AA St. Paul Saints

Saints All-Star Pitcher Brandon Kintzler Headed to Brewers Organization

Published on July 22, 2009 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN (July 22, 2009) - Fresh off his two shutout innings at the American Association All-Star game St. Paul Saints pitcher Brandon Kintzler had his contract purchased by the Milwaukee Brewers organization and is headed to Double-A Huntsville.

The 24-year-old Kintzler was having one of the best seasons in his career going 8-3 with a 2.79 ERA in 14 games (11 starts) including one complete game. In 80.2 innings pitched he walked just 24, struck out 46 and opponents were hitting .277 against him. He hurled his first professional complete game on June 8 against the Shreveport-Bossier Captains allowing just a ninth inning run on six hits while walking two and striking out five. He led the American Association in wins, was fourth in ERA and tied for fifth in complete games.

"Brandon was a top starter in our league this year," said Saints manager George Tsamis. "He deserved this opportunity."

Kintzler was a 40th round draft pick by the New York Yankees in 2003, but elected not to sign and was a 40th round selection by the San Diego Padres in 2004. He spent two seasons in the Padres organization reaching Single-A Fort Wayne at the end of the 2005 season. He missed the entire 2006 season due to a shoulder injury and spent 2007 and 2008 with the Winnipeg Goldeyes in the Northern League. He was the Northern League Rookie Pitcher of the Year in '07 and finished sixth in the league with a 4.07 ERA. In 2008 he was voted to the Northern League All-Star Game and finished the season with a career high in innings pitched (112.1) and strikeouts (73).

"This is what I've been working towards for three years since my shoulder injury," said Kintzler. "To get signed by the Brewers and go straight to Double-A is incredible."

Kintzler is the fifth player from the Saints signed or drafted by a Major League Organization this season. Craig Brazell signed with the Hanshin Tigers of the Japanese Major Leagues while pitcher Tanner Scheppers was a conditional draft pick, taken 44th overall, by the Texas Rangers in the June Draft. Infielder Dan Kaczrowski, a Hamline University graduate, was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 26th round of the June Draft and signed in the middle of June. Saints first baseman Ole Sheldon had his contract purchased by the Cleveland Indians organization on June 16. The Saints have had 95 players signed by Major League Organizations in their 17-year history.

The Saints roster now stands at 20 players, two shy of the American Association maximum of 22, eight pitchers and 12 position players.

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