News

18-year-old Adelaide pitcher Jack Bushell wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to become a professional baseball player.

“I had the opportunity now, and if I didn’t take it I couldn’t live with myself – I had to take it,” says the South Australia, who just signed with the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday. “It’s been my dream for a while now.”

The contract Bushell inked on Tuesday puts a nice bookend to a wild 12-months.

He’s put in some serious work – and hardcore air mileage – since January of 2023.

In started in January, 2023 when Bushell impressed for South Australia at the U18 National Championships.

“That’s when the conversations started with the Tigers,” says Bushell, who says he also chatted to other MLB outfits.

The rest of 2023? Buckle up.

He graduated high-school. He trained “six to seven” days a week. He attended a national junior camp.

AUSSIES ABROAD: Read stories on all the latest Aussies to sign pro.

He played Division 1 for Goodwood in the South Australian State League. He went to an U18 World Cup. He made his Australian Baseball League debut with the Adelaide Giants. He pitched for Team Australia at the Tokyo Dome vs Japan at the Asia Professional Baseball Championship.

Bushell is also a newly turned 18-year-old with friends, family and a social life to balance.
The life of a baseball player with professional ambitions.

“Honestly, it’s been such a whirlwind. It’s stuff you think about but you don’t imagine would actually happen. I just try to take a step back and enjoy everything as it comes,” he said in an interview in Tokyo last year.

Bushell has been on the radar of baseball folks in South Australia for ages. He was a star Little League and junior player with Goodwood Baseball Club, winning multiple MVPs while rising the system as a two-way player.

In the last 18-months Bushell has been tinkering and enhancing his pitching arsenal.

While he can hit 91-92mph on the radar gun, Bushell says he’s been working hard at his sinker and change-up to baffle opponents.

“About November last year I started pitching last year with [former Team Australia pitcher Josh Tols,” he says. “We figured out my fastball didn’t have as much spin as I’d like. We tinkered with a sinker which has been working well for me alongside my changeup, which is probably my best pitch.”

Those pitches baffled opponents internationally.

Bushell was the star of Australia’s U18 squad at the 2023 World Cup in Taiwan, leading the team in innings pitched, strike-outs, ERA (1.40) and wins.

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) even called an athletic play of his the #3 overall play of 2023 in a World Cup event.

“I think that tournament was great for me. It sort of showed me I belong,” said Bushell in an interview in Tokyo late last year.

He is now one of five members of that U18 team who have signed professional, joining Declan Speirs, Adam Bates, Drew Davies and Jayden Kim.

Bushell’s World Cup performance was strong enough to become the youngest player selected on Australia’s Asia Professional Baseball Championship squad. Bushell started a game in front of nearly 50,000 singing fans at the Tokyo Dome and struck out the #2 home run hitter in the Japan professional league.

“My experience at the Tokyo Dome was crazy. Pitching in front of that many people was wild – I was so nervous, I was so pumped up. Crazy,” he says.

Things are about to get crazier for Bushell. The grind is about to begin.

Bushell will likely report to Florida for spring training. He’ll then attempt to work his way up a rigorous and ruthless minor league system in an attempt to make the Major Leagues.

Bushell will remain with the Adelaide Giants in the Australian Baseball League as they attempt to win their second straight Claxton Shield.

“I really have to thank Mum and Dad,” says Bushell. “I had a glove and bat in my hand before I could walk. I played at Goodwood so I need to thank everybody there – that’s where Dad played. I started playing juniors, then seniors and now the Giants. It’s been good for me with the Giants to see the pro guys here and give me a big taste of what’s to come.”

Jayden Kim’s life has been one big international adventure.

You could even call him an “international man of mystery.” Or, you could just call him a professional baseball player because as of last week that’s exactly what he is.

The 17-year-old Korean-born, Victorian-based, Australian baseball prospect just signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“From the very beginning of my baseball journey, my goal was always to become a professional baseball player,” says Kim. “I worked towards that dream from a young age, and as I gained attention from scouts and teams, it became evident that I could turn this dream into a reality.”

Kim’s story itself is unquestionably unique. It becomes even better as he joins rare company as one of just 26 Australians who now possess an MLB-affiliated contract.

Kim’s father David became the first Australian to break into the Korean Baseball Organisation – South Korea’s top league. He had a playing career that lasted seven seasons.

Although David has Korean heritage, he was born and raised in Australia. When he moved overseas, he couldn’t speak the local language. It’s something he had to learn in his esteemed, lengthy career.

It’s a different tale for Jayden. He was born in Korea and moved back to Australia with his family in 2021, holding dual passports.

Jayden had a successful junior career in Korea, winning multiple championships with his junior club and being a regular fixture among the MVP counts.

When he moved to Australia, he joined Sandringham Baseball Club – the same community his father played for.

Everything was new again for Jayden, but baseball remained the same.

“Transitioning to baseball in Australia from playing only in Korea provided me with a completely new environment, people, and language,” says Jayden Kim. “Adapting to these changes while learning a different style of baseball expanded my knowledge of the game.”

