Messiah Tuhoro For recruiters
Messiah Tuhoro · Recruit Class of 2027

New Zealand Māori rangatahi a warrior on the diamond.

From the hitting in the cages at five years old, to a shot at US college baseball, this 17-year-old carries rare power, a premium arm, and the weight of his family / whānau behind every pitch, and every swing.

~ 102 mph
Exit velocity Recorded at Baylor University, Waco Texas July 2026
Watch the reelFor recruiters
#44
POS
RHP/CINF
BATS / THROWS
RH / RH
HT
6′3½″
192 cm
WT
250 lb
113 kg
STATUS
Uncommitted
FROM
Auckland
NZ
01

Tatauranga / The numbers

All the stats you need for recruiting, and nothing you don't.

~102 mph
Exit velo
At Baylor University, Waco Texas July 2026 (On-Field Video Verified)
85 mph
Fastball velo
projected to 90mph by 19yo
78-84 mph
Thowing velo
3rd Base to 1st Base (Rapsodo verified)
.385
INTL batting AVG
Babe Ruth World Series
1.529
INTL OPS
Babe Ruth World Series
1.000
INTL SLG
Babe Ruth World Series
Club Seasons

2025/2026 Mens Premier Reserves

Batting
AVG
.632
OPS
2.061
SLG
1.368
RBI
15

2025/2026 19U

Batting
AVG
.362
OPS
1.090
SLG
.655
RBI
19

 Immaculate Inning recorded 14 Feb 2026

02

Kiriata / The film

So you don't have to take our word for it.

Messiah's Recruitment Reel
Messiah's Recruitment Reel Watch
Messiah's Recruitment Reel
03

Ngā tākaro / Upcoming Events

Draws will be uploaded once available.

Blacktown International Sports Park, Sydney, Australia 9–13 Dec 2026

U18 WSBC Qualifiers

04

Paetae / Achievements

Verified. Unambiguous. Growing.

  1. 2009

    Born into the bloodline

    The start of this journey was inherited. Messiah was born into a whānau (family) where softball was already in the bloodline; both parents and his older sisters played the game. The diamond was always going to be there waiting. And so was the power. The strength he carries at 17 wasn't just built in a gym; it runs rife through his whakapapa (genes).

  2. 2013

    Hitting in the cages at 5yo

    As a kid he picked up a bat before he could spell the word, spending hours in the cages. The prodigy footage exists, and it shows what was already obvious to the whānau: this kid swings like he means it.

  3. 2019–2024

    The early years

    3-Time National Representative, NZ U12, U15 & U18 Squads; 2-Time Auckland NZ Representative, U15 Korea 2022/23 | U16 New Zealand 2023/24; NZ U18 National Team, Selected at age 15 for Qualifiers vs Australia; Triple Crown Champion in 2024/25, U16 / U19 / Premier Men's Auckland Club Titles.

    Selected for national squads across three age grades: U12, U15, and U18. Twice representing Auckland on the international stage. Dominant across three age grades in a single season. The recognitions came early and kept coming.

  4. 2025

    Entering the world stage

    Overall MVP & Silver Slugger, 18U NZB National Showcase Series; Babe Ruth World Series Missouri, Top International Placing (4th Overall) .385 AVG | 1.529 OPS | 1.000 SLG | 2 HR | 10 RBI

    Against the best junior talent in the world, Messiah posted numbers that turned heads, announcing himself to a global audience.

  5. 2026

    Consistently competitive at every level

    National Champion Howick-Pakuranga Premier Men (BNZ Club Classic); Top Batter Auckland Baseball Association (Reserves Grade & 19U); 19U Pitcher of the Year Howick-Pakuranga Hawks

    National champion. Top batter across two grades. Pitcher of the year. Competing against grown men, and winning.

05

Ko wai ia / Who he is

Messiah Tuhoro is a physical outlier whose raw power and statistical output are unprecedented for a New Zealand baseball athlete. He doesn't talk about it much. He just shows up, puts in the mahi, and lets the numbers do the talking.

