By DZ. Filed May 10, 2026.
Five current minor leaguers were born and developed in Africa. Veteran Tayler Scott (South Africa) and young prospect David Matoma (Uganda) are both struggling with the strike zone. The final three (two Dodgers, one Pirate) are in the Dominican Summer League; 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 had five consecutive games allowing at least two runs in 1-2 inning stints before a shutout 0.1 inning outing May 9. The veteran righty reliever has an abnormally high .356 batting average against and an 8.79 ERA. He has walked 13 and allowed 21 hits in 14.1 innings while striking out 18.
Rookie League, U.S. Complex Leagues (1)
David Matoma (20), Pittsburgh Pirates. Uganda. FCL Pirates.
Matoma often pitches at 97–98 m.p.h. and topped 100 earlier this season, but he is battling his command. In nine games and 8.2 innings with the Single-A Bradenton Marauders, he has given up 11 hits and walked 14 for a 12.46 ERA and 0-2 record. After he walked three while recording only one out on May 3, Matoma was demoted back to the Florida Complex League. He has yet to appear in a game there.
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 centerfielder had eight extra base hits, 15 walks, and 28 strikeouts, scoring 26 runs and knocking in 16.