Hoofddorp baseball player signs deal with Pittsburgh Pirates

Eighteen year old Paul Brands, baseball player for the Hoofdorp baseball club Vaessen Pioneers, has signed a professional contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He left for Florida on Friday to prepare for the new season. According to the Nederlandse Honkbalsite, it is expected that Brands will start in the Rookie League-team, whic plays in the Gulf Coast League. This team starts in the competition on June 22nd. Brands made his debut for the Vaessen Pioneers in the Dutch league last month. He played seven games in which he hit two base hits. He was named the most promising youth player by the baseball and softball federation KNBSB last year and was awarded the Ron Fraser Award.