DREW DAVIES AND MAX STAGG NAMED TO TEAM AUSTRALIA JUNIOR SQUAD

Team Australia has announced a 35-player 2022 National Junior Squad as it ramps up preparations for this year’s WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in the US. On the list are Adelaide Giants' Max Stagg (West Torrens) and Drew Davies (Southern Districts), both of whom hail from South Australia.

The squad includes 11 players from New South Wales, nine from Victoria, seven each from Western Australia and six from Queensland along with a pair of South Australians.

FULL LIST: 2022 National Junior Squad

An eight-player associate list, consisting of players who will be based in the US, has also been named.

Baseball Australia performance pathways and player development general manager Michael Crooks said the selected players had earned their spot and overall Australian baseball was in good shape.

“There was the need for a lot of discussion by the selectors prior to agreeing on this squad,” Crooks said.

“This is a positive for Australian baseball that we are on the right path with our player development philosophies that we have now had in place for 18 months"

“We’re really excited about the character and abilities of this group and can’t wait to get into camp with the selected players later this year as we prepare for the U-18 World Cup.

“Excitingly through Baseball Australia’s partnership with Perfect Game, players will be in camp at their Florida complex for final selection, while those who do not make the final World Cup squad will gain increased opportunity by staying in the US longer, which is a massive win for their development and transition opportunities into college baseball in particular, regardless of whether they make the final team.

“This continues the ethos of the long-term development of our talented players.”

The National Junior Squad, which was selected on the back of last month’s Junior Camp in Canberra, will leave Australia for the US in late August.

Participants will be based at Perfect Game’s Fort Myers facility for a final selection camp.

The final team will then depart for the September 9-18 World Cup in Bradenton and Sarasota.

Players that are not selected for the World Cup squad will stay at Perfect Game’s facility for more recruitment and competition opportunities.