Here's a list of Australian Baseball Coaches, Administrators, Broadcasters and Umpires in the USA

04 September 2023 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Here's a list of Australian Baseball Coaches, Administrators, Broadcasters and Umpires in the USA

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.

Opportunistic Puerto Rico hands Australia a Sunday defeat at U18 World Cup

A more opportunistic Puerto Rico downed Australia 6-0 at the U18 World Cup in Taiwan on Sunday morning to stay unbeaten in the tournament.

The game was much closer than the scoreline suggests.
Puerto Rico held a 2-0 edge for much of the afternoon, until they pulled away with a four-run sixth inning. Games at the U18 World Cup are 7-innings.

Australia had multiple baserunners in the fourth and fifth innings but couldn’t find a critical scoring hit to push ahead.

Puerto Rico took advantage of walks and a couple defensive miscues to score two in the first before their monstrous penultimate inning.

Puerto Rico had six hits in the game to Australia’s four. Australia did have nine baserunners but couldn’t convert any of them into runs.

On the mound, Puerto Rican pitchers Byron Madero and Jarrette Bonet combined for eight strike outs.

Ali Tanner (South Australia) pitched 4.1 innings of two-hit, one-run baseball in his start for Australia.

Callum Donnelly (CNSW), Declan Speirs (VIC), Tom Chessell (QLD) and Michael De Gasperis had hits for Australia.

The loss drops Australia to 1-2. They have two games remaining in Group A – Monday vs South Korea and Tuesday vs Czechia. Australia needs to finish within the Top 3 to advance to next weekend’s Super Round and contend for a medal.

Standings are below.

Box Score: Click here.

Game Recap

Australia didn’t exactly put the best foot forward in the field.

Puerto Rico scored their first run before they even had a full-swing base hit or a recorded out.

Hiram Bocachica walked, Jan Rayes reached on an infield bunt. A passed ball, an errant throw that sprayed wide of second base, and a sacrifice fly moved the runners around. 2-0, just like that.

Despite some defensive bumbles in the field, and a pair of walks, Australian starting pitcher Ali Tanner helped his side settle down. He recorded a couple strike-outs to keep the game at a 2-0 scoreline after one.

Tanner kept getting comfortable. The South Australian pitched 1-2-3 innings in the second, third and fourth to keep his team in it.

At one point, Tanner retired 11 Puerto Rican batters in a row.

The Australian bats took a while to get rumbling. They applied their first pressure in the fourth. A Tom Chessell hit and a walk to Josh Nati put two runners in scoring position with two-outs.

A solid start from Ali Tanner (photo: WBSC)

Byron Madero delivered a huge strike-out to get out of the jam.

Madero’s final line read: 4.0IP, 2H, 3SO and crucially 0 earned runs.

Tanner delivered a wonderful performance of his own. He went 4.1 innings allowing just one earned run, two hits, three walks while striking out three.

Benjamin Karakasis took over from Tanner in the fifth inning and scored a massive strike-out to end the frame and strand a Puerto Rican runner at third.

Australia tried to turn the screws again in the fifth, this time vs new pitcher Jarrette Bonet. They had two runners on with nobody out, but Bonet retired Jack Ratcliffe and Declan Speirs on strikes to end the threat.

Puerto Rico piled it on in the sixth inning to pull away.

The island nation tallied three hits and an error in the sixth. The devastating blow came off the hands of Diego Garcia. His two-out RBI double brought in two runs to push the score to an unsurmountable 6-0 advantage.

Australia got a baserunner on in the seventh, but couldn’t bring him around.

In total, Australia left eight batters on during the game.

Australia has to regroup and get ready for a clash vs South Korea on Monday afternoon at 4:30PM AEST. The Aussies likely need to win the game to have any shot at progressing to the group stage.

STANDINGS (AS OF 1:00PM AEST, SUNDAY)

For up-to-date standings head to the WBSC Official Website.

02 September 2023 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Team Australia

Bushell + Chesterton brilliant, bats bash through late with clutch hits, as Australia topples Mexico at U18 World Cup

A clutch late two-out rally and solid pitching were big contributors to Australia’s 4-2 win over Mexico at the Under 18 World Cup on Saturday.

