2025 National Team Championships - North Carolina | Official Event Program by USA Baseball

2025OFFICIAL EVENT PROGRAM

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/CEO A MESSAGE FROM THE

On behalf of the national governing body for baseball in the United States, I am honored and privileged to welcome you to the 2025 National Team Championships!

The National Team Championships is USA Baseball’s longest-running event and boasts a veritable list of former participants who have gone on to play for Team USA and in the Major Leagues. Alex Bregman, Bryce Harper, Eric Hosmer, and Clayton Kershaw are just a few of the names that have played in this event, gone on to make a USA Baseball national team, represented their country on the international stage, and later had a successful professional career. Simply put, this event is where future stars earn their stripes.

The event began as the Junior Olympics in Fort Myers, Florida, in 1996 and served as an identification event for the USA Baseball 16U National Team. The event has transformed and experienced tremendous growth over the last 29 years, with nearly 350 teams participating in this event in either North Carolina or Arizona, allowing these young athletes to compete against the best teams in the country. More importantly, they will have the opportunity to earn an invitation to play for Team USA. The National Team Championships is an identification event for the 15U and 18U National Teams, as well as our 13U/14U Athlete Development Program (ADP) and 16U/17U National Team Development Program (NTDP). No other event in the country offers the opportunities the National Team Championships do, and we hope you are all proud to have been invited to this event.

As you enter the National Training Complex, you will notice the consistent investments in developing young baseball talent in our country. Last year, we officially opened the Executive Offices and Training Center, and have already seen the benefits, as our national teams and development programs have spent countless hours utilizing the space to work on all facets of the game. We will continue to invest in the future of our game with the help of the recently-launched Our Pastime’s Future Fund, which will provide opportunities for future generations of athletes and coaches.

Here at USA Baseball, we are committed to bringing first-class competition to the field, so we wish you all good luck as you strive to win a championship, but also look to earn an invitation to a USA Baseball national team or development program. The experiences the athletes, coaches, and families will go through during this tournament will challenge and test you while also creating memories that will stick with you forever. It is an incredible byproduct of being an elite athlete.

Once again, welcome to the 2025 National Team Championships! On behalf of our staff, we cannot wait for you to get here and show us what you've got.

Yours in baseball,

Paul V. Seiler Executive Director/CEO USA Baseball

CONNECT WITH US

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17U EVENT SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, JUNE 12

FRIDAY, JUNE 13

FAST FACTS ABOUT THE NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS IN NORTH CAROLINA

STARTING AT CHAMPS.

In 28 years as a primary identification event for Team USA, the National Team Championships has seen its fair share of exceptional talent. MLB All-Stars such as Bryce Harper and Clayton Kershaw have made their way to playing for the red, white, and blue through this tournament. But it’s more than just through the National Training Complex; check out ‘Where Future Stars Earned Their Stripes’ in the digital program to read about some of USA Baseball’s brightest alumni in the major leagues.

GEAR UP.

Participants and fans alike can stop by the USA Baseball Shop at the National Training Complex while attending the National Team Championships in North Carolina, or shop anytime on USABaseballShop.com.

BEHIND THE SCENES.

Every USA Baseball national team has a story worth telling. From elite coaching staffs to rising stars on the field, these teams proudly represent the red, white, and blue, and dominate on the world stage. Dive into the digital program to read about unforgettable moments from 18U legends and how the 15U coaching staff is shaping the pros of tomorrow.

WATCH FROM ANYWHERE.

Catch every pitch from USA Baseball’s 2025 events at the National Training Complex no matter where you are. Fans can stream games live and on demand in two ways: Watch on USABaseball.TV for access to six camera angles, live stats, and player-tagged clips with data from AWRE Sports by purchasing a game, day, or event pass. Or, tune in to GameChanger for one camera angle and live stats free of charge with an existing account. Whether you're on your couch or on the go, USABaseball.TV and GameChanger have you covered all season long.

READY FOR ANYTHING.

The 13U/14U Athlete Development Program and the 16U/17U National Team Development Program will continue to prepare the country’s best young baseball players for their future careers, both on and off of the field. Learn more about the off-field elements of USA Baseball’s player development initiatives throughout the digital program.

HISTORY OF DOMINANCE.

The 15U and 18U National Teams own a combined twenty-three gold medals in international competition. After capturing the World Cup title at the 2024 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup, the 2025 18U squad will look to add another title this September and go for gold medal number eighteen. Meanwhile, the 15U National Team went undefeated in 2024 and aims to carry that same energy into the 2025 season.

CHECK YOUR SWING.

The National Team Championships are USABat-certified events, and all participants must use an approved bat. Bats that are not USABat-certified are prohibited. Additional information on USABat specifications can be found here.

