From Mideast to AL East: Orioles’ Israeli prospect blooms

Dean Kremer is a budding celebrity in Israel and a developing star in the big leagues.

Kremer this month became the first Israeli citizen to pitch in the majors. Not only that, the Baltimore Orioles prospect tossed six innings of one-hit ball in a starting role against the storied New York Yankees, striking out seven in a 5-1 victory.

Several reporters and friends from Israel participated in the postgame Zoom call, offering congratulations and even getting Kremer to speak a little Hebrew in a message to followers far from Baltimore.

Now, four games into his big league career and done pitching in a season that ends Sunday for the Orioles, Kremer took delight in reflecting upon a whirlwind three weeks of fame and success.

“It’s been a dream come true, to say the least," he said. “It’s been really fun. The guys have welcomed me into a warm clubhouse. Anything and everything you could imagine it would be, it is -- except for no fans."

Kremer, 24, was born in California to Israeli parents. In 2015, the earned the distinction of becoming the first Israeli to be drafted into the major leagues when the San Diego Padres took him in the 38th round. Kremer stayed in college, and signed the following year with the Los Angeles Dodgers after being selected in the 14th round.

He became part of the 2018 trade that sent Manny Machado to LA, and now Kremer is part of a young rotation for the rebuilding Orioles.

The right-hander also serves as an example for every baseball player in Israel, and has captured the attention of many Jewish fans in the United States.

“I'm definitely feeling the love both from the Jewish-Americans here and the Israelis over there," Kremer said. “Especially the media over there and the Baseball Academy over there. I’m happy to break the barrier,...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/From-Mideast-to-AL-East-Orioles-Israeli-15599442.php