- Newberry's Tavis Honeycutt, a University of Florida commit, led Florida high schools with 16 home runs and participated in the 2026 MLB High School Home Run Derby.
- He finished fourth in the Derby with 17 total home runs and was invited by the MLB commissioner to compete in Philadelphia.
- Tavis and his family experienced MLB All-Star Week events, exploring the city and attending the 2026 MLB Draft and Home Run Derby under bright lights.
On July 10, Newberry’s Tavis Honeycutt was one of eight high school baseball players from around the country who participated in the 2026 Major League Baseball High School Home Run Derby during All-Star Week in Philadelphia.
The University of Florida commit just completed a sensational junior season for the Panthers (18-7) in which he led the state of Florida in home runs (16) and slugging percentage (1.406).
The Florida Dairy Farmers Class 2A Player of the Year ended up finishing fourth in the voting for the Mr. Baseball award, which is given to the top overall high school baseball player in the Sunshine State.
Receiving an invitation from the commissioner of Major League Baseball to compete against the best in a home run hitting contest on an MLB field was a dream come true.
“It has definitely always been my dream to play in the MLB,” Tavis Honeycutt said. “I even had that dream before my dream to play for Florida. It was really great to experience that level because it has made me want it even more.”
It was an unforgettable moment that he got to share with his mom (Michele), dad (Shedrick) and his 10-year-old brother (Major).
“My family is everything to me,” Tavis Honeycutt said. “My parents have done so much for me and I wouldn’t be able to have these opportunities without them. I always love having them wherever I’m playing.”
The dream became a reality on July 9 when Tavis and his mom arrived in Philadelphia. Shedrick and Major were in Cooperstown and met them in Philly on Thursday.
An official MLB vehicle and driver greeted them at the airport, offering a first-class welcome that set the tone for an incredible week.
“Yeah, it was pretty cool,” Tavis Honeycutt said. “Made the whole experience feel very special from the beginning.”
After checking into the hotel, Tavis spent the evening taking official headshots before joining the other competitors for dinner.
During dinner, the eight participants drew numbers to determine the batting order for the Home Run Derby.
Tavis drew No. 8, earning the final spot in the opening round.
“I really felt great about getting the last number,” he said. “I kinda felt like it was a good place because I would know what I would have to beat.”
The following morning, competitors and their families boarded a charter bus bound for Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies.
“This was our first time going to Philadelphia,” Tavis Honeycutt said. “It was nice to experience and see how others live because it’s very different from the way we live here in Florida. I can’t say I liked Philadelphia. It’s dirty.”
While family members took in the sights of the iconic modern ballpark, the participants headed to the clubhouse to prepare for batting practice.
For nearly an hour, the nation’s top prep hitters took batting practice on the same field that would later host Major League Baseball’s biggest stars.
Then came the moment they had all been waiting for.
“The entire week was an experience, but my favorite part was watching Tavis hit in the Derby,” Michele Spina-Honeycutt said. “I love watching him play this game.”
When it was Tavis’ turn to step into the batter’s box, he rose to the occasion and blasted 13 home runs. That was tied for the second most in the opening round.
He followed with four more in the second round.
“Hopefully this is the first of many opportunities,” said Shedrick Honeycutt, who played two seasons of minor league baseball (2001 to 2002) at the Rookie level for the Gulf Coast League (GCL) Expos, an affiliate of the Montreal Expos. “I was very proud of him. But I really cannot explain in words how amazing it was to watch him.”
Tavis finished fourth overall with 17 home runs behind eventual champion Brady Cunningham of Brother Rice HS (Illinois), finalist Sullivan Reed of Lamar School (Mississippi), and Jimmy Amplo from The Shipley School (Pennsylvania).
“Of course I was disappointed not to finish in the top two,” Tavis Honeycutt said. “But I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity and everything that came with it.”
Although his total was not enough to advance to the championship round, his performance against some of the nation’s best young hitters was one to be proud of.
“It was really awesome to see Tavis out there on the field like a big leaguer,” Major Honeycutt said. “I really wanted him to win so I was a little disappointed.”
The Home Run Derby was only one highlight of an unforgettable week.
“Outside of the HR Derby, I got to hang out with the other participants,” Tavis Honeycutt said. “One of the guys was from the area and he showed us around. We visited the Liberty Bell, the famous LOVE sculpture, and City Hall, to name a few.”
Michele Spina-Honeycutt said she “enjoyed getting the opportunity to visit and sightsee.”
“We rode the subway as a family for the first time to the MLB Home Run Derby and then back to the hotel,” she said. “That was an experience, but out of all of our travels it’s not my favorite. It kind of stinks (laughing). However, I did enjoy the stadium (Citizens Bank Park).”
Tavis and his family immersed themselves in Major League Baseball’s All-Star festivities, enjoying authentic Philadelphia cheesesteaks and exploring All-Star Village.
“The cheesesteaks are good,” Shedrick Honeycutt said. “It was interesting to see how they live, but I don’t like the city life. It’s not for me.”
The family also attended the 2026 MLB Draft and witnessed the MLB Home Run Derby under the bright lights.
“My favorite part was for sure getting to see him compete in the Derby and getting to watch him talk with MLB staff & players,” Shedrick Honeycutt said.
Attending the MLB Draft left a particularly lasting impression.
“It was really cool to be there,” Tavis Honeycutt said. “I couldn’t help but imagine hearing my own name called someday.”
The excitement continued during the MLB Home Run Derby, where the atmosphere inside Citizens Bank Park was unforgettable.
“It was electric,” Tavis Honeycutt said.
While the statistics from the High School Home Run Derby will be remembered, the relationships, experiences, and inspiration gained throughout All-Star Week may prove even more valuable.
From traveling like a Major League player to competing on one of baseball’s biggest stages, Tavis experienced a week that few high school athletes ever will.
For Tavis, the invitation represented more than a chance to hit home runs. It was a glimpse into what could lie ahead.
Not a bad experience for someone from the small town of Newberry.
“It’s a surreal feeling really,” Michele Spina-Honeycutt said. “We are proud to live in Newberry and be from Newberry. We get a lot of comments about how you have to play at a big school in order to be successful, so this moment hopefully shows others that it’s ok to play for a school where you grew up.”
Just ask MLB’s Wyatt Langford.
The Trenton native was drafted fourth overall by the Texas Rangers in the 2023 MLB Draft and signed an $8 million contract.
Langford, who was the second-highest Gator ever drafted, proved you can come from a small town and still make the big leagues.
“Be proud of your hometown and play hard for it,” Michele Spina-Honeycutt said. “Tavis was shown lots of love & support from friends, his high school and community members. That means everything to us and made the moment that much more special.”
If Tavis’ determination matches his talent, hearing his name called at a future MLB Draft may not be just a dream, but the next chapter in an already remarkable baseball journey.