MLB Could Sign 16-Year-Old Female

French baseball player Melissa Mayeux has been added to the list of international prospects who could be signed by Major League Baseball teams on July 2.

The 16-year-old shortstop was the first female player that was added to the international registration list that includes prospects who meet age and citizenship requirements in places that are not subject to the draft. While the list is open to all players who meet these criteria, those included are typically serious prospects.

"I would like very much to continue playing baseball in France until I'm 18 years old, and then have the ability to leave for university or another opportunity abroad. I'd like to stay in baseball as long as possible,” said Mayeux to MLB.com.

Mayeux, a right-handed hitter, plays for two of France’s national teams, which are the U-18 junior squad and the senior softball team. MLB director of international game development Mike McClellan told MLB.com he had seen Mayeux, who is one of the four people from France to participate in the MLB European Elite Camp in August, play for the past two years.

“She's a legitimate shortstop who makes all the plays and is very smooth and fluid in the field. She swings the bat really well and is fearless,” Mclellan said.

Reports from si.com says even if Mayeux does not sign with a team, the female shortstop could still possibly play for an American university or for France in a future World Baseball Classic. And while Mayeux signing to an MLB club is considered a long-shot, her baseball career still has plenty of room to grow. According to the official website of MLB, only two of the 76 players who have signed with major league teams in the 10-year history of the camp reached the majors.