NEW YORK -- The San Diego Padres announced that the team had signed international free agent LHP Zack Qin. A native of Beijing, China, Qin pitched for the Frederick Keys in the MLB Draft League and the Appalachian League’s Burlington Sock Puppets this summer. He is the MLB Draft League’s first player to be signed by a Major League organization as an international free agent.    

Qin, 17, made eight relief appearances for the Keys during the first half of the MLB Draft League season, recording seven strikeouts in 9.1 innings. He did not allow a run in four outings, including his final three June appearances, and delivered two hitless frames July 9 against Trenton.

After completing the first half of the MLB Draft League season with the Keys, Qin joined the Appalachian League and pitched in four games for Burlington. He completed a season-high four innings in his only Sock Puppets start, allowing one run on two hits with four strikeouts against Kingsport on Aug. 4. 

Qin compiled a 7.58 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 19 innings (12 games) between the MLB Draft and Appalachian Leagues.

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