David Witt (D.Witt), has been a professional illustrator for over 20 years and lives with his family in Maplewood. He has drawn comic books, gigposters, tshirt designs, album and magazine covers, and has recently been focusing on pencil portrait drawings. He believes that baseball themed metaphors are the best metaphors.
OWNERS
Diamond Baseball Holdings
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN / DBH
Pat Battle
CEO / DBH
Peter Freund
PRESIDENT Derek Sharrer
EXECUTIVE VP / BUSINESS AFFAIRS
Tom Whaley
EVP / GENERAL MANAGER
Zane Heinselman
EVP / ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER / BRAND MARKETING & EXPERIENCE
Sierra Wolfe
VICE PRESIDENT / DIRECTOR OF MEDIA RELATIONS & BROADCASTING
Sean Aronson
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS & FINANCE
Krista Schnelle
VICE PRESIDENT / DIRECTOR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS & FAN SERVICES
Eddie Coblentz
DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE SERVICES
Rob Thompson
DIRECTOR OF SALES & CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS
Aaron Boettger
DIRECTOR OF TICKET SALES
Will Young
TICKET SALES MANAGER
Eric Simon
TICKET OPERATIONS MANAGER
Drew Halden
SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVES
Adam Lillestol
Morgan Stienessen
TICKET SALES EXECUTIVES
Alyssa Helland
Daniel King
Robert Kraklow
DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER
Aly Andrist
VIDEO PRODUCTION COORDINATORS
Garrett Reese
Ellie McLaughlin
CREATIVE SERVICES & VIDEOBOARD MANAGER
Jordan Dawkins
SENIOR RETAIL MANAGER
Betsy Faber
CREATIVE CONTENT PRODUCER / PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCER
Lee Adams
ENTERTAINMENT DIRECTOR / CREATIVE CONTENT PRODUCER
Joshua Will
SPECIAL EVENTS MANAGERS
Julia Jaffee
Sarah Olsen
YOUTH SPORTS & COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP MANAGER
Sarah Gottfredsen
OFFICE MANAGER AND DONATIONS COORDINATOR
Gina Kray
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Curtis Nachtsheim
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Noah Lindsey
HEAD GROUNDSKEEPERS
Cody Pamperin
Trace Brayton
EXECUTIVE CHEF
James Cross
VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS / PROFESSIONAL SPORTS CATERING
Justin Grandstaff
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS / PROFESSIONAL SPORTS CATERING
Dan Price
PREMIUM CATERING MANAGER
Susan Green
DIRECTOR OF CONCESSIONS
Michael Goodman
INTERNS
Elise Bauer
Sam Davidson
Collin Geihsler
Matt Hannah
Griffin Johnston
Max Loeck
Thomas Raymond
Carlos Soriano
Caden Vincent
Chandler Walowinski
Connor Winberg
MASTERS OF CEREMONIES
Lee Adams
Rita Boersma
Nicholas Leeman
BROADCASTERS
Sean Aronson
Matt Dean
Steve Linzmeier
TEAM PHYSICIANS
Andrea Saterbak, M.D.
Steven Meisterling, M.D.
CHS FIELD CAPACITY: 7,210
2026 SAINTS PROGRAM EDITOR
Sean Aronson
ART PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Rachel Wacker
LAYOUT, DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY
Rob Thompson
More baseball. More memories. More fun!
CHS is proud to share the history the St. Paul Saints are creating at CHS Field. From baseball memories like Kevin Millar’s epic home run, the American Association championship and signing on as the Minnesota Twins Triple-A a liate to hosting the world’s largest pillow fight, CHS Field is packed with memories.
At CHS, we’re excited to have front-row seats for what’s still to come at CHS Field: More amazing food. More spectacular fireworks. More thrilling baseball. More fun!
It takes a great team like the Saints to win in baseball. Just as the Saints and the Minnesota Twins link the farm system and the big leagues to build winning teams, CHS connects America’s farmers to the products and services they need all season long to feed and fuel the world.
CHS employees in the Twin Cities, across rural America and around the world invite you to discover how we put our talented team in the field to help farmers win. Visit us at chsinc.com.
Go Saints!
Jay D. Debertin President and CEO, CHS
TOM WHALEY
Executive Vice President
The St. Louis, MO native is a recovering attorney whose baseball career began accidentally in 1992 when he sold an outfield billboard, program ad, and four-season tickets to the general manager of a moving company as they stood on the courthouse steps following a hearing.
From 1993-98, he served as the Saints’ Director of Operations and Assistant General Manager. He spent two seasons as the Director of Corporate Sales for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays before joining the Goldklang Group in January, 2001. He was principally involved in the start-up of the Can-Am League’s Brockton Rox and the construction of a new baseball stadium and conference center in the Boston suburb in 2002. A year later, he was on hand when the Rox won the league championship.
