Philippine junior baseball standout Aiden Lazaro is taking another major step in his development after earning a place at the prestigious IMG Academy, where he will train at the world-renowned sports education and athletic development center in Bradenton, Florida.
The 13-year-old pitcher becomes the first homegrown Filipino baseball player to be selected for IMG Academy’s elite baseball pathway, a significant milestone for Philippine baseball as Lazaro continues his pursuit of becoming the first player developed in the Philippines to reach Major League Baseball (MLB).
IMG Academy is recognized globally for producing elite athletes across multiple sports, combining high-level coaching with advanced performance programs designed to develop both athletic ability and personal growth. Through the academy, Lazaro will have access to a comprehensive training environment focused not only on baseball skills but also on long-term athlete development.
OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.
Get the latest sports updates faster. Join the official Sports PH News Discord community today! https://discord.gg/defTe7KeT
As part of his program, Lazaro will work with IMG’s Performance & Sports Science Center, where specialists will oversee key areas of his development, including strength and conditioning, speed and agility, mobility, injury prevention, recovery, sports science, nutrition, and mental performance.
The opportunity marks a significant chapter in Lazaro’s young career, as he looks to sharpen his skills against some of the best young baseball talents from around the world while learning from coaches and experts who have helped shape future professional athletes.
Varsity Sports:
Aiden Lazaro is the first-ever homegrown Filipino recruit to train at the prestigious IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The 13-year-old junior baseball star and Ateneo de Manila student is undergoing an elite, long-term athletic development program…
pic.twitter.com/cK1H24al4d
— Team AMDG (@TeamAMDG) July 27, 2026
“I’m excited to immerse myself in a new training environment and learn from everyone at IMG Academy who helped develop some of the top athletes and professional players. I look forward to bringing home everything I gain from this so I could contribute more to my teams in the Philippines,” Lazaro said during a media interaction.
The young pitcher also expressed his gratitude to IMG Academy for providing him with an opportunity to pursue his ambitions while continuing to represent the Philippines.
“I’m very thankful to IMG Academy for welcoming me into its baseball and holistic athletic training program and for working closely with my mom over the past few months to help create exciting opportunities for my future. I’m humbled by this privilege and I’m ready to work hard to make the most of it,” he added.
Lazaro’s move to IMG Academy draws parallels with another young Filipino athlete who pursued an international development pathway at the same age. Philippine tennis star Alex Eala committed to elite overseas training when she was 13 years old, joining the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain, where she developed her skills before making history as one of the country’s most successful tennis players.
IMG Academy’s sister brand, IMG Tennis Management, currently represents Eala, further highlighting the organization’s connection to Filipino athletes seeking opportunities on the global stage.
While training in Florida will provide Lazaro with access to world-class facilities and competition, he will continue his commitments in the Philippines. The young pitcher remains a member of the Ateneo Blue Eagles baseball program and will travel between the Philippines and the United States as he balances his education and athletic development.
Currently a Grade 8 student at Ateneo, Lazaro also serves as team captain of the school’s Baseball Pony Division, where he continues to build his leadership skills alongside his growth as a player.
With his selection to IMG Academy, Lazaro becomes one of the brightest young prospects in Philippine baseball. His journey represents not only a personal ambition but also a significant opportunity for the sport in the country, as he aims to inspire the next generation of Filipino baseball players and potentially break new ground on the international stage.
Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!
Follow our Facebook page Sports PH News today and join the community of passionate sports fans.
Leave a Reply