Mister Baseball » Europeans in the USA

Swedish RHP Oscar Carlstedt transfers from California to Kentucky

philipp — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:44:17 +0000

The Swedish right-handed pitcher Oscar Carlstedt, a product of the Baseball Academy in Leksand and a member of the Stockholm Baseball Club, has moved from California to Kentucky. After playing just in six games he has transferred from Cypress College to Lindesy Wilson College in Columbia. The new season starts on February 10 with a game against the Union University from Jackson, Tennessee. His Blue Raiders are playing in the Mid-South Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

Orioles put Rick van den Hurk on Release Waivers

philipp — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:59:24 +0000

Dutch right-handed pitcher Rick van den Hurk, who was designated for assignment on January 24 to make room for Wilson Betemit on the roster, is on the verge of getting released. The Baltimore Orioles put him on release waivers on Thursday most likely ending his stint with the O’s. The 29 teams can claim him before his actual release, but this seems unlikely at the moment. He is going to become a free agent and can look for a new employer. The 26-year-old made four appearances for Baltimore in September of last year.

Italian RHP Federico Celli works out with Philadelphia Phillies

philipp — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:25:48 +0000

The 16-year-old Federico Celli is currently working out at a tryout camp at the Philadelphia Phillies academy in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The right-handed pitcher from Rimini was invited by the MLB organization and stays there until February 7. He also took part in last summer’s MLB European Academy in Tirrenia, Italy. Celli is the second unsigned Italian prospect (we know of) to work out with a Major League organization this winter. 17-year-old pitcher Lorenzo Gradali attended a winter training camp of the Colorado Rockies in Boca Chica at the end of last year.

MLB Academies Tournament to remain in Regensburg

philipp — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:26:45 +0000

It is not really a surprise after the success of the last couple of days and the good infrastructure on site. The 2012 MLB Academies Tournament again will be held at the Armin Wolf Arena in Regensburg. This year’s event will be held from March 31 to April 5. According to a report by the hosting Buchbinder Legionaere Regensburg on its website the academies from Germany, Sweden, Italy, Netherlands, Czech Republic, France, Belgium and Spain will send teams.

MLB.com releases Top 100 Prospects List

philipp — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:56:43 +0000

We usually rely on Baseball America’s expertise, but we won’t neglect MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo. For the first time he and his colleagues at MLB.com have released a top 100 prospect list of the best young players in baseball. The list is topped by Matt Moore (Tampa Bay Rays), Bryce Harper (Washington Nationals) and Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels). Two players, which are eligible to play for the Dutch National Team are also on the list. Jurickson Profar of the Texas Rangers is occupying the seventh spot. Andrelton Simmons of the Atlanta Braves is 65th. And Xander Bogaerts of the Boston Red Sox, who won the Baseball World Cup with the Netherlands last October, is ranked in 76th place.

Dutch Sea Explorers looking for Players to play in 2013 Californian Winter League

philipp — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:29:03 +0000

The Dutch Sea Explorers are looking for players in Europe to form a team in the 2013 Californian Winter League. The Palm Springs, California based instructional-like league is a springboard towards professional (MLB, Independent Leagues) and college baseball. The Dutch Sea Explorers are looking for players, age 18 to 29, to play in California from the third week in January to the end of February 2013. It is open to all players, but you should be good enough to compete for a professional league in the United States. Costs are €2,500 (excluding plane ticket and insurance). There also will be tryouts and players will be invited to join the team.

Overview:
Players:

Age 18 to (around) 29 from Europe

Costs:

€2,500 (excluding plane ticket and insurance)

Date:

Third Week of January to End of February 2013

Roster Size:

22 Players including 10 Pitchers, 3 Catchers, 5 Infielders and 4 Outfielders

What is included?

Double Bedroom at a Hotel, 2 Meals per Day, 20 California Winter League Games, Uniform, Bats, Catcher Gear, Transportation from the Hotel to the Games and back, Laundry Service, Gold’s Gym Membership, Instruction from Professional Staff, Scouting from MLB, Independent Leagues and Colleges

How to Apply?

Interested players contact dutchseaexplorers@gmail.com for more information and the application form.

About the California Winter League
The California Winter League is a developmental instructional league based in Palm Springs, California that allows professional teams to evaluate players. It was founded on September 10, 2009, by Andrew Starke, owner of the Palm Springs Chill (formerly of the Arizona Winter League) and the Palm Springs Power (collegiate summer baseball team). It is a short-season instructional league that plays all games at Palm Springs Stadium from January to February. As of the 2012 season, it features five teams- the Chill, Snowbirds, A’s, Bluesox, and Power. Starke serves as the league president and chief operating officer, and former Major League Coach Tom Gamboa serves as league commissioner.

Rick van den Hurk designated for Assignment

philipp — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:13:37 +0000

The Baltimore Orioles have designated Dutch right-handed pitcher Rick van den Hurk for assignment, making room on the roster for new signee Wilson Betemit. The 26-year-old from Eindhoven allowed eight earned runs in nine big league innings for the O’s last year. He also had an ERA of 4.43 in 26 starts at Triple-A. It remains to be seen if Van den Hurk stays in the organization or if he finds another club.

The press release by the Baltimore Orioles:

Orioles sign free agent INF Wilson Betemit

The Orioles today announced that they have signed INF WILSON BETEMIT to a two-year contract with a vesting option for 2014.

Betemit, 30, batted .285/.343/.452 with eight home runs and 46 RBI in 97 games for Kansas City (57) and Detroit (40) in 2011, including a .303 average and .865 OPS in 263 plate appearances from the left side. He has batted .298/.367/.501 with 54 extra-base hits and 69 RBI in 433 at-bats against right-handed pitching in the last two seasons. Betemit owned an .871 OPS in 133 plate appearances for the American League Central champion Tigers after being traded and appeared in four playoff games.

Originally signed by Atlanta as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic on July 28, 1996, Betemit was the youngest player in the major leagues when he made his debut at 19 during the 2001 season.

The switch hitter owns a career line of .269/.336/.448 with 63 home runs and 243 RBI in 697 games over nine seasons with Atlanta, the Dodgers, the Yankees, the White Sox, Kansas City and Detroit. Betemit has batted .277 with an .817 OPS and 50 of his 63 career home runs against right-handed pitching. He has appeared at every defensive spot except for center field and catcher in his big league career.

To clear room for Betemit on the 40-man roster, RHP RICK VANDENHURK has been designated for assignment. VandenHurk, 26, pitched to an 8.00 ERA (9.0IP, 8ER) in four games for the Orioles and was 9-13 with a 4.43 ERA (154.1IP, 76ER) in 26 starts for Triple-A Norfolk in 2011.

Wladimir Balentien remains in Japan, Jair Jurrjens avoids Arbitration

philipp — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:42:56 +0000

Curacao native Wladimir Balentien is going to stay in Nippon Professional Baseball. The 27-year-old outfielder, who played for the Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds in Major League Baseball, won the homerun title in the Central League last year. He returns to the Yakult Swallows with a $750,000 one-year contract. The Swallows already had added Orlando Roman and Lastings Milledge as foreign players this winter.