In August 2002, he returned to the Saints, assuming his current position as Executive Vice President responsible for business development and was one of the instrumental people in making CHS Field a reality. He purchased an ownership interest in the Saints in 2005.
He lives in Lino Lakes with his wife, Kathleen. Three grown children live in a galaxy far, far away. Whaley is the past Board Chair for the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce.
DEREK SHARRER President
In 2025, Sharrer became just the second President in the organization’s history, joining former coowner Mike Veeck who held the same title. Sharrer moved to the Twin Cities in 2004 and made the St. Paul Saints one of the more successful Minor League baseball teams in the country. His hard work and dedication have been rewarded, receiving Executive of the Year honors in the American Association from 2015-19. He oversaw the opening of CHS Field in what was an historic, record-breaking year for the organization. The record breaking first year was topped in 2016 when the Saints finished seventh in all of minor league baseball in average attendance and number one in percent capacity, at 117%. They topped Minor League baseball in percent capacity from 2015-19, averaging 113% over that time. In his first four seasons as the Twins Triple-A affiliate, the Saints were Top 15 in attendance in all of Minor League baseball.
Upon beginning his career in Fort Myers, FL with the Goldklang Group’s Florida State League franchise, the Whiteland, IN native rose quickly through the ranks of the Miracle, ascending to the GM’s chair in 1997. As part of the job, he worked extensively with the Miracle’s parent team – the Minnesota Twins – during spring training. The Miracle consistently bucked the trend of poor Florida State League attendance and led in that department under Sharrer. In 2001, he moved to Charleston, SC. The RiverDogs, a Tampa Bay affiliate in the Class-A South Atlantic League, set attendance records every year Sharrer was there. With the help of such interesting promotions as Nobody Night (when fans weren’t allowed into the ballpark until it was an official game), the RiverDogs drew a then, team record 259,007 fans in 2003. Charleston mayor Joe Riley thought so much of Sharrer that he helped organize a special day in his honor before he left to join the Saints.
The days in St. Paul have been just as magical, leading a staff that has come up with promotional ideas that have gained national attention. Everything from Bud Selig ties, to the Michael Vick Chew Toy, to the incredible Bobblefoot, to the World Record Pillow Fight in 2015, to the ballpark-wide food fight in 2018.
“St. Paul is a special place to live and work – particularly if work is minor league baseball,” Sharrer said. “The Saints’ tradition – thanks primarily to our fans – was established long before I arrived. I’m just thrilled to be a continuing part of it.”
Sharrer resides in Woodbury with his wife Kandice. “My family and I have thoroughly enjoyed our time here,” he said. “We are looking forward to many more years to come.”
General Manager /
Executive Vice President
It has been a meteoric rise for the 33-year-old Heinselman. In 2025 he became just the third General Manager in franchise history, joining Bill Fanning (19932004) and Sharrer (20042025).
In 2014, Heinselman earned his stripes as a fulltime intern during the final season at Midway Stadium.
Following his graduation at St. John’s University, he was hired on full-time as a Ticket Sales Account Executive responsible for group and season tickets during the first season at CHS Field. In 2016, Heinselman was promoted to Corporate Sales Manager, helping increase community partnerships. In 2018, Heinselman ascended to Director of Sales and Corporate Partnerships during which he led the Saints’ efforts to develop new, and strengthen existing, corporate partnerships. Notably, Heinselman played a significant role in planning, developing, and implementing creative revenue producing concepts during the 2020, pandemic affected season. Prior to the 2022 season he took an even more active role in the day-to-day leadership of the Saints staff. His focus was on sales, both corporate and ticket, along with companywide revenue generating initiatives. Heinselman served as the
intermediary between the Saints and Major League Baseball for national sponsorships and ticket sales initiatives.
After spending a season as the General Manager for Forward Madison FC from 2022-23, Heinselman returned to the Saints at the end of 2023 season. Heinselman resides in River Falls, WI with his wife Tara, and kids Wilder and Barrett.
Since 2013, Sierra Wolfe has helped lead the St. Paul Saints to some of the most creative promotions in Minor League Baseball. She helped shape the identity of the organization during their final season at Midway Stadium, made sure that identity was enhanced in the move to CHS Field, and was instrumental in maintaining that identity when the organization became the Minnesota Twins Triple-A affiliate in 2021.
Wolfe oversees the promotions department, an area she has run since beginning with the Saints in 2013. In addition, Wolfe continues to supervise the marketing efforts of the club, tying in the organization’s brand messaging across various platforms including traditional, digital, and social media initiatives.
