Curaçao Neptunus doesn’t make a lot of roster moves

Reigning Dutch champion and European champion Curaçao Neptunus did not make a lot of roster moves during the transition period. Only three new players joined the ranks of the Rotterdam based club. A couple of players has decided to leave the club for a surprising destination.

In a press release the club announced the following roster moves.

Curaçao Neptunus has acquired two players from Hoofddorp Pioniers, the club that seems to be the biggest loser of the transition period as many players have left that club.
Dudley Leonora and Quintin De Cuba will come to Rotterdam. The choice for De Cuba behind the plate may be a logical one as he is a better defender than Gianison Boekhoudt. It is likely that Boekhoudt will be used as DH and as backup catcher and even fourth outfielder.

The choice for Dudley Leonora seems not as logical. Sure he is an improvement at bat, but all infield positions seem to be filled with Dwayne Kemp at third, Stijn van der Meer at shortstop, Benjamin Dille at second base and Gregory Muller at first base. But Leonora can play all infield positions, which makes his acquisition more understandable.

The third acquisition Neptunus made is the one of outfielder Melvin Perdue. Last season, Melvin played for De Glaskoning Twins. Melvin hit .316 for the season with a slugging percentage of .382 and an on-base-percentage of .354. Nice tidbit is that Melvin played the role of Ray Durham in the movie Moneyball that starred Brad Pitt.

According to manager Ronald Jaarsma, the three acquired players will balance the roster and improve the offense. Just like last season, the team will work with a thinner roster as it did last season as well. This will give young players from Tridents (the clubs farm team) a chance to play with the flagship team.

Like every club, Curaçao Neptunus has to deal with players that left the club as well. Ruar Verker and Misja Harcksen will defend the colors of De Glaskoning Twins in 2018.
Steven Wharwood will join Hoofddorp Pioniers. Daniel Fernandes will return to Aruba.

The 2018 roster will look as follows.

Pitchers
Berry van Driel
Kevin Kelly
Elton Koeiman
Diegomar Markwell
Loek van Mil
Jan Tomek
Orlando Yntema

Catchers
Gianison Boekhoudt
Quintin De Cuba

Infielders
Benjamin Dille
Dwayne Kemp
Stijn van der Meer
Gregory Muller
Dudley Leonora

Outfielders
Shaldimar Daantji
Jochem Koedijk
Melvin Perdue