His career took off in Australia. He was an instant stand-out. He played for Victoria at the U16 National Championships in 2022 and for the U18s in 2023.

He was one of the youngest players named to Australia’s Under-18 World Cup team in 2022, and was selected again for the same tournament in 2023.

Kim will suit up for Victoria once again at the upcoming Australian Youth Championships in January.

“These experiences in Australia have been pivotal in shaping my journey, and I believe they have contributed significantly to my development as a player, bringing me closer to the possibility of turning professional,” says Kim.

Andrew Riddell, Baseball Australia’s Player Development Manager, says Kim caught the eye of national selectors from the second he landed in the country.

“His defensive skills and ability to make routine plays consistently on the world stage is well beyond his years and his progression offensively since he came to Australia has seen him make huge strides as an all-round baseball player,” says Riddell. “He is loved by all his teammates and coaches and has really fit into the Australian culture well which is a credit to him as I know that was one of his worries when he moved from Korea.”

Kim says there was interest from other teams and colleges. He landed on the Pirates because they had been agressively scouting him.

“As I learned more about them, they have one of the best farm systems in MLB, and their staff are really professional and good people. Especially, Tony Harris and Max Kwan.  They made me feel like family and that really left a memorable impression on me,” he says.

Jayden is the second Australian in the past seven days who has inked an MLB-affiliate contract. South Australia’s Drew Davies signed with the Reds last week.

Kim thanked his family in a heartfelt Instagram post on Tuesday evening.

It read:

“Above all, I want to share this honor and say thank you to my family, who have always been the most supportive individuals in my life. Additionally, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Pacific Rim scouts, Max Kwan, and Tony Harris, who believed in me and facilitated this contract. I also want to extend my thanks to Andrew Riddell from Baseball Australia, who has been immensely helpful since my arrival in Australia. Gratitude to Baseball Victoria and Sandringham Baseball Club for their support. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this journey.”

Kim is currently playing with Sandringham in Victoria’s state league and is a development player with the Melbourne Aces.

He will play for Victoria at the U18 National Championships in January.

He is expected to head to the USA for Spring Training in late February.

photos by Hugh Whittle

In 2022, Drew Davies came dangerously close to becoming one of the youngest players on Australia’s Under 18 World Cup team.

The then-16-year-old was in the last round of cuts at Australia’s Florida-based training camp, where the international event was being held.

While it may not be common for 16-year-olds to make an U18 national team, Davies says that moment was a turning point for him in his baseball career. He says that’s when he realised baseball could be a serious profession for him.

“That [experience] showed me where I needed to be, where I wanted to go, and how I had to work harder to get there,” says Davies.

Hard work just paid off for Davies. He’s turning pro.

Drew Davies is the latest Australian to sign an MLB-affiliate contract, after putting pen to paper with the Cincinatti Reds on Tuesday afternoon surrounded by family in West Beach, South Australia.

“This has always been a goal for me,” says Davies, an 18-year-old from Woodcroft. “Baseball and turning pro has always been in the back of my mind, but things really became serious when it comes to baseball with that 2022 World Cup.”

Davies says he upped his game when he returned from national camp.

“When I came back [ from Florida], I started to train like I was already a professional. I tried to train as much as I can, work around school, and get in as many reps as I possibly could.”

That mindset led Davies to a big 15-months of baseball and a lot of individual success.

Since September last year, the 6’4 left-handed bat starred for South Australia at the U18 National Championships, trained with the ABL’s Adelaide Giants, patrolled the outfield for South Australia’s Southern Districts Hawks, and caught the eye of scouts and colleges alike.

He was also named to Australia’s 2023 U18 World Cup squad but was unable to travel due to a broken finger.

Whatever Davies was doing, people noticed.

The Under 18 National Championships in January 2023 was where Davies caught the eye of Reds’ scout and former MLB player Donald Lutz.

“I really liked his swing,” says a smiling Lutz. “It looked really good. I liked his aggression. He’s got a good body. He has the tools to be a really good baseball player. When it comes down to it, the Reds think he’s got what it takes.”

Davies lit those U18 championships ablaze. In nine games, he went 17-for-27 with 2HR and 16RBI, leading South Australia to a 6-3 record.

“I think he’s a good player, good guy, and he’ll fit into any clubhouse,” Lutz adds. “Keep your eye on him.”

Baseball South Australia’s high performance manager Austin Gallagher agrees. He says he can see why Donald Lutz, Adam Crabb and the rest of the Cincinatti Reds scouts had a keen interest in signing him.

“He proved he’s one of the top talents in Australia at the [Under 18s],” says Gallagher. “He works really hard and is consistent with it. The positive about Drew is you can’t really tell if he’s going good or going bad – he always stays consistent with his approach and how he goes about things.”

His contract doesn’t surprise his former coaches, either. Just ask the person who helped get him into baseball. Davies’ neighbour, former Pittsburgh Pirates prospect and Adelaide Giants pitcher Nick Hutchings, was the one who introduced him to the game.

