MLB hopefuls learn from ex-players at Hank Aaron Invitational (2024)

August 3rd, 2024

Christopher Cornejo

The second week of the 2024 Hank Aaron Invitational featured nonstop action from a talented group of players who could be part of the next wave of Major League stars. The careful guidance and extended knowledge of the coaching staff only complemented this action.

Similar to the first week, 120 players, this time from the classes of 2025 and ‘26, spent four days at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Fla., developing their baseball skills and off-the-field knowledge and competing against each other.

For Kameron Street, a pitcher in the class of 2026, it was his first invitational, an honor for any young player hoping to make a name for himself.

“This is my first Hank Aaron Invitational. It was very special,” said Street. “I got to make new relationships with the coaches. … They gave me really good information.”

“[As] a first-timer, I didn't know what I was expecting, not being with my family, everything like that. It’s a very special feeling,” said Street. “And for being a first-timer, this is an awesome experience.”

Veterans of the Hank Aaron Invitational kept it 💯 with first-timers at #HAI2024 🌟 pic.twitter.com/8kJsuBz8bN

— MLBDevelops (@MLBDevelops) July 30, 2024

This feeling was echoed by the coaching staff at the invitational, all experienced former players, managers and coaches. Lou Collier, who played in the big leagues for eight seasons from 1997-2004, is one of these seasoned coaches.

Collier was a member of the coaching staff when the event was still known as the Elite Development Invitational.

When the event rebranded to the Hank Aaron Invitational in 2018, Collier stayed on as a coach, and he has been a part of all the events since.

When addressing his feelings on the growth of the invitational, he stated that he felt “like a proud daddy.”

This should come as no surprise, seeing as how many invitational participants have gone on to earn college scholarships and sign pro contracts. These milestones are markers of progress for not just the players but the development system in place at MLB.

“I'm just excited about the talent that continues to come to these programs and excited about the future of this program,” said Collier. “I think baseball is in good hands because the kids are buying in and working really hard.”

That was seconded by other fellow accomplished coaches, like four-time Gold Glove Award winner and two-time All-Star Marquis Grissom, who played for the 1995 World Series champion Braves.

Grissom shared insight about what stood out most with this crop of athletes.

“I think No. 1 would be the talent level,” said Grissom. “I think you go back to year No. 1 and see the kids that continue to come through the program to develop and get better and better each and every year.”

It’s difficult to imagine this level of improvement without the constant work and dedication the entire coaching staff put into the development of these players.

This includes introducing them to what equates to baseball royalty.

“I'm kind of blown away myself by the guys that are invited here,” Grissom said. “Like Larry Davis, Reggie Smith, Ken Griffey Sr., who I get a chance to learn from also being a former player.”

On the final day of the second week, selections are made to invite 44 of the 120 participants to play in the annual Hank Aaron Invitational showcase game hosted at Truist Park, which the Braves call home.

Rookie Shepard, an infielder in the class of 2026 who is attending his third HAI, is one of the invited players.

“It’s truly a blessing to be around these coaches and these players,” said Shepard. “It's a great event. Being in my third year, I've learned so much, and I learn more and more every day.”

Although every player at the invitational hopes to play in the showcase, with the limited spots available, it’s simply not possible.

But the invitational is about more than making it to the showcase game. It’s about development and camaraderie between players from similar backgrounds and walks of life.

“We're all one big family here, and we treat each other like a family on and off the field,” Shepard said. “It's where you want to be.”

MLB hopefuls learn from ex-players at Hank Aaron Invitational (2024)

FAQs

MLB hopefuls learn from ex-players at Hank Aaron Invitational? ›

The second week of the 2024 Hank Aaron Invitational featured nonstop action from a talented group of players who could be part of the next wave of Major League stars.

What impact did Hank Aaron have on baseball? ›

For more than three decades, Hank Aaron has been best known for hitting more home runs than any other baseball player in history. However, the baseball icon also spoke out against pervasive racism in major league baseball and broke racial barriers throughout his career.

What is Hank Aaron Invitational? ›

The Hank Aaron Invitational is a diversity-focused baseball development experience for high school-age players. Forty-four players were picked from the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Fla.

What team did Hank Aaron finish his career with? ›

Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves (1954–1974) In 1954, Aaron attended spring training with the major league club.

What lesson did Hank Aaron learn? ›

The lessons of perseverance, grit, and focus are not just what got Aaron in the record books. They're also how he touched so many lives off the field. It was his character that connected everything he did.

Did Hank Aaron ever play shortstop? ›

From the Negro leagues to the Braves

Born: February 5, 1934, Mobile, Alabama, U.S. father of Hank Aaron, Jr. Aaron, a right-hander, began his professional career in 1952, playing shortstop for a few months with the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro American League.

How many gold gloves did Hank Aaron win? ›

He was a consistent producer both at the plate and in the field, reaching the . 300 mark in batting 14 times, 30 home runs 15 times, 90 RBI 16 times and captured three Gold Glove Awards en-route to 25 All-Star Game selections. Nineteen fifty-seven was arguably Aaron's best season.

Who has more home runs than Hank Aaron? ›

Barry Bonds holds the Major League Baseball home run record with 762. He passed Hank Aaron, who hit 755, on August 7, 2007. The only other players to have hit 700 or more are Babe Ruth with 714, and Albert Pujols with 703.

What are Hank Aaron's major accomplishments? ›

In addition to home runs, games and plate appearances, Aaron ranks third all-time in hits (3,771), fourth in runs scored (2,174), first in total bases (6,856), first in extra-base hits (1,477), first in RBIs (2,297), fourth in intentional walks (293) and fifth in WAR for position players (143.1).

What baseball records does Hank Aaron hold? ›

Although Aaron no longer holds the home run record, he still holds three Major League Baseball records: 2,297 career runs batted in, 6,856 career total bases, and 1,477 career extra-base hits.

What baseball record did Hank Aaron break? ›

50 years ago today: Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's home run record with 715th. Fifty years ago today, Hank Aaron sent the second pitch of his second at bat over Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium's left-centerfield wall and became MLB's new home run king with the 715th of his career.

Is Hank Aaron in the baseball Hall of Fame? ›

Aaron was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1982.

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