The Seattle Mariners have extended their pool of European players in the organization. After Gregory Halman, Alex Liddi, Kalian Sams and Jeroen de Haas, they have signed the 18-year-old left-handed pitcher Scott Ronnenbergh to a six-year minor league contract according to Honkbalsite.com. He will report to the team facilities in Peoria, Arizona after finishing his school in early July.
The New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies also expressed their interest. Ronnenbergh played for the Rookie team of the Hoofdklasse club L&D Amsterdam during the 2009 season, but didn’t reach the Dutch Major League. This winter he signed with the promoted Almere Magpies, following his father Eric Ronnenbergh, who will be an assistant coach with the club.
Ronnenbergh was a member of the Dutch Junior national team at the 2008 World Championship in Edmonton, Canada and at the 2009 European Championship in Bonn, Germany. He allowed four hits, three runs and ten walks in six innings through two starts at the Juniors last year, striking out nine. He also participated in the MLB European Academy in Tirrenia, Italy.
Photo: © Gregor Eisenhuth www.eisenhuth-photographie.de