AA St. Paul Saints

Thielbar Reaches the Majors

Published on May 20, 2013 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN (May 20, 2013) - The Minnesota Twins may turn to the St. Paul Saints for more players in the future. The first Saints player to ever have his contract purchased by the Twins will now pitch in the Major Leagues for them becoming the 19th player in Saints history to reach The Show.

The 26-year-old left-hander was a key cog in the Saints bullpen in 2011. He went 3-3 with a 2.54 ERA in 43 relief appearances. In 49.2 innings pitched he walked 15 and struck out 62 while opponents hit .223 against him. He went a Saints record 29.2 consecutive scoreless innings from June 29-August 9. On August 18 of that year he became the first Saints player ever signed by the Twins and was assigned to Single-A Fort Myers. He did not allow a run in 7.1 innings.

In his first full season with the Twins, Thielbar had a meteoric rise through the organization in 2012. Between Single-A Fort Myers, Double-A New Britain and Triple-A Rochester he went 6-2 with a 2.43 ERA and six saves. In 77.2 innings pitched he walked 21 and struck out 74 while opponents hit just .221 against him.

Thielbar was placed on the 40-man roster and went to Major League Spring Training with the Twins in 2013. After being assigned to Rochester to begin the season and amassing a 6.60 ERA through April 25, Thielbar had gone 11.1 innings without allowing a run and lowering his ERA to 3.76.

Originally selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2009 MLB June amateur draft in the 18th round, Thielbar, spent two seasons in the Brewers organization.

Thielbar is the 19th player in the 21-year history of the Saints to reach the ultimate level of baseball. He joins the following players:

Name Year With Saints

Frank Charles, C 1993

Kevin Millar, 3B 1993

Mike Mimbs, P 1993

Rey Ordonez, SS 1993

Eddie Oropesa, P 1993

Doug Dascenzo,OF 1995

Luis Lopez, 3B 1995

Dan Peltier, 1B 1995

Jason Varitek, C 1995

Scott Stewart, P 1996

Darryl Strawberry, OF 1996

J.D. Drew, OF 1997-98

Roy Smith, P 1997-98, 2004

Julio Manon, P 1999

Matt Duff, P 2001

Eliezer Alfonso, C 2003

Brandon Kintzler, P 2009

Tanner Scheppers, P 2009

Check out the St. Paul Saints Statistics

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