A number of recent graduates from Little League Baseball® The World Series officially signed their contracts to play with major league organizations at the start of the 2021-22 MLB international signing period.
With the signing period officially opening on January 15 and available to international players born between September 1, 2004 and August 31, 2005, the following Little Leaguers® have earned their place in the big leagues.
Clayton Campbell – Hills LL (NSW, Australie) (2016 LLBWS) – Detroit Tigers
Seeking to become the first New Zealand-born player in Major League Baseball, Clayton Campbell showed his skills from an early age during the 2016 LLBWS. On the tournament mound, Clayton picked up a pair of wins with a seven-out no-hitter performance against Europe and Africa in his team’s opener and an impressive 14-out full game performance against the Caribbean region in an elimination game. At plate, Clayton went 4-for-10 (.500) in four games, including a 2-for-3 performance with a walk against the Latin American region champions.
Few New Zealand-born players in baseball’s pro ranks, but the Tigers have signed one: Clayton Campbell Jr., 18 https://t.co/SjViQ7gcCv
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) December 17, 2021
Victor Juarez – San Nicolas (Mexico) LL (2016 LLBWS) – Colorado Rockies
Perhaps best known for smashing an ESPN camera during the 2016 LLBWS, Victor Juarez was an impressive performer for the Mexico region champions that year. At plate, Victor went 9 for 14 (.643) in five games throughout the tournament, including falling only one homer in the cycle against Europe and Africa, while later regaining that homer with a two-point shot against Australia two games later. On the mound, Victor made three starts throughout the tournament, earning the win over Canada after pitching three shutout innings while recording seven strikeouts.
Right-hander Victor Juarez, Mexico’s top prospect in the 2019-20 class, has signed with the @Rockies for a deal in the order of $500,000. @MLBPipeline pic.twitter.com/oQdkDG6QHw
– Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) July 14, 2019
Esmith Pineda – Aguadule (Panama) Cabezera LL (2016 LLBWS) – Cincinnati Reds
One of the most memorable moments on the mound for Esmith Pineda during the 2016 LLBWS came during his first pitching performance against Australia, striking out 11 batters in five innings of work to help his team to a 3- 2. At plate, Esmith finished the tournament at bat 4 for 16 (.250), including an opening home run against Mexico to help give his team their first win of the tournament. During the third-place game, Esmith finished the tournament in style, blasting a home run in the bottom of the sixth to defeat the Southeast Region, 3-2, and claim the third-place title.
The Reds have added right fielder Esmith Pineda to their class of international signings. Pineda played for Panama in the 2016 Little League World Series.
"He's going to have great power. »https://t.co/uDUfUvBhbE
– Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) January 17, 2022
Omar Romero – Luz-Maracaibo (Venezuela) LL (2017 LLBWS) – Toronto Blue Jays
Known for his exciting personality and incredible skills on the court, Omar Romero was the spark plug for the Latin American Region team during the 2017 LLBWS. Defensively, Omar's skills shone as he helped convert a pair of double plays against Mexico in the first round and finished the tournament error-free. At plate, his most exciting moment came with a hat-trick in a playoff game against the Dominican Republic, leading to one of the greatest acts of sportsmanship of the Little League World Series.
An LLWS hero to professional ball???? Omar Romero agreed to an agreement with the Toronto Blue Jays????#MLB #Geais bleus #WeAreBlueJays
Pair: Carlos Colon (@carlosac1_)https://t.co/SXXpwClkOV
– With Full Bases (@ConLasBasesFull) January 17, 2022
Adan Sanchez – Vacamonte LL (Arraijan, Panama) (2018 LLBWS) – Chicago Cubs
In three games at the 2018 LLBWS, Adan Sanchez had three hits for seven at-bats (.714) while driving four RBIs and scoring three runs on his own. With a three-run homer in the opener against Canada, Adan had hits in each of his next two games, including an RBI single against Japan to cut the deficit to 3-2 early in the game. fourth. After recovering the stoppage against Canada with a trio of strikeouts, Adan came back and pitched 4.2 innings of work against Japan, collecting nine more strikeouts while allowing only three hits despite the defeat.
NEW MILLIONAIRE. Adán Sánchez signed for 1 million 500 thousand with the @Cub Scouts @ccumberbatch11 pic.twitter.com/0ISkgud0ig
— ???????????????????????????? ????ó???????????????????? (@yasilkaoficial) January 17, 2022
Erick Torres – Los Bravos de Pontezuela LL (Santiago, DR) (2017 LLBWS) – Kansas City Royals
During the 2017 LLBWS, Erick Torres helped lead his team as a solid third baseman throughout the tournament, registering three assists and a pair of strikeouts with no errors in three games. On the mound, Erick also pulled off a save in an 8-7 win over Australia after coming on to win the game final.
Source: #Royals agree to an $800,000 deal with receiver Juan Olmos, No. 25 on @MLBPipelineList of top 50 international prospects, No. 45 of Henry Ramos ($800,000) and Erick Torres ($500,000) https://t.co/LWetCicBy0
– Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) January 15, 2022
REMARK: If you know of a notable Little League Baseball World Series graduate who was not included above, please complete the Little League Alumni Submission Form above.
