27 March 2026
- Aussies Abroad Aussies Sign Pro
Queensland teenager Patrick Crotty signs with Philadelphia Phillies after journey defined by resilience
Patrick Crotty grew up in a house that asked a lot of him early.
The youngest of four boys, raised by his mum after his dad passed away when he was just one, Crotty learned quickly what it meant to keep going.
That same quality carried him through a major shoulder surgery that took him off the mound for six months in 2024 and a freak injury 2025.
All those experiences have led him to a professional baseball contract.
The 17-year-old right-hander from Queensland has signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, officially putting pen to paper on Friday 27th March.
His professional journey starts now.
Crotty will return to Brisbanefor a week on Monday and will head back to the Dominican Republic for a short stint, before joining the Phillies complex in Clearwater, Florida.
A product of Redcliffe Baseball Club, Crotty becomes one of 23 Australians on MLB-affiliated contracts. More than 40 Australians are playing professionally overseas, with over 120 in the US college system as the game continues to grow nationally.
Crotty’s talent has been clear for some time.
READ MORE: Where Australians are expected to begin their 2026 professional baseball seasons
His fastball sits above 90 miles per hour and works alongside a slider that has become his go-to pitch combination. It was that mix that drew scouts in, particularly at the Australian Youth Championships (AYC).
In a tight game against Victoria, with more than a dozen scouts watching, Crotty threw three shutout innings with conviction and pace. It was the kind of outing that shifted conversations from interest to intent.
“I knew I was getting scouted for a while. I just knew I had to be at my best at all times, on and off the field,” Crotty said. “I then knew AYC was around the corner which has a lot of scouts there watching. After my first outing against Victoria I met with the Phillies. This started a great relationship which then led to having zoom calls about potential signing. Then comes the day of getting a contract. It’s a moment I’ll never forget.”
The road to that moment did not move in a straight line.
In 2024, Crotty suffered a tear in his throwing shoulder. Six months away from pitching meant missed opportunities and time to watch from the side. When he returned, he knew he had ground to make up.
“I had a tear in my throwing shoulder which stopped me pitching for about 6 months,” he said. “Once I was ready to pitch I knew I had to work harder than everyone else as I was a step behind. Thankfully I got a late invite to the U18 Australian camp. This was a great accomplishment that led to many more opportunities.”
Even then, there was another moment that could have slowed him down. A week before the 2026 national tournament, a ball came back at him in live batting practice and struck his wrist.
Scans cleared him, and by the third day of competition he was back on the mound.
“Thinking back on these parts of my life makes me more determined to keep working hard even after rough obstacles like injury,” Crotty said.
He carried that persistence onto the international stage at the 2025 U18 World Cup, where he made three appearances against USA, China and Italy, allowing just two runs in 5.2 innings.
Australia U18 National Team coach Jason Pospishil saw both the present and what could still come.
“His fastball and his slider are his best pitches hands down,” Pospishil said. “He is a really great kid. Have a lot of time for him. Great story to come back from the injury he had in 2024 and get himself ready for the World Cup. He is a big, tall lean frame and I think he has some more in the tank once he physically develops.”
The story around Crotty stretches beyond the field.
“I’m the youngest of four. Having three older brothers to look up to everyday has shaped me into the person I am today. I am very close with all of my brothers. All four of us grew up playing baseball at Redcliffe. We have a competitive side to us. So there was definitely arguments growing up on who was better,” Crotty said.
His mum Joanne sits at the centre of that story. A baseball player herself at Redcliffe, Joanne is credited for a lot of Patrick’s baseball upbringing.
“Mum had to raise four boys on her own, which was very hard for her. But she always found a way to provide. She has been by my side through all of my adventures, and now she gets to see her youngest play professional baseball. A dream come true for the both of us. All of my achievements in baseball have been for her.”
His dad remains close to him in a different way.
“Dad passed away when I was one. I wear the number 43 to honor the age he passed away. This is something very special to me because I am able to take him with me when I step on the field,” said Crotty.
His cousin, Connor MacDonald, has been a constant influence.
A former Houston Astros minor leaguer and now the ace of the Brisbane Bandits, MacDonald has watched the journey up close.
“Connor has been my biggest role model,” Crotty said. “From when he signed to when he recently played in the WBC. Seeing all the things he could experience was a dream of mine.”
Another influence sits alongside that.
“Liam has also been a role model for me. Playing college was my first choice for what I wanted to do. Seeing Liam play college ball showed me that both pathways are definitely possible.”
Connor MacDonald sees those same traits reflected in the way Crotty has handled his journey.
“I believe the word Crotty can be described as resilient,” MacDonald said. “It starts at the top of the family. My aunty was dealt the challenge of raising four young boys under the age of five when my uncle passed away. The word resilient is definitely a part of the Crotty family story and I believe my aunty’s resilience has rubbed off on all her boys.”
He remembers where it started.
“I remember the Crotty boys always loved baseball, especially Patty. They were always in the backyard playing catch or hitting balls around,” he said. “It was awesome to watch him pitch in the U18 World Cup when he started against USA and when I heard the news that he was signing with the Phillies I was so happy for him. I know my aunty and all his brothers are so proud of him, especially his dad, wherever he is watching from.”
There was also a sense, even then, that Crotty would find a way.
“When Patty was young, maybe six or seven, one of my uncles said you could drop that boy in the middle of the CBD and he would find his way home,” MacDonald said. “That describes him and the Crotty boys well. They have all helped in raising one another and I think that strength will help him overseas.”
For Crotty, the next step comes with purpose.
“College was always an option for me, but professional scouts showed more interest in me,” he said. “Having the opportunity to sign first is a big step, but that is something I am prepared for.”
Whatever happens next, Crotty knows he isn’t there without his village.
“Friends and family are most important to me. Having their support by my side was huge.”
