HBCU Swingman Classic 2025
Returning for its third year, The HBCU Swingman Classic brings together top players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to compete under the national spotlight during MLB’s All-Star Week. This annual event isn’t just about competition; it’s about legacy. It’s about access, opportunity, and pride. It’s about proving that HBCU athletes belong on the biggest stages, in front of scouts, fans, and media with pride and purpose.
A premier showcase that has become more than just a baseball game—it’s a movement. Thanks to the vision of baseball legend Ken Griffey Jr., the leadership of MLB Development, and the talent of student-athletes like Elijah Pinckney, the Classic continues to carve out a historic place at the intersection of sports, culture, and education.
The world is watching, and these young men are ready.
For MLB Network commentator and former player Harold Reynolds, who’s returned for his third consecutive year, the Classic is personal. “The event is incredible, and to have it in Atlanta, where you have so many historically Black colleges—I think it’s gonna be the best one yet. I wouldn’t miss it,”
Reynolds said. “The main purpose is to give some of these young men the opportunity to be seen who probably would not be. That’s what we’ve always been about.”
More than just a game, the Swingman Classic is a platform for growth, both professional and personal. “I want them to walk away thinking, that really stirred something in my spirit,” Reynolds added. “The world is bigger than your neighborhood…bigger than baseball. Eventually, you have to figure out where you’re going in life, and I hope this is one of those types of experiences for them.”
MLB’s Senior Vice President of Baseball Development, Del Matthews, believes the Classic is a necessary step toward equity in the game. “A lot of HBCU programs don’t have the same resources as baseball programs at PWIs,” Matthews explained. “So when they get a chance to play at better facilities, on the same stage, they can showcase their abilities and skills.”
Now in its third year, the event’s success has only grown, due in large part to a dedicated team and Griffey Jr.’s vision. “We take a great deal of pride in this and will continue to give underserved kids an opportunity to play baseball,” Matthews said.
This opportunity is magnified by the pride and resilience rooted in the HBCU experience. “When you go to an HBCU, you’re always trying to prove that you’re just as good,” Matthews said. “That chip on your shoulder, that pride—we distinguish ourselves. This event lets these young men come to baseball’s jewel event of the summer and feel like All-Stars.”
Among this year’s standouts is Elijah Pinckney, a shortstop from Morehouse College and the first Division II player to compete in the Classic. “It’s super cool, I’m super grateful for the opportunity,” he said, speaking after practice. “But I always keep a level head, always humble, like I am off the field. I’m just willing to go out here and play.”
Pinckney, who also received the Impact Award for his character and leadership, described the moment he was selected as surreal. “Being able to represent as a Morehouse Man is even better,” he said. Morehouse, he emphasized, has shaped him far beyond baseball. “I saw all the exemplary seniors going into the world, and I thought, I can be more than a baseball player. I took that to heart. Morehouse has developed me academically, professionally, personally, and of course athletically.”