Little League Baseball® World Series Graduates Sign During the Start of the MLB International Signing Period

A number of recent graduates of the Little League Baseball® World Series officially signed their contracts to play with big league organizations during the start of the 2021-22 MLB International Signing Period.

With the signing period officially opening on January 15, and available for international players who were born between Sept. 1, 2004, and Aug. 31, 2005, the following Little Leaguers® have earned their spot in the big leagues.

Clayton Campbell – Hills LL (NSW, Australia) (2016 LLBWS) – Detroit Tigers

Clayton Campbell

Looking to become the first New Zealand-born player in Major League Baseball, Clayton Campbell showed off his skills at an early age in the 2016 LLBWS. On the mound in the tournament, Clayton picked up a pair of wins with a seven-strikeout, no-hit performance over Europe and Africa in his team’s opening-round game and an impressive 14-strikeout complete game performance over the Caribbean Region in an elimination game. At the plate, Clayton went 4-for-10 (.500) in four games, including a 2-for-3 performance with a walk against the Latin America Region champions.

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Victor Juarez – San Nicolas (Mexico) LL (2016 LLBWS) – Colorado Rockies

Victor Juarez

Possibly most notably known for shattering an ESPN camera during the 2016 LLBWS, Victor Juarez was an all-around impressive performer for the Mexico Region champions that year. At the plate, Victor went 9-for-14 (.643) in five games throughout the tournament, including falling only a home run shy of the cycle against Europe and Africa while later picking up that home run with a two-run shot against Australia two games later. On the mound, Victor made three starts throughout the tournament, picking up the win over Canada after throwing three innings of shutout ball while picking up seven strikeouts.

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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 lead his team to a 3-2 victory. At the plate, Esmith finished the tournament batting 4-for-16 (.250), including an opening game home run against Mexico to help give his team its first victory of the tournament. During the third-place game, Esmith finished the tournament in style, blasting a walk-off home run in the bottom of the sixth to take down the Southeast Region, 3-2, and earn the third-place title.

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Omar Romero – Luz-Maracaibo (Venezuela) LL (2017 LLBWS) – Toronto Blue Jays

Omar Romero

Known for his exciting personality and incredible skills on the field, Omar Romero was the spark plug for the Latin America Region team in the 2017 LLBWS. Defensively, Omar’s skills shined as he helped turn a pair of double plays against Mexico in the opening round, and finished the tournament error-free. At the plate, his most exciting moment came with a walk-off triple in an elimination game against the Dominican Republic, leading to one of the biggest acts of sportsmanship in the Little League World Series.

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Adan Sanchez – Vacamonte LL (Arraijan, Panama) (2018 LLBWS) – Chicago Cubs

Adan Sanchez

In three games at the 2018 LLBWS, Adan Sanchez was able to pull together for three hits in seven at bats (.714) while driving in four RBI and scoring three runs on his own. With a three-run home run in the opening game against Canada, Adan put up hits in each of his next two games, including a RBI single against Japan to cut the deficit to 3-2 in the top of the fourth.  After picking up the save against Canada with a trio of strikeouts, Adan came back and threw 4.2 innings of work against Japan, picking up another nine strikeouts while only allowing three hits despite the loss.

 

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Erick Torres – Los Bravos de Pontezuela LL (Santiago, D.R.) (2017 LLBWS) – Kansas City Royals

Erick Torres

During the 2017 LLBWS, Erick Torres helped lead his team as a solid third baseman throughout the entire tournament, picking up three assists and a pair of putouts without committing an error in three games. On the mound, Erick also picked up a save in an 8-7 victory over Australia after coming in to pick up the final out of the game.

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NOTE: If you know of a notable Little League Baseball World Series graduate that was not included above, please complete the above Little League Alumni Submission form.