MLB invites Australian Squad to attend Spring Training

As further recognition of the emerging baseball talent in this country, twenty-six promising young ball players are one step closer to chasing their big league dream, having been invited by MLB to attend Spring Training in the US later this month. With over 20 Australians currently affiliated with MLB organisations this is a great opportunity for our best talent between 15-18 years old to perform under the gaze of scouts from The Majors.

The squad of 26 was selected following wide consultation across the baseball fraternity, with over a dozen locally based scouts voting on the final list, with players also needing to meet specific criteria set out for participants by MLB as part of this initiative. The Training Camp and exhibition matches are funded by MLB, and will provide our young elite baseballers a great opportunity for exposure.

Baseball Australia's Head of High Performance Glenn Williams, was delighted to announce the initiative, which further strengthens the relationship between MLB and Australian Baseball.

“The training camps are hopefully the first of many such trips, which will allow Australia’s next generation of ball players to not only experience what Spring Training is all about, but also showcase their talent on the biggest stage,” said Williams.

“To have an opportunity to pit their skills against some of the best in the world, in this unique format, will be a great accelerator in our National High Performance program.”

Several members of the Aussie squad attending the 12-day Spring Training program in St Petersburg, Florida, have already committed to Baseball programs next autumn (Northern Hemisphere) at various Junior Colleges in the US.

The tour will also provide an opportunity for current senior members of the National Team, the Southern Thunder, to assist in the development of Australia’s next generation of baseball talent.

Luke Hughes (Manager) and Trent Oeltjen (Assistant Coach) fresh from their victory over South Africa at the World Baseball Classic Qualifier, will be joined by Sydney Blue Sox Manager Jason Pospishil (Assistant Coach), Australian Baseball Hall of Famers Graeme Lloyd (Pitching Coach) and Glenn Williams (Executive Officer) and Todd Hutcheson (Trainer) as the coaching staff for the tour. The Australian squad will come up against some of the best talent in the US, and also play in exhibition games against the European Academy and Canada.

Australian 26 Man Roster

The squad will depart for the US 15 March 2016.