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Playing in the National High School Invitational (NHSI) presented by the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance has become almost a rite of passage for top high school prospects, as the prestigious event provides players with a stage to showcase their talents early in the high school season in front of countless scouts from the college and professional ranks.

As a result, the NHSI has a long track record of producing high-round MLB Draft picks, including more than 35 first-rounders since the event’s inception in 2012, as well as an extensive list of notable alumni that have already made their mark in the big leagues.

Cody Bellinger

After an impressive showing at the 2013 NHSI with Hamilton High School (Chandler, Ariz.) Cody Bellinger was selected in the fourth round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers and made his big league debut with the club in 2017. He crushed 39 home runs in his rookie campaign, combining what would become his signature power with 87 runs and 97 RBIs to earn 2017 National League Rookie of the Year honors and an All-

Star Game nod. Bellinger has since tallied 152 dingers, 434 runs, 652 hits, 134 doubles, and 422 RBIs en route to being named a two-time All-Star in 2017 and 2019, the 2019 NLCS MVP, both a 2019 Gold Glover and Silver Slugger, and winning a World Series championship with the Dodgers in 2020.

Joey Gallo

Joey Gallo was regarded as the top prep slugger at the inaugural NHSI as a member of Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas, Nev.). He has since furthered that reputation in the majors after being selected in the fourth round of the 2012 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers and making his big league debut in 2015. Gallo hit 41 home runs in 2017, another 40 in 2018, and was named an AllStar in 2019. Two two-time Gold Glover made his second All-Star Game appearance in 2021 after clubbing 38 home runs and drawing an American League-best 111 walks with the Rangers and the New York Yankees.

Lucas Giolito

Lucas Giolito, along with Jack Flaherty and Max Fried, helped power Harvard-Westlake School (Los Angeles, Calif.) to the championship game of the 2012 NHSI. He was then selected with the 16th overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals before getting the call to the big leagues in 2016. He put together an All-Star season in 2019, allowing just 69 runs in 176.3 innings of work to tally a 3.41 ERA for the Chicago White Sox.

Jack Flaherty

Jack Flaherty was also a member of Harvard-Westlake School’s (Los Angeles, Calif.) dominant pitching staff at the inaugural NHSI in 2012 before being selected in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft. The Burbank, California, native made his MLB debut in 2017 with the St. Louis Cardinals and has since recorded a 3.41 ERA, allowing just 198 runs over 523.1 innings on the mound. In 2019, Flaherty started 33 games for the Cardinals and surrendered just 62 runs in 196.1 innings to finish the season with a career-low 2.75 ERA and a career-best 231 strikeouts and earn All-MLB Team honors.

Max Fried

Max Fried joined Jack Flaherty and Lucas Giolito on the Harvard-Westlake School’s pitching staff that guided the squad to the 2012 NHSI title game. Afterwards, Fried was taken with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres. He was traded to the Atlanta Braves in 2014 and made his MLB debut for the club in

2017 where he has been a mainstay in the rotation ever since. Fried collected a perfect 7-0 record and tallied a 2.25 ERA during the 2020 season before helping lead the Braves to a World Series championship in 2021 with a 3.04 ERA and just 61 runs allowed over 165.2 innings of work.

Austin Meadows

After boosting his draft stock with a strong showing for Grayson High School (Loganville, Ga.) at the 2013 NHSI, Austin Meadows was selected with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He made his MLB debut with the Pirates in 2018 and shortly after was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays where he tallied 308 hits, 65 home runs, 212 RBIs, and a .256 average in just over three seasons. He recorded a career-high 33 home runs, 154 hits, 83 runs, and seven triples while collecting 89 RBIs to earn All-Star honors in 2019 before being traded to the Detriot Tigers in 2022.

Matt Olson

Matt Olson, a participant in the 2012 NHSI with Parkview High School (Lilburn, Ga.) and a firstround pick in the 2012 MLB Draft, has hit 176 home runs for the Oakland Athletics since making his debut in 2016. In 2021, he recorded a .271 average with career highs in runs (101), RBIs (111), home runs (39), doubles (35), and walks (88) to earn his first selection to the All-Star Game.

Austin Riley

Austin Riley was a two-way standout for Desoto Central High School (Southaven, Miss.) at the 2015 NHSI, showing power on the mound and tallying six hits at the plate. Following his performance in the tournament, Riley was taken in first round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves and played a big role in the team’s 2021 World Series championship. He hit .303 that season for the Braves with 33 home runs, 107 RBIs, 91 runs scored, and 52 walks en route to the Fall Classic title, as well as 2021 Silver Slugger honors and a spot on the All-MLB Team. He earned All-Star honors last season after tallying 168 hits, 38 home runs, 93 RBIs, and a .528 slugging percentage.