by IBAF, www.ibaf.org
The Atlanta Braves signed outfielder Ruben Rijkhof in Tenerife and the 17-year-old Dutch will be reporting to rookie league in the next week.
He is 6’2”, weighs 185 pounds and combines speed, a strong throwing arm and powerful hitting. Atlanta Braves international scout Nestor Perez Sr. was the responsible of bringing the talented player to Tenerife so he could hone his skills under his and his son’s, Nestor Perez Jr., guidance.
The result was a tryout under supervision of Jose Martinez, Johnny Almaraz and Jose Tartabull from the Atlanta Braves and finally the contract was signed in presence of Nestor Perez Sr., Nestor Perez Jr., Ruben Rijkhof and his mother Wanda Rijkhof, who also had worked as a coach with her son.
Ruben Rijkhof is the first player signed in Europe by the Atlanta Braves and [he is actually the second European player in the Atlanta Braves organization, as Andrei Selivanov played in 1995 for the club in the Gulf Coast League] Nestor Perez, and it is not a coincidence that this took place in, as the Club has invested in its presence trusting the baseball potential on the island.
We would like to congratulate everyone involved and wish Ruben for a brilliant career as a professional baseball player.
The part about this being their first European signee is an error. Andrei Selivanov of Russia played in the Braves system. See http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Andrei_Selivanov
Thanks. We will correct this.
Sorry for the mistake, when I generated the news article I had no idea that Andrei Selivanov had been signed before by the Braves. Anyways, after doing some research thanks to Mischas comment, I stumbled upon the fact that Andrei’s signing had taken place reportedly in the US, and this leaves Ruben Rijkhof with the record of being the first (european) player signed for the Braves in Europe.
Thank you for the comment, when I generated the news article I had no idea that Andrei Selivanov had been signed before by the Braves. Anyways, after doing some research thanks to Mischas comment, I stumbled upon the fact that Andrei’s signing had taken place reportedly in the US, and this leaves Ruben Rijkhof with the record of being the first (european) player signed for the Braves in Europe. See: http://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/15/sports/baseball-tolstoy-to-sporting-news.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Interesting. Thank you. Actually Rogier van Zon pointed out on Honkbalsite.com that the Braves had signed the Dutch Raymond Hofer in 1993, who played Rookie League for two years. But I have no idea, if he was signed in the US or in Europe.
http://www.honkbalsite.com/nederlandse_profspelers.html
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=hofer-001ray