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EXCLUSIVE: Dick’s Perfect Game All-American Classic will not only have star power on the field this year, but also star power in Dugouts.
Baseball Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman and former San Diego Padre’s All-Star Ryan Klessko will serve as leaders for the game, learned Pakinomist Digital Exclecusive Tuesday.
Perfect Game’s All-American Classic has the top 60 baseball players in high school across North America and gives them a platform to show their talents on a national stage. This year, the nation’s top high school players are competing in Petco Park, home to San Diego Padres, August 17.
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Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman is introduced under the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Clark Sports Center on July 24, 2022 in Cooperstown, New York. (Gregory Fisher -usa Today Sports)
The Allamerican classic debuted in 2003, and since its inception has played some of the biggest names in the Major League Baseball Play in the event. Bryce Harper, Gunnar Henderson, Bobby Witt. JR, Gerrit Cole and Francisco Lindor are among the star players who have played in the game over the years.
Of the 1,126 players who participated in the event for the past 22 years, 850 were drafted and 293 players went in the first round.
Hoffman, who has the second most saving in the MLB story (601), has been involved in the event for over a decade and has served as the game’s honorary chair. Padre’s Great said he is excited to be in dugout and interact with the country’s top high school players.
“I think it’s the biggest opportunity I have. It’s one thing to go around with a PG-T-shirt or a polo, and then kids try to find out who you are. But you have a uniform on, you’re in Dugout and you’re actually interacting with them. Whether it’s in batting practices or during the game, it just wants another feeling,” Hoffman told Pakinomist Digital.
“When you are out with the kids and get an opportunity to share your insight and give them the opportunity to show their things, you are right there. Easy opportunity to encourage and get to know them, so I really look forward to the game and be around the kids.”
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West Team ShortStop Bobby Witt Jr., #15, throwing during the fourth round of 2018 Perfect Game All-American Classic Baseball Game at Petco Park on August 12, 2018 in San Diego. (Orlando Ramirez-usa Today Sports)
Klesko said that if he had not had events like the all -laman classic that grew up, he may not have ever reached it to the great leagues.
“If we didn’t have help growing up and having events like this to be able to participate and show ourselves, lucky (grow up) in California, and we had suffered from what was going on, not as much as it is now, but it wasn’t for events like this, and coaches that helped us and got some instruction, I know it would never have done it,” Klesko told Pakinomist Digital.
The 16-year-old MLB veteran said he is “excited” to be part of the journey for the young athletes in this year’s game.
“Many of these guys, just as it is so overwhelming, and they got so many advice that came in from so many different areas,” said Klessko.
“I think for us, it’s not necessarily to tell them what to do, but just give them advice kind of what we’ve been through in the past and just to help them navigate. It’s not about us, it’s about their next step, and I think we’re all happy to be part of this journey for these young athletes.”
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Ryan Klessko, manager of one of the teams in the perfect game All-American Classic in 2025, depicted coaching. (Courtesy of perfect play)
Hoffman and Klesko also have each coaching staff filled with former MLB stars for the game.
Their Coaching staff is composed of Padre’s All-Stars Phil Nevin and Mark Loretta, World Series-Winning Manager Charlie Manuel, 20-game winner Scott Erickson, 1995 Al Mvp Mo Vaughn, 7-Gang Alfons Alfonso Soriano, 3-Time All-Star Tom “Flash” Gordon, World Cup MLEB veterans for Coffey and Jas Phillips.
Hoffman said to the coaches that they jumped on the opportunity to help the next generation of stars through the process.
“I think it was really a possibility that they would be around the children,” Hoffman said.
“It’s all about the kids, and it’s about the kids and the game at all levels. So when you get an opportunity to talk to some people who have been through the process, as Ryan (Klessko) said, and having big people who are mentoring children elsewhere what a big situation you put together.”
