Tennis Hall of Famers Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf built their careers around grand slams, winning a combined 30 titles. Their son, Jaden, aims to forge his own path in a different sport, choosing baseball over the family legacy. At just 23 years old, Jaden will represent Team Germany in the upcoming World Baseball Classic Qualifiers in Tucson, Arizona.

“Agassi is a very tennis last name, of course,” Jaden told WKBN News. “The goal is to try to make it a baseball one.”

In Europe, tennis can sometimes serve as an entry point to baseball. For Jaden, however, this wasn’t the case. Born in Las Vegas, his earliest memory is associated with tennis—running onto the court to greet his father after a U.S. Open victory. For Jaden, it has always been about baseball.

“It’s always been my sport. I just love being on the field, I love being on the mound,” Agassi told the Tribune Chronicle this summer. “I’ve always been a pitcher. I hit a growth spurt going into high school and started throwing harder, which caught the attention of coaches. I felt like maybe I had a future in the game.”

Jaden’s journey to baseball was fraught with challenges. He began pitching on travel teams in his freshman and sophomore years of high school but suffered an injury in his first high school game, requiring Tommy John surgery. This setback cost him the entire 2019 season, and the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19. Despite these obstacles, he didn’t lose sight of his baseball aspirations and pursued his dream at the University of Southern California (USC).

“I entered college with the ability to be a decent pitcher, but I was a thrower,” Agassi said. “Because of lost time, I was behind the eight ball. But I was blessed with great coaches who taught me the art of pitching.”

Although his college performance statistics might not be outstanding—Agassi posted a 6.20 ERA over 117 2/3 innings—the natural athletic ability was undeniable. In 2023, he started pitching for the Santa Barbara Foresters in the California Collegiate League and then transitioned to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers of the MLB Draft League the following year, where he had a breakout performance.

Throwing primarily a low-90s sinker that can hit 94, along with a mid-80s changeup and slider, Agassi finished his 2023 MLB Draft League season with a 2.96 ERA and 9.2 K/9, even earning Player of the Week honors on July 8.

With his skills on the rise, Jaden aims to make his mother proud and help lead Team Germany to their first World Baseball Classic tournament. The World Baseball Classic Qualifiers will kick off on March 2 in Tucson, Arizona.

Jaden Agassi’s journey is a testament to breaking away from family expectations and carving out a unique path in a new sport. His successful transition from tennis to baseball reveals the potential for young athletes to explore their passions and pursue their dreams, even if it means going against the grain. With dedication, hard work, and support, Jaden Agassi continues to redefine what it means to be a part of a family sporting legacy.