In 2009, Wolfe began with the Saints as an intern and went on to work for the Minnesota Twins and Timberwolves in their promotions departments before rejoining the Saints in 2013 as Director of Promotions. During her time, the Saints have garnered national attention for several promotions including ballpark wide fan-engagements such as the World’s Largest Pillow Fight, Twister, and the viral Food Fight. She was also at the helm for the 2020/2021 Astro the Grouch talking giveaway.
Wolfe continues as the point person for the Saints successful internship program. The club has had remarkable success with interns landing jobs in the sports industry. During the 2021 season Wolfe, along with Director of Entertainment Joshua Will, began a first of its kind podcast that took fans behind the scenes of the promotions department titled, “Funny In Theory.”
In 2010, Bailey graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. in Sport Management. Wolfe resides in Woodbury with her husband Zach, her new baby boy, Cayden, and dog, who you can see around the ballpark, Tater.
Since 2003, the St. Paul Saints organization has had two managers. One is the winningest manager in franchise history, claimed two American Association titles, and was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame. Of course, everyone holds a special place in their heart for longtime manager George Tsamis.
He wasn’t fired. He didn’t get a promotion. He didn’t even leave for another job. When the Saints became the Minnesota Twins’ Triple-A affiliate, that ended his 18-year run as the longesttenured manager in franchise history. It’s a longevity record that probably will never be broken. Why is that, you ask? Because in the world of affiliated ball, managers don’t often stick around for five years, let alone 18.
In 2021, the Minnesota Twins needed to make a decision on who would take the helm of their newest affiliate in St. Paul. They went with a man whose last name was familiar to Twins fans—but that’s not why he was hired. He was scheduled to be the manager of their Triple-A team in Rochester in 2020 before the pandemic canceled the season. It only made sense for that person to run the show with the Saints. Thus, for the second time since 2003, the Saints had a new manager: Toby Gardenhire.
From 2021–25, Gardenhire watched as many coaches from his staff took other jobs within the organization or with different organizations. Pitching coaches, hitting coaches, athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, and even video coordinators all came and went. Some moved to other affiliates in the Twins system. Some found jobs with other Minor League organizations. Some were hired by the Major League parent club. One even landed a job with another Major League team, then returned to the Twins, and following the 2025 season was let go—only to find another job in the Majors. Through it all, the one constant was Gardenhire.
As stated, and as everyone is aware, Tsamis is the all-time winningest manager in franchise history with 954 victories, 690 more than Marty Scott, who ranks second from the Saints’ time as an independent team. But Scott doesn’t have the second-most wins in franchise history. No, that distinction goes to Gardenhire. He racked up 357 wins over his five seasons.
While the Saints never made the playoffs (don’t get us started on 2023), his teams were extremely competitive. He helped send numerous players to the Twins and was respected by both his players and staff. Gardenhire often joked that he was going to be with the Saints long enough to break Tsamis’ record. That, however, won’t be the case. And why won’t that be the case? Because after seven years as a player, five years as a college head coach, two seasons as a coach with the Twins, and seven more years as a manager from Single-A to Triple-A, Gardenhire is finally getting his opportunity in the Major Leagues.
The Twins fired longtime manager Rocco Baldelli following the 2025 season. No, Gardenhire never received an interview for the vacant spot. New manager Derek Shelton, however, was tasked with putting together his new staff. That’s one of the benefits of a new manager, assembling the people he wants to go to battle with for 162 games.
A total of 12 men were chosen to join Shelton’s staff, some from the previous regime and others with whom Shelton had prior relationships or admired from afar. Many of those names were announced shortly after Shelton was hired. A few trickled in over the following weeks. The final couple were announced
in November. One of those names was Gardenhire’s, as Major League field coordinator.
Shelton said he felt strongly about adding someone familiar to the group and was impressed during the interview process by Gardenhire and his ideas about what was going well and how the Twins could improve.
“He has relationships with our young players, and we’re going to be a young group,” Shelton said. “He’s someone I’m going to be able to lean on.”
Gardenhire’s job will include creating each day’s schedule for the players, everything from time in the cage to batting practice and side work. But he won’t just be a schedule maker. Shelton wants him directly involved in everything: infield work, outfield work, mentoring hitters, and more. He’ll also be invaluable in helping Shelton get to know the younger players on the roster.
The dream for everyone in this game is to eventually reach the Major Leagues. Managing in the Minor Leagues isn’t the same as playing, just because you’re the Triple-A manager doesn’t mean your next step is managing in the Majors. Does Gardenhire aspire to be a Major League manager? Of course he does. Getting on a Major League staff is the next step in that process.
He can learn the ins and outs of what it takes to manage at the highest level, surrounded by a great deal of talent on the staff. If he has similar success in his new role as he did with the Saints, a Major League managing job may not be as far off as it once seemed.
