A group of former professional and Major League Baseball players and coaches joined together to create an unprecedented baseball event for Central Florida. The Prospect Pre-Draft Tournament will be a feasible alternative for potential baseball prospects in the region.
During the months of May and June, 2021 there will be tryouts to participate in the four-game tournament that will allow candidates to demonstrate their baseball talent in front of well-known trainers with the goal of finding and identifying new talents for professional teams.
All candidates must be high school students graduating in 2021, or graduated in 2020 who couldn’t have a chance to participate in screenings due to the pandemic. Also invited are candidates to graduate from high school in 2022, who will have the possibility to participate in specialized trainings all year round to get evaluated by professionals on their graduation year, at the 2022 version of the Prospect Pre-Draft Tournament.
“Many players and their parents have been seeking opportunities like this tournament. There is a high demand for it, and we have found a way tomake it feasible for all families, mainly from Central Florida, but we know there is an interest beyond the region”, commented Manolo Rodríguez, General Manager of the Prospect Pre-Draft Tournament and former professional player for the Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, and the Montreal Expos.
The event aims to differentiate from Travel Ball organizations, which have enjoyed high popularity in recent years. This event will consist of an annual tournament, to potentially be expanded to structured clinics, baseball school type, fully dedicated to teaching with a focus on sports knowledge and development rather than a focus on competition mostly used on travel ball organizations. At the same time, the operation will get established in one location, instead of constant trips to competitive tournaments.
“That’s where we know many more families will benefit from. We know travel competitions can be expensive, although very fun, many families have to make big sacrifices to attend these events.” Rodríguez added.
The tryouts and tournament games will take place in Clermont, Florida, at the Clarence Bishop Memorial Field, starting May 24 until the 28th. The tournament will start on June 7 through 11, and will take place in two close-by locations; the one in Clermont and the other at the South Lake High School Field, in Groveland.
“All of us who have benefited in one way or another from our passion for the baseball game, now feel like we owe it to the next generations to pass the baton helping them pursue their dreams as baseball athletes. This event is exactly that unique opportunity for both— the prospects, as it is for us” said Dave Rosello, former MLB player for the Chicago Cubs, and Cleveland Indians, among others.
This event, as many others, will abide by all COVID-19 prevention guidelines to protect participants, as well as all staff on both sports facilities.
For more details about this event, such as schedule, rules, and purchase participation tickets please visit our website www.prospectpredraft.com.
