In its push for more Black players, MLB hopes results are on the horizon from grassroots efforts

Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “We're starting to come through.” Rose was one of more than 300 players of all backgrounds in Phoenix this week to take part in the combine, which featured workouts, interviews and games in an effort to showcase some of the game's best amateur talent at the high school and college levels before July's draft. “Just being able to see people your color playing the game, being able to relate to them, that’s been important.” Homer Bush Jr. — whose dad played in the big leagues for seven seasons for the Blue Jays, Yankees and Marlins — said baseball is also doing a better job of being social media savvy. “We took a lot of videos of other players for their parents who couldn't make it,” said Shaun Rose, Zion's dad. “We’ve been really blessed with travel ball, lots of support from friends and family.” Several Black former MLB players were in Phoenix to help with the combine, including Chris Young, who played in the big leagues for 13 seasons and was an All-Star with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2010.