31 August 2023 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Team Australia

Australian bats held in check by brilliant Chinese Taipei pitching in World Cup opener

Australian bats were stymied by sensational Taiwanese pitching in a 3-0 loss at the Under 18 World Cup opener in Taipei.

Highly touted Chinese Taipei pitching prospect Sun Yi-Lei was exactly as advertised for the host-nation. The Taiwanese pitcher, who comes equipped with a fastball that charts up to 95mph, was simply brilliant.

Sun pitched a complete game shutout, going 7.0 innings, allowing just one hit, two walks and eight strike-outs.

Australian starting pitcher Adam Bates (NSW) did a good job of controlling a tricky Chinese Taipei line-up. He allowed just four hits and one run in his 4.0 innings of work.

“I thought Adam was outstanding tonight,” said Australian head coach Andy Kyle. “He really set the tone and attacked the strike zone. He kept hitters off-balance and produced some weak contact. He was unlucky to not leave the game with 0-0 score-line.”

Chinese Taipei scored the winning run in the fourth inning off back-to-back soft contact hits.

They added two more off Australian miscues in the sixth.

The Under 18 World Cup is arguably the most prestigious of all junior international events, consistently featuring future household names and global stars. Read the game recap, as it happened, below.

Australia has an off day on Friday. They play Mexico next at 12:30PM on Saturday morning.

Box Score: Click here.

Game Recap – As It Happened

Above: Adam Bates (Photo provided by WBSC)

To use an age-old analogy, this World Cup opener had the feel of a heavyweight match-up. Especially when it comes to the battle between the two pitchers.

In Australia’s corner was Adam Bates. The experienced teenager from New South Wales is returning for his second U18 World Cup after posting a sub-2.00 ERA in last year’s tournament. There’s a big reason why scouts from major US colleges and MLB teams are circling.

In Chinese Taipei’s corner is Sun Yi-Lei. Widely regarded as the “Ace” of the Taiwanese staff, Sun comes equipped with a 95mph fast-ball, a buckling change-up and a devasting curveball.

Both prized fighters delivered for their country.

Sun was everything as advertised and more. He got off to a stunning start by holding Australian batters hitless through the first four innings while stacking up six strike-outs.

The Taiwanese Ace was landing his first pitch for strikes, often using his breaking ball to get ahead in counts. He used his off-speed to compliment his buzzing mid-90s fastball.

If Sun was attacking with devasting, swinging, right-handed punches, Australia’s Adam Bates was countering with tactful jabs in the World Cup ring.

View more stories, meet the U18 team, and find the schedule at our International Hub.

Taiwan may have pressured early but Bates found ways to get Australia out of jams. The hosts had baserunners in the first and second innings but couldn’t capitalise.

Bates worked counts, kept composure, and kept the hosts scoreless through the first three innings.

He mixed his pitches well, especially landing his curve ball, to induce soft contact. Bates moved his fastball up-down-and-around the strike zone to keep the Taiwanese offense off balance.

Australia also got some help from the defense, too.

At one point, Bates retired eight batters in a row.

Despite his efforts, Chinese Taipei went ahead in the fourth inning. It was a matter of “where” the ball seemed to bounce.

Bates got the first two outs of the inning with ease. Then, a walk.

Chinese-Taipei got a homefield kick with an infield single to put two runners on with two outs.

Lee Hsun-Chieh then put the hosts ahead with a dribbling ball that had eyes for a gap between shortstop and third.

Australia, meanwhile, struggled to build something defensively. They couldn’t find a way to move a runner past second base.

Lachlan Smith did break up Sun’s no-hitter in the fifth inning.

Bates got the hook after four innings. His final line? A fantastic 4.0IP with just four hits, three strikeouts and only one earned run.

Jai Hewitt (WA) grabbed the reigns in the fifth-inning. He immediately worked a 1-2-3 inning.

Sun, meanwhile, just found a way to keep on rolling.

“Obviously he was dominant,” said head coach Andy Kyle after the game. “A fastball in the 90s, a change-up and a split was always going to be tough. I thought we competed well in the box and had some hard-hit balls, but we couldn’t find that big hit tonight.

Chinese Taipei pulled away in the sixth. Two misplays in the Australian outfield helped scored two runs before the boys from Down Under could record an out.