The 42-year-old Dinkelman becomes the second manager in St. Paul Saints Triple-A franchise history, following Toby Gardenhire’s promotion to the Twins. He is no stranger to the organization and has a winning record as a manager in each of his seven seasons. His lowest winning percentage in a season was .515 in 2024.
Since 2019, Dinkelman has racked up an incredible 443348 record, an impressive .560 winning percentage. His 443 victories are the fifth most among all Minor League managers in that span and his .560 winning percentage is also fifth best among managers with at least 500 games in that time frame. Former Saints manager Toby Gardenhire is one spot behind Dinkelman with 431 wins. After spending the first six seasons in Cedar Rapids, and 2025 at Double-A Wichita, the 2026 season is Dinkelman’s first year managing at Triple-A.
BORN: November 10, 1983, Centralia, IL
HEIGHT: 5-11
WEIGHT: 195
RESIDENCE: O’Fallon, IL
COLLEGE: McKendree (IL) University
DRAFT STATUS: 8th round, 2006 (Twins)
CAREER MANAGING RECORD: 443-348 (7 seasons)
POST-SEASON APPEARANCES: 4
When he took over the helm at Single-A Cedar Rapids in 2019, his first ever as a manager, he came out of the gates strong with a 7862 record, winning the second half title and earning his first playoff appearance. He guided the club to a first round victory, two-gamesto-one, over the Quad Cities River Bandits (Houston Astros) before losing in the semifinals to the Clinton LumberKings (Miami Marlins) two-games-to-one. His success was a sign of things to come. He had two more impressive seasons in 2021 and 2022, the latter where his team finished 78-58 and the former where his team fell in the fifth and deciding game in the High-A Central Championship series to the Quad Cities River Bandits (Kansas City Royals).
The big breakout came in 2023 when his Kernels finished with the best record in the Minor Leagues, 82-50 (.621). His team finished the job claiming the Midwest League title, the club’s first since 1994. He took home another trophy, earning Baseball America Minor League Manager of the year honors.
This is Dinkelman’s 12th season as a coach or manager in the Twins system. Prior to his time as manager, Dinkelman got his start as in the Twins system in 2015 as a coach with the GCL Twins. From there he spent three years, 2016-18, as the hitting coach with the Kernels. In each of those seasons his teams were in the upper half of the 16-team Midwest League in hitting.
Dinkelman was an eighth-round pick by the Minnesota Twins out of McKendree (IL) University in 2006. He played eight seasons in the organization from 2006-13 and was a four-time AllStar: Mid-Season Midwest League All-Star with Beloit in 2007, MidSeason Florida State League All-Star with Fort Myers in 2008, and both a Mid-Season and Post-Season Eastern League All-Star with New Britain in 2009.
In 2011, Dinkelman made his Major League debut with the Twins playing 23 games and hitting .301 (22-73) with a double and four RBI.
At NAIA McKendree (IL) University, Dinkelman was a three-time American Midwest Conference Player of the Year and left as the all-time leader in career hits (373), doubles (96), runs scored (303), and total bases (670).
CAREER HITTING STATS IN MINORS:
.265 average, 50 home runs, 329 RBI in 848 games
CAREER HITTING STATS IN MAJORS:
.301 average, 0 home runs, 4 RBI, 23 games
DID YOU KNOW? Brian Dinkelman made his Major League debut on June 4, 2011 with the Minnesota Twins at the Kansas City Royals. He collected his first Major League hit in his third plate appearance, a single off Luke Hochevar. MANAGERIAL
Cars lined up with their headlights as bright as a ballpark’s floodlights. Corn as high as a center fielder’s leap at the wall. Nostalgia that makes you feel like you’re hearing the ghost-soft echo of a bat meeting a ball somewhere deep in summer. It can only mean one thing. Two teams separated by roughly 250 miles will travel approximately 200 miles from their respective ballparks to play in one historic game. The St. Paul Saints and Iowa Cubs will meet up as the opening act for the “MLB at Field of Dreams” in Dyersville, Iowa.
On Tuesday, August 11 at 7:00 p.m. (CT) the St. Paul Saints, the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, and I-Cubs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, will take part in a unique opportunity becoming just the second Minor League game to be played at the iconic location of the classic 1989 film, Field of Dreams. In 2022 the Twins High-A affiliate, the Cedar Rapids Kernels, took on the Kansas City Royals High-A affiliate, the Quad Cities River Bandits.
