16-Year-Old From France Could Be The First Female Signed To A MLB Team

Ballplayers. I don't have ballplayers, I've got girls.

Jimmy Dugan would be eating his words after watching 16-year-old Melissa Mayeux gobble up ground balls and rip line drives.

Mayeux is a shortstop for the French U-18 junior national team, and as of yesterday, she is the first female to be added to Major League Baseball's international registration list.

Is this a big deal? You better believe it.

On July 2, Mayeux will officially be eligible to sign with any MLB team, and that would make her the first woman to ever sign with a Major League club.

Mayeux reportedly speaks little English, and by all accounts, she probably isn't aware of what a big deal her signing means here in the states.

Boris Rothermundt, a France national team coach, said,

Melissa just wants to have to most opportunity she can in baseball. She is not thinking about being the first female on the list.

Now, it's highly unlikely that you'll see Mayeux on "Baseball Tonight" in the near future, but that does nothing to diminish the significance of her inclusion on the international registration list and resulting Major League eligibility.

Being the first in anything is a big deal.

Look at the hoopla that surrounded Mo'ne Davis last year, and don't forget there was a time not so long ago when African Americans weren't allowed to play in the Major Leagues.

MLB Director of International Game Development Mike McClellan said,

She's a legitimate shortstop who makes all the plays and is very smooth and fluid in the field. She swings the bat well and is fearless.

Professional baseball may be a ways away for Mayeux, but playing college ball and representing France in the World Baseball Classic is most definitely on the table.

But one thing is for certain: This is not the last time you're going to hear her the name Melissa Mayeux.

Citations: Female French teen makes MLB history (MLB)