The ninth annual MLB DREAM Series, a key initiative for developing diverse young baseball talent, starts Friday in Tempe, Arizona. Hosted by former All-Stars Chris Young and Cliff Floyd, the event features instruction from MLB veterans and live coverage on MLB Network's Hot Stove. It aims to provide minority high school pitchers and catchers with access to professional guidance and scouting opportunities.
The MLB DREAM Series, launched in 2017 as a collaboration between Major League Baseball and USA Baseball, takes place over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. This annual amateur development experience targets minority pitchers and catchers to diversify baseball's talent pool. It forms part of the broader MLB Develops program, offering mentoring from current and former Major League players, managers, and coaches.
Since its start, the series has become prestigious, with 15 alumni drafted in the first round of the MLB Draft. Notable participants who advanced include Major League stars Hunter Greene and Michael Harris II, as well as prospects like Braden Montgomery (No. 35), Harry Ford (No. 42), Justin Crawford (No. 54), and Cam Collier (No. 94).
The ninth installment kicks off Friday in Tempe, Ariz., with more than 80 top diverse high school athletes, predominantly African American, taking part. Instructors include Jerry Manuel, Mike Scioscia, LaTroy Hawkins, Mike Harkey, Marquis Grissom, Brian Hunter, and Darren Oliver.
MLB Network's Hot Stove will broadcast live from the event at 10 a.m. ET, hosted by Chris Young and Cliff Floyd. Guests include alumni such as Montgomery, Nasim Nuñez (2023 All-Star Futures Game MVP), Termarr Johnson (fourth overall pick in 2022 by the Pirates), and Jo Adell. High school participants Rookie Shepard, Anthony Murphy, Dexter McCleon Jr., and Brandon Williams will discuss the program's role in their growth.
"The consistent commitment from the MLB coaches and players involved, it creates a cycle," Young said. "And then when you have players who were in the DREAM Series in previous years coming back and passing that knowledge down, it just creates this full circle."
Young highlighted the program's value: "If you were to grab me in my teenage years and ask me how much access I had to a Major League player, it was zero. This program gives these players access to big league knowledge."
Floyd emphasized its importance: "When you mention ‘DREAM Series,’ that’s exactly what it is. It’s ‘dream big.’ I was blown away last year to see all this talent at a very young age."
The event runs through Monday, followed by an MLB Tonight: A Conversation special at 7 p.m. ET on MLB Network, focusing on its impact and MLB's diversity efforts.
"For me, it’s proof of concept," Young noted. "It all starts in Arizona on Friday," Floyd added.
