by DZ
It’s been another eventful couple of weeks following European minor leaguers. Another name has been added to the list, as Germany’s Marco Cardoso signed with the Boston Red Sox and reported to their Dominican complex. Netherlands’ Tom de Blok, Russia’s Anton Kuznetsov, and Moldova’s Vadim Balan are all putting up eye-catching numbers from the mound. Here’s the latest!
Marco Cardoso, Boston Red Sox. Germany.
The Germany U18 national team shortstop and leadoff hitter for the Paderborn Untouchables signed with the Red Sox after the Bundesliga regular season concluded. He’ll play in unofficial games in the Dominican for the next month before returning to Paderborn for the offseason, and beginning his career in official stats next season.
MLB –
Didi Gregorius, New York Yankees. Netherlands.
Current team: New York Yankees (MLB)
Gregorius is near or on pace for career highs in almost every offensive category. He had two home runs this weekend to give him 15 on the season, and he’s currently batting .307. The 27 year old is the starting shortstop for the Yankees.
Max Kepler, Minnesota Twins. Germany.
Current team: Minnesota Twins (MLB)
Kepler has raised his batting average 15 points thus far in July, although he hasn’t had a home run or a stolen base in the last 3 weeks. Kepler is hitting .254 with 10 home runs and 3 stolen bases.
Triple A –
Dovydas Neverauskas, Pittsburgh Pirates. Lithuania.
Current team: Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
Neverauskas has allowed only one run across four appearances in the last two weeks. He has given up runs in only 2 of his last 10 outings. The righty has a 2.95 Triple-A ERA while accumulating 10 saves. He’s got 40 strikeouts and 17 walks in 42.2 innings, allowing only a single home run on the year.
Double-A
Andy Paz, Oakland Athletics. France.
Current team: Midland Rockhounds (AA)
Paz has an active 6 game hit streak, raising his season average 20 points to .255. He has 3 extra base hits in 48 games, with 13 walks and 32 strikeouts. Paz remains a perfect 3-for-3 in stolen base attempts while providing solid defense behind the plate for Midland.
Single-A –
Martin Cervenka, Cleveland Indians. Czech Republic.
Current team: Lynchburg Hillcats (High-A)
Cervenka had a spell 10 days ago where he had 9 hits in a four game span. He continues to get consistent playing time, hitting .277/.338/.429 in 83 games played.
Sven Schüller, Los Angeles Dodgers. Germany.
Current team: Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (High-A)
Schueller now has 4 games pitched at the higher level in the offense-heavy California League. He’s given up 6 hits and 6 walks in 8.2 innings there. For the year across two levels, he maintains a 1.74 ERA in 57 innings.
Tom de Blok, Detroit Tigers. Netherlands.
Current team: West Michigan Whitecaps (Low-A)
De Blok has allowed 3 runs in his last 34 innings pitched, having now started 4 games in Low-A. His season ERA remains below 1 (at 0.98) with 43 strikeouts versus 6 walks.
Marten Gasparini, Kansas City Royals. Italy.
Current team: Lexington Legends (Low-A)
The 20-year old outfielder continues to find his groove at the plate after early struggles. He’s hit .270 over his last 10 games, stealing 3 bases. He’s at .257/.305/.407 through 89 games and 300 at bats this season. He has 8 home runs and 26 extra base hits.
Alberto Mineo, Chicago Cubs. Italy.
Current team: South Bend Cubs (Low-A)
The lefty-hitting catcher has a .370 on-base-average for the year while playing the game’s most demanding position. Mineo has 18 extra base hits, 32 walks, and 49 strikeouts in 258 at bats. He’s also a perfect 2-for-2 stealing bases.
Rookie –
Petru Balan, Minnesota Twins. Moldova.
Current team: GCL Twins (rookie)
The younger, left-handed Balan has four appearances in the GCL, pitching 13.1 innings with 14 hits, 10 walks, and 16 strikeouts. He’s 0-3 with a 6.08 ERA.
Vadim Balan, Minnesota Twins. Moldova.
Current team: GCL Twins (rookie)
The older, right-handed Balan has 8 appearances and 11.2 innings pitched and has yet to allow an earned run. He’s given up 7 hits and 7 walks while striking out 9.
Paul Brands, Pittsburgh Pirates. Netherlands.
Current team: Bristol Pirates (rookie)
Brands has 6 hits and 5 walks while striking out 15 times in his last 10 games. The catcher has 61 at bats in 19 games since official play started in the short-season league. He’s hitting .213/.324/.377 with a stolen base and two home runs.
Taylor Clemensia, Minnesota Twins. Netherlands.
Current team: GCL Twins (rookie)
The 20-year-old Dutch lefty has made 6 appearances in the GCL, pitching to 1.88 ERA until his last outing, when he gave up 3 runs without recording an out. Clemensia’s season numbers stand at 14.1 innings, 8 hits, 12 walks, 14 strikeouts, a 2-2 record and a 3.77 ERA.
Nadir Ljatifi, Cincinnati Reds. Germany.
Current team: Billings Mustangs (rookie)
The 21-year-old from Dortmund and the Paderborn academy has 18 at bats in 10 games thus far this season. He’s hitting .167 with a double and two runs scored.
Matz Schutte, Minnesota Twins. Netherlands.
Current team: GCL Twins (rookie)
Schutte has pitched in 6 games in the GCL, allowing 11 runs in 11 innings with 7 strikeouts and 12 walks. He’s recorded two saves.
Pascal Amon, Los Angeles Dodgers. Germany.
Current team: AZL Dodgers (rookie)
Amon is hitting .286 across his last 10 games, maintaining his season pace. In 21 games and 65 at bats, he’s at .277/.347/.400 with 7 walks and 17 strikeouts, not to mention one home run.
Ludovico Coveri, Philadelphia Phillies. Italy.
Current team: DSL Phillies Red (rookie)
Coveri has 16 appearances in the DSL, 4 since the last update. He’s allowed runs in only 2 of his last 10 appearances, and hadn’t walked anyone in those 10 games until his most recent outing. He has 23 strikeouts and 5 walks in 32.2 innings of work, and is pitching with a 1.38 ERA this season.
Anton Kuznetsov, Philadelphia Phillies. Russia.
Current team: GCL Phillies (rookie)
The 19-year-old from Moscow has 7 appearances in Florida and has yet to allow a run. He has 5 hits allowed, 1 walk, and 14 strikeouts.
Claudio Scotti, Pittsburgh Pirates. Italy.
Current team: GCL Pirates (rookie)
After returning to Italy to finish his high school exams, Scotti made his 2017 debut last night with an inning pitched, allowing one hit and one walk.
Marco van der Wijst, Houston Astros. Netherlands.
Current team: DSL Astros Orange (rookie)
van der Wijst has 8 games and 15 at bats under his belt, with 4 hits and 5 walks thus far.
Yet to appear in 2017:
Ernesto Martinez, Milwaukee Brewers. France.
Leonardo Seminati, Cincinnati Reds. Italy.