Perth Heat have named their first major signing for the new Australian Baseball League, snapping up pitching prospect Liam Baron who has returned home after three years at college in the US.

The left-hander will lead the pitching assault which is expected to include high-profile imports from the Baltimore Orioles who, during a 10-year association with the Heat in the old ABL competition, sent their best US Major League draft picks to Australia including top selections Damon Buford and Jay Powell.

Baron, a product of the WAIS baseball program, attended UWA before taking up a college scholarship in Oregon and Washington where he spent time playing under new Perth coach Brooke Knight.

He arrived home last week and Perth wasted little time in making sure he was contracted as soon as possible after issuing offers to a number of high profile players who are expected to commit during the coming weeks.