Meanwhile in the United States right-handed pitcher Jair Jurrjens of the Atlanta Braves avoided an arbitration hearing with his employer, when he agreed on a new one-year contract over $5.5 million. Leading the National League with an ERA of 1.89 in the first half of 2011, he missed most of the second half with a knee injury. During the offseason the Braves seem to be interested in trading the right-hander for offensive help, but didn’t find the right deal. However this could still happen even after his salary for the upcoming year has been set. He remains under team control through the 2013 season.

German RHP Martin Dewald to return to River City Rascals

philipp — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:02:40 +0000

German national team right-handed pitcher Martin Dewald is going to play a second season in independent league ball. He is going to return to the River City Rascals of the Frontier League, where he also began in 2011. In the middle of the season he had been traded to the Kansas City T-Bones of the American Association. Combined between these two teams he went 1-0 with an ERA of 4.18 in 25 games, all as a reliever. He struck out 17 in 23 2/3 innings, walking nine. He also was part of the German national team during the IBAF Baseball World Cup in Panama in October. The 25-year-old could be a starting pitcher this year.

Greg Frady brings Max Schmitz, Roy Seltenrijch to Georgia State University

philipp — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:32:44 +0000

Mister-Baseball is going to have a lengthy interview with German national team head coach Greg Frady in a couple of days. But before a tidbit of news. Among the topics was also the addition of a pair of European players to his team at the NCAA Division I College Georgia State University. German pitcher Max Schmitz and Dutch infielder Roy Seltenrijch will enroll to the University this spring.

The 19-year-old Schmitz pitched for the German national team this summer and went 3-1 with two saves and an ERA of 1.85 in nine games for the Bonn Capitals in the Baseball-Bundesliga. Seltenrijch, who is from Rotterdam, had joined Corendon Kinheim in the Dutch Hoofdklasse in 2011. He batted .243/.328/.308 with a triple, five doubles, 19 runs and 14 RBI in 36 games for the Haarlem based club.

The new season for the GSU Panthers will start on February 17 at home. It is going to be a great opportunity for both players to improve their skill level by simply working out and playing baseball everday in a challenging environment of a Division I team.

Xander Bogaerts Number two of Red Sox Prospects according to Baseball America

philipp — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:58:54 +0000

Besides Jonathan Schoop another Dutch World Champion has made Baseball America’s top ten prospects lists in the American League East. The 19-year-old Aruba native Xander Bogaerts was ranked second behind only Will Middlebrooks within the farm system of the Boston Red Sox. The shortstop played just his second professional season, but made the jump from the Dominican Summer League to the South Atlantic League. In 2011 he batted .260/.324/.509 with 16 homeruns in 72 games at Single-A. He is projected to eventually move away defensively to either third base or the outfield corners. He didn’t play much during the IBAF Baseball World Cup in Panama, going 2-for-8 in three games (one start).

MLB Dirt speaks to Donald Lutz

philipp — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:56:49 +0000

The blog MLB Dirt talked to German first baseman/outfielder Donald Lutz of the Cincinnati Reds. Visit www.mlbdirt.com to read it.

“Chatting with Cincinnati Reds’ Prospect Donald Lutz”

Swiss C/3B Rafael Eigenmann invited to 2012 Under Armor Pre-Season All-America Tournament

philipp — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:11:21 +0000

17-year-old Swiss catcher/third baseman Rafael Eigenmann has been invited to the 2012 Under Armor Pre-Season All-America Tournament, which will be held from January 13 to 15, 2012 at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona, former spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Swiss U18 National Teamer is currently attending Oakland Christian School in Auburn Hills, Michigan. During a visit back in Europe he briefly played for the Therwil Flyers at the European Cup Qualifier in Solingen, Germany. Previous participants in the tournament include David Wright (2001), BJ Upton (2001), Gavin Floyd (2000), Lastings Milledge (2002) and Dante Bichette Jr. (2010). For more information on the event, visit www.baseballfactory.com

Jonathan Schoop named third-best Baltimore Orioles Prospect

philipp — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:08:14 +0000

Baseball America is currently publishing its annual top ten lists of organizational prospects for the 2012 season. While Europe hasn’t played much a role in the national league, this should change for the junior circuit. At the beginning of the week the top ten for the Baltimore Orioles got published. Jonathan Schoop of World Champion the Netherlands got named third-best prospect behind only right-handed pitcher Dylan Bundy and shortstop Manny Machado. The 19-year-old infielder from Willemstad, Curacao also got mentioned as second baseman in the projected 2015 lineup of the O’s. Schoop split time between the Single-A and High-A affiliates in Delmarva and Frederick in 2011, batting a combined .290/.349/.432 with 13 homeruns, five triples, 24 doubles, 82 runs and 71 RBI in 128 games. He played at shortstop, second base and third base.

6th Power Showcase High School HR Derby features pair of European Sluggers

philipp — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 13:49:08 +0000

We kind of neglected the Power Showcase High School Home Run Derby this year due to some quality family time during the holidays. However we would like to catch up on the 6th event, which was created by Brian Domenico six years ago. It again was held at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

In difference to previous editions it didn’t start a new year, but concluded an old one, as it went on between December 27 and 29. A total of 91 players from the United States, Bahamas, Canada, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Netherlands and Puerto Rico took part in the Home Run Derby. Kyle Carter from Columbus, Georgia won it with 14 homeruns overall, including a 487 feet shot to pick up the Babe Ruth Colossus of Clout Award as a bonus.

As in previous years, Europe’s representatives hadn’t anything to do with the outcome of the derby. Ondrej Matko from the Czech Republic and Rachid Engelhardt (one homerun, 382 feet) from the Netherlands made the trip to Arizona.

The Power Showcase High School Home Run Derby, which has featured 2010 MLB number one draft pick Bryce Harper in the past, is going to return to Florida and his origins at the end of 2012. Miami and the new ballpark of the Miami Marlins will host the 7th Power Showcase from December 27 to 29, 2012.

For more information visit the official website of the Power Showcase High School Home Run Derby

Prospects in 2011 – Rick van den Hurk – Baltimore Orioles

philipp — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:41:02 +0000

We are taking a look back at the 2011 season in the Minor Leagues for our European prospects.