“This is an incredible opportunity for our organization and we’re thankful to Major League Baseball, the Minnesota Twins, the Field of Dreams filming location, the City of Dyersville, and everyone else involved that they asked us to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime game,” said Saints EVP/GM, Zane Heiselman. “To share the field with the Iowa Cubs, a team we’ve played more times than any other in the International League since we became the Twins affiliate in 2021, makes this perfect. We look forward to putting on an incredible show for baseball fans around the country.”
This isn’t the first time two Minor League teams have met at the historic site. On August 9, 2022 the Twins High-A affiliate, the Cedar Rapids Kernels, took on the Quad Cities River Bandits (Kansas City Royals). Quad Cities plated two in the first, three in the third, and two more in the sixth to race out to a 7-0 lead. The Kernels scored their lone runs in the seventh on a Kyler Fedko RBI single and a Jeferson Morales sacrifice fly.
Saints fans will be familiar with several players that played in the game for the Kernels. Along with Fedko and Morales, Aaron Sabato, Jake Rucker, Patrick Winkel, Will Holland,
Aaron Rozek, Matt Mullenbach, and Hunter McMahon have all worn Saints uniforms and played in that game.
The game will be televised nationally by the MLB Network and carried locally by the Saints radio partner, 96.7FM, KFAN Plus, with the longtime voice of the club, Sean Aronson. He’ll be joined by Matt Dean and Steve Linzmeier.
The event will be a road game for the Saints and is the first game of a six-game series with the remaining five games, Wednesday-Sunday, taking place at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa.
The Saints/I-Cubs game is one of two games at the iconic site that week. On Thursday, August 13, the Minnesota Twins take on the Philadelphia Phillies in the third edition of MLB at Field of Dreams at 7:00 p.m. (CT). As part of its new partnership with MLB, Netflix will bring MLB at Field of Dreams to fans live from Dyersville.
The first iteration of the Field of Dreams game was scheduled to take place on August 13, 2020 between the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MLB limited games between teams to their own division and the opposite league’s geographically equal division to reduce travel.
The two teams finally met up on August 12, with both wearing uniforms dating back to 1919. The tight contest ended in epic fashion with White Sox Tim Anderson hitting a walk-off two-run homer off Yankees reliever Zack Britton for an 8-7 victory. Eight total homers were hit, four by each team, including two from Aaron Judge and one by Giancarlo Stanton.
One more Major League game was played on the hallowed grounds the following season as the Chicago Cubs took on the Cincinnati Reds. The Cubs struck for three runs in the first off Reds starter Nick Lodolo and never looked back in a 4-2 victory. Drew Smyly went 5.0 shutout innings with nine strikeouts for the Cubs.
Under Commissioner Manfred, MLB began the initiative to take regular season games to special domestic locations that are outside of direct Major League markets during the 2016 season. The first such event was the Fort Bragg Game, which featured the Atlanta Braves and the Miami Marlins meeting during the military installation’s Fourth of July weekend celebration. Since then, MLB has staged groundbreaking events in Nebraska (MLB in Omaha at the NCAA’s Men’s College World Series in 2019), Iowa (MLB at Field of Dreams in 2021-22), Alabama (MLB at Rickwood Field: A Tribute to the Negro Leagues in 2024) and Tennessee (last summer’s MLB Speedway Classic presented by BuildSubmarines.com at Bristol Motor Speedway), all of which marked the inaugural American or National League games ever played in each state, as well as the annual Little League Classic from Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Field of Dreams stars Kevin Costner, Ray Liotta, James Earl Jones and Amy Madigan. It was nominated for the Academy Award® for Best Picture in 1990 and was selected to the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress in 2017. The 1989 film tells the story of Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella, a husband and father who is tending to his cornfield when he hears a mysterious voice intone, “If you build it, he will come.” According to the American Film Institute (AFI), those words are the 39th top film quote of all-time.
The 45-year-old Hernandez begins his ninth year in the Twins organization and second with the Saints. He spent 2024 with the Wind Surge, Cedar Rapids in 2023 and, 2020-22 with Low-A Fort Myers. Last season the Saints pitching staff was tied for fourth in the International League in strikeouts (1315). He also helped a few pitchers make their Major League debut in Travis Adams, Cody Laweryson, and Pierson Ohl. In 2023, Cedar Rapids’ 3.90 team ERA ranked 12th among all full-season minor league teams and in 2021 Mighty Mussels pitchers ranked fourth in Low-A with a 3.96 ERA and tied for sixth with 1,228 strikeouts.
Hernandez spent two years with rookie-level clubs, making his professional coaching debut as the DSL Twins pitching coach in 2018 before serving in the same role for the GCL Twins in 2019.
He was originally signed by Houston as an amateur free agent in 1997 and made 35 appearances (33 starts) for the Astros between 2001-04 and pitched in the Tampa Bay system from 2008-10.
