spent the bulk of his playing time with the Braves, knows plenty about what it takes to cut it at the pro level, and he’s seen the right attitudes this past weekend from the Breakthrough Series players.

“The biggest thing that stands out is they're willing to listen and learn. That's what we're trying to teach them,” he said. “Listen and learn, you know, ask questions, and you're going to get better.”

Hunter is also a coach for The Program, which takes select 16U players in the MLB Develops system to focus on baseball development every week beginning in mid-June and going through mid-July.

The Program, now in its second year, is meant to prepare players for premier travel tournaments against some of the top programs from around the country.

“The Program is outstanding,” said Hunter, “I was fortunate enough to be a coach last year, so we're going to do part two.”

Carter Hadnot, a shortstop in the class of 2027, is a newcomer to The Program, but he is as eager as any returnee to jump into a summer of baseball development.

“I'm looking forward to having fun with all my teammates and getting knowledge from all these MLB players and coaches,” said Hadnot, who also understands the importance of showing off his entire arsenal of baseball skills.

“I feel pretty good about it knowing that MLB players and coaches see me…and just showing my talents,” said Hadnot.

Clayton Armah, a pitcher from the class of 2025 who is committed to Auburn following his graduation, impressed coaches at the Breakthrough Series. He received the MLB Develops MVP Award presented by Chevrolet, and with that a trip to a 2024 World Series game.

“Last year was my first time with MLB Develops in their events, so for it to go from one year ago it was my first event to now winning this, it just really means a lot to me,” said Armah.

Although Armah was the MVP of the weekend, a player of his caliber focuses more on the results on the field.

“Last year I was really just trying to get used to the events, so this wasn't really on my radar, it really was just coming to events and continuing to get better, and I guess that approach led me to this,” he said.

Of course, he did win the award, meaning he will get the rare opportunity to attend The Fall Classic, a dream for any fan of the game.

“I’ve never been to a playoff baseball game in general, so for me to go to the World Series, that’s crazy,” said Armah.