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NL St. Paul Saints

Saints sign fleet outfielder

June 1, 2005 - Northern League (NL)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN – The St. Paul Saints didn't stay shorthanded for long. Two players under the league limit due to injuries, the Saints picked up speed aplenty today with the signing of outfielder Marcus Nettles. The 25-year old Chicago native comes to the team after recording 148 stolen bases in just 414 games in his pro career.

"With the injury to (Adam) Olow (out for a month with a high ankle sprain), we only have two regular outfielders right now," said St. Paul manger George Tsamis. "Marcus has hit well in the past and he has a lot of speed, a hard to find commodity. We'll give him a look and see what he can do."

Nettles joined the Saints just prior to last night's game in Gary, the first of a 10-game road swing.

After a successful college career that culminated with being a member of the 2001 College World Series champion at the University of Miami (Fl), Nettles was an 11th round draft choice of San Diego that summer.

He was assigned to Eugene in the rookie level Northwest League and promptly led the loop in Stolen Bases (35 in 55 games) while hitting .300. Nettles moved quickly to the California League the next year, where he was atop in Bases On Balls (101) and Stolen Bases (58).

He advanced as far as AA ball in San Diego before Washington acquired him in the Rule V minor league draft. However, he only batted 15 times for AA Harrisburg before being released.

Overall, Nettles has a .255 career batting average (376-for-1477) and 203 free passes to go with the gaudy stolen base figures.

The Saints, 7-4 entering tonight's game in Gary, have 21 active players. Tsamis said he expects to fill out the roster with another player soon.

NOTES – B2 network spokesman Bruce LeVine said last night's Saints' game at Gary drew more pay-per-view participants than any other minor league baseball team they have ever worked with. All remaining home games plus road games at Gary, Joliet and Kansas City are available through a link at the Saints' website, www.saintsbaseball.com. ... The Saints finished May with a 7-4 record, the exact mark they had last year. ... OF Kris Cox has a 11-game hitting streak, the best in the Northern League and a personal career best. ...

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