Ugandan Baseball Prodigy Allan Ajoti Signs with LA Dodgers

18-year-old Allan Ajoti has signed a professional contract with Major League Baseball franchise, the Los Angeles Dodgers in a groundbreaking development for Ugandan baseball. The signing marks a significant milestone for Ajoti, who will now commence his journey in professional baseball at the Dodgers’ Dominican Republic complex, Campo Las Palmas facility in Santo Domingo.

Ajoti, a Senior Four student from Allen VR Stanley Secondary School (AVRS) in Lugazi Municipality, joins the ranks of Ben Serunkuma and Umar Male as the only three African-born players in the Dodgers organization. Both Serunkuma and Male have achieved success with the Dodgers since signing in 2022, reaching low-A and AAA levels, respectively.

The young catcher’s journey into professional baseball began in 2017 when he started playing under-age tournaments. His skills were honed over the last six years through a full scholarship provided by Uganda Little League Baseball. Ajoti expressed gratitude for the opportunity, acknowledging the hard work and dedication that led to this moment.

Ajoti’s departure to the Dodgers’ Dominican Republic complex is the initial step in a quest to progress through six levels of Minor League Baseball, with the ultimate goal of playing in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Joel Mukasa, another promising talent, is set to join his former schoolmates at the University of St Thomas in Houston, Texas, on a partial scholarship. As an all-rounder, Mukasa will pursue a computer engineering degree while preparing for the upcoming baseball season starting in February.

Will Nolden, Assistant Director, Africa Operations – Los Angeles Dodgers, emphasized the significance of Ugandan players making strides in professional baseball. He noted that the achievements of players like Ajoti and Mukasa inspire young talents and contribute to Uganda’s competitiveness on the international stage.

Nolden expressed optimism about the impact of these players gaining experience at the highest level and returning to contribute to the growth of baseball in Uganda. The Dodgers’ commitment to fostering talent from Uganda continues to elevate the country’s baseball standing globally.