Alex Sosa’s baseball career is really taking off.
The Viera High catcher is one of 40 seniors from around the country selected to play in the 2022 Baseball Factory All-America Game on Tuesday at Kaufman Stadium, home of the Kansas City Royals.
“I’m super excited,” Sosa said. “I met a bunch of these guys this summer. I’m excited to play with them again. It’s definitely one of the bigger events I’ve done.
“Playing in Kaufman Stadium is a pretty big deal. I’m excited to be playing in an MLB park.”
Tuesday’s game will mark the second time this summer that Sosa has played in a Major League Baseball stadium. He played in Tampa Bay’s Tropicana Field in July after being selected to the Perfect Game National Team in July.
And that’s not all the Viera High senior and North Carolina State commit thhas been up to the past few months.
“Tremendously proud of Alex,” Hawks coach Brock Doty wrote in an email. “He has had an unbelievable summer. His production this summer has also gained him the privilege of making the Area Code National Team, the Perfect Game National Team, and the East Coast Pro National Team.
“Alex’s success has put himself into the conversation of the 2023 MLB Draft. His parents, Pete & Christina and sister Oliva are obviously very proud of his accomplishments. We are excited to see what the next few months hold for Alex.”
Sosa, who hasn’t stopped playing baseball since his junior year ended, has been traveling all over the country to showcase his skills.
In addition to playing for the Scorpions/San Francisco Giants Scout team for travel ball, he has been Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and just returned from San Diego where he played in the Area Code Games.
He also got a chance to play at the Hoover Met Complex in Alabama, which is home to the SEC tournament.
All of that exposure has, as Doty stated, made him a potential target for the 2023 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.
“Everything I needed to happen has happened,” Sosa said. “Before, I really hadn’t had too many scouts come up to me, but now I’ve definitely set myself apart from a lot of people.
“I’ve had a lot of MLB guys come up to me and a lot of other agencies that want to be my agent. It’s definitely been a lot of positive things. It’s exciting.”
After working out hard in the offseason, Sosa led Viera last year in batting average (.418); on-base percentage (.559); fielding percentage (.995); RBIs (26); slugging percentage (.686) and doubles (10). He also tied for the team lead in home runs with two.
Since then, he has added both height and weight and now checks in at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds.
Always known as a superior defensive catcher with a strong arm, his offensive game has been steadily improving and really shined this summer.
“I’m definitely hitting pretty good,” he said. “I’m seeing the ball well. I think that all comes with being stronger and hitting the ball harder. Things get through. I hit a few home runs this past summer.”
Baseball Factory All-Americans are selected by a committee of Baseball Factory Scouts and past honorees include players who are now in MLB, including George Springer; Anthony Rizzo; Nick Castellanos; Bobby Witt Jr. and Hunter Greene.
According to its website, Baseball Factory events have featured more than 550 players who have played, or are currently playing, in the majors and more than 100,000 players have gone on to play at the college level.
While there is certainly a chance he could hear his name called at the MLB draft, the 17-year-old said he knows which way he is leaning. In the meantime, he’s going to continue to push himself to get better.
“(Being drafted is) definitely something that’s come across, but I think that going to college is really important,” he said. “I’ve been super happy with my commitment to NC State. I’ve gotten to know all the guys over there, and the coaches. We’re like a family.
“If the opportunity brings itself, then it’s something we’ll have to make a decision on. But right now, I plan on going to NC State.”
Tuesday’s game, which is sponsored by Under Armour, will also feature a workout and home run derby and other events as part of the All-American experience.
Sosa can’t wait to hear his name echo throughout Kaufman Stadium when he’s introduced.
“I can’t wait,” he said. “Going out to the field and (hearing) my name being called … I’m excited.”
