After Ian O’Connor and Mark DeVincenzi the Mannheim Tornados have added a third American player for the upcoming season in the German Baseball-Bundesliga. The 26-year-old William Toeppe is supposed to replace Matt Lokken at third base.
Born in California Toeppe was a highly regarded prospect during his time at high school and Clark College in Ohio, but a car accident nearly ended his baseball career. He got back into the game, played in the Arizona Winter League and for the San Diego Surf Dogs in the Golden Baseball League. This winter he spent in Australia, wearing the jersey of the Rockingham Rams in the Provincial League.
The Mannheim Tornados will travel to Montpellier next week for a Spring Training Camp from March 16 to 20. The team of head coach Georg Bull is also going to take part in a preseason tournament there. Also on hand will be Baseball-Bundesliga rivals Mainz Athletics, the Montpellier Barracudas, the 18U French National Team, Stade Toulousain and the Beaucaire Chevaliers.
i heard this guy will was released in australia because he didnt perform, might be something to look into if i was mannheim!