The Boston Red Sox have signed Te Wera Bishop, a 17-year-old softball catcher from New Zealand.  He’ll attend the team’s Spring Training and extended Spring Training in Fort Myers, Florida, according to Stuff.co.nz (via Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe).

“We have been impressed by his abilities behind the plate, he has excellent hands and a strong throwing arm, and with instruction from our Boston Red Sox coaches, we are confident he can make the appropriate changes from softball to baseball,” Red Rox Pacific Rim scout Jon Deeble said.

“We believe he shows the aptitude and willingness to be a successful baseball player. He has also showed us the ability to hit the ball out of the park. There needs to be a few minor adjustments made from the softball swing to baseball with the ball coming from different angles. This will also take time, but watching him hit some baseballs, he showed us a great amount of bat speed.”

Bishop tried out for several Major League teams in January, but the Red Sox were the first to make him an offer.  After extended Spring Training, Bishop will attend the Australian MLB Academy in June.