2024 Dream Series: MLB Giving Kids the Opportunity to Be Stars of Tomorrow
Imagine being a kid who wants to play baseball and you get to have an actual MLB player train you. Wild. However, that is exactly what is occurring at the 2024 Dream Series. An event that the MLB arranges in order to give kids of all backgrounds the opportunity to gain access to proper education and development to go next level.
Josiah Gray of the Washington Nationals, flew all the way out from Florida to be involved this year. And via the Hot Stove for MLB Network, Gray mentions why this program is so important. He says,
“If I had the chance to have any big leaguer around me as a kid. I would have and gain the confidence that I can do this.”
Yes, helping kids believe that the impossible IS possible. That they can keep rising in their development. Is such a priceless gift to provide to a child.
What is the MLB Dream Series?
If you have never heard of this program before; well, wouldn’t blame you, because it’s not that old. It’s only been in existence for 7 years; however, it is definitely great for parents to know about. The MLB is very interested in not only getting kids to have more interest in the sport itself; but to help them make being a ball player a serious reality.
Let’s face it. It is NOT cheap to get your kid to the PROs. Especially, when it comes to baseball. A good bat can cost $500. A good glove can be $400. Therefore, when the cost alone is high; some talented children will never get to have a career because they just can’t afford proper training and expert help. Sad.
However, MLB wants to try to end this problem once and for all. This will also make the MLB even better since even more young players will be able to be on the radar of scouts. Major League Baseball explains the Dream Series program this way:
“A premiere amateur baseball development camp developed to diversify the talent pool of minority pitchers and catchers. The event will be held at Tempe Diablo Stadium, the Spring Training home of the Los Angeles Angels, featuring nearly 80 top African American and Latino high school players from across the nation. Athletes will receive elite-level instruction from former Major and Minor League players, managers, and coaches.”
Awesome. While the program is predominantly of Latino and Black athletes, please note kids of all backgrounds are included as well. Since talent comes from everywhere.
2024 Dream Series: MLB Giving Kids the Opportunity to Be Stars of Tomorrow
There’s a lot of great, skillful sth in the program this year. But the big question is… does this event actually make a difference? Is it working?
The answer is yes. MLB.com writer, Jesse Borek reveals some of the amazing results. Borek states,
“Since last year’s event, three alumni (Chase Davis, Dillon Head and Kendall George) were selected within the first 36 picks of the 2023 MLB Draft. Five players (Greene, Michael Harris II, Jordan Walker, Taj Bradley and Simeon Woods Richardson) who have participated since the event’s inception in 2017 have already gone on to make their big league debut, with the Series having produced 12 first-round picks and five current members of MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 overall prospects list.”
WOW. Furthermore, Letroy Hawkins is an instructor at the 2024 Dream Series. He likes what’s happening with this program. Hawkins tells MLB’s Hot Stove,
“I didn’t get this type of instruction [as a kid] when I was that age. But they say when you grow up, you be to other kids what you needed at that age. And that’s what I try to do.
Growing up in Gary, Indiana. It was nice seeing other guys like me play. Get older and you see less and less. For Rob Manfred [and others] to have kids being able to be seen by scouts and trainers; it’s only going to be able to enrich their lives.
[When asked how to have longevity in a career]…The secret to longevity in MLB, is to be able to adjust and stay healthy. That’s the key you have to make adjustments.”
Amen to that. However, one position that’s tough to stay healthy is a pitcher. Also, as this off-season is showing, pitching can be hard to come by for teams.
Encouraging kids to get into this position, will help teams to have more players to choose from in the future. Yet, what is the problem? Why don’t you see a lot of young athletes wanting to be pitchers? Leroy Hawkins explains,
“Being a pitcher is not a glamorous job. They want to hit, they want to bat. As a kid did you go for the ball or the bat first? Most go for the bat. [However] I always tell kids you can make a lot of money as a pitcher.
I think technology has helped pitching. More than it has helped batting. You can show guys grips. You can show them footage. Give them the tools guys like us didn’t have in the past.”
So then, there’s help. Kids and parents are not alone in this journey; and the MLB, plus the players themselves are here to lend a hand. We love to see it.
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