Baseball Australia is proud to launch the 2017 edition of the MLB Australian Academy Program (MLBAAP).
The MLBAAP enables MLB Clubs to evaluate the best and brightest U18 baseball players Australia has to offer.
Held at Surfers Paradise Baseball Club between 28 July and 6 August, the MLBAAP is a continual partnership between Baseball Australia and Major League Baseball, and aims to further enhance the quality and quantity of elite baseball players coming from the region.
As well as giving top Australian prospects the chance of being signed by an MLB team, the MLBAAP gives already signed athletes the chance to improve their skills and give them an insight into the day-to-day rigours of professional baseball.
This year, 51 of the best and brightest talents from around Australia will be put through their paces in an intense 10 day program of high quality games and workouts delivered by the best coaches Australia has to offer.
As well as a multitude of athletes that are yet to be signed to a professional team or college, a number of young men that have already committed to playing baseball in the US will suit up at the MLBAAP.
South Aussie Jack O’Loughlin and Victorian Matt Beattie both signed professional contracts with the Detroit Tigers in the last 12 months, while Queensland native Josh Bedggood and Victoria’s Jordan Barnett have committed to college programs.
March 2017 saw the second edition of Australians competing for the MLB World Select Team in the USA, and 12 of the 13 athletes that spent time playing in front of a multitude of professional scouts will return to the MLBAAP in 2017.
Baseball Australia’s Head of High Performance Glenn Williams is excited to see such a deep playing roster at this year.
“The MLBAAP has a storied history of producing professional players and Team Australia stars,” Williams said.
“These young men will have the chance to work with an amazing coaching staff that have a wealth of experience at the level of baseball they dream of playing at. We are grateful to MLB for their continued support of player development in Australia. Thanks to their support, opportunities for our players, both domestically and internationally, continue to be provided.”
For a full list of 2017 MLBAAP participants, click here.