Netherlands announce 28-man roster for Samurai Japan Series
Manager Evert-Jan 't Hoen announced the Netherlands' 28-player roster for the RAXUS Samurai Japan Series against world No. 1 Japan, scheduled for March 5 and 6 at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka.
"The matches against Samurai Japan are a great experience and preparation for us on the way to the European Championship in our own country later this year and, of course, the World Baseball Classic of 2026," commented Peter Kwakernaak, the Dutch Federation (KNBSB) Technical Director. "It is nice to have the group together now before everyone starts the season at their club."
The roster of the Netherlands', ranked No. 7 in the world, has 20 players returning from the WBSC Premier12 team (pitchers Mendez, Prins, Huijer, Vijfvinkel, Kelly, De Blok, Martis, Sulbaran, Van Gurp; catchers Antonia and Van Borkulo; infielders Van der Meer, Croes, Yuremi Profar, Gregorius and Helder; outfielders Didder, Tomsjansen and utilities Selassa and Dwayne Kemp.) Pitchers De Blok, Huijer, Kelly and Van Gurp; infielder Juremi Profar and utility Delano Selassa played in Osaka, representing Europe at the Global Baseball Games 2024.
PITCHERS (13) Eric Mendez (San Marino, Italian League), Scott Prins (Ottawa Titans, Frontier League), Lars Hujier (HCAW Bussum), Koen Postelmans (Neptunus Rotterdam), Pim Vijfvinkel (Amsterdam Pirates), Aaron de Groot, Ryan Huntington (Neptunus Rotterdam), Kevin Kelly (Chihuahua Dorados, LMB), Tom de Blok, Shairon Martis, Juan Carlos Sulbaran (Neptunus Rotterdam), Franklin van Gurp (free agent), Wendell Floranus (Durango Caliente, LMB).
CATCHERS (3) Donovan Antonia (free agent), Jair van Borkulo (HCAW Bussum), Yurdion Martie (Neptunus Rotterdam).
INFIELDERS (7) Stijn van der Meer (Neptunus Rotterdam), Junior Martina (Bologna, Italian League), Dayson Croes (Winnipeg Goldeyes, American Association), Juremi Profar (free agent), Did Gregorius (Union Laguna Algodoneros, LMB), Shervyen Newton (free agent), Eugene Helder (San Marino, Italian League)-
OUTFIELDERS (3) Ray Patrick Didder (free agent), Jandido Tromp (free agent), Rushente Tomsjansen (Grosseto, Italian League).
UTILITY (2) Delano Selassa (HCAW Bussum), Dwayne Kemp (Neptunus Rotterdam).
The coaching staff includes bench coach Sidney de Jong, pitching coach Nick Stuifbergen, third base coach Ben Thijssen, first base coach Randolph Oduber, assistant coach Michael Duursma and bullpen coach Jair Jurriens.