SET YOURSELF APART.

The best athletes are defined – and strengthened – by more than just what they can do in-game. All participants at the National Team Championships will undergo

Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP) Performance Assessments to assess their skills with state-of-the-art technology so they know exactly where they stand and where they can improve.

EYES ARE ON YOU.

Last year, Champs NC proved to be a major platform for emerging talent, as 23 athletes were identified from the tournament to join the 15U and 18U National Teams. This event continues to be a critical part of the national team scouting pipeline, offering athletes the opportunity to be seen by top-level scouts and take the next step in their development.

STAY CONNECTED.

To keep up with all things National Team Championships North Carolina, follow along on Twitter and Instagram (@USABaseEvents). To stay up-to-date on all things USA Baseball, follow @USABaseball on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

2024 RECAP NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS NORTH CAROLINA

The summer heat couldn’t match the firepower on display at the 2024 National Team Championships in North Carolina, where hundreds of the nation’s top young players took the field at USA Baseball’s National Training Complex in Cary. Nearly 90 teams across the 13U to 17U age groups brought excitement to the diamond, turning the complex into a proving ground for the future of American baseball.

Each division was loaded with talent, from fearless 13U and 14U newcomers, like 2024 gold medalists ZT National Prospects (13U) and SBA Bolts (14U), to 17U veterans eyeing the next step in their journeys. Standouts like Blake Barberena and Darren Luber (Stacked National) sparked the action early, while players such as Owen Burnes (14U Team Elite) and Kyle Plasman (15U Stacked) built momentum through the week with electric performances. The event also continued its tradition as a vital piece of USA Baseball’s

national team pipeline, with elite talent earning invitations to upcoming 15U and 18U National Team Training Camps and development programs.

Nowhere was that talent more evident than in the 15U division, where a dozen players from the field earned spots on the 2024 15U National Team. Among those selected were standout performers like Camden Boehm, Cooper Collins, and Carter Shouse, whose performances in Cary helped them rise to the top of a loaded class.

Stacked National, fittingly, lived up to its name and then some. After falling short in previous years, the team powered through the tournament to earn its firstever gold medal at 15U Champs NC. Behind strong efforts from Tanner Brown and Liam Gonzalez, Stacked capped off an undefeated 6-0 run with a dominant 9-0 victory over Excel Blue Wave National in the gold medal game. Brown shined as both a pitcher and hitter, and his teammates came through with timely offense and solid defense, including a powerful eight-run third inning in

the championship game. Their quarterfinal walk-off win over Team Elite proved to be the turning point of the week, sparking a dominant close to the tournament that left no doubt about who reigned supreme at 15U Champs NC.

The 16U bracket was just as competitive, with The Show earning a well-deserved gold medal following a 4-0 shutout of Aces National in the title game. Led by head coach Cam West, The Show looked to Jayden Grose for stellar pitching, and clutch hitting from players like CJ Weinstein and Will Myhand. The Show allowed just seven runs over five games, showcasing a lockdown staff and secure lineup. A pair of one-run victories during pool play prepared them for a postseason run defined by solid execution and poise.

Elsewhere, USA Prime collected two podium finishes – bronze at 15U and 16U – marking a breakthrough year for the organization at Champs NC. USA Prime’s 16U squad opened its bronze medal game with a three-run homer from Jorvorskie Lane Jr., setting the tone for a commanding 10-2 win over Alpha Prime.

The National Team Championships have long been a key stepping stone on the path to the stars, and last year’s event was no exception. Several players who made their mark in Cary were later named to the 2024 18U National Team, highlighting the role of Champs NC in spotlighting elite talent. Among those were Ethan Holliday, the projected top pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, and Kayson Cunningham and Eli Willits, both projected top 10 selections. Holliday was a part of the Scorpions Scout Team that captured a gold medal at last year’s 17U event in its Champs NC debut.

From walk-off winners to shutouts on the biggest stage, the 2024 National Team Championships in North Carolina were more than a tournament, but a celebration of what’s next. And for many players, what’s next might just include donning the red, white, and blue.

THE ROAD TO PLAY

PLAY FOR TEAM USA

NATIONAL TEAM SPOTLIGHT THE 2018 18U NATIONAL TEAM

By Logan Wilson

One of the most important aspects of being able to make the USA Baseball 18U National Team is the process of being identified in front of coaches and scouts.

Since 2009, USA Baseball has identified the top highschool talent across the country through various playerbased development events such as the National Team Development Program (NTDP), Athlete Development Program (ADP), and the National Team Identification Series (NTIS) to help build competitive national teams and prepare them for international competition.

