Kai Gronauer: German catcher Kai Gronauer is off to a good start at the Double-A level. In nine games with the Binghamton Mets he is 7-for-25 with two walks, a homerun, three runs, three RBI, seven strikeouts and a stolen base. Opponents also rarely try to steal against him, as his reputation precedes him. Three tried anyway, two of them got thrown out. The clip also shows him in a game from April 15.
Donald Lutz: Gronauer’s German national teammate Donald Lutz even had a hotter start at the plate. The first baseman is 12-for-38 with three homeruns, two doubles, seven runs and five RBI in eleven games for the Dayton Dragons. He struck out eight times and walked twice. He got promoted to the Midwest League by the Cincinnati Reds at the beginning of the season.
Alex Liddi: After a struggling start into the 2011 season, Italian third baseman Alex Liddi slowly is turning things around playing for the Tacoma Rainiers in the Pacific Coast League. Thanks to hits in four of his last five games he is now 7-for-45 with five runs and five RBI. He hit his first homerun of the season on Monday, while driving in four overall. He has struck out in 20 of his 45 at-bats.
Greg Halman: Liddi’s Dutch teammate Gregory Halman went 3-for-12 in four games, including two doubles. Since then he is sidelined. He got hit by a pitch and fractured his wrist. It is not yet know how long he will be on the shelf.
Tom Stuifbergen: Dutch right-hander Tom Stuifbergen got promoted to High-A at the beginning of the season. He appeared in two games so far for the Fort Myers Miracle. In two starts he has allowed eleven runs (10 ER) on 16 hits and two walks. He struck out eight in nine innings. He had an ERA of 2.98 in the Midwest League last year.
Roger Bernadina: Outfielder Roger Bernadina is not exactly off to a flying start with the Syracuse Chiefs, trying to work his way back from Triple A to the big leagues. He is 5-for-20 with a homerun, three runs scored and two RBI in six games.
Rick van den Hurk: Dutch right-hander Rick van den Hurk started twice so far this season for Triple-A Norfolk Tides. In 8 1/3 innings he issued eleven hits, six runs (5 ER) and four walks. He struck out seven.
Jair Jurrjens: After missing the first few days of the 2011 season with a minor ribcage injury Jair Jurrjens returned to the MLB mound on Saturday. He shut out the New York Mets over seven innings, giving up just two hits and a walk striking out four. He had a 7-6 record with an ERA of 4.64 in 20 starts during the 2010 season.