Is everybody ready to meet up again in Arizona? It’s time to crown a new World Champion, and what better place for the chase to be on!

That’s right, the POWER SHOWCASE is back again, and this year we return to Chase Field in Arizona. The home of MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks will host the world’s top aspiring baseball talent from Sunday, November 23rd, through Tuesday, November 25th. The showcase features over 125 of the top aspiring power-hitting prospects from their respective states and countries, as well as pitchers ranging in age from ten years old to high school seniors graduating in 2026. Basically, all the hitters across the country that pitchers fear the most will be competing to become the newest home run champion!

“Every year is incredibly rewarding, not only for myself, but for the players that come to the event,” POWER SHOWCASE President and CEO Brian Domenico said. “Some players have vast expectations, and other players have no idea what they are going to accomplish. That’s the enjoyable and exhilarating part of the POWER SHOWCASE.”

Where else can you find all of the greatest young sluggers in baseball, competing for the World Title on an actual Major League field? It is the greatest baseball pilgrimage for a once-in-a-lifetime baseball experience, in a place you will never forget being at, while being surrounded by people you will never forget meeting.

“It’s an honor to play on an MLB field. I always wanted to do it,” said Matt Ashberry, a high school senior from Alabama who is participating for the first time. “If I hit one home run out there, I will be happy, because I did it on an MLB field. It will definitely be the biggest field that I’ve hit on. Other than that, it’s just another baseball field. You can’t think too much about it and let it go to your head.”

It’s hard not to let the environment get into your head. Here you are playing baseball on an actual professional field, something every baseball player hopes and dreams of seemingly every day. The event has now been held annually for the past 22 years, and the last 18 years it has been held in MLB stadiums in Florida, Arizona, and Texas, including Tropicana Field, Chase Field, Globe Life Park in Arlington, Globe Life Field, and LoanDepot Park.

Even if you’ve been to Chase Field before, it wasn’t an experience like this. Michael ‘Meat’ Mendoza recently played his first career showcase at Chase, and he has also attended a few Diamondbacks games over the years. But with this being his sixth POWER SHOWCASE event he is participating in, he knows this is his first chance to get the full experience at this stadium.

“I can walk around the whole stadium, I can walk into the batting cages, the bullpen, the clubhouse, and it’s going to be fun,” Mendoza said. “That’s one of the things that I love about the POWER SHOWCASE. It’s not so much free will, because you have to earn it. But going to the clubhouse and the locker rooms is a really cool experience.”

For some of you, this is also not your first rodeo at Chase Field. But for many, this is your first chance to soak in this incredible MLB venue from a viewpoint very few ever get to enjoy.

Chase Field has always been a welcome host to the POWER SHOWCASE, adding a unique chapter to its short but interesting history. Since opening in 1998, Chase Field has hosted two World Series and celebrated one world title in 2001, it has hosted the World Baseball Classic in both 2006 and 2013, and even hosted a WWE Royal Rumble event in 2019. It features a swimming pool located out past right-center field, and it boasts one of the highest upper decks in the Major Leagues.

There have certainly been some memorable bombs hit at Chase. The deepest dimensions are 413 in both right-center and left-center, 407 feet to dead center, 374 feet to right-center and left-center, 330 feet to left and 334 feet to right. Adam Dunn has gone the deepest at 504 feet, Franchy Cordero went 489 feet in 2018, and Richie Sexson once broke a cell in the jumbotron with a 503-foot blast back in 2004. Mark Grace was the first to deposit a home run into the swimming pool.

There have been historic moments at Chase in previous years of the POWER SHOWCASE, such as in 2019 when a then nine-year old Raymond Lyerla became the youngest player to ever hit a home run in the POWER SHOWCASE. Now back for his third event and competing at 15U, Lyerla can still recall how cool it was to hit that homer, and how it has helped mold him into the ballplayer he is today.

“It was a great moment,” Lyerla said. “I went in there just trying to have fun, and that is exactly what I did. The expectations were not very high. I was just going in to have a good time and make some new friends, and just have a great experience.”

Also returning to Chase is the defending World Champion, Cooper Holmes. The senior from Louisiana is also returning for his sixth and final event, and his last time at Chase was back at his very first POWER HOWCASE.

“It’s kind of cool to start it there and then end it there now, too,” Holmes said. “I like many of the stadiums that have a retractable roof.”

The experience at the POWER SHOWCASE is unlike any other. Players begin with a Scout Day and Welcome Dinner hosted by Domenico on the first day, during which they are presented with their personalized baseball jerseys and have the chance to meet their esteemed coaches and honored guests. Participants then get to perform right on the field at Chase over the next few days, both in a home run derby against a pitching machine and also in an All-American game.

You will never forget playing on that field, but the people you meet and the friendships created will be the most lasting part of the experience.

