01 September 2024
Who are Australia's twelve professional players at the Under 23 World Cup & what lessons can they bring to the team?
Getting paid to play baseball. Ain’t that the dream?
When the Under 23 World Cup in China on Friday with a match vs Colombia, Team Australia will look to their twelve professional baseball players to help steady the ship and perform under pressure where required.
Exactly half of the 24-man squad is either grinding away in the USA’s minor league system, or playing professionally vs top international talent in the Australian Baseball League.
The other half? College Australians ready to make their mark (you can read about the twelve of them here).
Each pathway and professional experience offers a different tool, a different resource or mindset, and different perspective on different game aspects to draw upon when things get hard at an international tournament.
Let’s take a look at who the twelve professional players are, learn about their journeys, how they are preparing for the World Cup, and hear from them directly on how their unique pro-ball experience can help Australia when it matters most.
For more stories, schedule and information, visit our Under 23 World Cup Hub.
JAKE BURNS – CATCHER
Professional Experience: Sydney Blue Sox (3 seasons), St. Louis Cardinals Minor Leagues (3 seasons)
Current Team: Brisbane Bandits
He’s only 21, but Jake Burns has a decade of international experience.
Burns was crushing homers as a 12-year-old in front of millions of people on ESPN at the Little League World Series. He played for Australia at the Under-15 World Cup in 2018 and the Under-18 World Cup in 2019. Burns represented Australia at the Asia Professional Baseball Championships in 2023.
He’s spent three seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals minor leagues from 2021-2023, and has three years experience in the ABL with the Sydney Blue Sox.
Although, he just announced he signed with the Brisbane Bandits for the next two years.
World Cups. Major international tournaments. Professional experience.
Did we mention he’s just 21?
He says he has learned a lot from some pretty influential people in the baseball world.
“I was lucky enough to spend some time learning from Yadier Molina with the Cardinals,” says Burns. “He taught me many concepts & strategies in regards to game within the game. Stuff like reading swings, controlling the run game, leading the pitching staff. These are all things I can use in the tournament.”
Burns says he will also use his tournament experience to lead the team.
“Great tournament teams do the little things right. They stay consistent. They make the plays that need to be made. At the international level there is no margin for error,” he says. “So, if we can play perfect defense and play our brand of baseball we can compete with the best in the world.”
Burns has been training and playing winter ball in New South Wales during the tournament build up.
BYRON ARMSTRONG – INFIELDER
Professional Experience: Perth Heat (1 seasons)
Current Team: Perth Heat
The 22-year-old returned from a stint in college and played his rookie season with the Perth Heat in 2023-24. Armstrong hit .250 with four RBI in 15 games while playing multiple positions in the field.
He also has experience at the 2019 Under-18 World Cup.
Amstrong says his first full-season around the Perth Heat taught him valuable lessons, from playing with top prospects, former MLB players, Australian national team stars and against international calibre competition.
“From being around a lot of the older guys in the squad, they really teach you that you are going to have days that are tough. But just stick with it because you never know when your time will come in a big spot. The say to trust your preparation,” he says.
Amstrong lives in Perth full-time and has been making sure he’s in the right shape for the upcoming tournament, despite not playing a professional game since February.
“The build up to the tournament has been intense,” he says. “It’s all about getting my body set up for tournament baseball – weather that’s on a field or at the gym. I feel ready to go.”
When it comes to tournament baseball, Armstrong adds it’s all about being in the moment.
“From my own experience sometimes things can be intense and feel overwhelming so you just have to give it your all, and most importantly have fun.”
BJay Cooke – Infielder
Professional Experience: Perth Heat (1 season), Athletics minor leagues (3 seasons)
Current Team: Oakland Athletics minor leagues
21-year-old Cooke is living out his first full season above rookie ball. He’s spent most of the season with the Stockton Ports in Class-A.
While it’s been an adjustment to the new level, Cooke has particularly impressed with some big moments defensively.
“Different situations can arise throughout the course of a professional season that you don’t see coming. You have to be able to adapt to them,” says Cooke. “Tournament baseball is similar. We have to be able to take the field and compete to win no matter the circumstances.”
He also brings tournament experience to the fold, playing for Australia at the 2022 U-23 World Cup.
