ATLANTA, Ga. — The 2025 MLB All-Star Week festivities will begin Friday night with the third annual HBCU Swingman Classic, as 50 of the top players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities take the field at Truist Park in Cobb County.
Well wishes to the HBCU Swingman Classic participants this evening!! ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/GeNSOGHeGc
— Black College Exp Sports Reporter (@BlackCollegeExp) July 11, 2025
The Swingman Classic, presented by T-Mobile and powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation, showcases players from 17 different HBCUs in an exhibition game at the home of the Atlanta Braves. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. Eastern. The game will air live on MLB Network and stream on MLB.com.
Ken Griffey Jr., who helped launch the Swingman Classic in 2023, once again chaired the selection committee that chose this year’s participants, working alongside MLB, MLBPA officials, and scouts.
Former Atlanta Braves All-Stars David Justice and Brian Jordan return as honorary managers. Justice will coach the American League squad, and Jordan will manage the National League.
Dusty Baker will be on hand for tonight's HBCU Swingman Classic presented by @TMobile in Atlanta!
The baseball legend joins #MLBCentral to talk about the significance of the event.
📺 7pm ET on MLB Network pic.twitter.com/zhCbtb3hjo
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 11, 2025
Bethune-Cookman leads all schools with seven players selected to the Classic. Alabama State, Jackson State, and Southern University each have six. Returning players include catcher Irvin Escobar from Bethune-Cookman, now in his third Swingman Classic, and Alabama State right-hander Jafet Martinez, who returns for the second time.
Among this year’s standout players is Cardell Thibodeaux of Southern, who earned SWAC Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors. Thibodeaux led the country in slugging at .847 and was one of just three HBCU players invited to the 2025 MLB Draft Combine.
Also appearing tonight is Jackson State’s Eric Elliott, the SWAC Pitcher of the Year. The left-hander posted a 2.54 ERA with 108 strikeouts in 13 starts. His 1.33 strikeouts per inning led the conference.
Tonight on @mlbnetwork Network is the HBCU Swingman Classic. Del Matthews from MLB breaks down how 50 of the best players from HBCU's around the country end up on the biggest stage of their careers thus far and how Ken Griffey Jr played a HUGE role in it happening for them. pic.twitter.com/tAwjwlyMMM
— Roy Wood Jr- Ex Jedi (@roywoodjr) July 11, 2025
Bethune-Cookman first baseman Andrey Martinez helped the Wildcats reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017. The SWAC Co-Hitter of the Year tied the school’s single-season home run record with 20 and hit the walk-off homer in the SWAC title game.
Morehouse College junior Elijah Pinckney is the first Division II player to be selected for the Swingman Classic. Pinckney hit .407 with a .599 on-base percentage, struck out only 10 times, and held a .982 fielding percentage.
All-Star Week gets underway tonight with the HBCU Swingman Classic presented by @TMobile at 7pm ET! pic.twitter.com/ags5NfbMZ8
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 11, 2025
The full roster for the game was released during the MLB Draft Combine and is available on MLB.com and NCAA.com.
Some top talent will be on display in Atlanta TONIGHT for the HBCU Swingman Classic presented by @TMobile!
📺 7pm ET on MLB Network pic.twitter.com/JgkmloLGoD
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 11, 2025
Festivities at Truist Park tonight will also include marching band performances, a Divine Nine step show, and postgame fireworks. Dusty Baker, Andre Dawson, Ken Griffey Sr., and Ralph Garr Sr. are expected to be in attendance as honorary VIPs.
The Swingman Classic opens a full weekend of All-Star events across the Atlanta metro area. The All-Star Futures Game and Celebrity Softball Game will be played Saturday at Truist Park. The Home Run Derby X exhibition and the first rounds of the 2025 MLB Draft will be held Sunday. The T-Mobile Home Run Derby is scheduled for Monday night.
The 95th MLB All-Star Game will take place Tuesday, July 15, at Truist Park. Braves players Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, and Chris Sale will represent the National League.
Additional events this weekend include Capital One All-Star Village at the Cobb Galleria Centre, All-Star Restaurant Week across 44 metro-area restaurants, and the All-Star Red Carpet Show on Tuesday afternoon at The Battery.
World Baseball Network will continue to provide full coverage of HBCU players, international participants, and global storylines throughout All-Star Week in Atlanta.
