USA: 18U Players arrive in LA for 2013 Trials
United States start their final phase prior to 18U Baseball World Cup in Taichung
by USA Baseball
FULLERTON, Calif. – The 40 players selected to compete at the 2013 18U National Team Trials arrived in Fullerton, Calif., on Friday to begin the process of selecting the 20 athletes that will represent the United States at the 18U Baseball World Cup in Taichung, Taiwan, from August 30-Sept. 8.
“All forty guys that got an invite showed up,” said 18U National Team manager, Rob Cooper. “To me, that shows the players take this seriously and are excited to be here.”
Under the direction of Cooper, who was recently named head coach of Pennsylvania State University, the 40 players will compete in Red vs. Blue intrasquad games over the course of the next six days, before the final 2013 18U National Team roster is announced on USABaseball.com on August 21.
The players were invited to the 18U Trials following the 2013 Tournament of Stars presented by Major League Baseball and the 2012 National Team Identification Series in Cary, N.C. — two of the primary selection vehicles for the USA Baseball National Team and National Team Development Programs.
This year’s 18U Trials roster includes players from 16 different states, with California (12) and Florida (8) having the most invitees. The roster also includes two players from the state of North Carolina, where the USA Baseball National Training Center is, as well as multiple players from Texas, Arizona, Georgia and Tennessee.
Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Indiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon and Virginia are each represented by an athlete on the 18U Trials roster.
Joining Cooper in leading the 18U National Team are pitching coach, Mike Maack, and assistant coaches Eric Munson and Kevin Wilson.
Additionally, Jamey Shouppe (Head Coach, Florida A&M), Glenn Cecchini (Head Coach, Barbe HS–La.), David Eckstein (2006 World Series MVP), Ed Sprague (1988 Olympic gold medalist; Head Coach, Pacific), Deskaheh Bomberry (Pitching Coach, Sac City College), Burt Call (Head Coach, Mater Dei HS–Calif.) and Robert Craven will be serving as coaches during the 18U Trial competition.
The players began on-field action with a practice at California State University, Fullerton’s Goodwin Field on Friday evening.
“Overall I thought the guys made this a very productive day,” said Cooper. “They had a long day of travel and I wanted to see if they would give into the wariness of the travel, but for them to get out here and show this kind of effort proves that these players want to put their best foot forward.”
Intrasquad play begins on Saturday night at Blair Field on the campus of Long Beach State University. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. local).
You can follow the 18U National Team through Trials and on to international play be visiting USABaseball.com or by following @USABaseball18U on Twitter.
The 18U National Team Trials roster is as follows:
Name, Position, Hometown
Brady Aiken, LHP, Cardiff by the Sea, Calif.
Bobby Bradley Jr., IF, Gulf Port, Miss.
Bryson Brigman, IF/OF, San Jose, Calif.
Quinn Brodey, LHP/OF, Los Angeles, Calif.
Griffin Canning, RHP, Coto De Caza, Calif.
Bryce Carter, C, Tulsa, Okla.
Zachary Carter, IF/RHP, Arlington, Texas
Ryan Castellani, RHP, Phoenix, Ariz.
Denz’l Chapman, OF, Los Angeles, Calif.
Braxton Davidson, IF/OF, Arden, N.C.
Joe DeMers, RHP, Martinez, Calif.
Alex Destino, LHP/OF, Weaverville, N.C.
Christian Donahue, IF, Mililani, Hawaii
Devon Fisher, C, Portsmith, Va.
Jack Flaherty, IF/RHP, Burbank, Calif.
Brian Gonzalez, IF/LHP, Miramar, Fla.
Marvis Gorgas, RHP/IF, East Hampton, Conn.
Adam Haseley, OF/LHP, Windermere, Fla.
Derek Hill, OF, Sacramento, Calif.
Scott Hurst, OF, Glendora, Calif.
Kel Johnson, OF, Palmetto, Ga.
Tyler Kolek, RHP, Shepherd, Texas
Turner Larkins, RHP, Arlington, Texas
Trace Loehr, IF, Milwaukie, Ore.
Mac Marshall, LHP, Parkview, Ga.
Keaton McKinney, RHP/IF, Ankeny, Iowa
Brandon Murray, RHP, Hobart, Ind.
Jacob Nix, RHP, Los Alamitos, Calif.
Luis Ortiz, RHP, Sanger, Calif.
Jakson Reetz, C/OF/RHP, Hickman, Neb.
Sean Reid-Foley, RHP, Jacksonville, Fla.
Michael Rivera, C, Venice, Fla.
JJ Schwarz, C, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Justus Sheffield, LHP, Tullahoma, Tenn.
Lane Thomas, OF, Knoxville, Tenn.
Cole Tucker, IF, Phoenix, Ariz.
Jeremy Vasquez, IF/OF, Palm City, Fla.
Chris Viall, RHP, Santa Cruz, Calif.
Logan Warmoth, IF/OF, Longwood, Fla.
Keith Weisenberg, RHP, Seminole, Fla.
