AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Sign College World Series Catcher Nick Ammirati From Mississippi State

July 9, 2013 - American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN - Nick Ammirati helped guide the Mississippi State Bulldogs to the championship series at the College World Series and was a force behind the plate throwing out base runners. He will now join the St. Paul Saints as they prepare for the second half of the season.

The 21-year-old Ammirati hit .246 with one homer and 23 RBI during his senior season in 51 games (49 starts). In 167 at bats he scored 23 runs, had three doubles, a .281 slugging percentage and a .321 on base percentage. He also threw out an astounding 41% of would be base stealers and had a .984 fielding percentage. Ammirati was instrumental in the Bulldogs having the 13th best ERA in all of Division I Baseball at 2.77.

In the run to the College World Series the Bulldogs pitching coach, Butch Thompson, said, "Nick Ammirati might be the most important person in our whole deal," Thompson said. "Everyone sitting here talking about the bullpen and the relievers. He might be the most important deal to our pitching staff."

In 2012 during his junior season Ammirati waited his turn behind Mitch Slauter who caught 62 games. After Slauter suffered a fracture to his metacarpal bone in his left hand this season, Ammirati filled in for good and earned the SEC Player of the Week honor for the week ending April 21. He hit .545 with three multi-hit games and was the third straight Bulldog to win the honor.

In his junior season at Mississippi State he played in 13 games, 10 behind the plate and was an SEC Academic Honor Roll. He collected three hits in 12 at bats.

Ammirati began his college career at Seton Hall University where he played 22 games, 18 starts and hit .217 with six RBI. He transferred to Panola (TX) College for his sophomore season in 2011 and hit .280 with nine RBI in 50 games (40 starts).

In order to make room for Ammirati on the roster the Saints released catcher Mark Radmacher who had two hits in 18 at bats.

The Saints roster stands at the league maximum 22 players, 11 pitchers and 11 position players.

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