A Program That Goes Beyond the Diamond
Since its launch in 2014, the Arizona Diamondbacks have cultivated an educational pipeline that reaches far beyond the ballpark. Designed for international prospects, the program blends language training, academic coursework, and practical life‑skill workshops to smooth the transition from the Dominican Republic and other Latin American nations to the United States.
Three core pillars structure the effort. The language program delivers two and a half hours of English classes each week, the academic track guides players toward a high‑school‑level diploma, and the life‑skills component, overseen by Stalin Pérez, offers guidance on personal finance, health, and everyday responsibilities.
Joey Dziedzic, the Diamondbacks’ education coordinator, coordinates the initiative alongside Mariana Patraca and a binational staff of at least ten instructors and coordinators. Their work begins at the Diamondbacks Dominican Academy in Boca Chica, where prospects train before traveling to Arizona for the full program.
Prospects such as Gian Zapata, Gregori Ramírez, and Adriel Radney illustrate the program’s impact. Zapata completed the curriculum in 2024 and continues refining his English, while Ramírez, a 2022 graduate, credits Pérez’s sessions with shaping his approach to adulthood in a new country. Radney, part of the record‑setting 2025 class of 33 graduates, was surprised by the depth of the organization’s educational commitment.
The program’s growth is evident in its graduation statistics. Where the inaugural class in 2014 comprised only four players, the 2025 cohort swelled to 33, the largest in Diamondbacks history. Many of these alumni now appear on the major‑league roster, underscoring the pipeline’s role in strengthening the team’s depth and diversity.
Looking Ahead
With a expanding roster of instructors and a proven model, the Diamondbacks aim to broaden the program’s reach while maintaining its focus on holistic development. The initiative not only prepares players for the rigors of professional baseball but also equips them with tools to thrive in their new communities, ensuring that talent and character grow in tandem.