The 25-year-old infielder Hainley Statia, who has played for the Dutch National Team in the past, has signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers according to a report by Honkbalsite.com. The Willemstad, Curacao native was released by the Los Angeles Angels organization this winter and he was supposed to take the field as the starting shortstop for the Lancaster Barnstormers in the Atlantic League.
But due to visa problems he wasn’t able to start working out with his new team. And now the slick fielder is back in affiliated ball. In six seasons with the Angels, Statia batted .275/.341/.363 with nine homeruns, 304 runs and 248 RBI in 563 games between Rookie ball and Triple-A. He is expected to join either the Double-A or Triple-A team of the Brewers.
Honkbalsite.com also has news on other Dutch players from Curacao. Mariekson Gregorius, the best defensive player at the IBAF Intercontinental Cup in Taiwan and the Australian Baseball League, is currently sidelined with kidney problems. As soon as he is healthy he will join the Cincinnati Reds affiliate in Bakersfield. Meanwhile Shairon Martis, who had lost his spot on the 40-man roster of the Washington Nationals this winter, made his first start for the Double-A team in Harrisburg, allowing five runs on eight hits and a walk in four innings.