IL St. Paul Saints

Saints Add Infield Depth with Two Promotions from Double-A Wichita

Published on August 11, 2022 under International League (IL)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN - Versatility is the name of the game for the Saints infield, which adds two more pieces with infielder Andrew Bechtold and catcher Chris Williams getting promotions from Double-A Wichita.

Bechtold, 26, is getting his first look at Triple-A, having spent the last two seasons with the Wind Surge. In 87 games with Wichita, he was hitting .238 with 14 home runs and 41 RBI. The right-handed hitter has drawn 45 walks, matching his total from last year in 12 fewer games. Since July 1, he's hit .287 with hits in seven of his last eight games while connecting on six long balls.

Defensively, the Chadds Ford, PA native has bounced between third base and catcher, throwing out eight of 49 base runners.

Bechtold was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 37th round in 2014 out of Garnet Valley High School, but did not sign. The Twins then drafted him with the first pick in the fifth round in the 2017 draft out of Chiplola Junior College.

Williams, 25, is in the midst of a career year at the plate, hitting .277. He's also seen action in 75 games, surpassing the 74 games he played in 2019. He's also notched new career highs in home runs (18), runs (41), RBI (58) and hits (75). While putting up those numbers, the Garden Grove, CA native has slotted himself as one of the Texas League's best power hitters. He ranks fourth in slugging percentage (.542), sixth in OPS (.914) and seventh in homers.

On the defensive side, Williams has logged 57 games at first base and 18 behind the plate, where he has erased six of 24 would-be base stealers.

Williams, a Clemson product, was originally drafted by Tampa Bay in the 31st round in the 2017 draft, but opted to return to the Tigers. He was then selected by the Twins in the eighth round in 2018 after garnering Third-Team All-ACC honors and back-to-back years as a Johnny Bench watch list member. He paced the ACC with 72 RBI and was tied for second with 18 homers.

The Saints roster now stands at 31 players, 17 pitchers and 14 position players.

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