Academy Notebook: Dairy Max Baseball & Softball Factory Showcase; winter programming begins; Kaleb Thompkins returns from Dream Series; MLK Day of Service recap

Dairy Max Baseball & Softball Factory

The Texas Rangers Youth Academy will host the 2023 Dairy Max Baseball & Softball Factory showcase for its athletes on Saturday, Jan. 21.

From 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 26 Rangers Youth Academy softball stars and 60 of the best baseball players will take the field to showcase their talent for Baseball & Softball Factory evaluators.

These top-performing Youth Academy athletes will participate in the invitation-only showcase, specifically designed to assist high school athletes in the college recruitment process.

Athletes will perform drills to measure exit velocity and power while hitting, overhand velocity and arm strength while throwing, broad jumps and timed runs. Baseball & Softball Factory professionals will then compile the data to create individualized scouting reports and highlight reels showcasing on-field performance.

Athletes will receive these reels to use during the college recruiting process and have profiles created in the Baseball & Softball Factory player database available to scouts and coaches across the country.

Winter Programming begins

Winter baseball and softball programming at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy started this week on Jan. 17, for athletes ages seven to 18.

Programming is available at no cost to baseball and softball players of all skill levels, with instruction occurring multiple nights a week through Friday, Feb. 17.

Trainees divide into specialized groups based on age and skill level for hands-on coaching in a variety of areas, including hitting, fielding, throwing, base running and more.

Registration for winter programming will remain open throughout the session. To register your child, visit texasrangers.com/academy.

Kaleb Thompkins reflects on Dream Series experience

Kaleb Thompkins and fellow Academy athlete David Hogg II represented the Texas Rangers Youth Academy at the 2023 MLB Develops and USA Baseball Dream Series in Tempe, Ariz., during Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend.

Established in 2017, the Dream Series brings together top high school pitchers and catchers from across the country with the goal of developing athletes on and off the field while diversifying Major League Baseball’s pipeline of talent.

Notable Dream Series alumni include Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene, who was on-site at Tempe Diablo Stadium throughout the weekend, and current Minor Leaguer and Rangers’ No. 10 prospect, Kumar Rocker.

Thompkins was among the 80 athletes invited to participate in this year’s event and was thrilled to work with some of baseball’s top instructors and gain valuable life lessons through off-field seminars and mentorship opportunities.

“It was a blessing to attend the Dream Series,” Thompkins said. “It was such a wonderful surprise to be selected for such a prestigious event. The benefit of being a part of the Dream Series is the priceless training and feedback.

“A big takeaway I got from this experience was that if you work hard in private, you have public success. Faith and focus are key.”

Thompkins, an uncommitted UME Preparatory Academy sophomore, was able to perform for college scouts and coaches over the weekend and was excited to be playing alongside “other kids who have the same dream to play at a higher elite level.”

Some of the biggest things he worked to improve last weekend were his pitch sequencing and command in the strike zone.

In addition to improving his style of play, other memorable moments from the mound included a breakout session with his pitching coaches, where they answered questions and shared stories about their baseball journeys.

“I had several favorite moments from the Dream Series...The highlight was Hunter Greene extending his generosity by opening his home, gifting us with gear and hosting us for an evening of fellowship,” Thompkins said.

Greene took the opportunity to create a welcoming environment to mentor the next generation of talent, hosting all 2023 participants in his home, where they ate dinner, played MLB: The Show and each received a pair of new Nike cleats.

Upon reflection, Thompkins said he is most thankful to the Texas Rangers Youth Academy “for the exposure and affording me the opportunities that are life-changing milestones as I grow in this game of baseball.”

MLK Day of Service recap

The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation partnered with Food for the Soul and The Players Alliance to host service events in conjunction with the 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

On Monday, Jan. 16, The Rangers and Food for the Soul distributed boxes of fresh produce and non-perishable goods to 200 families in need.

Following the food distribution, The Players Alliance Equip The Future? program saw 50 Texas Rangers Youth Academy athletes receive mentorship from current and former professional players, including Jackie Bradley Jr., Willie Calhoun, Shawn Chacon, Torii Hunter and Darnell McDonald.

Rangers players Marcus Semien and Taylor Hearn and third base coach Tony Beasley also took part in the food distribution and Players Alliance program.

Baseball & Softball programming

Winter Training Program 9U & 12U – Jan. 18, 2023 – Feb. 15, 2023

Athletes ages 8-12 will participate in free training sessions that expand on the principles of hitting, fielding, throwing, base running and more. Register here.

Winter Training Program 18U – Jan. 17, 2023 – Feb. 17, 2023

Athletes ages 13-18 will participate in free training sessions that expand on the principles of hitting, fielding, throwing, base running and more. Register here.

2023 Texas Rangers Coaches’ Clinic – Jan. 29, 2023 – 9:45 a.m. - noon

Baseball and softball coaches at all levels can register for the free Texas Rangers Coaches’ Clinic, which will feature instruction from Rangers alumni and members of the Major League coaching staff. Areas of focus will include hitting, fielding, pitching and weight training. Register here.

Education & Buckner International programming

The Texas Rangers Youth Academy goes beyond baseball and softball programming to benefit our community. With help from our partner Buckner International, the Academy hosts free education courses for athletes and their families throughout the year. Register Here for all Youth Academy classes.

2023 College Readiness Workshop – Jan. 25, 2023 – 6:30 p.m.

The Texas Rangers Youth Academy’s 2023 College Readiness Workshop, presented by Comerica Bank, is open to all high school students and parents. Areas of focus include budgeting for college, credit, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA?), and more. Register here.