DURHAM, N.C. - USA Baseball invited 18 players from the 2019 14U National Team Development Program (NTDP) to the 15U National Team Trials on Wednesday, finalizing the 72-man trials roster for 2019. Phase I of 15U Trials will begin July 25 at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina.
The 18 athletes selected from the 14U NTDP will join 54 additional athletes that received invitations to the 15U Trials following the 2018 14U National Team Identification Series, 2018 14U NTDP and the 2019 National Team Championships in Arizona and Florida. Phase II of 15U Trials will begin on July 29 and will feature 34 athletes vying for a spot on the final 20-man national team roster.
The 2019 15U National Team will then train in Houston, Texas, from September 6-10 before traveling to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, for the COPABE U-15 Pan-American Championships.
"We are excited to welcome a group of tremendously talented athletes from our 14U National Team Development Program to the 15U National Team Trials," said Ashley Bratcher, Senior Director of Baseball Operations at USA Baseball. "Each one of these young men proved to be high-character individuals on and off the field and will push to earn a spot on the 15U National Team during trials.
"It is now our goal to identify the top twenty baseball players to represent USA Baseball in the U-15 Pan-American Championships in Mexico and compete for a fourth consecutive gold medal in that event. The 15U National Team coaching staff is eager to begin."
With the addition of the 18 athletes from the 14U NTDP, a total of 18 USA Baseball national team alumni will compete for the chance to wear the red, white and blue once again. Additionally, 34 of the 72 athletes have previously participated in the National Team Development Program, furthering its success in preparing athletes for future national team opportunities.
Former 15U National Team assistant coach and 14U NTDP field coordinator Troy Cameron was named the manager of the 15U National Team in May and will look to lead Team USA to a fourth straight gold medal at the COPABE U-15 Pan-American Championships (2013, 2015, 2017). He is joined on staff by pitching coach Rob Shabansky, and assistant coaches Manny Crespo and Jared Halpert.
For more information on the 15U National Team and the selection process, please visit USABaseball.com or follow along on Twitter, at @USABaseball15U.
2019 USA Baseball 15U National Team Trials Roster:
(Name; Position; Hometown)

*National Team Alumnus
^National Team Development Program Participant