Coleman Borthwick: WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup MVP named USA Baseball Player of the Year

WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2025 MVP, Coleman Borthwick, became the first player in USA Baseball History to be honoured with both the Richard W. Dick Case Player of the Year Award and the Performance of the Year Award.

Borthwick, 17, led USA to their 11th U-18 World Title at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2025 presented by RAXUS in Okinawa by pitching a complete game shutout against the hosts Japan.

Borthwick will graduate from High School in 2026 and has already committed to Auburn University.

"I have committed just in case going with the pros doesn't work out, but my plan is making it to the Big Leagues," he commented in Okinawa after receiving the MVP Award.

USA Baseball named Borthwick's manager in Okinawa, Rick Eckstein, the Rod Dedeaux Coach of the Year. It's his second consecutive Coach of the Year Award.

Four-time U-18 National Team pitching coach Brad Penny joined Eckstein as an award winner, taking home the 'Doc' Counsilman Science Award for his use of scientific data in leading the pitching staff to record-breaking numbers.

In early August, the U-12 National Team won their third consecutive U-12 Baseball World Cup, their sixth overall, and earned USA Baseball Team of the Year Award.

After winning the WBSC Americas Central and North U-15 Baseball World Cup Qualifier, U-15 National Team manager Casey Scott became the Developmental Coach of the Year.

Kirk Champion earned Coach Educator of the Year for his work at the U-18 National Team Training Camp, All-American Women’s Baseball Classic, MLB Draft Combine, and Women’s National Team Development Program.

Wehiwa Aloy (Golden Spikes Award), Rick Delia (Volunteer Coach of the Year), and Aldo Plata (Service Provider of the Year) round out the 2025 awards for USA Baseball.

"This was an incredible year for USA Baseball, and we are excited to celebrate some of the athletes, coaches, and staff who made 2025 so successful," said USA Baseball CEO/Executive Director Paul Seiler. "We won three gold medals, including two WBSC World Cups, and saw some unbelievable performances along the way. We also continued our efforts to grow the game at every level and are thrilled to honour some of the people who contributed to that. Before we turn the page to 2026, it is important to highlight the people who made this year so rewarding."