From a Big Dream to the Big Leagues: Blake’s Journey from Citizens Christian Academy to the MLB
For as long as Blake can remember, he has had one goal: to play professional baseball. When most kids are asked what they want to be when they grow up, they might say a firefighter, a doctor, a superhero, or even a monster truck driver. For Blake, the answer was always the same.
That commitment followed Blake throughout his years at Citizens Christian Academy (CCA), where he grew as both a student and an athlete while continuing to pursue his dream. This past spring, Blake graduated from CCA. Shortly afterward, that lifelong dream became a reality when he was selected 31st overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the MLB Draft.
His journey is one of determination, hard work, family support, and staying true to who you are. Now, through the children’s book Blake’s Big Dream, his story is also encouraging students to pursue dreams of their own.
A Dream That Never Changed
Blake’s sister Bailey has been one of his biggest supporters from the beginning. She remembers that even as a young child, Blake never wavered in what he wanted to accomplish.
“From middle school through high school, whenever family members, friends, or anyone else asked him what he planned to do after graduation, his answer was always, ‘I don’t have a Plan B.’ He was completely committed to pursuing his dream.”
As Blake grew older, the possibility of playing professionally began to feel more real. His family started searching for an agent, and after finding one, they began having weekly meetings with scouts.
“Watching my brother go from a little boy with a dream to actually having conversations with scouts and taking real steps toward professional baseball has been incredible,” Bailey shared. “It has made me even more proud of his determination, his work ethic, and his willingness to chase his dream without ever having a Plan B.”
More Than an Athlete
At CCA, Blake was known not only for his talent on the baseball field but also for his character. Tammy, Blake’s academic coach, teacher, and the author of Blake’s Big Dream, remembers him as a humble, respectful, and driven student who was willing to put in the work to pursue his goals.
“What always stood out to me was that success never seemed to change the way Blake treated people. He was still Blake. He respected his teachers, loved his friends and family, and represented CCA well. Long before the draft, we knew he was a talented baseball player, but we were even more proud of the young man he was becoming.”
Blake also excelled in the classroom. His father Joe shared that Blake was a straight-A student throughout his school years while also being a full-time athlete. His ability to remain focused and committed to both academics and athletics reflected his work ethic, discipline, and time management.
However, Blake’s path was not without challenges.
Overcoming Challenges Along the Way
Blake’s talent and athleticism were noticeable from a young age. He had the opportunity to become a varsity starter as an eighth grader in both basketball and baseball, an incredible accomplishment at such a young age. With that opportunity came challenges. As a young varsity player competing alongside older athletes, Blake experienced backlash from some older players who gave him and his friends a hard time because they were receiving playing time at a younger age than usual. Bailey remembers how difficult that period could be for her brother, particularly while she was away at college.
“But what impressed me most was that he never allowed those experiences to define him or take him away from his goals. He kept working, stayed focused, and continued to push forward regardless of what was happening outside those white chalk lines.”
As the season continued, Blake kept stepping on the mound, giving his team everything he had, and doing whatever he could to help them win. Through his performance, consistency, and determination, he eventually earned the respect of those around him. That resilience became an important part of his journey, helping him remain focused on his goals despite the challenges he faced.
The Impact of CCA and the GIAA
Blake’s experience at Citizens Christian Academy and within the Georgia Independent Athletic Association (GIAA) gave him opportunities to grow as both a student and an athlete. As the Head of School at CCA and Blake’s mother, Sally shared that competing in multiple sports helped develop Blake into a multisport athlete. During conversations with college coaches and scouts, his versatility and athleticism stood out. Scouts had opportunities to watch him during basketball season, where he also demonstrated his abilities.
“Being a member of GIAA and a student of CCA, has definitely allowed Blake to be part of a larger family unit,” Sally shared.
Tammy emphasized the close-knit nature of CCA and the importance of being part of a community where students are known and supported.
“Blake wasn’t just another athlete on a roster. His teachers, coaches, classmates, and our entire school community knew him, encouraged him, and wanted to see him succeed.”
Competing in the GIAA gave Blake opportunities to play at a high level, develop as an athlete, and continue growing. At the same time, CCA provided academic, personal, and faith-based support.
“He was able to chase a very big dream while still being part of a close-knit school community that cared about the person he was becoming…not just the player.”
The support extended beyond Blake’s immediate school community. Sally shared that the GISA/GIAA administration team had supported CCA and her personally as both a head of school and a parent. Personal texts, emails, and calls of congratulations meant a great deal to her family throughout the experience.
