Meet the Girl, 16, Who Just Made MLB History

Melissa Mayeux is first female on MLB's international registration list
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 24, 2015 9:58 AM CDT

Melissa Mayeux is a member of France's national U-18 baseball team, the French senior national softball team, and will attend Major League Baseball's European Elite Camp in August. It's an impressive resume for a 16-year-old shortstop, but Melissa's biggest accomplishment came Sunday, when her name was added to the MLB's international registration list. As the first female player in MLB history to make the list, Melissa will be eligible to sign with a major league team in July, though the teen, who speaks little English, seems unaware of the importance of such a distinction. "She is not at all thinking about being the first female on the list," says a coach. "Melissa just wants to have (the) most opportunity she can in baseball." MLB.com reports she's unlikely to be signed this year—most are signed around age 18—but "the simple fact that Mayeux has been added to the list solidifies her status as a legitimate player."

She "makes all the plays and is very smooth and fluid in the field," says the MLB's Mike McClellan. "She swings the bat really well and is fearless." Melissa has also impressed big league players. "I watched the video of her taking ground balls and hitting, and she looked really good for being 16," New York Yankees outfielder Garrett Jones tells Sporting News. "If a girl can play up to the level and compete with guys, I'm all for it." Aaron Harang of the Philadelphia Phillies says females will appear in the MLB eventually. If Melissa is signed, she'll probably be invited to extended spring training next year. Unsigned, she'll be able to play in the US university system. "I would like very much to continue playing baseball in France until I'm 18 years old, and then have the ability to leave for university or another opportunity abroad," Melissa says. "I'd like to stay in baseball as long as possible." (More baseball stories.)

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