Summertime is baseball’s busiest season -- and not only because of the dozen or so Major League games that take place on a daily basis in ballparks across the country.
Throughout the spring and summer, hundreds of kids travel to the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Fla., a sprawling facility that hosts several youth baseball and softball events for talented athletes looking to further advance their skills.
Several of those athletes were recognized during a pregame ceremony in Milwaukee on Saturday, ahead of Game 2 of the World Series at American Family Field between the Rays and Brewers.
The particular tradition is special, as it gives MLB an opportunity to tip its hat to a collection of exceptional young people who stood out not only on their teams, but in their communities, and in some cases, at the Youth Academies in their cities that served as a springboard for their blossoming athletic careers.
The young people honored at the World Series represented Nike RBI World Series champions, recipients of the Jennie Finch Empowerment Award presented by ARM & HAMMER, finalists for the Pitch, Hit & Run Finals presented by Firehouse Subs, American Legion winners and the aforementioned MLB Youth Academies.
MLB’s youth initiatives, which fall under the PLAY BALL umbrella, are aimed at encouraging participation in all forms of baseball and softball, both casually and competitively. MLB Develops’ cost-free events include the Breakthrough Series, DREAM Series, Hank Aaron Invitational, Trailblazer Series and Elite Development Invitational.
MLB Develops programming has helped shape many young athletes who went on to play professionally. In 2026, 11 alumni were on postseason rosters, including two who are currently playing in the Fall Classic: Brewers infielder David Hamilton and Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson. The list also includes: Travis Bazzana (Guardians), Justin Crawford (Phillies), Michael Harris II (Braves), George Lombard Jr. (Yankees), Braden Montgomery (White Sox), Carlos Rodón (Yankees), Cam Smith (Astros), Dominic Smith (Braves) and Taylor Trammell (Astros).
At Saturday’s ceremony, one member of each of MLB’s nine Youth Academies was honored as Youth of the Year:
Michael Hayes, Houston Astros Youth Academy
Brayden Bolden, Kansas City MLB Urban Youth Academy
Gustavo Ramirez, MLB Compton Youth Academy
Dylan Robinson, MLB New Orleans Youth Academy
Kaitlyn Asher, Philadelphia Phillies Youth Academy
Da’Nyiah Shamel, P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy
Yadiel Rodríguez Carrión, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy
Vincent Hood, Texas Rangers Youth Academy
Antonio Phelps, Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy
The four winners of the Jennie Finch Empowerment Award presented by ARM & HAMMER were also honored during the pregame festivities. These athletes were selected after demonstrating leadership, integrity, motivation, commitment and humility on and off the field at MLB’s four softball events that take place over the course of the year:
- Kayleigh Allen, Breakthrough Series
- Alina Elias, All-Star Jennie Finch Classic
- Amariana Hill, Elite Development Invitational
- Janiya Pillow, Nike RBI World Series
In addition to the World Series recognition, each award recipient received a $10,000 college scholarship courtesy of ARM & HAMMER.
Select members from each of the three Nike RBI World Series champion teams were also honored:
Senior Baseball Division Champion Atlanta Braves Nike RBI
- Moxie McNealy
- Darryl Jones
- Travious Relaford (coach)
Junior Baseball Division Champion Chicago White Sox Nike RBI
- Chase Boykin
- Aiden Garcia
- Reginald Baker (coach)
Softball Division Champion United States Virgin Islands Nike RBI
- Mekeala Richardson
- Kleniya Titus
- Inocencia Bermudez (coach)
Forty athletes who will be participating in the 2026 Pitch, Hit & Run Finals presented by Firehouse Subs were also part of the on-field recognition. Notable past participants of Pitch, Hit & Run, which is currently celebrating its 50th year, include former National League MVP Andrew McCutchen; former All-Star Joey Gallo; three-time All-Star Adley Rutschman of the Boston Red Sox; Gold Glover J.P. Crawford of the Seattle Mariners; Rhys Hoskins of the Cleveland Guardians; and Spencer Torkelson of the Detroit Tigers; among others.
Additionally, members from the American Legion World Series-winning Carpet Land Spartans sponsored by Lincoln Post 500 from Lincoln, Nebraska, were honored on field as part of the ceremony. The Carpet Land Spartans won the eight-team American Legion World Series in August in Shelby, N.C.