Center of that all is Brian Domenico himself, who has personally selected each player in attendance. Much like the magic of Santa Claus, somehow Domenico knows who each player is, what they do best, and how to help and encourage each player in the event. He will be present all throughout the showcase, driving the bus and feeding the machine, a vocal fan for each and every one of you.

“I call him Uncle Brian, because he’s helped me so much in my life outside of the game of baseball,” Meat Mendoza said. “I’ve called him so many times, when I needed to talk about college, or life, or diet and discipline, and he answered. I’m so thankful for him.”

Mendoza admitted that it meant a lot that Brian personally called him to invite him to his first event when he was twelve years old. Now he is returning for the fifth time, and he reflects often on what a positive impact it has had on him.

“I heard about the POWER SHOWCASE when I was eleven years old, from one of my friends named Joshua Priest,” Mendoza said. “He was a batboy when he was eight years old and his dad coached, and then he won it when he was twelve years old. So I heard from him that it was a really good showcase.”

The experience has been excellent over the years for Meat, who got his nickname a long time ago from a coach who referenced him to the character from the movie “Bull Durham”.

“I’m not really a showcase player, and I’ve never really gone to these showcases and shown my skills. But the POWER SHOWCASE has made me who I am,” Mendoza said. “I was able to be me. I wasn’t nervous. My first event, I hit 15 home runs and took fourth, and in the game I went 2-for-2, and it just opened up my eyes that I was a twelve-year old playing in an MLB stadium.”

Last year, Meat just missed advancing to the 16U finals following a 475-foot upperdeck bomb, as Easton Autrey then surpassed that mark with a historic 544-foot home run.

“I’ve been texting Easton Autrey every day that I’m going to beat him this year,” Mendoza joked. But more importantly, he just appreciates the friendships he has made at the events with guys who now routinely keep in touch in group chats.

It’s an entirely different connection to the game when you have personally been there, have stood on that same field, and played the same game you are watching these pros play. Only these other guys who have been there with you can fully understand what it is like.

Among the guys in that chat is the defending champion Holmes, who reached three straight finals before finally winning it all with a dramatic and unforgettable win in a sudden-death swingoff last year.

“I’m blessed to be able to go each year and try to win. It was amazing to be able to actually win last year,” Holmes said. “It was definitely nerve-wracking, but all-in-all it is just a really great experience to go and hit in an MLB stadium like that. I hope to come back this time and do the same thing.”

There is no greater conclusion than to win it all, and that is what every player is going there hoping to do. But not everyone is going to win it, or even reach the finals.

“I just want to hit a couple of bombs in front of my family,” Mendoza said.

Everybody hopes to make an impact and make a memory, and that juice serves as the tastiest reason to bring out your best and make your mark.

“Any time that you run an event as long as the POWER SHOWCASE has been around, there are always new and interesting storylines that get transformed and presented,” Domenico said. “Plus, there are always a couple of players that have prolific power that can reach that elusive and historic 500-foot mark.”

Reaching the 500 Foot HR Club in the POWER SHOWCASE is an instant esteemed fraternity. Over all the years, and with all the amazing talent on display, that list still only contains a small group of names. But the ink is fresh, after the power that was put on display last year when Easton Autrey hit several that included a record 544-foot bomb, and Gabriel Coltman also hit a 518-foot homer.

Matt Ashberry is one guy who has set his sights on joining that club.

Hitting bombs is a big part of Ashberry’s game, as he has a lot of power. He has always enjoyed going out and hitting with his two older brothers, trying to see who could hit it the farthest, and he usually won. Now the senior is ready to let his powerful swing send one 500 feet and beyond.

“It’s always a dream, as every baseball player, to hit one 500 feet,” Ashberry said. “As soon as you hit it, you know it is gone. You just stand there and watch it, and it feels good. You feel good in the moment, and you just want to hit every single one of them like that.”

Hitting it the farthest can get you to the championship, but it takes more than one big bomb to win it all. But there is no question the jolt it can bring when you really put a charge into one, and you know that you can do it again.

“Normally, if I get one good one, I always just try to replicate everything, every single time,” Ashberry said. “That is what I’ve been practicing and what I’ve been doing, and I hit a couple pretty far right now. It’s just a mindset. You go in, have everything right, and you practice all the time to get there to have everything how it needs to be, and you just hope it goes when you hit it.”

Getting a few in-a-row can make a huge difference. Last year, Cooper Holmes had consecutive blasts during his finals run, which helped pave the way to the World Title.

“It really boosts your confidence when you can hit two or three in-a-row, and you know that you’ve got it down. You can calm down and just start hitting the ball,” Holmes said.

For most of the POWER SHOWCASE players, the dream is to someday play college baseball or make it straight to the Major Leagues. This event is a taste of that, and plenty of scouts from both are going to see you.

