Emilio Götz Signs with Detroit Tigers While Remaining with Untouchables Paderborn
German baseball prospect Emilio Götz has signed a professional contract with the Detroit Tigers at the age of 17. The outfielder from the Untouchables Paderborn will continue his development in Germany before transitioning permanently to the Major League Baseball organization.
Under the terms of the agreement, Götz will remain in Paderborn until July 2027. He will continue attending school, training, and playing in the German Baseball League (DBL) before his move to the United States.
Lakeland Signing Formalizes MLB Organization Deal
On Oct. 1, 2026, at 3:07 p.m. local time in Lakeland, Florida, Götz signed his first professional contract. The Detroit Tigers initiated close contact with the young player and Untouchables sports director Alper Bozkurt following the European Development Tournament in April 2025.
Other Major League Baseball organizations, including the Oakland Athletics and the Toronto Blue Jays, also pursued the German prospect. Educational requirements heavily influenced the final decision. Alper Bozkurt noted that completing the Fachabitur secondary education certificate in Paderborn was a primary goal for the family before any permanent relocation to the United States.
From Dortmund Wanderers to International Success
Götz began his baseball career in his hometown with the Dortmund Wanderers before moving to the sports boarding school in Paderborn in 2021 to join the Untouchables. Early success included winning Most Valuable Player honors at the U12 German Championship, where he hit two home runs.
National team involvement expanded rapidly. Götz won the U18 Länderpokal with the regional NRW selection and joined the German Baseball and Softball Federation’s junior roster in 2024. In 2025, he traveled to Okinawa, Japan, to compete with the German U18 national team at the World Cup, where the squad finished 10th.
Götz Earns Medals with German National Teams
In the German Baseball League, Götz established himself as an offensively productive center fielder and earned multiple Batter of the Week selections.
The year 2026 brought a pair of major international tournament medals. At the U18 European Championship in Italy, Götz helped the German national team reach the final and secure a silver medal, scoring the opening run in the championship game against Italy. Weeks later, he competed at the U23 European Championship in Paderborn. Germany defeated Sweden 4:1 in the final to win the B-Pool tournament and earn promotion back to the European A-Pool.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Agreement
Götz is scheduled to remain in Germany until July 2027 to finish his schooling at Paderborn.
* Which MLB teams pursued the German outfielder? Untouchables sports director Alper Bozkurt confirmed that the Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays also pursued Götz alongside the Detroit Tigers.
* What international tournaments did Götz play in during 2026? He won a silver medal at the U18 European Championship in Italy and secured a B-Pool title with the U23 national team in Paderborn.
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