European Baseball Players in American Education Final [A-C]

This spring, we began what turned out to be an ambitious project to follow the seasons of Europeans and Americans eligible to play for European countries in their spring seasons at American universities and high schools. We started with a list of several dozen, but discovered more and had many names submitted by national federations and parents. The list now numbers 66, including six commitments for upcoming seasons.

We broke down the group into various categories, including national federation, level of play, position, and year in education in our previous updates, available here: Part I Part II Part III. Great Britain, Greece, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic had, by far, more players than elsewhere, while the various levels included eight high schoolers, 17 in junior college (a two-year university that cannot grant a bachelor’s degree), and 42 at four-year institutions. Catchers were particularly well-represented, with 11 donning the tools of ignorance, plus 30 pitchers, most of whom (25) were right-handed.

We attempted to for a few weeks to give regular updates, but as the number grew, so did the hours it took to write quick synopses of each player’s week. This, combined with personnel changes at Extra Innings, meant we had to put this on the backburner. The good news now, though, is that we are back with a full update, picking up where we left off and offering relevant statistics for each player for every week of his season.

With 66 players to cover, we decided to bring down this mammoth final update into manageable pieces and will have around 10 players a day for the next week, culminating in a list of our weekly awards, given retroactively, plus our first-ever European American University All-Star Team! The full list of players can be seen at the links above, while the graph to the right gives an idea of the schedule.

Let us know what you think and be sure to continue submitting eligible players.

2018 Europeans in American Education

Maurizio Andretta, LHP (FR, Clarendon College [34-20], Tx.) [Bio]
Andretta showed significant promise in the first two months of the season before succumbing to what appears to have been a season-ending injury. The Italian southpaw finished with a team-leading 4.35 ERA, an exceptionally impressive number considering the Bulldog pitching had an 8.11 ERA, well below their opponents’ 10.84 mark.

Andretta struck out a whopping 60 in 41 1/3 innings and was 7-0 in his nine starts. Given that Clarendon hit 95 home runs in 54 games, his 10 home runs allowed are clearly a product of his environment. Had Andretta pitched enough innings to qualify, he would have led NJCAA Region V in strikeouts per nine (and been No. 16 in the nation) and finished No. 18 in ERA.

A sophomore season of similar quality should see offers from four-year universities to continue his career, and with Clarendon nestled in one of the top NCAA DI regions, Andretta may have a chance at attending one.

Week	Stats
March 5-11	2G, 8IP, 7H, 3ER, 6BB, 11K, 2HR
March 12-18	1G, 6IP, 7H, 5ER, 2 BB, 10K, 2HR
March 19-25	1 G, 5.2IP, 8H, 5ER, 2BB, 8K, 4HR
March 26-April 1	1G, 5IP, 8H, 1ER, 1BB, 7K, 1HR
April 2-8	1G, 4.2IP, 2H, 2ER, 6BB, 7K
April 9-15	1G, 5IP, 2H, 1ER, 3BB, 5K, 1HR
April 16-22	DNP
April 23-29	DNP
April 30-May 6	DNP
May 7-13	DNP

Jerremyh Angela, LHRP (SR, RV LSU-Shreveport (40-22), La.) [Bio]
After seeing fairly regular action in the season’s early weeks, Angela went more than a month without getting into a game and then pitched only four times in the season’s final six weeks. Control was a major issue for the southpaw, who walked 18 and struck out seven in 11 1/3 innings, finishing with a 6.35 ERA in his final season at university. This is almost certainly the end of the road for Angela’s U.S. career.

Week	Stats
March 5-11	DNP
March 12-18	DNP
March 19-25	DNP
March 26-April 1	DNP
April 2-8	DNP
April 9-15	1G, 1IP, 0ER, 1BB
April 16-22	DNP
April 23-29	1G, 1.1IP, 0H, 2ER, 4BB, 1K
April 30-May 6	DNP
May 7-13	1G, 4IP, 9H, 10R, 5ER, 7BB, 3K
May 14-20	1G, .2IP, 0ER

Thomas Armstrong, RHP (FR, Point Park University JV, Pa.) [Bio]

©Donna Everex Armstrong

Armstrong’s JV side was 0-3-1 on the season, with five games postponed, and full statistics are not available. Armstrong was the only freshman on the team and pitched in every game, racking up a whopping 16 strikeouts.

