The RCH MEDIA MONKS, which are currently sitting in last place of the Dutch Major League standings with a 1-16 record, welcomed the arrival of to reinforcements. They have acquired the former REUSSBUEHL EAGLES (Swiss NLA) slugger Whitney Pierce (picture) and can now rely on talented pitcher Mihai Burlea, who finished his stint with Northwestern College.
Pierce was born on March 4, 1982 in Fresno, California. He went to Cuesta College and was drafted by the BALTIMORE ORIOLES organization in the 32nd round of the 2002 amateur draft. He reached single A level and stayed in the club until the end of 2004. He caught for the EAGLES last season and hit .404 (OBP .526/SLG .877) with eight homeruns, 26 Runs and 28 RBI in 57 at bats. Pierce left the club after the 2007 season and played with the SONORA PILOTS of the Arizona Winter League and was on the roster for the RENO SILVERSOX of the Golden Baseball League, but did not play this season. He batted .395 (.451/.512) with nine runs scored and eight RBI in twelve games this past winter.
Burlea comes from Botosani, Romania and went to Anghel Saligny High School in 2003. He attended Easter Arizona College and later joined the Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. The tall right-hander signed with the MEDIAMONKS this winter and arrived last week after finishing a solid college season. Burlea appeared in 15 games (14 starts) going 9-4 with an ERA of 3.06 and 74 strikeouts (41 walks) in 79.1 innings pitched. He already pitched in two games for RCH, allowing three runs in 8 2/3 innings, while striking out nine (two bb).
The MEDIA MONKS are playing against DOOR NEPTUNUS this weekend.
Photo: © www.eisenhuth-photographie.de