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Former Hills Sports High School student, Brent Iredale, is on the cusp of joining an elite group of Australians to play in America’s Major Baseball League (MLB) after being drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Just 38 Australians have ever played in the world’s premier baseball competition, and the 22-year-old slugger could well join those ranks after being picked up by the MLB club.

While baseball plays second fiddle to cricket in Australia, Brent was drawn to the sport before he got to high school and quickly showed incredible ability.

As a 12-year-old at the Little League World Series he became the first Australian to hit a home run in the competition.

He dedicated himself to his sport and studies during his high school years at Hills Sports and was identified as an athlete of high potential.

The school supported his endeavours and proved a perfect launch pad after Brent was offered a scholarship to New Mexico Junior College where he broke a string of records for career home runs.

He was then scouted by a Division 1 college, Arkansas, where he had a fine season that culminated with a trip to the College Baseball World Series - where he also hit a home run.

To show just how well-rounded his education was, Brent was also named an Academic All-American while at Arkansas meaning his Grade Point Average (GPA) across his subjects was high.

With one more year of eligibility at college he was drafted by Pittsburgh and subsequently signed his first pro contract.

"It was very obvious from a young age that Brent had the talent and the tools to be successful at baseball,” said Hills Sports High School Director of Sport Andrew Tetley.

“He also had an unwavering focus on where he wanted to get to and just how difficult the path is, but he was determined, and he is now starting to reap the benefits of all those years of hard training.

“Suffice to say we are incredibly proud of what he has done so far, what he will continue to do, but more importantly the way he has represented himself throughout."

The talent it seems runs deep in both the Iredale family when it comes to bat and ball sports.

Angelique Iredale, also a Hills Sports High School alumni, is about to start her college career in Texas on a full scholarship for softball.