
Hank Aaron Invitational
The Hank Aaron Invitational, powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation (YDF) in partnership with USA Baseball, is the premier diversity-focused baseball development experience for high school-age baseball players in the United States. Major League Baseball and the Players Association co-operate the event. The unique amateur development event aims to get high school-age players, with diverse backgrounds, to the next levels of the game. Every year 200-250 select participants have an unforgettable experience at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex (JRTC) in Vero Beach, Florida. Participants receive training, instruction and mentoring from former Major League Players, coaches and baseball executives. The invitational includes special guest presentations and addresses, including YDF’s Ambassador and Hall of Famer Ken Griffey, Jr., Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred, and Executive Director of the MLBPA Tony Clark. The best 44 players – a nod to the legendary Hank Aaron’s uniform number – from the second week of the Hank Aaron Invitational are selected to play in a special showcase game at a Major League park and participate in a weekend of cultural activities.
Over the last five MLB Drafts, more than 55 alumni of this event have been selected, including 1st round picks Dillon Head (Padres), George Lombard (Yankees), Termarr Johnson (Pirates), Elijah Green (Nationals), Justin Crawford (Phillies), and Cam Collier (Reds).
There are more than 200 alumni of the program that are playing baseball professionally in Minor League systems or in college.
For any questions, please email [email protected].
Former MLB & MiLB players that have coached at HAI
- Luis Alicea
- Garvin Alston
- Marlon Anderson
- Fernando Arroyo
- Dusty Baker
- Willie Banks
- Michael Bourn
- Homer Bush
- John Cangelosi
- Endy Chavez
- Lou Collier
- Eric Davis
- Mike Davis
- Delino DeShields
- Bob Didier
- Courtney Duncan
- Mike Easler
- Cecil Fielder
- George Foster
- Marvin Freeman
- David Gallagher
- Wayne Gomes
- Tom Gordon
- Tom Gregorio
- Ken Griffey Sr.
- Antonio Grissom
- Marquis Grissom
- Edwards Guzman
- Chris Gwynn
- Mickey Hatcher
- LaTroy Hawkins
- Ken Hill
- Dwayne Hosey
- Trenidad Hubbard
- Brian Hunter
- Ron Jackson
- Charles Johnson
- Howie Kendrick
- Stan Kyles
- Ken Landreaux
- Leon Lee
- Pat Mahomes
- Anthony Manuel
- Jerry Manuel
- Gary Matthews, Sr.
- Fred McGriff
- Darrell Miller
- Reid Nichols
- Darren Oliver
- Dan Ortero
- Rob Picciolo
- Bo Porter
- Jamie Quirk
- Bobby Ramos
- Willie Randolph
- Jeff Reboulet
- Jerry Royster
- Juan Samuel
- Sergio Santos
- Robert Sasser
- Mike Scioscia
- Dwight Smith
- Lee Smith
- Reggie Smith
- Chris Speier
- Junior Spivey
- Lester Strode
- Michael Tucker
- Tye Waller
- Keronn Walker
- Lenny Webster
- Jemile Weeks
- Reggie Williams
- Maury Wills
- Dmitri Young
2023 HAI Highlights
























HAI in the News
- August 4, 2023: Former MLB stars coach, mentor players at Hank Aaron Invitational baseball camp
- August 3, 2023: The 2023 Hank Aaron Invitational ends a busy Hank Aaron Week
- August 3, 2023: Fort Myers' Madrid Tucker participates in Hank Aaron Invitational
- August 2, 2023: How Hank Aaron Invitational Inspires Next Generation Of Diverse Baseball Players
- July 31, 2023: Aaron Invitational game a 'blessing' for 44 high school stars
- July 29, 2023: Players learn about mental health at Hank Aaron Invitational
- July 29, 2023: High schoolers experience 'Cultural Day' as part of Hank Aaron Week
- July 28, 2023: Rosters announced for the Hank Aaron Invitational Showcase hosted at Truist Park on Sunday, July 30th
- July 28, 2023: Truist Park helping baseball fans keep cool this weekend
- July 28, 2023: Atlanta Braves draft Isaiah Drake, putting spotlight on growing wave of African-American baseball players
- July 23, 2023: Hank Aaron Invitational developing players of all backgrounds
- July 21, 2023: Former big leaguers imparting wisdom at Hank Aaron Invitational
- July 20, 2023: Future on display at Hank Aaron Invitational
- July 19, 2023: Atlanta Braves giving back for Hank Aaron Week
- August 12, 2022: Athlete of the Week: Josh Bell (OrangeObserver.com)
- August 11, 2022: The state of Black baseball slowly shifting from acceptance to belonging (Andscape)
- August 11, 2022: A Rose in bloom: Brother Rice’s Zion Rose highlights ‘honestly amazing’ summer with RBI double and triple at Dodger Stadium (Chicago Tribune)
- August 10, 2022: 4 of the top 5 picks in this year’s MLB draft were Black - the result of minority development and other grassroots programs (Chicago Tribune)
- August 6, 2022: Gracia caps big baseball year by playing in Hank Aaron Invitational in Atlanta (Shore Sports Network)
- August 2, 2022: Palmetto's Trey Lawrence shines at Hank Aaron Invitational Showcase (Herald Tribune)
- August 1, 2022: Third annual MLB Hank Aaron Invitational brings 250 high school baseball players of diverse backgrounds to showcase their talent (Black Enterprise)
- July 28, 2022: 'A dream come true': Legends impart lessons at Hank Aaron Invitational (MLB.com)
- July 26, 2022: Hank Aaron Invitational cultivating leadership behind plate (MLB.com)
- July 23, 2022: MLB Tour players show off at the Hank Aaron Invitational (MLB.com)
- July 22, 2022: Lessons go beyond the diamond at Aaron Invitational (MLB.com)