Israeli-American right-handed pitcher Dean Kremer has joined the Los Angeles Dodgers — making him the first Israeli to sign a contract with a Major League Baseball team.
The Dodgers made Kremer, who holds dual citizenship, their 14th-round pick in the 2016 MLB Draft earlier this month. According to Haaretz Kremer will play on the Dodgers’ Rookie League team this summer.
The 20-year-old has Israeli parents but is a native of Stockton, California. He actually became the first Israeli to be drafted by an MLB team last year when he was selected by the San Diego Padres, though he did not sign with the team.
“I was born here in the United States, but I go back and practically live (in Israel) for two months out of the year in the summer, so it’s definitely home,” Kremer told the Las Vegas Review Journal.
Mazel Tov, Dean Kremer @DJ_KREY6 !!! The first Israeli picked in MLB Draft again!! You will do amazing things #getready #israelbaseball
— Israel Baseball (@Israel_Baseball) June 11, 2016
Kremer has played for Team USA in the Maccabiah Games (2013) and Team Israel (2014, 2015) in the European Championships. Known for his 90-mile-an-hour fastball, Kremer was named most valuable pitcher in the tournament in both years.
Kremer was interviewed last year after becoming the first Israeli to be drafted by an MLB team.
[Photo: Twitter ]