Jacob Miller competing in World Cup Qualifier in Aguascalientes, Mexico
FLOWER MOUND, Texas – Earlier this month, USA Baseball finalized the 12U National Team roster that will compete in the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-12 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier. The final 18-man roster was selected following three days of Training Camp and are currently in Aguascalientes, Mexico, to participate in the nine-team tournament which started Friday, May 19 and will take place through Sunday, May 28.
With a top-four finish in the qualifier, Team USA would secure its spot in this summer’s WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup from July 28-Aug. 6 in Tainan, Taiwan. The U.S. is currently the defending world champion after winning gold at last summer’s tournament with an unbeaten 9-0 record.
“All 24 athletes who competed at Training Camp displayed great talent and character,” 12U National Team Manager David Sharp told USA Baseball media relations. “Deciding a final roster is always a difficult task, but we feel that the 18 athletes who we have selected to travel to Mexico will represent the United States well both on and off the field. We look forward to competing against some of the best baseball nations in the world.”
Seven players on the roster were originally identified at the 2022 National Team Identification Series (NTIS) Champions Cup in Cary, North Carolina. Those players all came through USA Baseball’s NTIS, which is the organization’s most comprehensive player identification process spanning all six regions of the United States. In addition, seven different states are represented on the 18-man roster. California leads all states with seven representatives on the team, which includes Jacob Miller of Temecula.
The complete 2023 12U National Team Roster is: Colton Byrnes; INF/C/RHP; Truckee, Calif. – Tyler Early; INF/LHP; Ferriday, La. – Kingston George; OF/RHP; Gunter, Texas – Ty Glaus; INF; Del Mar, Calif. – Nathan Handley-White; RHP/INF; Bradenton, Fla. – Omar Henriquez; INF; New Milford, N.J. – Leyland Henry; INF; Houston, Texas – Zaylon Johnson; INF/RHP; Stonewall, La. – Bryant Ju; C/INF; Cerritos, Calif. – Cooper Knight; OF/LHP; Buda, Texas – Jesse Maddox; LHP/OF; San Diego, Calif. – Maddox McBryde; RHP/C; Tomball, Texas – Jacob Miller; RHP/INF; Temecula, Calif. – Michael Ohman; LHP; South San Francisco, Calif. – Jett Schoolcraft; OF/LHP; Beaverton, Ore. – Ryder Serna; INF; Redlands, Calif. – Boston Targac; C/INF; Flatonia, Texas – Greyson Wuis; INF; Kalamazoo, Mich.
Three-time Team USA coach and world champion manager David Sharp will lead the 12U National Team at the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier. Sharp is making his second appearance on staff as manager after he led the stars and stripes to a gold medal at the 2017 WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup. Sharp, who was named the 2017 USA Baseball Developmental Coach of the Year following the 12U National Team’s gold-medal run, also served as an assistant for the program in 2015 and 2016. The former Huntsville (Alabama) High School Head Coach is currently the Deep South Supervisor for Prep Baseball Report Alabama.
The 12U National Team has won five gold medals in international competitions, most recently winning gold at the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup in 2022. Additionally, the U.S. has medaled in all three WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifiers it has competed in, earning silver medals in 2014 and 2016 before capturing gold in 2018. Overall; the 12U National Team owns a 23-4 all-time record at WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifiers.
In their first game against Brazil (Friday, May 19), the pitching trio of Jacob Miller, Cooper Knight and Michael Ohman combined for eight strikeouts and no hits while allowing just one run. Team USA won that game 16-1. As the tournament wrapped up, Miller and Team USA went on to claim gold and that story will be posted online as details come in.
To follow Jacob and Team USA, visit www.USABaseball.com for the most up-to-date information or follow @USABaseball and @USABaseball12U on Twitter.
JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com. USA Baseball information provided by Alex Nash, Director of Social Media.
