With the success of the Australian U23 World Cup thus far (four wins from five games), we decided to profile three members of the Australian U23 team, who have not only stood out at the U23 World Cup, but have had success at for their affiliated team, college and state.
Zac Shepherd
Current Age: 21
Position: 3B
Affiliation: Detroit Tigers
Comparison: Stefan Welch
- Outstanding defence
- Quality hitter
- National Team focused
Ever since Baseball Australia’s Head of High Performance Glenn Williams set eyes on 14-year-old Rouse Hill junior Zac Shepherd, he knew he had something special.
“Zac has tackled every opportunity that has come his way,” Williams said of Shepherd.
“Zac has always been meticulous identifying what he needs to do to improve his game, and something that is exciting for the national team, he’s always one of the first guys to put his hand up when there’s an opportunity to represent Australia.
A product of the MLB Australian Academy, and a star at National Youth Championships, Shepherd was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2012.
2011 proved a year to remember for the then 16 year old Shepherd, taking out the Baseball Australia Youth Player of the Year following his outstanding performances at the 2011 AA World Cup. 8 RBIs at a .500 clip proved Shepherd as an offensive weapon, but his defence stood out, as he was named in the World Cup All-Star team at Shortstop, as well as Outstanding Defensive Player at the tournament.
Shepherd’s time with the Detroit Tigers has proved fruitful too, being named a 2015 Mid-Season All-Star for the Class-A West Michigan Whitecaps.
Shepherd will no doubt play a big role on Tony Harris’ U23 team, and will be looking to put in a strong performance before he returns to the Australian Baseball League this season.
Sam Holland
Current Age: 22
Position: RHP
Affiliation: Los Angeles Angels
Comparison: Dushan Ruzic
- Deceptive release point
- Keeps hitters off balance
- Consistent
2012 was also the year that Sam Holland got his first crack at affiliated baseball after signing with the San Diego Padres, and despite a solid few years in the Padres minor league system (2-2, 2.25 in first year of affiliated baseball), Holland was released in March of 2016.
However a young man with such a high ceiling was picked up almost immediately by the Los Angeles Angels, and given his year in the Angels organisation, the Padres may be kicking themselves they let Holland go.
Beginning his 2016 in Class-A Burlington, Holland put together outstanding performances out of the bullpen, finishing his time at the Bees with a 3-1 record, a mind-blowing 0.57 ERA, and eight saves from nine opportunities. His promotion to Class A-Advanced Inland Empire 66ers was warranted, and he again proved his worth, finishing with a 1.50 ERA and two saves from 10 appearances. Couple those stats with a 0.61 WHIP, 36 punchouts and only 7 walks, Holland proved consistently brilliant in 2016.
Holland’s side-arm release coupled with his deceptive movement and durability make him a weapon for the Australian U23 team as well as the ABL Champion Brisbane Bandits in the 2016/17 Australian Baseball League.
Mitch Neunborn
Current Age: 19
Position: RHP
Affiliation: N/A
Comparison: Warwick Saupold
- Four pitch mix
- Wipeout slider
- Versatile
Mitch Neunborn is yet to debut in the ABL and is not signed by an affiliated club, but people in the know have flagged the West Australian as a very promising prospect moving forward.
Back-to-back Claxton Shield winning manager Steve Fish reflected on Neunborn’s promising career.
“I have known Mitch since he was 11 and playing Little League,” Fish said.
“He was always a very athletic and talented kid, and that versatility saw him move from the mound to the middle infield through his high school baseball. He really developed when he came overseas as part of the ‘Perth Heat Colts’ trip. In 2015 I put him back on the mound and my first reaction was ‘wow, this is the best right-handed pitcher in the entire country.”
Neunborn is no stranger to the national setup, having played for Fish in the 2015 U18 World Cup. Australia finished fourth in that tournament, and Fish remembers Neunborn’s performances at that tournament fondly.
“Mitch played some third base for me over there, but I brought him over as my closer,” Fish said.
“His defining moment was an incredible relief effort over Cuba which lifted us into the medal rounds.”
That ‘defining moment’ for Neunborn ended up as 4.2 innings of shutout relief against a Cuban lineup that crushed 28 runs in five pool games. Neunborn struck out six and only gave up two hits before the offence caught fire and propelled Australia to victory.
Neunborn represents North Iowa Area Community College, and Head Coach Travis Hergert rates Neunborn highly.
“He’s one of our top players on both sides of the ball,” Hergert said.
“He’s a dynamic arm, very athletic and will play a big role for us on the left side of the infield. He certainly has a bright future.”
To stay in touch with the performance of these three prospects at the U23 World Cup, head to http://baseball.com.au/National-Teams/Under-23-Men.