Latest news with #HBCUSwingmanClassic
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
San Francisco Giants pick FAMU catcher in MLB Draft
Florida A&M University catcher Broedy Poppell is officially headed to the pros. On Monday, July 14, the San Francisco Giants selected the FAMU star in the 13th round of the 2025 MLB Draft, using the 386th overall pick to grab one of the top two-way standouts in HBCU baseball. A Tallahassee native and graduate of Maclay School, Poppell has been a key figure for the FAMU Rattlers since joining the program in 2022. He entered the NCAA transfer portal following the conclusion of the 2025 season but remained in the spotlight thanks to strong showings at the MLB Draft Combine in June and the HBCU Swingman Classic, held just days before the draft. With his selection, Poppell becomes the 29th player in Florida A&M program history to be drafted to Major League Baseball, according to The Baseball Cube. He's also the first Rattler drafted since Aubrey McCarty, who was taken by the Colorado Rockies in the 26th round of the 2017 draft. In 2025, Poppell anchored FAMU's defense as the starting catcher. He posted a .973 fielding percentage, recorded 258 putouts, and earned First-Team All-SWAC honors. He was also named Second-Team All-SWAC in 2024. At the plate, he brought power and consistency. Poppell hit .325, led the team with 69 hits and 12 home runs, and finished second on the roster with 58 runs scored. His combination of defensive reliability and offensive production made him one of FAMU's most valuable players-and a clear MLB prospect. The post San Francisco Giants pick FAMU catcher in MLB Draft appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
New York Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
MLB joins the crowd by ruining its All-Star Game
Anyone old enough — I prefer 'pre-deceased' — to remember the Buster Brown shoes jingle? Of Buster and his dog, Tige, who both 'live inside,' it concluded that they're 'really just a picture, but it's fun to play pretend!' And playing pretend is what the sports media does in its annual overly enthusiastic imagined-significance emphasis on All-Star games, who made the teams and — scandal! — who didn't! This week we have MLB's All-Star Game, next week the WNBA's. And though it's difficult to escape all media's consuming interest in the games — triply so for TV networks with rental contracts with the leagues — the discriminating sports-minded will take a pass, perhaps even clean the attic, especially in the case of MLB's former and now self-destroyed 'Midseason Classic.' Advertisement 7 Players watch the post-game fireworks show from the field following the HBCU Swingman Classic during the 2025 MLB All-Star Week at Truist Park on July 11, 2025 Getty Images MLB's All-Star Game now exists to the viewing interest of fewer and fewer. Increasingly it has become an unneeded and unwanted afterthought to the Home Run Derby, which, as a gimmick, has grown tired, left for ESPN — the E stands for excess — to holler over its remains.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
How to Watch 2025 HBCU Swingman Classic: Live Stream College Baseball, TV Channel
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. It's time for this year's HBCU Swingman Classic, a celebration of the best HBCU college baseball players. 50 players from Division I HBCU programs will take the field Friday at Truist Park for the event. Tune in to MLB Network on Friday night to watch the action. Jamal George #11 of Alabama State University poses with the trophy following his team's victory in the HBCU Swingman Classic at Globe Life Field on July 12, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. Jamal George #11 of Alabama State University poses with the trophy following his team's victory in the HBCU Swingman Classic at Globe Life Field on July 12, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. Photo byHow to Watch 2025 HBCU Swingman Classic Date: Friday, July 11, 2025 Time: 8:00 PM EDT Channel: MLB Network Stream: Fubo (TRY FOR FREE) The schools with representatives this year are: Alabama A&M University, Alcorn State University, Bethune-Cookman University, Coppin State University, Florida A&M University, Grambling State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Morehouse College, Norfolk State University, North Carolina A&T University, Prairie View A&M University, Southern University, Texas Southern University, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff and University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Participating players this year are: Broedy Poppell (FAMU), Tyler Smith (NCAT), Irvin Escobar (BCU), Vinny Saumell (UAPB), DeMarckus Smiley (ASU), Jonathan Gonzalez Perez (UMES), Juan Cruz (ASU), Andrey Martinez (BCU), JT Taylor (NCAT), Jalon Mack (SU), Daniel Moore (CSU), Kylan Duncan (AAMU), Jesus Vanegas (BCU), Taj Bates (SU), Elijah Pinckney (MORH), Kade Wood (MSVU), Robert Tate Jr. (JSU), KJ White (SU), Ahmar Donatto (PVAMU), Chenar Brown (GSU), Cardell Thibodeaux (SU), Justin Journette (NSU), Kameron Douglas (ASU), Darryl Lee (BCU), Jacoby Radcliffe (SU), Jordan McCladdie (JSU), Trey Bridges (GSU), Jalan Jones (NSU), Kelton Phillips (TSU), Joseph Eichelberger (JSU), Trey Rutledge (AAMU), Jaylon Burrell (ALSU), Jamal Ritter (FAMU), Cameron Hill (GSU), Edwin Sanchez (BCU), Eric Elliott (JSU), Reagan Rivera (CSU), Jean Carlos Zambrano (BCU), Diego Barrett (NCAT), Jorhan LaBoy (ASU), Erick Gonzalez (JSU), Garrett Workman (FAMU), Nkosi Didder (JSU), Esaid Peña (ASU), Kenney Fabian (UAPB), Jafet Martinez (ASU), Calvin McClendon (TSU), Yoansell Diaz (BCU), Jay Campbell (FAMU), and Nick Luckett (SU). Live stream the 2025 HBCU Swingman Classic on Fubo: Start your free trial now! Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLB All-Star week begins with HBCU Swingman Classic tonight at Truist Park
