AA St. Paul Saints

Pair of Brians make news for Saints

Published on May 16, 2006 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN - It took a while but the St. Paul Saints have finally caught up with Brian Sprout. The Lake City, MN native, who has a career batting average of .282 in 325 games as a pro, signed with the team today and will be in the lineup Monday night for the Midway Stadium home opener against St. Joseph.

To make room for Sprout, the team placed LHP Tim Tisch on the Inactive List. Tisch, who won 10 games for the Saints in 2004 and appeared in a pair of games in spring training, missed the entire 2005 season with a shoulder injury.

"This is a quality signing," said St. Paul manager George Tsamis. "We're getting a guy who can hit very well and can play several positions in the field."

Sprout, 25, played was a star for St. Olaf. A two-time All-American, he was named the Player Of the Year in the MIAC three times, helping his team to three league titles. He still holds conference batting marks (At-Bats, Runs, and triples). In his senior season, he achieved a statistical rarity: a "cycle" of home runs (a solo, a two-run, a three-run and a grand slam - all in the same game). After graduation in 2002, he signed with Fargo-Moorhead of the Northern League. He also spent time at Joliet that season, hitting .292 with 17 doubles there. The next year, he returned to the Redhawks, finishing second in the Northern League in Runs (70) while batting a solid .302 with 21 doubles.

That caught the eye of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who purchased his contract in the off-season. He spent 154 games in their system, including eight earlier this year at AA Jacksonville. "The guy can flat out hit," Tsamis said. "But what really impresses you is he makes good contact (just 190 K in 1376 plate appearances). I also like that he has played all four infield positions and the outfield."

One of Sprout's new teammates - Brian Becker - was named the American Association's first Batter Of The Week. The 6-7 first baseman tore up Sioux City last weekend, going 10-for-13 with three runs scored and a pair of RBIs. The big weekend computes to a .769 Batting Average and a .923 Slugging Percentage. Becker, who turns 31 May 26, hit 41 home runs and batted .299 last year for Nashua en route to being named most Valuable Player of the Atlantic League.

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