ATLANTA, GA | Morehouse College baseball standouts Robert Robinson Jr. and Elijah Pinckney have been selected to participate in the 2026 Minority Baseball Prospects (MBP) HBCU All-Star Game, earning the opportunity to represent the Maroon Tigers among the nation's top HBCU baseball talent.
The sixth annual showcase will be held at Atrium Health Park in Kannapolis, North Carolina, home of the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. Robinson and Pinckney were named to Team Wilbert Ellis, which will face Team Larry Watkins in a matchup honoring two of the most influential coaches in HBCU baseball history.
Named after legendary Grambling State head coach Wilbert Ellis, Team Wilbert Ellis features standout players from institutions across the HBCU landscape. Ellis won more than 700 games during his Hall of Fame career and led Grambling State to multiple SWAC championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. Team Larry Watkins honors the longtime Alabama State coach who won more than 500 games and helped establish the Hornets as one of the SWAC's premier programs during his 30-year tenure.
For Morehouse, the selections continue a growing tradition of national recognition. Pinckney and Robinson join former Morehouse standouts Derrick Odom (2022 & 23), Jaiden Proper, and Casey Coates (2022 & 23) as the fourth and fifth Maroon Tigers selected to participate in the MBP HBCU All-Star Game. Pinckney previously participated in the 2025 game also, making him the first Maroon Tigers to be selected as a two-time all-star.
The duo helped lead Morehouse to one of the most successful seasons in program history in 2026. The Maroon Tigers finished 25-21 overall and 17-14 in SIAC play, recorded their highest conference finish in nearly two decades, advanced to the deepest SIAC Tournament run of the modern era, and earned the program's first-ever final ranking in the Black College Nines Top 10 Poll.
Robinson enters the all-star showcase following one of the most productive offensive seasons by a Maroon Tiger in recent memory. The junior slugger batted .379, collecting 58 hits, 47 runs scored, nine doubles, 13 home runs and 44 RBI while leading the team with 106 total bases. He also posted a .693 slugging percentage and .505 on-base percentage, drew 37 walks and stole 11 bases in 12 attempts. Defensively, Robinson was flawless, recording a 1.000 fielding percentage while splitting time between catcher and first base.
His breakout campaign earned him SIAC First Team honors at designated hitter, SIAC Second Team recognition at catcher, NCBWA Second Team All-South Region honors, and D2CCA Second Team All-South Region accolades.
"Robert developed into one of the most dangerous hitters in the conference this season," said Morehouse head coach Antonio Grissom. "His ability to impact the game in so many ways was a huge reason for our success. This honor is well deserved and another step in his continued growth as a player."
Pinckney's selection serves as the latest recognition in one of the most accomplished careers in Morehouse Baseball history. During the 2026 season, the senior shortstop batted .331 with 51 hits, 16 doubles, 38 RBI, 36 walks and a .465 on-base percentage while anchoring the Maroon Tiger defense. Pinckney earned 2nd-Team All-SIAC honors this season and earned the SIAC Elite-16 Award, an academic award given to the player with the highest GPA who received a superlative.
Over four seasons, Pinckney established himself among the greatest players to wear the maroon and white. He finished his career with a .370 batting average, 214 hits, 195 runs scored, 54 doubles, five triples, 11 home runs, 134 RBI, 311 total bases, 155 walks and 52 stolen bases. His combination of offensive production, plate discipline, defensive consistency and leadership made him one of the most complete players in program history.
In recognition of his impact, Pinckney became only the second baseball player in Morehouse history to have his jersey number retired and just the third student-athlete in Morehouse Athletics history to receive that distinction. The honor places him alongside an elite group of Maroon Tiger legends that includes current Director of Athletics Harold Ellis.
Pinckney's legacy extends beyond the baseball field. He became the first NCAA Division II player selected to the HBCU Swingman Classic, earned the prestigious T-Mobile Impact Award, received multiple Black College Nines honors, and distinguished himself through academic achievement, leadership and community service through awards such as the Peach of an Athlete award received earlier this year .
"Elijah's career has been remarkable in every sense of the word," Grissom said. "His accomplishments on the field speak for themselves, but what separates him is the impact he has made as a leader, teammate and representative of Morehouse College. He leaves a legacy that future Maroon Tigers will aspire to match."
Morehouse Director of Athletics Harold Ellis praised both student-athletes for their contributions to the program.
"Robert and Elijah have been outstanding ambassadors for Morehouse College and our baseball program," Ellis said. "They have represented the institution with excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the community. Their selection to this event is a testament to the hard work they have invested throughout their careers, and we are excited to see them represent Morehouse on a national stage."
As Robinson and Pinckney prepare to take the field in Kannapolis, they will continue a proud tradition of Morehouse excellence while showcasing the talent, character and leadership that define Maroon Tiger Baseball. For up-to-date athletic information on the Maroon Tigers, follow them on social media or online at www.morehouseathletics.com or on Instagram at morehouse_baseball.
About the MBP HBCU All-Star Game
The Minority Baseball Prospects HBCU All-Star Game is one of the premier postseason showcases for HBCU baseball student-athletes. Now in its sixth year, the event brings together many of the nation's top HBCU players for a weekend that includes professional development programming, networking opportunities, community engagement initiatives and a nationally recognized all-star game. The showcase is designed to celebrate the culture, tradition and excellence of HBCU baseball while providing additional exposure to professional scouts and opportunities for players to continue their careers at the next level. More than 15 former participants have gone on to sign professional baseball contracts or be selected in professional drafts since the event's inception.
About Minority Baseball Prospects
Minority Baseball Prospects (MBP) is a national organization dedicated to increasing opportunities, exposure and development for minority baseball and softball student-athletes. Through showcases, all-star events, youth clinics, collegiate leagues and educational programming, MBP has helped connect thousands of players with college coaches, professional scouts and career-development opportunities. The organization has assisted hundreds of student-athletes in earning collegiate opportunities and has become one of the leading advocates for increasing visibility within amateur baseball and softball.
