USA Baseball names Denny Hocking manager of U-18 National Team

USA Baseball has named Denny Hocking as the new manager of the 2022 US U-18 National Team.

Hocking, who had a 13-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career as a utility player with the Minnesota Twins, Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals, will lead the USA at this year's WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup, which is scheduled for 9 to 18 September in Bradenton and Sarasota, Florida.

"We could not be more excited to have Denny Hocking leading the 18U National Team as we strive to win a world championship on our home soil this year," U-18 National Team General Manager Ashley Bratcher said. "Denny brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from all levels of the game that will prove invaluable to the program and its athletes. We are confident that his passion, character, and leadership will guide Team USA to incredible success in 2022, and we look forward to getting started."

In 2021, Hocking served as a manager at the Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP) League and the U-18 National Team Trials.

"I am extremely honoured and blessed to have such an incredible opportunity to manage this year's U-18 National Team", said Hocking."Being trusted with the responsibility to lead these young men on American soil as we compete for a gold medal is something I cherish and value as an opportunity of a lifetime. I was overwhelmed by the talent level on the field in 2021, and we think this year has the potential to exceed that, so I am excited to get started as we prepare to bring home another world championship."

The 2022 PDP League, scheduled from 29 June to 6 July at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, will once again serve as the primary identification event for the U-18 National Team Trials. The Trials will take place from 29 August to 2 September in Florida. Following the Trials, USA Baseball will reveal the final 20-man roster.

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