Aussie teen signs huge US baseball deal

(AAP) - Perth teenager Corey Adamson has signed the fourth largest contract in Australian baseball history.

Adamson, a speedy outfielder with a prodigious left-handed swing, landed a $US500,000 ($A520,000) deal with the San Diego Padres that will see him take the first steps on the long road towards the US Major Leagues.

"I couldn't be happier, it's certainly a great day for me and my family, but I know all this means is that the really hard work is about to start," he said.

"Now that the deal is done, I'm just looking forward to getting back out there
tomorrow and putting all my energy into training and playing."
In what is also a major coup for Australian baseball, Adamson's deal means the
talented two-sport star isn't likely to be strapping on his football boots again any time soon.

A member of the WA Schoolboys AFL side last year, Adamson has also attracted
attention at a higher level in the sport.
While the contact guarantees Adamson some financial peace of mind it doesn't mean
he'll be belting homers in Major League stadiums any time soon.

"This (signing the contract) was the easy part," Adamson said.
"I am realistic about my chances, but I am really looking forward to the challenge.
Typically players don't reach the Major Leagues until their early to mid-twenties
with those good enough having to navigate their way through up to six levels of
Minor-league baseball to get there.

In the history of the game, only 26 Australians have ever to have played in the Major Leagues.