“Physically, I am in a great place. Making sure I am mentally prepared has been important coming off a long season of ups, downs and some injury set backs,” he says. “Having the experience in 2022, I feel like I was able to put a plan in place to be ready this year.”
Cooke says he feels optimistic about Australia’s chances.
“For me, being able to reset every day – win or lose – playing every game with that Australian grit we have deep down. If we do that as a collective, we have a chance to win gold in China,” he says.
Chris Burke – Outfielder
Professional Experience: Melbourne Aces (6 seasons), Philadelphia Phillies minors (2 seasons), Kansas City Royals minors (1 season).
Current Team: Melbourne Aces (unconfirmed)
Chris Burke had a phenomenal 2022 Under-23 World Cup. He had an OPS of 1.047 with two homers and five RBI in seven games to claim the tournament Batting Champion Award.
Burke returns in 2024 with more experience at the 2023 Asia Professional Baseball Championship where he once again starred with the bat, as well as a lengthy ABL career. Plus, he has three years in the minor leagues.
“Playing professionally taught me the importance of taking outs that are given to you. At a high level everyone can hit and execute so taking care of the baseball wins games,” he says.
He says that care for the baseball needs to be replicated come tournament time.
“You never know when your name will be called to execute and get the job done. You must be ready at all times to do the team thing. You could be having a tough day at the plate or defensively and still be a hero in the late innings – that’s the beauty of tournament baseball,’ he says.
Burke says he’s spent the build-up to the tournament training with the Performance Pathways program in Victoria, simulating a lot of intense game scenarios.
“[Things like] crucial situation training, and crucial plays we will see in China have been a focus,” he says. “Bat to ball skills have been a big focus. Damian Shanahan and Keli Zablan have been running a great Performance Pathways program in Victoria that I’ve been taken part of and it’s got me to the point where I feel prepared and ready to compete.”
Solomon Maguire – Outfielder
Professional Experience: Sydney Blue Sox (2 seasons), Pittsburgh Pirates minor leagues (4 seasons)
Current Team: Pittsburgh Pirates Minor Leagues
Maguire spent 2024 in his first season above Rookie Ball – and one of his first year’s healthy. He played in Single-A with the Bradenton Marauders.
He made a name for himself by making consistent diving plays in the outfield, while throwing out the occasional runner.
Going back to the start of the ABL season in November, Maguire has played baseball nearly every day.
He says while that will serve him well, it’s the team camaraderie that he’s focused on.
“Our preparation in that sense is second to none on the field, but it’s mentally what we have done in the lead up. It’s talking amongst each other and repeatedly throwing words like gold medal and world champions into conversations as if they are common terms for us,” he says.
He’s also picked up some valuable lessons in his first full season above Rookie Ball.
“Lingering in the past will eat you up fast. We all know failure is part of the game, so letting a previous pitch, at-bat, or game get to me is something I’ve had to work hard on to let go,” he says. “We are about to enter a tournament where every game is playoff baseball. One at bat could be the difference.”
21-year-old Maguire played for Australia at the last Under-23 World Cup. He says he learned a lot there too.
“About two years ago Dave Nilsson told me to slow the heart rate down. Any team can drop the ball, whether it’s one that we have previously beaten or a powerhouse with tons of names and prospects. Figuring out how to relax in the moments will maximise our chances of getting our best stuff in these games,” he says. “That’s what I think the key will be to tournament baseball.”
ALEX SKEPTON – OF
Professional Experience: Brisbane Bandits (1 season)
Current Team: Brisbane Bandits
Skepton was one of the stories of the 2023-24 Australian Baseball League season.
He started the year as a development player and ended the year finishing third in voting for the MVP Award. That’s what you get when you hit .330 with eight homers and 23 RBI in 31 games.
He says he learned how to slow things down in his breakout ABL season.
“In pressured situations it is easy for things to spin out in your own head and make it seem like the task at hand is harder than it is,” he says. “You need to trust your preparation and find a way to simplify the game in your own way to compete to the best of your ability. Simple cues and approaches makes that happen.
Skepton says he learned that having the right mindset was important. That approach needs to carry over from ABL to the World Cup.
“I had come across some big player names in the ABL this year. If I didn’t have the believe in myself that I could compete with and against the best, I never would have had the success from last season,” he says.