The 29-year-old Ricci is in his third season in the Twins organization after spending 2025 in Wichita and 2024 with the Mighty Mussels. The Wind Surge were one of the best pitching teams in the Texas League last season as Ricci helped guide his staff to the fewest walks in the league (440), third best ERA (3.95), and tied for the fourth fewest runs (603).
Prior to joining the Twins, Ricci spent three seasons as pitching coach at the Division I level. Under his guidance in 2023, the George Mason University pitching staff led the Atlantic 10 conference in ERA and saves while setting the single-season program strikeout record. Before George Mason, he worked as pitching coach at Lafayette College for two seasons and as a graduate assistant at George Mason.
Following his collegiate playing career at George Mason from 2015-18, Ricci signed a minor league free agent deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, pitching in their system for one
season and compiling a career 2.55 ERA (17.2 IP, 5 ER) with nine walks and 18 strikeouts in 15 appearances for the Arizona League Diamondbacks and the Short-A Hillsboro Hops.
The 35-year-old Burnsville, MN native, Schlechter, grew up a Twins fan and enters his seventh season in the organization, third with the Saints. In 2025 he helped the Saints offense show patience and power. The Saints finished fourth in the 20 team International League in walks (653), sixth in on-base percentage (.345), and tied for sixth in home runs (170). He helped players like Ryan Fitzgerald, Luke Keaschall, and Carson McCusker make their big league debuts.
Schlechter was the Hitting Coach for Double-A Wichita in 2023, High-A Cedar Rapids in 2022, FCL Twins in 2021, and was scheduled to have the same role in 2020 before the cancellation of the season.
Schlechter spent eight years at North Iowa Community College, first as a player and then as a coach. During his tenure working with NIACC hitters (2013-19), four of his players were picked in the First-Year Player Draft. During the 2020 baseball pause, he joined members of the Twins’ player development staff and Play Ball! Minnesota in a series of online Virtual Academy webinars, aimed at helping young athletes with proper fundamentals and form. The webinars were targeted at different age groups and covered a wide range of topics.
Baker enters his third season with the Twins organization and first with the Saints. He spent the first two seasons as a hitting coach with Cedar Rapids. The Kernels finished in the top half of the Midwest League in nearly every major offensive category in 2025 including tied for first in triples (41), second in doubles (237) and OPS (.734), third in slugging percentage (.392) and runs (640), and fourth in home runs (102).
Baker spent 2022-23 as video, technology and analytics coordinator for Stanford University’s baseball program, including
working with the 2022 Cardinal team that reached the College World Series. Prior to joining Stanford, he had stints as a hitting coach at Biola (CA) University, an assistant baseball coach at Bucknell (PA) University and an assistant coach at Lock Haven (PA) University. He also served as a graduate assistant at Seattle University from 2015-16 while earning his master’s degree from the University of Washington.
Hopkins begins his third season with the Twins organization, all with the Saints. He spent nearly a year-and-a-half at K27 Performance, a sports gym in Frisco Texas, as Director of Training and an Elite Performance Trainer since September 2022. He’s worked at RedLine Athletics as a Director of Performance (2021-22), owned his own business helping train athletes (2020-22), a Strength and Conditioning Coach at Elite Performance Training (2019-21), Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Greenhill School (2017-19), and a Sports Performance Coach at Michael Johnson Performance (2017).
In 2017, Hopkins received his Strength and Conditioning graduate certificate from Georgia Southern University in May, 2017 and became a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association in August, 2017.
Hopkins is a graduate of the University of Michigan where he played three seasons at running back/fullback for the Wolverines. He was a part of the 2012 Sugar Bowl winning team, a 23-20 victory over Virginia Tech. Hopkins was a three-star recruit coming out of Marcus (TX) HS where he rushed for 5,010 yards and 61 touchdowns and rated as the 50th best running back in the nation.
This will be the fifth season for Thompson in the Twins organization and first with the Saints. He began as the Head Athletic Trainer with the Mighty Mussels from 2022-23. He was promoted to Wichita in 2024 where he was the co-head Athletic Trainer with former Saints Athletic Trainer Katie Lortie. In 2025, with Lortie in St. Paul, Thompson took the reins himself in Wichita.
Thompson received his Bachelor’s degree in Health and Exercise Science from the University of Oklahoma (2015-2019) and a Master’s degree in athletic training from the University of Central Oklahoma (2019-2021). He was an intern athletic trainer with the Kansas City Royals’ Double-A affiliate, Northwest Arkansas Naturals, in 2021 after graduating with his Master’s. He worked as a game day medical assistant for the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2021 while still in school prior to the Naturals internship. While in school at OU, he was a student medical aid for the Men’s and Women’s track team.