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Teammates in Perfect Game’s All-American Classic Hand-Shake while stretching in Outfield. (Courtesy of perfect play)
Daron Sutton, whose extensive MLB On-Air experience has varied from the first name and postgame host to play-by-play ads since 1998, has announced the Allamerican classic since 2009 and will announce it again this year.
Sutton told Pakinomist Digital that although the event has evolved over the years, the event has always had elite talent.
“I want to tell you that the talent has evolved, but the talent has been there right from the beginning. My second game, a 16-year-old Bryce Harper played in it, so there was always talent. Right after that (Francisco) Lindor and Javy Baez were in the game. There has always been elite talent.”
Sutton said his favorite part of the game is the “lone moments” that arise.
“All-Star games are fun and unique because it’s all about the individual. There are no strategic decisions made, there are no intentional hikes that are dolet out, no pitch outs or something, it’s another kind of broadcast,” Sutton told Pakinomist Digital.
“We are all baseball fans, we know what it is, so that’s the only moment. An opportunity for an athlete to have a moment and then watch them deliver.”
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Trevor Hoffman, manager of one of the teams in Perfect Game’s All-American Classic, poses with a young baseball player. (Courtesy of perfect play)
“Like any good home driving derby or all-star game, it’s the one unforgettable moment we have dozens of them.”
For Brad Clement, Perfect Game’s Executive Vice President and General Manager, his favorite part of the event is the philanthropic aspect of it.
“The event itself is incredible, all the different baseball activities, the swag they get. But almost to a player, the most effective thing when we have been in San Diego, have seen the children who have treated or deal with pediatric cancer in the hospital because we do it visit. That’s what it’s all about,” Clement told Pakinomist Digital.
We are happy to be (donors) of Rady’s Children’s Hospital, one of elite hospitals in the world. Their outreach is incredible and this event itself has raised over a million dollars over the years. Now it includes the players and families who are encouraged to raise money through their resources in their community and almost everyone does, and our partners. Overall, I know we are north of 1.5 million in the total philanthropic given for just this event in the different cition its start over 20 plus years ago. “
Hoffman repeated Clement and said his favorite part of the event is when the athletes go to Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego.
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Former San Diego Padres closer Trevor Hoffman throws out the first pitch before San Diego Padre’s home opener against San Francisco Giants on April 5, 2011 in San Diego. (Christopher Hanewinckel-usa Today Sports)
“The kids get a chance to go and visit Rady’s Children’s Hospital, see some of the children who are younger and maybe a little less lucky, and they go through some difficulties, and they really get valuable what their options are. There is a charitable arm that they get to attend and give their hometown communities to support them and make a donation to Rady’s, which is great,” said Hoffman.
Perfect Game’s All-American Classic is not only for the players to show their talent but also their families. Clement said Perfect Game is hosting a parent symposium to highlight what’s coming to their children over the next year.
“We think it is important out of the field to share with them what the next year will be, so we have a parent’s symposium to help them learn how it will be right now, and for last year’s (class) that goes into it because the high school season is over and the draft is upon us. There are a lot of tough things going into it, whether they go to university, whatever it is. help the parents outside, ”complained complaints.
Klesko said he mostly looks forward to helping not only children but their families through the process.
Former Atlanta Braves left Fielder Ryan Klessko, #18, competes in a home -derived derby before a game against Washington Nationals in Truist Park on August 24, 2024 in Atlanta. (Brett Davis-usa Today Sports)
“I think just help them go through the process. I know a lot of kids, a lot of families, it’s just all new to them. There are so many things thrown against them,” said Klessko.
“If Trevor and I and some of the other great Leaguers can help them navigate through the process of going pro, going to school, whether it would be nutrition or training. There are so many different questions out there going through the minds of these children.”
Hoffman said it has been “especially” to watch the event grow over the years.
“(The kids) Talents are out of the charts, the competition is real, and it’s just great to give a platform that they can do that kind of thing,” Hoffman said.