In 2018, USA Baseball utilized both the NTIS and NTDP to scout players, as well as recommendations from professional scouts and USA Baseball Task Force members for the 18U National Team. Nine members of the 2018 squad participated in the 17U NTDP, allowing those athletes to connect with USA Baseball staff.

The 18U National Team has historically dominated the international stage, and the 2018 team was no different, winning gold in Panama at the Pan American Baseball Confederation (COPABE) U-18 Pan-American Championships.

After being the manager of Team Stripes in 2017 during the 17U NTDP, Jack Leggett went on to become manager of the 18U National Team for their 2018 run.

Alongside Leggett was pitching coach Scott Bankhead, assistant coach Mervyl Melendez, and hitting coach Gregg Ritchie.

“It was an honor to be able to represent the country and USA Baseball,” said Leggett. “I was so fortunate to meet some other great coaches like Greg Ritchie, Scott Bankhead, Mervyl Melendez, and Gerald Laird. I was surrounded by some good people, and we also had some really good players. It was a great experience for me.”

Leggett started his coaching career at the University of Vermont in 1978, where he coached the team until 1982, leading the program back to varsity status. He went on to coach at Western Carolina the following year, coaching the Catamounts for nine years from 1983 to 1991. Leggett guided the Catamounts to five straight conference championships and five trips to the NCAA Tournament before leaving for Clemson University in 1992. Leggett started as an assistant at Clemson, eventually being promoted to head coach in 1994. There, his stint as manager of the Tigers lasted for 22 seasons, his last year coaching at the school being in 2015. He remains at Clemson to this day as Program Development Coach under current manager

Erik Bakich, helping lead the Tigers to hosting three straight NCAA DI Baseball Tournament Regionals from 2023-2025.

With an impressive resume and a key interest in taking a shot at becoming a coach with USA Baseball, Leggett couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take the job as manager for the 18U National Team.

“It was an honor [to be named 18U National Team Manager]. I wanted to stay involved in baseball, and Matt Blood had given me the opportunity to manage the team after I had been through a week or two with the development program. It was one of those things that has always been on my mind, I always wanted to coach for USA Baseball.” Leggett said.

When Leggett got the chance to compete internationally, he made sure his team was ready to compete at the highest stage. Taking a trip down memory lane, the talent on the 2018 18U National Team was undeniable, with some kids in or on their way to big-league stardom.

“We made sure they understood who they were representing,” said Leggett. “You’re representing the entire country.

We had such great kids on that team, we had such great leaders. Setting a good example of what USA Baseball is all about, it was an easy thing for them. Bobby Witt Jr. was our shortstop, Anthony Volpe was our second baseman, Corbin Carroll in left field, and CJ Abrams in center. We had Dylan Crews, Tyler Callihan, Yohandy Morales, Sammy Faltine, Pete CrowArmstrong in right field, Drew Romo behind the plate, and Jack Leiter to finish the last game for us. We held all those guys to a high standard.”

Headlined by MLB All-Star shortstop Witt Jr., players from the 2018 squad have gone on to grow into MLB stars, with four players on the team earning All-Star nominations. Carroll took home Rookie of the Year, Volpe and Witt Jr. are Gold Glove winners, and Witt Jr. also earned a Silver Slugger award in 2024. CrowArmstrong is taking the league by storm in 2025, already breaking his career high in RBIs, home runs, and doubles. As of early June, Crow-Armstrong leads the National League in WAR (Wins Above Replacement), aiming to lead the Chicago

Bobby Witt, Jr.

Cubs to the postseason. The success being shown at the highest levels by these players solidifies USA Baseball’s goal of developing a championship mindset in young players.

One thing that Leggett wanted his players to leave with was a proper attitude. When amateur athletes are trying to stand out to coaches and scouts during the identification process, some traits are undeniable. Throughout the NTDP and NTIS, players can improve their chances to represent the stars and stripes by being coachable, versatile, and keeping a championship mindset, all while knowing what they’re representing.

“The first thing is attitude and the ability to play hard. It’s important you have those two qualities, you’re a good teammate, you’re coachable, and you know what you’re representing,” said Leggett. “It’s about trying to win a gold medal. The second thing is being very talented and having the versatility to play different positions. CJ Abrams had to play center field, and Volpe -- who is a Gold Glover at shortstop -- had to play second base. Riley Greene was also an extremely talented player on our team. He was DH for us, played first base, and now he's playing center field and an All-Star in the big leagues. Riley was a big part of our team and one of the best hitters I’ve ever seen at that level.”

