On Monday, Tijn Fredrikze officially signed a contract with the Yankees for a $90,000 signing bonus.
The deal marked a historic signing for the Yankees. Fredrikze is the organization’s first European-born and developed player since signing Artur Strzałka of Poland in 2013. He is also the first player born and raised in the Netherlands to sign with the Yankees since they drafted Robert Eenhoorn in the 1990 MLB draft. Eenhoorn is best known as the last shortstop to start for the Yankees in 1995 before Derek Jeter took over the position and went on to a Hall of Fame career.
Meet Tijn Fredrikze, Dutch pitcher #Yankees signed after long chase #RepBX https://t.co/RLtCTD0F8X
— Pinstripes Nation (@pinstripesnat) December 16, 2025
Fredrikze pitched this past season in the Honkbal Hoofdklasse, the Netherlands’ top league, with Kinheim. The 18-year-old struck out 110 hitters in 80 2/3 innings, leading the league in strikeouts at age 19 despite being one of its youngest pitchers. His fastball sits at 88–91 mph.
When asked why he chose to sign with the Yankees, Fredrikze cited the organization’s development plan.
“There were certainly other clubs that showed interest,” Fredrikze said. “But what was really decisive for me was the plan they had with me.” He added that the Yankees convinced him not only with their offer, but with a clear vision for his development. “It seemed to me simply the best step to get better.” Fredrikze is expected to begin the 2026 season in the Florida Complex League.
He is the latest European player to sign as the growth of baseball in Europe continues to accelerate. Players born and raised in Hungary, France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy and Switzerland are expected to be in the minor leagues in 2026.
Fredrikze will join several pitchers born and raised in the Netherlands and hopes to reach the majors. If he does, it would be historic. No Dutch pitcher born and raised in the Netherlands has reached MLB since Rick van den Hurk debuted in 2007. Before that, the last was Win Remmerswaal in 1979. Remmerswaal also remains the most recent full-time pitcher signed directly out of the Hoofdklasse to reach the majors. Van den Hurk was a catcher in the Hoofdklasse before switching to pitch in the Marlins organization.
Fredrikze looks to add his name to the list of Dutch players in the history of MLB.
WBN: https://worldbaseball.com/league/europe/
Photo: Ccourtesy of Dutch Baseball Federation
