13 July 2024
- Aussies Abroad Aussies Sign Pro
The Max Durrington Story: 17-year-old Aussie signs big contract with Major League Baseball’s Athletics
cover photo: Akane Hatai (Baseball Queensland)
There has never been an Australian father-son duo reach the major leagues.
Max Durrington is hoping to change that.
The 17-year-old from Surfers Paradise Baseball Club signed a contract on Saturday with the Athletics, one of thirty Major League Baseball clubs.
It comes with a signing bonus believed to be over seven figures (AUD) – one of the largest for a first professional contract in Australian baseball history.
He follows in the footsteps of his dad Trent, one of Australia’s 38 Major League Baseball Players. Trent played for the Angels and Brewers between 1999 and 2005, and for Australia at the World Baseball Classic in 2006.
But Max is looking to forge his own journey to the show. He already has.
Earlier in 2024, Max announced his commitment to powerhouse NCAA Division 1 school Arizona State – a program which has produced more major leaguers than any other college outfit in the United States.
Max pivoted after discussions with the Athletics.
“The idea was always to go the college route and enter the draft in my sophomore year, but the Athletics came in with a life-changing contract offer and I couldn’t turn it down,” he says. “What also makes the decision easier was how the minor league pathway has changed for the better. Plus, going pro and making the MLB was always the dream. This gets me one step closer.”
The Athletics, currently playing in Oakland, are scheduled to move to Las Vegas by 2026.
They have two other Australian players in their system. South Australian pitcher and MLB-arm Jack O’Loughlin is currently with the Big-League club, and Western Australia’s BJay Cooke is playing in Single-A.
Several Australians have played for the Athletics in the past, including Liam Hendriks, Grant Balfour, Rich Thompson, Travis Blackely, Luke Hughes, and now O’Loughlin.
“The Athletics system and staff I feel very comfortable with. They’re all knowledgeable and have been with the organisation for a long time. With changes happening at the Big League club, I can see a lot of potential for success in the future,” he says.”
It’s not just Max’s family pedigree that caught the eye of Athletics scout Dan Betreen.
“He is mature. He takes his development seriously. He understands it’s a long process,” says Betreen. “Max is dedicated, works hard and is setting himself up for a career in the sport.”
On the field, Betreen says Max is a lead-off hitter type of profile. He has hit for a high-average at every level he’s played, while playing multiple positions.
“Max is a left-handed hitter with great bat-to-ball skills, great speed and overall a great athlete. He can play centrefield and second base, giving him some versatility to play,” he says. “Max loves to play, he loves the game, and has a burning desire to succeed.”
Max joins 31 other Australians playing professional baseball in the United States. He will attend an Instructional Camp in September with other young players on the Athletics’ books.
Max will train with the Brisbane Bandits in the Australian summer, hoping to earn game time, before reporting for full-time duty in March 2025.
He graduates Year 12 in November.
A CHOICE BETWEEN TWO LOVES
Not only is Max an exceptional baseball player, but he also plays elite junior Rugby Union.
Durrington has grown up playing state-representative junior rugby for the Queensland Reds.
He was faced with a choice – baseball or rugby. It’s a choice his dad also had as a teenager.
“Each season and year I would switch between what sport I love the most,” says Max. “It came down to a question of which sport I wanted to play the rest of my life at a high level.”
“I just love the competition between the lines of a baseball field. I love the little battles between the pitcher and the batter. I love the nuance. I love the game within the game.”
Betreen says his Rugby skills are evident when it comes to baseball.
“He has athleticism from sprinting and rugby that also makes a great foundation to be a successful athlete,” he adds.
Work ethic seems to be a bit of a buzz word people around Max seem to use a lot. You need it to balance the hectic schedule Max has.
“At the moment I’m training six times a week with four gym sessions and six baseball oriented trainings,” says Max. “On top of this, I am coaching rugby three times a week in the mornings and afternoons.”
He also goes to school. Busy life.
MAX’S BASEBALL JOURNEY
Max has always played baseball. He says he was always around the game and grew up playing with his Dad in Queensland, and through the Baseball Queensland programs.
“I’ve been coaching Max since I was four,” says Trent.
He first played competitive baseball as an eight-year-old at Mudgeeraba where he played Rookie Ball and Little League.
At eleven, he switched to Surfers Paradise Baseball Club.
