Two Texas prospects, Drake Hawpe of Argyle and Sebastian Castillo of Justin, have earned spots on the USA Baseball U18 National Team that will compete in the WBSC U18 Pan American Championship in the Dominican Republic.
A Talent‑Rich Squad
The tournament runs from October 22 to 29 in Santo Domingo, and its results will determine qualification for the 2027 WBSC U18 Baseball World Cup scheduled for Pingtan, China.
Both players have committed to LSU after graduating in May 2027, but they are using this exposure to attract the attention of MLB scouts ahead of the 2027 draft.
USA Baseball, the sport’s national governing body founded in 1978, organized a series of training camps that began with 88 candidates and narrowed the field through multiple phases.
Former MLB pitcher Sam Freeman, who previously threw for the Texas Rangers and at the University of Kansas, worked with the prospects during the camps.
The team’s schedule includes group play against Brazil, Curaçao and the Dominican Republic, with the objective of capturing a gold medal.
Among the alumni of the development pipeline, Grady Emerson, a former Argyle High School shortstop drafted second overall, signed with the Tampa Bay Rays in July, illustrating the pathway from high school to professional baseball.