Buford will once again be represented on a national stage as two Buford High School baseball players will be in Denver, Colorado, for the second annual High School All-American game. The game, scheduled for Friday, July 9, 2021, showcases the nation’s top high school baseball prospects and kicks off the MLB All-Star week.
Rising seniors Dylan Lesko and Riley Stanford are both powerful right-handed pitchers from Buford High School. They are the first from Buford to play in the annual event.
“It’s a player’s dream to be recognized in this manner at this level,” said Buford head baseball coach Stuart Chester. “To experience such a distinguished game with a teammate is a blessing. Both players are very worthy to be selected.”
Lesko and Stanford will join 37 other top prospects from the Class of 2022 at Coors Field to compete in the game, which serves as a feeder for the Prospect Development Pipeline League. Major League Baseball is putting a lot into young player development through such feeder leagues.
Stanford will compete against seven other players in the High School Home Run Derby at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 10. The finals of the derby will air in between breaks of the T-Mobile Home Run Derby on Saturday night.
Buford baseball has made a name for itself over the years, but this year has truly been a special one for the program. The team was ranked first in the nation and went undefeated in the regular season. Players from the program earned numerous accolades throughout the season with the biggest accomplishment coming Wednesday, July 7, as Lesko was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year.
Both Lesko and Stanford are gifted students who excel both on and off the field.
“These young men will also represent Buford and the state of Georgia with the class, professionalism, and talent level that this game requires,” Chester said. “Riley and Dylan are very respected in the sport of baseball. They are also admired and impactful in our school and community. We are so proud that both wear Buford across their chest.”
The High School All-American Game will be live-streamed on MLB.com at approximately 7 p.m. on Friday night. The Home Run Derby will also be live-streamed on MLB’s website on Saturday.