The
35-year-old Myers begins his eighth season in the Twins organization and fifth with the Saints. He began his time in 2018 as the Athletic Trainer at Low-A Cedar Rapids. From there he moved to High-A Fort Myers in 2019. His responsibilities shifted in 2020 due to the pandemic. He was sent to Target Field handling Covid cases and his experience doing that put him in the role of Infectious Control Prevention Coordinator in 2021 through the All-Star break. Following that, he became a roving Athletic Trainer, working with all the Twins affiliates.
Myers began his college career at the University of Kentucky for two semesters. He then transferred to Eastern Kentucky University from 2009-13 and got his degree in Athletic Training, becoming certified in 2013. Myers did an internship with the GCL Astros in 2012. He earned his master’s at the University of South Carolina in Athletic Training and worked with the University of South Carolina Softball team from 2013-14. After working at a local high school in 2015, Myers was hired by the Astros and worked for their GCL team from 2015-16 and with the Rookie level Greenville Astros in 2017.
MATT TRAMP Clubhouse Manager / Assistant, Baseball Operations
The 36-year-old Tramp is the only member of the staff that has been with the Saints since the first year of the affiliation in 2021 as he begins his sixth season as the Clubhouse Manager. The Sioux Falls, South Dakota native began his clubhouse duties with the American Association’s Sioux Falls Canaries, the same league the Saints were in prior to becoming the Twins Triple-A affiliate, from 2009-10, 12-13. He spent one season with the New York-Penn League’s Auburn Doubledays, the Low-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, in 2011. Following his time with the Canaries in 2013, Tramp was the Visiting Clubhouse Manager for the Corpus Christi Hooks, the Double-A affiliate of the Houston Astros in 2014. He went on to work as the Clubhouse Manager for the Biloxi Shuckers, the Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, in 2015. He joined the Twins organization in 2018 and was the Fort Myers Miracle Clubhouse Manager for two seasons. Tramp and his wife Amanda spent the winter living in Minnesota.
ALEK HUGHES
Coordinator, Baseball Technology Hughes, 35, begins his fifth season with the Saints and fourth in a fulltime role. In 2022 he was an intern in the Twins organization in the baseball
technology department, primarily with the Saints. Hughes was a US Military Academy at West Point graduate in 2014 and was a Field Artillery Officer in the US Army from 2014-22. He received his Master of Business Administration from Webster University in 2021. His first job in the sports world was with the Philadelphia Eagles, in 2022, working on data insights and research.
Fellow, Baseball Technology Kahn enters his second season with the Twins organization and first with the Saints. In 2025 he was a Fellow, Baseball Technology with the FCL Twins. His first foray into baseball was in 2024 as an Assistant Clubhouse Manager with the High-A Eugene Emeralds (San Francisco Giants). He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management concentrating on Sports Business at the University of Oregon in 2024. Kahn was a video intern for the Ducks football team from 2023-24.
It’s a tradition fans have grown to love since the St. Paul Saints first season in 1993. Through a new ballpark, a pandemic, and the change over from Independent Baseball to Triple-A one thing has been constant, the pig. From the beginning of the season until the end, fans get a chance to watch the pig grow right before their eyes. For the first time in franchise history in 2022, the Saints utilized two different pigs at separate times in the season. In 2012, they had Kim Lardashian and Kris Hamphries, but they came as a package. Here is a look back at all the Saints pigs. The name of the first pig of 2026 was unveiled just before Opening Day.
BATS: R THROWS: R PRO SEASONS: 7
BORN: 11/12/97 COLLEGE: ucla
That’s one way to start a season. For the first time in franchise history, the St. Paul Saints came out of the gates unstoppable. When the schedule makers had the Saints begin the year at Victory Field in Indianapolis, it looked like some kind of cruel joke. The Saints had won exactly two games in the Circle City over the last two years, going 1-5 in 2025 and an abysmal 1-11 in 2024. But this Saints team proved they are different from the last two years, sweeping the Indians in their home ballpark—a team that had set a franchise record in previous seasons.
The Saints scored three runs in the first inning of Friday night’s series opener and barely looked back over the 27 innings played. In fact, they trailed for just a half-inning in the entire series— during the second game on Saturday, when the Indianapolis Indians scored three runs in the fourth inning to take a 5-2 lead. That deficit lasted only three batters because, in the top of the fifth, Kyler Fedko and Noah Cardenas each singled before the #52-ranked prospect in baseball, Kaelen Culpepper, hit his first Triple-A home run—a three-run blast to left that tied the game.
