Showcases

44 Classic

In 2022, The Atlanta Braves hosted their fourth annual 44 Classic presented by Nike on Saturday, September 24 and Sunday, September 25 at Truist Park. This showcase, with participating sponsor Truist, featured the top diverse high school baseball talent from the Southeast, including from the Braves’ RBI Fall Development Program.

On Saturday, September 24, 44 players took part in an exclusive pro-style workout, including a Home Run Derby, throwing and fielding drills, batting practice, and more. On Sunday, September 25, the athletes played an exhibition game coached by Braves alumni Marquis Grissom, Marvin Freeman, and Johnny Estrada. Professional scouts and college coaches attended on both days.

Hank Aaron Invitational

The Hank Aaron Invitational is a partnership between Major League Baseball (MLB), the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) and USA Baseball. The unique amateur development event serves as a youth-oriented, on-field diversity initiative that aims to get high school-age players, with diverse backgrounds, to the next levels of the game.

Formerly the Elite Development Invitational, the re-branded Hank Aaron Invitational, partnered with the Braves, adds a unique element to the program by offering the top 44 (in honor of Hank) ballplayers a trip to Atlanta after their week-long experience in Vero Beach, Florida, at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex (formerly Historic Dodgertown).

As part of Hank Aaron Week, the Atlanta Braves host the 44 athletes for a day in cultural education, with a tour of the King Center, Ebenezer Baptist Church and the home of Martin Luther King Jr. The main reason for the trip, a showcase game at Truist Park in front of college recruiters & professional scouts, is played on Saturday morning, followed by a Braves game to round up the experience.

Native American Showcase

Native American All-Star Showcase

The Atlanta Braves and 7G Foundation hosted the first-ever Native American All-Star Baseball Showcase at Truist Park on July 16-17, 2022. The top 50 high school baseball players of Native American descent from around the country took part in a pro-style workout on Saturday, July 16 and a showcase game on Sunday, July 17.

The Native American All-Star Baseball Showcase highlights Native American high school baseball players who aspire to play the game at the next level. Scouts from the Atlanta Braves, University of Tennessee, Georgia State University, Savannah State University, South Georgia State College, Mercer University, and Emory University were in attendance.

There were two teams for the showcase game on Sunday, each with a 25-man roster. Each roster included at least ten pitchers and two dedicated catchers. Major League Baseball former players Marquis Grissom, Johnny Estrada, Marvin Freeman, and Lou Collier coached the teams.

The pro-style workout on Saturday, July 16 was executed by Marquis Grissom Baseball Association and focused on defensive work, fielding, throwing, and catcher pop times. Players were selected during Saturday’s batting practice to participate in a Home Run Derby that afternoon following the workout. Rapsodo Hitting and Pitching units were available to supply pro-level data and analytics to help players improve their game.

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