Skepton played for Australia at the 2019 U18 World Cup and the 2023 Asia Professional Baseball Championships.
He says he learned to be adaptable from those experiences.
“Be ready for everything. Tournament baseball is fast paced and you need to be thinking steps ahead of the play or opportunities could be missed,” he adds.
Skepton says preparation for the World Cup began shortly after the ABL ended in February. On field preparations have involved working with the state baseball programs Queensland to become mentally and physically prepared.
“After reflecting on [the ABL] season I knew there were a few areas I had to improve on in the gym. I got to work on these almost immediately,” he says.
Will Sherriff
Experience: Perth Heat (4 seasons), Arizona Diamondbacks (1 season), Rakuten Golden Eagles (training squad)
Current Team: Perth Heat, Rakuten Golden Eagles training player
Will brings some of the most diverse experience to Team Australia.
He is the only player on the roster to have appeared in the World Baseball Classic. He did so in a cauldron – starting a game vs Japan in Tokyo front of a Shohei-Ohtani crazed audience.
He’s also pitched for Australia at the U18 and U23 World Cup and the Asia Professional Baseball Championships.
Sherriff says he is in great form because he has been in Japan for the last six weeks training with the Rakuten Golden Eagles of the NPB.
He has a career 3.52 ERA in four seasons with the Perth Heat in Australia.
“It’s all about trust,” says Sherriff of the lessons he’s learned. “Trust in every single player and coaching staff in the team. You play with so many different players and coaches all the time and most of the time you only spend a little bit of time with those guys before jumping into a tournament. Having trust that everyone wants to achieve the same thing and is putting 100% into it makes it easier to compete.”
Sheriff has lots of experience with international tournaments. He says the key is to be perfect on the “one percenters.”
“So many times in big games you win or lose over those little plays you make or don’t make,” he says. “That’s why Japan is the number one team in the world. They play the small ball game perfectly and make the easy plays all the time. If we can do that too we will be successful.”
DYLAN CLARKE – RHP
Professional Experience: Sydney Blue Sox (2 seasons)
Current Team: Sydney Blue Sox
22-year-old Clarke has been busy the past two years.
He played in the 2022 Under-23 World Cup, pitched two seasons in the ABL for the Blue Sox, and for Team Australia at the 2023 Asia Professional Baseball Championships.
“Having experience in the ABL has taught me how to better prepare. I have a greater understanding of how I need to approach this and these months of preparation have put me in a good spot,” he says.
Clarke rattled off nine strike outs in 4.2 innings at the last Under-23 World Cup.
He adds that time with Blue Sox and in tournaments has also shown him how it’s important to be in the moment.
“Whatever good or bad happened yesterday means nothing to competing in the present,” he says. “Most importantly – enjoy what you are doing. Take it in and embrace those games and moments.”
The ABL finished in February but Clarke has been playing winter ball in the build up.
“It’s allowed me to keep the arm in shape on the mound and take the time to play more long toss to work on my craft,” he says.
KIEREN HALL – RHP
Professional Experience: Perth Heat (1 season)
Current Team: Perth Heat
The 23-year-old returned to Australia after graduating from NCAA Division I program Evansville.
He played in nine games for the Heat during their run to the ABL Championship Series.
“I think my biggest takeaway from my rookie season is just having to trust the preparation I’ve put in and having a good routine before and during games,” he says. “I think what this does for me is it just lets me relax and compete. Quite simply: Controlling what I can control.”
Hall says once the ABL season ended in February focus shifted to this tournament. He’s been working with former Major Leaguer and Team Australia co-captain Warwick Saupold.
“He’s been a great mentor and teammate to me. He’s been helping me with my transition to the ABL, widening my knowledge of of tournament style baseball,” he says. “It’s been a huge help for my growth as a player.”
Hall has also been working with Heat coach Andy Kyle and throwing bullpens to senior team catcher Alex Hall.
“I think surrounding myself with like-minded people and taking on anything a teammate or coach has said has been the best thing for my preparation,” says Hall.
He’s also says it’s all about the team-first mentality.
