Marek Chlup

Marek Chlup (born January 9, 1999) is a Czech professional baseball outfielder for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He also represents the Czech Republic national team.

Marek Chlup
Yomiuri Giants – No. 037
Outfielder
Born: (1999-01-09) January 9, 1999 (age 26) Český Dub, Czech Republic
Bats: Right Throws: Right

Playing career

Early career

Chlup made his professional debut in 2014 with the Arrows Ostrava of the Czech Baseball Extraliga. Following the 2015 season, he moved to the Eagles Praha. Chlup was a member of Praha through the 2023 season, including while he was in college.^[1]

College

Chlup committed to the North Carolina State University for college baseball, playing his freshman and sophomore seasons with the Wolfpack. He transferred to North Greenville University for his junior season, the year the team won the NCAA Division II national championship in 2022.^[2] In their 2022 championship season, Chlup hit .390 with 12 home runs and 75 RBI for the Crusaders.^[3] He was named the Conference Carolinas Player of the Year for 2022.^[4]

Lake Country Dockhounds

On July 31, 2023, Chlup signed with the Lake Country DockHounds of the American Association of Professional Baseball.^[5] In 34 games with the DockHounds in 2023, he batted .325/.393/.627 with nine home runs, 25 RBI, and six stolen bases.^[6] Chlup signed an extension with the DockHounds on January 2, 2024.^[7] Prior to the 2024 season, his Extraliga rights were transferred by the Eagles Praha to Tempo Praha, after which he appeared briefly with Tempo while tuning up for the 2024 American Association season.^[8] On August 7, Chlup, Lake Country shortstop Demetrius Sims, and team broadcaster Dominic Stearn witnessed a bicycle accident near Falls Park, and cared for the victims until paramedics arrived.^[9]

Yomiuri Giants

On September 25, 2024, it was announced that Chlup had signed a one–year developmental contract with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball.^[10]

International career

Chlup represents the Czech Republic national baseball team in international competition. During the qualifiers for the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Chlup hit .353/.353/.706 with 2 home runs and 4 RBIs to help the Czech Republic qualify for its first ever WBC tournament.^[11] In the main tournament, Chlup hit .333/.471/.417, one of the best offensive producers on the 2023 Czech team alongside Eric Sogard and Matěj Menšík.^[12] During the game against Japan, Chlup hit a double off Rōki Sasaki and later scored to give the Czechs a brief lead.^[13]

Chlup was selected to the Team Europe roster for the Global Baseball Games exhibition tournament against Samuari Japan, ahead of the 2024 WBSC Premier12.^[14]