Baseball season might be over in the Texas Panhandle, but one Wellington senior will get the chance to play another game on the diamond before his high school career ends.
Florentino “TJ” Salinas, an infielder for the Skyrockets, was recently selected to participate in the 4th Annual Native American All-Star Baseball Showcase hosted by the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park from June 21-22. Salinas is one of 50 high school baseball players around the nation invited to participate in the event, and is joined by two other athletes from the Lone Star State.
According to a press release from the organization, the showcase, “highlights Native American high school baseball players who aspire to play the game at the next level.”
The first day of the event will feature a “pro-style workout” that includes defensive work, fielding, throwing, and catcher pop times. Additionally, a handful of athletes will earn spots in a home-run derby during batting practice.
The next day, athletes will be divided into two teams for a “showcase game”, where they will be coached by former MLB players. The game will include live data from one of the industry’s leading baseball analytics services, and showcase participants will get to speak with college coaches, MLB scouts and former professional baseball players.
Salinas also participated in the Native American Athletic Foundation’s High School Football All-Star Game at the Ford Center in Frisco on Jan. 7. The Wellington star was one of 60 athletes from around the country selected to compete in the event.
At the start of the high school baseball season, Salinas was honored on the Amarillo Globe-News’ “Kings of the Diamond” list, featuring 33 players to watch heading into the 2025 campaign.
Salinas graduated from Wellington High School in May and is a member of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Wellington’s Salinas selected to Atlanta Braves Native American All-Star Baseball Showcase
Reporting by Randall Sweet, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
