Shortstop Hainley Statia, who is on the provisional roster of Team Netherlands at the upcoming World Baseball Classic, again received an invitation to Major League spring training with the Los Angeles Angels this week. He was among 25 non-roster players which will practice with the big leaguers in Tempe, Arizona in February and March. He already trained with the Angels last year and hit .222 (OBP .267/SLG .333) in 27 at-bats over 18 games in the Cactus League.
The 23-year-old Statia is already known as one of the best defensive players on his position in the American Minor Leagues. In 2008 he was hindered by a hamstring strain, missing half of the season and the Olympics with the Dutch National Team due to the injury. He was with the Double-A affiliate of the Angels in Arkansas last year and batted .242 (OBP .288/SLG .336) in 59 Texas League games, his lowest numbers since he began his professional career in 2005. Overall he is hitting .284 (OBP .346/SLG .376) in 414 minor league games.