Luke Heimlich is again leaving the U.S. for an opportunity to pitch.
The former Oregon State ace has signed with the Mexican League's Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos, ESPN.com reported Wednesday. He signed with a team in China last year but the league terminated the contract a week later, citing Heimlich's criminal history.
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Heimlich, 23, pleaded guilty in 2012 to sexually molesting a niece when she was 6 and he was 15. Heimlich later claimed he was innocent but was advised by his lawyer to plead guilty anyway. As part of his sentencing, he was ordered to register as a sex offender in Oregon.
The Oregonian's reporting of the crime in 2017 led to him going undrafted twice: All 30 clubs passed on him in 2017 and 2018. The Royals considered signing him as a free agent after the 2018 draft but ultimately passed.
ESPN's reported that scouts who watched him throw recently believe Heimlich can pitch in the major leagues this year.
The Mexican League season begins April 4, ESPN reported.
This article has been corrected to show that Heimlich pleaded guilty to one count of molesting his niece.
