Manager's Son Agrees to Terms with KC Royals

The 16-year old infielder is awaiting paperwork to arrive from the United States before the contract is official.

I'm proud of myself and so is my family. This is a thank you to them for getting me to all the games and trainings everyday," explained Ryan.

"I'd like to make the Australian Senior Team and one day play at the World Baseball Classic and World Cups, putting on the Green and Gold at that level would be another big achievement for me."

Over the last 16 months the following players have trained with the Melbourne Aces Baseball Academy and signed with major league teams: James Brooks (Washington Nationals), Alex Da Silva (Los Angeles Angels), Sam Gibbons (Minnesota Twins), Ben Leslie (Giants), Matt Wilson (Baltimore Orioles), Aaron Sayers (Detroit Tigers), Ryan Dale (Kansas City Royals), Liam Bedford (Philadelphia Phillies), Darryl George (Tampa Bay Rays), Dan McGrath (Boston Red Sox), Lewis Thorpe (Minnesota Twins), and Adam Silva (New York Yankees).

The sixteen year old Dale has developed within the Melbourne Aces Academy and is looking to step-up for the Melbourne ABL team this season.

"I'm hoping to play for the Melbourne Aces this season; playing in the ABL will be another step forward for me".

The power-hitting third baseman plays for Waverley in the summer and North Balwyn in the winter. Dale is the sixth member of the Major League Baseball Australian Baseball Academy to sign from Victoria.

In January, Dale was named the MVP of the Under 16 National Youth Championships in Geelong, while McGrath was named the Under 18s "Golden Arm" for most valuable pitcher.

Dale, McGrath, Wilson, Leslie and Silva are all teenagers. Each will finish up their schooling before playing in the States. All five played for the MLB Australian Academy as well.

"The Major League Baseball Australian Academy was created to give talented ballplayers the opportunity to refine their skills while preparing them for competition at the next level," said Paul Archey, Senior Vice President, International Business Operations, Major League Baseball.

"It is Major League Baseball's hope that the instruction they receive at the Academy will help make the difference in these players someday having the opportunity to play baseball at the professional level."

The MLB Academy, since 2001, has been staged in Queensland, home to Team USA's 2000 Olympic Training site. Over the past 11 years the number of Australians playing professionally and overseas has increased 40 percent. Of note, in 2000 Australia had 48 professional and 32 collegians and by 2011 had 73 professional players alone.

Six members of the Academy have reached the Major Leagues, a list that has included Victorians Jose Spence and Shane Lindsay, who each made their major league debut in 2011.