Enjoy an Ads-Free Jets Insider - Become a Jets Insider VIP!
LATEST JI HEADLINES
TOP STORY
New Jets RB Goodson Arrested on Drugs and Weapons
Charges
 
5/16 : Joe McKnight Doesn't Appreciate Questioning His Roster Spot
5/15 : QB Garrard to leave Jets
5/15 : uSTADIUM App Looks to Revolutionize Social Sports Media
5/14 : Idzik's Offensive Game Plan: Depth Along Front Line
Go Back   Jets Insider.com Forums > Sports Beyond The NFL > Major League Baseball Talk
Register FAQ Calendar Mark Forums Read

Major League Baseball Talk The Mets and Yankees are front and center here but feel free to discuss all aspects of Major League Baseball here.

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 04-18-2008, 05:00 PM   #1
JV51
Hall Of Fame
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,025
Mets Sign Top German IFA



Quote:
The NEW YORK METS have signed catcher Kai Gronauer (Picture: Right) of the SOLINGEN ALLIGATORS. He agreed on a two-year-contract and will join the Major League organization in two weeks. He is going into the extended spring training program in Port St. Lucie, Florida and after this preparation period they will determine, for which team and on which level he will play. Due to the lack of depth on his position, Gronauer has the opportunity to move through the system quickly. It is also expected that he will start at least in Single A.

The 21-year-old is without a question the best German player at the moment. He impressed scouts over the past ten months at the European Championships in Barcelona and the two IBAF events in Taiwan in November 2007 and March 2008. Gronauer spent his whole career with the ALLIGATORS. The MINNESOTA TWINS and the PITSBURGH PIRATES showed interest in him during the winter. He also considered to play at the college this spring, but decided to stay in SOLINGEN for 2008. But the plans changed quickly and the METS made a strong push towards him.

Gronauer is currently batting .455 (OBP .600/SLG .545) in three games this season. At the Final Olympic Qualifying Tournament he hit .250 with four doubles in seven games. He also threw out five of eleven base stealers at the event. His national team head coach Greg Frady said one time that he is one of the best five players on his position in International Baseball. The move to the Minor Leagues is the only logical step in his development, as he can’t improve anymore in the German Bundesliga.

Obviously the ALLIGATORS will miss their starting catcher and it is nearly impossible to replace him. Nevertheless they are very happy for him and wish him the best. He also could help them during the playoffs after the end of the minor league season. They will honor him before their next home game on Sunday against the NEUNKIRCHEN NIGHTMARES and will say him goodbye.
Like Omar said, we have tons of young talent in the lower levels, here's another piece.
JV51 is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
Old 04-18-2008, 05:04 PM   #2
Ven0m
a shutdown poster
Hall Of Fame
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: NY
Posts: 18,349
Can't hurt, we could really use a Catcher of the Future.
Ven0m is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2008, 05:11 PM   #3
Tyler Durden
Banned
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 31,171
Baseball players are starting to be scouted all over the world. Yankees have already signed a few players from China, Australia, and Israel. Now the Mets with a player in Germany. Not exactly baseball hot beds.
Tyler Durden is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2008, 05:17 PM   #4
JV51
Hall Of Fame
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,025
Ya Mets have signed a few Aussies this past summer.
JV51 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2008, 05:18 PM   #5
Tyler Durden
Banned
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 31,171
Quote:
Originally Posted by JV51 View Post
Ya Mets have signed a few Aussies this past summer.
I didn't even know they had leagues over there.
Tyler Durden is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2008, 05:29 PM   #6
Ven0m
a shutdown poster
Hall Of Fame
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: NY
Posts: 18,349
Quote:
Originally Posted by JV51 View Post
Ya Mets have signed a few Aussies this past summer.
And they signed that kid Vernooij from Holland.
Ven0m is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2008, 06:12 PM   #7
JetPotato
fermenting
Hall Of Fame
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 12,134
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean Ryan View Post
I didn't even know they had leagues over there.
Italy has had a league for years. I think 1 or 2 guys made the transition over here to the majors.
JetPotato is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2008, 06:47 PM   #8
Tyler Durden
Banned
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 31,171
Quote:
Originally Posted by Guido Monzino View Post
Italy has had a league for years. I think 1 or 2 guys made the transition over here to the majors.
Oh I knew that, my buddies father played in an Italian league before he got married.
Tyler Durden is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2008, 08:30 PM   #9
K-Met57
Jets 38 Bills 17
All Pro
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 9,177
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean Ryan View Post
Baseball players are starting to be scouted all over the world. Yankees have already signed a few players from China, Australia, and Israel. Now the Mets with a player in Germany. Not exactly baseball hot beds.
israel? who?
K-Met57 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2008, 08:31 PM   #10
Tyler Durden
Banned
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 31,171
Quote:
Originally Posted by K-Met57 View Post
israel? who?
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/...=.jsp&c_id=nyy
Tyler Durden is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


Enjoy an Ads-Free Jets Insider - Become a Jets Insider VIP!

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:46 PM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2013, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2013, JetsInsider.com LTD