Dutch RHP Lars Huijer was mentioned in an artcle about the Cubs farm system for 2015.
The 21- year old pitcher from Hoofddorp in the Netherlands is mentioned to have the best sinker in the Cubs’ farm system.
Huijer was acquired in the off season by the Cubs in a trade with the Seattle Mariners. He was named best pitcher of the AquaSox in 2013 when he had a great season with the team of the Northwest League (A Short season). Huijer appeared in 14 games (13 starts). He won eight and lost two games and sported a 3.03 ERA.
In 2014 he split the seasn between the Clinton LumberKings (A Full season, Midwest League) and the High Desert Mavericks (A Advanced). With the LumberKings he had twelve starts and had a 4-5 record and a 4.02 ERA. For the Mariners this was enough to promote him to Adelanto in the High Desert Area of California. That the California League is a hitters league became obvious. According to Lars, he did not pitch in a different way but still he was hit hard. When a ball is in flight it travels further in the dry desert air. This resulted in a 2-4 record and a 6.54 ERA. Despite his records in the California League, he showed what he is capable of at times.
On January 14 it was announced that Lars was traded to the Cubs. Pending his performance during Spring Training, I think he will start the season with the new Cubs A Advanced affiliate, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Carolina League.
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