The Chicago White Sox held a signing day ceremony with members of the White Sox Amateur City Elite (ACE) program officially signing letters of intent to play baseball at the collegiate level on February 5.
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Established in 2007, ACE provides a pathway to baseball for African American youth while offering resources and mentorship to shield participants from the dangers of some of Chicago’s most violent neighborhoods. ACE supports more than 150 youth annually with educational and baseball opportunities, helping develop high-caliber Black baseball talent and preparing participants for success on and off the field.
As players, families and coaches gathered in the White Sox home clubhouse, high school seniors put pen to paper to continue their baseball journeys at the collegiate level. This year’s event featured the program’s largest signing class to date, moving the total number of ACE players earning scholarships to over 300. Thirty ACE participants have been drafted by 16 MLB organizations.
By the Numbers
Now in its 18th year, ACE averages more than 150 participants annually — young men and women who are often the first in their families to go to college, earn degrees and build successful careers.
- 30 ACE participants have been drafted by Major League Baseball organizations
- 145 ACE alumni have played college baseball at the Division I Level
- 99% high school graduation rate
- 300+ college scholarships have been earned by ACE participants
- 115+ ACE alumni have earned college degrees
- Chicago White Sox Charities has donated more than $10.9 million to youth baseball initiatives since 1990.
ACE Class of 2025
The following athletes will continue their academics and athletics at universities across the country:
· Damaurion Butler — Florida Memorial University
· Bishop Cappetto — Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
· Angel Castro — Triton College
· Daniel Diaz — Central Christian College
· Jimmy Downs — Lake Land College
· Demir Heidelberg — Eastern Michigan University
· Derrick Holmes — Mercyhurst University
· Antwan Jackson — Miles College
· Mason Jarrett — Triton College
· Daniel Jones — Miles College
· Brayden Kenny — Clarkson University
· Antonio Licea — Saint Xavier University
· Daniel Luster — Highland Community College
· Danny Mackey — Roosevelt University
· Lance Moon — South Suburban College
· Mateo Morales — Triton College
· Jonathan Patterson — Triton College
· Evion Rodriguez — Southern University
· Francisco Rodriguez — Morton college
· Aaron Scott — South Suburban College
· Arthur Stamps — Roosevelt University
· Brandon Stinson — Prairie View A&M University
· Evan Stinson — Highland Community College
· Phillip Thigpen — Eastern Michigan University
· Kayin Timble — Triton College
White Sox celebrate Amateur City Elite (ACE) Class of 2025 was originally published in Inside the White Sox on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.