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AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Try to Play Catch Up, Sign Backstop Mayo

August 19, 2013 - American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN, (August 19, 2013) - After losing both of their catchers to injury on Friday night in Sioux City, the St. Paul Saints were in deep trouble at a crucial position. They stopped the bleeding in the short term by signing Chris Manning immediately and have now added depth to the position with the signing of former Texas Tech star Jeremy Mayo.

The 25- year old Mayo began the 2013 season with the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association where he played in 21 games in just over a month. While in Lincoln he hit .136 with two home runs and four RBI. He also drew 14 walks and was hit by three pitches, all part of a .313 on-base percentage. The right-handed hitting catcher was released in late June and then picked up by the Rockford Aviators of the Frontier League in early July. He spent nine days in Rockford, appearing in four games. He did not record a hit and struck out nine times in 16 plate appearances before being released once again. He has thrown out six of 38 base stealers, a 16% rate, between the two stops this year.

Mayo was chosen out of Texas Tech University in 2010 by the Washington Nationals in the 31st round of the draft. He spent three seasons in the Nationals farm system, reaching as high as Double-A Harrisburg in 2012. His best performance came in his rookie year with the Gulf Coast League rookie affiliate when he hit a career-high .284 with three home runs and 19 RBI. Mayo is a career .214 hitter with 10 home runs and 42 runs driven in. He has been stellar defensively wherever he has played, throwing out 21% of attempted base stealers in his career.

At Texas Tech Mayo enjoyed an impressive junior season in 2010 both offensively and defensively. At the plate he hit .299 with 28 RBI and a .395 on-base percentage, while behind the plate he gunned down just over 27% of base stealers. His best season was his first as the starting backstop for the Red Raiders in 2009. As a sophomore he hit .313 and was second on the team with 11 home runs, while also recording nine doubles and 35 RBI. He also caught 24 base stealers, good for second in the Big 12 Conference.

In order to make room for Mayo on the roster the Saints placed pitcher Mike Koons on the disabled list retroactive to August 12.

The Saints roster stands at the league maximum 22 players, 10 pitchers and 12 positions player.

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