24-year-old infielder Sharlon Schoop has a new employer. After his minor league ran out at the end of the 2011 season and becoming a free agent, the Baseball World Champion with the Dutch national team has signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals. The MLB organization announced the signings of Schoop, Eric Duncan, Jamie Romak, Zach Miner, Tony Abreu, Marlon Arias and Tommy Hottovy on Thursday. Schoop spent his professional baseball career so far with the San Francisco Giants, batting .255/.321/.346 in 578 games between Rookie ball and Double-A.
His double play partner with the Netherlands at the IBAF Baseball World Cup in Panama, Mariekson Gregorius again got some recognition for his talent. The shortstop was ranked as the eighth best prospect in the Cincinnati Reds organization by Baseball America. The list is headed by Devin Mesoraco, Billy Hamilton and Yonder Alonso. He also was named best defensive infielder with the best infield arm of the organization. Gregorius, who is playing in the United States since 2008, batted .289/.324/.429 splitting time with the High-A and Double-A affiliates of the Reds in 2011.