New Kangaroos head coach John MILLER can rely on a new catcher for the upcoming season. Sam FAEDER joins the squad after a year in the Israel Baseball League (IBL).
The 22-year-old is from New York and attended the Swarthmore College for four years, before making the trip over the Atlantic to play in the inaugural season of the Netanya Tigers in Tel Aviv. He hit .307 (OBP .405/SLG .365) with twelve runs scored and 16 RBI in 2007.
He was a starter for Swarthmore in his four years there and left the squad as their team captain. Besides his skills behind the plate he is also capable to play all other infield positions, except second base.
Between 2004 and 2007 he hit a combined .269 (.351/.338) in 106 games (104 starts) for Swarthmore. He had a career year in 2006, hitting .349 (.429/.450) with 23 runs scored and 22 RBI.
The Kangaroos had finished in a dismal seventh place last season in Belgium. FAEDER with his experience on the college level and in the IBL should help young players like junior national team members Harold GERARD and Cedric DESMEDT to get better.
Sam FAEDER 2007 Stats in IBL and in Swarthmore