Adelaide pitcher Jack Bushell signs with Major League Baseball club Detroit Tigers

An Adelaide teenager has achieved a lifelong dream after signing with a Major League Baseball club ahead of the 2024 season.

A superstar teenage pitcher from Adelaide has seen his lifelong dream come true after signing for a Major League Baseball club for season 2024.

18-year-old Goodwood and Adelaide Giants sensation Jack Bushell has put pen to paper for the Detroit Tigers ahead of the 2024 MLB campaign.

Bushell had been in contact with the Tigers since January of 2023 after impressing at the Australian U18 Youth Championships.

“It’s a dream come true and a bit of a relief really because we’ve been talking about it for a while,” Bushell said.

“We started chatting at the start of last year so I knew this was a possibility.

“I’m really excited by it all.”

Star SA and Australia pitcher Jack Bushell has signed a professional contract with the MLB’s Detroit Tigers. Picture: Scott Powick, Baseball Australia

Bushell produced a sensational 2023, developing his ability on the mound significantly and performing on the biggest stages.

He played division one baseball for Goodwood in the SA State League, made his Australian Baseball League debut with the Adelaide Giants and also represented Australia at the U18 World Cup, a tournament he starred in.

He also pitched for the nation against Japan at the Tokyo Dome in the Asia Professional Baseball Championship.

“I’ve put a lot of hard work in but I really raised my level of dedication in winter of 2022. I was a footballer as well but decided to focus on baseball full-time and give it everything I’ve got,” Bushell said.

Jack Bushell with his family after signing for the Tigers. Picture: Team Australia Baseball

“2023 was really big for me and experiences like the U18 World Cup were super valuable and a massive confidence booster.

“Things just lined up for me and I managed to pitch really well. I got the start against Mexico early on which just furthered my belief and confidence and I managed to build some momentum off of that.”

Bushell is not the first South Australian to sign with an MLB side in recent years, with names like Riley Yeatman, Drew Davies and Curtis Mead all putting pen to paper previously.

Mead recently made his MLB regular season and playoff debut for the Tampa Bay Rays as a third baseman.

Bushell in action for Australia. Picture: Baseball Australia

Bushell said the improvement of the Australian Baseball League and the SA high performance program would continue to result in the emergence of top tier talent.

“I think we’re doing really well in Australia and in SA.

“The ABL has been bringing over some talent from America which has helped to improve the competition and to develop the younger guys, and our state sides have been doing very well too.

“Playing for the Adelaide Giants has really helped me and I’ll look to continue that when I’m not in America.”

Currently training with the Giants in Brisbane, Bushell will head to Florida for Detroit’s pre-season in late February.

“I’m definitely very excited but a bit nervous as well,” he said.

“They’re the best players in the world over there but I’m looking forward to the experience and showing them what I can do.”