3-0.

Benjamin Karakasis took over from Lachlan Rosser in the sixth. He entered with two runners on-base and nobody out. He needed just needed four pitches to get out of the jam and stop the hosts from pulling further away.

Australia fell in order in the seventh inning, sealing the complete game for Sun and the victory for Chinese Taipei.

Despite the loss, Kyle remains optimistic about the rest of the tournament, as focus shifts to Mexico on Saturday.

“We will stay positive,” he says. “We did a lot of things well in the ballgame and have arms fresh and ready to go for Mexico. Hopefully we can build some momentum and start well in the next game.”

Catch up on all stories at our International Hub.

30 August 2023 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Team Australia

Here's how family - both literally and metaphorically - connects the U18 National Team

On the night players from Australia’s Under-18 roster were informed they made they made the prestigious World Cup squad, longtime senior team member Sam Holland surprised the group for a chat.

He brought with him something incredibly special and deeply personal to this country’s baseball community – an Australian flag with a unique history.

“What I showed the players was the Senior Team’s Australian flag. It has the signatures of our past and present senior team players, with the earliest dating back to 2004,” says Holland. “It is there at all Team Australia names and embodies the respect and passion we all share when we put on the uniform.”

The message was simple. From a senior Team Australia member to the up-and-coming players in our sport – you are part of family, and nothing will change that.

“It was awesome to share this small piece of our country’s more recent baseball history with the U18 group. It was also mentioned that there is plenty of space left to be filled and if they continue to play the game the right way and represent our country with pride and passion, they may one day get the privilege of adding there names right there beside some of our nation’s greats,” says Holland.

When you’re part of Australian baseball community you’re part of a family.

This is represented on the national team’s uniform, with an indigenous designed emblem telling exactly that story and presenting a message of community, gathering and sharing knowledge between generations.

This Under 18 World Cup squad playing this week in Tawian has more than a few more family links. This is in the literal and metaphorical sense – the next generation is quite literally coming through.

Let’s look at infielder Nic Paparella. The South Australian infielder is about to put on the Green & Gold at World Cup for the first time. He’s following in the footsteps of his father Mark, who also played for Australia’s Under 18 team in 1995.

Mark flourished in the 1995 World Cup, helping Australia to a Bronze Medal, and being named to the tournament’s All Star team.

Above: Mark Paparella in 1995.

“It’s pretty uncanny,” said Mark to an Adelaide newspaper this week. “Chinese Taipei has always been huge in baseball – we actually played against them in the bronze medal games all those year ago.”

Mark says Nic has the potential to do more damage than himself.

“Nic’s a bit bigger than me,” says Mark. “He’s got a bit more pop.”

Other generational links from South Australia? Jack Bushell’s father James played baseball for the Adelaide Giants in the 1990s. His mum Selena won a bronze medal in softball at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

“The reason I started playing was because dad played baseball and mum played softball, I didn‘t really have an option,” Jack Bushell told CODE Sports earlier in the week.

The most famous link of all comes from the West.

Under 18 member Jai Hewitt is following in the footsteps of his dad Jason, who doesn’t need much of an introduction to Australian baseball fans.

Jason became the youngest player selected for the Australian National Team in the 1994 Baseball World Cup held in Managua, Nicaragua. He also played for Australia at the 1996 Olympics, was an ABL All Star in 1998 (Perth Heat), a Heat MVP and a three-time Claxton Shield winner.

“My dad definitely influenced me to play,” says young Jai. “My goal is to play for the Perth Heat in the ABL, [like my Dad].”

Victorian infielder Jayden Kim comes from great stocks, too. His dad David played in the Australian Baseball League and is now a scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

He wasn’t forced into anything, but fell in love with the game. After exploring other sports, Jayden landed on baseball, he told a local newspaper.

“I began playing when I was 10 years old after a short stint playing soccer and tennis. I like them both but I love baseball,” he said.

Jack Ratcliffe’s (VIC) father played for Team Australia at a World Cup too.

“I first started playing baseball at age 6 at Upwey Ferntree Gully Baseball Club [in Vic],” Ratcliffe says. “I wanted to follow my dad’s footsteps and aspire to be like him and represent Australia.”