Davies started playing tee-ball at local club Southern Districts, Hutchings’ club, and the love grew from there. He still plays for Southern Districts and helped them snap a two-decade long finals drought in 2022.

Hutchings says it’s hard not to notice what everyone else does.

“The sweet left-handed swing has everyone in awe,” Hutchings says. “He stays through the zone and has power to the opposite field. Then you add in the size and people definitely took a big interest.”

Davies credits Southern Districts and the South Australian baseball community for helping him develop.

“They’ve been huge, I wouldn’t be here without them,” he says. “Nick Hutchings has been a big influence, all my charter coaches, all the club coaches like Brendan, Jeremy and Mark. I have to thank them a lot.”

But now, it’s on to a professional life.

Gallagher is a former minor league player with the LA Dodgers. He’s been around professional baseballers his whole life. Gallagher says Davies has a lot of the physical tools required to play professional baseball, it’s his approach to the game that sets him apart.

“Baseball is a game of failure and how you handle it is how you define yourself as an athlete. He doesn’t get too high on success or too low on failures. That’s the mentality it takes to play professional baseball,” he says.

Davies reports to camp with the Reds in March 2023. He joins Curtis Mead (Tampa Bay), Jack O’Loughlin (Oakland) and Riley Yeatman (San Diego) as the only four South Australians playing professional MLB-affiliated baseball.

He joins a growing list of nearly 30 Australians who play baseball full time.

 

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.

Just like that, the American minor league regular season is over!

33 Australians played professional baseball overseas this year and some put up some outstanding numbers. One even progressed to the Major Leagues!

There will be more joining this list after the Under-18 World Cup, with some hot interest from scouts.

There are also several Australians coaching in the minor leagues. You can view that list here.

If you’re looking for an explanation of how the minor league system works, the Adelaide Giants broke it down very easily here.

But let’s not waste any of your time. Happy scrolling.

NEW SOUTH WALES

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Clayton Campbell, C-IF (Detroit Tigers) | Player profile | Latest news

After beginning the year at the Detroit Tigers’ Complex League, and hitting .284 in 33 games. He then got a call-up to join the Single-A affiliate the Lakeland Flying Tigers. Campbell hit .184 in 12 games with a homer and 3 RBI. Lakeland, as it happens, is managed by Andy Graham and they qualified for the playoffs on one of the last days of the regular season.

Lakeland plays Clearwater in Game 1 of the Division Series starting Wednesday morning Australian time. You can view details here.

Liam Doolan, P (LA Dodgers) | Player Profile | Latest News |

A fine year for Liam in his first full professional season. Doolan finished with a 3.63 ERA in 20 games and 39.1 innings pitched with Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, the Dodgers’ A-Ball affiliate. Impressively, he had 43 strikeouts and a 1.18 WHIP.

He’ll play an important role in the Quakes’ playoff run that also begins Wednesday morning Australian time.

Josh Gessner, RHP (Texas Rangers) | Player profile | Latest news

Gessner missed a chunk of the season after getting hurt mid-May. He returned at the beginning of August and eventually got the call-up to High-A Hickory Crawdads. Hickory are in the playoffs starting this week.

Gessner posted a 3.73 ERA in 31.1 innings across three levels – Rookie Ball, Low-A and High-A.

Solomon Maguire, OF (Pittsburgh Pirates) | Player profile | Latest news

A tough year for Solo who only got five at-bats in June before getting hurt. All the best in his recovery and we look forward to seeing what one of Australia’s most promising prospects can do!

Todd Van Steensel, RHP (Gastonia Honey Hunters, Atlantic League) | Player profile | Latest news

After 15 years, Todd announced his retirement from US professional baseball last month. He’ll return to Australia to play for the Giants.

Rixon Wingrove, IF (Philadelphia Phillies) | Player profile | Latest news

Rixon’s best minor league season to date. Wingrove played 101 games at High-A Jersey Shore Blue Claws where he belted 15 homers, drove in 63 RBI and hit .246. That kind of power earned him a call-up to Double-A Reading where he finished the season hitting .100 in 10 games.

Reading now make a playoff run starting this week.

QUEENSLAND

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Brandan Bidois, RHP (Pittsburgh Pirates) | Player profile | Latest news

One of the best performances from an Australian this year. Bidois boasts simply nasty stuff. His high-90s fastball and devastating breaking ball helped the 22-year-old to 1.99 ERA in 22 games and 22.2 innings pitched. Incredibly he had 42 strikeouts…that’s ridiculous. He’s allowed just 2 runs in 17 relief appearances since June 1.

Jackson Grounds, RHP (Pittsburgh Pirates) | Player profile |

Pitching in the Complex League in his first professional season, the 19-year-old had a 3.52 ERA in 12 games this season. He was shut down recently due to injury.

Callum Wallace, RHP (Los Angeles Dodgers) | Player profile | Latest news

The 19-year-old had an 11.37 ERA in 12.2 innings of work in the Complex League this season. Impressively, he had 19 strikeouts in that time.

