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SAN DIEGO – The first two members of the 2016 Perfect Game All-American Classic were revealed on Tuesday, June 28, as part of a press conference at Petco Park prior to the San Diego Padres game against the Baltimore Orioles.
San Diego native Nick Allen, a shortstop, and righthanded pitcher Kyle Hurt of nearby Rancho Santa Fe were on hand as part of the announcement, the first two (of 50) players recognized to take part in the 14th annual Perfect Game All-American Classic. The 2016 event will mark the eighth consecutive year that the Classic is played at the home ballpark of the Padres.
The full rosters will be released on Wednesday, July 13 as part of an exclusive online broadcast on MLB.com in conjunction with Major League Baseball’s Fan Fest – also being held in San Diego this year – at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Also on June 28 Washington Nationals righthanded pitcher Lucas Giolito, a member of the 2011 Perfect Game All-American Classic, made his big league debut, becoming the 124th former Classic participant to do so. Nine of the first 15 overall picks from the 2015 MLB Draft were former Classic participants, including the No. 1 overall pick, Mickey Moniak, who attended the event in 2015. Moniak is the eighth former PG All-American to go first overall in the draft, and in total 180 players from the Classic have been selected in the first round of the draft since the event’s inception in 2003.
Proceeds of the Perfect Game All-American Classic go to support research efforts for pediatric cancer and over $900,000 has been raised in hopes of finding a cure. All of the Classic participants are presented with the opportunity to conduct an individual, online fundraiser to help support Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego.