Former Texas Rangers Youth Academy athlete Erin Ledesma to serve on coaching staff at 2025 Jennie Finch Classic
Later this month, former Texas Rangers Youth Academy athlete Erin Ledesma will graduate from the University of Texas at Dallas with a degree in Biomedical Engineering. While there will be time to celebrate, she will soon embark on another challenge after accepting an invitation to serve on the Academy’s coaching staff at this year’s Jennie Finch Classic.
“It’s surreal,” Ledesma said. “I never imagined I’d go from playing in the Jennie Finch Classic to coaching in it. To be able to come back in this way and guide these athletes through an experience that meant so much to me is incredibly special.”
Her connection to the Rangers Youth Academy began in 2017 when she joined the softball program as a high school student. She was selected to the Academy’s first-ever Jennie Finch Classic roster in 2018 and still counts that experience among her favorite softball memories.
“Playing against other academies from across the country was amazing, but it was more than just the games,” she recalled. “Visiting monuments exploring the city with teammates. Those are memories I will never forget. It was one of those experiences that stays with you for a lifetime.”
In 2022, Ledesma signed with Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, La., and joined the ranks of the nearly 150 former Rangers Youth Academy athletes who have gone on to play baseball or softball at the collegiate level.
Following two seasons at Southern, she transferred to UT Dallas and spent multiple campaigns as the Comets’ starting shortstop. Last year, as a senior, she earned selection as an All- American Southwest Conference Honorable Mention after batting .279 with two home runs and 11 RBI over 29 games.
While coaching was not originally in her post-graduation plans, Ledesma’s perspective shifted when she was invited by Senior Director Juan Garciga to join the Academy’s coaching staff in a part-time role during the summer after her freshman year at Southern.
“I thought my softball journey would end after college,” she admitted. “But when coach Juan reached out something clicked. It was a chance to give back to the place that helped shape me. I could not pass it up.”
Now as a coach, Ledesma is eager to create that same kind of lasting impact for her players.
“Softball is supposed to be fun,” she says. “That is something the Academy taught me when I was younger. It is easy to get caught up in the pressure, whether it is performing well or thinking about recruitment, but at the end of the day you must love playing the game. That is what I want these girls to remember.”
As for the Jennie Finch Classic, a prestigious youth softball tournament held in conjunction with Major League Baseball’s All-Star Weekend festivities, Ledesma should prove to be an extremely valuable member of manager Ruby Butler’s staff.
“I know what it feels like to step on that big stage, to travel, to compete, and to represent the Rangers. I want to help them enjoy every moment of it while also staying focused and locked in. This is not just a trip. It is a chance to compete at a high level and maybe even bring home a championship.”
But beyond the competition, what she cherishes most about working with the Academy athletes is the opportunity to build relationships.
“It is more than just coaching,” she said. “It is about being someone they can trust and who supports them on and off the field. I want their time at the Academy to be meaningful, not just as athletes, but also as people.”
- What it is: The Elite Development Invitational is a multi-day, development-focused training camp designed for top girls softball and baseball athletes from across the country. The event brings together 18-under players from the MLB Youth Academy, Nike RBI network and other development programs for high-level instruction and on-field training. The camp is led by a world-class roster of instructors, including current and former USA Softball and USA Baseball Women’s National Team players, professional athletes, college coaches and other elite mentors.
- Representing the Rangers: This year’s Elite Development Invitational will be attended by a quartet of Texas Rangers Youth Academy athletes: Grace Chaisson, Aaliyah Marquez, Joleigh Richards and Hailey Zuniga.
- When and Where: The 2025 Softball and Girls Baseball Elite Development Invitational will be held at the Kansas City Urban Youth Academy in downtown Kansas City from June 21-26, 2025.
Texas Rangers Youth Academy to host Major League Baseball Umpire Camp on Saturday, May 17
- What it is: Major League Baseball is set to host an Umpire Camp at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy in West Dallas on Saturday, May 17. These camps mark the first step to pursuing a career as a professional umpire, as participants will be observed and taught by MLB’s Umpire Supervisory Staff.
- The Details: The one-day camp is free to attend, with finalists moving on to undergo a vetting process and potentially receive an invitation to the MLB Umpire Prospect Development Camp at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Fla. next January.
- Where to Register: The pre-registration period for Saturday’s camp has closed, but hopeful participants are still encouraged to attend the event at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy located at 2303 Bickers St, Dallas, TX 75212. Upon arrival, just scan the QR code and register as a walk-up registrant.
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.