AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Make Flurry of Moves at Deadline

August 21, 2011 - American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN (August 21, 2011) - As the season comes down to a close, the St. Paul Saints are making a flurry of moves

Headlining the recent moves is the signing for former Major League RHP Julio DePaula. DePaula started the 2011 season with the Hanwha Eagles of the Korean Baseball Organization. He pitched all of 2010 for the Eagles as well, going 6-12 with a 4.58 ERA in 41 games, 17 of those being starts. He logged 131.2 innings last season.

The 28-year-old DePaula, originally from the Dominican Republic, was signed as an international free agent in 2002 by the Minnesota Twins. After pitching in the Gulf Coast League and Appalachian League in his first two seasons, he made his way to Single-A in 2004. He jumped up to Advanced Single-A at Fort Myers in 2005 and made the transition to Double-A ball in 2006. He spent most of the 2007 season at Triple-A Rochester, but was called up by the Twins in May. After being sent down following three appearances, he made his way back up in late August and stayed the rest of the season with Minnesota. He was 0-1 in 16 appearances with an ERA of 8.55, while recording 20.0 big league innings. He played the entire 2008 season at Rochester before he was picked up by the Tampa Bay Rays organization at season's end. He pitched all of 2009 at Triple-A Durham before moving on to Hanwha.

The St. Paul Saints have also signed a familiar face, right-handed pitcher Todd Mathison. Mathison, a St. Olaf standout, pitched in 2009 and 2010 with the Saints. Last season, Mathison was 2-2 with a 6.84 ERA in 52.2 innings. The 22-year-old went 3-1 with a 3.38 ERA in six games (four starts) during the 2009 season. In 34.2 innings pitched he walked 13 and struck out 18 while opponents hit just .228 against him. After impressing Tsamis with a long relief appearance in his professional debut he wowed everyone during his first pro start going 7.0 shutout innings of one hit ball while walking just one and striking out six on August 6 vs. Wichita. He allowed his only hit of the game on a one out single in the sixth.

Mathison went 27-7 during his four seasons at St. Olaf and played the infield while hitting .351 with eight homers and 97 RBI. His 27 victories tied him with former Saint Charlie Ruud for most victories in Oles history. He was a D-III player to watch in 2009 and went 6-5 with a 3.54 ERA in 76.1 innings pitched. At the plate he hit .367 with five homers and a team high 50 RBI. He earned MIAC All-Conference, MIAC All-Tournament Team, All-Midwest 1st Team Regional Midwest and All-Tournament Team.

The Saints also added right-handed pitcher Bret Severtson to their roster. An Augustana College graduate, Severtson spent time this season with Lake County of the North American Baseball League. He was 0-0 with a 2.70 ERA in 13.1 innings.

The Saints also made a trade late last night with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. They traded infielder Donald Blunt to Fargo for infielder Jake Krause. Blunt hit .150 in 15 games for the Saints with a double and two runs scored. With Fargo, Krause was hitting .250 in 19 games with two doubles, three RBI, and nine runs scored. Krause began the season with the Saints and hit .177 with no homers and five RBI in 28 games while playing a solid shortstop.

The St. Paul Saints released RHP Matt Long. Long was 6-10 with a 5.62 ERA in 121.2 innings pitched.

After being diagnosed with a compound fracture on his left ring finger, outfielder Jonathan Van Every has been placed on the inactive list.

Left-handed pitcher Edwin Walker has also been placed on the inactive list due to shoulder problems. Walker was 3-6 with a 4.53 ERA in 91.1 innings.

The Saints final roster now stands at league maximum with 22 players, as the deadline to make transactions has passed.

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