During their trip to Panama, the 18U squad certainly had the right attitude and the ability to play hard. Winning the gold medal game over Panama 17-2, the team came back home after going a perfect 9-0. Leading the way at the plate during international play was Witt Jr., who posted an incredible .576 batting average slugged at a 1.121 clip. Carroll, Greene, and Witt Jr. were all tied for the team lead in home runs, with each launching three apiece. An incredible pitching staff backed up the offense and allowed the team to play complementary baseball. Now a member of the Texas Rangers, Leiter led the pitching staff with a 0.00 ERA during the tournament, racking up

20 strikeouts in only 8.0 innings of work, showing a relentless ability to keep control during a game.

“USA Baseball has a great future and it has made a great impact on my life, from the coaches that I was with to the players,” said Leggett. “The kids talk about our experience of winning a gold medal, return calls, and they stay with you; it makes a lasting impression and it's one of the things that will stay with these kids the rest of their lives. Whether they play pro ball or climb the ladder to play pro ball, they will always remember USA Baseball and their experience, I was just glad to be a part of it. Hopefully, our coaches will always be a part of their lives, and their teammates will be a part of their lives.”

While these 18U Alum are all shaping up their careers, time will only tell if this could end up being one of USA Baseball’s most intriguing national teams. Making the most of their young journeys in the major leagues, these young stars are off to excellent starts in the big leagues with much more to prove.

C.J. Abrams

FROM CHAMPS TO THE COLLEGIATE NATIONAL TEAM THE JOURNEY OF BEN JACOBS

By Danny Sullivan

For every young ballplayer who dreams of representing their country, the journey to USA Baseball must start somewhere. The man who reaches the top of the mountain doesn’t get dropped off there. The story doesn’t begin under the lights of packed stadiums or in front of fans lining up for pictures and autographs. The journey to international soil begins at a young age when players first get a taste of what it means to compete for something bigger.

USA Baseball lays out a path built on talent, opportunity, and a relentless pursuit. For athletes like 2024 Collegiate National Team (CNT) alum Ben Jacobs, it all started at National Team Championships Arizona, where a dream was born and the journey to the stars and stripes began.

Jacobs, a native of Huntington Beach, California just completed his junior year at Arizona State University. The southpaw evolved into a program cornerstone and a clear-cut ace on the mound. Jacobs spearheaded ASU to its first postseason appearance since 2021, snapping a program record four-year drought without playoff baseball.

As a member of the 2024 Collegiate National Team, Jacobs competed in the international Friendship Series hosted in Cary, North Carolina. Jacobs completed the series with a 2.08 ERA and seven strikeouts in 4.1 innings of work. He finished with a 1-0 overall record and yielded just two hits in a weather-shortened 3-2 win over Chinese Taipei on June 30.

Long before he wore red, white, and blue for the CNT, Jacobs was just another wide-eyed kid chasing a dream under the Arizona sun at USA Baseball’s National Team Championships.

“Champs is when travel ball really starts,” Jacobs said. “It’s where you get that first taste of elite level baseball. It’s when you start getting recruited and seen by everyone…Going to Peoria, Glendale, Surprise, all those great facilities… Those are some of the best times I can remember as just playing with your boys and having the time of your lives.”

For Jacobs, Champs Arizona wasn’t just another tournament, it was a launchpad. As a California native, he competed for some of the most premiere programs that made the trip out to the desert for one of, if not the most intense tournaments of the summer.

Jacobs found himself facing off against some of the top players from across the country throughout his development age. While he suited up for three different teams over the years, the stage always felt a little bigger at Champs Arizona.

“Being from California, you're getting some new competition,” he said. “Everyone steps onto the field with just a little more at stake given the potential opportunities that can come. Even the thought of potentially representing your country gets the juices going a little more… Arizona is the hot spot for all the scouts and coaches, so it’s awesome.”

That early exposure would prove foundational. Although Jacobs didn't initially land an invitation to the National Team Identification Series (NTIS), the experience stuck with him. Perhaps, it just added even more fuel to the fire.

“Unfortunately, I didn't get invited [to the NTIS], but in years when I came back, I just always reminded myself that if you play well enough, they’ll see you. There's a lot of eyes on you in this tournament, and the opportunity is legit.”

As the years progressed and Jacobs skillsets evolved, playing for Team USA became less of a dream and more of an achievable goal.

After his sophomore season at ASU, the tireless work ethic would carry him to one of the highest honors in amateur baseball. Jacobs earned his way to a spot on the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.

The culmination of years spent grinding on back fields under the desert heat had finally led to a moment years in the making. When Jacobs finally stepped onto the field with “USA” stitched across his chest, it didn’t disappoint.

“It was absolutely surreal,” Jacobs said. “It’ll probably be my favorite experience in baseball in my life until I make it to the big leagues. I got chills when we had that first national anthem with the USA across my chest.

