2025 HBCU Swingman Classic Rosters Revealed

Originally posted on HBCUs on SI | By Kyle Mosley | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 10:19 AM ET

The third annual HBCU Swingman Classic, presented by T-Mobile and powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation, will feature the most promising HBCU baseball all-stars ready for the professional leagues.

Harold Reynolds, joined by special guest Reggie Waller, a Major League Baseball consultant and experienced scout, interviewed Cardell Thibodeaux, the SWAC Player of the Year outfielder from Southern University.

"It's a dream come true," Cardell Thibodeaux told Reynolds and Waller. "We always like to be seen by the right guys and just have a lot of fun. At the end of the day, we all love to play the game, love to play the game the right way. So, it's a dream."

The rosters for the 2025 HBCU Swingman Classic are here!

Cardell Thibodeaux of Southern University and MLBPA consultant Reggie Waller joined Harold to preview this year's event and the importance it plays within baseball. pic.twitter.com/MxBeENnZvZ
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) June 17, 2025

Ken Griffey Jr.'s vision for this season's event features a star-studded guest list of legends, including Dusty Baker, Ralph Garr, and Andre Dawson.

Last season, the American League team defeated the National League, 5-4, after a dramatic ninth-inning rally was stopped.

The 2025 teams were announced by Major League Baseball (MLB) on Tuesday. 50 HBCU baseball players will participate in Ken Griffey Jr.'s annual event at 6:00 PM ET from Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Canyon Brown, who primarily played catcher for the Aggies, showcased his prowess with a .310 batting average, 5 HR, 49 RBI, 12 doubles, and three triples. He's a native of Ormond Beach who attended Seabreeze High School in Florida. Brown is 6-1 and 190 pounds.

With the 257th pick of the 2024 @MLB draft, the @Royals select Canyon Brown of @NCAT_Baseball ‼️‼️‼️ Congratulations, @CanyonBBaseball!!! #AggiePride pic.twitter.com/dTa2kUGWaw
— N.C. A&T Athletics (@NCATAGGIES) July 15, 2024

For the past several seasons, HBCU programs have been gaining recognition for producing talented athletes for professional baseball. With only two players selected, optimism remains for more student-athletes to be drafted, highlighted by events like the HBCU Swingman Classic hosted by Ken Griffey Jr.

This article first appeared on HBCUs on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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