01/03/2013 1 Minute Read

Jakub Izold from Slovakia signs with Cincinnati Reds

Reportedly the first player from Slovakia, 19-year-old left-handed pitcher Jakub Izold has signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization. He is living and playing for the Czech Extraleague club Draci Brno since he is 16 years old. He attended MLB tryouts and the MLB European Academy in Tirrenia twice. The Reds first offered him a contract last December and signed in his home country Slovakia during the holidays.

Reportedly the first player from Slovakia, 19-year-old left-handed pitcher Jakub Izold has signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization. He is living and playing for the Czech Extraleague club Draci Brno since he is 16 years old. He attended MLB tryouts and the MLB European Academy in Tirrenia twice. The Reds first offered him a contract last December and signed in his home country Slovakia during the holidays.

Izold is expected to fly to Arizona for an instructional week at Spring Training at the end of March, but will return to Brno for his graduation. Right after that he is going back to the United States to play in a summer league. Until graduating he will suit up for Draci Brno in the Extraleague and the European Cup. He is currently throwing an 85 to 88 MPH fastball, change up and a curve ball, but would like to add another pitch.

Photo: Draci Brno