The rosters for the third annual HBCU Swingman Classic are set.
This showcase, scheduled for Friday, July 11, at Truist Park in Atlanta, is a highlight of MLB All-Star Week and celebrates standout baseball players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the nation.
Fifty student-athletes were chosen by a selection committee that included Hall of Famer and event namesake Ken Griffey Jr., representatives from MLB, the MLBPA, and members of the baseball scouting community.
Former Atlanta Braves stars Brian Jordan and David Justice will serve as team managers, with Jordan guiding the National League squad and Justice leading the American League team.
The event will also welcome a distinguished group of honorary VIPs, including Hall of Famer and HBCU alumnus Andre Dawson, former MLB manager Dusty Baker, three-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion Ken Griffey Sr., and All-Star and HBCU alumnus Ralph Garr Sr.
Both teams’ coaching staffs are composed of former professional players and HBCU alumni, offering participants valuable mentorship opportunities.
The rosters for the 2025 HBCU Swingman Classic are here!
Cardell Thibodeaux of Southern University and MLBPA consultant Reggie Waller joined Harold to preview this year’s event and the importance it plays within baseball. pic.twitter.com/MxBeENnZvZ
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) June 17, 2025
The 50 selected players represent a wide array of HBCUs, such as Alabama A&M, Alcorn State, Bethune-Cookman, Coppin State, Florida A&M, Grambling State, Jackson State, Mississippi Valley State, Morehouse, Norfolk State, North Carolina A&T, Prairie View A&M, Southern, Texas Southern, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and Maryland Eastern Shore.
Several athletes in this year’s Classic have previously participated in elite MLB development programs, including the Hank Aaron Invitational and the Breakthrough Series. Irvin Escobar will make his third appearance in the Swingman Classic, while seven others are returning.
The event will also feature pregame festivities celebrating HBCU culture, including performances by marching bands, a Divine Nine Step show, and more.
Below is a summary of the 2025 HBCU Swingman Classic rosters:
| Position | National League (Jordan) | American League (Justice) |
|---|---|---|
| C | Broedy Poppell (FAMU) | Tyler Smith (NCAT) |
| C | Irvin Escobar (BCU)** | Vinny Saumell (UAPB) |
| C | DeMarckus Smiley (ASU) | Jonathan Gonzalez Perez (UMES) |
| 1B | Juan Cruz (ASU)* | Andrey Martinez (BCU) |
| 2B | JT Taylor (NCAT) | Jalon Mack (SU) |
| 2B | Daniel Moore (CSU) | Kylan Duncan (AAMU) |
| 3B | Jesus Vanegas (BCU) | Taj Bates (SU) |
| SS | Elijah Pinckney (MORH) | Kade Wood (MSVU) |
| SS | Robert Tate Jr. (JSU)* | KJ White (SU)* |
| INF/DH | Ahmar Donatto (PVAMU) | Chenar Brown (GSU) |
| OF | Cardell Thibodeaux (SU) | Justin Journette (NSU) |
| OF | Kameron Douglas (ASU) | Darryl Lee (BCU) |
| OF | Jacoby Radcliffe (SU) | Jordan McCladdie (JSU) |
| OF | Trey Bridges (GSU) | Jalan Jones (NSU) |
| OF | Kelton Phillips (TSU) | Joseph Eichelberger (JSU)* |
| OF | Trey Rutledge (AAMU) | Jaylon Burrell (ALSU) |
| OF | Jamal Ritter (FAMU)* | Cameron Hill (GSU) |
| P | Edwin Sanchez (BCU) | Eric Elliott (JSU) |
| P | Reagan Rivera (CSU) | Jean Carlos Zambrano (BCU) |
| P | Diego Barrett (NCAT) | Jorhan LaBoy (ASU) |
| P | Erick Gonzalez (JSU)* | Garrett Workman (FAMU) |
| P | Nkosi Didder (JSU) | Esaid Peña (ASU) |
| P | Kenney Fabian (UAPB) | Jafet Martinez (ASU)* |
| P | Calvin McClendon (TSU) | Yoansell Diaz (BCU) |
| P | Jay Campbell (FAMU)# | Nick Luckett (SU) |