The Australian Baseball League is a better competition than you may think. It’s closer to the “top level” of World Baseball than any other major North American sport in Australia.
The Giants lead the country in players that have played for the club and moved on the MLB with 12 over the past 10 seasons.
We’re home to many former and future big leaguers as well as some of the best Australian talent.
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Here’s who we have signed this season.
Players Announced and Signed for the 2021-22 Season
POSITION PLAYERS
Catcher – Mitch Edwards – Entering his fourth season with the Giants. 21-year-old Philadelphia Phillies prospect playing minor league baseball in the United States. In 2018-19 he had a .321 batting average which ranks among some of the highest for a catcher in franchise history.
First Base – Rixon Wingrove – 22-year-old Wingrove is entering his third season with the Giants. He is known for his pure power and flair for the dramatic. He hit two game winning walk-off home runs in 2020-21, as well as three walk off hits the season before. He is playing in the minor leagues for the Phillies and considered a prospect with plus-size power.
Third Base – Curtis Mead – 21-year-old South Australian who has flourished at every level of the game. He is entering his fifth season with the club. Curtis led the team with a .356 batting average last year and remarkable defense. He was in consideration for the league MVP award. Mead plays in the minor leagues for the Tampa Bay Rays. He’s climbed their ranks after excelling at every level he’s played at. Mead is considered the #14 prospect in the Rays system according to Baseball America. One to watch.
Outfield – Aaron Whitefield – 25-year-old Australian who has already made it to the MLB with the Minnesota Twins. He is entering his third season with the Giants. Whitefield won the 2016 League MVP with Brisbane (along with three championships) and the 2019-20 League MVP with the Adelaide Giants. He’s playing Double-A in the Twins organisation and is one of Australia’s best players.
Outfield – Jordan McArdle – The 24-year-old South Aussie is one of the longest serving Adelaide Giants. He’s entering his sixth full-season with the club. McArdle is coming off back-to-back tremendous seasons with the bat. In 2019-20 he posted a .304 batting average. Last year’s .264 average wasn’t as flashy – but his .350 average in the last half of the year was.
DH / Utility – Clayton Campbell – The 17-year-old from New South Wales is entering his first year in the ABL. He is on Team Australia’s Under 18 team. Campbell represented Australia in the USA at the Little League World Series and Junior League World Series (twice) as well as on touring high school teams. He boasts one of the most impressive junior baseball resumes in Australian baseball history.
PITCHERS
Starting Pitcher – Mitch Neunborn – Entering his second season with the Giants, Neunborn is the reigning ABL Rookie of the Year and Giants Starting Pitcher of the Year. Neunborn had a 1.75 ERA and 0.70 WHIP as a starter last year – anchoring himself as the Australian “Ace” of the team.
Starting Pitcher – Wei Chieh Huang– The Giants have enlisted the services of former MLB pitcher Huang for the season. A former MLB pitcher, the Taiwanese star is looking to make a return to the big leagues. He’s hoping he can dominate the ABL and get back to the top league in the world.
Starting Pitcher – Lachlan Wells – A massive signing for the Giants this off-season. Wells spent the previous four seasons with the Sydney Blue Sox. He’s only 24 years old and is a regular on Team Australia. Wells is affiliated with the Minnesota Twins. His stuff is among the best in the entire country.
Relief Pitcher – Todd Van Steensel – The reigning Giants Relief Pitcher of the Year, Van Steensel is a veteran of Australian Baseball. He has a minor league career that extends 10+ years, has played 11 seasons of the ABL, is one of Team Australia’s leading guys out of the bullpen and is currently playing in the Mexican Professional League. He is the closer of the staff and possess a firm fast ball. He loves to strike guys out.
Relief Pitcher – Luke Wilkins – An 11-year ABL veteran and Team Australia regular. This is Wilkins’ second season with the Giants after a long stint with the Sydney Blue Sox. Wilkins has been used as a reliever and starter over his career and brings massive versatility to the Giants.
Relief Pitcher – Jason Lott – This will be Lott’s third year with the Giants and fourth in the ABL. Lott can be used as a started but is mainly used as a reliever. In 2019-20 he impressed with a 2.02 ERA and even received a contract offer from the Philadelphia Phillies.
Relief Pitcher – Jayden Bastow – 23-year-old Bastow makes his way to Adelaide from Sydney. This will be his rookie season. Bastow played two years of Junior College in the United states.
COACHING STAFF
Head Coach (Manager) – Chris Adamson – Adamson spent five seasons as a player for the Bite before transitioning to the Assistant Coach for 2 Years. In the 2017-18 season, Adamson took over as the top man. He’s also the Head Coach of the Philadelphia Phillies High-A affiliate the Jersey Shore Blue Claws. Adamson is on Team Australia’s coaching staff.
Pitching Coach – Josh Spence – Spence is a former Australian MLB pitcher with the San Diego Padres. He’s entering his third season with the team.
More to come.