Marius Balandis, RHP (FR, Iowa Western Community College [54-7], Ia.) [Bio]
Balandis had an incredible freshman year for the Reivers, sticking in the starting rotation until the postseason and finishing with a 6-1 record, 3.72 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 9.78 K/9. The Lithuanian struck out 42 in 38 2/3, while allowing only 32 hits and a single home run and was named Honourable Mention All-Region. The dinger, alas, came in the JuCo World Series in a heart-breaking 14-13, 10-inning loss to defending national champions Chipola College. IWCC finished the year 54-7, though, and Balandis will assuredly play a significant role in 2019 squad.

Week	Stats
March 5-11	1GS, 4IP, 1H, 0ER, 1BB, 6K
March 12-18	1GS, 5IP, 7H, 3ER, 3BB, 4K
March 19-25	DNP
March 26-April 1	1GS, 2IP, 3H, 2ER, 3BB, 4K
April 2-8	1GS, 3IP, 1H, 0ER, 3BB, 4K
April 9-15	DNP
April 16-22	1GS, 4IP, 3H, 2ER, 2BB, 4K
April 23-29	1GS, 4IP, 4H, 2ER, 1BB, 4K
April 30-May 6	2G, 1GS, 5IP, 2H, 0ER, 0BB, 6K
May 7-13	DNP
May 14-20	DNP
May 21-27	DNP
May 28-June 3	1G, 2.1IP, 2H, 2ER, 0BB, 3K, 1HR

Matteo Bocchi, RHP (JR, No. 14 University of Texas [42-23], Tx.) [Bio]
After struggling with his control in the first few weeks of the season, Bocchi improved significantly and, by the postseason, was pitching high leverage innings. Bocchi had six strikeouts in game one of the Super Regional, a personal best, before earning the start in game three of the Super Regional, scattering five baserunners over five one-run innings, whiffing three. As Texas concluded its season at the College World Series, Bocchi tossed a scoreless inning over Arkansas, finishing with a 1.00 ERA and nine strikeouts in nine postseason innings.

Overall, the Italian went 3-1 with a 3.34 ERA and .250 opponents’ batting average, striking out 8.63 per nine, though he did have a 5.57 BB/9. After relieving in 16 games and starting three, Bocchi will likely be under consideration for a bigger role in 2019, his last year at university.

Week	Stats
March 5-11	1G, 1IP, 2H, 1ER, 1BB, 1K
March 12-18	1G, 1H, 0ER, 1BB
March 19-25	1G, 1.1IP, 0ER, 1BB, 3K
March 26-April 1	3G, 4.2IP, 5H, 1ER, 3BB, 5K
April 2-8	DNP
April 9-15	2G, 2IP, 1H, 0ER, 2BB, 1K
April 16-22	2G, 5IP, 5H, 2ER, 2BB, 5K, 2HR
April 23-29	2G, .2IP, 0ER, 1K
April 30-May 6	2G, .2IP, 4H, 3ER, 1BB
May 7-13	DNP
May 14-20	1G, 1GS, 4IP, 5H, 1ER, 5K
May 21-27	1G, 1GS, 3.1IP, 2H, 2ER, 4BB, 2K
May 28-June 3	1G, 3IP, 1H, 0ER, 6K
June 4-10	DNP
June 11-17	1G, 1GS, 5IP, 4H, 1ER, 1BB, 3K
June 18-24	1G, 1IP, 1H, 0ER

Christian Bokich, RHP (RS SR, Lee University [27-26], Tenn.) [Bio]
The highlight of the Serbian-American’s season was six innings of no-hit relief against Trevecca Nazarene on 10 April. Bokich struck out eight and walked two, needing only 72 pitches to get from the second to the seventh frame, earning his second win in the process.

Overall in eight games, five starts, Bokich had a 4.35 ERA and struck out 21 batters in 20 2/3, while opponents hit .262 against him. The righty finished his career with the Flames with a 5.87 ERA and 8.51 K/9 in 61 1/3 innings. It is quite likely his next appearance will be for Serbia in the 2019 European B-Pool Championship.

