Texas Rangers release Nick Urbanus

Last Friday, the Texas Rangers ended the contract of Dutch infielder Nick Urbanus.

In 2010, Urbanus was the first European amateur player that was signed by the Rangers. In four years Urbanus never topped A Full Season. He posted a minor league career batting average of .227 (.286 in two seasons of rookie league, .235 in two years at A short season and .197 in three seasons of A full season).

Nick played a total of 92 games at second base where he posted a fielding percentage of .984. In 74 games at shortstop Nick had a fielding percentage of .951 and at third he committed nine errors leading to a .917 fielding percentage. In five seasons in the minors Nick played for the Arizona Rangers, the Spokane Indians and the Hickory Crawdads.

Nick Urbanus is the son of Dutch baseball legend Charles Urbanus. Charles was one of the best players that Dutch baseball ever produced. He was a good pitcher and shortstop, but never made the step to try his luck in US baseball. Nowadays Charles Urbanus is the manager of L&D Amsterdam Pirates, where Nick made his first strides in baseball too. I expect Nick to return to Amsterdam again buth perhaps he will be able to sign with another club.