PHOENIX — The future of both the MLB and the NBA was on display in the Valley this week with the MLB Draft Combine and the Section 7 basketball showcase bringing the nation's most talented high school athletes to the valley.
Big events like these give young players an opportunity to show out in front of college coaches like Arizona State’s Bobby Hurley.
“I think it's a great event just because the access to all these games and just how it's put together and how efficiently it's run,” Hurley said. “As coaches, you like to see players with their high school team and just see how they play in that environment.”
The hardwood at State Farm Stadium wasn’t the only event where top prospects had a chance to get noticed this week in Arizona. For the second consecutive year, Chase Field hosted executives and scouts from all 30 MLB teams for the MLB Draft Combine. While many people might consider avoiding Phoenix in June when temperatures are well into the 100s, MLB Senior Director of On-Field Operations Dan Otero says the access and resources here in the Valley are ideal for the league.
“We have a lot of spring training teams here so it's a lot of good relationships we have in the area,” Otero said. “And the Diamondbacks are just such a great host, we’ve seen that last year and this year.”
Potential big leaguers from the prep and collegiate levels spent the week participating in on-field workouts and interviewing with MLB teams. For Mountain Ridge High School product and University of Arizona commit Smith Bailey, having this event in his own backyard gives him a platform to represent our homegrown athletes.
The pitcher out of Peoria made some noise at the High School Showcase after striking out the side on 11 pitches in a dominant outing one month before the MLB Draft.
“It's kind of a surreal feeling because I didn't really expect it, to be honest with you. I just came out and tried to compete and didn't try to throw too hard. I just tried to throw strikes and I just focus on control pretty much,” Bailey said. “One of the USA coaches walked out, and he was like, ‘You made some money there!’ It kind of just sat in for me there and it was a really cool moment. I'm gonna remember that for the rest of my life.”
Follow the conversation with Lina Washington on X and Instagram: @LWashingtonTV. If you have a sports story idea, email Lina at LWashington@12News.com.
Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to four major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events every year, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.
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