Braves host annual 44 Classic featuring top high school talent from Southeast

ATLANTA -- The Braves aren’t strangers to hosting youth baseball players at Truist Park.

For years, Atlanta’s MLB franchise has welcomed youth baseball players to the organization's home stadium with events such as the Hank Aaron Invitational, the Native American Showcase and, most recently, the 44 Classic at Truist Park.

The 44 Classic, in honor of Hank Aaron, serves to spotlight diverse high school baseball talent across the Southeastern United States.

For the first time since its inception in 2019, there were two divisions -- 30 high school freshmen and sophomores and 44 juniors and seniors. In years prior, the event featured just juniors and seniors but this year’s event included the freshman and sophomore junior division.

The student-athletes participated in the two-day event that featured a pro-style workout on Saturday and two games on Sunday, both of which took place at Truist Park. There was a Junior Division game (consisting of freshmen and sophomores) followed by a Senior Division game (juniors and seniors).

Braves senior director of alumni relations and growing the game Greg McMichael -- who was a relief pitcher for Atlanta from 1993 to 1996 and helped the Braves to their 1995 World Series championship -- has been a vital contributor to these special events in recent years.

“It’s been really exciting to see some of these kids,” McMichael said. “This year we’ve done it a little bit differently. We brought in the Junior [Division]. They consist mainly of our best RBI [Nike’s Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities Program] kids. They’re the younger kids, freshmen and sophomores. Our scouting group recommended a few players from around the [Southeast]. So we have probably the best talent we’ve had since we started this thing. From what I’m hearing there are about six potential Draft picks that [are here].”

Though he is not a Draft pick as of now, Parkview standout outfielder Malachi Washington is an LSU commit who has played in the 44 Classic the past two years.

“It’s a lot bigger,” Washington said about playing at Truist Park. “It’s huge. [There’s] a lot more grass to cover. It feels like [being a] pro almost. It feels like being in the big leagues. When you stand in right field you feel like Ronald Acuña. In center field you feel like Michael Harris. It’s really cool seeing the backdrop knowing you’re on an MLB field. It’s amazing.”

There were multiple MLB alumni coaches involved in the 44 Classic. Gerald Perry, Terry Harper and Jerome Walton were on-site coaching in partnership with the Marquis Grissom Baseball Association. Washington and his teammates were given the opportunity to learn from former MLB players.

“Getting experience from veteran guys who have played in the league and who know so much about the game, you can always learn more,” Washington said. “It’s great to get out here and just learn, every day, something new about baseball.”

The Metro Atlanta area was well-represented throughout the event and Washington was one of five Parkview players who participated this weekend.

“[There are] a lot of guys from my high school,” Washington said. “Joseph Mendez, CJ Woolcock. Ellis Appling, Emani Ford, all those guys go to my high school. Santos Wade [who is home schooled], just a bunch of great guys and a bunch of good names. It just makes us closer. It’s sick, all of us getting invited to such a prestigious and awesome event. It means a lot.”

Current Braves first baseman Matt Olson and former outfielder Jeff Francoeur are Parkview graduates.

“It means the world, having Matt Olson being talked about every day at our high school [and] Jeff Francoeur, names like that,” Washington said. “It’s really surreal getting to play on the same field they get to play on and hit home runs on. I was fortunate enough to be here for the whole [2025] All-Star Weekend. I got invited to the [MLB High School] Home Run Derby. I have played here a couple of times.”

“It started with Hank,” McMichael said. “We’re trying to continue his dream of seeing a lot of opportunity and access for kids who are in Atlanta and the Southeast who are able to play this game at a high level. It’s not just about playing the game, it’s about being in the game. There’s plenty of opportunities to be in the game of baseball. There are multiple who have come through The RBI program who are now working for us. We’re really excited about that.”