Prep stars put on show at Under Armour game
Playing in the Under Armour All-America game is not necessarily an automatic ticket to the Major League draft or a big-time college baseball program.
But it might be the next best thing.
More than 30 participants in the annual game at Wrigley Field, now in its 10th year, have reached the big leagues. Dozens of others have been drafted. Still more have gone on to college baseball careers.
Forty players — the cream of the crop of high school baseball from across the nation — took the first steps on similar journeys Saturday night, showcased at the home of the defending World Series champion Cubs and under the watchful eyes of about 200 pro scouts.
“It’s a great way for (players) to know what they’re going to see as they move on, whether it’s the college game or professional,” said Jason Budden, senior vice president of marketing and brand for Factory Athletics.
“These kids have succeeded at almost every level, and this is their chance to come out to a historic ballpark, on a historic stage. It’s a great way to have that experience before they head into their senior years, and it’s going to help them prepare for their careers.”
The players were split into two 20-man rosters, and the American stars beat the Nationals 2-1 in 11 innings.
The result was beside the point.
For the players, many already committed to colleges, it was a chance to display their talents, attract attention and learn from coaches and other elite players at their age level.
“It’s an incredible experience to get to come and play at Wrigley and be around a bunch of great coaches and great players and learn as much as you can and take it all home,” said JT Ginn, a pitcher from Brandon, Miss.
As for the game, Jordyn Adams of Green Hope (Cary, N.C.) singled up the middle with no outs and runners at second and third in the bottom of the 11th, collecting a game-winning walkoff RBI.
Pitchers dominated much of the game, and each team managed only two hits through five scoreless innings.
Saturday’s game was organized by the Baseball Factory, a Maryland-based firm specializing in baseball scouting, development and training and recruiting. It hosts some 600 events annually.
The Cubs added their own touches, using their regular public address announcer and longtime organist as well as full video board operations. And in a bow to Wrigley Field tradition, the 80-year-old, manually operated center-field scoreboard was also in use.
Among recent Under Armour All-Americans was Cubs shortstop Addison Russell, who played in the game as an underclassman and went on to be a 2016 Major League All-Star and World Series champion.
“We’ve had over 30 guys come through the game who have played at the Major League level,” Budden said. “If you look at the past year’s draft, we had the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks and eight first-rounders from last year’s game.”
Of 323 draft-eligible players from previous Under Armour games, 284 have been selected in the Major League draft, including 83 first-round selections.
Budden said that in past seasons all 30 major league teams have been represented at the game.