HBCU Baseball Stars Shine at the 2025 Swingman Classic in Atlanta
Truist Park, Atlanta – July 11, 2025
The third annual HBCU Swingman Classic took center stage Friday night at Truist Park, the home of the Atlanta Braves, offering a vibrant showcase of baseball talent drawn from Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the nation. Fifty players representing 17 different HBCU programs convened under the bright lights to demonstrate their skills, elevating the profile of Black college baseball at a marquee event that kicked off the 2025 MLB All-Star weekend. Televised live on MLB Network and streamed on MLB.com, the game delivered both thrilling sports action and a rich celebration of HBCU culture and community.
The Swingman Classic’s deep significance goes beyond the diamond. With the dwindling presence of Black players in Major League Baseball, the event represents a strategic MLB initiative to highlight the talent pipeline rooted in HBCUs, instilling renewed hope for student-athletes aspiring to professional careers. As MLB Senior Vice President of Baseball Development, Del Matthews, remarked during the event’s lead-up, the Classic “is a great opportunity for HBCU players to play on a national stage and prove that, given the opportunity, they’re just as good and deserve a chance.” The selection committee, which includes MLB legends like Ken Griffey Jr.—who also serves as the event’s global ambassador—chose the players based on their outstanding performances and potential, ensuring top-tier competition and visibility.
Among the standouts were three North Carolina A&T players—Tyler Smith, JT Taylor, and Diego Barrett—who received special recognition from head coach Ben Hall, who praised their elite representation of the Aggies program and their readiness to showcase their talents nationally. The rosters also drew from powerhouse HBCU baseball programs across conferences such as the SWAC, MEAC, CIAA, and SIAC, including names like Alabama A&M, Alcorn State, Bethune-Cookman, Grambling State, Jackson State, Southern University, and others. This diversity underscored the depth and breadth of HBCU baseball excellence.
Managing the teams were former MLB greats Brian Jordan and David Justice, both of whom have deep ties to the Atlanta Braves and bring a wealth of experience and mentorship to the young athletes. Integral to the event were honorary VIPs and coaches including Hall of Famers and HBCU alumni such as Andre Dawson, Dusty Baker, Ken Griffey Sr., and Ralph Garr Sr., providing invaluable role models and reinforcing the strong lineage linking HBCU baseball to the broader professional game.
Statistically, the Classic serves as an important benchmark for player evaluation in a landscape where HBCU athletes often receive limited exposure. The game featured talent across positions—catchers Tyler Smith (NC A&T), Vinny Saumell (UAPB), and Jonathan Gonzalez Perez (UMES); infielders like Andrey Martinez (Bethune-Cookman), Jalon Mack (Southern University), and Kylan Duncan (Alabama A&M); and others showcasing speed, power, and defensive skill. These athletes’ performances are increasingly being tracked with advanced metrics by MLB scouts, reflecting a growing respect for the quality and competitiveness of HBCU programs.
The Swingman Classic additionally featured cultural highlights unique to the HBCU experience, including dynamic marching band performances and a Divine Nine step show, which underscore the vibrant traditions that define Black college sports. Postgame fireworks capped the evening, blending athletic celebration with cultural pride.
Looking ahead, the Swingman Classic is part of a larger MLB commitment that includes partnerships through programs like the Hank Aaron Invitational and the Breakthrough Series, all aimed at fostering talent development, providing educational opportunities, and increasing pathways for HBCU players into professional baseball. This growing pipeline effort is critical as MLB confronts the historic low in Black player representation, currently just 6.2 percent, according to the 2023 Racial and Gender Report Card.
For coaches, players, and fans, the Swingman Classic is not only a showcase but a clarion call for investment in HBCU baseball programs and athletes. As A&T’s Ben Hall put it, “This event is an awesome opportunity to put our players’ skills and our program on a national stage.” For the athletes, it’s a chance to realize dreams nurtured on HBCU fields and to inspire the next generation of Black baseball players.
Upcoming for many of these players are off-season development programs and exposure opportunities through MLB’s Youth Development Foundation initiatives. For fans, the growth in media coverage and professional interest signals a bright future for HBCU baseball’s visibility and viability.
The 2025 HBCU Swingman Classic showcased more than baseball—it celebrated legacy, opportunity, and the enduring spirit of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. With MLB’s commitment backing this tradition, the future of HBCU baseball shines brighter than ever.