Major League Baseball Seeks Athleticism Amid Escalating Youth Costs

Major League Baseball’s 2025 draft was filled with surprises, but it was also a reminder of how difficult it is to predict the future value of prospects. Over the first 43 picks, 14 high school shortstops were drafted and will likely receive a seven-figure signing bonus by the July 28th 5:00 PM ET deadline. What costs did their families incur over the past decade in pursuit of this dream? How have they handled the pressure to excel throughout adolescence? Is the economic gap widening when it comes to the accessibility of resources and are they only available to young athletes who come from affluent families?

Major League Baseball Covets Athleticism

The Washington Nationals selected high school shortstop Eli Willits with the first pick as he received an $8.2 million signing bonus. The son of former major leaguer and current associate head coach at the University of Oklahoma, Reggie Willits, the 17-year-old shortstop now holds the record for the largest signing bonus ever given to a high school ball player in draft history according to Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline. He surpassed the $8.19 million signing bonus given to Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday when he was the first pick in the 2022 draft. The son of Matt Holliday, a former major league veteran of 15 seasons, and the brother of Ethan Holliday, a high school shortstop who was the fourth pick in this year’s draft by the Colorado Rockies.

Elite high school shortstops were the talk of the draft given how they coincide with Major League Baseball’s mission of creating a style of play based on athleticism, physicality and speed while prioritizing fan engagement and entertainment. They speak a sophisticated language on topics pertaining to pitch design and swing decision while using technology to aid in self-evaluation. Significant resources were invested in the ball players’ physical and mental development, but credit must also be given to natural abilities and genetics. Ambitious parents will likely begin requesting a position change to shortstop for their eight-year-old children even as age-appropriate instruction is confronting serious challenges with injuries, managing stress and an unhealthy infatuation with velocity.

Major League Baseball And Youth Sports Culture

Out of the 615 selections in this year’s draft, 124 were high school ball players according to Major League Baseball. Accessibility and affordability have been compromised amid the explosion in private instruction, travel teams, academies and year-round training facilities. Showcases and tournaments are deeply woven into the fabric of baseball’s youth culture as evident in the prestige associated with events hosted by Area Code Baseball, MLB Develops, Perfect Game and USA Baseball. According to Perfect Game, the world’s largest elite youth baseball, softball and scouting platform, 103 out of 105 selections on day one of this year’s draft had participated in their events. Parents are justifying the exorbitant costs due to multi-faceted development services that focus on evaluation, professional instruction, arm care resources and statistical analysis under the watchful eyes of scouts, college coaches and former major league ball players.

According to the Aspen Institute Project Play Initiative’s 2025 Youth Sports Parent Survey in partnership with Utah State University and Louisiana Tech University, the average sports family in the United States spent $1,016.00 on their child’s primary sport in 2024 which included registrations, equipment, uniforms, travel, lodging, lessons, camps and other expenses. Baseball is one of the three most-played sports alongside basketball and soccer according to the survey. Sadly, it is the most expensive as the average family spending in 2024 was $1,113.00 for baseball. The Aspen Institute estimates that parents are spending more than $40 billion on an annual basis when it comes to their children’s sports activities.

Garland Allen is the president of inCourage, an organization that helps young athletes and adults redefine success in youth sports through research and actionable content. A former high school athletic director and coach, Allen firmly believes the development of young athletes doesn’t solely or only occur through elite systems or expensive showcases. “Bringing back financially accessible sports opportunities isn’t just about fairness, it’s about discovering the kinds of athletes who used to thrive in those open systems. Athletes with potential, grit and drive, who may not have the money, but have everything else it takes,” said Allen.

As private equity is acquiring camps, leagues and facilities, financial barriers have created a youth sports culture where participation has become synonymous with affluence. The pay-to-play business model can be best described as notoriety with a price tag that isn’t always supported by athletic talent. It perpetuates a disconnect from reality as most parents will never see a return on investment if their primary intent is to secure college scholarships or a career in professional sports for their children.

Dennis Gilbert, commissioner of Perfect Game, is introducing philanthropy to youth baseball. Gilbert will oversee Perfect Game’s Believe in Baseball Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization designed to provide resources and support to underprivileged children who want to participate in local travel baseball programs. “My motto is Perfect Game’s motto, every kid deserves a chance,” said Gilbert. As the foundation begins to take shape, Gilbert is assembling an impressive board of directors with diverse backgrounds in finance, law, sports and entertainment with a January 2026 kickoff event scheduled to rally support around this noble cause.

Besides financial aid, equipment grants and partnerships with local travel teams, Gilbert wants the power of baseball to change lives regardless of socioeconomic background. Upon his arrival as Perfect Game’s second commissioner in September 2023, Gilbert’s primary goal was to create opportunities for underprivileged children. “I’m proud that Perfect Game brought me in to do this,” said Gilbert. His decades of philanthropic experience are being put to good use as Gilbert believes inclusivity in youth baseball can help build stronger communities.

Youth Messaging Delivered By Major League Baseball

During Major League Baseball’s 2025 All-Star Game festivities, New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge discussed the importance of being a multi-sport athlete. Former New York Mets third baseman, David Wright, recently reflected on a question that was asked of him regarding whether he dreamed about playing Major League Baseball. “This is something you can never dream of since playing in the big leagues is the 1% of the 1% of the 1%,” said Wright.

Is it possible for a young athlete to choose baseball as their primary sport while enjoying a healthy relationship with the likes of basketball, soccer and other forms of recreation? Instead of embracing the concept of sampling and maintaining realistic expectations, parents are wrestling with difficult decisions on when it is time to specialize in a sport and how limited financial resources could be depriving their children of competitive advantages in development. Major League Baseball is celebrating a return to athleticism as evident in this year’s draft, but it must continue stressing the importance of accessibility as costs associated with youth participation could adversely affect the future of the sport.