Aussie teen signs $500,000 Major League Baseball deal

July 4, 2012 - 6:49PM

Australian teenage pitcher Lewis Thorpe has struck a half-a-million pay day with Major League Baseball franchise Minnesota.

The Twins signed the left-handed pitcher overnight while he was at the Gold Coast’s MLB Australian Academy.

US media suggested the deal was worth $500,000 and that several MLB teams were interested in recruiting Thorpe.‘‘

This means everything to me. It has been my dream since I was five to go and play baseball in America,’’ the 16-year-old Victorian said.

‘‘Getting signed also means everything to my family.‘‘

They have been my biggest support and I have made sure I put in the hard work on the field to be able to give back to them in return.’’

Thorpe pitched in the 16-and-under world championship in Mexico last August.

Thorpe will join compatriot and starting pitcher Liam Hendriks at Minnesota.

Minnesota has been a happy hunting ground for Australians, with Grant Balfour, Luke Hughes and Hendriks all earning MLB debuts at the club.

AAP


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/aussie-teen-signs-500000-major-league-baseball-deal-20120704-21h7q.html#ixzz1zdrwhqPv