Rick van den Hurk

Birth Date: 05/22/1985 in Eindhoven, Netherlands
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
Organization: Baltimore Orioles
Position: Pitcher

2011 Season: In his second year with the Baltimore Orioles, the 26-year-old right-hander Rick van den Hurk spent most of the year with the Triple-A affiliate in Norfolk, playing in the International League. He went 9-13 with an ERA of 4.43 in 26 starts. He struck out 108 batters in a career high 154 1/3 innings, walking 40. In September he joined the O’s in the MLB. He appeared in four games (two starts). He allowed 12 hits, nine runs (8 ER) and eight walks in nine innings, striking out seven. In November he again brought a couple of Major Leaguers to Europe for the European Big League Tour, which included Prince Fielder and Greg Halman this year.
Career Stats Minors: W-L 37-38, ERA 3.86, WHIP 1.250, 124 GP, 123 GS, 624.2 IP, 553 SO, 233 BB
Career Stats Majors: W-L 8-10, ERA 5.97, WHIP 1.624, 46 GP, 35 GS, 181 IP, 176 SO, 95 BB
Highest Level: MLB (2007-2011)
Link to Baseball Reference

Previous:
Jennell Hudson (Boston Red Sox)
Andy Paz (Oakland Athletics)
Bjorn Hato (New York Mets)
Alejandro Sanchez (Atlanta Braves)
Thomas de Wolf (New York Mets)
Andrea Pizziconi (Kansas City Royals)
Rodney Daal (San Diego Padres)
Ruben Rijkhof (Atlanta Braves)
Lars Huijer (Seattle Mariners)
Markus Solbach (Minnesota Twins)
Kevin Weijgertse (New York Mets)
Matej Hejma (Minnesota Twins)
Scott Ronnenbergh (Seattle Mariners)
Kalian Sams (Seattle Mariners)
Victor Velazquez (Atlanta Braves)
Dovydas Neverauskas (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Nick Urbanus (Texas Rangers)
Jeroen de Haas (Seattle Mariners)
Luca Martone (Houston Astros)
Luca Panerati (Cincinnati Reds)
Swen Huijer (Boston Red Sox)
Daan Cornelissen (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Max Kepler-Rozycki (Minnesota Twins)
Donald Lutz (Cincinnati Reds)
Mariekson Gregorius (Cincinnati Reds)
Tom Stuifbergen (Minnesota Twins)
Loek van Mil (Los Angeles Angels)
Kai Gronauer (New York Mets)
Alex Liddi (Seattle Mariners)

Prospects in 2011 – Alex Liddi – Seattle Mariners

philipp — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:09:06 +0000

We are taking a look back at the 2011 season in the Minor Leagues for our European prospects.

Alex Liddi

Birth Date: 08/14/1988 in San Remo, Italy
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
Organization: Seattle Mariners
Position: Third Base

2011 Season: The 23-year-old Italian infielder Alex Liddi is the poster boy for development in European Baseball right now. After six seasons in the minors he reached the big goal, getting the call-up to the Seattle Mariners following the end of the Pacific Coast League season with the Tacoma Rainiers. He got his first cup of coffee Major League Baseball, batting .225/.295/.525 in 15 games (13 starts). He hit three homeruns, scored seven runs and drove in six in his first 44 big league at bats. With Tacoma he had hit .259/.332/.488 with an organization best 30 homeruns, 121 runs scored and 104 RBI in a career-high 138 games. After these 153 games he still received additional playing time in the Venezuelan and Dominican Winter Leagues. However his bat went cold and he was sent home twice.
Career Stats (Minors): 697 GP, 2951 PA, 2621 AB, 437 R, 85 HR, 432 RBI, 255 BB, 731 SO, AVG .277, OBP .344, SLG .465
Highest Level: MLB (2011)
Link to Baseball Reference

Prospects in 2011 – Kai Gronauer – Binghamton Mets

philipp — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:10:27 +0000

We are taking a look back at the 2011 season in the Minor Leagues for our European prospects.

Kai Gronauer

Birth Date: 11/28/1986 in Solingen, Germany
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
Organization: New York Mets
Position: Catcher

2011 Season: Except for some rehab time in the Gulf Coast League following a lengthy hamstring injury the 25-year-old German catcher Kai Gronauer spent the summer with the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets in Binghamton of the Eastern League. He batted a solid .251/.327/.374 overall in 58 games (52 at Double-A). He hit four homeruns, one triple, eight doubles, scored 21 runs and drove in 26. He didn’t make another huge step forward, but also not back. During the IBAF Baseball World Cup in Panama he only was able to impress defensively, remaining cold at the plate. He stayed in Panama City to play in the Winter League for month to make up for the missed time during the summer. 2012 should be a key year for Gronauer determining if he can make it to the big leagues or not.
Career Stats: 229 GP, 878 PA, 784 AB, 93 R, 14 HR, 102 RBI, 60 BB, 146 SO, AVG .272, OBP .336, SLG .370
Highest Level: Double-A (2011)
Link to Baseball Reference

Prospects in 2011 – Loek van Mil – Arkansas Travelers

philipp — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:59:04 +0000

We are taking a look back at the 2011 season in the Minor Leagues for our European prospects.

Loek van Mil

Birth Date: 09/15/1984 in Oss, Netherlands
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
Organization: Los Angeles Angels
Position: Pitcher

2011 Season: One of the few “veterans” among the European minor leaguers, the 27-year-old seven-footer Loek van Mil pitched his sixth professional season in 2011. He played for the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels in Arkansas. He went 3-5 with an ERA of 2.04 in 30 games (one start). He struck out 46 batters in 66 1/3 innings, walking 23. He posted career bests in ERA, WHIP, innings pitched, strikeouts and strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Career Stats: W-L 10-15, ERA 3.17, WHIP 1.418, 141 GP, 9 GS, 255.1 IP, 190 SO, 128 BB
Highest Level: Double-A (2009, 2010, 2011)
Link to Baseball Reference

Prospects in 2011 – Tom Stuifbergen – Rochester Red Wings

philipp — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:44:33 +0000

We are taking a look back at the 2011 season in the Minor Leagues for our European prospects.

Tom Stuifbergen

Birth Date: 09/26/1988 in Breda, Netherlands
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
Organization: Minnesota Twins
Position: Pitcher

2011 Season: Except for an end-of-season call-up to the Triple-A team in Rochester, the 23-year-old right-handed pitcher Tom Stuifbergen spent his fourth active season in professional baseball in High-A, playing for the Fort Myers Miracle in the Florida State League. He went 6-9 with an ERA of 4.29 in 24 games (23 starts) overall. He collected 88 strikeouts and 23 walks in 93 2/3 innings. In October he helped the Dutch national team winning the IBAF Baseball World Cup, being named best pitcher with an ERA of 0.00 in 17 innings pitched in the process.
Career Stats: W-L 17-15, ERA 3.60, WHIP 1.277, 64 GP, 54 GS, 310 IP, 249 SO, 52 BB
Highest Level: Triple-A (2011)
Link to Baseball Reference

Prospects in 2011 – Mariekson Gregorius – Carolina Mudcats

philipp — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:35:59 +0000

We are taking a look back at the 2011 season in the Minor Leagues for our European prospects.

Mariekson Gregorius

Birth Date: 02/18/1990 in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Throws/Bats: Right/Left
Organization: Cincinnati Reds
Position: Shortstop

2011 Season: Already one of the best defensive players in the game, the 21-year-old shortstop Mariekson Gregorius split time between the Bakersfield Blaze and the Carolina Mudcats in his fourth season in professional baseball. He reached Double-A and batted a combined .289/.324/.429 with seven homeruns, four triples, 18 doubles, 48 runs scored and 44 RBI in 84 games this year. He won the IBAF Baseball World Cup with the Dutch National Team. After that the Reds topped his year by adding him to the 40-man roster, earning an invitation to Major League Spring Training.
Career Stats: 314 GP, 1348 PA, 1234 AB, 159 R, 13 HR, 112 RBI, 77 BB, 164 SO, AVG .273, OBP .322, SLG .370
Highest Level: Double-A (2011)
Link to Baseball Reference

Prospects in 2011 – Donald Lutz – Dayton Dragons

philipp — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 16:59:30 +0000

We are taking a look back at the 2011 season in the Minor Leagues for our European prospects.

