Former U-18 Teammates Reunite as MLB All-Stars
Back in 2018, they formed a Dream Team, a group of extraordinarily talented teenagers who clinched gold for Team USA at the COPABE U-18 Pan-American Championships.
On Tuesday night in Arlington, CJ Abrams from Washington, Riley Greene from Detroit, and Bobby Witt Jr. from Kansas City will reunite as All-Stars at the 94th Midsummer Classic.
“It’s special,” remarked Witt. “That team we had in 2018 was incredible.”
Joining this trio of first-time All-Stars from the 2018 Pan-Am squad are other standout players like Corbin Carroll, who became a 2023 All-Star and NL Rookie of the Year, Anthony Volpe, recipient of the 2023 AL Gold Glove Award, and future first-round draft picks Dylan Crews, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Drew Romo. Jack Leiter, another future first-round pick, secured the win as pitcher in the gold medal game.
“It was just a team of really, really good players, one after the other,” Greene recalled.
Their dominance was evident with a flawless 9-0 record, outscoring opponents 131-27 and boasting an average margin of victory in double digits. Collectively, they slashed an impressive .407/.517/.683.
In the championship game against host Panama, Witt achieved a cycle, earning him tournament MVP honors. He batted .576 with 3 doubles, 3 triples, 3 home runs, and 18 RBIs in 9 games.
“Everyone was determined to win,” Witt reflected. “That’s what I remember most. It was a lot of fun.”
With such depth in talent, natural shortstops like Abrams and Volpe had to adapt to center field and second base, respectively.
“We didn’t realize how good we were until we started playing together,” Greene admitted.
Their coach, Jack Leggett, saw their potential early on. “I saw this coming when these kids played for us in Panama,” Leggett remarked. “They were exceptional athletes and great individuals. I knew they had bright futures ahead.”
Upon learning of their All-Star selections, Leggett reached out to congratulate Abrams, Greene, and Witt.
“I’m proud of them,” said Leggett, a three-time ACC Coach of the Year with six College World Series appearances. “I knew they had what it takes. They just need to keep working hard and pushing forward.”
Leggett remembers each player vividly from their time together in 2018.
“CJ was willing to do anything for the team,” Leggett recalled. “He set the table for us, always with a smile and a great teammate.”
“Riley was an incredibly polished hitter for his age,” Leggett continued. “I remember him hitting a home run to left-center field and thinking, ‘Wow, that’s impressive,’ especially with wooden bats.”
“And Bobby,” Leggett praised, “he’s an all-around talent with a tremendous work ethic. He’s destined to be a franchise player. The Royals are lucky to have him.”
Now in their early twenties, these All-Stars fondly recall their time together in 2018. Witt remembers practicing ground balls in a Panama parking lot, Abrams recalls teammate Corbin Carroll doing homework in their hotel room, and Greene cherishes the memories of their gold medal victory.
“That was the pinnacle for me,” Greene shared. “Playing for Team USA and winning gold—it doesn’t get better than that.”
Abrams concurred, “Winning the gold medal was definitely the highlight.”
“To see all of us here at this level is special,” Witt added.
Now, at the highest level of baseball, they prepare to showcase their talents once more as All-Stars.
“I’ll be watching the game with pride,” Leggett said from his home in Greenville, SC. “These kids have worked hard for this moment. Even those not here today will get their chance.”
Greene has one additional task on his All-Star checklist, prompted by a text from Leggett.
“He asked CJ, Bobby, and me to take a picture together and send it to him,” Greene chuckled. “We’ll have to make sure we get that done for him.”
