November 01, 2008
Expanding Horizons
The Pirates signed an 18-year-old shortstop from South Africa, Mpho Ngoepe:
Ngoepe, 18, is a switch-hitting shortstop who signed with the Pirates about a month ago, then made a cameo appearance in the Instructional League in Bradenton, Fla.
"We need to find talent wherever it is," general manager Neal Huntington said. "It will be a great story if he makes it to the big leagues."
It also will be historic.
No player from South Africa has played in the major leagues.
This appears to be a signing in which the Pirates saw the potential for talent, rather than actual results. We'll get a taste for what he can do in the World Baseball Classic in the spring.