A Moment Years in the Making
When Blake was selected 31st overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks shortly after graduating, the moment represented years of hard work and sacrifice for the entire family.
Sally described the journey as amazing, filled with trials and challenges along the way. Watching her son experience the moment he had dreamed of was something she said she would never be able to put into words.
Blake’s father had played a significant role in supporting his children’s athletic journeys. While balancing church, life’s demands, and working third shift at CSX, Joe also coached their travel ball teams, often with little to no rest.
Saturdays could mean arriving home from work at 7 a.m., packing ball equipment and coolers, and traveling to an out-of-town tournament, sometimes playing and winning a championship game after midnight.
“He did it all with grace!”
The family had spent weekends at ballparks for both Bailey and Blake since they were little. Sally often jokes that Blake was raised by a bunch of softball girls, and that is where he gets his talent and skills. He practiced with them and was his sister’s number one fan, just as she was his. Over the years, they sharpened each other and continued to be best friends.
For Tammy and the CCA community, hearing Blake’s name called with the 31st pick was a moment of overwhelming pride and excitement.
“For CCA, it felt like one of our own had accomplished something extraordinary…because he had.”
What made the moment even more special was how recently Blake had graduated. One minute, he was a CCA senior walking the halls with his friends, and shortly afterward, he was beginning a professional baseball career. The entire community celebrated alongside his family. His accomplishment served as a reminder to CCA students that the kids sitting in their classrooms today can go on to do incredible things.
Blake’s Big Dream: A Story That Reaches Beyond Baseball
As an educator, Tammy kept thinking about the children watching Blake’s story unfold. Here was someone from their own community who had once sat in classrooms just like theirs and had a really big dream. She wanted children to understand that Blake did not simply wake up one day as a professional baseball player. Behind that moment were years of dreaming, practicing, working, believing, failing, learning, and trying again. That became the heart of Blake’s Big Dream.
“I hope when children read it, they don’t walk away thinking, ‘I want to be a professional baseball player.’ I hope they walk away thinking, ‘I have a dream too, and my dream is worth working for.’”
Their dreams may involve baseball, teaching, farming, medicine, art, owning a business, or something they have not even discovered yet. Tammy hopes students understand that where they begin does not determine how far they can go. For her, Blake’s story is not defined by one big baseball moment. It is about the fact that through the attention, the draft, and all the excitement surrounding him, Blake remained Blake.
She remembers hearing him say during an interview, “I’ll always be the same person.”
His accomplishments are extraordinary, but his humility is what makes his story worth sharing with children. His character was built long before his name was called in the draft.
“Dream big. Work hard. Take advantage of the opportunities God gives you. But don’t lose who you are along the way.”
To Tammy, that is Blake’s story, and it is a lesson much bigger than baseball.
The Blake Beyond the Baseball Field
While baseball brings out Blake’s focused and competitive side, his family describes a much more playful side away from the field. Sally calls him one of the most stress-free, straightforward, and funny individuals off the field. He finds joy in everything he does, and even as a young child, his contagious laugh could light up a room. Bailey describes her brother as the ultimate goofball: funny, loyal, an incredible friend, and an entertaining dancer. She remembers late nights hitting in the cage with Ben, blaring music and laughing, along with the many friends who became like little brothers along the way. She also remembers Blake standing up for his friends and teammates, including backing up his friends on the basketball court when things became a little too rowdy.
“He is confident on the mound, but he is also selfless and will do whatever it takes to help his team win.”
His father also recalled Blake’s response during Hurricane Helene, when their family went 18 days without power. Blake never complained. Instead, he got up every morning and went to CCA with his mother to help feed linemen, firefighters, and police officers. He also helped neighbors and others in the community saw up trees and clean yards. Through all of these experiences, his family hopes Blake always remembers that God has given him a special gift and that he continues to use his platform for God’s glory.
Bringing Blake’s Story to More Students
Through Blake’s Big Dream, CCA hopes to share Blake’s journey with students beyond their own school community. Schools and teachers interested in hosting an author visit can connect directly with Tammy at bennett@
Blake’s journey from a young boy with a dream to being drafted into Major League Baseball is a remarkable accomplishment. But as his family and school community know, his story has always been about more than baseball. It is about staying committed to a dream, persevering through challenges, appreciating the people who help along the way, and remembering who you are as you pursue what is possible.
