DURHAM, N.C. -- USA Baseball announced the final 40-man roster for the 2017 17U National Team Development Program (NTDP) on Monday, following the conclusion of the 17U National Team Championships in Arizona and Florida. The weeklong 17U National Team Development Program will be held in Chicago, Ill., from July 22-29.
The National Team Development Program offers identified athletes an opportunity to connect with USA Baseball staff to better prepare for a future national team experience. The program includes skill development sessions, off-field education seminars and intrasquad Stars vs. Stripes games to assist in the development of the athletes as a person and a player.
Nine of the 40 invitees are alumni of the 2016 15U National Team that won the silver medal at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-15 World Cup in Japan, and two invitees won a gold medal with the 2015 15U National Team at the COPABE Pan Am "AA" Championships in Aguascalientes, Mexico.
In total, twelve USA Baseball alumni will participate in this year's 17U NTDP, including three members of the inaugural USA Baseball 2013 12U National Team that won the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) World Championship in Taipei City, Tiapei.
Overall, eight of the invited athletes have participated in the USA Baseball National Team Development Program previously, including two athletes returning to the 17U NTDP for the second consecutive year.
2010 USA Baseball Rod Dedeaux Coach of the Year, Eric Kibler, has been selected to lead the staff as the field coordinator for the second consecutive year and fourth time overall.
Jeff Kunkel and 2017 18U National Team assistant coach Gregg Ritchie will join Kibler as additional evaluators.
Players are selected for the National Team Development Program based on their participation and performance at USA Baseball events. Recommendations from professional scouts, USA Baseball task force members and collegiate, high school and youth coaches at USA Baseball events play a role in the selection process for the National Team Development Program.
The USA Baseball National Team Championships in Arizona and Florida serve as the primary identification event for the National Team Development Programs.
For more information on the National Team Development Program please visit USABaseball.com.
The roster for the 17U National Team Development Program is as follows:
Name; Position; Hometown
CJ Abrams; IF; Alpharetta, Ga.
*^Matthew Allan; RHP; Sanford, Fla.
Isaiah Bennett; RHP; Fayetteville, N.C.
Cooper Benson; LHP; San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Jason Brandow; OF; Napa, Calif.
*Coleman Brigman; OF; San Jose, Calif.
Charles Burroughs; C; Mechanicsville, Md.
*Christian Cairo; IF; Clearwater, Fla.
Michael Carpentier; C; Highland, Cailf.
Dylan Carter; OF; Flower Mound, Texas (added July 5, 2017)
*^Joseph Charles; RHP; Celebration, Fla.
Nolan Crisp; RHP; McDonough, Ga.
Raynel Delgado; IF; Miami Lakes, Fla.
*Cade Doughty; IF/OF; Denham Springs, La.
^Riley Greene; OF; Oviedo, Fla. (no longer attending)
^Joshua Hahn; LHP; Huntington Beach, Calif.
Ethan Hearn; C; Mobile, Ala.
Rece Hinds; IF; Niceville, Fla.
^Jake Holland; C; Miramar, Fla.
Spencer Jones; LHP; Encinitas, Calif.
Dutch Landis; RHP; Henderson, Nev.
Grant Leader; RHP; La Grange Park , Ill.
Michael Limoncelli; IF; Elmira, N.Y.
*Zachary Martinez; RHP; Peoria, Ariz.
Victor Mederos; RHP; Miami, Fla.
Ian Mejia; RHP; Sahuarita , Ariz.
*^Joseph Naranjo; LHP/IF; Chino, Calif.
Conagher Sands; IF; Bakersfield , Calif.
*Wesley Scott; RHP; Riverside, Calif.
Blake Shapen; IF; Shreveport, La.
Sam Siani; OF; Glenside, Pa.
Jamir Simpson; OF; Evansville, Ind.
Josh Spiegel; C; Jeannette , Pa.
Matthew Thompson; RHP; Cypress, Texas
*Anthony Volpe; IF; Watchung, N.J.
*Brandon Walker; RHP; Tallahassee, Fla.
Stephen Wilmer; OF; Sarasota , Fla.
Bobby Witt, Jr.; IF; Colleyville, Texas
*^Nate Wohlgemuth; RHP; Owasso, Okla.
Jaden Woodson; IF/OF; Dallas, Texas
*^Carter Young; IF/C; Selah, Wash.
*National Team Alumnus
^National Team Development Program Participant