Im aktuellen Scouting Report der New York Mets gibt es auch einen Absatz über Alligators Spieler Kai Gronauer der zur Zeit als Profi in der Single A für die Savannah Sand Gnats spielt. 

Quelle: www.baseballamerica.com / Author: Matt Eddy / Date: Apr. 28, 2009

SAVANNAH SAND GNATS

The pair of 17-year-olds on the left side of the Sand Gnats’ infield have rightfully garnered the most attention. Both shortstop Wilmer Flores and third baseman Jefry Marte are holding their own in the South Atlantic League, and the organization did not hesitate to send either to full-season ball. Not with the way they played last year—Flores ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Appy League, while Marte was No. 3 in the Gulf Coast League—and not with the way they swung the bat in spring training.

But even on a Savannah roster that features a heavy dose of international flavor, with players from Montreal, the Dominican, Venezuela and Australia, one may be surprised the country listed as Kai Gronauer’s birthplace: Germany. The 22-year-old catcher, who signed with the Mets in April 2008, has been a mainstay on Deutschland’s national team since he was 18 years old, and a pro in his native land since he was 16. Gronauer hit .356/.408/.378 in his U.S. debut (16 games) in the GCL last summer and is off to a modest start to this season.

"As a catcher, he’s advanced," Bernazard said. "It’s a pleasure to see him call games, the way he leads pitchers and picks up things to help them out. He came in as No. 1 catcher, and he’s going to hit. Our industry is behind when it comes to catching, but we feel like we have a few good ones in Thole, (Francisco) Pena, Gronauer and (Jean Luc) Blaquiere."

An eighth-round pick from Boston College last year, 22-year-old, righthanded-hitting first baseman Eric Campbell has impressed the Mets with his grinder mentality. "He’s a blue-collar player," Bernanzard said. "He bats well, he runs well, he makes contact."

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