​Reuben, Arkansas—Three baseball players from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff have earned spots on one of the sport’s premier stages. Jalen Porter, Aaron Grant, and Kenney Fabian were selected to compete in the fourth annual HBCU Swingman Classic, an event created by Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. that showcases the top 50 Division I HBCU baseball talents.
“Happy for my family and me. We shared the moment together,” Porter said, reflecting on the moment of selection. Fabian admitted a touch of surprise, noting, “Kinda surprised I got it because this year I didn’t feel like I did as good as I did last year. But when I saw that I was selected for it and everybody’s congratulating me, it really’s special.” For these players, the invitation represents the kind of honor their younger selves could scarcely imagine.
“If he were here, he would be happy for me too,” Porter said, thinking about the younger version of himself. “I feel like he would forget quickly because the younger me had a bad memory. But he’d be ecstatic.” Fabian shared a similar sentiment, reminiscing about his dream. “The little Kenny wanted to be part of a Division I team and also make it to the MLB, which I hope we can achieve. I think he’d be really happy that I’m here right now.”
Beyond the thrill of selection, head coach Logan Stout views the Swingman Classic as a culmination of the players’ hard work and perseverance. “I hope they have fun. It’s such an amazing venue and an amazing event,” Stout said. “Ultimately, I just hope they will be themselves. We always tell our players: just be yourself. Everybody else is already taken. Have fun, go do you.”
For Porter and Fabian, “fun” also means soaking in every moment of the experience. Porter looked forward to meeting the game’s legends, describing it as “fun.” Fabian expressed eagerness to share the stage with teammates one more time, especially since it will be a final opportunity for him and Porter to play together.
The HBCU Swingman Classic is scheduled to be held at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, with first pitch at 6 p.m. Central Time. This event brings together some of the best Division I HBCU talent and provides a platform for players to showcase their abilities to scouts and fans alike.
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