Nineteen student-athletes from the Reds Nike Reviving Baseball and softball in Inner-Cities Program (RBI) were recognized by the Reds Community Fund during the ninth annual “Signing Day” event at Great American Ball Park.
This year’s class of 19 baseball and softball student-athletes represents the largest number in the program’s history. The remainder of the class, which totaled 36 seniors, was also recognized during the event.
FanDuel Sports Network host Brian Giesenschlag served as emcee and was joined by Cooperstown and Reds Hall of Famer Barry Larkin, president of baseball operations Nick Krall and pitcher Brady Singer in honoring the soon-to-be college athletes.
Reds Community Fund executive director Charley Frank opened the event by sharing how important this moment is to the Community Fund’s mission.
“Year in and year out, this is one of the most important days of the year. It is ceremonial in many ways, but it is also a yardstick for us to measure our progress,” Frank said. “We are in the business of baseball and softball. The youth academy is obviously a huge part of that, but these 19 young people are literally the outcome we’re most proud of.”
The growth between 2024’s class, from nine to 19, was impossible to miss. Last year, the event took place in the Jeff Wyler Family Hall of Fame Theater. 2025’s class grew too big for the venue and moved to the Champions Club at Great American Ball Park.
With the 19 student-athletes spread out between two tables, Giesenschlag emphasized the growth.
“I’m so glad we’ve outgrown the space at the Hall of Fame and that we had to find more space here to do this. When I walked in, I saw the number 19 on the program, but when I saw it took two tables to fit the young men and women [and all these tables] to fit friends, parents and coaches, this is the goal.”
Following Giesenschlag’s opening, Larkin and Singer addressed the group about what comes next. Larkin emphasized the independence that comes with starting college, the dependency on parents and mentors and how important accountability and decision-making continue to be. Singer gave advice on starting out as a college athlete, following upperclassmen’s footsteps and building relationships.
All student-athletes were extremely thankful to their coaches and the RBI program. One of the signees, Craig Smith Jr., credits the program for who he is today.
“I think the unlimited opportunities really shaped me into a great RBI player,” Smith Jr. said. “Being here for eight years, [I was around] new people, new coaches and new staff, always meeting new people. It really shaped me into the man I am today and I’m very thankful.”
Multiple seniors highlighted the experiences created by the program. From group outings to trips to Texas, Seattle, California and Florida, many from the class emphasized the role that Nike RBI had in developing not only their playing skills, but their character as well.
Alexander Smith, a four-year veteran of the program, had advice for younger players, and gave credit to the “RCF Scholars” program for helping him develop off the field.
“Take advantage of the opportunities that the Academy has to offer. There’s no better place in the city to improve your baseball or softball skills,” Smith said. “Definitely take advantage of all the offseason workouts so you can get what you can out of it.”
For each signee, their tenure with RBI varied. However, most had been with the program for multiple years, with some having been a part of the curriculum for seven to eight years.
The list of all 19 student-athletes is as follows:
Andres Anez (Sycamore High School) – Wilberforce University
Brandon Bell (Fairfield High School) – Wilberforce University
Simeon Betts (St. Xavier High School) – Heidelberg University
Noah Davis (Norwood High School) – Bluffton University
Cheyenne Duhl (Bellbrook High School) – Penn State Beaver
Evan Grammel (Badin High School) – Bluffton University
Kenyon Harris (Princeton High School) – Voorhees University
Itzel Hernandez (Lloyd Memorial High School) – Thomas More University
Jayden Irving (Mt. Healthy High School) – Virginia Peninsula Community College
Brayden Lipps (Oak Hills High School) – University of Cincinnati Clermont
Nate Lomax Jr. (Fairfield High School) – Wilberforce University
Perry Miller (Princeton High School) – Southern University at New Orleans
Baili Parks (Goshen High School) – Bluffton University
Alexander Smith (La Salle High School) – United States Coast Guard Academy
Gabrielle Smith (Maderia High School) – Hocking College
Craig Smith Jr. (Colerain High School) – Wilberforce University
Evie Thomas (Holy Cross High School) – Georgetown College
Junior Vasquez (Princeton High School) – Wilberforce University
Sonny Ward (Purcell Marian High School) – Capital University
The signing day event was not the only celebration for the seniors, as they were again honored with a pregame celebration before Tuesday’s contest against the Milwaukee Brewers.