Melissa Mayeux, Badass French Teen, Could Be First Woman Signed By MLB

Although 16-year-old Melissa Mayeux likely won’t be signed to play professional ball until she is 18, the French shortstop has already made history as the first woman to be added to Major League Baseball’s international registration list. And that is pretty fucking rad.

Mayeux currently plays on the French junior national U-18 team, and is also a member of France’s senior national softball team. She is one of four people from her country selected to participate in the MLB European Elite Camp in August, which is a training ground for future baseball talent.

According to MLB.com, the league’s director of international development Mike McClellan has had his eye on Mayeux for two years.

“She’s a legitimate shortstop who makes all the plays and is very smooth and fluid in the field,” he said. “She swings the bat really well and is fearless.”

Even if she isn’t signed this year, she could still go on to play in the U.S. university system, or at the 2017 World Baseball Classic if she qualifies as one of the top 25 French players, which, at this point, seems likely.

“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,” Mayeux said. “I’d like to stay in baseball as long as possible.”