Ben Walmsley, LHP (Cincinnati Reds) | Player profile | Latest news

The 18-year-old missed this season due to injury.

Aaron Whitefield, OF (Sioux Falls Canaries, Atlantic League) | Player profile | Latest news

Whitefield hit .190 at the LA Angels Double-A affiliate but was released mid-season. He was picked up by Kansas City Monarchs in the American Association, and later traded to the Sioux Falls Canaries.

The Melbourne Aces star and 2x ABL MVP is hitting .250 with 2HR and 9RBI in 12 games so far with Sioux Falls.

Kai-Noa Wynyard, RHP (Texas Rangers) | Player profile | Latest news

What a season! In 41.1 innings, the 21-year-old posted a 2.38 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. Opponents hit just .192 off of Wynyard, making him one of the best relievers in the competition.

He starts the playoffs with the High-A Hickory Crawdads with Gessner this week.

Tom West (Umpire)

Tom is umpiring in Triple-A this year – a big accomplishment for the longtime ABL ump.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

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Curtis Mead, IF (Tampa Bay Rays) | Player profile | Latest news

At the beginning of August, Mead became the 37th Australian to make the Major Leagues. He spent two weeks at the MLB level and hit .250 before being sent down to Triple-A. Since his return to Triple-A, Mead has belted the wheels off the baseball. In 10 September games, Mead is hitting .314 with 5HR and 10RBI.

His current Triple-A numbers? Hitting .294 with 9HR, 43RBI and a .385OBP in 61 games.

Jack O’Loughlin, LHP (Detroit Tigers) | Player profile | Latest news

Jack started the season in High-A. In 37.1 innings he had a 2.17 ERA and got a call-up to Triple-A Toledo Mudhens. He currently has a 4.75 ERA in 77.2 innings at Triple-A.

The Giants championship winner ended the season hot. He’s allowed just 5 runs in his last 24 innings (four starts). The season continues for Toledo!

Riley Yeatman, RHP (San Diego Padres) | Player profile | Latest news

Riley unfortunately missed the whole season due to an elbow injury. He had Tommy John surgery in June.

VICTORIA

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Chris Burke, C (Kansas City Royals) | Player profile | Latest news

Burke had 11 hits at Rookie Ball this season, collecting a hit.

George Callil, IF (Evansville Otters, Frontier League) | Player profile | Latest news

Callil is playing Independent League baseball and hitting .240 in 72 games with the Evansville Otters.

Jarryd Dale, IF (San Diego Padres) | Player profile | Latest news

The Melbourne Aces star infielder made a return from injury in late July. In 12 games at High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps, Dale hit .216 with a home run. Fort Wayne starts their playoff run this week.

Mitch Ellis, RHP (Kansas City Royals) | Player profile | Latest news

Mitch unfortunately has not pitched this season due to injury.

Darcy Longstaff, P (Cincinatti Reds) | Player profile |

The Adelaide Giants latest signing had a 6.84 ERA in 25 innings at the Reds’ Complex League team. He was a starter sometimes and a reliever other times. Longstaff had 27 strikeouts in 25 innings.

Billy Parsons, P (Sussex County Miners, Frontier League) | Player profile | Latest news

Parsons went to the USA to play his first full-season of professional baseball in the Independent Frontier League. He was an All-Star! His numbers: 1.50ERA in in 36 innings with a 0.88 WHIP and 35 strikeouts. Great stuff from the Canberra Cavalry pitcher.

Nikau Pouaka-Grego, IF (Philadelphia Phillies) | Player profile | Latest news

PG is reaching the end of his rehab from a major knee surgery he had after injuring it in ABL action with the Giants last season. He didn’t play in a game but has been working out daily.

Liam Spence, IF (Chicago Cubs) | Player profile | Latest news

Spence – a Claxton Shield winner with the Adelaide Giants – hit .213 at High-A South Bend Cubs this year. He also had a brief call-up to Double-A Tennessee Smokies.

Blake Townsend, LHP (Seattle Mariners) | Player profile | Latest news

A dominating finish for the Aces’ pitcher. Townsend finished the year with a 3.38 ERA in 48.0 innings with Single-A Modesto Nuts. His finish has been sensational – just one earned run in his final 10 appearances since August 5.

 

Jarrod Belbin, IF (Seattle Mariners) | Player profile | Latest news

Belbin got signed out of college in the middle of the season. He hit .214 with a home run in 28 Complex League at-bats.

Declan Speirs | C (Philadelphia Phillies) | Player Profile 

Speirs was only recently signed. After reporting in Dominican Republic to work out, Speirs joined the U18 National Team at the World Cup where he was one of the leading hitters.

Back to top of page

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

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Bailey Jay Cooke, IF (Oakland A’s) | Player profile |

BJay hit .194 with a .298 on-base-percentage at Single-A Stockton Ports. This was the first full professional season for the 19-year-old Perth native.