Donald Lutz

Birth Date: 02/06/1989 in Watertown, New York
Throws/Bats: Right/Left
Organization: Cincinnati Reds
Position: First Base/Outfield

2011 Season: The German first baseman Donald Lutz made another step forward in his development becoming a legit prospect in the Cincinnati Reds organization. In his fourth season in professional baseball he was promoted to the Dayton Dragons of the Midwest League. He batted .301/.358/.492 with 20 homeruns, 3 triples, 23 doubles, 85 runs scored and 75 RBI in 123 games. He got rewarded by the Reds, as they added him to the 40-man roster, which automatically means an invitation to Major League Spring Training.
Career Stats: 123 GP, 924 PA, 835 AB, 152 R, 29 HR, 132 RBI, 69 BB, 205 SO, AVG .281, OBP, .344, SLG .459
Highest Level: Single A (2011)
Link to Baseball Reference

Prospects in 2011 – Max Kepler-Rozycki – Elizabethton Twins

philipp — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:51:43 +0000

We are taking a look back at the 2011 season in the Minor Leagues for our European prospects.

Max Kepler-Rozycki

Birth Date: 02/10/1993 in Berlin, Germany
Throws/Bats: Left/Left
Organization: Minnesota Twins
Position: Outfield

2011 Season: The 18-year-old German outfielder Max Kepler-Rozycki continued to fulfill the high expectations in 2011, batting .262/.347/.366 in 50 games for the Elizabethton Twins in the Appalachian League, leaving the Gulf Coast League after just one season. He hit his first homerun in professional baseball, tripled three times and collected 11 doubles, 29 runs and 24 RBI. He played mostly in left field, but also saw action in the rest of the outfield and at first base.
Career Stats: 87 GP, 374 PA, 331 AB, 44 R, 1 HR, 35 RBI, 36 BB, 81 SO, AVG .272, OBP .347, SLG .356
Highest Level: Rookie (Appalachian League 2011)
Link to Baseball Reference

Prospects in 2011 – Daan Cornelissen – GCL Pirates

philipp — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:49:26 +0000

We are taking a look back at the 2011 season in the Minor Leagues for our European prospects.

Daan Cornelissen

Birth Date: 07/06/1991 in Helmond, Netherlands
Throws/Bats: Right/Left
Organization: Pittsburgh Pirates (released)
Position: First Base

2011 Season: His second season in professional baseball was his last for now, as Daan Cornelissen was released by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the middle of July. He had returned to the Gulf Coast League, but appeared in only six games, collecting two hits in 17 at-bats. Not enough for a offense-oriented position like corner outfielder or first base.
Career Stats: 38 GP, 112 PA, 99 AB, 10 R, 6 RBI, 11 BB, 45 SO, AVG .121, OBP .207, SLG .162
Highest Level: Rookie (2010, 2011)
Link to Baseball Reference

Prospects in 2011 – Swen Huijer – Lowell Spinners

philipp — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:53:27 +0000

We are taking a look back at the 2011 season in the Minor Leagues for our European prospects.

Swen Huijer

Birth Date: 11/07/1990 in Haarlem, Netherlands
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
Organization: Boston Red Sox
Position: Pitcher

2011 Season: The 21-year-old right-handed pitcher Swen Huijer played his fourth professional season in the United States this year. It was the first time that he left the Gulf Coast League, being called up to the Lowell Spinners in the NY-Penn League. He went 2-2 with an ERA of 2.43 in 14 games – all as a reliever. He collected 34 strikeouts in 40 2/3 innings, while walking 17.
Career Stats: W-L 11-6, ERA 3.15, WHIP 1.197, 51 GP, 117 IP, 84 SO, 28 BB
Highest Level: Low-A (2011)
Link to Baseball Reference

Prospects in 2011 – Luca Panerati – Dayton Dragons

philipp — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:55:03 +0000

We are taking a look back at the 2011 season in the Minor Leagues for our European prospects.

Luca Panerati

Birth Date: 12/02/1989 in Grosseto, Italy
Throws/Bats: Left/Left
Organization: Cincinnati Reds (released)
Position: Pitcher

2011 Season: After three years at the Rookie level to start his professional career, the 22-year-old Luca Panerati was called up to the Single-A Dayton Dragons of the Midwest League. He appeared in 17 games as a left-handed reliever with an ERA of 4.15. He struck out 25 in 34 2/3 innings, walking nine. Unfortunately his adventure in the American minor leagues ends at this point for now, as the Reds released him this fall. He is most likely to join an Italian Baseball League club for the 2012 season.
Career Stats: W-L 6-10, ERA 4.59, WHIP 1.302, 52 GP, 15 GS, 149 IP, 99 SO, 32 BB
Highest Level: Single A (2011)
Link to Baseball Reference

BWC MVP Curt Smith signs with Miami Marlins

philipp — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:22:33 +0000

The Miami Marlins have a new stadium in 2012, a new name, new logo, new uniforms, new stars like Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and Heath Bell. And they will have the MVP of the 2011 IBAF Baseball World Cup in their organization. The 25-year-old Curt Smith has signed a minor league contract with the Marlins. With his signature the first baseman returns to affiliated circuit after one year in the independent leagues. He had played for the St. Louis Cardinals organization between 2008 and 2010. He has a career batting average of .301 (OBP .336, SLG .457) in the minors. He is coming from the Lincoln Saltdogs.

Prospects in 2011 – Luca Martone – GCL Astros

philipp — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:14:41 +0000

We are taking a look back at the 2011 season in the Minor Leagues for our European prospects.

Luca Martone

Birth Date: 10/21/1992 in Anzio, Italy
Throws/Bats: Right/Switch
Organization: Houston Astros
Position: Second Base

2011 Season: The 19-year-old infielder Luca Martone from Anzio, Italy, played his second professional season in the United States. He again took the field for the Houston Astros affiliate in the Gulf Coast League. He had a productive season, going .314/.385/.386 with five doubles, nine runs and two RBI in 29 games.
Career Stats: 49 GP, 136 PA, 122 AB, 13 R, 5 RBI, 12 BB, 31 SO, AVG .254, OBP .326, SLG .295
Highest Level: Rookie (2010, 2011)
Link to Baseball Reference

Alex Liddi organizational All Star for Seattle Mariners

philipp — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:39:02 +0000

MiLB.com, the official website for Minor League Baseball, announced its annual organization all stars this week and also honored Italian third baseman Alex Liddi. He gets the trophy as designated hitter after leading the organization with 30 homeruns and the farm system with 145 hits. He is the lone European player to get this kind of recognition.

Prospects in 2011 – Jeroen de Haas – Everett Aqua Sox

philipp — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:57:56 +0000

We are taking a look back at the 2011 season in the Minor Leagues for our European prospects.

