IBIUNA, Brazil (AP) A prospect with a 94 mph fastball gets a lot of attention, no matter where he is pitching – even when that prospect is a diminutive 16-year-old from a country with little baseball tradition.
Eric Pardinho’s blazing fastball has brought scouts to this city 50 miles west of Sao Paulo in soccer mad Brazil. The 5-foot, 8-inch tall right-hander could get a lot more attention July 2, when Major League Baseball teams can begin signing international players. Pardinho is No. 5 on MLB.com’s list of 30 world prospects to watch.
Pretty impressive for a kid who was introduced to baseball almost by accident.