News

It’s official: There will be an Australian in Major League Baseball to start the 2024 season.

Infielder Curtis Mead has made the Tampa Bay Rays’ Major League roster to start the 2024 season, per Tampa Bay Times’ Marc Topkin, signaling he is here to stick around for a while.

Mead, from Adelaide, was named to the MLB club’s opening day roster today, cracking the line-up out of Spring Training for the first time in his career.
The 23-year-old is the only Australian named to an MLB Roster to start the 2024 season.

Perth’s Liam Hendriks starts the year on the injured list for the Boston Red Sox, while 30 other Australians will start 2024 in the minor leagues trying to work their way up.

Mead, however, starts the season in the best baseball competition on the planet.

He made international headlines last year, when he received a call-up to the Tampa Bay Rays in August. He stuck around long enough to be named to the Rays’ playoff roster where he became the first Australian position player to record a hit in a post-season game, and the first Aussie to record a playoff RBI.

The Tampa Bay Rays compete in the American League conference in the East Division with the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles.

The Rays open the season Friday 29 March at 7:10AM AEDT vs the Toronto Blue Jays. His full week’s schedule and how to watch is at the bottom of the article. He follows up a series against Toronto with a match-up vs defending World Series Champions Texas Rangers.

Mead is just the 37th Australian to ever reach the major leagues. He spent the summer in Adelaide training with the Giants and getting ready for the upcoming season.

He hit .253 for Tampa Bay in 2023 across 24 games played. In Spring Training, he hit .265 – one of the better marks on the team.

Mead brings infield versatility with his ability to play multiple positions on the infield.

This is his first time he has made a Major League roster to start a season.

Tampa Bay Rays Schedule

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• Friday 29 March – 7:10AM AEDT – vs Toronto – Watch on MLB.TV
• Saturday 30 March – 9:50AM AEDT vs Toronto – Watch on MLB.TV / ESPN on KAYO
• Sunday 31 March – 7:10AM AEDT – vs Toronto – Watch on MLB.TV
• Monday 1 April – 4:40AM AEDT – vs Toronto – Watch on MLB.TV
• Tuesday 2 April – 9:50AM AEDT – vs Texas – Watch on MLB.TV
• Wednesday 3 April – 9:50AM AEDT – vs Texas – Watch on MLB.TV
• Thursday 4 April – 4:10AM AEDT – vs Texas – Watch on MLB.TV

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.

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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 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.

You Mead to see this play!

(MLB X @CapitalOne) pic.twitter.com/n8iu7O0qEF

— MLB (@MLB) August 19, 2023

 

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.