The Royal Dutch Baseball and Softball Association (KNBSB) released their official roster for their two-game exhibition series against Samurai Japan at the Tokyo Dome on November 12 and 13 (Tickets).
Manager Hensley Meulens nominated 28 players for the World Baseball Classic warm-up including current Major Leaguer Jurickson Profar. Rick van den Hurk, who is actually playing in Japan, once again is missing on the team. Also not on the team is veteran hurler Rob Cordemans.
Besides the two games against Japan, the Netherlands will also face a semi-pro team on November 9 in preparation for the exhibition series. Japan also is going to play Mexico.
Roster:
- Pitchers: Tom de Blok (L&D Amsterdam), Mike Bolsenbroek (Buchbinder Legionäre Regensburg), Bayron Cornelisse (Curaçao Neptunus), Berry van Driel (Curaçao Neptunus), Wendell Floranus (Vallejo Admirals), Lars Huijer (Vaessen Pioniers), Jair Jurrjens (Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions), Kevin Kelly (Curaçao Neptunus), Diegomar Markwell (Curaçao Neptunus), Loek van Mil (Curaçao Neptunus), Jim Ploeger (HCAW), Juan Carlos Sulbaran (St. Louis Cardinals), Orlando Yntema (Curaçao Neptunus)
- Catchers: Gianison Boekhoudt (Curaçao Neptunus), Dashenko Ricardo (Curaçao Neptunus), Shawn Zarraga (Los Angeles Dodgers)
- Infielders: Yurendell de Caster (Curaçao), Dwayne Kemp (Curaçao Neptunus), Dudley Leonora (Kinheim), Stijn van der Meer (Houston Astros), Juremi Profar (Texas Rangers), Jurickson Profar (Texas Rangers), Sharlon Schoop (Baltimore Orioles), Nick Urbanus (L&D Amsterdam)
- Outfielders: Gilmer Lampe (L&D Amsterdam), Christopher Garia (Vaessen Pioniers), Randolph Oduber (Curaçao Neptunus), Kalian Sams (Quebec Capitales).
Coaching Staff:
- Manager: Hensley Meulens
- Field manager: Steve Janssen
- Bench coach: Andruw Jones
- Hitting-coach: Sidney de Jong
- Third base coach: Ben Thijssen
- First base coach: Wim Martinus
- Physiotherapist: Pepijn van Ingen en Kevin Sprengers
- Strength & Conditioning trainer: Paul Venner
- Equipment manager: Jaap Visser
- Team manager: Greta Schouten