Cook Island New Zealand teenager Pita Rona has secured a seven-year deal with Major League Baseball franchise the Baltimore Orioles.
The Auckland youngster, who has represented New Zealand in softball, switched codes late last year to focus his attention on baseball.
Rona was picked up after scouts from the franchise came to New Zealand this week to look at the country's top young talent and will link up with the Orioles development programme in Australia.
The 17-year-old said he watches a lot of MLB and to know that he could play there is 'crazy'.
Rona will be given leave from the programme in November to focus on his Under-19 softball commitments for New Zealand.
Baltimore Orioles Director of International Scouting David Stockstill said the team is looking to make the scouting mission an annual trip on their international calendar.
"The Orioles are working hard to expand our search for potential Major League players to new areas," he said in a statement.
New Zealand has never had a major league baseballer. Samoan-Tongan Gus Leger was the first to join a major league club when he signed for the California Angels in 1993, but only played in their Minor League in Arizona. Travis Wilson, another NZ softball representative, joined the Atlanta Braves in 1996 but failed to break into the major team.
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