Arizona Diamondbacks sign Czech prospect Boris Večerka

As baseball becomes more of an international game, especially in Europe, major league teams are going to look to the continent in an attempt to find those diamonds in the rough. The Arizona Diamondbacks are hoping that they have found one such prospect in Boris Večerka.

He announced the signing on his Twitter feed as Večerka looks to become the first player from the Czech Republic to reach the majors. Interestingly, he is the second member of his family to sign with a major league organization, as his brother Victor had signed with the Royals in 2019. However, due to injury and the pandemic, Victor was never able to make an appearance as part of the Royals’ organization.

Boris Večerka an interesting project for Arizona Diamondbacks

His statistics in the Czech Extraliga would not necessarily impress. He had posted a 6.10 ERA and a 2.161 WHiP in his 23.2 innings, striking out 32 batters with 31 walks. That is not the type of performance that one would have expected would draw attention.

But Večerka is a matter of projection. He has a three pitch mix with a fastball that sits in the lower 90s, as well as a changeup and slider that sit in the upper 70s. Večerka said that teams he spoke with felt that he could eventually reach triple digits with his fastball, especially as he continues to grow and develop.

He is also a prospect that is going to take time. Večerka is just 19 years old and is going to need work to harness his arsenal. His command is questionable at best at this point. However, better coaching and the ability to improve his mechanics could help him reach his potential.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are hoping that they have found a diamond in the rough. They have signed 19 year old pitcher Boris Večerka out of the Czech Republic.