Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex, Presented by Toyota, participants Austin Philips and Collin Moore parlayed a summer appearance at MLB’s Hank Aaron Invitational into an opportunity to compete in yet another event sponsored by MLB this fall.

The pair hits the road for West Palm Beach, Fla., today, Friday, October 11, to play on the MLB Breakthrough Series team competing in the 2019 World Wood Bat Association (WWBA) Freshman World Championships. The Breakthrough Series squad is made up of athletes who distinguished themselves at MLB Breakthrough events this summer.

“My experience at the Hank was life changing. I had an opportunity to be coached by some the world’s best baseball players,” Moore said. “Learning from them was exciting, inspiring and helpful. It was great to be coached by guys with a similar background as mine. It was also awesome to play with other kids from around the nation. There are some really good players out there my age and younger, so it really inspired me to work harder on my game.”

Phillips (2024, Young Men’s Leadership Academy) also raved about his experience at the Hank Aaron Invitational.

“It was great!” Phillips said. “I learned a lot from MLB staff and coaches about the history and how to play the game the right way. My biggest interaction was meeting Ken Griffey Jr.”

Next on the schedule, the WWBA Freshman World Championship Tournament is a Perfect Game event featuring over 70 teams competing at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Fla. from October 11-14. This marks the seventh year of the tournament, which has seen more than 62 former participants drafted to MLB teams and 1,238 former participants ink college commitments.

Moore (2024, Rogers Middle School) is looking forward to competing with his fellow Academy participant and taking on the new competition.

“I’ve seen Austin play both at the Hank and at the Academy we’ve never had a chance to play on the same team, so I’m looking forward to getting on the diamond with him,” Moore said. “I’m really looking forward to competing as a team with some of the guys I met at the Hank. I really think we can win it all! Everyone was so talented and hungry to win and learn. I think we are going to be tough to beat.”

 Fall RBI

The fall RBI season is underway, with the Academy’s fall RBI league hosting eight softball teams.  

City of Dallas Parks and Recreation will run and host the fall RBI baseball league, with support from the Academy in providing uniforms for the athletes. A copy of the schedule is attached. 

Fall Programming Underway

Fall programming is underway at the Academy and runs through November 21.

Mondays and Wednesdays feature activities for 18U athletes from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays are designed for 12U athletes and also run from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

There will be no programming October 14 through 18 or October 31. Registration is available at https://texasrangersya.leagueapps.com/camps.

The Rougned Odor Weight Room is available for 18U athletes to work out after school from 4:30-6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday by registering in advance at rangers.com/academy.