Jeroen de Haas

Birth Date: 01/01/1991 in Alkmaar, Netherlands
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
Organization: Seattle Mariners
Position: Pitcher

2011 Season: After spending his first three years of professional baseball at various Rookie ball levels, the 20-year-old Jeroen de Haas was promoted to Low-A and the Everett Aqua Sox of the Northwest League in 2011. He had a forgettable year, going 0-0 with a save and an ERA of 7.59 in 15 games. He struck out 20 batters and walked nine in 21 1/3 innings.
Career Stats: W-L 2-3, ERA 6.70, WHIP 1.634, 56 GP, 1 GS, 82 IP, 59 SO, 23 BB
Highest Level: Low-A (2011)
Link to Baseball Reference

Prospects in 2011 – Nick Urbanus – Spokane Indians

philipp — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:41:35 +0000

We are taking a look back at the 2011 season in the Minor Leagues for our European prospects.

Nick Urbanus

Birth Date: 03/29/1992 in Uithoorn, Netherlands
Throws/Bats: Right/Switch
Organization: Texas Rangers
Position: Middle Infield

2011 Season: The 19-year-old switch hitter Nick Urbanus made his professional debut in 2011. He spent most of his time in the Arizona Summer League, playing for the Texas Rangers affiliate. In September he got called up to the Northwest League to join the Spokane Indians, where he played one game. He split time between second base and shortstop, as the Rangers evaluate his premier position. He batted .279/.348/.351 with ten extra base hits,35 runs and 30 RBI in 51 games.
Career Stats: 51 GP, 235 PA, 208 AB, 35 R, 30 RBI, 12 SB, 5 CS, 21 BB, 38 SO, AVG .279, OBP .348, SLG .351
Highest Level: Low-A (2011)
Link to Baseball Reference

Prospects in 2011 – Dovydas Neverauskas – GCL Pirates

philipp — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:02:38 +0000

We are taking a look back at the 2011 season in the Minor Leagues for our European prospects.

Dovydas Neverauskas

Birth Date: 01/14/1993 in Vilnius, Lithuania
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
Organization: Pittsburgh Pirates
Position: Pitcher

2011 Season: The lone current Lithuanian player in the minor leagues, Dovydas Neverauskas played his second professional season oversees. He returned to the Gulf Coast League pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate. The 18-year-old right-hander went 3-1 with an ERA of 3.24 in ten games (two starts). He struck out 18 batters in 25 innings, walking 14.
Career Stats: W-L 4-1, ERA 3.86, WHIP 1.571, 16 GP, 2 GS, 35 IP, 24 SO, 19 BB
Highest Level: Rookie (2010, 2011)
Link to Baseball Reference

Prospects in 2011 – Victor Velazquez – DSL Braves

philipp — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 19:58:03 +0000

We are taking a look back at the 2011 season in the Minor Leagues for our European prospects.

Victor Velazquez

Birth Date: 08/26/1992 in Barcelona, Spain
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
Organization: Atlanta Braves
Position: Catcher

2011 Season: It was his second professional season for 19-year-old Spanish catcher Victor Velazquez. He spent the year in the Dominican Summer League, playing for the Atlanta Braves affiliate. He batted .154/.298/.179 with eight runs and five RBI in 36 games behind the plate. He had a 38 percent caught stealing percentage, committed eight errors and was charged with ten passed balls.
Career Stats: 43 GP, 120 PA, 99 AB, 8 R, 6 RBI, 17 BB, 30 SO, AVG .131, OBP .271, SLG .152
Highest Level: Rookie (2010, 2011)
Link to Baseball Reference

MILB.com interviews Dutch RHP Swen Huijer

philipp — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:23:48 +0000

MILB.com, the official website for Minor League Baseball in the America, has published an interview with Dutch minor league pitcher Swen Huijer of the Boston Red Sox organization. He had visited New York on a sightseeing trip in November. “Huijer has talent on mound, in kitchen – Red Sox prospect helping build game in native Netherlands”

Prospects in 2011 – Kalian Sams – Clinton LumberKings

philipp — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:45:24 +0000

We are taking a look back at the 2011 season in the Minor Leagues for our European prospects.

Kalian Sams

Birth Date: 08/25/1986 in The Hague, Netherlands
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
Organization: Seattle Mariners
Position: Outfield

2011 Season: Kalian Sams played his fifth professional season in the United States in 2011. He split time between the High Desert Mavericks in High A and the Clinton LumberKings in Single A. He batted a combined .231/.291/.483 with 24 homeruns, four triples, 16 doubles, 58 runs, 66 RBI and 26 stolen bases in 113 games. In October he joined the Dutch National Team in their triumph at the IBAF Baseball World Cup in Panama, going 5-for-24 with two homeruns, seven runs and four RBI in nine games.
Career Stats: 374 GP, 1415 PA, 1257 AB, 185 R, 69 HR, 186 RBI, 126 BB, 518 SO, AVG .210, OBP .289, SLG .443
Highest Level: High A (2011)
Link to Baseball Reference

Prospects in 2011 – Scott Ronnenbergh – AZL Mariners

philipp — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:01:58 +0000

We are taking a look back at the 2011 season in the Minor Leagues for our European prospects.

Scott Ronnenbergh

Birth Date: 01/11/1992 in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Throws/Bats: Left/Left
Organization: Seattle Mariners
Position: Pitcher

2011 Season: The left-handed pitcher Scott Ronnenbergh returned to the Arizona Summer League in his second professional season. He doubled his time on the mound, but unfortunately also nearly tripled his ERA. He went 1-0 with an ERA of 5.90 in 16 appearances (one start). He struck out 23 batters in 29 1/3 innings, walking 13.
Career Stats: W-L 1-1, ERA 4.75, WHIP 1.872, 24 GP, 1 GS, 41.2 IP, 31 SO, 24 BB
Highest Level: Rookie (2010, 2011)
Link to Baseball Reference

Sporting News with Article about Greg Halman

philipp — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 09:42:42 +0000

The article was already published last week, but we found him just now. The piece was written by Matt Crossman of the Sporting News, looking at Greg Halman through the eyes of former teammate Johan Limonta. Check it out: “With the confidence instilled by his late friend, Johan Limonta resumes his journey to the majors.“

Prospects in 2011 – Matej Hejma – Elizabethon Twins

philipp — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:38:48 +0000

We are taking a look back at the 2011 season in the Minor Leagues for our European prospects.

Matej Hejma

Birth Date: 05/04/1990 in Prague, Czech Republic
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
Organization: Minnesota Twins (released in fall of 2011)
Position: Outfield

2011 Season: This year’s campaign in professional baseball was the third and last for now for Matej Hejma. The Minnesota Twins released him following the end of the 2011 season. The outfielder had been promoted to the Elizabethon Twins after Spring Training, where he batted .225/.303/.292 with a homerun, three doubles, 12 runs and eight RBI in 27 games.
Career Stats: 79 GP, 271 PA, 247 AB, 34 R, 2 HR, 24 RBI, 14 BB, 70 SO, AVG .263, OBP .325, SLG .352
Highest Level: Appalachian League (Rookie, 2011)
Link to Baseball-Reference

Sharlon Schoop to Royals. Didi Gregorius Top Prospect for Reds.

philipp — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 09:11:17 +0000

24-year-old infielder Sharlon Schoop has a new employer. After his minor league ran out at the end of the 2011 season and becoming a free agent, the Baseball World Champion with the Dutch national team has signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals. The MLB organization announced the signings of Schoop, Eric Duncan, Jamie Romak, Zach Miner, Tony Abreu, Marlon Arias and Tommy Hottovy on Thursday. Schoop spent his professional baseball career so far with the San Francisco Giants, batting .255/.321/.346 in 578 games between Rookie ball and Double-A.

