SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Infielder Gift Ngoepe made his debut with the Pirates last year and became the first South African to play in the Major Leagues.
Rangers pitcher Tayler Scott is not discouraged.
"There were a couple of us in the race to be the first South African," Scott said. "There is still the title of being the first South African pitcher, so I'm still in the race for that. It would be a great achievement to have that title."
It would also be a tremendous moment for the Scott family. Scott was born in Johannesburg and still makes his offseason home in his native South Africa, but he was 17 when his parents partially relocated to the United States so he could pursue his dream.