It was seriously such an indescribable moment – I'm getting chills just thinking about it…It was an incredible experience and I was honored to be a part of it.”

His CNT teammates included some of the best collegiate players in the nation, stockpiled with future MLB talent while being some of the brightest stars the collegiate landscape has to offer.

“The Collegiate National Team is one of the more premier USA Baseball teams you can be a part of other than the big leaguers going to the World Baseball Classic… My class was unbelievably talented and just to be a part of it was such an unreal feeling,” he said. “I made so many friends there and learned so much from the talent that was on that team.”

But perhaps the most meaningful part of his USA Baseball journey was the reflection. It was the understanding of how far he had come since Champs Arizona. From his dream being turned away at a young age to defying the odds and fulfilling a lifelong goal. It was playing for the 14-year-old Ben that once laced up his spikes with the ultimate dream of donning the stars and stripes, the ultimate reward was earned, not given.

“It’s funny because those 14U tournaments are when you first get introduced to Team USA,” he said. “That was when my dream of playing for Team USA started. You get a little glimpse of it and then all of a sudden it becomes your fuel…You think about what it could be and you get bought in. It becomes your purpose.”

Today, Jacobs stands as a testament to the USA Baseball pipeline. From the highs and lows of the recruiting journey at Champs Arizona to the prestige of the CNT.

His story, like many who have passed through those same big-league complexes in Arizona, is one of patience, perseverance, and passion. While he will be the first to say that making it to the big leagues remains the ultimate goal, he knows that the journey starts somewhere, and it’s just as important as the destination.

“It’s step by step,” Jacobs said. “The early experiences of Champs put the vision in your eyes. That’s what really gets the drive going to keep pushing.”

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STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE CASEY SCOTT STEPS INTO MANAGERIAL ROLE FOR 2025 15U NATIONAL TEAM

By Kaileigh Grieb

head manager.

His pitchers held batters to a .073 AVG, held onto a 0.00 ERA, and allowed zero hits in the five-game set. In addition, the group tossed two no-hitters, allowed only eight hits, six walks, and tallied 61 strikeouts. That performance solidified Scott’s reputation and prepared him for the next chapter: leading the team from the top step of the dugout. Needless to say, Scott is ready to don a new role this season given his past success with the red, white, and blue.

To say that Scott has an impressive resume with USA Baseball is an understatement. Alongside his staff's five game dominant showing of their arms, the 2024 International Friendship Series also added new impressive accolades to the resume.

Scott’s staff allowed just four earned runs and struck out 38 batters in 31 innings, leading opponents to maintain just a .107 batting average.

Scott has served numerous roles inside and outside USA Baseball, including serving with the 2019 14U National Team Development Program (NTDP) coaching

staff as a pitching coach. He has also been a part of four 15U National Team Training Camps.

What got Scott started in this journey of being a part of USA Baseball is what many would call a humbling beginning. Starting out as a scorekeeper in West Palm Beach just 10 years ago, Scott’s optimistic view on the honor it means to be a representative of USA Baseball never wavered.

“I was perfectly content being part of USA Baseball keeping score and that was fine for me because I always felt like I was helping to contribute towards it. But to have this opportunity to now coach, I don't really think I could put it into words. I've been very fortunate to do a lot of really great things as a coach and being involved with a lot of cool opportunities.”

When asked to take on the role as manager for the 2025 season, Scott laughed when sharing that he believed that his mind blanked and he couldn’t find his words, not remembering exactly what he said when trying to share the news with his family. His family later expressed similar emotions once he found his wording.

The concept of these young athletes having the chance to get the official call to have the opportunity to represent USA Baseball is one that takes the front seat in many fans' eyes, however, it’s the coaches who share similar feelings when they are given their chance to represent the red, white, and blue.

Asked to put it into words what emotions ran through his mind, Scott took a moment to reflect, saying:

“It's the most incredible feeling and until you do it, you’ll never really know what it means… I'm extremely proud of it and until the first pitch there as manager, I really didn't know how to describe it. Based on past

experiences, it's like no other uniform you'll put on. It's like no other game you'll play. It really is just a different feeling.”

Outside of USA Baseball in Cary, North Carolina, Scott is the head coach of Bishop Verot Catholic High School (Fort Myers, Fla.), having previously brought his squad to the USA Baseball National High School Invitational (NHSI) in both 2022 and 2023.

Prior to his time at Bishop Verot, he spent a season as an assistant coach for the State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland and four seasons as the head coach at Ave Maria University in Florida. He also led the Syracuse Jr. Chiefs of the New York Collegiate Baseball League and earned the league's Coach of the Year honors in 2012. Scott began his coaching journey at SUNY Brockport in 2009 following a standout twoyear pitching career for the Golden Eagles, where he compiled an undefeated 9–0 record.