His double play partner with the Netherlands at the IBAF Baseball World Cup in Panama, Mariekson Gregorius again got some recognition for his talent. The shortstop was ranked as the eighth best prospect in the Cincinnati Reds organization by Baseball America. The list is headed by Devin Mesoraco, Billy Hamilton and Yonder Alonso. He also was named best defensive infielder with the best infield arm of the organization. Gregorius, who is playing in the United States since 2008, batted .289/.324/.429 splitting time with the High-A and Double-A affiliates of the Reds in 2011.

Hensley Meulens manages in Venezuelan Winter League

philipp — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:40:11 +0000

According to Honkbalsite.com San Francisco Giants hitting coach Hensley Meulens has been appointed as manager of the Venezuelan winter league club Bravos de Margarita. He replaces Don Baylor at the helm, who got fired after losing 27 of the 42 games. The 44-year-old Meulens had served as hitting coach in Venezuela. He played for the Dutch National Team in the 2000 Olympics, the 2001 Baseball World Cup and the 2002 Intercontinental Cup. After his active career was over he was a coach for the Netherlands in the 2004 Olympics and the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Minnesota Twins release Czech OF Matej Hejma

philipp — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 11:41:52 +0000

According to Baseball America the Minnesota Twins have released Czech outfielder Matej Hejma last week. The 21-year-old Prague native played professionally in the United States since the 2009 season. After two seasons in the Gulf Coast League, he was promoted to the Appalachian League this summer. Overall he batted .263/.325/.352 with 17 extra base hits, 34 runs and 24 RBI in 79 games. He was mostly used in the outfield corners during his time with the Twins affiliates.

Seattle Mariners Teammates carry Gregory Halman to Grave

philipp — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:58:58 +0000

by Pim van Nes

They came from the United States West Coast and crossed the Atlantic Ocean to Europe in order to pay their respects to their teammate Gregory Halman, outfielder on the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers roster and Major League team Seattle Mariners. Departed from Los Angeles on Saturday morning they arrived on Sunday morning in Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands. Pitcher Dan Cortes (24 years of age), catcher Adam Moore (27), infielder Matt Mangini (25) and first baseman/outfielder Mike Carp (25) joined Seattle’s Club Vice President Bob Engle and Coordinator European Scouting Wayne Norton in Haarlem, the native town of Halman.

According to ceremony master Frits Mulder, close to 2000 people old and young came to present their condolences to Greg’s parents Eddy Halman, Hanny Suidgeest and to his sisters Naomi and Eva Halman during the wake on Sunday. After the ceremony also Minor League roommate Alex Liddi arrived from Pisa, Italy on Amsterdam airport. The first ever Italian player to have made it to Major League Baseball reached the family and his Mariners mates still at Pim Mulier stadium. Together they traveled to Hoofddorp, where Alex (23), third baseman often in Greg’s Minor League teams, saw the Dutch Mariner for the first time since the latter died on early Monday morning, November 21.

On Tuesday November 29, even more people (estimate 3000) attended the final farewell ceremony in Driehuis, a village just north of Haarlem. Several hundreds of them had to stay outside the aula, where the crowd listened to speeches by all kind of family and friends. Surrounded by Mariners players Liddi, Mangini, Moore and Cortes the microphone went to Mike Carp reviewing the years with Greg Halman in Minors and Majors. Dutch federation president Bob Bergkamp referred to Halman as a Netherlands club and national team player and mother Hanny Suidgeest unveiled what happened with her son Jason since he participated in MLB camp 2006. Greg’s best baseball friend in Rotterdam Jeffrey Arends (first base with Neptunus) inspired everybody to help Jason, alike Greg used to ask him every year. Greg’s brother Jason is still in custody in Rotterdam as suspect liable for the death of the Seattle Mariners outfielder.

The white coffin holding Greg Halman went on the strong shoulders of baseball players Carp and Cortes, Moore and Mangini, Liddi and Arends for his last walk. Up and down the dunes between Westerveld aula and his definite resting place. Mister-Baseball.com noticed among the thousands starting pitcher Rob Cordemans and catcher Sidney de Jong of Netherlands national team that clinched recently the Baseball World Championship, Washington Nationals outfielder Roger Bernadina who had accompanied Greg in the second European Big League Tour, Mariners scout in the Netherlands Peter van Daalen and former KNBSB president Theo Reitsma, accompanied by his former colleagues with national TV and radio system NOS, Mart Smeets and Andy Houtkamp. Despite of their age and/or prestige in the country, they waited outside more than two hours on a late November day till the coffin left the aula.

The first to appear with a reaction on internet was MLB.com writer Greg Johns, who quoted Mrs. Louise Molendijk telling about Greg Halman as an instructor for her son during recent European Big League Tour, attended by her son in Utrecht on November 12. The article is illustrated with a photo showing Mariner Halman fine-tuning the skills of his succeeding generation.

Prospects in 2011 – Kevin Weijgertse – DSL Mets

philipp — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 18:58:47 +0000

We are taking a look back at the 2011 season in the Minor Leagues for our European prospects.

Kevin Weijgertse

Birth Date: 02/22/1991 in Haarlem, Netherlands
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
Organization: New York Mets
Position: First Base

2011 Season: The 21-year-old Kevin Weijgertse played his second professional season this year. He batted .240/.408/.253 with two doubles, 18 runs and 17 RBI in 62 games, splitting time between the two New York Mets affiliates in the Dominican Summer League. He was mainly used at first base, committing just three errors, while showing less range.
Career Stats: 113 GP, 363 PA, 282 AB, 38 R, 23 RBI, 65 BB, 59 SO, AVG .184, OBP .346, SLG .199
Highest Level: Rookie (2010, 2011)
Link to Baseball-Reference

Nick Lobanov Minor League Free Agent

philipp — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 14:17:27 +0000

We played a little with Baseball America’s cool Minor League Free Agent Tracker and found out that Russia’s Nick Lobanov also is a free agent, looking for a new contract. The 22-year-old, who pitched in the Minnesota Twins organization in 2007 and 2008, had joined the Atlanta Braves organization as a hitter in 2011. In 22 games in the Gulf Coast League, mostly as a first baseman, he batted .254/.338/.317 with four doubles, four runs and six RBI.

Prospects in 2011 – Markus Solbach – GCL Twins

philipp — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 18:22:13 +0000

We are taking a look back at the 2011 season in the Minor Leagues for our European prospects.

