By DZ, with contributions from Gabriel Fidler. Filed June 26, 2024.
There are three Africans currently participating in MLB-affiliated baseball, and all three are having tremendous success. The veteran journeyman Tayler Scott has established himself as a reliable member of the Houston Astros’ bullpen. Young David Matoma burst on the scene in the D.R. last season and has continued having professional success in the U.S. Ben Serunkuma is in his third pro season and, after walking only three and striking out 19 in 2022, he is striking out a man an inning in 2024. With Allan Ajoti joining the ranks, will these players and those in MLB’s Draft League and still on the continent continue to open eyes about the potential of baseball on the African continent?
Key
Name (age*), organization, country, team.
*Age is as of Sep. 1, 2024 (playing age this season).
Team Prospect Rankings: BA (Baseball America): #; FG (Fangraphs): #; MLB (MLB.com): #.
MLB (1)
Tayler Scott (32), Houston Astros. South Africa.
The Johannesburg native has a 1.63 ERA for the season with the ‘Stros. He has a 3-2 record and three holds in 38.2 innings, walking 18 and striking out 37 with only 22 hits allowed. Scott has been a consistent presence in Houston’s ‘pen, giving up no more than two runs in any of the three months of the season thus far. Additionally, Scott has spent the entire season on the MLB roster – if he is able to maintain that through the year, it would be a first for the 32-year-old veteran of 8 organizations.
Rookie League, U.S. Complex Leagues (2)
David Matoma (18), Pittsburgh Pirates. Uganda. FCL Pirates. BA: Not listed; FG: 14; MLB: Not listed.
Matoma pitched the 2023 season as a 17-year-old and did not allow a run in 16.2 innings. Promoted from the D.R. over the offseason, he has an 0.98 ERA with three saves and a hold through 18.1 innings in Florida. The Luwero native has 24 strikeouts and seven walks, and has allowed 13 hits in 11 games.
Ben Serunkuma (22), Los Angeles Dodgers. Uganda. ACL Dodgers.The righty has a 1-0 record and 2.25 ERA in 11 games and 12 innings. Serunkuma was in A-ball to start the year and pitched 1.2 shutout innings. Since then, he has pitched 10 games (totalling 9 hits, 8 walks, 9 strikeouts) in Arizona, registering a hold. In 2022, he pitched 21.1 innings in the D.R. and 10.1 in Arizona, with 3.1 innings over two outings in A-ball in 2023.
Rookie League, Dominican Complex Leagues (1)
Allan Ajoti (18), Los Angeles Dodgers. Uganda. DSL Dodgers Mega.
The newly signed catcher is officially on the restricted list, likely awaiting paperwork to begin his career officially.
MLB Draft Leagues (2)
Dennis Kasumba (20), Free Agent. Uganda. Frederick Keys.
The social media sensation returns to Maryland for a second summer, with a slight improvement from 2023. After an 0-for-19 campaign with three free passes and 15 strikeouts a year ago, Kasumba is hitless in 12 plate appearances, but has cut the Ks to four while walking twice. The backstop has seen more action in his time behind the plate, handling 10 chances flawlessly and nabbing one-of-five baserunners attempting to steal.
Sempa Shawali Sherican (23), Free Agent. Uganda. Frederick Keys.
The second African to play in the MLB Draft League since it began play in 2021, Sherican has had a rough introduction to baseball in the U.S., allowing five earned runs on two hits, three walks, three hit batters, and a wild pitch, retiring only four of the 12 batters he has faced over two games. The right-hander and converted infielder has struck out a pair.
