Dodgers Land Joseph Deng, First Player Ever Signed From South Sudan


Image credit: Dodgers RHP Joseph Deng
Roki Sasaki is the headliner of the Dodgers’ 2025 international signing class, but the team made history with the signing of another pitcher.
The Dodgers signed 17-year-old righthander Joseph Deng from South Sudan, believed to be the first player ever from South Sudan to sign a contract with a major league team.
Deng already has a big fastball for his age, reaching 95 mph. At 6-foot-7, 185 pounds, Deng has an extremely lanky, long-limbed frame with tons of space to fill out and continue to add velocity once he gets stronger. He has enormous physical upside and attacks hitters with a fastball/splitter combination.
The international signing period for this year opened on Jan. 15, though the Dodgers (like the Blue Jays and Padres) kept their signings on hold while waiting for Sasaki to inform them where he would be signing. With Sasaki in agreement to sign with the Dodgers and the team having acquired additional bonus pool space, the Dodgers have started to sign the players in their 2025 class, including Deng, as well as several players throughout Latin America.
While teams blanket the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and countries across Latin America to sign players, few teams besides the Dodgers have a scouting presence in Africa. Deng is the second player signed from Africa so far this year, following Armstrong Muhoozi, an infielder from Uganda who signed with the Pirates.