He made sure to express that the coaches both within USA Baseball and in his college tenure helped prepare him for this moment.

“I was very well prepared for this, just from the kind of guys who came before me, as well as the directors that we've had, they do a good job of making sure everybody's included in decisions. So, it's always been a group effort from when I was just working on a USA Baseball Task Force, training camps and trials, and then being on staff the last two years. I feel like we're in good shape to move forward with it.”

Now, as he takes on the managerial role for the 15U National Team, Scott brings with him a wealth of experience, a proven track record, and a commitment to developing the next generation of Team USA talent— not just on the mound, but across the entire field.

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FROM POTENTIAL TO PATRIOT HOW USA BASEBALL PREPARES FUTURE STARS

By Danny Sullivan and David Goriola

Every summer, a select group of the nation’s most promising young baseball players gather in Cary, North Carolina, the official headquarters of USA Baseball. USA Baseball brings in some of the most elite young talent not just to compete, but to grow as players and people.

For younger athletes, USA Baseball’s 13U/14U Athlete Development Program (ADP) is far more than a weeklong camp. It’s a stepping stone that not only helps shape their long and short-term trajectory as athletes, but also as young adults ready to head into the next chapters of their lives, on and off the field.

The ADP is regarded as one of the cornerstones of USA Baseball’s prominent national team development pipeline. The camp is a true turning point where potential begins to shift gears into performance.

On the field, the ADP offers a fast-paced training environment that mimics the approach of national team preparation. The mornings are filled with structured skill stations, led by position-specific instructors with national team experience and prominence. These stations have a various focus, with athletes rotating throughout stations that harp on infield footwork, outfield reads, pitching mechanics, catching fundamentals, and batting cage work.

As the day progresses, athletes transition into situational drills and live-game simulations designed to challenge decision-making, instincts, and execution under pressure. Coaches give instant feedback, providing instruction and correction that pushes players to refine their game on the fly.

As much as the program can provide in terms of onfield instruction, the ADP’s X-factor reaches far beyond the field. Athletes attend classroom-style sessions that focus on nutrition, mental skills, injury prevention, and even social media awareness. The classroom sessions serve as a valuable lesson in terms of preparing youth athletes to take care of their bodies and minds as their careers begin to ascend.

A firm emphasis lies in leadership and character. Players are coached not just to be better athletes, but better teammates, leaders, and role models. Through group discussions, team-building exercises, and conversations with former USA Baseball alumni, participants begin to understand what it means to wear the red, white, and blue.

The first taste of USA Baseball for many of these young athletes is within the ADP. But, as players progress throughout the years, many have the opportunity to

earn an invitation to the National Team Development Program (NTDP), the next step on the way to baseball greatness.

The show goes on at the 16U and 17U levels through the NTDP, a highly competitive experience that dials things up a notch in order to prepare athletes for an even higher stage of the game.

Much like the ADP, the NTDP blends elite instruction with meaningful competition, but with an elevated focus on the demands to play at the national, collegiate, and professional levels.

As players progress through each level with expectations and demands increasing as each day stacks upon itself, the NTDP plays vital in preparing the now young adults on how to go about their day-today business while chasing their dreams but managing expectations.

What separates the NTDP from a traditional tournament or event is the foundation, structure, and attention to detail. The NTDP is a learning first environment where players aren’t just evaluated on talent – much like the ADP. These athletes are measured on how they respond to failure, how they lead, listen, and carry themselves when no one is watching.

The USA standard of accountability is expected above all. When you dawn the iconic red, white, and blue interlocked logo, a new expectation comes with it. These athletes are held to a higher merit for the little things: body language, mental sharpness, and carrying yourself in the right demeanor. It’s an accelerated look into life at the next level, and for many, it’s the most demanding baseball experience they’ve faced to date.

Every workout, meeting, and scrimmage reinforces the idea that this is bigger than individual success. It’s about earning the right to represent your country on the international stage. By the end of the week, the physical tools may stand out on a stat sheet, but it’s the intangible growth, maturity, humility, and accountability that often separates those who forge their way to the highest level of the sport.

Some recent 18U National Team alumni who completed the trials and tribulations of the NTDP prior to their rising

success in the big leagues include the likes of Bobby Witt Jr., Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Jackson Holliday, amongst countless others.

Many of today’s MLB Draft picks, top prospects, and bonafide stars credit the NTDP for teaching them how to think about the game, handle pressure, and carry themselves with professionalism well before they ever stepped into a Major League clubhouse.

