The New York Mets have acquired another European player. On Tuesday July 1st the 18-year-old Belgian Thomas De Wolf signed a contract with the Major League organization. He is going to be the first ever from his home country to start a pro career in the United States.

The Mets scouted De Wolf since the European Championship last year. He will leave Europe this October to play in the Instructional Fall League in the Dominican Republic. The Mets recently opened a brand new training facility there for their prospects. He likely will make his minor league debut next summer in the Gulf Coast League.

De Wolf is playing baseball since 14 years, moving through the system of the Hoboken Pioneers and is playing for their first team since he is 16. He is a catcher and an outfielder for Hoboken. The right-handed thrower bats left-handed.

Lionel Chatelle, European Scout for the Mets, said, ?We are very glad to have persuaded Thomas to play for the Mets. Since Thomas is the first Belgian to sign, other clubs will come and check out other Belgian players.?

Photo: © Belgian Baseball Federation