The first three days of the 2023 16U/17U National Team Development Program (NTDP) at the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, were highlighted by exceptional talent and camaraderie on and off the field and a stellar performance by Dean Moss.

Moss, an outfielder/infielder from Hillsborough, California, made a memorable impression on all in attendance at the NTDP starting on the first day of competition on Wednesday, July 26.

The IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) student-athlete kicked things off by going 2-for-2 with a three-run homer in Team Navy’s first game of the week against Team Light Blue.

Moss continued his hot streak on day two of the development program, scoring once, recording a hit and driving in a run by drawing a bases-loaded walk in the sixth.

The Vanderbilt University commit is both a Team USA and USA Baseball Developmental Program alumnus, winning gold in international competition as a member of the 2018 12U National Team and attending the 2019 13U Athlete Development Program (ADP).

Moss talked to USA Baseball about his performance at NTDP and experiences with USA Baseball ahead of Team Navy’s second game of the week:

Q: What do you think of your performance on day one of NTDP and what’s been working for you at the plate this week?

A: “I think it was a good performance for me. It was good for confidence. At the plate I was getting my pitch, trying to lay off the slider and trying to get the fastball where I wanted it. I got it there so I executed.”

Q: What do you focus on when developing your approach and swing?

A: “In terms of approach, I just try to stay within myself, be myself and get the fastball that I want. I try not to swing at change-ups and get pitches I can do damage with. Then for my swing, I just try to stay short and get to fast balls that I can get to.”

Q: You were a member of the 2018 12U National Team which won gold at the COPABE U-12 Pan-American Championships. What was that experience like for you?

A: “It was a really cool experience. I was really young so it was good for me to get that experience early and learn what Team USA is all about. It set the tone for my relationship with USA Baseball.”

Q: You also attended the 2019 13U ADP, how did that program help you to develop as a player?

A: “These programs help you develop a lot because you’re playing with the best players in the country and you have to play at that level or you’re not going to be able to compete. I think it’s cool to be out here.”

Q: What has it been like to come to the National Training Complex and play with and against the top talent in your age group?

A: “It’s really cool this week seeing all the people from around the country that I know. It’s fun seeing them again and competing with them.”

Q: What has it been like playing against some of your current and former teammates from Team USA and travel baseball?

A: “It’s fun. I faced Vaughn yesterday so that was fun. He walked me so it’s going to be even, we got to talk about it. It’s cool to learn from them, like what they tried to throw at me and what I could’ve done better and what they could’ve done better and feed off that information.”

Q: What are your goals for the week?

A: “Just pick up information from all these coaches. They’re really experienced in the game and it’s really cool to be able to be out here with all these coaches. There’s so many of them and they’re so experienced. I think the goal is just to play to the level I know I can and pick their brains.”