Week	Stats
March 5-11	1G, 1GS, 5IP, 3H, 0ER, 4K
March 12-18	DNP
March 19-25	1G, 2IP, 2H, 0ER, 2K
March 26-April 1	1G, 1GS, 3.2IP, 3H, 3ER, 4BB, 2K
April 2-8	1G, 1.1IP, 4H, 1ER, 1BB, 2K, 1HR
April 9-15	1G, 6IP, 0H, 0ER, 2BB, 8K
April 16-22	1G, 1GS, .2IP, 6H, 5ER, 0K
April 23-29	DNP
April 30-May 6	DNP
May 7-13	1G, 1IP, 0ER, 1BB, 1K

Nolan Bond, RHP (JR, University of Houston [38-25], Tx.) [Bio]
Bond told us that injuries limited his spring season and the righthander appeared in only 10 games, making two starts, both in the first half of March. The top British prospect entering the season, Bond only through one inning between mid-March and mid-April though he did pitch twice in Houston’s run through the postseason. Bond’s Cougars faced two opponents with European team members, Columbia and Texas, but Bond did not pitch against either side. His best performance in the latter half of the season was a relief gem in the American Conference Tournament against Tulane on May 22 in which he came on for 5 2/3 innings and allowed only two earned runs and six baserunners.

All told, Bond finished with a 4.81 ERA and 1.32 WHIP, with a 13-to-10 K-to-BB ratio in 24 1/3 innings. He will return for his senior season in 2019, with the potential to soak up important innings for the Cougars and possibly earn a late draft slot.

Week	Stats
March 5-11	1G, 1GS, 4IP, 5H, 1ER, 1BB, 1K
March 12-18	1G, 1GS, 3H, 2ER, 2BB, 2K
March 19-25	DNP
March 26-April 1	DNP
April 2-8	1G, 1IP, 1H, 0ER, 1K
April 9-15	DNP
April 16-22	1G, 2.2IP, 1H, 0ER, 1BB, 1K
April 23-29	DNP
April 30-May 6	1G, 2.1IP, 4H, 4ER, 1BB, 2K
May 7-13	DNP
May 14-20	1G, .1IP, 0ER, 1K
May 21-27	1G, 5.2IP, 4H, 2ER, 2BB, 0K
May 28-June 3	DNP
June 3-9	1G, 2.1IP, 4H, 4ER, 2BB, 1K

Richard Brereton, UT-RHP (SO, Emory University [20-18], Ga.) [Bio]
Brereton had a superb season in his first year as an outfielder, pitching extremely well also. As a batter, he appeared in 38 games, slashing .320/.383/.467, improving his batting average from 2017 by 76 points, adding power, and continuing to show excellent plate discipline. Brereton chipped in 13 stolen bases and scored 37 runs.

On the mound, Brereton pitched in 12 games, starting 11, and compiled a 3.60 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 8.49 K/9. His best start came on the season’s final weekend, as the Eagles travelled to NYU, which finished 28-12. Brereton went a season-high eight innings, allowed only a pair of hits and a base on balls, and struck out eight in the win.

Batting

Week	Stats
March 5-11	No games.
March 12-18	4G, 3-for-13, 5R, 2B, 3B, 4BB, 3K, SB, CS
March 19-25	2G, 2-for-8, R, BB
March 26-April 1	4G, 6-for-15, R, 2B, BB, 4K
April 2-8	2G, 4-for-10, 3R, RBI, K, 3SB
April 9-15	7G, 12-for-26, 10R, 4RBI, 4 2B, 3BB, 6K, 5SB
April 16-22	2G, 2-for-9, 2R, 2B, HR, 2RBI, 2K
April 23-29	3G, 1-for-13, 3R, 2RBI, BB, 2K
April 30-May 6	1G, 0-for-3, BB, SB

Pitching

Week	Stats
March 5-11	No games.
March 12-18	1G, 1GS, 6IP, 8H, 5ER, 2BB, 2K, HR
March 19-25	1G, 2IP, 1H, 1BB, 1K
March 26-April 1	Did not pitch.
April 2-8	1G, 1GS, 7IP, 5H, 1ER, 4BB, 9K
April 9-15	1G, 1GS, 7IP, 6H, 2ER, 3BB, 6K
April 16-22	1G, 1GS, 6IP, 5H, 1ER, 3BB, 6K
April 23-29	1G, 1GS, 8IP, 2H, 2ER, 1BB, 8K
April 30-May 6	Did not pitch.

Isaiah Campbell, RHP (RS SO, University of Arkansas [48-21], Ark.) [Bio]
Campbell is a unusual addition to our list in that he is from a country that does not regularly compete internationally, but was drafted and played in the NCAA DI College World Series. Although it appears he did not reside their for long, Campbell was born in Portugal, which last fielded a senior national team in 1998, when Campbell had just turned one.

Campbell was a regular starter for the Razorbacks, making 18 appearances, only one in relief. Campbell, however, was either brilliant or awful in virtually every appearance, with the high points including eight shutout innings and eight Ks against No. 4 Kentucky and another eight whiffs in 5 1/3 innings of two-run ball versus Florida in the College World Series. Campbell was also yanked in the World Series finals in a game Arkansas would lose 5-0, ending their season, and had a 4.86 ERA in the postseason.

