During the winter months we are going to look back at the performances of Europeans, who played in the United States during the 2009 season.
Kai Gronauer
Birth date: 11/28/1986 in Solingen, Germany
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
Organization: New York Mets
Position: Catcher
2009 Season: Kai Gronauer started his second year in the US with the Savannah Sand Gnats of the South Atlantic League. He batted .243 (OBP .294/SLG .352) with six homeruns, seven doubles, 27 runs scored and 23 RBI in 67 games. He threw out 37 percent of all potential base stealers during the year. His season was interrupted twice due to injuries. He first missed time because of an undisclosed upper body injury and later because of small fracture on his hand. Gronauer played for Germany in the IBAF Baseball World Cup in September, going three-for-nine with two doubles, one run scored and two RBI in three games.
Career Stats: 83 GP, 302 PA, 275 AB, 31 R, 72 H, 6 HR, 33 RBI, 15 BB, 51 SO, AVG .262, OBP .312, SLG .356, CS% 39%
Highest Level: Single-A (South Atlantic League 2009)
Previous:
Andrei Lobanov (Twins)
Thomas de Wolf (Mets)
Dwayne Kemp (Cubs)
Matteo Pizziconi (Reds)
Petr Cech (Reds)
Jan Baldee (Astros)
Luca Panerati (Reds)
Frédéric Hanvi (Twins)
Swen Huijer (Red Sox)
Mariekson Gregorius (Reds)
Jeroen de Haas (Mariners)
Donald Lutz (Reds)
Rien Vernooij (Mets)
Eric Gonzalez (Padres)
Mike Bolsenbroek (Phillies)
Kalian Sams (Mariners)