Markus Solbach

Birth Date: 08/26/1991 in Dormagen, Germany
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
Organization: Minnesota Twins
Position: Pitcher

2011 Season: After signing with the Minnesota Twins last offseason, while pitching in Australia, the 20-year-old Markus Solbach made his professional debut in the Gulf Coast League. He pitched in 15 games as a reliever, going 3-for-3 with a save and an ERA of 1.91. He struck out 17 batters in 28 1/3 innings, while walking eight. After the IBAF Baseball World Cup (4.1 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO) in Panama, Solbach was supposed to go back to Australia. Being assigned to the Sydney Blue Sox he hasn’t appeared in a game in the Australian Baseball League so far.
Career Stats: W-L 3-3, ERA 1.91, WHIP 1.20, 15 GP, 28.1 IP, 17 SO, 8 BB
Highest Level: Rookie (2011)
Link to Baseball-Reference

Greg Halman Family announces Farewell Ceremonies in Haarlem on November 27&29

philipp — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 16:43:10 +0000

by Pim van Nes

Naomi Halman, sister of late Gregory Halman, announced on the internet that her family will be available to share feelings and memories with all sympathizing people and to take leave from Gregory on Sunday 27 November between 14.00 and 16.00 hrs in Haarlem and that Greg’s funeral will take place in nearby Driehuis on Tuesday 29 November as from 13.00 hrs.

This is Naomi’s message:

“Through this way I want to thank everyone for all the sweet support we have received untill now. Probably the hardest part will still have to come when we have to say goodbye to our Greg. We want to give everyone the opportunity to do this together with us. This Sunday from 2.00 till 4.00 pm in the Kinheim gym in Haarlem you will be able to say goodbye to our Greg. Tuesday Nov. 29 will be Greg’s funeral at the Westerveld cemetery in Driehuis. The funeral ceremony will start at 1.00 pm. We hope all of you will be there at the time we arrive with our Greg. We want to ask to all the baseball people to wear a baseball cap, preferably a red one.

We won’t send any funeral cards, It’s impossible for us to reach everyone in this way. So I want to ask all of you to copy this in your status or tell people about it so we will be able to reach as many people as possible who want to be a part of this.”

Also Royal Netherlands Baseball and Softball Federation (KNBSB) published a message with this information on the federation website as per yesterday.

From across the world messages of sympathy have already been aired, such as “I thought he was gonna be a big. Rest in peace Greg” by Ichiro (Suzuki) and “A tragedy. My thoughts go out to the Mariners, but more importantly his family” by (Greg) Maddux 39. Former European scout for the Seattle Mariners, Mauro Mazzotti responded from Milano (Italy) to Mister-Baseball.com: “I was shocked all day yesterday after a friend of mine called me around lunch time giving me the bad news. As Scout you see thousands of players, but Greg was special, I flew to NL to see him the first time and he struck out 3 times, but I had no doubts he was Prospect to sign right away. He had all the tools to make it and Wayne Norton, at that time my Boss, came over to put him under contract …. the rest is history. Hopefully he’ll rest in peace. MM.”

Benjamin Hill produced an article appearing on the website of Minor League Baseball with memories of several club members in the Minor League teams of the Mariners: After making his professional debut in 2005 in the Rookie-level Arizona League, Halman spent 2006 and much of 2007 with short-season Everett in the Northwest League. AquaSox broadcaster Pat Dillon remembers him first and foremost as an “upbeat guy and very friendly. My main point of emphasis would be what a genuinely good guy he was.” ( . . .) “I remember in 2007 we were playing in Boise, which is a college town and a fun place to go out on the weekends,” Dillon said. “I had had a postgame meal and was walking back to the team hotel, about five minutes before the team curfew. And there comes Halman walking toward me, ready for a night on the town.” ( . . .)

A more serious youthful indiscretion occurred in 2006. Halman’s season with the AquaSox came to an end after 28 games when he broke his hand in a bench-clearing brawl. “You can’t condone stuff like that, but it helped to build up his image as a good teammate,” Dillon recalled. “They saw that and knew that he would always go to the mat for them. He would stand behind anybody and would do anything to help his team succeed.” That loyalty manifested itself in other, less obvious ways. “After a player gets released and is just sitting there at his locker, devastated, Halman would be the guy to go up to him and offer support,” said Dillon.

Another key aspect of Halman’s personality was his facility for languages. In addition to Dutch and English, he spoke fluent Spanish. This made him a natural mediator and, somewhat ironically, a bridge between two cultures even though he was an outsider to both. “Because he could speak Spanish he was good with the Latin players and because he could speak English he was good with the American guys,” Horner said. “He knew when arguments were accelerating and things were starting to get heated. He understood both sides and could step in and cool it down.”

Here is the complete article by Benjamin Hill, also quoting Swen Huijer (21), Boston Red Sox project originating from Halman’s home club Corendon Kinheim in Haarlem.

Greg Johns and T.R. Sullivan combined in a review about Greg Halman as a Major League player and spoke with Mariners relief pitcher David Aardsma, descendant from Dutch immigrants in USA: He (Greg) was on the Mariners’ 40-man roster and was regarded as a challenger for a position in left field or as a backup to center fielder Franklin Gutierrez. Free agent closer David Aardsma, a teammate of Halman’s the past two years in Seattle, said the young outfielder was a bright presence in the Mariners clubhouse. “Greg was one of those guys that always came to the ballpark happy, no matter how he was doing,” Aardsma said. “He always had a smile on his face and was trying to get better. You could tell he didn’t take being there for granted. He put in the work and he was a good guy, a good teammate and somebody who always had your back.” Aardsma is of Dutch ancestry and said Halman always kidded him about needing to learn his native language. Halman himself spoke four languages. “He’d always call me Dutchy and try to teach me a saying or sentence or word in Dutch,” Aardsma said. “Every day I’d mess it up a whole bunch, but I’d try to get it right and then I’d try to surprise him with something I’d learned. He was just a great guy.”

Dutch born pitcher Bert Blyleven (22 Major League seasons) was quoted by same writers: He (Greg) was one of nine players born in the Netherlands to have reached the Major Leagues. Orioles pitcher Rick VandenHurk was also born there, as well as pitcher Bert Blyleven, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame last summer. “Our condolences to Greg Halman’s family in Holland,” Blyleven said by Twitter. “He played well for us in the WBC in 2009. He had a lot of promise in baseball and life.” Former Major League outfielder (infielder with the Yankees before Derek Jeter arrived there, PvN) Robert Eenhoorn is the technical director for the Dutch baseball association. “The only thing I can say right now is we are deeply shocked,” Eenhoorn told The AP. “All our thoughts are with his family and how they are going to have to deal with this tremendous loss.”

Mister-Baseball.com wishes to thank Mario Salvini, who attended European Big League Tour in Parma, Italy, on Saturday 12 November for an article in Italian main sports daily newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport. He watched and spoke with Greg Halman and pictured him when after the clinic for 400 kids he said goodbye to baseball friends, most probably for the last time in his Seattle Mariners uniform.

Prospects in 2011 – Lars Huijer – AZL Mariners

philipp — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:40:22 +0000

We are taking a look back at the 2011 season in the Minor Leagues for our European prospects.

