By DZ. Filed April 22, 2026.
Five current minor leaguers were born and developed in Africa, all returning from 2025. Tayler Scott (South Africa) has begun play for his newest organization, while David Matoma (Uganda) returns to the Bradenton Marauders. The final three (two Dodgers, one Pirate) all return to the Dominican Summer League, and we are unlikely to have any updates from them until June.
Key
Name (age*), organization, country, team.
*Age is as of Sept 1, 2025 (playing age this season).
Triple-A (1)
Tayler Scott (34), Atlanta Braves. South Africa. Gwinnett Stripers.
Scott was raised in South Africa, moved to Arizona for his last few years of high school, and he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs are not one of the eight MLB teams Scott has played for, but they are one of the few additional clubs, like the Braves now, for which Scott has pitched in the minors. He has appeared in eight games for Gwinnett thus far, pitching 8.1 innings with seven walks and a hit batter, nine strikeouts, and a 7.90 ERA.
Low-A (1)
David Matoma (20), Pittsburgh Pirates. Uganda. Bradenton Marauders.
Matoma finished his first season in A-ball with a 4.25 ERA over 32 games and 42.1 innings. He returns to the level to begin 2026, and has pitched seven innings in six games, walking eight and allowing eight hits, striking out five. He has a 7.71 ERA and 2.29 WHIP.
Rookie League, Dominican Complex Leagues (3)
The Dominican Summer League spring training is underway, and official games will begin June 1.
Allen Ajoti (22), Los Angeles Dodgers. Uganda. DSL LAD Bautista.
Ajoti played 32 games last summer with a slash line of .192/.283/.414. He hit six home runs while stirking out 31 times, walking nine times, and stealing four bases without being caught. He split his time between catcher, left field, and DH, with a couple of appearances at 1B as well. However, the Lugazi native has reportedly been working out as a pitcher this spring.
Joseph Deng Thon (19), Los Angeles Dodgers. South Sudan/Uganda. DSL LAD Mega.
The first South Sudanese player to sign a professional contract, Deng struggled in his debut season with 22 walks in 3.2 innings pitched. He struck out five and allowed only a single hit. Deng grew up in Uganda and learned the game at the same field as previous Dodgers signings Ben Serunkuma and Umar Male, along with David Matoma of the Pirates.
Armstrong Muhoozi (19), Pittsburgh Pirates. Uganda. DSL Pirates Gold.
Muhoozi finished his streaky 2025 season with 36 games played, missing more than two weeks with a minor groin injury. He stole 24 bases in 28 attempts while hitting .246/.350/.339. The outfielder had eight extra base hits, 15 walks, and 28 strikeouts, scoring 26 runs and knocking in 16.
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