14 September 2023
- Aussies Abroad Aussies Sign Pro
"A lifelong dream" - New South Wales teenager Adam Bates signs with MLB's Boston Red Sox
Add another player to the list of Australians playing professional baseball in the USA.
New South Wales teenager Adam Bates has just signed a professional baseball contract with famed MLB club Boston Red Sox.
Bates, an 18-year-old pitcher, just competed for Australia at the Under 18 World Cup where he posted a 3.00 ERA in three appearances for the Green & Gold. He also played in the 2022 World Cup where he had a terrific sub 2.00 ERA.
Bates grew up in the Sydney-area, playing at his club baseball at MacArthur Orioles growing up. He was also a Sydney Blue Sox development player in the 2022-23 Australian Baseball League season.
The Red Sox have kept a close eye on the development of Bates and other Australian prospects. They visited Adam at the Under-18 National Camp on the Gold Coast in August, that’s when negotiations really started to heat up.
“They had been following me and watching me develop for a few years,” says Bates. “They spoke with my mum and I about professional life vs going to college.”
Bates (above) has been terrific for Australia at the past two U18 World Cups. He went toe-to-toe with powerhouse Taiwan, allowing just one run in five innings. Photo: WBSC.
Bates had a couple opportunities to explore, including going to college. Earlier in 2023, Bates expressed a commitment to attend Xavier College.
In the end, he landed on becoming a professional baseball player now.
“This offer was the deciding factor to head straight to pro ball. The Red Sox have a reputation for producing high class athletes and they are very well known. It’s a lifelong dream,” he says.
Bates is now one of 34 Australians playing professional baseball in the United States.
He will likely report to Boston’s “Instructional League” later this year – sort of a crash course for new signings and young players in the organisation.
He will then join the Red Sox each March to October for the USA baseball season where he will try to work his way up the various levels of the minor leagues with the dream goal of making it to the Major Leagues.
Bates says his family, friends and baseball community have played a massive influence on his career.
“They’ve pushed me to be better in every aspect of my life,” he says. “They are there in the good and bad times and push me to be the best version of me.”
“The MacArthur Oriole family also need a lot of thanks,” he added. “They have made sure I’ve been able to go and work on my craft any time and receive this opportunity.”
You can follow along all our professional Aussies at www.baseball.com.au/AussiesAbroad.
