Third Dutchie added to the Québec Capitales’ roster

After Kalian Sams and Phildrick Llewellyn, the Québec Capitales of the CanAm League has added another player from the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Right-handed pitcher Wendell Floranus is the third Dutchie on the roster of the Canadian club.

The 23-year old Curaçao born player played in the Empire Professional Baseball League for the Puerto Rico Islanders. Last year when he played in this league, he posted a 3.04 ERA with a 4-4 record in nine games. In the 2018 season, Floranus improved his ERA tremendously to 1.58 with a 2-0 record in seven games. As the EPBL is one of those obscure indy leagues it is hard to tell how good his numbers really are. Nevertheless, Floranus holds several records in the young league. He is the single-season strikeout record holder next to being the single-game strikeout record holder. Floranus is also the all-time strikeouts leader of the Puerto Rico Islanders.

But apparently, the Capitales were impressed as they added him to their roster on July 29. Last night, Floranus debuted for the Capitales with a loss. In seven innings he gave up five runs (three earned) on six hits as he walked one and fanned five.

In 2012, Floranus made his first steps in pro ball as he debuted for the DOSL Orioles. In his first season, he struggled quite a bit but in the next three seasons his ERA fluctuated from 1.51 to 3.45 at several levels of rookie ball. Eventually, after the 2015 season, he was released by the Orioles and ended up in various indy leagues.

Next to his professional career, Floranus also has played for team Kingdom of the Netherlands. He was the pitcher off whom Shotei Ohtani hit a ball through the roof of the Tokyo Dome in a friendly match between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and team Samurai Japan.