The Australian Baseball League (ABL) existed from 1989-1999. It returned in 2010. For decades, elite talent has come Down Under to play in an excellent winter ball competition
This is some of our history.
In the ABL’s time – both in the 90s and from 2010 onward – there have been 166 players who have progressed to the Major Leagues after playing in the Australian Baseball League. This includes 26 Australians.
Read more: A list of ABL players on MLB Opening Day Rosters
MODERN DAY ABL: 2010-present
There have been 75 players (and counting!) who have progressed to the Major Leagues after playing in the Australian Baseball League since the league reformed in 2010. This includes six All-Stars.
This includes 2023 National League MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. An ABL players has featured in the MLB All-Star every season since 2019. The All-Star Alumni are: Shota Imanaga, Christopher Sanchez, Ronald Acuna Jr, Liam Hendriks, Andrew Kittredge and Yusei Kikuchi.
The eight Australians who advanced to the Major Leagues after playing in the modern day ABL are: Shane Lindsay, Liam Hendriks, Warwick Saupold, James Beresford, Lewis Thorpe, Aaron Whitefield, Curtis Mead & Jack O’Loughlin.
VIEW THE MODERN DAY LIST: From the ABL to the Major Leagues
– Update: Tyler Tolbert becomes ABL player #75 to reach MLB
– Update: Paxton Schultz becomes 76th ABL player to reach MLB
AUSTRALIAN MAJOR LEAGUERS: The 38 Australians
ALL TIME ABL x MLB Team: Click here.
Be sure to follow the Australian Baseball League on social media for up-to-date highlights from players abroad.
ABL: 1989-1999
There are 93 players from the original ABL who progressed to MLB after playing in the professional competition Down Under.
Names include All-Stars or World Series winners like Dave Nilsson, Graeme Lloyd, Vernon Wells, John Jaha, Kevin Millwood, Paul Lo Duca, Preston Wilson and Shae Hillenbrand.
A list of many of them can be found here.
The eighteen Australians who advanced to the Major Leagues after playing in the ABL are: Dave Nilsson, Mark Ettles, Shayne Bennett, Graeme Lloyd, Mark Hutton, Trent Durrington, Cam Cairncross, Luke Prokopec, Damian Moss, Brad Thomas, Grant Balfour, Glenn Williams, Chris Snelling, Phil Stockman, John Stephens, Jeff Williams, Pete Moylan, Chris Oxspring & Michael Nakamura.
AUSTRALIAN MAJOR LEAGUERS: The 38 Australians who made it to MLB
2025 ABL in MLB News
March 26 – A list of ABL players on MLB Opening Day Rosters in 2025
2024 ABL in MLB News
*click here for latest ABL in MLB stories
August 12 – Max Lazar latest ABL player to be promoted to Major Leagues
July 14 – Sanchez, Imanaga, named MLB All-Stars
June 08 – James Meeker (Brisbane) becomes 71st ABL player to play in Major Leagues
June 03 – Jamie Westbrook (Sydney) called up to MLB
May 27 – Jack O’Loughlin becomes 38th Australian to play in Major Leagues
May 23 – ABL Alumni in MLB Season Update
March 28 – Here’s a list of all the Australian Baseball League players on MLB Opening Day rosters
March 28 – South Australia’s Curtis Mead cracks MLB Opening Day Roster with Tampa Bay Rays
March 27 – ABL Players Jon Berti & Shane Sasaki involved in three-team MLB deal
February 20 – Liam Hendriks signs MLB deal with Boston Red Sox |
