It would be hard to forget Chase Valentine, who was one of the more colorful and vocal players both at the 2020 New Balance Baseball Future Stars Series National Combine and then the 2021 Pre-Draft Combine.
The San Diego Padres certainly didn’t forget him either, adding him immediately after the draft as one of the more coveted undrafted free agent signings across the board.
PICK ANALYSIS BY JEREMY BOOTH, CEO AND PRESIDENT OF THE NEW BALANCE BASEBALL FUTURE STARS SERIES: Spark plug player, I’m happy for him that he got a chance. Those type of guys in a bigger draft would have been taken in the 30th round or so, and have a chance to get fight to the big leagues. There’s plenty of stories like that, and he’ll get that chance.”
A nominee for the 2025 NSMA New Jersey Sportswriter of the Year, 43-year-old Mike Ashmore has 24 years experience and nearly 2,000 games covered in professional baseball.
Since 2003, he has covered multiple World Series and has worked high-profile events ranging from the MLB All-Star Game to the World Baseball Classic. In addition to his role working for the Future Stars Series that he's held since 2017, Ashmore currently serves as the beat writer of the Double-A New York Yankees affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, as well as national hockey writer and New York Jets game day beat reporter for The Trentonian.
A regular contributor to Baseball America, Ashmore has worked eight Super Bowls, 12 Stanley Cup Finals, the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NBA Playoffs, College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Frozen Four, Daytona 500, major UFC events and much more as he approaches 3,300 games covered in his career.
An avid trading card enthusiast, he lives with his wife, Sarah, their son, future No. 1 overall draft pick in 2042, William, their beloved dog, Bailey, and occasionally well-behaved cat, Smokey.
Since 2003, he has covered multiple World Series and has worked high-profile events ranging from the MLB All-Star Game to the World Baseball Classic. In addition to his role working for the Future Stars Series that he's held since 2017, Ashmore currently serves as the beat writer of the Double-A New York Yankees affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, as well as national hockey writer and New York Jets game day beat reporter for The Trentonian.
A regular contributor to Baseball America, Ashmore has worked eight Super Bowls, 12 Stanley Cup Finals, the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NBA Playoffs, College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Frozen Four, Daytona 500, major UFC events and much more as he approaches 3,300 games covered in his career.
An avid trading card enthusiast, he lives with his wife, Sarah, their son, future No. 1 overall draft pick in 2042, William, their beloved dog, Bailey, and occasionally well-behaved cat, Smokey.
Latest posts by Mike Ashmore (see all)
- FSS set for Canada Scout Days as league play approaches - April 30, 2026
- Full rosters revealed for April FSS return to the DR - April 21, 2026
- Familiar faces, new names and locations highlight upcoming Dominican Republic event - April 19, 2026
