Four member of the FAMU Rattler baseball team-- Janmikell Bastardo, True Fontenot, Caleb Granger, and Ty Jackson-- have been selected to participate in this weekend HBCU Swingman Classic at the 2024 MLB All-Star Week.
The journey began with the announcement of the HBCU Swingman Classic, a prestigious event powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation, designed to showcase the talent within Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
The selection process was rigorous, with a committee that included YDF Ambassador and Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey, alongside representatives from MLB, MLBPA, and seasoned baseball scouts. From a pool of 50 NCAA Division I HBCU players, the FAMU Four emerged, their names etched into the roster that would lead off the MLB All-Star festivities.
Bastardo and Jackson make their second appearance after participating in the inaugural game last year in Seattle, Washington. The game takes place on Friday, July 12, at 8 p.m. Eastern at Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers.
Bastardo led the team with 68 hits, 55 runs scored, and eight triples. Bastardo also drove in 37 runs and had a .313 batting average, a .521 slugging percentage, and a .378 on-base percentage. Bastardo's eight triples were fourth in the nation. Bastardo was named to the All-SWAC Second Team.
Fontenot had a .347 batting average, a .466 slugging percentage, a .417 on-base percentage, 61 hits, 47 RBIs, 42 runs scored, and five home runs. Fontenot also had 16 multi-hit games, including a perfect 5-5 game vs. Southern. Fontenot also had 12 multi-RBI games, including six four-RBI games. Fontenot was named to the All-SWAC Second Team.
Granger was one of the top pitchers in the nation, finishing with a 9-2 record and a 2.87 ERA with 73 strikeouts and a .269 opponent batting average. In SWAC play, Granger had a 7-1 record with a 2.72 ERA and 51 strikeouts. Granger also led the SWAC with a 1.27 WHIP. Granger was named the SWAC Pitcher of the Year, All-SWAC First Team, and named to the ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division I South All-Region Second Team.
Jackson was one of the top hitters for the Rattlers this season with a .387 batting average, .643 slugging percentage, .509 on-base percentage, 1.152 OPS, 65 hits, 47 runs, and 41 RBIs. Jackson had 20 multi-hit games and two multi-homerun games. Jackson also had a 1.000 fielding percentage. Jackson was named to the All-SWAC Second Team and the SWAC All-Tournament Team.