A blue-chip prospect with the elite hardware MLB scouts look for, Messiah models the physical archetype of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.; massive presence at the plate combined with world-class bat speed. But behind the stats is a quiet yet confident 17-year-old from Aotearoa, who has been in the cages since he was four years old.

Having dominated the domestic circuit, Messiah is being developed through the NZ Baseball Junior Diamond Blacks programme (18U & 23U), and has engaged the college recruitment services of CSBR, an Athlete Development Pathway in Texas, a direct pipeline to US collegiate systems and MLB recruitment agencies.

He's not chasing the spotlight. He's chasing a bachelors and the dream to become the top 1% of NZ Baseball players to play with the elites in the MLB. And everything on this page exists to show you he's ready to compete against the best in his age group.

His confidence, preparation, and intensity make him the heart of the teams he plays on ... and he ... shows maturity beyond his age.

— Manager, Hawks 19U / NZ 18U National Team (2024 & 2026)

06

Kōrero / References

After reading Messiah’s metrics and watching video on his projected ability, I feel that the evaluation is very accurate. I would greet him at a mid to high-level JuCo currently, which is where he will fit in very nicely and be able to develop. Depending on those numbers, he has the body and the size of the movement to be a D1 or D2 player.”

LAVELLE MORGAN Founder · College Baseball Recruiting (CSBR), Dallas, Texas

I had the pleasure of coaching Messiah for our 2025 World Series Campaign in Branson. We had a five-month build-up to the tournament and I saw how hard this young man worked on his conditioning and his game. He was a two-way player for us on the mound as well as a key bat in the four hole of our line-up. He led our team and tournament in RBIs and home runs, which all came in big moments that contributed heavily in our programme having the highest competition finish of any New Zealand team — finishing 4th. Messiah has matured a lot since the first time I saw him play in 2024, and the maturity has benefited his game with accepting more of a leadership role. I look forward to seeing where Messiah goes with not only baseball but life, as these strengths of character will shine in any field he chooses.

DAVE BISHOP Manager · NZ Babe Ruth 16U World Series 2025

Messiah is a physically gifted athlete and while he continues to learn and build on those aspects of his game, he is also developing the emotional and leadership capabilities. His confidence, preparation, and intensity make him the heart of the teams he plays on. Playing in multiple age grades (including men’s) and multiple positions (P, 1B, 3B) shows maturity beyond his age. His work ethic and desire to continuously improve pushes not only himself but his peers and the collective team.

AARON CAMPBELL Manager · Hawks 19U 2025 / 2026 Season & NZ 18U National Team (2024 & 2026)
07

Whakapā mai / Get in touch

For recruiters and coaches

A recruitment profile featuring verified measurables, current stat lines, career honours, and coach references.

Recruitment Information (PDF)Contact
Admin / General
admin@messiahtuhoro.com
Donations / Supporters
donate@messiahtuhoro.com

Media & supporters

Quotable story, real photography, and the kaupapa behind the site — happy to share. Get in touch for an interview or to feature the journey.

08

Tautoko / Back him

Those in Aotearoa know just how rare the kiwi is. You can spend a lifetime in the bush and never see one. This kiwi is rarer still, with a batting speed in the top 1% for his age globally, making his way from the bottom of the world to the US College system and heading into one of the most competitive sporting pipelines on the planet.

$9.97 / week that's less than 2 flat white coffees or Koha (One off gift)
Whānau/Kaitiaki

Become a guardian of Messiah's journey. Coaching, batting cages, gear, tournaments, the next flight. Small, regular or once-off, no-strings support that keeps the road open and the dream real.

Back him
From $1,500
Small businesses

Underwrite a showcase trip. Logo on updates to all donors and promotion across social media platforms.

Express your interest
Bespoke
Corporate sponsorship

Foundational partners. A small group walking with him through the next two years. By conversation only.

Get in touch

100% of supporter funds flow to training, travel, and showcase costs.

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