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St. Paul Saints

Saints Sign Catcher Tanner Lubach and Infielder JJ Gould

July 31, 2017 - American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


LINCOLN, NE - With injuries occurring at a rapid pace for the St. Paul Saints manager George Tsamis needed to replenish his roster. The St. Paul Saints made two moves, one prior to Sunday afternoon's game and one prior to Monday's game. The Saints signed catcher Tanner Lubach and infielder JJ Gould.

The 24-year-old Lubach began this season with the Lake Erie Crushers in the Frontier League where he hit .224 with seven home runs and 23 RBI in 44 games. In 147 at bats he scored 23 runs, had seven doubles, a .282 on base percentage and a .415 slugging percentage. Lubach threw out 19 of 64 base runners (29.7%), which was seventh best in the league. His season was highlighted by three separate three RBI games and a five hit performance on July 22 at Florence.

Lubach was a ninth round selection by the Angels in 2015 out of the University of Nebraska. He spent two seasons in the Angels organization and began his professional career in 2015 at the Rookie Level in the Pioneer League for Orem. He hit .265 with three home runs and 19 RBI. He had two, three-hit games and hit safely in his final seven games of the season. He threw out nine of 38 runners (23.7%). The Owlz made the playoffs that season, but lost in the first round.

Last season Lubach spent the entire year at Single-A Burlington in the Midwest League where he hit .231 with three home runs and 19 RBI in 72 games. In 255 at bats he scored 32 runs, slugged a career high 15 doubles, one triple, a .275 on base percentage and a .333 slugging percentage. His season was highlighted by a career high eight game hitting streak from June 25-July 7. He was third in the Midwest League in throwing out base runners, 33-86 (38.4%).

Lubach had a very successful career at Nebraska, especially during his senior season in 2015. He was 2nd Team All-Big 10 and was on the Johnny Bench Award Watch List, an award given to the nation's top catcher. He was also on the Watch List as a junior.

Lubach began his college career at Hutchinson Community College where he was named 2nd Team NJCAA All-American. He was also All-Jayhawk West and All-NJCAA Region VI First Team Pick as well as the Region VI Defensive Player of the Year.

Lubach graduated from Lincoln Southwest High School and was a Super State pick his junior and senior seasons by the Lincoln Journal Star. He caught the first pitch of the 2011 College World Series from former President George W. Bush after being named the 2011 Nebraska All-State Catcher.

Gould was a 24th round pick by the Marlins in 2016 out of the University of Jacksonville. He began his 2016 season at Low-A Batavia in the New York-Penn League and hit .241 with six home runs and 20 RBI in 53 games. In 199 at bats he scored 22 runs, clubbed 15 doubles, had a .323 on base percentage and a .407 slugging percentage. Gould was promoted to Single-A Greensboro in the South Atlantic League on August 26. He played in 11 games for the Grasshoppers and hit .154 with three home runs and seven RBI.

Gould went to three different colleges: Eastern Florida College, Florida State and finished his college career at Jacksonville University.

The Saints placed pitcher Matt Schuld on the disabled list, retroactive to July 28, and released Jack Goihl.

The Saints roster stands at 22, one shy of the league maximum of 23, 10 pitchers and 12 position players.

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