Australian Second Baseman Liam Spence competing for Unknown in MLB.
Born in Geelong, Australia, Liam Spence developed through St Joseph's College before moving to the United States in 2018 to play college baseball at Central Arizona College. He was a right-handed batter and thrower whose defensive profile covered the middle infield, particularly shortstop and second base. Spence transferred to Tennessee after two seasons at Central Arizona and became a high-contact, patient, on-base-oriented infielder in the Southeastern Conference. His 2021 senior season led to All-SEC First Team and SEC All-Defensive Team recognition at shortstop, followed by selection by the Chicago Cubs with the 154th overall pick. He progressed through the Cubs' minor-league system, later appeared for Australia at the 2023 World Baseball Classic and played for the Adelaide Giants in the Australian Baseball League. No verified Major League Baseball appearance has been identified in the sources reviewed. Sources list his date of birth as 9 April 1998, rather than the supplied 4 September 1998.
First big break
Spence's first major documented breakthrough came at Central Arizona College, where he helped the Vaqueros win the 2019 NJCAA Division I National Championship. He recorded two hits, including a two-run home run, in the championship-game comeback against Iowa Western and was selected to the NJCAA College World Series All-Star team. His subsequent 2021 season at Tennessee established him as an MLB Draft prospect, and the Chicago Cubs selected him 154th overall in the fifth round.
Key stats & awards
At Central Arizona, Spence was reported to have hit .391 as a freshman in 56 games, with 33 RBI, 68 runs and 17 stolen bases. As a sophomore in 2019, he hit .326 with six home runs, 38 runs and 28 RBI in 38 games. Tennessee reported a .346 batting average in 16 games during 2020 and a .336/.472/.459 batting line in 65 games during 2021, with 82 hits, 11 doubles, two triples, five home runs, 36 RBI, 63 runs, five stolen bases and 54 walks. His 2021 honours included All-SEC First Team at shortstop, SEC All-Defensive Team at shortstop, the Golden Spikes Award midseason watch list and the Brooks Wallace Award watch list.
Famous moments
Key documented moments include his two-hit performance, including a two-run home run, in Central Arizona's 13-8 comeback victory over Iowa Western in the 2019 NJCAA Division I National Championship Game; his selection to the NJCAA College World Series All-Star team; his 2021 MLB Draft selection by the Chicago Cubs with the 154th overall pick; and his participation for Australia in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
