Forsyth Central senior Ethan Hankins was named on Thursday night to the USA Baseball 18U National Team, which will represent the country in the World Baseball Softball Confederation World Cup in September. 

Hankins, the 2017 Forsyth County News Pitcher of the Year, is considered one of the top MLB Draft prospects in his class, with a mid-90s fastball, strong control and a lean, athletic 6-foot-6 frame. He's had a busy, productive summer, competing and impressing scouts in prestigious events like the Area Code Games and the Perfect Game All-American Classic.

Hankins' road to making Team USA started at the USA Baseball Tournament of Stars in June in Cary, North Carolina, and he performed well enough at that event to be invited to the team trials, which took place last week in Minneapolis. Hankins had a rough outing in his lone appearance in the trials, giving up five runs on five hits in two innings, but his strong performance in past events warranted a spot on the final squad. 

The 18U team will play four exhibition games before heading to Thunder Bay, Ontario for the World Cup, set to take place from Sept. 1-10.