“Every Australian baseball tournament I’ve been part of, the biggest thing is ‘all hands on deck.’ I truly believe that is the key to tournament baseball,” says Hall. “It’s going to take each person on this team at any given time of the tournament to do their part in reaching our goal of bringing home the hardware.”
Hall played for Australia at the 2019 Under-18 World Cup and the 2023 Asia Professional Baseball Championships.
Ky Jackson
Experience: Industrial League in Japan, 1 season
Current Team: Hoping to be drafted in NPB
While the Industrial League in Japan isn’t technically professional, it may seem like it to an Australia. Jackson is playing baseball every day with Nippon Express.
He and his teammates play against all the major corporations in Japan like Toyota, Mitsubishi, Honda and Subaru.
They play in big tournaments in Japan’s biggest stadiums like Jingu Stadium, Kyocera Dome and the Tokyo Dome.
Once they have spent two years in the system there is an opportunity to be drafted into the NPB (pro). Ky is eligible next year.
“The lessons I learned in Japan and the previous Under 23 World Cup is about communication with the catcher and trusting, having confidence with my stuff. [It’s about] attacking the strike zone with all pitches as the opponent has likely never faced me,” he says.
Jackson graduated from university in Japan and has been pitching in the Industrial League since February which he says is a big step up in level.
“Playing in big tournaments over here has been great for what to expect at the World Cup,” he says.
Ali Tanner
Experience: Adelaide Giants (1 season)
Current Team: Development player for Adelaide Giants, committed to Arizona State
As a newly turned 18-year-old, Tanner is the youngest member of the Under-23 squad. He played one season as a development player with the Adelaide Giants and is committed to Arizona State University in 2024-25.
Tanner’s lone season in a professional environment was impressive.
He appeared in four games, tossing 4.1 innings and did not allow a run in the Giants’ championship winning season.
Tanner can throw 95mph and starred for Australia at the 2023 Under 18 World Cup.
“I want to soak up all the experiences this tournament has to offer. I want to learn as much as possible and keep proving myself against talented opposition,” he says.
Ali’s life has been busy. His typical day consists of school at Year 12, 2-3 hours of baseball training, the gym and casual work.
Lachlan Brook – Left Handed Pitcher
Professional Experience: Sydney Blue Sox (1 season)
Current Team: Sydney Blue Sox
The newly turned 21-year-old product of New South Wales was uber impressive in his first year as a pro.
He was a development player with the Blue Sox but after strong club ball showings he earned some play time. He pitched 4.2 innings later in the season and didn’t allow a run.
He says he learned more about the importance of pitch selection and location while being in the professional environment.
“You’re facing good hitters every at-bat,” he says. “I had to learn how to best prepare myself as a relieve because in club ball I’ve been a starter. Players like Josh Guyer and Chris Oxspring taught me how to warm up properly and understand where I might be used in a game as baseball is unpredictable.”
Brook was initially a reserve for the Under 23 World Cup squad but was called up to replace one of Kailen Hamson / Adam Bates.
Still,
“I’ve been following our pitching coach Josh Tols’ throwing program. I’m in the Gym four days a week, throwing five times, and working with Tread Athletics,” he says. “I’ve been working on my lower half mechanics and doing ply ball drills to help my arm path.”
Bonus – ADAM BATES – RHP
Professional Experience: Boston Red Sox minor leagues (1 season)
Current Team: Boston Red Sox minor leagues
While Adam is no longer able to play in the World Cup, we still want to highlight where he’s come from.
19-year-old Bates just finished his first season as a professional. He pitched in 11 games for the Boston Red Sox Rookie Ball team in the Florida Complex League. In 36.2 innings, Bates posted a 3.96 ERA.
Bates, who played on Australia’s Under-18 World Cup team in 2023, grew stronger as the season progressed. He allowed just three earned runs in his last 14.2 innings.
“I’ve learnt that you have to attack the strike zone and not become timid,” he says of his first year experience. “This allows you to keep the pitch count low and make the hitter uncomfortable as they go into attack mode from the start. Don’t stress over the hits – keep attacking and trust the team behind you.”
Bates’ build-up has consisted of throwing bullpens and playing in practice games against the Twins’ minor league squad.
“This has put me in a good place. It gives me the ability to define my pitches in-game under pressure to ensure I can perform,” he says.
