Academy Notebook: Texas Rangers Youth Academy to host Jr. Home Run Derby Regional Championship; Summer training session concludes

The Texas Rangers Youth Academy will be one of the official host sites for the 2021 Jr. Home Run Derby Regional Championships. The top 75 sluggers from across the southern region will meet in West Dallas on Sunday, Aug. 15, to compete for the championship.

The winner from both the 12U and 14U divisions will have a chance to advance to the final round of the Jr. Home Run Derby, held at the MLB World Series this October.

Athletes in the 14U division will participate in the Jr. Home Run Derby on Kershaw Field, measuring 225 feet down both lines and 250 feet to center field. Younger athletes in the 12U division will play on Hamilton Field, measuring about 215 feet down the line and 220 feet to the center-field wall.

Representing the Texas Rangers Youth Academy is 14U division winner Christian Salazar, 14U division runner-up Amaad Garrett and 12U division winner Maddox Johnson. In the first round of the Jr. Home Run Derby, held April 24, they swung their way to the top.

Newcomer, Christian Salazar hit a total of seven home runs, slamming three of his last five pitches over the fence to beat Garrett in the 14U division. Garrett also hit a total of seven home runs, knocking six out of the park in round one, but only hit one in the championship round earning him second place. Johnson set several 12U records at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy, reaching a total of 11 home runs and showcasing his power by hitting balls far beyond the left-field wall, crossing North Hampton Road.

On Sunday, Aug. 15, beginning at 9:30 a.m., batters will face a series of machine-pitched balls during two rounds of competition. The top 16 hitters in each age division from participating regions will have the chance to advance to the fifth annual Jr. Home Run Derby Finals at the World Series.

Summer training concludes at the Youth Academy

The Texas Rangers Youth Academy has wrapped up another successful summer training session. On Aug. 6, the summer session officially concluded a jam-packed six weeks of baseball and softball training.

Athletes ages 7-18 participated in workouts and drills tailored to their skill levels, learning from a group of elite coaches with a range of experience on the baseball and softball diamond. This year, former Texas Rangers Youth Academy participant and first-time coach Giselle Garcia instructed several athletes, including 12U softball players.

“Coaching 12U has been great. Getting to know the kids and see how much they’ve grown and developed their skills during summer training warms my heart,” said Garcia.

After participating in softball training for more than five years, she returned from Midwestern State University this summer to coach some of her former teammates, like Kaila Torres.

Torres said, “I’ve learned a lot more than I expected this summer. It was especially interesting having GiGi (Giselle) come back and teach us everything that she knows.”

Athletes in each group learned new skills, from the basic principles like hitting, catching and baserunning, to techniques focused on increasing throwing velocity and strike zone recognition.

Nikolas Smith, an advanced player that made an appearance on the Rangers RBI All-Star team in July, said, “This summer, I learned how to hit the ball the other way and do it consistently.”

Smith enjoyed using his new opposite-field hitting techniques during the simulated games this summer.

Recent Duncanville High School graduate Jonas Gipson also enjoyed learning new skills this summer and was happy to gain experience playing in the Texas heat. “The summer training camp helps you get used to the heat, especially toward noon,” said Gipson. “Most people don't work out outside, but in reality, it's something that you're going to need to get used to because you never know when you will have an afternoon game. Training in the heat in the middle of summer can be good for you.”

Every athlete and coach shared special moments this summer at the Texas Ranger Youth Academy. Baseball and softball players will return to the diamond for another free, multi-week training session coming this fall.