Danniel Rivera, a sophomore at New Britain High School, plays on the Varsity Baseball team but played up as a freshman. After finding much success in his first year, he is now in the conversation as one of the top underclass athletes at the high school level.
 
Recently, Rawlings and Perfect Game named Rivera an honorable mention when they announced its Preseason All-American Team. Baseball athletes included in these teams are set to graduate in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
 
The Rawlings-Perfect Game Preseason All American 1st, 2nd and 3rd team recognizes 300 players from the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. Each team consists of 100 players who are currently juniors, sophomores, or freshmen in high school. There is also a high honorable mention and an honorable mention (which Rivera was named to) list to identify other potential top underclassmen. 
 
“With more than 450,000 high school baseball players in the nation, the                      Rawlings-Perfect Game Preseason Underclass All-American players represent the very best in their class,” said Mike Thompson, executive vice president of              marketing for St. Louis-based Rawlings. “Rawlings and Perfect Game are synonymous with the game of baseball, and preseason awards allow us to recognize and reward these elite athletes for their hard work and contribution to the game.” 
 
“To receive the Rawlings-Perfect Game Preseason All-American or All-Region Award is a tremendous achievement for these high school student-athletes,” said Jerry Ford,  president of Cedar Rapids, IA-based Perfect Game. “We are proud to recognize their talent as they prepare for their careers playing collegiate or              professional baseball.”

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