DeSoto native and Prairie View A&M University freshman Kaleb Thompkins has been named the Texas Rangers Youth Academy’s 2025 Youth of the Year, an honor recognizing an athlete who demonstrates excellence on and off the field.
The award, presented annually by the Texas Rangers Youth Academy, highlights student-athletes who exemplify leadership, commitment and academic achievement.
Thompkins, a right-handed pitcher and graduate of DeSoto High School, has been part of the program since it opened in 2017 and is one of its longest-tenured participants.
Throughout his years with the academy, Thompkins has competed in nearly every Major League Baseball Youth Development event, including the Breakthrough Series, DREAM Series and All-Star Commissioner’s Cup.
His standout moment came in July 2024, when he helped lead the Rangers Youth Academy to its first Commissioner’s Cup championship.
Thompkins threw a complete-game shutout in the Rangers’ 14-0 win over the P&G Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy in the title game at Oates Field in West Dallas.
As part of his recognition, Thompkins will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Game 2 of the 2025 World Series on Oct. 25, courtesy of Major League Baseball.
He will be honored in a pregame ceremony alongside nine other Youth of the Year recipients representing MLB Youth Academies across the nation.
A DeSoto High School graduate, Thompkins is continuing both his athletic and academic pursuits as a freshman at Prairie View A&M University.
The Texas Rangers Youth Academy, located in West Dallas, serves as a cornerstone for baseball and softball development, providing access, mentorship and opportunities for youth across North Texas to grow through the game.
Thompkins’ selection as Youth of the Year reflects both his dedication and the strength of DeSoto’s growing legacy of athletic excellence.
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