30Australian Second Baseman James Beresford competing for Unknown in MLB.
James Richard Beresford was born on 19 January 1989 in Mount Waverley, Victoria, Australia, and attended Wesley College in Melbourne. He developed through Waverly Baseball Club, where he was named the club’s Most Valuable Player, before signing with the Minnesota Twins as a 16-year-old in 2005. Beresford began his professional career in the Twins’ system in 2007 after missing the 2006 season because of right-shoulder labrum surgery. He progressed through the organisation as a contact-oriented utility infielder, contributing at second base and shortstop while also appearing at first and third base. His minor-league pathway included the Gulf Coast League Twins, Elizabethton, Beloit, Fort Myers, Double-A New Britain and Triple-A Rochester. He also played in the Australian Baseball League for Melbourne and represented Australia internationally. His first major-league opportunity came in September 2016, after more than a decade in the minor leagues. Beresford debuted for Minnesota on 10 September 2016 and appeared in 10 MLB games, recording five hits in 22 at-bats. His final MLB appearance was on 1 October 2016. He is recognised by Baseball Australia as the 33rd Australian to play Major League Baseball. No later MLB or current professional roster status has been verified.
Beresford’s first major professional breakthrough was signing with the Minnesota Twins in 2005 as a 16-year-old after being recognised at Waverly Baseball Club. His defining career breakthrough came later, when he received a September 2016 call-up and made his MLB debut for Minnesota after more than a decade in the organisation’s minor-league system.
In MLB, Beresford played 10 games in 2016 and went 5-for-22 (.227) with one double, no home runs, no runs batted in, no stolen bases, a .261 on-base percentage, a .273 slugging percentage and a .534 OPS. In the minors, notable verified seasons included 146 hits for Beloit in 2010, 131 hits for Fort Myers in 2011 and a .306 combined batting average across Double-A New Britain and Triple-A Rochester in 2013. He was named Beloit’s 2009 Player of the Year. No MLB award or championship has been verified.
Beresford’s defining moments include representing Australia at the 2009 and 2013 World Baseball Classics and making his Minnesota Twins MLB debut on 10 September 2016. In his major-league debut against Cleveland, he recorded his first MLB hit. Baseball Australia identifies him as the 33rd Australian major leaguer.