Joseph Deng Signs With Los Angeles Dodgers, Becomes First Pro Baseball Player from South Sudan

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The Los Angeles Dodgers have made history by signing Joseph Deng, a 17-year-old right-handed pitcher from South Sudan, during the 2025 international signing period. This milestone makes Deng the first professional baseball player from South Sudan, marking a significant moment for both the Dodgers and African baseball.

Standing an impressive 6 feet 7 inches tall, Deng boasts a fastball that consistently reaches the mid-90s, catching the attention of scouts worldwide. While the details of his signing bonus remain undisclosed, any amount over $10,000 would count against the Dodgers’ bonus pool.

Deng’s signing follows the Dodgers’ acquisition of Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki, a high-profile deal that required creative financial maneuvering. To secure sufficient bonus pool funds, the Dodgers orchestrated trades with the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies, acquiring approximately $2 million. These funds were allocated to Sasaki’s bonus and other international signings, including Deng.

The Dodgers have been pioneers in exploring untapped talent in Africa, a region often overlooked by other Major League Baseball (MLB) clubs that traditionally focus on Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. Alongside Deng, the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Armstrong Muhoozi from Uganda, highlighting a growing interest in African prospects this signing period.Joseph Deng Signs With Los Angeles Dodgers, Becomes First Pro Baseball Player from South Sudan

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The Dodgers have consistently led efforts to cultivate baseball talent in Africa. In the 2021-22 signing period, they made headlines by signing Ben Serunkuma, a pitcher, and Umar Male, a catcher, both from Uganda. More recently, they added catcher Allan Atoji, also from Uganda, during the previous signing period.

This commitment to Africa underscores the Dodgers’ strategy to expand their scouting efforts beyond traditional markets, tapping into a region rich with potential yet largely unexplored by other MLB teams.

To facilitate these international signings, the Dodgers traded outfield prospects Dylan Campbell and Arnaldo Lantigua. Campbell, a compensation pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, was sent to the Phillies for $750,000 to $1 million in bonus pool funds. Meanwhile, Lantigua was traded to the Reds, reportedly bringing in an additional $1 million to $1.5 million.

Joseph Deng’s journey from South Sudan to the Los Angeles Dodgers is a testament to his talent and determination. His signing not only breaks barriers but also signals a new era for African baseball, inspiring young athletes across the continent to pursue their dreams on the global stage.

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