MLB European League Prospects

by DarkSide830 - 9 cards (Last updated on Jun 11, 2021)



1. 2019 Topps Heritage #378 Max Kepler


Bundesliga - Buchbinder-Regensburg - 2008-2009? (2008 Bundesliga champions)

MLB - Minnesota Twins - 2015-

Prior to becoming one of baseball's most hyped-up European prospects ever, Kepler helped Buchbinder-Regensburg build a dynasty with a stint in the Bundesliga-1. Later, he'd rank second on the 2019 Twins "Bomba-Squad" in HR, helping the club shatter the single-season HR record.


2. 1999 Fleer Tradition Update #U-9 Jeff Zimmerman


FBL - Montpelier - 1993 (FBL champions)

MLB - Texas Rangers - 1999-2001 (1999 All Star)

After college, Zimmerman linked up with the Montpelier Barracudas and aided their first of three straight French Div. 1 titles. He later resurfaced in the Northern League in 1997, then shot to the Major early in his second affiliated season and was a rare rookie setup man to make the All Star Game.


4. 2020 Topps - 1985 Topps Baseball 35th Anniversary (Series One) #85-29 Robel Garcia


Italy (ind.) - 2016
IBL - Bologna - 2017-2018 (2018 IBL champions)

MLB - Chicago Cubs - 2019
MLB - Houston Astros - 2021-

Garcia's meteoric rise from star of Europe's 2018 Super6 tournament to MLB folk hero on July 4th 2019 wast the stuff of legends. The former Bologna standout aced two levels of the Minors in his 2019 return to affiliated ball, then finished a double short of the cycle in his first start.


5. 2016 Topps Update #US124 Junior Guerra


DH - Sant Boi - 2010 (DH champions)
IBL - San Marino - 2014 (Euro Cup)

MLB - Chicago White Sox - 2015
MLB - Milwaukee Brewers - 2016-2019
MLB - Arizona Diamondbacks - 2020
MLB - Los Angeles Angels - 2021-

In between the end of his first affiliated stint in 2008 and the start of his second with the White Sox in 2015, Guerra played summer ball in Spain, Wichita, Mexico, and Italy. The final of the four saw him capture a European Cup title and a contract with the Chicago, who promoted him late in 2015. Starting with a dominant 2016, (2.81 ERA in 20 starts) Guerra provided a swing arm. Despite not debuting until after his 30th birthday, Guerra nevertheless has carved out a strong career in the Majors.


6. 2018 Choice Lakewood BlueClaws #23 Ramon Rosso


DH - CB Barcelona - 2015

MLB - Philadelphia Phillies - 2020-

Rosso nearly gave up on baseball after he never got into the game during his short tenure in the Dodgers system, but ultimately preserved. An ERA of 2.80 between seven levels from the DSL to AAA between 2017 and 2019 and an offseason stop at Driveline saw Ramon make Philly's 2020 Opening Day roster.


7. 2011 Topps #83 Greg Halman


DUTM - Kinheim - 2003-?, 2008

MLB - Seattle Mariners - 2010-2011

Before his debut with Seattle in 2010 and his untimely death just over a year later, Halman spent two stints in the Dutch Major League, playing his first pro games with Kinheim back in 2003, then reuniting with the club again in 2008.


8. 2013 Topps Update #US159 Donald Lutz


Bundesliga - Buchbinder-Regensburg - ?-2007

MLB - Cincinnati Reds - 2013-2014

Lutz, like his countryman Max Kepler, would develop into a power threat during his Minor League climb. While the Reds prospect wouldn't quite live u to his potential, he would eventually carve out a legacy in the Australian Baseball League.


9. 2010 MultiAd Windy City ThunderBolts #8 Ryan Bollinger


Bundesliga - Munich-Haar - 2017

MLB - New York Yankees - 2018*

A player who has seen four continents during his baseball career, Bollinger was Germany's best pitcher in 2017, dazzling with a 0.76 ERA and a 10-1 record with Munich-Haar. His great season caught the eye of the Yankees, who gave him a shot in 2018. He posted a 3.87 ERA between the club's AA and AAA affiliates. Though he did not get into a game with the Yankees, he did become a phantom Major Leaguer thanks to two promotions that year.

Comments

Feb 7, 2021 - 7:59PM
DarkSide830

Looking for suggestions for any players I missed.



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