Press Release Brest Zubrs
16-year-old Aleksey Lukashevich of the Baseball and Softball Club Brest Zubrs became the first player from Belarus to join a MLB organization when he signed a professional contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The pro career of the Belarusian pitcher will begin in the minor leagues. He is already in Florida practicing.
Alex began to engage in baseball at the age of 6 years under the guidance of his father – the head coach of Brest Zubrs, Igor Lukashevich. In 2003 at the age of nine Alexei took part in the European Juvenile Championship in Moscow (Russia). In 2005 he participated in the European Championship in Moldova, where he was recognized as MVP of tournament.
From 2005 to 2007 he participated in the European regional baseball Little League and played in the European regional baseball tournament junior league in Kutno (Poland) in 2008 and 2009. In June 2010 he was a member of Brest Zubrs in the European Cup Qualifier.
Twice (in 2008 and 2010) Brest Zubrs became the winner of the international tournament for the Cup of the President of Poland, where he was one of the best players in the competition.
In 2009 he was selected as one of 50 baseball players in Europe to train in the MLB European Academy in Tirrenia (Italy).
After the completion of training camp six MLB teams showed interest in the Belarusian Baseball player. Alex finally accepted the offer by the Pittsburgh Pirates.