Campbell had ten games against teams with European-eligible players, by far the most, but only saw action in two. The hurler faced Sweden’s Antoine Duplantis twice, permitting a 1-for-3 effort on May 6 and holding him to a walk and a popup when the two met in the SEC Tournament on May 26. Campbell did not face Texas A&M’s Doxakis, as their starts were one day apart, and Dayton’s Golubiewski did not pitch against Arkansas in their two-game set. Texas’ Matteo Bocchi did take the hill against the Razorbacks in the College World Series, but Campbell had the day off.

In total, Campbell had a 4.26 ERA, with a 75-to-29 K-to-BB ratio in 69 2/3 innings, with batters hitting .249 against him. He was taken in the 24^th Round by the Angels after struggling with bone spurs and elbow soreness, but Campbell will return to Arkansas for his junior season. Better health could lead to a breakout season at one of America’s top universities.

Week	Stats
March 5-11	1GS, 3.2IP, 5H, 1ER, 2BB, 3K
March 12-18	1GS, 8IP, 3H, 1ER, 4BB, 8K
March 19-25	1GS, 1IP, 4H, 5ER, 4BB, 2K
March 26-April 1	DNP
April 2-8	1GS, 2IP, 6H, 3ER, 0BB, 4K
April 9-15	1GS, 5IP, 2H, 0ER, 1BB, K
April 16-22	1GS, 5.2IP, 8H, 5ER, 3BB, 6K
April 23-29	1GS, 1.1IP, 1H, 1ER, 3BB, 0K
April 30-May 6	1GS, 4.1IP, 8H, 5ER, 0BB, 3K
May 7-13	1GS, 5IP, 5H, 0ER, 0BB, 7K
May 14-20	1G, 3IP, 1H, 0ER, 0BB, 3K
May 21-27	1GS, 5IP, 4H, 2ER, 1BB, 7K
May 28-June 3	1GS, 0IP, 1H, 1ER, 2BB, 0K
June 4-10	DNP
June 11-17	1GS, 4IP, 4H, 2ER, 2BB, 5K
June 18-24	1GS, 5.1IP, 2H, 2ER, 0BB, 8K
June 25-July 1	1GS, 2IP, 2H, 2ER, 1BB, 2K

Martin Červinka, IF (FR, Wake Technical Community College [27-18-1], N.C.) [Bio]
Červinka had a stellar stateside debut, holding down the hot corner and stroking .295/.409/.402 for the year. The Czech native exhibited sensational plate discipline, walking 21 times and striking out only 16 times in 112 at bats. In his final 46 at bats, he went down on strikes only three times. Although he will no longer have countrymate Martin Mužík in the lineup, 2019 could make for a big season for Červinka.

Week	Stats
March 5-11	4G, 6-for-13, 7R, 4 2B, RBI, 3BB, 2K
March 12-18	4G, 2-for-13, 2R, 2B, RBI, 3BB, 2K, SB
March 19-25	2G, 3-for-4, R, BB, K, CS
March 26-April 1	DNP
April 2-8	2G, 1-for-8, 2R, RBI, 2K
April 9-15	2G, 1-for-3, R, 2B, 3RBI, 2BB, 2SB
April 16-22	5G, 4-for-14, 4R, 2B, 5RBI, 2BB, 2K
April 23-29	3G, 3-for-11, R, 2B, 4RBI, 2BB, K, SB
April 30-May 6	3G, 1-for-8, 3R, 2B, 2BB, SB
May 7-13	3G, 2-for-10, 2R, 2BB

Marek Chlup and Vojtěch Menšík, OF & IF (FR, North Carolina State University, N.C.)
Sources indicate the pair may matriculate in the 2018-19 season, but we have been unable to confirm the fact.

Josef Cihlář, RHP (FR, Odessa Junior College [34-25], Tx.) [Bio]
In the wild offensive league that is Region V, Odessa posted a 7.57  ERA that was in the middle of the pack, giving some context to Cihlář’s 10.46 ERA. More importantly, the Czech right-hander struck out 37 batters in as many innings and walked 16, finishing third on the team in appearances. A strong sophomore season should allow Cihlář to find a four-year university with a roster spot for him.

