The much anticipated reveal of the 2026 Main Event rosters is finally upon us, and it features some of the most electric 2027 grads we’ve seen this year who will get the opportunity to play in a once-in-a-lifetime weekend at CHS Field in St. Paul and Target Field in Minneapolis from September 18-20 in the tenth anniversary of our biggest signature event.
The Columbia Blue squad will be captained by FSS veteran out of Sandlot Tulsa, Jax Van Valkenburg, making him the only two-time signature event captain in company history after also earning the honors last year at Globe Life Field at the Underclass Elite. An Arizona State commit, “JVV” will lead a strong squad up north that includes high-octane Power Five commitment arms like Jamie Chipman and Dom Giametta, intriguing uncommitted prospects such as Nick Davis and Harrison Williams and signature event legacy players who’ve earned their own way like Quincy Pratt and Kaden Paris.
Auburn commit Collin Thomas will captain a Team Navy squad that is sure to make this a very intriguing five-game slate at the Triple-A and big league homes of the Minnesota Twins. A skilled, high-energy middle-infielder, Thomas is looking to complete his signature event grand slam with previous appearances in the Fresh 50, Underclass Premier and Underclass Elite and he’ll be at the helm of a talented squad that features more than a few names to keep an eye on; South Carolina commit Joseph Rutledge II, fellow Auburn commit Boston Brown, versatile Alabama commit Harry “Chubb” Jones, Jr. and Arkansas commit catcher CJ Wall are among the players the big-league execs and scouts who make this event destination viewing every year will be watching.
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Since 2003, he has six 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, 13 Stanley Cup Finals, the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NBA Playoffs, the NCAA D1 Men's Basketball Tournament, 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 and motorsports fan, 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.