For every player who is successful enough to earn a roster spot on a USA Baseball National Team, there are dozens more who carry the lessons of the NTDP with them into their high school seasons, college programs, and beyond. In that way, the NTDP is more than just a stepping stone, it's a foundational piece of a lifelong journey in baseball.

Together, the programs form the backbone of USA Baseball’s commitment to shaping the future of the sport.

The goal is not just to develop great players, but to build great people. From the first rep at the ADP to the final evaluation at the NTDP, these programs are carefully designed to challenge, inspire, and prepare athletes for what lies ahead. They’re more than just opportunities to wear the stars and stripes; they’re gateways to growth and excellence.

For those who have the opportunity to participate in the events, the path forward may take twists and turns that can be unexpected yet amazing. The foundation built within USA Baseball's development system is one they’ll carry with them for the rest of their lives.

WHERE THE STARS EARNED THEIR STRIPES

BOBBY WITT JR.

Representing the United States in 2018, Bobby Witt Jr. played for the 18U National Team, which won gold at the COPABE U-18 Pan-American Championships, going an impressive 9-0. Leading the team with a .576 batting average and tied for the team lead with 19 hits, Witt Jr. collected 19 RBIs and slugged three home runs throughout the tournament on his way to picking up Tournament MVP honors and the best slugger award. The following year, Witt Jr. was selected second overall by the Kansas City Royals. After progressing his way through two levels of the minors, totalling 34 home runs between AA and AAA, Witt Jr. was called up to the MLB to make his debut in April of 2022. In his rookie campaign, Witt Jr. worked to a .254 batting average with 80 RBIs and 30 stolen bases to help him finish fourth in Rookie of the Year voting. Ahead of the 2023 season, representing the stars and stripes, Witt Jr. played in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, appearing in three games. The 2024 season was a major breakout for Witt Jr., after he led the MLB in hits with 211 and won the batting title with a .332 batting average, which ultimately earned him a selection to his first All-Star team. Along with finishing second in MVP voting in 2024, Witt Jr. also picked up a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award. Witt Jr. joined Mookie Betts as the second player ever to lead the Majors in batting average during a 30-homer, 30-steal season. In February of 2024, the Kansas City Royals signed 23-year-old Witt Jr. to an 11-year, $288.8 million contract extension, solidifying him as one of baseball's brightest young players.

PAUL SKENES

Making his first appearance for the stars and stripes in 2014, Paul Skenes was a member of the 12U National Team that went on to win silver at the COPABE Pan American Championships in Mazatlan, Mexico. Skenes made eight starts and played in all 10 games, hitting .286 with one RBI. In his first two seasons of college baseball, Skenes played at Air Force as a two-way player, playing catcher, first base, designated hitter, and pitcher. Skenes started all 48 games in his freshman campaign and made 18 relief appearances, all in games that he started in the batting lineup. On the mound that

season, Skenes recorded 11 saves, which is tied for the most all-time in a single season at Air Force. From his performances, he won multiple awards including Mountain West Freshman of the Year, First Team AllMountain West, and was a Golden Spikes Award Semifinalist. Following his freshman season, Skenes earned an invitation to represent the stars and stripes on the 2021 Collegiate National Team. During his time with the Collegiate National Team, Skenes finished with a 3.58 ERA, pitching seven innings and striking out six, including a two-inning shutout performance against the Olympic Team. After wrapping up action with Team USA, Skenes began his second year at Air Force. After switching to a starter he picked up 10 wins in 15 games started, with a 2.73 ERA in 85.2 innings pitched and striking out 96. He was again selected to First Team All-Mountain West, winning the John Olerud Award and Mountain West Conference Co-Pitcher of the Year. In his final season of college baseball, Skenes transferred to LSU and won the Dick Howser Trophy, bestowed to the national college baseball player of the year. Also taking home: 2023 College World Series Most Outstanding Player, 2023 SEC Pitcher of the Year, and 2023 First Team All-SEC. Starting in 19 games for the Tigers, he finished with a record of 13-2 with a 1.69 ERA in 19 games started, totalling 209 strikeouts in 122.2 innings. Declaring for the MLB draft being taken first overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2023, he earned a signing bonus of $9.2 million. In his rookie season, Skenes went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA, striking out 170 batters, with a .198 BAA on his way to winning the NL Rookie of the Year. Skenes is set to suit up for Team USA at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

