Faculty baseball is again, and there is no higher place to soak up the motion on opening weekend than on MLB Community and MLB Digital (MLB.TV, MLB.com and MLB app), which might be carrying the MLB Desert Invitational. Three of the 12 showcase video games will even be proven reside on MLB Community, whereas all of the video games might be streamed on MLB’s digital platforms.
A few of the nation’s prime beginner expertise is within the Phoenix metro space for the three-day match, which can run Feb. 14-16, with two Prime 100 2024 Draft prospects among the many individuals.
The occasion options eight groups for the second consecutive yr: Austin Peay, Grand Canyon, Nebraska, New Mexico, San Diego State, Seton Corridor, UC Irvine and Vanderbilt.
Right here is the entire schedule for the weekend-long occasion (all occasions ET):
Bolded video games = MLB Community and MLB Digital
The highest two Draft prospects on the Desert Invitational confirmed out on the primary day as Vanderbilt held on to win its season opener. Beginning pitcher J.D. Thompson (No. 65 Draft) struck out six batters throughout 4 2/3 innings of scoreless ball whereas limiting the Antelopes to a few hits and one stroll. RJ Austin (No. 79 Draft) doubled on the primary pitch of the sport and completed with three hits, an RBI, a run and a easy catch in middle discipline. Grand Canyon’s Zach Yorke crushed a two-run homer practically a yr to the day that he went deep within the 2024 Desert Invitational.
Nebraska starter Mason McConnaughey recorded 9 of his 11 outs through strikeout however bumped into bother within the fourth inning towards UC Irvine. Jacob McCombs doubled twice and Colin Yeaman tripled and drove in three runs as eight Anteaters racked up a number of hits, RBIs or runs.
In the meantime, house runs had been flying within the closing two video games. Brody Szako and Gus Freeman went deep for Austin Peay, Josh McAlister homered for New Mexico, Jonathan Smith hit a roundtripper for San Diego State and AJ Soldra, Kevin Milewski and Joey Calabretti crushed dingers for Seton Corridor.
Saturday2:30 p.m.: New Mexico vs. UC Irvine3 p.m.: Seton Corridor vs. Austin Peay7:30 p.m.: San Diego State vs. Grand Canyon8 p.m.: Vanderbilt vs. Nebraska
Sunday2 p.m.: UC Irvine vs. Vanderbilt2:30 p.m.: New Mexico vs. Seton Hall7 p.m.: Nebraska vs. San Diego7:30 p.m.: Austin Peay vs. Grand Canyon
Vanderbilt: LHP J.D. Thompson (No. 65), OF RJ Austin (No. 79)Grand Canyon: 1B Zach Yorke, RHP Isaac LyonNebraska: OF Gabe Swansen, RHP Mason McConnaugheySeton Corridor: RHP Ryan Reich, OF Aiden RobbinsAustin Peay: OF John BayUC Irvine: 1B Anthony MartinezNew Mexico: OF Khalil WalkerSan Diego St.: RHP Omar Serrano, SS Finley Bates
This yr’s MLB Desert Invitational (previously referred to as “MLB 4”) is the sixth such occasion hosted by MLB in Arizona. The vast majority of video games will happen at Salt River Fields at Speaking Stick (Spring Coaching house to the Rockies and D-backs) and Sloan Park (house to the Cubs).
The match presents gamers the chance to compete on diamonds that they hope to sooner or later name house upon reaching the skilled ranks. Final yr, Caleb Lomavita (Cal), Kaelen Culpepper (Kansas State), Austin Overn (Cal), Rodney Inexperienced (Cal), and Tyson Neighbors (Kansas State) went on to parlay their successes into changing into early choices within the 2024 Draft with the Nationals, Twins, Orioles, Athletics and Padres, respectively.