Robbie Glendinning, IF (Philadelphia Phillies) | Player profile | Latest news

A three-team season for the Melbourne Aces star. He started in Double-A with Kansas City but was traded to Baltimore where he played just over a month at Triple-A. After being released in August, he signed with Philadelphia and reported to Double-A Reading.

Across those three teams, Robbie hit .250 with 8HR, 34RBI and a .359 on-base-percentage.

Alex Hall, C (Milwaukee Brewers) | Player profile | Latest news

The reigning Helms Award winner with the Perth Heat hit .227 with 11HR and 40RBI for High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. During the year he set a single-game record for Wisconsin with a 9-RBI game.

Josh Hendrickson, P (Philadelphia Phillies) | Player profile | Latest news

Hendrickson started 21 games at Double-A with a 5.58 ERA across 108 innings.

Liam Hendriks, RHP (Chicago White Sox) | Player profile | Latest news

A heartbreaking and heartwarming years in so many ways. In January, Hendriks was diagnosed with cancer. He overcame it and made an MLB return in May. However, he got hurt again and had to undergo major elbow surgery that will keep him out another 12 months. We wish our number 1 pitcher the best.

Mitch Neunborn, RHP (Philadelphia Phillies) | Player profile

Neunborn put together an excellent first minor league season. He had a 3.38 ERA in 42.1 innings this season but opponents only hit .174 off of the Giants star. Neunborn also posted an immaculate inning and had two separate 5-inning, no-hit appearances.

ACT

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*Billy Parsons, P (Sussex County Miners, Frontier League) | Player profile | Latest news

Parsons went to the USA to play his first full-season of professional baseball in the Independent Frontier League. He was an All-Star! His numbers: 1.50ERA in in 36 innings with a 0.88 WHIP and 35 strikeouts. Great stuff from the Canberra Cavalry pitcher.

*pitches for Canberra in ABL

AUSSIE ABROAD UPDATES

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September 4, 2023 – Here’s a list of all the Aussie coaches in the USA

August 22, 2023 – UPDATE: Here’s how all Australian professional baseball players are doing overseas | Baseball.com.au

It’s not just Australian baseball players who are chasing dreams in the USA. Coaches, officials and umpires are working their way up the MLB and professional system, too.
Here’s a list of where our Aussies are located around the USA, and what they do!

If I missed somebody, I give my sincerest apologies. I’m putting this list together for the Australian baseball public’s interest. Please get in touch with me at eric.balnar@baseball.com.au with details and I’ll add to the list, so we have for future records.

Scouts are a tricky one too and not logged anywhere – please email me with your role, length of service time, and how you should be included in the article. We

Let’s get going!

Michael Collins – Catching Coach – Houston Astros (MLB)

A great story of homegrown talent making it to the Major Leagues, but not as a player. Collins played ABL baseball for the Canberra Cavalry before taking over as manager. He got a coaching job with the Astros in 2017 and has kept working his way up the system. Now, he has a World Series ring (2022).

Chris Adamson – Bench Coach – Jersey Shore Blue Claws (High-A, Philadelphia Phillies)

The Adelaide Giants’ head coach has been working in the USA for a number of seasons now, holding roles like manager of the Jersey Shore Blue Claws (2021) and a head coordinator at the Phillies’ Complex Centre.

Will Bradley – Hitting Coordinator – Durham Bulls (Triple-A, Tampa Bay Rays)

A Canberra native, Bradley has the honour of working in one of the best and most famous minor league organisations in professional baseball. He’s been in this position since 2022 and has worked with some of the best young prospects in the game.

Craig Shipley – Assistant General Manager – Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB)

Australia’s first Big Leaguer after Joe Quinn – and a longtime MLB vet at that – has been working in the front office of the Arizona Diamondbacks since 2012.

Allan De San Miguel – Strategist and Bullpen Catcher – Kansas City Royals (MLB)

If you tune into a Royals came, you likely will catch a glimpse of De San at some point. The former Melbourne Aces head coach and longtime ABL player + Team Australia Baseball star is in his second season of the role with the MLB outfit.

Jon Deeble – Director of International Scouting – LA Dodgers (MLB)

Deeble, a former manager of the Melbourne Aces and Australian national team, has given Australian players plenty of opportunities including helping many get to the Major Leagues!

Josh Spence – Pitching Coach – Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (High-A, Milwaukee Brewers)

Spence, a native of Geelong, is known for making the Major Leagues with the San Diego Padres. He was also the pitching coach of the Adelaide Giants for three seasons. Now, he’s in his second year of working in the Brewers’ organisation. He started the year as a Bullpen Coach in Double-A but is now the pitching boss at the High-A level.

Andy Graham – Manager – Lakeland Flying Tigers (Low-A, Detroit Tigers)

Graham, a NSW native, has been coaching in the Tigers’ system for nearly fifteen years. He’s had stops in Connecticut, West Michigan, Erie and now Lakeland where he takes the helm of Head Coach.

Lisa Norrie – Instructional League Coach – Oakland Athletics

Norrie is a trailblazer, becoming Australia’s first female coach to work in the minor league system. Norrie stayed in the USA after being on the coaching staff of the Women’s World Cup squad in August.

