Left-handed pitcher Brandon Herbold has signed a contract for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB).
"I've had the goal to play baseball professionally since I was four," Herbold told the Dutch Federation's official website. "I think I'm ready after two years at the National Team training centre."
"We were very impressed with his approach and athletic skills," said the Royals' scout Nick Leto. "He has everything to become an MLB player."
Herbold helped world No. 7 the Netherlands finish fifth in the XXX WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup, their best finish ever. He started the games against Canada and Mexico, pitching a combined 8.2 innings and striking out 10. He left both games with a no-decision.
After discovering baseball in Dordrecht, Herbold, who is the son of the Royal Dutch Baseball Softball Federation (KNBSB) President, has played for Neptunus Rotterdam since he was 10. He made his debut in the Dutch major league (Hoofdklasse) in 2021 and appeared in six games in 2022.
