New England's top high school and prep players in the Class of 2022 will come into clearer focus in the coming weeks at elite showcase events across the country.
Four of the top New England players in the Class of 2022 are currently playing in the 2021 Prospect Development Pipeline League, which will serve as the primary identification event for the 18U National Team in 2021. The event is an invitation-based development and assessment opportunity for high school players eligible for the following year’s MLB Draft. It provides athletes with competitive gameplay, player development sessions, educational seminars, and other programming to prepare players for a professional baseball career.
In total, 96 players were invited to the week-long (July 24-31) event at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C., and at Calfee Park in Pulaski, Va. The 2021 18U National Team identification process kicks off with the 2021 PDP League. The 16U/17U NTDP also serves as an identification event for the 18U National Team and will take place from Aug. 6-9 at the National Training Complex.
Players will then be invited to the 18U National Team Trials from August 29-September 3 in Tampa, Fla., before the 20-man 18U National Team roster is named. The 18U team will continue to train in Tampa from Sept. 4-8 before competing at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup from Sept. 10-19 in Sarasota and Bradenton, Fla. Here is a look at the four New England players who earned invites to the PDP League.