Since she broke camp with the Emeralds, she has spent time with Stockton, Midlands and Las Vegas teams as a guest coach, primarily working with infielders and coaching first base.

She has been asked to stay on with the Triple-A squad and will remain in the USA.

Read more.

Josh Tols – Rehab Pitching Coach – Complex League Twins (Complex League, Minnesota Twins)

After winning a Claxton Shield with his hometown Adelaide Giants in 2023, Tols called time on a wonderful ABL and professional career that took him all over the world and saw him play as high as Triple-A and for Team Australia. Now, Josh is focusing on developing young arms in the Twins’ system.

Jason Morriss – Minor League Strength & Conditioning Coordinator at Milwaukee Brewers

Morriss has been in the minor league baseball world for over a decade now. He’s had a lengthy stop with the Chicago Cubs, and the Astros and Reds prior, before joining the Brewers. He was on the Team Australia staff at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

He has a World Series Ring from the 2016 Cubs.

Campbell Quirk – Player Development, Strength and Conditioning Coach – St. Louis Cardinals

Since January 2022, Quirk has worked within the Cardinals organisation – he says he loves being able to impact a players life in an alternate way off the field!

Bill Johnson – Senior Biochemest – Washington Nationals

The Western Australian has taken up a role in the sports science department of the 2019 World Series Champions.

Tom West – Umpire – Triple-A

This is a cool story. West has worked his way up the Baseball Queensland umpiring system. He’s called ABL games, international games and is now in the level below the Majors. Could we see a call-up?

Peter Moylan – Media and Commentary for Atlanta Braves and Jomboy Media

The Melbourne Aces manager is one of the biggest media personalities in baseball! After his MLB playing career, Moylan joined Fox Sports South as a pre and post game anaylst for Atlanta Braves games. In 2021, he started co-hosting a podcast called ‘From Farm to Fame’ on Jomboy Media.

Ryan Rowland-Smith – Media and Commentary  for Seattle Mariners

Flick on MLB.TV and select a Mariners’ game and you’ll hear Ryan Rowland-Smith. After an MLB career and renowned international career, he now brings his Aussie accent to American airwavesas a baseball television analyst for Root Sports Northwest, appearing on the pre- and post-game shows the Mariners since 2017.

Jonathan Freeston – Director of Science at the Cleveland Guardians

Freeston, a lecturer at the University of Sydney, has been helping the Guardians craft their sports science program since 2017.

Tim Buzzard – Data Analyst – New York Yankees

The Melbourne-native, and son of a Helms Award Winner, has been providing info for the men in pinstripes – the most iconic baseball club of all!

Alec Buttfield – Sports Scientist at the Philadelphia Phillies

Getting his start at the South Australian Sports Institute and UniSA, Buttfield now advises the Philadelphia Phillies. Buttfield also works with the Adelaide Giants.

Ricky Deeble – Intern Strength & Conditioning Coach – Milwaukee Brewers

Ricky joined Jason Morriss after his college baseball season to gain on hand experience in pro ball on the S&C side. He is in the process of obtaining the necessary certifications for a career in S&C and gaining the experience to help put him in the best possible position to obtain a job.

Daniel Greenwood – Director of Performance Science – Milwaukee Brewers.

Daniel joined the Brewers organization in 2022 after spending 3 years at the University of Memphis. He also spent the previous 5 years at the AIS and 4 years at the QAS in roles of Senior Sport Scientist and Skill Acquisition.

It turns out we’re not so bad at that baseball thing after all.

Australia made international baseball waves when we made a run to the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic. Curtis Mead and Travis Bazzana have helped keep Australia on the baseball map lately, too.

Mead got an MLB call-up with the Rays. Bazzana has talks that he could be the first Australian ever selected in the first round of the MLB Draft, maybe even going number 1 overall.

So, it’s time to take stock! There are about 30 Australians playing professional baseball in the United States. Most of them are affiliated with a Major League Baseball club and are grinding away in the minor leagues, trying to work their way up to the best league in the world.

Some are in independent leagues.

There will be more joining this list after the Under-18 World Cup is done and dusted. Scouts have their eyes peeled to the Aussies at this upcoming event.

There are also several Australians coaching in the minor leagues.

If you’re looking for an explanation of how the minor league system works, the Adelaide Giants broke it down very easily here.

But let’s not waste any of your time. Happy scrolling.

Did I miss anyone? Many apologies if so – please reach out if a player is not on the list and should be there! 

NEW SOUTH WALES

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Clayton Campbell, C-IF (Detroit Tigers) | Player profile | Latest news

The 19-year-old is hitting .286 while playing in the Complex League. He has 3 HR and 23 RBI in 32 games. Campbell played for the Tuatara last year in the ABL, and will likely play for an alternate club this year.

Liam Doolan, P (LA Dodgers) | Player Profile | Latest News

The World Baseball Classic pitcher has put together a nice debut season in Low-A with Rancho. In 30.2 innings, Doolan has a 4.40 ERA, with 29 strikeouts. He’s often been used in save situations. Doolan plays for the Sydney Blue Sox in the ABL.