Festivities for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game week will begin Friday night with the HBCU Swingman Classic at Truist Park. Channel 2 Action News went to Georgia Tech on Thursday where the student-athletes held their workouts with the coaches. Advertisement [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The HBCU Swingman Classic highlights the history and legacy of HBCU baseball. More than 50 players will get the chance to showcase their skills on the national stage. They were all selected by MLB Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. and representatives from MLB and MLBPA. The rosters include Morehouse College junior Elijah Pinckney, Lithonia native Joseph Eichelberger, Westlake High School alum KJ White and Woodstock High alum Kameron Douglas. Former Atlanta Braves greats Brian Jordan and David Justice will manage the two teams. Jordan said it's a honor to be an ambassador for the game. Advertisement 'I'm just happy to see young men get an opportunity to get some exposure that probably wouldn't have playing at HBCU, so it's going to be fun. I am looking forward to it and hopefully I have a great staff that get the job done,' he said. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Truist Park. Ticket sale proceeds will go toward the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation. RELATED STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
HBCU Swingman Classic 2025: 'Our kids need to be seen,' says Ken Griffey Jr.
To Ken Griffey Jr., the picture – and the goal – is simple. 'If you look at what's going on in baseball, (there are) a lot of kids of color who are not playing baseball even though they may love the game of baseball,' Griffey told USA TODAY Sports by phone. 'They're not getting the recognition that they would like to advance to the next level.' That was the initial motivation to start the HBCU Swingman Classic, which brings together 50 Division I baseball players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Now in its third year, the 'Swingman' – named after Griffey – is a chance for the athletes to perform on a bigger stage as Major League Baseball begins its All-Star Week celebrations at Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves, on Friday, July 11 (7 p.m. ET, MLB Network). 'For me, it's just an opportunity to give some of these kids an opportunity to be seen,' said Griffey, who hit 630 career home runs and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016. Sixteen HBCUs will be represented in the game. There will be a flavor of Black baseball and Atlanta throughout the festivities. Brian Jordan will manage the 'National League' squad, while fellow David Justice will lead the 'American League' team. Martin Luther King III will throw out the first pitch, while Emily Haydel, the granddaughter of Hank Aaron, will be a sideline reporter on the broadcast. But the Swingman goes beyond racial lines. Any player who attends a HBCU is eligible to play in the game. 'Because there are plenty of kids who are White and don't have money and they go to HBCUs and they want to continue to play,' Griffey said. 'Yes, you're going to see a few more Black people playing, but it's not about the color of your skin. It's the school that you go to.' With a more streamlined and tapped-in selection process thanks to expanding relationships with HBCU coaches, the talent pool at Swingman has only improved since its inception. Both MLB employees and MLB Players' Association officials are part of the selection panel for players who 'may have been overlooked.' Three players from the event were selected in the draft after the inaugural 2023 edition and two players were taken last year. Griffey thinks baseball has to take a page out of the pre-NIL college football recruiting manual that set up the championship programs such Nick Saban's Alabama Crimson Tide or Dabo Swinney's Clemson Tigers. 'I think the sad part is that the scouting department has gone away from trying to find these diamonds in the rough,' Griffey said. Instead, scouts rely too much on data and other advanced metrics, in Griffey's opinion. It comes down to manpower and placing the scouts with the proper mindset in the applicable areas. As a senior adviser to commissioner Rob Manfred, it's a conversation Griffey is having in baseball's most powerful rooms. 'It has been discussed and it's getting to a point where it's coming around,' he said. 'It's just going to take some time. Back when my dad played, people went everywhere. Now, if it's not on a computer … they can't understand talent unless they see it. I sat there and watched. That eye test. That hearing test. 'What does it look like when it comes off the bat? What does it look like when he throws the ball?'' But the Swingman isn't about the eye test or advanced analytics. It's about opportunity, and it's why the game should be a staple as long as he has a voice in the league office. 'Our kids need to be seen,' Griffey said. 'Because they don't have the facilities where they can go in there and measure exit velo, spin rate. All these things cost money and they just don't have that type of money. 'You give a kid an opportunity to be successful, and that's all you ask for.'
