In a European baseball landscape that rarely produces true two-way superstars, Drew Janssen did exactly that in 2025. Pitching like an ace and hitting like a middle-of-the-order slugger, Janssen delivered one of the most complete seasons the Honkbal Hoofdklasse has ever seen, earning him the unofficial but hard-to-argue title of Europe’s own Shohei Ohtani.
Playing for Rotterdam Neptunus, Janssen wasn’t just excellent. He was decisive. And Neptunus’ championship run made that painfully clear.
A Historic Two-Way Season in the Hoofdklasse
Let’s start with the numbers, because with Janssen, the stats do most of the talking.
On the mound (2025 Hoofdklasse)
- 5–1 record
- 0.96 ERA
- 14 appearances, 5 starts
- 46.2 innings pitched
- 54 strikeouts vs 15 walks
- 0.98 WHIP
- Opponents hit just .181 against him
- Added 2 complete games and 1 shutout
This wasn’t a spot starter or a novelty reliever. Janssen was a high-leverage weapon Neptunus could deploy anywhere, from starting key games to locking them down late.
At the plate (2025 Hoofdklasse)
- .320 batting average
- .393 OBP / .469 SLG / .964 OPS
- 37 games, 147 at-bats
- 47 hits, 11 doubles, 3 home runs
- 30 RBIs
- 18 walks, 24 strikeouts
- 4 stolen bases
In plain terms: Janssen was one of the most productive hitters in the league while also being one of its most dominant pitchers. That combination simply doesn’t exist elsewhere in Europe right now.
Neptunus’ Competitive Edge
Neptunus didn’t just win the Hoofdklasse in 2025, they controlled it. Janssen’s flexibility was a tactical nightmare for opponents. He stabilized rotations, shortened games out of the bullpen, and delivered consistent offensive production in pressure moments. That’s value you can’t replicate with roster depth alone.
Not only was Janssen a threat at the plate. He defended multiple positions during the season in the infield and outfield.
Even though it is Delano Sellasa who took home the Hoofdklasse MVP award. Calling Janssen the most valuable player in Europe isn’t too far fetched.
A Global Baseball Path: From the U.S. to Australia to Europe
Janssen’s dominance didn’t appear out of nowhere.
- 2020: Played in the Hoofdklasse with Oosterhout Twins, gaining early senior-level experience.
- 2021–2022: Competed in U.S. college baseball, sharpening his two-way profile against elite amateur competition. During the summer he joined Heidenheim Heideköpfe in the Deutsche Baseball Liga.
- 2023–2024: Took his game to Australia with the Adelaide Giants, facing professional hitters and pitchers in the ABL. Before heading to back to Heidenheim once again.
- 2025: Returned to the Netherlands fully formed, and fully unleashed with Neptunus.
Europe’s Two-Way Benchmark
Comparisons to Shohei Ohtani are dangerous, but in Janssen’s case, they’re deserved. Not because of superstardom or contracts, but because of exceptional skill.
European baseball doesn’t see players like this often. When it does, they tend to leave quickly. Janssen didn’t just return, he dominated.
If the Hoofdklasse is serious about marketing its elite talent, Drew Janssen is the reference point. A two-way cornerstone. A championship catalyst. And right now, the most complete baseball player Europe has to offer.