AA St. Paul Saints

Sprout named AA batter of the month

August 1, 2006 - American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN - For a guy who didn't start the season here, Brian Sprout caught up in a hurry. The Lake City, MN native, who is leading the American Association in batting average with a .378 mark, was named the league's Batter Of The Month for July today. The announcement was made by Sportsticker, the league's official statistician.

The 26-year old Sprout, who played collegiately at St. Olaf, led all AA regulars for the month with a .426 mark in July (43-for-101, 21 runs, 10 doubles, three home runs, 20 RBI, .614 Slugging Average, .500 On-Base Percentage.) When he joined the Saints four days into the season, he played left field. He did well enough there to be named a starter on the AA All-Star team and got a pair of hits in the game against the Can-Am League.

Last month, he moved back to his natural position - SS. As the season hit the ¾ mark Monday, Sprout leads the team in nearly offensive category, including doubles (23, a career high), home runs (8) and RBI (50).

"He's had a terrific season," said St. Paul manager George Tsamis. "He's done everything we have asked of him - and more. He hits the ball with authority and he has a good eye at the plate (31 walks as opposed to 25 strikeouts)."

The Saints made a player move today as well, trading OF Rob Fischer to North Shore of the Can-Am league for the reversionary rights to RHP Ryan Bicondoa, cash and a player to be named later. Fischer hit .257 with five home runs and 31 RBI in 66 games here. He returns to the team where he played 203 games from 2003-05. Bicondoa, 27, broke into pro baseball when he was signed as a free agent by the New York Yankees in 2002. He got off to a great starter this year at North Shore, going 6-0 with a 1.57 ERA in eight starts before having his contract purchased by the Chicago Cubs, who assigned him to Daytona of the Florida State League.

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