Week	Stats
March 5-11	2G, 2.2IP, 2H, 2ER, 2BB, 5K
March 12-18	1G, 4.2IP, 6H, 3ER, 1BB, 5K
March 19-25	2G, 5.2, 12H, 8ER, 1BB, 1K, 3HR
March 26-April 1	2G, SV, 3.2IP, 4H, 1ER, 1BB, 5K, HR
April 2-8	1G, 2IP, 5H, 2ER, 3K
April 9-15	1G, 3H, 7H, 7ER, 1BB, 3K, HR
April 16-22	1G, .2IP, 2H, 4ER, K
April 23-29	1G, 2IP, 4H, 5ER, 4BB, K, 2HR
April 30-May 6	DNP
May 7-13	1G, 1.1IP, 3H, 1ER, 1BB, HR
May 14-20	DNP

Cecil Comenencia, OF-C (SO, Reinhardt University [41-20], Ga.) [Bio]
Comenencia saw little action for the Eagles, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts over three games. Time will tell whether he will return for another year.

Nick Constantakos, RHP (SO, Charleston Southern University [19-35], S.C.) [Bio]
The Greek-American had a great start to the season, holding down a 2.81 ERA through three starts. Things fell apart for Constantakos after that, as he was bombed in his next two appearances before being shut down for the rest of the season. Given that he did not suit up for a summer league team, it seems possible that he suffered an arm injury. Even with the two bad starts, Constantakos’ ERA was 4.88 and he struck out 23 in 24 innings, roughly similar to his first year at CSU (4.92, 10.55 K/9). Assuming he is healthy by the spring of 2019, he would likely reclaim a spot in the starting rotation.

Week	Stats
March 5-11	1GS, 3.2IP, 8H, 5ER, 3BB, 3K
March 12-18	1GS, 4.1IP, 7H, 3ER, 2BB, 3K
March 19-25	DNP
March 26-April 1	DNP
April 2-8	DNP
April 9-15	DNP
April 16-22	DNP
April 23-29	DNP
April 30-May 6	DNP
May 7-13	DNP
May 14-20	DNP
May 21-27	DNP

Conrad Cornell, OF (SR, Mercer University [12-5], Ga.) [Bio]
Cornell served mostly as a pinch runner and defensive replacement at all three outfield positions until the last two weeks of the season, when he drew eight starts and made the most of it, going 8-for-22 to bring his average up to .228/.254/.263. The Great Britain outfielder and pitcher finished his career with a .254/.305/.331 slash line in 130 at bats over 129 games for the Bears.

Week	Stats
March 5-11	3G, 1-for-5, R, RBI, 3K
March 12-18	1G, 0-for-1
March 19-25	1G, 0-for-1, K
March 26-April 1	3G, 0-for-3, 3K
April 2-8	2G, 1-for-3, 2R, 2B, RBI
April 9-15	1G, 0-for-3
April 16-22	DNP
April 23-29	2G, 1-for-3, R, RBI, K, SB
April 30-May 6	DNP
May 7-13	5G, 0-for-7, 2R, RBI, BB, 4K
May 14-20	3G, 2-for-6, R, 3K, SB
May 21-27	4G, 5-for-11, 2R, 2B, 5RBI, BB, 3K, CS
May 28-June 3	1G, 1-for-3, K

Joe Cosgrove, C (FR, Rollins College [20-29], Fla.) [Bio]
Cosgrove, one of eight Irish-American entrants to this list, turned in an excellent defensive season in his university debut, throwing out 25 percent of baserunners and committing only a single error with no passed balls (.991 fielding). He also appeared in almost half of the team’s games and showed a decent batting eye, with five walks and 12 strikeouts, hitting .227.

Week	Stats
Jan. 29-Feb. 4	DNP
Feb. 5-11	1G, did not bat
Feb. 12-18	1G, 0-for-2
Feb. 19-25	2G, 1-for-1
Feb. 26-March 4	1G, 0-for-2
March 5-11	4G, 2-for-6, 3R, RBI, 2BB, 2K
March 12-18	3G, 3-for-7, 2R, RBI
March 19-25	1G, 0-for-2
March 26-April 1	DNP
April 2-8	3G, 0-for-6, 3K
April 9-15	2G, 2-for-5, BB, K
April 16-22	1G, 0-for-3, 2K
April 23-29	1G, 1-for-2
April 30-May 6	2G, 0-for-5, 2BB, 3K
May 7-13	2G, 1-for-3, 2K

 

Stay tuned for our next update tomorrow as we give you players surnamed D-G.

All photos courtesy of the athletes’ institutions.