Belgian Transactions For 2024: Borgerhout Squirrels

Fifteen days ago, the transaction period in Belgium ended, so it is time to sum up the new players and leaving players for each Division 1 team. We continue with the number three of last year, the Borgerhout Squirrels.

The Borgerhout Squirrels lost quite some players but got plenty in return.
The players that left the club were club icon Steven De Lannoy (to Brasschaat Braves), Zion De Brauwer (to Hoboken Pioneers), Mauro Van Mook (to neighbour Deurne Spartans), and coach Jordi Mertens, who left for Hoboken Pioneers as well.

The Squirrels added six new players of which four come from the Cantincrode Baseball Stars (Mortsel). The three from Mortsel are Harold Langezaal, Bryan Otto, J.P. Morgan, and Lowie Helsen.

Outfielder Harold Langezaal had a good season in the batters box. In a hundred-and-fourty-three at-bats, he collected forty-five hits (.315) with twenty-six RBI. Harold is a speedy guy who legged out seven doubles and four triples. At the defensive side, he posted a .943 fielding percentage.

Bryan Otto was used as a utility player as he played catcher, outfield, shortstop, and third base. At bat, he wasn’t really impressive with a batting average of .252. On the defensive side, he posted an .892 fielding percentage.

J.P. Morgan made twenty-one appearances on the mound, of which fourteen starts. He posted a 6-4 record. He had some very good outings but also games in which he was hit (very) hard. His ERA was on the high side with 7.55.

Since there are no stats available of Lowie Helsen, I assume, he didn’t play in Division 1 last season. In 2022 however, he pitched in four games. He posted an 8.76 ERA but one inning with six earned runs (54.00 ERA) was to blame for that.

Zeb Cappaert is coming over from Brasschaat Braves. The right-handed pitcher made fifteen appearances of which twelve were starts. His season was quite varying as he had some good outings but struggled as well. Overall, he posted a 7.82 ERA with a 4-6 record.
He struck out twenty-five batters and walked forty-seven.

Domantas Trinkunas comes from Merchtem Cats. The Lithuanian utility player appeared in twenty games. He made appearances in the outfield, at third base, and at first base. He batted .255 in forty-seven at-bats. He also made four appearances on the mound (one start) but looking to his ERA (17.05) those appearances may only be to save some arms.
His fielding percentage was .949.

I’d like to thank Yannick Gontier for providing the names of the players that left and of those who were acquired.

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