The quality of the POWER SHOWCASE brand ensures players receive unbelievable highlight videos, a professional photo package, and free stadium admission. Players are thrilled to have their profiles displayed prominently on the stadium’s massive video board, and afterwards they will also enjoy an incredible photo arrangement professionally shot while they are in play, as well as a professional video compiled of their biggest moments.

“I’ve put those videos on X and I’ve had coaches see those videos and ask me about that, and then they end up talking to me about coming to school there,” Holmes said.

Mendoza has been getting lots of calls and has even been making some campus visits from teams interested in him as a catcher. Florida State University is currently his top choice, and his dream school is Ole Miss. He also has interest from New Mexico, Santa Barbara, Dallas Baptist, and Texas Tech - which saw him at the 2024 POWER SHOWCASE Scout Day at DBU. Being part of this event has created so many bridges for his baseball future.

“Yeah, you pay for it, but you’re paying because you will get recognized from some scout or somebody who recognizes your talent. It is going to pay off,” Mendoza said. “My goal is to get drafted out of high school. I think I can be good enough by my senior year, and, again, the POWER SHOWCASE has introduced me to a lot of MLB scouts. I have been in touch with the same guys from the Pirates and Rangers since my 13U year. They saw the potential in me, and they have checked in with me every month, texting or calling me asking for grades and videos of me swinging, and pictures of my body.”

Every MLB draft includes guys from the POWER SHOWCASE, and some of the guys may even have to weigh their choices between playing college baseball or turning pro and entering the MLB Amateur draft.

“That’s just another magical aspect of the POWER SHOWCASE event,” Domenico said. “You just never know who you are going to meet at the event, who is going to see you, or what college scholarship offer is going to be presented shortly after the event.”

No matter where your baseball takes you next, the goal remains the same. Players come to perform well, with the dream of winning that coveted world championship.

To achieve that dream into reality, every guy prepares for the event differently. For those who have experienced it before, preparation against a pitching machine is very beneficial. Facing a pitching machine rather than live pitching is an adjustment, and those who know how to adjust have the best chance to succeed.

Raymond Lyerla has also been in the weight room and running every day, but more importantly, he has been getting at least 100 swings off the pitching machine every day.

“With me having done it twice, I think it is helping me benefit,” Lyerla said. “I think it is an advantage, and especially with everybody being in a Big League stadium, some of the other kids who haven’t done it before might be at a little bit of a disadvantage.”

Matt Ashberry is fortunate to hit mainly off of a pitching machine during the high school season.

“I’m pretty used to it. Hopefully that will translate,” Ashberry said. “You're aware of how it is going to come out, and it may go high or it may go low. It’s not perfect every time.”

Cooper Holmes has also been hitting off the machine a lot more lately.

“I’m comfortable, because every time that I have been there it has been around the same speed and the machine does all the same stuff,” Holmes said. “So I’m used to what you have out there.”

One thing you can never get used to, or expect for, is surprise MLB guests. Many times a pro guy from the team may be at the stadium, and he just may come up and say hello to you.

Mendoza still remembers in Miami when he got to meet Jazz Chisholm and some other MLB guys.

“It means a lot. We look up to these guys,” Mendoza said. “I can’t say that Jazz Chisholm is my favorite player, because he’s not. But he is a player that I look up to. I like the way Jazz plays. I like his swag; I like his mentality. But to have him talk to me, that was pretty cool. He was face-to-face, ten feet away talking to me. Him giving me a compliment on my swing and power was pretty cool.”

Mendoza is one of the top-ranked catchers in the country, providing a view of the field of play that very few of his peers will ever know.

“Catching at those stadiums is unreal. I still get nervous to this day,” Mendoza said. “Will Smith and J.T. Remuto caught here, and I am really here at an MLB stadium catching guys who are throwing 92 and 89, and some guys maybe it is only 82, but it’s a lefty. I still get nervous and excited and act like a little kid. I take pictures every time I go to the POWER SHOWCASE, videos in the locker rooms and videos of everything. I just feel like I’m a little kid when I’m at the POWER SHOWCASE.”

Since actually being a little kid and making history, Raymond Lyerla returns as a much older and more-polished player.

“I’m just excited to go back to Chase Field and hopefully win it,” Lyerla said. “That’s my goal. That’s what I’m there for. I am hoping to be the youngest to hit a home run and then win it in the same stadium. I think that would be pretty amazing. To be in the same stadium as these Big Leaguers is just exciting.”

Cooper Holmes knows what it feels like to be the champion, but also what it was like to be there for the very first time. There will be many new faces looking to etch their name into history, and earn a place in the POWER SHOWCASE record books.

“If I had anything to say to them, I would probably just tell them not to get caught up in the moment,” Holmes said. “Don’t be really nervous. And from a hitting perspective, I would definitely say don’t just go up there swinging at every ball. You can take as many as you want, so just wait ‘til you get the pitch you want to hit.”