Sidney De Jong, manager of the Netherlands baseball team, has announced the roster for the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2024. The tournament will be held in Shaoxing, China from September 6 to 15. The Dutch, currently ranked seventh in the world, are aiming for their best result yet after finishing eighth in the 2022 tournament.
The Netherlands arrived in Shaoxing on Tuesday. In previous editions, the Dutch team placed tenth in 2021 and 2018, and ninth in 2014. In 2022, they narrowly missed reaching the Super Round, finishing in a five-way tie in Group B behind the unbeaten Korea. This year, they are determined to advance to the Super Round.
De Jong commented, “The whole roster has been together for two days. We need to build unity, but I am confident in our talent. Every team is strong, but I believe we can be in the top six. This U-23 Baseball World Cup is a valuable opportunity for our players. It will be a significant step in their baseball careers and lives.”
Key players include Jakey Josefa, who impressed at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in 2021 and played 19 games for the Arizona Diamondbacks in Single-A during the 2024 season. Left-handed pitcher Chris Stuart, who played his senior season at the University of Houston, was the only pitcher on the roster not to give up a home run. Catchers Sem Kuijper and Jair Van Borkulo have been regulars in the Dutch Hoofdklasse for the past three seasons.
De Jong highlighted the team’s strength, saying, “The strength of this team will be unity. We have athletic players and will play with heart.”
The roster includes:
Pitchers (10): Jiorgeny Casimiri, Gio De Graauw, Dylan Farley, Edvin Irausquin, Naut Kragt, Rick Rizvic, Chris Stuart, Koen Van ‘T Klooster, Jeile Van Der Lelie, Pim Vijfinkel
Catchers (2): Sem Kuijper, Jair Van Borkulo
Infielders (5): Matis Crouwel, Marvin Jakobus, Jakey Josefa, Raidley Legito, Gedionne Marlin
Outfielders (4): Donovan Antonia, Darryl Collins, Marnix Ruben, Rushenten Tomsjansen
Utility Players (2): Tilsaimy Melfor, Justin Morales
Designated Hitter (1): Ruendrick Piternella
De Jong’s coaching staff includes bench coach Evert-Jan ‘T Hoen, pitching coach Robin Van Doornspeek, and assistant coaches Michael Duursma and Randolph Oduber.
The Netherlands will compete in Group B alongside No. 3 Chinese Taipei, No. 5 Venezuela, No. 6 Korea, No. 17 Nicaragua, and No. 31 South Africa. Group A features No. 1 Japan, No. 10 Puerto Rico, No. 11 Colombia, No. 15 Australia, No. 18 Great Britain, and No. 24 China.
