New York Mets sign Catcher Kai Gronauer

[freshprince85]

Sorry guys for opening a new thread for a minor leaguer, but maybe after reading the article you'll recognize why I'm a little bit sentimental about that : New York Mets sign Catcher Kai Gronauer

Well, he can't devellop here in Germany anymore and going to another country makes only sens to me. But that he signs with a MLB team AND this team is the Mets just makes me DAMN PROUD!!!
BTW: I think that he is the only guy that has a small chance to MAYBE be in the bigs in some years out of Germany.

I'll definetly wish him the best, and buying a Mets jersey with his number if he makes it to Citi Field is of course a no-brainer to me :bowdown:

[whoisonit]

Here's hoping he does well, moves up through the system and inspires other Germans to dream ML dreams.

I have German cousins that speak German, English & French. Do you learn much Spanish as well ? That'll be a big help to him.

[Baseball Guru]

Very, very cool!

Hope he makes it to the bigs!

[freshprince85]

I have German cousins that speak German, English & French. Do you learn much Spanish as well ? That'll be a big help to him.

No my friend. I only speak german, a little bit of english and a hand full of french sentences.

Damn, I'm still excited about this thing like we get another Johan Santana

[whoisonit]

Damn, I'm still excited about this thing like we get another Johan Santana

This was fun to read !

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

I have German cousins that speak German, English & French. Do you learn much Spanish as well ? That'll be a big help to him.

What a surprise... :dismay: Would be something if you would have a German cousin that only spoke English and French.

[NJMetfan4life]

.

Damn, I'm still excited about this thing like we get another Johan Santana

I think you mean Pelfrey.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Here is some additional information on Grounauer.

http://www.mister-baseball.com/new-york-mets-sign-catcher-kai-gronauer/

[freshprince85]

An update on Gronauer:
He's hitting .382 with 8 RBIs. Some days ago he was .444. Problem is that he has just 34 ABs b/c the GCL Mets have 6 (!!!) catchers. The second best catcher has just .261, so IMO Gronauer deserve the call up to single A.
On a german baseball site (the only I know) Gronauer gave an interview (german) in which he says that b/c of visa problems he missed some weeks in the extendet spring training and this is the reason he was send just to the GCL team. Also he says that he would play on other positions, too, to get more ABs.

So please Mets ... call him up :gt

[NJMetfan4life]

Here's his player page.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/m...pbp&pid=544936

[Paula59]

Kai is at the moment with high ranked draft picks at the facilty at Boca Chica/DomRep

You maybe know this pics allready http://www.nyfuturestars.com/shop_ph...ery_type=event

Here are some pics of him with ENorbel Marquez (Cuban born German Ace playing for Licey) http://baseball-akademie.de/bocachic...08/GKaiuEn.JPG

and at bat during the game before http://baseball-akademie.de/bocachic...8/Kaiatbat.JPG

[mikemets]

Why did he play so little in 2008? he hit when he played but he only played in 16 games and got 45 ab's. what are the plans for him in 09?

[Paula59]

Well he have to ask the coaches about that. About the plans the have with him I have no glue because I haven´t talked to him for a while.

All I know about this is that he was signed late and had some problems to get the paperwork (Visa) done. After that they had an eye on him because it was not clear where he´s gonna start. After that he had to split time with other catchers allready in the team.

I will love to see him to climb the leader fast inside the system - there is no doubt about that he has the skills to go for it.

[NJMetfan4life]

Well, here's an update in case anyone is wondering, Kai Gronauer has been invited to Spring Training as a Non-Roster Invitee and will wear #72.

[howiek]

Yep, he is attending Big League camp. I saw him practicing with Coste, Nickeas, Pena and Riggans the other day