How about the literal brotherly connection? Josh Nati’s brother James played for an U15 Australian side a few years ago. Jimmy now plays college baseball in the USA at high-end Pac-12 program Stanford.

But family links don’t just have to come from past Team Australia members. There are other ways people found their way into the game. And once you’re part of the Australian Baseball community, you become family.

Koby Chesterton’s father played baseball so he signed up his son to play t-ball in the ACT. Now he’s the only U18 national team member from the Capital.

Benjamin Karakasis (NSW) watched his brother play. That’s how he started.

Other kids like Tom Chessell had their parents sign them up. Now, he’s in Taiwan playing for his country.

Lachlan Smith stumbled upon the game when at a friend’s ninth birthday party. Who would have thought that part would have led Smith to representing Australia?

“You never know where baseball can take you,” says Baseball Australia’s high performance manager Andrew Riddell. “The powerful thing here is that when you put on that Green & Gold you are forever and always part of that special family. Teams are bonded by it.”

Riddell says the night of the team selection was moving.

“It was a big deal,” he says. “We had a cool video where we had previous players from U18 teams – guys from 2019 and 2022, some of them are playing pro now – send us a video congratulation the players on making the team and wishing them luck. You could just tell how much it meant.”

This family goes to battle as a unit starting Thursday night in front of an anticipated full house vs tournament hosts Taiwan. Australia plays five games in the six-team Pool A of the Under 18 World Cup. They need to finish Top 3 to advance to the Super Round to contend for a medal.

You can watch all games via the WBSC’s streaming service at www.gametime.sport.

First pitch is 8:30PM AEST Thursday night vs. Taiwan. You can read all our stories on the U18 team at our International Hub.

24 August 2023 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

The Perfect Game

Here is a list of the famous names and superstars who played in the U18 World Cup

The Under 18 Baseball World Cup starts this time next week.

Australia’s contingent of top young talent flies out late Thursday to Taiwan. They’ll have a week to prepare for the tournament.

They’ll need every second of preparation they can get – the competition is top notch.

22 August 2023 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Aussies Abroad

UPDATE: Here's how all Australian professional baseball players are doing overseas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

20 August 2023 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Little League

Cuba topples Australia in their Little League World Series debut

A fired-up Cuban side, making the country’s Little League World Series Debut, proved a bit too much to handle in a big 11-1 victory over Australia.

It’s the second loss of the tournament for Australia, represented by Hills (NSW) Junior Baseball Charter, knocking them out of contention for the World Championship title at the most prestigious junior sports event in the world.

19 August 2023 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Team Australia

Team Australia Baseball names 20-man roster for U18 World Cup

Australia has finalised their roster for next week’s 2023 Under 18 World Cup of Baseball in Taiwan.

18 August 2023 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Little League - Team Australia

Australia falls in thriller vs Caribbean in Little League World Series

Australia and Curaçao battled in an entertaining contest at the Little League World Series, but the Carribean nation edged out the Sydney-side 2-1.

It certainly is a grand stage for this U13 event and a heck of an experience for Australia, represented by NSW charter Hills.

16 August 2023 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Little League - Team Australia

Puerto Rico tops Australia at Junior League World Series

Puerto Rico defeated Australia 10-0 at the Junior League Series in Michigan on Tuesday, thanks in part to six runs in the fourth inning.

It’s the second loss of the tournament for Australia – represented by Wanneroo Giants – at the International Under 15 event meant to determine who the best club junior baseball team is.

Puerto Rico scored six runs on three hits in the bottom of the fourth in what was the damaging frame. Dasel Melendez’s RBI double was the big knock.

Australia had early baserunners in the first and second inning, but savvy Puerto Rican pitching got them out of trouble.

Blake Sexton, Harry Wooden, Xavier De Haas and Dylan Bandy combined for Australia’s four hits.

Despite the loss, it was a solid effort in the field. Australia didn’t allow an error in the game.

Ortiz and Melendez had a pair of hits for Puerto Rico, who also scored one in the second inning and three in the third.

This ends Wanneroo’s run at the Junior League Series. They will remain in Michigan in the week, taking in the tournament, the experience around them and hopefully fitting in some more games. What an experience for this young group of players, who got to represent Australia at the Intermediate League World Series last year, too.

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