By DZ
All current African minor leaguers hail from South Africa.
Gift Ngoepe, Pittsburgh Pirates.
Current team: Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
The 27-year-old shortstop stuck around major league spring training until the final week, hitting well and making seemingly daily highlight plays in the field. Pirates manager Clint Hurdle stated that Gift “is a man that can put a game plan together on offense and can come up and play 10 years in the big leagues.” Ngoepe is the regular shortstop for Indianapolis, and remained on the Pirates 40-man roster this offseason. He’s hitting .263 with 5 walks and 14 strikeouts in his first 10 games of the season.
Dylan Unsworth, Seattle Mariners.
Current team: Arkansas Travelers (AA)
After missing the second half of the 2016 Double-A season with an injury, Unsworth opened 2017 in Triple-A . The 24-year old from Durban threw 8.2 innings in two starts with 3 runs on 10 hits. He has now been re-assigned to Double-A Arkansas.
Anthony Phillips, Colorado Rockies.
Current team: Hartford Yard Goats (AA)
The 27-year-old Bellville shortstop continues to get opportunities thanks to his impressive defense. With his fourth organization, Phillips begins his Rockies career where he finished his Angels one – at Double-A. Phillips has yet to appear in the 2017 season.
Currently in Extended Spring Training in Florida until the rookie league seasons begin in June:
Vince Deyzel, Pittsburgh Pirates.
Current team: GCL Pirates (rookie)
Victor Ngoepe, Pittsburgh Pirates.
Current team: GCL Pirates (rookie)
Callan Pearce, Minnesota Twins.
Current team: GCL Twins (rookie)