MLB European Academy 2012 in Tirrenia from August 1

01/08/2012

The eighth edition of the MLB European Academy starts today in Tirrenia, Italy at the CONI Olympic Training Center. The 2012 Academy will feature 47 of Europe’s best young baseball players who were selected at a series of MLB Scouting Bureau try-outs held earlier in the spring.

by Major League Baseball International

The eighth edition of the MLB European Academy starts today in Tirrenia, Italy at the CONI Olympic Training Center. The 2012 Academy will feature 47 of Europe’s best young baseball players who were selected at a series of MLB Scouting Bureau try-outs held earlier in the spring.

The players come from 13 different European nations, including the first-ever players selected from Moldova. Additionally, two top young prospects from New Zealand will be joining the camp. The MLB European Academy will run from August 1 – 17 and consists of an intensive program of practices and games modelled after Major League Spring Training. The staff will be headed by former Major League manager John McLaren and MLB stars Bruce Hurst, Wally Joyner, Dale Murphy and Craig Shipley.

The MLB European Academy is the centrepiece of Major League Baseball’s player development programs in Europe, which includes support of 25 off-season player academies in 9 nations. Since it began in 2005, 52 players from the MLB Academy have signed contracts with Major League clubs, including Alex Liddi (Seattle Mariners) who became the first player from the program to reach the Major Leagues.

LAST NAME FIRST NAME NATION AGE
ANSELMI Davide Italy 17
AUBRECHT Ivan Czech Republic 18
BALAN Petru Moldova 16
BALAN Vadim Moldova 19
BRABEC Matej Czech Republic 18
BRADLEY Daniel New Zealand 19
CESPEDES Leonel France 18
CLARIJS Max Netherlands 18
DAGNEAU Bastien France 17
EDMONDS Jordan Great Britain 17
EDUARD Pirvu Romania 17
ENGELHARDT Rachid Netherlands 16
GASPARINI Marten Italy 15
GRADALI Lorenzo Italy 17
HAJTMAR Adam Czech Republic 16
HAMMARSTEDT Elvis Sweden 15
HOLTHAUSEN Nui New Zealand 17
IZOLD Jakub Slovakia 19
KAMARA Julsan Germany 16
KLARBERG Johan Sweden 18
LAMMERTS Milan Netherlands 17
LOOS Kevin Netherlands 17
MAESTRI Lorenzo Italy 17
MATKO Ondrej Czech Republic 18
MAYEUX Dylan France 16
MERINEANU Octavian Portugal 18
MOTTAY Jonathan France 18
NEUHÄUSER Philipp Germany 19
NOVAK Jan Czech Republic 18
ONDRACEK Jakub Czech Republic 16
PAAP Sander Netherlands 18
PATSCHKE Luca Germany 16
PEELS Nick Netherlands 17
POST Milan Netherlands 18
QUATTRAINI Gabriele Italy 16
REITEL Maikel Netherlands 16
SAZAVSKY Richard Czech Republic 18
SCHUELLER Sven Germany 16
SCHUTTE Matz Netherlands 14
STRZALKA Artur Poland 16
SYREN Jakob Sweden 16
TASCHINI Paolo Italy 18
TIMMERMANS Kaj Netherlands 16
TRUE ‘ Dillon Netherlands 17
VALERA Joel Italy 16
VAN AMSTEL Jorin Netherlands 17
VERKERK Ruar Netherlands 15
VILIMAS Robertas Lithuania 17
VYKOUKAL Michael Czech Republic 18