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Major League Baseball (MLB) tasked their chief baseball development officer Tony Reagins, to nurture and encourage young Black players to participate in the sport. One of the programs he established to facilitate this goal is the DREAM Series, which took place in 2023 at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, AZ. This collaboration between MLB and USA Baseball is a cost-free weekend that includes the highest level of on-field instruction and training for elite African-American athletes.
This year, the roster of players included two IMG Academy student-athletes—left-handed pitcher and LSU commit Cameron Johnson, along with catcher and Louisville commit Zion Rose.
Johnson is an imposing pitcher, standing at six feet five inches and boasts a fastball that can reach up to 96 miles per hour. His experience at the DREAM Series included training with and being mentored by 21-year veteran LaTroy Hawkins. “I just want to progress to get better and to develop my skill set to where I can become a Major League pitcher,” Johnson said. “I would like to be an influence for the youth eventually and for minorities like ourselves and just to know that there's always a light at the end of the tunnel. And that there's always hope. I want to motivate them just to be the best.”
Rose stands out as one of the best catchers in his class and has an opportunity to potentially be drafted this year. The last time a Black catcher was drafted and played consistently was Charles Johnson in 1992. Rose has also been attending the DREAM Series since he was a freshman. “People ask me questions, ‘Do you play outfield?’” Rose said. “I say, ‘No, I catch. I’m a catcher.’ But also, I don’t take away from the ability that I can play the outfield. I can still do that. But I’m a catcher.”
You can continue reading about these elite players and the Dream Series on MLB.com and The New York Times.
IMG Academy continues to be the industry leader in sports development and college recruitment for dedicated student-athletes. To sign up for a spring or summer baseball camp or any of our on-campus or online youth programs, check out the links below.
