Academy Notebook: Kiley Cox named Academy Youth of the Year

Ever since the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex, Presented by Toyota, officially opened its doors in December 2017, Kylie Cox has been embracing the opportunities offered.

This year, the outfielder’s devotion to softball and advancement during Academy programming helped her earn spots on the Jennie Finch Classic as part of All-Star festivities in Cleveland and the Academy All-Star team in the RBI Southwest Regionals in Austin for the first time.

But the next time she hits the road to represent the Academy, her destination will be Game 4 of the World Series.

Cox was named the Texas Rangers Youth Academy Youth of the Year this fall. The award comes with a trip to Game 4 of the World Series, courtesy of Major League Baseball.

“Kylie has always been one of the hardest working athletes to come through our program, but what was special about this year was seeing that work ethic transition into results on the field,” Juan Leonel Garciga, the Rangers Director Youth Academy and Youth Baseball/Softball Programs, said. “I could not be more proud of a student athlete than I am of Kylie Cox, and deserving of being the first softball player to represent the Rangers Youth Academy as the Youth of the Year.”

While the choice may have been obvious to Academy staff and coaches, Cox didn’t see it coming. The W.W. Samuell High School senior was at a regular weeknight camp at the facility when the surprise announcement was made.

“I knew something was going on, but winning an award was nowhere in my mind,” Cox said. “I was so shocked and emotional. For two weeks my mom had to keep this huge secret from me, and she did a great because I was absolutely surprised.”
A Youth of the Year was selected from each of the eight MLB Youth Academies across the country, and Cox is looking forward to representing the Texas Rangers.

“To represent the Rangers Youth Academy to me means that I am representing what it means to be an athlete at the Academy and how hard work and dedication to this sport and this organization can open many doors and opportunities,” Cox said.

But that’s not the only highlight. Cox also gets to bring a guest.

“I’m looking forward to traveling and the overall experience of getting to see great teams compete in my favorite sport. And most of all have my best friend, my mom, experiencing it with me,” Cox said.

As a part of the 2019 Academy RBI All-Star team that earned the first Regional win in program history and advanced to the championship contest in July, Cox has already left her mark on the program.

“Kylie tried out for the 2018 Jennie Finch Classic team and the RBI All Star team and failed to crack the roster, but while some players would have quit or taken it personally, Kylie used it as motivation and asked what areas she needed to improve on to be considered,” Garciga recounted. “Fast forward a year later, and in addition to making the Jennie Finch Classic 17U team, Kylie was the starting right fielder in the championship game in Austin during the RBI Southwest Regional Tournament, contributing big hits and making diving catches.”

For Cox, the experience is a highlight of her time at the Academy.

“It was so crazy to go out there and accomplish what we did. The group of girls on that team are so talented and amazing, and it was a great experience making it to the championship game,” Cox said. “Even though we didn’t win, in our hearts we did because our team made history!”

Now in her senior year, Cox is hard at work participating in softball camps and showcases as she looks to pursue college softball and a degree in sports management. Cox is aware of what her time at the Academy means.

“The most important thing that I’ve learned from the Academy and all the coaches there is that within this sport and growing as an athlete, failure is key. If you can’t fail and learn how to bounce back and get up and keep fighting and keep working hard, you can get where you want to be,” Cox said. “Failing is OK. It’s not about if you fail, it’s about what you do after you have failed. That was a hard lesson for me to learn and accept as a player. Sometimes it still is, but I know that I will never give up and that’s what is most important.”

Fall RBI
The fall RBI season is underway, with the Academy’s fall RBI league hosting eight softball teams.

A schedule is below. Dates are subject to change, and updates can be found by following the Rangers Academy on Twitter at @RangersYA.

Academy Softball Fall RBI schedule (Home team listed first; all times local)
10/19, 9 a.m., Cougars vs. Panthers, Kershaw's Challenge Field
10/19, 9 a.m., Wood Ducks vs. Gophers, Josh Hamilton Field
10/19, 11 a.m., Alliance vs. Sounds, Josh Hamilton Field
10/19, 11 a.m., Jaguars vs. Bison, Kershaw's Challenge Field
10/26 9 a.m., Gophers vs. Jaguars, Kershaw's Challenge Field
10/26 9 a.m., Panthers vs. Alliance, Josh Hamilton Field
10/26 11 a.m., Sounds vs. Wood Ducks, Josh Hamilton Field
10/26 11 a.m., Bison vs. Cougars, Kershaw's Challenge Field
11/2 9 a.m., Wood Ducks vs. Panthers, Kershaw's Challenge Field
11/2 9 a.m., Jaguars vs. Cougars, Josh Hamilton Field
11/2 11 a.m., Sounds vs. Bison, Kershaw's Challenge Field
11/2 11 a.m., Gophers vs. Alliance, Josh Hamilton Field
11/9 9 a.m., Panthers vs. Bison, Kershaw's Challenge Field
11/9 9 a.m., Wood Ducks vs. Alliance, Josh Hamilton Field
11/9 11 a.m., Jaguars, Sounds, Josh Hamilton Field
11/9 11 a.m., Cougars vs. Gophers, Kershaw's Challenge Field
11/16 9 a.m., Wood Ducks vs. Jaguars, Josh Hamilton Field
11/16 9 a.m., Alliance vs. Bison, Kershaw's Challenge Field
11/16 11 a.m., Sounds vs. Cougars, Josh Hamilton Field
11/16 11 a.m., Gophers vs. Panthers, Kershaw's Challenge Field
11/19 7 p.m., Alliance vs. Jaguars, Josh Hamilton Field
11/19 7 p.m., Wood Ducks vs. Cougars, Kershaw's Challenge Field
11/21 7 p.m., Sounds vs. Panthers, Josh Hamilton Field
11/21 7 p.m., Gophers vs. Bison, Kershaw's Challenge Field
12/7 9 a.m., TBD, Kershaw's Challenge Field
12/7 9 a.m., TBD, Josh Hamilton Field
12/7 11 a.m., TBD, Josh Hamilton Field
12/7 11 a.m., TBD, Kershaw's Challenge Field
12/7 1 p.m., TBD, Kershaw's Challenge Field
12/7 1 p.m., TBD, Josh Hamilton Field
12/7 3 p.m., TBD, Josh Hamilton Field

City of Dallas Parks and Recreation will run and host the fall RBI baseball league, with support from the Academy in providing uniforms for the athletes.

Fall programming underway
Fall programming is underway at the Academy and runs through November 21.

Mondays and Wednesdays feature activities for 18U athletes from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays are designed for 12U athletes and also run from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

There will be no programming October 14 through 18 or October 31. Registration is available at https://texasrangersya.leagueapps.com/camps.

The Rougned Odor Weight Room is available for 18U athletes to work out after school from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays by registering in advance at rangers.com/academy.