Education and Baseball Unite in D-backs Graduation

The Arizona Diamondbacks Dominican Education Program honored a record 33 young athletes during the 12th high school graduation ceremony at the team’s Dominican Academy at the Las Américas Complex in Boca Chica. The Class of 2025 is the largest in program history, bringing the total number of graduates to 141 students since its launch in 2014.

The graduates received their diplomas alongside teammates in a meaningful ceremony attended by their families together with front office leadership and staff/personnel.

“These players reaching such a monumental milestone is a source of great pride for our organization,” said Derrick Hall, D-backs President, CEO & General Partner. “From the beginning, our goal in Boca Chica was to create an environment where education and baseball go hand in hand. These graduates have shown dedication, discipline and a commitment to their futures, and that is what true player development looks like.”

The first-of-its-kind education program was established in 2014 following a commitment made by Derrick Hall to then–Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina to provide players with a best-in-class education alongside baseball development. The organization covers the full cost of tuition and each student is provided with a laptop computer. Players in the program attend school three days per week in the Ken Kendrick Education Center, working with assigned tutors and receiving weekly progress evaluations from education committee.

As part of the modernized Boca Chica facility’s grand opening in late 2024, the organization dedicated the Ken Kendrick Education Center, three classrooms in honor of the Managing General Partner’s leadership and vision for all players to have the tools to be successful in life on or off the field. The complex features three full fields, including Junior Noboa Field, the first Major League academy with a field with lights, covered batting cages, an agility field, training and weight rooms, dormitories, dining facilities, and player amenities designed to support nearly 100 prospects, coaches and visiting staff.

D-Backs Dominican Education Program Graduating Classes

• Class of 2025 (33): Juan Alvarez, Gabriel Araujo, Alfredo Benzan, Pedro Blanco, Juan Brima, Alam Bruno, Jhoan Calcaño, Luis Carrasco, Erick de la Cruz, Andy Encarnación, Jeury Espinal, Abel Fuerte, Alonso Gallegos, Alfredo Guzman, Alvin Guzman, Yauri Jimenez, Robert Lantigua, Christofher Lozoya, Alexander Lugo, Yan Mago, Alan Marcano, Albert Medina, Jeshua Mendez, Neiker Palacios, Alejandro Peguero, Adriel Radney, Erick Reynoso, Geral Siri, Brayan Suarez, Robert Terrero, Miguel Vargas, Modesto Vargas, Daury Vásquez
• Class of 2024 (16): Adrian De Leon, Junior Rafael Sanchez Ogando, Naimer Alberto Rosario Bonifacio, Alexis Javier Liebano Lopez, Jairon Digon Leon, Axel Johan Hernandez De Los Santos, Vince David Sanchez Jean, Angel Jose Beltran Mendoza, Erison Junior Rincon Gomez, Dawin Yesel Gonzalez Henriquez, Luis Manuel De Aza, Luis Yulian Andujar Rosario, Brayan Rodriguez Aquino, Eskoly Yakovy De Jesus Corporan, Ricardo Jose Caldera Seija, Ezequiel Surun Hernandez
• Class of 2023 (15): Cristian Bienvenido Estrella, Luis Miguel Gonzalez Adames, Robinson Vargas Custodio, Riquelmin Cabral Garcia, Luis Mario Suero Camacho, Yerald Orlando Nin Gomez, Franyel Baez Martinez, Ronny Alexander Polanco Moreno, Francis Diaz Mirabal, Alejandro Enmanuel Rios Avila, Berny Elias Elias, Yassel Yander Soler Pena, David Bernardo Zabala, Gian Marcos Zapata Rosario, Cristian Jose Mena
• Class of 2022 (6): Miguel Antonio Alvarez Berihuete, Teofilo Mendez Aguilar, Cristofer Campo Marte, Jiter Alexander Heredia Batista, Manuel Ernesto Pena Cabrera, Abdias De La Cruz Puello
• Class of 2021 (11): Juan Carlos Araujo Garcia, Jorge Luis Barrosa Rojas, Dairon Junior Cuevas, Lewin De La Cruz, Gustavo Del Pozo, Manuel Antonio Montas, Carlos Daniel Nuñez Marmolejos, Deiny Raymundo Olivero, Diomede Sierra Bautista, Luvin Armando Valbuena, Alex Anderson Valdez Montero
• Class of 2020 (11): Justin Martinez, Jhonny Valdez Perdomo, Francis Argenis Beriguete, Neyfy Castillo Peña, Jose Euribel Valdez Mola, Emmanuel Acosta, Yoscar Reynaldo Pimentel, Mario Rafael Mendez, Johan Michael Benitez Disla, Angel Ortiz Rosado, Jonathan Almonte Rodriguez
• Class of 2019 (15): Jose Guillermo Santamaria, Jander Dilone Rosa, Andy Jose Garcia Cabarcas, Luis David Frias Guzman, Luis Javier Lara Arias, Rael Santos Paulino, Junior Valentin Mieses Burgos, Wilfry Bianey Cruz Sanchez, Carlos Gabriel Goris Peralta, Luis Ezequiel Diaz Mota, Ezequiel De La Cruz De La Nuez, Yordani Santana Roman, Gerald Wilson Ogando Tejada, Ismael Jaime De Jesus, Victor Manuel Rodriguez Peña
• Class of 2018 (10): Alexander Alexis Hernandez Canario, Roaldo Rusbaldo Carvajal Crisostomo, Liover Peguero Sosa, Victor Manuel Martinez Frias, Manuel Antonio Garcia Herrera, Geraldo Luis Sanchez Rossis, Carlos Daniel De La Cruz Ortiz, Felix Ramon Cuevas De Jesus, Jhoan Manuel Duran Sanchez, Oliver Eduardo Rosario Del Carmen
• Class of 2017 (5): Yeison Santana Segura, Sandy Jr Martinez Mejia, Osvaldo Luis Santilien Dessan, Joshua Emil Javier Alcantara, Diony Joselin Ramirez Pereyra
• Class of 2016 (7): Eudy Rafael Ramos Almonte, Merkis Mondesy Montero Ramirez, Luis Alfredo Ramirez Alcala, Dawry Doñe Bello, Remy Moise Cordero Reyes, Jesus Eduardo Muñoz Vizcaino, Joan De Jesus
• Class of 2015 (8): Jency Alexander Solis Aquino, Wellinton Manuel Felix Luna, Francis Javier Martinez Aquino, Argeny Hiciano Polanco, Josue Emmanuel Herrera Disla, Mailon Manuel Arroyo Colon, Melvin Ramon Ovalles Camacho, Anyel Jose Beato Acevedo
• Class of 2014 (4): Fernery Ozuna Estanilao, Raul Daniel Samboy, Emilio Vargas Polanco, Jose Miguel Lopez Perez

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