In late July, Major League Baseball hosted the Girls Breakthrough Series at the MLB Compton Youth Academy in Compton, Calif., where 32 elite athletes gathered for a three-day development event. Here are some of the highlights:
Astros Nike RBI trio preps for World Series
For players in the Nike RBI program, competing for their hometown program carries a distinct level of pride. Three athletes from the Houston Astros Nike RBI program -- catcher Alina Elias (Class of 2027), center fielder Madison Kimble (2030) and right-handed pitcher Charley McKenzie (2030) -- used their time at the Breakthrough Series as a launching pad ahead of next week's Nike RBI World Series.
"The Nike RBI World Series is something that's truly special ... Houston is a tough team to beat," manager of baseball & softball development Natalia Reynoso said. "We have three girls here that are just ready to go. So we're prepping them for the Breakthrough Series here, and then we're going to prep them for the Nike RBI World Series so that way they can compete for that title."
For Elias, a former Jennifer Finch Empowerment Award winner who envisions playing collegiate softball, the BTS environment reinforces a deep sense of belonging and leadership.
"Being a part of the Houston Astros Nike RBI has definitely put me to where I am today ... It's like a sisterhood from the very beginning," Elias said. "I wanted to be a part of the Softball Breakthrough Series this year, because I expect myself to go to college for softball. I think they saw a lot of determination, dedication, and leadership from me ... I felt seen."
That veteran presence has filtered down directly to younger teammates like Kimble, who is attending her first MLB Develops event after seeing the impact it had on her older peers. "I really wanted to go because I know that one of my teammates has been here before and she had a great time, and she's developed a lot from it," Kimble said. "I think the Breakthrough Series is helping me prepare for World Series by helping my skills ... when we're at the plate, not to think negatively, so that helps me think more positive."
Working alongside her teammates in Compton provided an extra layer of comfort and momentum for McKenzie, who pointed to the group's tight-knit bond as a primary source of on-field confidence.
"From this event, I'm gonna take back knowing that I can be confident no matter what," McKenzie added. "Being with my teammates, it showed me that I can always find a chance to be happy because I always know that I have people to turn to if I'm struggling. They give me so much confidence, no matter how down I am... It doesn't matter if I'm down in the count, up, losing or winning. I know that my team, we can do it no matter what."
Tatum Cochran shows fearless approach
While the Breakthrough Series caters to athletes ages 13 to 17, middle infielder and outfielder Tatum Cochran (Class of 2031) proved that skill and mentality know no age limits.
First spotted by staff at the Trailblazer Series, Cochran stepped onto the field in Compton as one of the youngest participants in attendance, immediately drawing attention for her aggressive approach in the box and natural instincts.
"Tatum Cochran is fearless," Reynoso said. "The fearless energy that she brings to the table just shows athletes that they can play free, they can play fun ... She attacks the strike zone. She understands that hey, I'm gonna hit anything that you blow over."
Despite playing alongside high school upperclassmen, Cochran embraced the challenge.
"When I found out I was the youngest coming, I just knew -- even though all these girls were going to be older and obviously more developed, I just had to do the most I can to my abilities," Cochran said. "I know there's a bunch of good coaches out here that can help me go to where I want to be in the future. I hope softball takes me to a good D1 school, a high level, hopefully AUSL."
Cochran's poise, work ethic, and coachability immediately caught the eye of MLB Development Coach Brittany Williams.
"Tatum is awesome. She's just sweet and genuine, very coachable," Williams said. "Honestly, when they're out here playing, we don't have anything on their backs that says what year they are. We just look at the skill level, and her talent was tremendous ... She is definitely a student of the game. When you see kids her age, they just want to play ... but Tatum watches. She watches college ball. She watches pro level. She's very connected and skilled with it."
For Cochran, the biggest takeaway from the three-day event goes beyond her physical skill set -- she recognized that the physical side of her game was only half the equation
"Some things I'll take from this experience is definitely my attitude," Cochran added. "When something doesn't go my way, it doesn't matter if anything goes wrong -- I just have to have a good attitude no matter what."
Commits reflect on growth in return to Compton
For Division I commits Kayleigh Allen (University of Kansas) and DiLynn JeffriesEl (University of South Florida), the 2026 Breakthrough Series offered a full-circle moment of reflection. Both seniors have grown up within the MLB Develops ecosystem, making their presence in Compton a meaningful milestone as they prepare to transition to college in 2027.
While Allen has been in the pipeline since participating in the Elite Development Invitational (EDI) as an eighth grader, this marked her very first Breakthrough Series.
"The Compton Youth Academy has shaped me as a person," Allen said. "I've grown tremendously in those years. It all comes from these amazing coaches who developed me into the player I am today... This is my first Breakthrough Series, so I'm just playing the game how I know how to play it, and I have to lead by example. I hope [the younger girls] are looking at the seniors and just how they act and how they walk, because that's something you could take away."
That growth has been watched closely by MLB Softball Ambassador Natasha Watley, who has mentored Allen for over six years.
"To see how much she's grown makes me so proud," Watley said. "She's just from the day that I met her, hardworking, just hungry for more information... She's just a very special young lady, and I feel so connected to her, and have loved just watching her blossom and grow."
For JeffriesEl, returning for her second and final Breakthrough Series was all about soaking in every remaining detail before making the leap to the next level.
"Being my last Breakthrough Series at MLB Develops, just trying to soak everything in ... getting all the information that I can before I get sent off to college," JeffriesEl said. "Looking back at my MLB Develops experience has just helped me reflect on everything, knowing that I'm here for a reason, that they picked me, that they believed in me to be great and get better from here."
That mentality has paid off under the guidance of her personal pitching coach, MLB Develops Coach Jess Jacobson.
"She came and showed out at EDI last year, and she is just the example of growth and investment off the field," Jacobson said. "There's a lot of hard work, ups and downs, roller coasters that she endures in order to be able to be successful on the field like that. So I'm really proud of her ... to watch her have moments like these."
Closing out her time in Compton, JeffriesEl offered simple advice for any young athlete considering following the same path into the pipeline.
"For anyone wanting to get involved in MLB Develops, I mean, just go for it. Honestly, they'll welcome you with open arms, and there's nothing to be nervous about. You've been playing this sport for however long -- just do what you know how to do."