Max has represented Queensland at the U16 (twice) and U18 national championships and attended Baseball Queensland High Performance Academies.
Betreen says it’s at the U16 and U18 Baseball Australia national events where Max caught his eye. He first saw Max play at the 2022 U16 Championships in Redcliffe as a 14-year-old.
“Since then I’ve been following his progress at the national championships and various events. He was also invited to the 18U National Camp in August 2023 and he played well, standing out against a much older group while rehabbing a knee injury – I knew then he was a serious follow,” he says.
Max’s performance at national events made him one of ten Australians invited to an MLB select trip to play in front of scouts and colleges in the United States in 2023.
Max made his A-Grade debut in the Greater Brisbane League at just 15-years-old in 2022-23.
He finished the 2023-24 season second on the team with a .400 batting average in 33 games. Max led the team with 20 stolen bases, while also chipping in four triples.
He says his relationship with Surfers Paradise infielder Andy Cosgrove played a big role in his development.
“We would compete for who could have the most triples and stolen bases,” says Max. “Andy is a former professional baseball and is very athletic. He pushes me a lot.”
The drive, work ethic, and talent were noticed by Baseball Queensland Performance Pathway manager Shayne Watson.
“Since entering the BQ programs four years ago, you could easily identify Max’s drive & ambition which has led to this day. Not only is he a special talent, but he’s highly motivated and a great person in a very supportive family,” he says.
“He’s drawn a lot of attention from scouts and college recruiters. I’ve been in a fortunate position to be part of Max’s development and witnessing his journey. I’m positive he will thrive in the Athletics system and I will enjoy watching his journey.”
MAX & TRENT
“He’s better than what I was at that age,” says proud dad Trent Durrington.
He says he knew Max was good at the game from a very young age.
“From an early age Max clearly moved like a ball player,” he says. “He had great bat-to-ball skills and speed to burn. But it wasn’t really until his sixteenth birthday where I thought ‘wow I can make a career out of it.'”
Max says his dad has been his biggest mentor.
“He’s obviously been a massive influence in everything I’ve done,” says Max.
“Max and I have a great relationship,” says Trent. “I’ve coached him since he was four and at times I am sure I was a little hard on him but I think he understands and respects that now. We have discussed many old pro-ball stories of mine over the years and we discuss strategies now. I hope my experience has made him feel a little more comfortable.”
The relationship between Max & Trent was important to Dan Betreen.
“Baseball is in his blood,” he says. “Trent’s baseball knowledge, wisdome, and experiences have helped Max but at the same time Trent is learning as much as possible for Max’s development. It’s really special to see and be part of such a great father and son relationship.”
WHAT THE SCOUT SAYS
We’ll leave you with notes from Athletics’ scout Dan Betreen.
Max is a lead-off profile type, left-handed hitter with great bat to ball skills, great speed and overall a great athlete. He can play CF and 2B giving him some versatility to play. Baseball is also in his blood with athleticism from sprinting and rugby also that has made a great foundation to be a successful athlete. He loves to play and loves the game whilst having a burning desire to succeed. It’s certainly been fun to watch him progress over the last few years.
He is mature, takes his development seriously and understands it’s a long process. He is dedicated, works hard everyday and is setting himself up for a career in the sport. The support from his entire family is incredible and they understand what it takes to be successful. Trent’s baseball knowledge, wisdom and experiences certainly have helped Max but at the same time Trent is learning as much as possible for Max’s development.
Like all prospects we sign, we aim for them to play in our organization to make our big-league team. I take it very seriously in seeking the right type of person to be able to take on the challenges of developing in the minor leagues whilst representing Australian baseball. Max has some great tools to give himself every chance to wear our A’s uniform when his time comes.
Max has been in off-season mode building his body, his swing and arm recently in conjunction with DriveLine Baseball where he visited in March for a full assessment. He is building towards a big summer season which kicks off with our 2024 Instructional League for four weeks in early September. He will be mixing in with our 2024 draft class as well as our top minor league players fine tuning before the off season. A great introduction to our organization.
Then upon his return Max will join the Brisbane Bandits to partake in some ABL action getting ready for Spring Training 2025 where he will compete to make our Low A Affiliate – Stockton Ports.
Also, he will balance out his time whilst finishing year 12, busy young man!
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