Iowa's Matt Meeker to Shine at High School All-American Game in Dyersville
Iowa's own Matt Meeker will take the field at the iconic Field of Dreams in Dyersville this week as part of the 2026 High School All-American Game. The showcase event, now in its seventh year, brings together 40 of the nation's top rising high school seniors for a game that has become a launching pad for future Major League Baseball stars.
The game is set for Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 2 p.m. ET, sandwiched between the MiLB and MLB Field of Dreams games. For the first time, it will be broadcast live on MLB Network, with streaming options on MLB.TV, MLB.com, and the MLB App.
Why This Matters for Iowa
Meeker, an outfielder from Waukee High School, is the lone Iowan on the roster. He has committed to play college baseball at the University of Arkansas. His selection highlights the growing baseball talent pipeline in the state, which has long been a hub for the sport's grassroots development.
Dyersville's Field of Dreams site has become a pilgrimage destination for baseball fans, and hosting this game reinforces Iowa's role in the sport's future. The event also draws attention to the state's agricultural heritage and community values, themes that resonate with local audiences.
Rosters and Coaching Staff
The game features players from 16 states, with heavy representation from MLB Develops (eight players), Area Code Upperclass Games (21), and USA Baseball national team or development programming (17).
Hall of Famer Jim Thome will manage the American League team, while nine-time Gold Glove winner Torii Hunter leads the National League squad. Their coaching staffs include former Major Leaguers and the entire USA Baseball U18 National Team.
The full roster includes:
- Jordan Ayala, RHP, Norco (Calif.) High School - Uncommitted
- Kinon Bastian, OF, The First Academy (Fla.) - Florida
- Caden Borcherding, C, Etowah (Ga.) High School - Clemson
- Johnny Bowes, RHP, Mission Bay (Calif.) High School - Southern California
- Malachi Butler, OF, McEachern (Ga.) High School - Georgia Tech
- Dariel Carrion, C, Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy (P.R.) - Florida State
- Sebastian Castillo, INF, Byron Nelson (Texas) High School - LSU
- Cole Cheatham, RHP, Union County (Ind.) High School - West Virginia
- Brady Cunningham, 3B, Brother Rice (Ill.) High School - Texas A&M
- Liam Dougherty, RHP, Homeschool (Hendersonville, Tenn.) - Florida
- Devyn Downs, RHP, Sterlington (La.) High School - LSU
- Jace Duckett, LHP, Madison County (Ala.) High School - Alabama
- George Ferguson, RHP, Abilene (Texas) High School - Texas
- Quinn Fitzpatrick, RHP, Stratford (Texas) High School - LSU
- Chase Fuller, SS/RHP, Lincoln (Fla.) High School - Florida State
- Jordin Griffin, OF, Barbe (La.) High School - LSU
- Ethan Gustus, RHP, Roseville (Calif.) High School - Vanderbilt
- Carter Hadnot, INF, Aquinas (Calif.) High School - Uncommitted
- Drake Hawpe, OF, Liberty Christian School (Texas) - LSU
- Max Hemenway, INF, IMG Academy (Fla.) - Tennessee
- Graham Houston, INF, Venice (Fla.) High School - LSU
- Jake Ivey, LHP, Gunter (Texas) High School - Arkansas
- Blake Lundy, C, The Baylor School (Tenn.) - Tennessee
- Kyler Meccage, OF/LHP, IMG Academy (Fla.) - Mississippi State
- Matt Meeker, OF, Waukee (Iowa) High School - Arkansas
- Samir Mohammed, RHP, Tampa Jesuit (Fla.) High School - LSU
- Tyson Moore, C, Buffalo (Minn.) High School - Minnesota
- Leo Nockley, SS, Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) Preparatory School - Tennessee
- Striker Pence, RHP/1B, Santiago (Calif.) High School - Uncommitted
- Sullivan Reed, 1B/3B, Lamar (Miss.) High School - Mississippi State
- Lubin Rincon, INF, The Bennett School (Texas) - Texas
- Connor Salerno, LHP, Sun Valley (N.C.) High School - Mississippi State
- Tyler Scarborough, RHP, Lovejoy (Texas) High School - Georgia
- Dylan Seward, SS, Norco (Calif.) High School - Tennessee
- Isaiah Snavely, INF, Zionsville (Ind.) Community High School - Texas A&M
- Grant Sperandio, RHP, Memorial (Texas) High School - Texas
- Frank Thomas III, 1B, IMG Academy (Fla.) - Auburn
- Jake Turner, OF/LHP, Centennial (Nev.) High School - Texas Christian
- Grant Westphal, OF, Blue Valley (Kan.) High School - Texas
- Brogan Witcher, C/RHP, Liberty (Calif.) High School - South Carolina
- Jacob Seamon, OF, Metrolina (N.C.) School - LSU
What This Means for the Future
Past participants in the High School All-American Game have gone on to become first-round draft picks. Of the 40 players from last year's game, 31 were ranked in the Draft Top 250, and 19 were drafted, including nine in the first two rounds. This year's group is expected to follow suit, with many already committed to top college programs.
For Iowa families and baseball fans, the game offers a chance to see future stars in action at a venue that embodies the sport's heartland roots. It's a reminder that the best of America's pastime often starts in places like Dyersville.
For more details, visit MLB.com.