AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Re-Sign Hamline Grad and Red Sox Prodcut Kyle Foster

Published on January 7, 2009 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN (January 7, 2009) - Hamline graduate Kyle Foster was so dominant for the St. Paul Saints in 2008 he caught the attention of the Boston Red Sox who purchased his contract. Foster will rejoin the Saints in 2009 to strengthen an already deep pitching staff. The Saints also re-signed reliever Mike Bille and traded for All-Star infielder Ron Fenwick.

The 23-year-old Foster earned All-MIAC honorable mention during his Junior season in 2006 and was named to the All-MIAC first team as a senior at Hamline University.. He played for the Saints from '07-'08 and last season he was nearly flawless. He was 1-1 with a 0.00 ERA and one save in 13 games. In 22.2 innings he allowed one unearned run on just 15 hits while walking six and striking out 19 with opponents hitting a microscopic .185 against him. The Boston Red Sox purchased his contract on June 14 and he was assigned to Greenville (Single-A, South Atlantic League). He was 3-1 with a 5.12 ERA in 18 games. In 31.2 innings pitched he walked 11 and struck out 20 while opponents hit .341 against him.

The 27-year-old Bille was a solid reliever for the Saints in 2008 going 4-2 with a 3.42 ERA and two saves in 37 games. In 55.1 innings pitched he walked 17 and struck out 38 while opponents hit .255 against him. Following the season he was traded to the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League for a player to be named later (Bille returned to the Saints as the player to be named later following the Bluefishes season).

The 29-year-old Fenwick had a career season in 2008 and was traded to the Saints on August 3, along with outfielder Adam Hale, from the Sports for cash and future considerations. He finished third in the league in average (.328) and while with the Saints hit .329 with no homers and seven RBI in 19 games. In 76 at bats he scored 11 runs, had four doubles, a slugging percentage of .382 and an on base percentage of .407. While with the Sports he hit .328 with no homers and 33 RBI in 70 games. In 259 at bats he scored 35 runs, ripped 16 doubles, a slugging percentage of .390 and an on base percentage of .413. He set career highs in every major offensive category with the exception of homers. He also played four games for the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League following the American Association season.

In order to get Fenwick the Saints sent 32-year-old reliever Tony Pierce, who played two seasons for the Saints ('07-'08), to the Sports. Last season he was 1-0 with a 2.63 ERA and 16 saves in 32 games. In 37.2 innings pitched he walked 21 and struck out 58 while opponents hit .181 against him. He was traded to the Atlantic City Surf of the Can-Am League on August 23 for future considerations and also pitched for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League.

The Saints roster stands at 14 players, 10 pitchers and four position players. The Saints can carry a maximum of 22 players on their roster.

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American Association Stories from January 7, 2009


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