Johnny Peerens

Johnny Peerens

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1" Weight 205 lb.

• Born April 21, 1979 in Turnhout, Belgium

Biographical Information

Johnny Peerens made his playing and national team debut age 16, and has been a frequent .350 hitter in Belgium's First Division. He started as a shortstop and pitcher, and since 2004 has played third base. He played for the Belgian national team in 124 games as a third baseman and pitcher. He played for the Brasschaat Braves, Namur Angels, Antwerp Eagles, Mortsel Stars and Hoboken Pioneers. In 2010, he was playing for the Brasschaat Braves once again.

He played for the Belgian national team in the 1999 European Championship, going 1 for 11 at the plate and fielding .875 at third base. He also allowed one run in 1 2/3 IP, finishing third on a porous Belgian staff in ERA.

Peerens allowed two runs in one inning, allowing 3 hits, as Belgium's worst hurler in the 2001 European Championship. He gave up 7 runs in 9 1/3 IP in 3 games in the 2003 European Championship. As a DH in the 2008 European Championship Qualifiers, Johnny hit .278/.316/.389.

His best season was 2005 for the Brasschaat Braves, when he hit .485 with 18 HR in 32 games during the regular season. During the 2005 European Qualifier at Brasschaat, he went 16 for 19, hitting .842 with 12 HR and was called MVP of the tournament. He won the National title 7 times with his team, 6 times with the Brasschaat Braves and once with the Hoboken Pioneers (in 2009, helping them to their first pennant ever).

His father John Peerens also played for Belgium.