Baseball | 7/12/2025 5:55:00 AM
ATLANTA – It was an outstanding Friday night at the annual HBCU Swingman Classic presented by T-Mobile for North Carolina A&T infielder JT Taylor.
The HBCU Swingman Classic, started by Major League Baseball (MLB) legend Ken Griffey Jr., and powered by MLB-MLB Players Association Youth Development Foundation, featured the top baseball student-athletes from historically black universities or colleges.
Friday marked the third year of the important event for baseball. The event precludes the MLB's All-Star Game, and this season, the HBCU Swingman Classic was played at Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves. Taylor was a member of the American League squad while his A&T teammates, catcher Tyler Smith and right-handed pitcher Diego Barrett, suited up for the National League team.
The National League eventually won the game 7-4.
Taylor, batting second in the American League lineup, started the evening with a first-inning infield single to second base before stealing second and moving to third base on a groundout. He was eventually stranded at third to end the frame. Taylor came up again in the third inning with two runners on base and the American League trailing 1-0.
He gained the advantage in the count at 3-0 before being served a fastball down the middle. Taylor received the green light and ripped the 3-0 pitch off the left-field wall for a two-run RBI double. He hit so well, he thought he got enough of the pitch to hit it out of the major league park.
Replays showed him starting his home run trot before realizing the ball didn't leave the yard. Regardless, Taylor gave his team a 2-1 advantage. Taylor had more to add to his totals in the third inning by eventually stealing third for his second stolen base of the game.
In Taylor's next at-bat, he faced Barrett and got a glimpse at what opponents struggled with during the 2025 season. Barrett, who posted an impressive 3.88 ERA during the 2025 season as a relief pitcher for the Aggies, pitched one scoreless inning, striking out two, including Taylor.
Barrett also had a three-pitch strikeout during the frame. During Taylor's strikeout, Smith served as the catcher.
It has been an excellent summer for A&T baseball. Earlier this summer, Smith earned an invitation to USA Baseball's National Training Camp in Cary, NC, with an opportunity to make the USA National Team. He played in the USA Stars vs. Stripes exhibition games from June 30-July 3.
On the Fourth of July, Smith played with the Collegiate National Team Prospects in a game against the Appalachian League Select Team, which featured Taylor. Smith went 1-for-3 in the game, driving in three runs, scoring a run, and walking once. Taylor went 0-for-2 in the game but did score a run after being hit by a pitch.
Barrett is expected back in Aggieland next season. Taylor and Smith are expected back for their sophomore seasons at A&T after both sluggers earned second-team All-Coastal Athletic Association honors as freshmen. They also made the CAA's All-Rookie Team in 2025.
