Last year’s runner up in the German Baseball-Bundesliga, BUCHBINDER LEGIONAERE REGENSBURG completed their Offseason activities with the signing of four foreign born players. They are two pitchers and two position players.
The Dutch Mike Bolsenbroek is 21 years old and is coming from the Santa Ana College. He was selected twice by the CHICAGO WHITE SOX in the 2006 and 2007 amateur draft, but didn’t sign with the Major League organization. He was a reliever for the “Dons” in 2006, striking out 27 (7 walks) in 29.2 innings pitched with an ERA of 3.94. During last seasons campaign, Bolsenbroek started five games, posting a 2-2 record with an ERA of 4.44 with 25 strikeouts (5 walks) in 26.1 innings pitched.
The second pitcher, Craig Crow is 24 years old and from New Braunfels, Texas. He went to the Grayson County Junior College and the Rice University, before being selected by the TEXAS RANGERS in the eleventh round of the 2006 amateur draft. At the Rice University he had an 8-2 record with an ERA of 3.53 in 24 games (14 starts) in 2006, while striking out 88 (35 walks) in 81.2 innings. He joined the low A team of the RANGERS shortly after the draft and appeared in 13 games (four starts) with an ERA of 7.01. In 2007 Crow pitched for all single A teams of the club, but not more very often. During his short stint in the minor leagues he had a 1-3 record with an ERA of 8.51 in 24 games (four starts). He struck out 35 (26 walks) in 40 2/3 innings.
The most known player in Germany of the quartet is infielder Jerin Harper, who follows his former manager Martin Helmig to BUCHBINDER. Harper comes from the PADERBORN UNTOUCHABLES. The 24-year-old American batted .427 (OBP .506/ SLG .653) with 20 runs scored and 22 RBI last season. It is going to be the second year in the Bundesliga for him. He is from Spokane, Washington and went to the Delta College and joined later the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. There he played together with SAARLOUIS HORNETS slugger Chris Sweeney.
The fourth player to join the squad is Daniel Husband. He played for TRANAS of the Swedish Baseball League in 2004 and 2005. He played every position besides catcher. He hit .308 (SLG .702) with ten homeruns, 27 runs scored and 33 RBI in his first year. Husband batted .381 (.836) with six homeruns, 17 runs scored and 25 RBI in his second.
The LEGIONAERE are open the new season on Sunday against the GAUTING INDIANS.