Adelaide Bite teenager Curtis Mead joins Major League club Philadelphia Phillies

ADELAIDE Bite teenager Curtis Mead hopes to follow in the footsteps of Australian NBA star Ben Simmons when he begins his US Major League Baseball career with Philadelphia Phillies.

Adelaide Bite young gun Curtis Mead has signed a contract with Major League club Philadelphia Phillies. Picture: Ryan Schembri - SMP Images/ABL Media

CURTIS Mead hopes to follow in the footsteps of another young Australia making sporting waves in Pennsylvania when he begins his baseball dream in the US.

The Adelaide Bite infielder was this week signed by Major League club Philadelphia Phillies after a breakout Australian Baseball League season.

Mead, 17, was under no illusions about the long road ahead, as he prepared to embark on his rookie career with a Minor League affiliate.

But he drew inspiration from Australian basketballer Ben Simmons, who had starred in his debut NBA campaign, also in Philadelphia, with the 76ers.

“I’ve been following them really closely,” said Mead, of the 76ers’ run to the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

“They haven’t been very good in the past, so it’s been really good to see Ben Simmons go over there and do so well.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to be able to play sport at the highest level and I’m going to work as hard as I can to try to make it all the way like him.

“There’s a stat that only one in 15 (rookie players) actually make it all the way (in MLB).

“But it’s always something I’ve wished for and I’m really excited to experience it all.”

Curtis Mead was named Adelaide Bite’s rookie of the year this past Australian Baseball League season. Picture: Scott Davis/SMP Images

Mead caught the Phillies’ eye while training in the MLB Australian Prospect Program, on the back of winning the Bite’s rookie of the year.

The West Torrens product earned a shot at the big time, after clubbing eight runs in SA’s runner-up finish at last week’s Australian schoolboy titles.

It led to a change of path for Mead, who had planned to attend college in the US while furthering his baseball development next year.

“There’s no guarantees (in the MLB) and I understand that,” the Year 12 Immanuel College student said.

“They would probably think of you as at least a three or four year investment, but they will see how you progress over those years and only keep you on if they think you will make it.

“There’s no real shortcuts.”

Mead will head to the Phillies in July for medical checks and physical testing, before joining the two-time World Series winner for the start of spring training next March.

He also hoped to manage a catch up with his sister, Jamie, who is studying and playing softball at Galveston College in Texas, 2500km away.

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet,” said Mead, who has been selected for the Australian Schoolboys.

“It probably will the first day I get over there and see the big league guys training on the other field.”