Baseball United signs two top Filipino talents for inaugural season

Baseball United is making history once again, with the league announcing the signing of two top talents from the Philippines.

Lord Aragorn De Vera and Efril Ian Mercado will join the Mumbai Cobras, India’s first-ever professional baseball team.

The duo becomes the first players born in the Philippines to play in a professional baseball league, marking a major milestone for Filipino baseball.

De Vera, 22, is a standout shortstop from De La Salle University, while Mercado, 24, brings speed and power to the outfield from the University of the Philippines. Both have represented the national team in international tournaments.

Baseball United's Chairman and CEO Kash Shaikh welcomed the players, praising their passion and athleticism, and said he’s excited to see them take the field in Dubai this November.

Also joining the Cobras is Vince Sagisi, a veteran of Philippine baseball, who will serve as bullpen coach. Sagisi called the moment "historic" and a source of hope for young Filipino players dreaming of going pro.

The Mumbai Cobras debut on November 14 in Dubai, kicking off Baseball United’s inaugural season with the 'Subcontinent Series' against the Karachi Monarchs.

The full Cobras roster will be revealed on Friday.

History in the making ✍️
Two of the Philippines’ top talents, Lord Aragorn De Vera and Efril Ian Mercado, are joining the @MumbaiCobras for BU Season One 🇵🇭⚾️

With nearly 1M Filipinos in the UAE, the support for De Vera and Mercado will be electric this season ⚾🔥 pic.twitter.com/pcZIn9TsyO

— Baseball United (@BaseballUnited) September 15, 2025