College baseball is back and there's no better place to catch the action on opening weekend than MLB Network and MLB Digital (MLB.TV, MLB.com and MLB App), which will broadcast the MLB Desert Invitational. Three of the twelve showcase games will also be broadcast live on MLB Network, while all but one will be streamed on MLB's digital platforms.
Some of the country's top amateur talent is in the Phoenix area for the four-day tournament, with five of the top 100 2024 draft prospects on the roster.
The event has expanded to eight teams for the first time and includes Boston College, BYU, California, Georgetown, Grand Canyon, Kansas State, Ohio State and USC.
The Eagles, Cougars, Antelopes and Golden Bears have each opened their respective seasons with wins and will look to continue their strong starts on Saturday. All four matchups, available to stream on MLB Digital, pit 0-1 teams against 1-0 teams looking for redemption.
Here is the full schedule for the weekend event (all times ET):
Saturday
2 p.m.: Kansas State vs. Boston College +
3 p.m.: Cal vs. Georgetown +
7 p.m.: Ohio State vs. BYU +
8 p.m.: Grand Canyon vs. USC+
Sunday
2 p.m.: Georgetown vs. Kansas State +
5 p.m.: Boston College vs. Cal+
7 p.m.: USC vs. Ohio State +
Monday
3 p.m.: BYU vs. Grand Canyon +
+ = MLB Digital (MLB.TV, MLB.com, MLB app)
Games in bold = MLB Network and MLB Digital
#21: Caleb Lomavita, C – Cal
No. 28: Kaelen Culpepper, SS – Kansas State
#64: Austin Overn, OF – USC
No. 69: Tyson Neighbors, RHP – Kansas State
#96: Rodney Green Jr., OF – Cal
This year's MLB Desert Invitational (formerly known as “MLB 4”) is the fifth such event hosted by MLB in Arizona. Most games are played at Salt River Fields in Talking Stick (home of the Rockies and D-Backs in spring training) and Sloan Park (home of the Cubs).
The tournament offers players the opportunity to compete against diamonds they hope to one day call home after reaching the professional ranks. Last year, Chase Davis (Arizona), Jacob Wilson (Grand Canyon) and Homer Bush Jr. (Grand Canyon) parlayed their successes into becoming early selections in the 2023 draft with the Cardinals, A's and Padres.