The Boston Red Sox landed a top young international player today, signing 17 year old Australian Daniel McGrath. McGrath pitched last season for the Victoria Aces of the Australian Baseball League. He had been debating between going to college to continue his baseball development or signing with a Major League team. The 18 year old McGrath is hard throwing left handed pitcher with a large frame. Rob Bradford of WEEI reports that sources claim at least fifteen major league clubs were interested in the Aussie hurler before he finally agreed to join the Red Sox system.
At just 18, McGrath is going to need a few years before he is major league ready, but he certainly appears to have the tools to be a top tier pitcher in the future. Bradford reports that his 91 pmh fastball had the highest velocity on the Australian National team. For a young lefty, that velocity is exciting and with McGrath’s 6’3 frame, he should become a true power pitcher as his arm develops.
There is no word yet on what the Red Sox paid to land the promising youngster, but with the new caps on International spending to take effect next year, this signing may just be the first of many others as teams try to scoop up elite international baseball talent before they are unable to spend freely on such players.
Buy Boston Red Sox Tickets | Buy Boston Red Sox Apparel
