Aussie U-12, U-15 Baseball World Cup righty Riley Yeatman signs with MLB's San Diego Padres

Riley Yeatman, a 17-year old right-handed pitcher who played for the Australian National Team in WBSC Baseball World Cups, has signed a professional contract with the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Super pumped to be joining the @Padres who said childhood dreams can’t come true. Lots of hard work ahead but can’t wait to tackle it head on. #FriarFaithful @44ProGloves @ondeckbsbl @RawlingsGloves pic.twitter.com/CEXibgLdQP

— Riley Yeatman (@RileyYeatman) March 1, 2021

Yeatman appeared in three games for Australia at the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup 2015 and three games at the U-15 Baseball World Cup 2018. He will compete amongst Australia's top 60 players at an April camp for a spot on the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2021 roster.

As a 16-year old, Yeatman was part of the Adelaide Giants' training roster of the Australian Baseball League (ABL) 2020-21. He would have been added to the playoff roster but didn't meet the minimum age limit. Only players 17 and older are eligible in the ABL, and Yeatman's 17th birthday was on 12 February, the same day of the final game of the season was played.

Yeatman is 6 foot 4 (or 195 centimetres), and his fastball ranges 87-90 miles (140.1-144.9 kilometres) per hour. He is credited with a big, 12-to-6 curveball.

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