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The HBCU Swingman Classic has become an annual tribute to the legacy of Black College baseball.
Entering its fourth year, the Major League Baseball-sponsored all-star game, spearheaded by Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., the best 50 current HBCU players from NCAA Division I and II are picked to lead off the league’s all-star weekend in Philadelphia.
Florida A&M will have a quartet playing this Friday, July 10, at Citizens Bank Park: third baseman Jay Campbell, pitcher Caleb Granger, second baseman Will Brown, and pitcher and designated hitter Jackson McKenzie. All four Rattlers were All-Southwestern Athletic Conference honorees for the Orange and Green, and Granger was an All-American during his time on The Highest of Seven Hills.
“I’m just happy for them, because it is an unbelievable experience for our guys,” FAMU head coach Jamey Shouppe told the Tallahassee Democrat. “We’re appreciative that they recognize that we put good players and good people on the field. They come back smiling regardless of the outcome. It’s a showcase game and an all-star game. It’s just a lot of fun.”
Campbell, who transferred to Mercer, and McKenzie, after leaving FAMU for Florida State, will play for the American League team. Brown and Granger, both recent graduates, will play for the National League squad.
It’ll be Campbell and Granger’s second consecutive year participating in the Swingman Classic. In 2025, Campbell took home Most Valuable Player honors.
Former Southern University HBCU baseball star Rickie Weeks manages the American League, while Former Philadelphia Phillies star Jimmy Rollins is over the National League.
“It’s another chance for the young men to be seen by the pro scouts and a celebration of a good season and HBCU baseball,” Shouppe said. “How many chances will you get to play in a big league venue? Some of our guys can say they’ve done that twice now.”
Griffey agrees with Shouppe.
Sure, it’s a chance for current Rattlers to honor the school’s baseball stars of the past, Andre Dawson and Marquis Grissom.
But also a good HBCU Swingman Classic showing can extend a ballplayer’s career into the professional level.
“One day, there’ll be like 20 guys in the Draft,” Griffey told the MLB Network. “And that’s my goal, to have these kids drafted and have them out there having fun and play the game that I love to play and still watch and still admire all these guys out there.”
For example, former FAMU standout Broedy Poppell played in the 2025 Swingman Classic and was drafted in the 13th round three days later by the San Fransicso Giants. The 2026 MLB Draft is from Saturday, July 11, to Sunday, July 12.
“If this is the end of their career, to be able to go out in a big league stadium on a nationally televised game,” Shouppe said. “Couldn’t ask for more than that for those guys for what they’ve given me, FAMU baseball, and this university. Whether they get that again through their careers or not, I don’t know. But I know the four of them will be very happy to be there on July 10 playing.”
Friday’s HBCU Swingman Classic first pitch is at 7 p.m. Eastern Time and will be televised on the MLB Network.
Gerald Thomas, III, is a multi-time national award-winning reporter for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat under the USA TODAY Network.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at [email protected] or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU baseball sends four to HBCU Swingman Classic ahead of MLB Draft
Continue reading...
Entering its fourth year, the Major League Baseball-sponsored all-star game, spearheaded by Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., the best 50 current HBCU players from NCAA Division I and II are picked to lead off the league’s all-star weekend in Philadelphia.
Florida A&M will have a quartet playing this Friday, July 10, at Citizens Bank Park: third baseman Jay Campbell, pitcher Caleb Granger, second baseman Will Brown, and pitcher and designated hitter Jackson McKenzie. All four Rattlers were All-Southwestern Athletic Conference honorees for the Orange and Green, and Granger was an All-American during his time on The Highest of Seven Hills.
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“I’m just happy for them, because it is an unbelievable experience for our guys,” FAMU head coach Jamey Shouppe told the Tallahassee Democrat. “We’re appreciative that they recognize that we put good players and good people on the field. They come back smiling regardless of the outcome. It’s a showcase game and an all-star game. It’s just a lot of fun.”
Campbell, who transferred to Mercer, and McKenzie, after leaving FAMU for Florida State, will play for the American League team. Brown and Granger, both recent graduates, will play for the National League squad.
You must be registered for see images
It’ll be Campbell and Granger’s second consecutive year participating in the Swingman Classic. In 2025, Campbell took home Most Valuable Player honors.
Former Southern University HBCU baseball star Rickie Weeks manages the American League, while Former Philadelphia Phillies star Jimmy Rollins is over the National League.
“It’s another chance for the young men to be seen by the pro scouts and a celebration of a good season and HBCU baseball,” Shouppe said. “How many chances will you get to play in a big league venue? Some of our guys can say they’ve done that twice now.”
Griffey agrees with Shouppe.
Sure, it’s a chance for current Rattlers to honor the school’s baseball stars of the past, Andre Dawson and Marquis Grissom.
But also a good HBCU Swingman Classic showing can extend a ballplayer’s career into the professional level.
“One day, there’ll be like 20 guys in the Draft,” Griffey told the MLB Network. “And that’s my goal, to have these kids drafted and have them out there having fun and play the game that I love to play and still watch and still admire all these guys out there.”
You must be registered for see images attach
For example, former FAMU standout Broedy Poppell played in the 2025 Swingman Classic and was drafted in the 13th round three days later by the San Fransicso Giants. The 2026 MLB Draft is from Saturday, July 11, to Sunday, July 12.
“If this is the end of their career, to be able to go out in a big league stadium on a nationally televised game,” Shouppe said. “Couldn’t ask for more than that for those guys for what they’ve given me, FAMU baseball, and this university. Whether they get that again through their careers or not, I don’t know. But I know the four of them will be very happy to be there on July 10 playing.”
Friday’s HBCU Swingman Classic first pitch is at 7 p.m. Eastern Time and will be televised on the MLB Network.
Gerald Thomas, III, is a multi-time national award-winning reporter for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat under the USA TODAY Network.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at [email protected] or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU baseball sends four to HBCU Swingman Classic ahead of MLB Draft
Continue reading...
