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13 current MLB players who once shined in the Little League World Series

The 2023 Little League World Series kicked off earlier last week. And for the youth future of baseball, it’s already given us a controversial moment, unfortunately involving the umps.

But we’re not here to talk about poor officiating and balls and strikes calls. We’re here to look at some current MLB stars and role players who once partly made names for themselves in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Sure, everyone takes a different path to the league. And any path you can take to play in the best baseball league on the planet is entirely valid.

But there’s something inherently cool about knowing that some of the youngsters we’ll see during this edition of the Little League World Series might well play in the MLB.

Let’s take a look at active MLB players who took this LLWS path before.

1
Cody Bellinger, Chicago Cubs

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Bellinger once batted in four RBIs to help his Chandler, Arizona, team advance to the 2007 Little League World Series semifinals.

2
Lance Lynn, Los Angeles Dodgers

Aug 17, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Lance Lynn (35) throws to the plate in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium.

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Lynn’s Brownsburg, Indiana, team won the Central Regional Championship during the 1999 Little League World Series

3
Randal Grichuk, Los Angeles Angeles

Aug 19, 2023; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels left fielder Randal Grichuk (15) runs after hitting an RBI double against the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning at Angel Stadium.

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Grichuk was a part of the Richmond, Texas squad that made it to the Little League World Series in 2003-2004.

4
Yonny Hernandez, Los Angeles Dodgers

Jul 21, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Yonny Hernandez (60) in action during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Globe Life Field.

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Hernandez played for Venezuela in the 2011 Little League World Series.

5
Nick Pratto, Kansas City Royals

Jun 30, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals first baseman Nick Pratto (32) heads to first base after a hit during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Kauffman Stadium.

William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports

Pratto played for Huntington Beach, California’s team in the 2011 Little League World Series.

6
Matthew Batten, San Diego Padres

Jul 15, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Matthew Batten (17) plays against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Batten was a part of the Shelton, Connecticut squad that played in the 2008 Little League World Series.

7
Josh Lester, Baltimore Orioles

Jun 4, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Josh Lester (49) hits a two-run single against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning at Oracle Park.

John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Lester won the 2006 Little League World Series with Columbus, Georgia.

8
Drew Ellis, Philadelphia Phillies

Jun 5, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Drew Ellis (35) against the Detroit Tigers at Citizens Bank Park.

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Ellis featured in the 2008 Little League World Series with Jeffersonville, Indiana.

9
Cooper Hummel, Seattle Mariners

Mar 1, 2023; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder Cooper Hummel (21) looks on prior to the game against the Chicago Cubs during a Spring Training game at Sloan Park.

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Hummel advanced to the semifinals of the 2007 Little League World Series with Lake Oswego, Oregon.

10
Jonathan Schoop (free agent)

Jul 4, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Jonathan Schoop (7) gets ready to throw the ball to first base on a ground ball against the Oakland Athletics in the fifth inning at Comerica Park.

Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Schoop was a member of Curaçao’s team in the 2003-2004 editions of the Little League World Series. They won the title in 2004.

11
Jurickson Profar, Colorado Rockies

Aug 18, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies designated hitter Jurickson Profar (29) hits a double in the fourth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Coors Field.

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Profar was part of the 2004-2005 Curaçao teams in the Little League World Series. They won the title in 2004 and almost repeated the feat in 2005.

12
Michael Conforto, San Francisco Giants

Aug 13, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants right fielder Michael Conforto (8) during the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Oracle Park.

Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Conforto was with the Redmond, Washington, team in the 2004 Little League World Series.

13
Christian Bethancourt, Tampa Bay Rays

Aug 14, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Tampa Bay Rays catcher Christian Bethancourt (14) shakes hands with a teammate after hitting a one run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the seventh inning at Oracle Park.

Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports

Bethancourt played for Panama during the 2004 Little League World Series.

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