Sheldon Comes off DL, Saints Sign Catcher

Published on June 17, 2011 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release

ST. PAUL, MN (June 17, 2011) - Ole Sheldon may have felt like the team didn't need him while he was on the disabled list for two weeks, but he proved what a big bat he is in the middle of the lineup. Sheldon came off the disabled list on Thursday and helped the Saints to a 6-4 win over the Gary SouthShore Railcats. The Saints also signed rookie catcher Dylan Swift.

The 28-year-old Sheldon was placed on the disabled list on May 31 because of a strained oblique. Last night he went 1-4 with a big two-run homer in the eighth inning that helped the Saints extend their lead to 6-2. The home run proved to be the game winning run. Sheldon is hitting .289 with four homers and 14 RBI in 13 games. In 45 at bats he's scored eight runs, hit two doubles, has an on base percentage of .429 and a slugging percentage of .600.

Last season Sheldon had the second best home run season by any Saints player with 22. He hit .280 and drove in 79, which tied for the second best single-season mark in Saints history. His 47 extra base hits were tied for third in franchise history and the 67 runs were the ninth best.

The 22-year-old Swift just finished his senior season at Indiana University. He saw limited playing time getting into 16 games while starting seven. He collected three hits in 25 at bats with one double and one run scored.

Swift had a very solid junior campaign hitting .270 with one homer and 26 RBI in 42 games. In 137 at bats he had scored 20 runs, had a double and a triple, with a .333 on base percentage and a slugging percentage of .321.

The Saints released catcher Jeff Howell who was hitting .184 with two homers and 11 RBI in 21 games.

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

American Association Stories from June 17, 2011

• Rally Falls Short, RedHawks Lose 10-7 - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
• Brown Spins a Gem as Saltdogs Climb Above .500 - Lincoln Saltdogs
• Karr's Three-Run Blast Gives Captains 7-5 Win Over Cats - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
• Long ball helps Goldeyes down T-Bones - Winnipeg Goldeyes
• Saints Offense Derailed in 2-1 Loss to Cats - St. Paul Saints
• Late Wichita homerun defeats Amarillo 8-6 - Amarillo ThunderHeads
• Clevlen Rescues Wingnuts in Ninth - Wichita Wingnuts
• Pheasants on TV this Weekend - Sioux Falls Canaries
• T-Bones Ink Brother of Royals Farmhand on Busy Friday - Kansas City Monarchs
• Pheasants Acquire Pitcher Fowler from Winnipeg - Sioux Falls Canaries
• Homer's Heroes Play Ball with the Saltdogs Saturday - Lincoln Saltdogs
• Sheldon Comes off DL, Saints Sign Catcher - St. Paul Saints
• Nine-Run Seventh Gives AirHogs Comeback Win - Grand Prairie AirHogs

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent St. Paul Saints Stories

• O-H, N-O, Saints Lose to Toledo Mud Hens 13-1
• Saints Pitching Continues to Dominate, But Offense Runs out of Late Game Magic in 2-1 Loss
• Four Pitchers Combine to Punch out Season-Tying High 16, as Saints Score Late Again to Win 5-4
• This Time It's Miranda with Big Home Run Late as Saints Comeback for Second Straight Night to Win 3-1
• The Gift of Gab: Gonzalez' Two-Run Ninth Inning Homer Leads Saints to 5-4 Comeback Victory over Mud Hens