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Pirates Sign Australian Shortstop

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The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed Australian shortstop Sam Kennelly, according to the Australian Baseball Federation. Kennelly is a 16-year-old who participated in Major League Baseball’s Australian Academy this year. He’s a right-handed thrower and hitter at 6′ 2″, 187 pounds.

Kennelly hit for a .250/.308/.271 line in 48 at-bats this year in the MLBAAP. He’s got three brothers in pro ball. His oldest brother Matt plays for Atlanta at the Double-A level. His brother Tim plays in Double-A for the Phillies. His brother Josh plays for the Reds in rookie ball.

Sam participated in a San Diego Padres showcase earlier in the year in the Dominican Republic. He’s the third player to sign out of Australia this year, and the first the Pirates have signed this year. The Pirates have been active in Australia in the past, having a strong presence in the area. Their Australian scout, Tony Harris, is a coach at the academy, and coaches one of the winter league teams.

Kennelly will participate in extended Spring Training with the Pirates this off-season.

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Tim Williams
Tim Williams
Tim is the owner, producer, editor, and lead writer of PiratesProspects.com. He has been running Pirates Prospects since 2009, becoming the first new media reporter and outlet covering the Pirates at the MLB level in 2011 and 2012. His work can also be found in Baseball America, where he has been a contributor since 2014 and the Pirates' correspondent since 2019.

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