AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Sign Ex-Twins Farmhand

Published on May 5, 2003 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


Jon McDonald, who appeared in 69 games in four seasons in the Minnesota Twins' system, and hard-hitting catcher Eliezer Alfonzo have signed with the St. Paul Saints for the 2003 season.

Both are expected to be at Midway Stadium this Friday, May 9 when new manager George Tsamis opens spring training camp.

McDonald, 25, is a righthander who signed with the Twins as an undrafted free agent in July 2000. He was immediately assigned to Fort Myers of the Class A Florida State League. In 2001, he moved to AA New Britain where he started 29 games in two seasons. He was used primarily as a starter until this season when he was moved to the Rock Cats' bullpen where he appeared in seven games with no won-loss record. For his career, McDonald has a 21-16 career record and a 4.21 ERA.

Alfonzo is only 23 but has been playing pro baseball for seven years. The Venezuelan began in the St. Louis system as an undrafted free agent in 1996. A .282 lifetime hitter in 1633 career at bats, he hit .326 for New Jersey in the Class A New York-Penn League in 1999. He moved to Milwaukee's system in 2000 as part of the deal that sent 2B Fernando Vina to St. Louis. Last year, he split time between Class A High Desert (California League) AA Huntsville (Southern League).

Tsamis now has 25 active players on his roster and still has one veteran's spot that can be filled. St. Paul starts its four-game pre-season schedule May 16 against Fargo-Moorhead at Midway Stadium at 7:05 p.m. The team will open its 11th season in the Northern League against Kansas City on May 23, also at Midway Stadium.

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