Texas Rangers Academy Notebook for July 25, 2025: Texas Rangers Youth Academy athletes Anthony Bazan, Braylon Hubbard and Evan Ogwezi selected to 2025 Hank Aaron Invitational
Texas Rangers Youth Academy baseball players Anthony “AJ” Bazan, Braylon Hubbard and Evan Ogwezi have been selected to attend Major League Baseball’s 2025 Hank Aaron Invitational hosted at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Fla., from July 20-28.
The prestigious and unique amateur development event serves as a youth-oriented, on-field initiative that aims to get high school-age players from diverse backgrounds to the next levels of the game.
Operated by Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Players Association and USA Baseball, the Hank Aaron Invitational brings approximately 250 players (ages 13-18) from across the United States to receive elite-level training from former MLB players and coaches.
The staff of instructors at this year’s event includes several notable MLB alumni, including Hall of Famer Fred McGriff and former Texas Rangers pitcher Darren Oliver.
Additionally, the invited players also will receive presentations on college eligibility and other information necessary for advancement in the collegiate and professional levels of the sport.
QUICK HITS
Ian Martinez and Giovanny Orozco awarded Rangers Nike RBI Scholarships presented by Coca-Cola
What it is: Texas Rangers Youth Academy athletes Ian Martinez (top), a recent graduate of MacArthur High School in Irving, and Giovanny Orozco (above), who graduated from South Grand Prairie High School this spring, were selected to receive the Rangers Nike RBI Scholarship presented by Coca-Cola.
Student-Athletes: Both Martinez and Orozco will be awarded $5,000 each to go towards their college tuition as they look to continue their respective baseball playing careers at the collegiate level.
What’s Next?: Martinez, a right-handed pitcher, is expected to sign with Richland College in Dallas, while Orozco is slated to join the baseball program at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, as a right-handed pitcher and infielder.
Texas Rangers Youth Academy to host annual College Signing Day event at Globe Life Field on Monday
What it is: The Texas Rangers Youth Academy will host its annual signing day event for Class of 2025 student-athletes committing to furthering their education while playing baseball and softball at the collegiate level. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Globe Life Field on Monday, July 28.
Add It Up: With 18 student-athletes in this year’s signing class, the Texas Rangers Youth Academy has now seen a total of 143 former attendees sign with collegiate programs since opening its doors in 2018.
Who’s Who?: Among this year’s signees are 13 baseball players and five softball players, including five athletes from both sports set to join NCAA Division I programs: Destan Burks (New Mexico State University Softball), Aaron Grant (University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Baseball), King Hatley (Prairie View A&M University Baseball), Nathan Ortega (Mississippi Valley State University Baseball), and Kaleb Thompkins (Prairie View A&M University Baseball).
Education & Buckner International Programming
The Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy goes beyond baseball and softball programming to benefit our community. With help from our partner Bucker International, the Academy hosts free education and enrichment courses for athletes and their families throughout the year. Register here for all Youth Academy classes.