Red Sox sign Australian LHP Daniel McGrath

The Red Sox have agreed to a contract with 17-year-old Australian phenom Daniel McGrath. The news of the left-handed pitcher’s signing was originally reported on Twitter by the Doncaster Dragons, McGrath’s amateur team. Doncaster followed up with an official press release.

The 6’3” McGrath has been a fixture on the Australian junior circuit since his debut with his under-14 team in 2007. At only 15, McGrath was the youngest player named to the 2010 Australian Under-19 National Team. At the recent Oceania Under-19 Championship held in Guam, McGrath made two appearances, striking out 17 over 9 innings. Scouts reported that McGrath showed the best velocity in the tournament, at times reaching 91 MPH.

Terms of the signing have not yet been disclosed. According to Rob Bradford at WEEI, McGrath will report to Fort Myers during spring training before returning to Australia to finish high school.

McGrath’s signing continues a trend of aggressive action in the South Pacific under Red Sox Pacific Rim scouting coordinator Jon Deeble. Among the current Sox minor leaguers signed from that region by Deeble and former international scouting director Craig Shipley are Australians Mitch Dening, Justin Erasmus, and Boss Moanaroa, as well as Beau Bishop out of New Zealand.

2/9 Update: According to a major league source cited by Rob Bradford of WEEI.com, McGrath signed for $400,000.

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