Lars Huijer

Birth Date: 09/22/1993 in Haarlem, Netherlands
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
Organization: Seattle Mariners
Position: Pitcher

2011 Season: 2011 was the first season in the United States for Lars Huijer after signing in May. The brother of ~~former~~ Boston Red Sox farmhand Swen Huijer was the youngest player ever to be invited to the European Academy in Tirrenia at the age of 14. This season he played for the Seattle Mariners affiliate in the Arizona Summer League, getting his feet wet in pro baseball. He made five appearances on the mound – three starts – and went 0-1 with an ERA of 5.40. He allowed 19 hits, nine runs and two walks in 15 innings, striking out nine.
Career Stats: W-L 0-1, ERA 5.40, WHIP 1.40, 5 GP, 15.0 IP, 9 SO, 2 BB
Highest Level: Rookie (2010)
Link to Baseball-Reference

Shairon Martis signs with Pittsburgh Pirates

philipp — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:53:07 +0000

Right-handed pitcher Shairon Martis, who won the 2011 IBAF Baseball World Cup with the Netherlands last month, has found a new employer. After becoming a free agent after the conclusion of the 2011 season, the 24-year-old signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday.

Martis has a 5.33 ERA at the big league level, thanks to 20 appearances for the Washington Nationals between 2008 and 2009. The past two years he spent in the farm system of the Nationals. In 2011 he was 8-6 with an ERA of 3.05 in 23 games for Double A Harrisburg in the Eastern League. He struck out 146 batters in 133 innings, walking 39.

European Big League Tour: Baseball Dreams Receive Boost From MLB Players

philipp — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:29:52 +0000

by Ty Eriksen

It is unfortunate to start the post on a somber note.

This article was finished before the untimely death of Greg Halman, the Mariners outfielder from the Netherlands. The tragedy has reached fans and players around the world, but not near as much as Greg’s impact on youth development in Europe. In putting together audio clips from interviews for this article, one quote from Greg stood out, and it is my hope that hiswords will be what he is remembered for:

Van den Hurk’s Monster: How the EBLT Impacts Youth Baseball

Rick van den Hurk recently wrapped up showing some of his MLB friends around our continent for the second time, making a total of four stops through the Netherlands, Czech Republic, and Italy to talk and work with kids.

Actually it’s much more important than that, Van den Hurk is creating the next generation of European Major Leaguers.
This article isn’t really about baseball; it’s about the psychology of youth athletics, and how a single event on this continent can mold the future of the sport.

A child’s developing personality is influenced by their surroundings, and experts have decided that those surroundings are most critical in the 8-12 year old range, as they begin to develop more cognitive recognition of their interaction with their surroundings. In simple terms: kids develop by doing. And it’s most important at that age group.

When the European youth are playing baseball, the majority is still playing on converted soccer fields, in small towns without batting cages, and with a small group of friends who are coached by someone who probably wouldn’t win any awards for experience.

They grow up playing a sport that the rest of their peers have no understanding of. Kids have limited opportunity to see adults play the game in person, much less a current or former professional. In that 8-12 age range, they are faced with a lack of influence that would mold them to be a baseball athlete. Even further, many likely feel as outcasts for not dedicating their athletic ability to football (soccer).

Faced with piling up negatives that could impact their commitment to baseball, there are few factors to balance, which could support their baseball interests.

They have shown their commitment to a game. They practice with heavy, waterlogged balls. They play on all-grass or all-dirt fields.

They use bats that are outside of regulations for American youth leagues. They wear football cleats, because the right gear doesn’t get to this continent. Yet they offer a growing base to our sport, despite the clear shortcomings.

What is their reward for dedication to playing America’s pastime in Europe?

Those experts I mentioned, the sports psychologists who have analyzed what inspires kids in sports, have boiled the base motivation down to a few key points.

1. Offer a practical challenge. Kids want to be challenged. They want to compete. They need an opportunity to play the game regularly, against a team of other kids who play at a similar level. It isn’t enough to have the kids practice all the time to improve. They need to get on the field and play, which brings us to point two.

2. The game has to be fun. After all, it is a game.

3. Reward for the work they put in.

Rick has created the ultimate reward, and brought it to Europe.

Seriously… I still have trouble wrapping my head around it.

PRINCE FIELDER PLAYED CATCH AND TOSSED BATTING PRACTICE TO EUROPEAN KIDS.

If that doesn’t impress you, you are officially unimpressable. (Not a real word, but point made.)

We are hopefully beyond the point of no return, into a baseball future where not just those players selected for the MLB academy are able to interact with baseball royalty.

Seven big league players (and Bobby Bonilla!). In European gyms. Working with swings with kids.

We (coaches, older players, relocated baseball enthusiasts) place large and heavy demands on youth in our baseball system, because we recognize the difference in the level of baseball. We have baseball academies, schools, and select leagues. But lets be honest, that doesn’t come close to matching the exposure kids on the other side of the Atlantic have to baseball, where they play three seasons a year and watch games every night and talk about David Freese’s heroics at school for weeks. I’ve never seen a youth player imitate Prince Fielder’s homerun swing. The name Bobby Bo probably inspires thoughts of a cartoon character to most.

Rick will change that, with the help of his tour sponsors and organizers and friends.

The mental game of youth baseball will be fundamentally different now. I would be willing to bet money that one of the kids who took part in Rick’s camp will one day be more successful in the Majors than Rick. And that is a tremendous accomplishment, and should be a huge point of pride for Rick. With the future first MLB game in Europe approaching, who knows what the rosters will look like then, kids will be in the stands who likely have a direct interest in who is playing. It won’t be based on family ties to a city, or seeing NY hats around town, but the connection a player has to the country.

The Van den Hurk crew has organized what is probably the most important European baseball event outside of competition: the European Big League Tour.

Special thanks to Rick and his family for their kindness and availability during the events, Perry Hendricks, Peter Meijers, John Witte, Mr. van Mil, Justin Prinstein, Ronald Jaarsma, and anyone I may have forgotten for their help and assistance.

Prospects in 2011 – Ruben Rijkhof – DSL Braves

philipp — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:25:47 +0000

We are taking a look back at the 2011 season in the Minor Leagues for our European prospects.

Ruben Rijkhof

Birth Date: 04/25/1992 in Amstelveen, Netherlands
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
Organization: Atlanta Braves
Position: Outfield

2011 Season: After getting a cup of coffee in professional baseball in 2010, Ruben Rijkhof played a total of 45 games for the Atlanta Braves affiliate in the Dominican Summer League. He batted .161/.323/.185 with three doubles, ten runs and eight RBI. For his home club Tenerife Marlins in the Spanish Division de Honor the Dutch outfielder batted .262/.377/.400 with two homeruns, a triple, a double, 14 runs and 12 RBI in 18 games.
Career Stats: 49 GP, 172 PA, 136 AB, 13 R, 9 RBI, 28 BB, 53 SO, AVG .154, OBP .322, SLG .176
Highest Level: Rookie (2010, 2011)
Link to Baseball-Reference