Philadelphia Academy Charter’s Kaitlyn Asher will be honored at the World Series: ‘A once in a lifetime opportunity’
Asher, a sophomore, was selected by the MLB as Youth of the Year from the Philadelphia Urban Phillies Youth Academy. Nine players from MLB Youth Academies will recognized before Game 2 Saturday.
After falling short for another year, the Phillies will be watching the World Series from home like most of their fans. But Philly is still going to be represented on baseball’s biggest stage, thanks to Kaitlyn Asher.
Asher was selected by the MLB as the Youth of the Year from the Philadelphia Urban Phillies Youth Academy. Each of the nine MLB Youth Academies selected a player that will be recognized prior to Game 2 of the World Series between the Brewers and Rays in Milwaukee on Saturday.
“It’s so important to me because I get to represent not only my organization but my whole city,” Asher said. “I’m so grateful to be doing so.”
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Asher, a sophomore at Philadelphia Academy Charter High School, was chosen for her performance on the softball field, along with her character, leadership, and personal growth she exemplifies off the field.
Phillies Urban Youth Academy is one of two softball teams Asher plays for outside of her school’s softball team. She makes the trip from Northeast Philly to South Philly, where the fields are located, to do so. Asher also plays volleyball and basketball for her school, and is playing on the varsity team for all three sports. Each of the sports, Asher said, helps with the other, while also building her character.
“They all help me to be a leader and help with teamwork because they’re all team sports,” she said.
This leadership and teamwork on the field also transfers into her work in the classroom. At school, Asher takes honors and AP classes and is an honors student.
For her mother, Kate Asher, to have these qualities recognized in Kaitlyn by others “means a lot.”
“I’m very happy with her work ethic, her dedication, her leadership, and I love that other people see it in her,” Kate said. “I knew she’d make a name for herself when she was in middle school, choosing a high school. She’s just working so hard, and I love that Philadelphia and the MLB have recognized her for everything off of the softball field as well.”
This isn’t the first major league event that Kaitlyn Asher has taken part in. This summer, Asher participated in her second Jennie Finch Classic during MLB All-Star Weekend in Philadelphia, after being the youngest girl (13-years-old) to partake in the 2025 Classic in Atlanta.
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She also experienced the MLB All-Star Red Carpet Show at Independence Mall this summer, escorting the All-Stars on the carpet. During the events at the Citizens Bank Park, Kaitlyn and members of the Phillies Urban Youth Academy helped to manage recycling in the ballpark.
Kate said she is “extremely grateful” to Kaitlyn’s coaches and these organizations for allowing her to have these experiences at a young age.
Now, Kaitlyn’s finishing the season at the World Series, where, if she had to root for a team other than the Phillies, she’s hoping for the Brewers to win it all. But more than anything, she’s just excited to add one more experience to her list.
“I’m just looking forward to representing the city and meeting new people and just have a good experience because this is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Kaitlyn said.