Josh Gessner, RHP (Texas Rangers) | Player profile | Latest news

Gessner started the season in Low-A before getting hurt. He made a return to the Complex League in late July and just made his return back in the system, playing in High-A.

Gessner has a 2.93 ERA across all three levels this season in 27.2 innings pitched. He’s struck out 29 batters.

Solomon Maguire, OF (Pittsburgh Pirates) | Player profile | Latest news

Solo only played three games in the Complex League in June before hitting the 60-day-injured list. His season has come to a short close. Maguire played for the Sydney Blue Sox last season.

Todd Van Steensel, RHP (Gastonia Honey Hunters, Atlantic League) | Player profile | Latest news

The New South Welshman, who plays for the Adelaide Giants, announced his retirement from USA-professional baseball last week. You can read about it here. Van Steensel had a 6.84 ERA in 28 games this year for the Honey Hunters. 

Rixon Wingrove, IF (Philadelphia Phillies) | Player profile | Latest news

Rixon, who plays with the Adelaide Giants in the ABL, has pieced together his most powerful minor league season yet. He is hitting .249 with 15 homers and 63 runs batted in. His productive RBIs rank him among the High-A leaders. Rixon has 20 doubles in 100 games so far.

He was just called up to Double-A and will make his debut at that level this week.

QUEENSLAND

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Brandan Bidois, RHP (Pittsburgh Pirates) | Player profile | Latest news

Remember this name. The Brisbane Bandits arm has been fooling minor league batters all-season. He is throwing a fastball clocking around the 98mph mark. He has 31 strikeouts in 17 innings to go along with a 2.65 ERA. Bidois is in early chatter to be sent to the prestigious Arizona Fall League – a competition for the world’s best prospects.

Jackson Grounds, RHP (Pittsburgh Pirates) | Player profile |

The 19-year-old has a 3.52 ERA in 15.1 Complex League innings. The Brisbane product is in his first year of minor league baseball, and has 16 strikeouts so far.

Callum Wallace, RHP (Los Angeles Dodgers) | Player profile | Latest news

In his first full minor league season, Wallace has allowed 16 runs in just over 12 innings of work. In a positive sign, he’s struck out 19 batters on the year.

Ben Walmsley, LHP (Cincinnati Reds) | Player profile | Latest news

He started the year as a 17-year-old, and the teenager has had some positive signs this year. Walmsley has a 6.10 ERA in 20.2 Complex League innings. He has struck out 24 batters.

Aaron Whitefield, OF (Kansas City Monarchs, American Assosciation) | Player profile | Latest news

The Melbourne Aces star and 2x ABL MVP was unfortunately released from his Major League contract earlier this year, after playing in Double-A with the LA Angels. Whitefield has received two MLB call-ups in the past.

Since his move to the American Association, he’s hit .234 with 11 stolen bases in 29 games. He was placed on the injured list on August 10.

Kai-Noa Wynyard, RHP (Texas Rangers) | Player profile | Latest news

Keep your eye on Kai. The 21-year-old is having a really good season at the A-Ball level. He has a 2.29 ERA in 35.1 innings. He’s only walked 14 batters and is being used in a premier relief pitching role. 

Tom West (Umpire)

Tom is umpiring in Triple-A this year – a big accomplishment for the longtime ABL ump.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

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Curtis Mead, IF (Tampa Bay Rays) | Player profile | Latest news

Last week, Mead became the first Australian in 12 years to record 3+ hits in a Major League game. Mead is hitting .241 with a .353 OBP at the Major League level. He’s on a four-game hit streak and has been on base 2+ times his last three games. Curtis is also playing some slick defense at third.

 

Jack O’Loughlin, LHP (Detroit Tigers) | Player profile | Latest news

The starting pitcher in the Giants’ Claxton Shield winning game and Team Australia’s upset win over Korea has played in High-A and Triple-A this year. He’s getting a good look from the Tigers’ organisation.

At the Triple-A level, O’Loughlin has been up-and-down. He has a 5.52 ERA in 58.0 innings, mainly as a starter. He had a 2.17 ERA in High-A before his June 2 call-up.

Riley Yeatman, RHP (San Diego Padres) | Player profile | Latest news

Unfortunately, it’s the year that never got going for the 19-year-old. Yeatman has been plagued by injuries all year and underwent Tommy John Surgery last week. He’ll likely be out for a year.

VICTORIA

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Chris Burke, C (Kansas City Royals) | Player profile | Latest news

The 22-year-old star of the Under-23 national team, and Melbourne Aces slugger, recovered from injury had has played five games in the Complex League this year. He is 1-for-11.

George Callil, IF (Evansville Otters, Frontier League) | Player profile | Latest news

The Melbourne Aces break-out player is hitting .246 with a .322 OBP in 61 games this year in the Independent Frontier League. He has four homers, 21RBI and a pair of stolen bases.

