Another European player has signed with an American university for the 2022 season, the third announced in the past week. Paul Wittmann is one of five German-raised players due to play in the U.S. next spring, and the fourth European baseballer to commit for 2022. Wittman, a product of the Regensburg Baseball Academy, will join West Texas A&M University, a NCAA Division II institution.
Last year, Wittman was MVP in the Under-18 Bavarian Championship and was part of the national title-winning Werner von Siemens Gymnasium team. He has appeared on multiple German national teams, most recently starting at catcher and right field in the 2018 U18 European Championship. Germany was 3-3 at the event and Wittman hit .273/.500/.545 with five walks in 19 plate appearances. Wittman, listed as “Paoul” at the time, threw out 1-of-4 runners from behind the plate.
A year earlier, Wittman was young enough to compete in the Under-15 Euros, where he slashed .400/.571/.500 with four walks and no strikeouts in 15 plate appearances as the team’s leadoff hitter. Germany defeated the Netherlands 4-2 in the final, though Wittman did not play.
Other 2022 commits inclide Lucas Khemache (France), Mathias LaCombe (France), and Jesse Velders (Netherlands). In total, 151 players eligible for European teams are already known for next season, very close to this year’s mark of 164. Of those, 87 were developped in Europe, comparable to the 93 for the 2021 season.
Graphic copyright Sportinternat Regensburg.
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