There are a handful of big leaguers with San Antonio ties in Spring Training this year.

Kayson Cunningham was taken in the first round with the 18th overall pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks back in July.

He grew up going to Spring Training as a kid. Now he’s on the experiencing it from a different perspective.

“Being a little kid coming out to these spring training games, asking for a ball, asking for autographs, and now it’s came full circle,” said Cunningham. “And I’m the one giving the balls out, giving autographs. So it’s really a blessing, and it’s a dream come true.”

The dream is now a reality for Kayson Cunningham.

After a stellar career at Johnson High School, he’s learning what it takes to make it in the majors.

“It’s definitely going from a pond to an ocean I’d say,” said Cunningham.”But, you know, just make, you know, the game’s about adjustments, and I’ve made a lot of huge jumps these past couple couple months. I had a really big off season, and so I’m in the weight room getting stronger, working on my game, knowing that I’m gonna have a long season ahead of me.”

Cunningham, who turns 20 in June, is already one of the prized prospects in the Diamondbacks organization.

He’s been soaking up everything he can in his first big league camp.

“Watching those guys being around them it’s truly eye opening and just being around them thinking that could be me someday in the big leagues, playing with them,” said Cunningham.

Cunningham got a little taste of Class-A ball after being draft last year.

One of my main goals is this summer is to get called up to High-A in Hillsboro,” said Cunningham. “I was starting off in Visalia in low-A but hopefully I get that call up to high-A this year in my first pro season.”

When we caught up with Kayson, he picked up three base hits during his backfield game. His day at the plate caught the attention of Arizona manager Anthony Lovullo.

“After I hit that double, he told me nice swing,” said Lovullo. “So that was, that was probably one of the first interactions I’ve had with him. When I got drafted. I talked to him a little bit, but yeah, I can’t wait to play with him some play for him someday.”