When Todd Dulaney Jr. was 3 years old, his baseball field was the backyard. He and his dad, Todd Sr., would head outside and hit Wiffle balls together. It was the beginning of a relationship with the game that has continued to grow—and one that comes with a unique perspective. Todd Sr. knows what it takes to pursue professional baseball. He was drafted by the New York Mets in the 32nd round of the 2002 MLB Draft and went on to play two seasons in the Mets' minor-league system, with the Kingsport Mets and Gulf Coast Mets.

Today, Todd Jr. is following his own path.

The 15-year-old White Eagle resident is a sophomore at Nazareth Academy and a member of the Class of 2029. As a freshman, Todd earned a starting spot on the varsity baseball team—a huge accomplishment for a young player who, as his dad remembers, was noticeably smaller than many of his junior and senior teammates.

A right-handed shortstop and second baseman, he also plays travel baseball with Top Tier.

But for Todd, baseball isn't about chasing numbers or worrying about who's watching. It's about competing. “I love competing in games,” he says. “Whenever I step on a baseball field, my favorite part is showing what I can do on the field.” And he's getting plenty of opportunities to do just that.

Todd has already earned invitations to several high-level events, including the 2026 Midwest Super Sophomore Games and the 15U National Championship. His recent scouting profile lists a maximum exit velocity of 93.7 mph, an 86-mph infield velocity and a 7.15-second 60-yard dash.

One of Todd's biggest baseball opportunities came through MLB Develops, Major League Baseball's youth development program for promising young players. Todd was selected to participate in the Hank Aaron Invitational; a signature MLB Develops experience. The 2026 event brought approximately 250 players ages 13–18 from across the country to the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Florida, for four days of competition, instruction and mentorship from former Major League players and coaches. Players are selected through MLB and USA Baseball programs, MLB clubs and scouts, Youth Academies, RBI programs and other baseball development initiatives.

For Todd, the experience was about competing against talented players from around the country, learning from former Major Leaguers and meeting some of the game's legends—including Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. “Playing in the Hank Aaron Invitational ... and staying with your roommate, away from your parents and having fun is a great highlight of mine,” Todd says.

Todd's goals right now are focused on development—not just physically, but mentally. “My goals now are just developing physically and mentally,” he says. “Getting bigger and more mature plays a huge part in the game.” That's where his dad's influence comes in.

With a father who played professional baseball, Todd has had a unique opportunity to learn from someone who has experienced the game at a high level. One of the biggest lessons he's learned from his dad is to trust himself. “I’ve learned to just be myself and play my game,” he says. “Scouts and people will come find you when you’re just playing the game that you were taught and the game you know.”

It's advice that seems to fit Todd's approach. He's not rushing to define exactly where baseball will take him. Right now, he's focused on becoming stronger, more mature and more confident—while continuing to enjoy the game that started with a few Wiffle balls in the backyard.

For a kid who started by hitting Wiffle balls with his dad at age 3, the journey has already taken him to some pretty special places. Now, Todd is focused on the next step: continuing to grow, continuing to compete and, most importantly, continuing to play the game his own way.