MLB Players’ High School and Travel Baseball Origins
To play in the MLB means that you are one of the best baseball players in the world, and while these players took many different paths to the professional ranks, a majority of them played for their high school teams. As you’d expect, they were just as dominant playing high school ball as they are today playing against some of the best in the world.
These players gained most of their exposure playing travel baseball. While these players either played with multiple travel teams or only one, the amount of exposure and scouting that they received from it played a big role in where they are today. Let’s take a look at arguably three of the top players in the MLB in particular, and take a look at not only what they did in high school baseball, but in travel baseball as well.
Mike Trout – Los Angeles Angels
Widely regarded as the best current player in the sport, Mike Trout has been a star ever since his high school days. Trout shined for Millville Senior High School (NJ) where he played multiple positions, but eventually settled in the outfield. Trout hit 18 HRs during his senior season, a New Jersey high school record. While Trout was a phenomenal high school player, Trout also excelled playing travel ball. Trout played for Tri-State Arsenal, one of the top programs in the Northeast, where he played in multiple tournaments including the Perfect Game WWBA Championships in 2007 and 2008.
Gerrit Cole – New York Yankees
Arguably the top pitcher in baseball, Gerrit Cole has been dominant since high school. Cole attended Orange Lutheran (CA) where he was one of the top pitchers in America during his high school career. Cole started gaining national attention during his sophomore season, but fully cemented himself as a top prospect by going 8-2 with a 0.47 ERA with 121 K’s during his senior season. Cole also excelled playing travel baseball as he played with Braves Scout Team and was rated as one of the top players in the country by Perfect Game.
Freddie Freeman – Atlanta Braves
The 2020 NL MVP, Freddie Freeman has been hitting since high school. Freeman attended El Modena High School (CA) where he played multiple positions, including pitcher. Freeman dominated his senior season where he hit for a .417 AVG, while also going 6-1 as a pitcher to become the 2007 Orange County Register Player of the Year. Freeman also played travel baseball for the Ohio Warhawks where he started to emerge as one of the top players in the 2007 MLB Draft.
While these players are currently dominating the MLB as some of the best baseball players in the world, these players are where they are today because of their dominance in high school and travel baseball.
Written by: Matt Melton
