Hi, I’m Jaxson Vassallo, a high school baseball player at IMG Academy and the founder of VELO by The Bullpen Training. My journey in baseball has always been more than just playing the game—it’s about sharing the love for it. At 12 years old, I started creating fun baseball-related videos with my dad under the name The Bullpen Training. We showcased daily drills, creative competitions, and everything in between, blending education and entertainment for players and fans.

To our surprise, a few of our videos went viral, and by the end of the first year, we had built an incredible community of over 200,000 followers. That’s when my dad and I realized we had something special—not just a platform but a genuine baseball audience. We started brainstorming how we could turn our passion into a family business.

I’ve always loved sunglasses and often thought about how they could be better for baseball players, combining performance and style. With that idea in mind, VELO by The Bullpen Training was born. At just 13 years old, with the support and guidance of my dad, I launched the brand, focusing on designing sunglasses that meet the needs of athletes on and off the field.

The response has been beyond anything I could have imagined. In our second year, we were featured on Whistle Sports’ My Hustle series, which gave us a huge boost. Today, we have a combined following of over 1 million across social media platforms, with more than 700 million video views. VELO Shades has grown into a global brand, selling over 75,000 pairs worldwide.

It’s been an honor to see VELO Shades worn by athletes like Livvy Dunne (LSU Gymnast), Chris Sale (Braves), MJ Melendez (Royals), Ryan Fitzgerald (Royals), Eric Simm, the Pottstown Scout Teams, and even the iconic Savannah Bananas.

I’m incredibly grateful for my supporters, followers, and customers who have made this dream a reality. Your encouragement has allowed me to balance life as a student-athlete and a business owner, and I’m so excited for what the future holds. Thank you for being a part of this journey—I couldn’t have done it without you!