Academy Notebook: USA Baseball National Team Identification Series; Aden Howard commits to Dallas Baptist University

On Sunday, March 20, the Texas Rangers Youth Academy will be the host site for the USA Baseball National Team Identification Series (NTIS). Sunday’s first-round tryout will see regional athletes in the 13U, 14U, 15U and 16U age divisions take the field.

This comprehensive player identification program gives athletes across the country a chance to compete for a spot on one of USA Baseball’s National Teams. For the next several months, athletes around the U.S. will participate in camps and tryouts at the local level, competing for a spot on two All-Region teams that will play at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C.

Last year the Texas Rangers Youth Academy had 13 athletes in the first-round regional tryout, with seven advancing to the second round and six advancing to the final round of the tryout for the National Team Identification Series Champions Cup.

Among those advancing to the final round in North Carolina were Amaad Garrett, a sophomore at Cedar Hill Collegiate Academy, and Trace Spann, a middle infielder from Lakeridge High School.

When reflecting on his journey through the 2021 National Team Identification Series, Garrett said, “Reaching the final round of the NTIS showed me that I can pursue any ambition if I have a legitimate work ethic. I accomplished what I have because of my discipline and passion.

“At the beginning of the year, I set a goal to get stronger, faster and smarter on the diamond. I had no clue if I was going to achieve my goals, but I did know that if I really wanted to achieve them, I would have to put in a lot of work and time. I worked out at least three times a week, practiced every day, meditated and prayed. Eventually, my work earned me a spot on the 15U Rangers RBI All-Star team and a trip to North Carolina. From this experience, I learned that to get better you have to outwork everyone else because they want the same thing, success.”

Spann, who shared a similar journey advancing through tryouts, is looking forward to another opportunity to showcase his skills for USA Baseball scouts. “It would be an honor to try out again for USA Baseball,” he said. “There is a strong sense of pride that comes with being associated with such a prestigious organization. [On Sunday,] I hope to display my God-given talents as a utility player.

“Advancing to the final round last year gave me the confidence that all the hard work I put into baseball is appreciated. If I am again selected to advance to the final round, I plan to showcase how much I have improved since the last opportunity.”

Both Spann and Garrett hope to return to Cary later this year and become one of the few named to the USA Baseball roster. For Garett, an opportunity to represent the Youth Academy and DFW means even more.

“To follow in the footsteps of my cousins, David and Sandra Patrick, who were USA Track and Field medalists at the ‘88 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Korea in representing my country would overwhelm me in pride. As a Black baseball player on the U.S. National Team, I would love to encourage more minorities to participate in baseball and help them recognize that baseball is a heavily spirited sport that deserves the addition of more cultures and diversity. Representing my country would give me the incredible opportunity to promote positivity and be an influence on other kids like me.”

Sunday’s first-round regional tryout will bring Garrett and Spann one step closer to becoming members of Team USA. In total, the Texas Rangers Youth Academy will have 13 athletes take the field in the National Team Identification Series.

The list of athletes selected to represent the Rangers includes:

13U Braylen Hubbard SS/OF Duncanville Middle School, Class of 2028

13U Emiliano Maldonado SS Alex W Spence TAG Academy, Class of 2027

14U Maddox Johnson OF Brandenburg Middle School, Class of 2027

15U William Carrigan OF/3B Duncanville High School, Class of 2025

15U Amaad Garrett P/OF Cedar Hill High School, Class of 2025

15U Santos Salinas P Zan Wesley Holmes Middle School, Class of 2026

15U Chandler Tullis OF St. Elizabeth Seaton, Class of 2026

16U Romel Garcia 3B/OF Martin High School, 2024

16U Trace Spann SS Lakeridge High School, 2024

16U Aaron Grant SS Braswell High School, 2025

16U Vicente Rosas C Duncanville High School, 2024

16U Jackson Morris C Flower Mound Marcus, 2025

16U Kaleb Thompkins P UME Prep, 2025

Aden Howard commits to Dallas Baptist University

Last week, the Texas Rangers Youth Academy had its first Class of 2023 athlete commit to playing collegiate baseball. Aden Howard, a right-handed pitcher, second baseman and centerfielder from Hebron High School, formally announced his commitment to continue his baseball career at Dallas Baptist University.

Howard has been a participant at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy since 2020, gaining opportunities to participate in invitation-only skills evaluation events like the Dairy Max Baseball Factory Showcase. Additionally, Howard plays on multiple club teams allowing him to improve his game year-round.

In an interview with Fieldlevel, a recruiting social network connecting athletes and coaches across the U.S., Texas Rangers Youth Academy senior director Juan Leonel Gárciga said, “Aden shines defensively with great speed and a plus arm. A true switch hitter who brings a smooth swing from both sides of the plate. He undoubtedly will be an impact player for DBU the moment he steps on campus."

Aden will officially join the Dallas Baptist baseball roster in 2023 after completing his high school graduation.

March high school baseball & softball schedule

Below is the schedule of the Pinkston, Sunset and Thomas Jefferson High School baseball and softball games to be played at the Academy in March. Scheduling is subject to change.