Texas Rangers Academy Notebook for Oct. 10, 2025: Texas Rangers Youth Academy selects DeSoto native Kaleb Thompkins as 2025 ‘Youth of the Year'
- Kaleb Thompkins selected as Texas Rangers Youth Academy’s 2025 ‘Youth of the Year’
- Pair of Texas Rangers Youth Academy baseball stars commit to University of Texas at Arlington
- Thirty-five Academy athletes earn certification from UMPS CARE Charities Official Leadership Program
The Texas Rangers Youth Academy announced that DeSoto native Kaleb Thompkins has been selected as the program’s 2025 ‘Youth of the Year,’ a recognition presented annually to a dedicated Academy athlete who excels both on and off the field.
One of the facility’s longest-tenured participants since opening its doors in 2017, Thompkins has taken part in nearly every MLB Youth Development event, including the Breakthrough Series, DREAM Series and All-Star Commissioner's Cup.
In July 2024, the right-hander helped guide the Texas Rangers Youth Academy to its first-ever All-Star Commissioner’s Cup title, firing a complete-game shutout in the Rangers’ 14-0 victory over the P&G Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy in the championship contest hosted at Oates Field in West Dallas.
As part of his Youth of the Year recognition, Thompkins will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Game 2 of the 2025 World Series on Oct. 25, courtesy of Major League Baseball. He will be honored during a pre-game ceremony alongside nine other Youth of the Year recipients from MLB Youth Academies across the country.
A recent graduate of DeSoto High School, Thompkins is now a freshman at Prairie View A&M University, where he is set to continue to pursue both his academic and athletic aspirations.
QUICK HITS
Texas Rangers Youth Academy athletes Daylon Brooks and Nicholas Smith commit to University of Texas at Arlington Baseball Program
- Legit commits: Texas Rangers Youth Academy athletes Daylon Brooks and Nicholas Smith recently announced commitments to continue their respective baseball-playing careers at the University of Texas at Arlington. The pair of future Mavericks join a growing list of seven Rangers Youth Academy athletes in the class of 2026 who have committed or signed to a collegiate baseball or softball program.
- Daylon Brooks: Brooks is a senior at South Grand Prairie High School, where he also stars as the starting quarterback for the school’s varsity football team. The right-handed batter and thrower served as an outfielder for the Texas Rangers Youth Academy 18U Scout Team this summer, seeing action in the 2025 Breakthrough Series Invitational and NIKE RBI Southwest Regional Tournament.
- Nicholas Smith: Smith, a senior at Mansfield Timberview High School, represented the Texas Rangers Youth Academy at the DREAM Series in January before participating in the Hank Aaron 44 Showcase Game at historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Ala., this August.
Thirty-five Academy athletes earn certification from UMPS CARE Charities Official Leadership Program
- Basic training: UMPS CARE Charities, a nonprofit founded by Major League Baseball umpires, hosted a six-week official leadership program at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy in West Dallas from mid-August to late-September. The free program was designed to train young athletes in the fundamentals of umpiring baseball and softball games, both on the field and behind the plate. The 35 Texas Rangers Youth Academy athletes who successfully completed the course earned official certification on Sept. 29, qualifying them to begin umpiring games in their local communities.
Education & Buckner International programming
The Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy goes beyond baseball and softball programming to benefit our community. With help from our partner Buckner International, the Academy hosts free education and enrichment courses for athletes and their families throughout the year. Register here for all Youth Academy classes.