Academy Notebook: Two Rangers Youth Academy athletes selected to participate in Dream Series; Rangers softball finishes second at Cat Osterman Tournament

Two Rangers Youth Academy athletes invited to 2023 Dream Series

Kaleb Thompkins and David Hogg II will represent the Texas Rangers Youth Academy at the 2023 MLB Develops and USA Baseball Dream Series in Tempe, Ariz., from Jan. 13-16.

Thompkins and Hogg will join some of the top ballplayers across the country for the Dream Series showcase, which focuses on developing a diverse group of elite high school pitchers and catchers.

Established in 2017, the program strives to grow players on and off the field through seminars, mentorship, scout evaluations, video coverage and the highest level of instruction. The Dream Series also provides a platform for invited players to perform for scouts and college coaches.

Hogg, a Louisiana State University commit, and the uncommitted Thompkins will look to further improve their games while working with some of the best coaches and scouts in baseball.

Texas Rangers Youth Academy takes second at Cat Osterman Softball Tournament

The Texas Rangers Youth Academy finished second in the Cat Osterman Softball Tournament, which took place last weekend, Jan. 7-8, in Austin.

In their opening tournament of 2023, the Rangers Youth Academy competed against the Cat Osterman Softball Academy, Houston Astros Youth Academy and the Round Rock War Dogs. The Rangers finished the weekend 2-2, falling short to the Astros Youth Academy in both losses.

In the opening game of pool play, the Rangers beat the Cat Osterman Softball Academy, 20-9, in four innings. Leading the Rangers on offense were Destan Burks and Savannah Vargas, who each finished 2-for-2 at the plate with two runs scored. Olivia Veiza and Alyssa Summers reached base safely in all three plate appearances and Abigail Oliver finished 1-for-1 with a pinch-hit double. Sophia Zuniga was the winning pitcher for the Rangers Youth Academy in its statement win.

During Game 2, the Rangers Youth Academy struggled to compete with the Astros Youth Academy offense, ultimately falling short, 10-2. Burks got the team started on offense by scoring early in the first inning and with only one additional run in the second, the Rangers were unable to make a comeback.

The Rangers Youth Academy beat the War Dogs, 6-2, in their final pool play game to secure a spot in the championship. Annalise Barron was the winning pitcher and received offensive support from Burks (3-for-3, HR, 2B, 1B, 3 RBI), Vargas (2-for-3, 2 3B, 2 R), and Ana Gonzalez (2-for-3, 2 2B, 2 R).

Sunday afternoon’s Cat Osterman Softball Tournament Championship Game saw the Texas Rangers Youth Academy fall short to the top-seeded Houston Astros Youth Academy, 9-2.

Rangers’ pitcher Zuniga had another strong performance in the circle, but the team’s four defensive errors and six strikeouts made it tough to recover from the run deficit. Burks and Vargas led the team again on offense, joined by Oliver.

After incredible performances at the plate in all four games, Burks and Vargas were named the Rangers' offensive players of the weekend, while Zuniga was named pitcher of the weekend. Burks finished the weekend 8-for-12, HR, 4 2B, 6 R and Vargas went 7-for-12, 2 3B, 2 2B, 2 SB, 4 R.