US baseball team signs 18y/O

Andrew Mathieson
GEELONG baseball pitcher Elliot Biddle has signed a deal with US Major League club Minnesota Twins for the next seven years.
The development contract will send the 18-year-old off to extended spring training for two months from April 6.
The Highton baseballer will also play a short season in rookie ball this year before rising through the professional ranks.
It’s been a meteoric rise for the former star outfielder who only started pitching in the past six months.
“I’ll start off at the bottom and hopefully work my way up the major leagues,” Biddle said.
“Obviously, I still have to develop as a player because I’m not ready for the big stuff yet.”
Biddle first took a phone call last Thursday from a Twins’ talent scout about the possibility of a contract.
The scout was especially impressed after witnessing him pitch for the Victorian Institute of Sport the night before.
Now a week later, Biddle said the dream was finally starting to sink in.
“I’m very excited about it all,” he said.
“I can’t wait now to get over to the States to play some ball.
“After the first day when I signed the contract I couldn’t really get to sleep, actually.”
Institute of sport coach Matthew Sheldon-Collins said Biddle had a “very good natural arm”, possessing a strong curveball with good control.
The Geelong Giants pitcher been at the institute since 2002 and was a member of the Australian under-19 team last year.
Sheldon-Collins expected Biddle to embrace the experience.
“He’s got a great opportunity and this is what he’s worked so hard for,” he said.
“You can’t predict how he’ll go but I can certainly say he’s very well prepared, eager and keen.”