PETE CROW-ARMSTRONG

Pete Crow-Armstrong made his first appearance representing the United States on the 2014 12U National Team, which won silver at the COPABE Pan American Championships in Mazatlan, Mexico. Also participating in the 14U National Team Development Program (NTDP) in 2016, Crow-Armstrong earned a spot on the 15U National Team in 2017, which was named co-champions at the COPABE Pan American 'AA' Championships. Crow-Armstrong started in all seven games and recorded a .280 batting average. He also played for the 18U National Team at the COPABE U-18 Pan-American Championships, getting eight starts, picking up nine hits, with back-to-back multi-hit games to start the tournament. Crow-Armstrong continued to find his way on a Team USA roster after he played for the 2019 18U National Team, starting in eight of nine games at the 2019 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup for Team USA, and earning a silver medal. An impressive performance saw Crow-Armstrong second overall on the team in runs scored (9) and doubles (4), fourth in batting average (.364), and he led the team in stolen

bases and triples with three each. Following his time with USA Baseball, Crow-Armstrong was drafted out of high school in the first round, going 19th overall to the New York Mets in the 2020 MLB Draft. During the 2021 season, the New York Mets traded Crow-Armstrong to the Chicago Cubs for Trevor Williams and Javier Báez at the trade deadline. After getting recalled from the Iowa Cubs in 2024, Crow-Armstrong got his opportunity with the Chicago Cubs, appearing in 123 games, finishing his rookie season with 47 RBIs and 12th in the league for outs above average. Off to an incredible start in 2025, already setting a new career-high in home runs, Crow-Armstrong looks to lead the Cubs to their first postseason appearance since 2020.

HUNTER GREENE

First playing for Team USA in 2014, Hunter Greene was a member of the 14U National Team, winning silver at the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup. Overall, during the World Cup run, Greene threw 13 innings, allowing 13 hits, four earned runs, and striking out 13 batters, including a seven-strikeout game against Cuba. His next appearance for the stars and stripes was on the 18U National Team in the 2015 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup, throwing two scoreless innings on the way to winning a gold medal. After his appearance in 2015,

Greene played for the 18U National Team again in the 2016 COPABE Pan-American "AAA" Championships. Recording two consecutive multi-hit games, Greene and the 18U National Team took home gold in back-toback years. Following his last stint with the 18U National Team, Greene was drafted second overall to the Cincinnati Reds in the 2017 MLB Draft. The young star soared through the minor leagues and reached Triple-A Louisville in 2021. After a solid year in Louisville, the Cincinnati Reds gave Greene the call on April 10, 2022. In his MLB Debut, Greene earned his first Major League win in a start against the Atlanta Braves. After a stellar rookie season, Greene set records as he is the only Major League rookie since 1900 to produce at least three appearances in which he threw at least 6.0 innings with at least eight strikeouts and no more than one hit in a single season. An impressive 2024 season saw Greene break out as a top arm in baseball, being selected to his first All-Star team and an eighth-place finish for the Cy Young Award. During the season, Greene became only the second Reds pitcher since 1891 with six-plus strikeouts in each of his first six games of a season. Leading the league in xBA (Expected Batting Average) last year at .188, Greene continues to show that he can be a top arm talent in Major League Baseball.

PAUL GOLDSCHMIDT

Attending The Woodlands High School in Texas, Paul Goldschmidt was drafted in the 49th round of the 2006 MLB Draft. After consideration, Goldschmidt chose to play college baseball, spending his college days at Texas State University. Playing three years of college baseball, Goldschmidt solidified himself as one of the best players to ever come through Texas State. He went on to finish his junior season with 88 RBIs in 57 games with a .352 batting average. He was named Southland Conference Hitter of the Year in 2008 and 2009, also taking home Southland Conference Player of the Year in 2009. He finished out his career with Texas State in first place for career home runs, slugging percentage, RBIs, and intentional walks. After his time in college, Goldschmidt was drafted in the 2009 MLB Draft, in the eighth round, by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Spending his first two professional seasons in the minor leagues, Goldschmidt worked to a .306 batting average and slugged 30 home runs. At the start of August, Goldschmidt earned his call-up from Double-A straight to the Majors and made his debut on the first against the San Francisco Giants. Spending his first eight seasons with the Diamondbacks, earning six straight all-star appearances from 20132018, in 2017, Goldschmidt accepted his first invite to play for Team USA at the 2017 World Baseball Classic, winning gold for the first time in Team USA history at the event. During the offseason, Goldschmidt was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, where he would eventually win the NL MVP in 2022, leading the league in slugging, OPS, and OPS+ while slugging 35 home runs. Following the 2022 season, he earned and accepted an invitation to play on Team USA at the 2023 World Baseball Classic for the second time in his career, going on to win silver. Concluding his time with the Cardinals in 2024, Goldschmidt signed with the New York Yankees on a one-year deal, with the hopes of being a key piece in getting the Yankees back to the World Series in 2025.