Jarryd Dale, IF (San Diego Padres) | Player profile | Latest news

After missing most of the year because of injury, Dale returned to the High-A Fort Wayne Tincaps line-up in late June. The Melbourne Aces Claxton Shield winner and Team Australia infielder has a .269 average with 1 homer and 6 RBI so far.

Mitch Ellis, RHP (Kansas City Royals) | Player profile | Latest news

Mitch is on the 60-day IL and has not pitched this season.

Darcy Longstaff, P (Cincinatti Reds) | Player profile |

Darcy has spent the year in the Complex League with the Reds. While his season ERA sits at 6.84, he is starting to heat up. In August he has a 2.70 ERA in 10.0 innings of quality work.

Nikau Pouaka-Grego, IF (Philadelphia Phillies) | Player profile | Latest news

Pouaka-Grego hurt his knee in Round 1 ABL action this year while playing for the Adelaide Giants. He underwent surgery in January and has been working towards a comeback. He’s been working out at the Complex League in Clearwater.

Liam Spence, IF (Chicago Cubs) | Player profile | Latest news

Spence is hitting .205 in 30 games in High-A this season. The Adelaide Giants player has a homer and 9 RBI this season.

Blake Townsend, LHP (Seattle Mariners) | Player profile | Latest news

Talk about hot. Since May 23 in A-Ball, Townsend has a 1.99ERA with 30 strikeouts in 22.2 innings. He has held opponents scoreless in 12 of his last 13 appearances. 

He has a 4.10 ERA on the season – a number that is steadily declining with each outing.

Jarrod Belbin, IF (Seattle Mariners) | Player profile | Latest news

He signed out of college a couple months ago and has since been playing in the Complex League. Belbin is hitting .214 with a homer and 8RBI in 14 games.

Declan Speirs | C (Philadelphia Phillies) | Player Profile 

He was only signed last month. The 17-year-old is training in the Dominican right now. He’ll join Australia’s U18 team in Taiwan later in the month.

Billy Parsons, P (Sussex County Miners, Frontier League) | Player profile | Latest news

In his first American season, Parsons made the Frontier League All-Star team. With good reason – he has a 1.19 ERA in 0.82 WHIP in 30.2 innings this season. Phenomenal. 

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

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Bailey Jay Cooke, IF (Oakland A’s) | Player profile |

The 20-year-old rising star and Perth Heat player got a call up to Single-A Stockton this season. He’s made some highlight reel defensive plays that have found their way on social media while slashing .188/.275/.488. He has a homer and 19 RBI.

Robbie Glendinning, IF (Philadelphia Phillies) | Player profile | Latest news

Robbie started the year with the Royals in Double-A. He got traded to the Orioles and played Triple-A. After he was released in July he got picked up by the Phillies where he’s been playing Double-A.

Glendinning is hitting .250 with a .359 OPB with 8HR and 36RBI across all levels this season. With Philadelphia, he’s started 5-for-16. He was placed on the 7-day IL over the weekend.

Alex Hall, C (Milwaukee Brewers) | Player profile | Latest news

The reigning Helms Award winner and Perth Heat catcher is hitting .239 at the High-A level this year. Look out, though. He’s getting hot. Hall had a four hit day last week.

Josh Hendrickson, P (Philadelphia Phillies) | Player profile | Latest news

The 25-year-old has a 4.88 ERA this season in 21 games in Double-A. He’s pitched 94.0 innings and started 18 games. He’s now with two other Aussies – Robbie Glendinning and Rixon Wingrove – on this team.

Liam Hendriks, RHP (Chicago White Sox) | Player profile | Latest news

A heartbreaking and heartwarming years in so many ways. In January, Hendriks was diagnosed with cancer. He overcame it and made an MLB return in May. However, he got hurt again and had to undergo major elbow surgery that will keep him out another 12 months. We wish our number 1 pitcher the best.

Mitch Neunborn, RHP (Philadelphia Phillies) | Player profile

In his first minor league season, the Adelaide Giant has been putting up unreal numbers at High-A. In his last 9.0 innings, Neunborn has allowed 0 runs, two hits, struck out 15 and threw an immaculate inning that went viral. 

ACT

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Billy Parsons, P (Sussex County Miners, Frontier League) | Player profile | Latest news

We will give Billy a shoutout in the ACT section too, because of his affiliation with the Canberra Cavalry – as well as his Victorian home state. In his first American season, Parsons made the Frontier League All-Star team. With good reason – he has a 1.19 ERA in 0.82 WHIP in 30.2 innings this season. Phenomenal. 

Baseball Australia wishes to congratulate Victorian Darcy Longstaff who has signed a professional contract with the Cincinnati Reds. Longstaff, a product of the Waverley Baseball Club, will head across to Spring Training in 2023.

He will join Queenslander Ben Walmsley within the Reds organisation who has just completed his first professional season. He will also be following in the footsteps of his brother Reece who has just completed his freshman year at Arizona Western.

Follow the hundreds of players Abroad here: Aussies Abroad | Baseball.com.au