Fielding Dreams: From South Sudan to the Los Angeles Dodgers
17 Year Old Makes History and Inspires a Nation as MLB Eyes Talent in Africa
“This isn’t just about one player making it to the big leagues – it’s about paving the way for an entire nation.”
It was big news in 2024 when the Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series for the first time in 36 years. They started 2025 by making more big news in sports history – becoming the first MLB franchise to sign a player from the nation of South Sudan.
At the tender age of 17, Joseph Deng already hit it out of the ballpark in making history for his own country. On January 18th of this year, he formalized a deal with the LA Dodgers that made him the first player from South Sudan to ever sign a professional baseball contract.
Social media erupted in posts like this one on Instagram: “Straight Outta South Sudan – 17 year-old Joseph Deng just became the first to do it for MLB! Throwin’ 95 mph heat putting Africa on the map!”
Great Expectations
At 6 foot 7 inches, the 185-pound right handed pitcher is known for his 95-mile per hour fastball and an impressive splitter. Scouts are eying his potential to become even more formidable, predicting he could hit the triple digits as he bulks up his weight and matures in the sport.
“Deng has an extremely lanky, long-limbed frame with tons of space to fill out and continue to add velocity once he gets stronger,” said a scouting report from Baseball America. “He has enormous physical upside and attacks hitters with a fastball/splitter combination.”
Other reports praised the mechanics of his pitching and added to the speculation about Deng’s upside potential. “Seventeen years old…triple digits on the heater within reach,” wrote one observer. “Once he puts on 50 pounds they’re gonna have him throwing 103,” said another.
Blazing New Trails
Deng became just the second player to be signed from the continent of Africa this year, alongside infielder Armstrong Muhoozi of Uganda, who was picked up by the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Dodgers are one of only two clubs who are beginning to look at baseball talent in Africa, as most focus on recruits from the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. Born on August 5, 2007, in South Sudan’s capital city of Juba, he is likely to have seen South Sudan’s civil war, but little is known about Joseph Deng’s backstory. The teen began to garner attention in February of 2024, when he appeared in an X post by Charlie Meyer – a user who promotes young African baseball talent. Meyer was one of the first to share news of the boy’s ability by posting a video of Deng pitching.
The post made its way to Dodger scouts and caught their attention. The franchise acted quickly to shore up a deal with young Deng. “With the Dodgers’ resources and scouting network behind him, he could soon be one to watch on the big stage,” The Playoffs wrote.
Light in a Dark Struggle
The announcement of Joseph Deng’s signing is a much needed spark of hope for the struggling country of South Sudan. The world’s youngest nation just gained its independence in 2011, and since has been embroiled in internal conflict, poverty, displacement, a battered economy, and weather disasters from floods to drought.
Seventy six percent of the country lives below poverty level. One in three children aren’t in school, and 70 percent of the population isn’t considered literate. As South Sudan grapples with a serious food shortage, it’s also straining to support more than a million refugees now entering from Sudan to escape the border country’s civil war. It’s estimated that 9 million people in South Sudan are in need of humanitarian assistance, in a nation whose population is 11 million.
The Power of Hope
The news of Joseph Deng’s success is so much more to his embattled home nation than a sports story. It represents hope for future generations of athletes, and an invitation to dream beyond the borders of their country. It’s also considered a groundbreaking moment in baseball’s global reach.
“Deng’s journey from South Sudan to professional baseball in the United States is a testament to his talent and determination,” AfrikaVille wrote in a quote on X. “As he embarks on his professional career, he not only represents a personal achievement, but also serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes from underrepresented regions in the sport. ”Others echo the sentiment. “This isn’t just about one player making it to the big leagues – it’s about paving the way for an entire nation,” wrote Because of Them We Can. “Joseph Deng’s journey is just beginning, and the world will be watching, because the future of baseball in South Sudan – and across the continent – just got a little brighter.”
Read more about this story here.
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Joseph Deng Makes History as First Player From South Sudan to Sign a Professional MLB Contract – Because of Them We Can
Who is Joseph Deng? All you need to know about Dodger’s historic new signing
Meet the LA Dodgers new 17-year-old 6ft 7in wonderkid Joseph Deng, the first MLB star from South Sudan | The US Sun
Andscape | Straight outta South Sudan 🇸🇸🔥 17-year-old Joseph Deng just became the first to do it for MLB! Throwin’ 95 mph heat putting Africa on the… | Instagram
Joseph Deng Signs With Dodgers To Become 1st Pro Player From South Sudan