Last weekend, Texas Rangers Youth Academy baseball teams from the 15U and 17U/18U divisions competed in the Five Tool Texas DFW Kickoff tournament in Melissa, Texas. The 15U group posted a 2-1-1 record over four games, while the 17U/18U Scout team went 3-2 in its five contests.
In the 15U consolation round, the Rangers Youth Academy played Wow Factor Fort Worth 2028 to a 4-4 tie, with Duncanville High School freshman Braylon Hubbard earning ‘Player of the Game’ honors after going 2-for-3 with a solo home run and double. Right-handed pitcher Evan Ogwezi, a freshman at Lake Ridge High School in Mansfield, stuck out six batters across 4.0 innings while topping out at 87 mph on his fastball.
Social Media Highlight: Braylon Hubbard’s solo home run at Five Tool Texas DFW Kickoff event
The Scout team advanced to the semi-final round of the 17U/18U National Division Championship after rattling off three straight wins on Saturday and Sunday, but was dispatched, 9-0, by Canes GP National 2026 Wimmer.
On its way to the semi-finals, the Scout team benefitted from a pair of excellent pitching performances by Prairie View A&M University commit Kaleb Thompkins (7.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 SO) and Molina High School junior Santos Salinas (6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 SO), who is set to represent the Rangers Youth Academy at the MLB/USA Baseball Breakthrough Series in Vero Beach, Florida next month.
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Rangers Youth Academy Athlete Nick Smith invited to Hank Aaron Invitational
· What it is: The Hank Aaron Invitational is a unique amateur development event that serves as a youth-oriented, on-field diversity initiative that aims to get high school-age players, with diverse backgrounds, to the next levels of the game. This year’s invitational will be held in July at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Fla., and will be operated by MLB, the MLBPA and USA Baseball.
· Representing the Rangers: Rangers Youth Academy athlete and Timberview High School junior Nick Smith is set to attend this year’s Hank Aaron Invitational, his second appearance at an MLB Develops event this year after he participated in the DREAM Series in January. He will be joined by fellow RYA athletes Braylon Hubbard, AJ Bazan and Evan Ogwezi in Vero Beach.
· Go deeper: Approximately 250 players (ages 13-18) from across the United States were invited to the Hank Aaron Invitational, where they will receive elite-level training from former Major League players and coaches, presentations on college eligibility and other information necessary for advancement in the sport.
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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.