The reigning Dutch Hoofdklasse champion DOOR Neptunus is picking up two professional players, which were released last week. On Sunday the club announced on its website that right-handed pitcher Leon Boyd and infielder Dwayne Kemp will return to them. Both already have played for the Rotterdam-based team in the past.
The 26-year-old Boyd was dismissed by the Toronto Blue Jays a few days ago after just one year in their organization. Born in Vancouver, Canada he also has a Dutch passport since his mother is from the Netherlands. He came to Europe for the 2006 season, pitching in Belgium for the Hoboken Pioniers. One year later he moved to Neptunus, where he pitched until the end of the 2008 season. After a successful World Baseball Classic he got signed by the Blue Jays last spring. According to Honkbalsite.com he decided to return to the team of head coach Steve Janssen, although he also had offers from Italy.
Kemp is 22 years old and the son of former outfielder Adonis Kemp, who played in the 1996 Olympics. He split time between Neptunus and Sparta/Feyenoord in Rotterdam before the Chicago Cubs signed him as an amateur free agent in 2007. He played a total 57 games for Low-A and Rookie league affiliates for the Cubs in 2008 and 2009. He batted .248 (OBP .303/SLG .416) in 25 games in the Arizona Summer League last year.