During the weekend series, the Saints led for 21 of the 27 innings and got contributions from all over the roster. On the offensive side, Alan Roden continued to impress at Triple-A. After hitting .331 last season with Buffalo (Toronto Blue Jays), he reached base safely 10 times over the weekend with four hits and six walks. Ryan Kreidler came six inches from a two-homer game on Sunday, going 5-for-10 with a double, homer, and three RBI. Culpepper went 5-for-14 with a home run and four RBI. Overall, the Saints hit .279 in the series, second-best in the International League.
Not to be outdone was the pitching staff. Opening Night starter Connor Prielipp recovered from a shaky first inning— allowing a run on two walks and a hit—to retire the final 11 hitters he faced. Andrew Morris allowed just one run across 3.2 innings in the finale on Sunday. The bullpen allowed only three runs on 12 hits with 19 strikeouts across 15.2 innings pitched. Their 1.76 ERA ranked third-best in the International League. Raul Brito threw 2.2 bulk innings on Opening Night, allowing one run and striking out four. Andrew Bash went 2.1 shutout innings on Saturday, and John
Klein went 2.1 shutout innings on one hit while striking out four on Sunday. Three different pitchers picked up a save over the three games: Matt Bowman, Marco Raya, and Grant Hartwig. It was just the second time in franchise history the Saints had three different pitchers collect a save in a three-game span.
The Saints welcome the Worcester Red Sox (Boston Red Sox) for the second-ever meeting between the two franchises. Last season, the two teams met at CHS Field, with the Saints dropping the first four games before winning the final two. The WooSox dropped two of three to the Syracuse Mets (NY Mets) in their opening series at Polar Park. All three games were decided by two runs, with the WooSox losing the first and third games, 3-1 and 10-8, while taking the middle game, 5-3.
It should come as no surprise to any Saints fan that Mickey Gasper is off to a hot start. The longtime Red Sox farmhand, who played in the Minnesota Twins organization last year, went 5-for12 with two doubles and three RBI in the opening series. Braiden Ward went 4-for-10 with two RBI.
The WooSox have the #17 prospect in baseball in their rotation, Payton Tolle. In just his fourth Triple-A game, he allowed six runs (four earned) on five hits but struck out six. Red Sox #7 prospect Jake Bennett fared much better, tossing three innings and allowing one unearned run on two hits while striking out five. Worcester’s porous defense proved costly in their series against Syracuse, committing eight errors in three games—the most in the International League. The Saints and Indians were the only two teams in the league to not commit an error in their opening series.
The talent is there for the Saints this season, but as everyone knows, the roster you have today is not necessarily the one you will have tomorrow in Triple-A. This is a deep lineup, with a solid starting staff and a bullpen with veterans who can help the young guys out. These are the first six games at home this year, and the Saints are hoping to use the CHS Field advantage to build on an incredible opening weekend. But as the old saying goes, “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish,” and there’s a long way to go before the finish.
67 Anderson, Jack R/R 6’3” 187 11/23/1999 Tampa, FL
44 Bennett, Jake L/L 6’6” 234 12/2/2000 Tulsa, OK
55 Guerrero, Tayron R/R 6’8” 225 1/9/1991
32 Keller, Kyle R/R 6’4” 205 4/28/1993
Bocachica, Colombia
Metairie, LA
37 Kelly, Zack R/R 6’3” 231 3/3/1995 Roanoke, VA
51 Martinez, Seth R/R 6’2” 193 8/29/1994 Peoria, AZ
53 Olds, Wyatt R/R 6’0” 183 8/5/1999 Oklahoma City, OK
61 Samaniego, Tyler R/L 6’4” 205 1/30/1999 Huntsville, AL
54 Sena, Reidis R/R 5’10” 180 4/7/2001 Neiba, DR
40 Sikkema, T.J. L/L 6’0” 211 7/25/1998 Clinton, IA
35 Song, Noah R/R 6’4” 200 5/28/1997 Pomona, CA
17 Sweet, Devin B/R 5’11” 183 9/6/1996 Greensboro, NC
46 Tolle, Payton L/L 6’6” 250 10/1/2002 Stillwater, OK
15 Uberstine, Tyler R/R 6’1” 200 6/1/1999 Santa Monica, CA 47 Webb, Jacob L/R 6’5” 246 3/23/1999
OH
(3)
21 Delay, Jason R/R 5’11” 200 3/7/1995 Plano, TX 11 Gasper, Mickey B/R 5’9” 205 10/11/1995 Merrimack, NH 25 Thaiss, Matt L/R 5’11” 215 5/6/1995 Jackson, NJ
INFIELDERS (6)
13 Capra, Vinny
OUTFIELDERS (4)
Noah Junis
Gedman
Scott Gallon
Bobby Stachura Trainer
Paige Lawrence Trainer
Nick LaRue
Liam Ettinger
When you hear an athlete called “a nice guy,” “an excellent teammate,” or “a great clubhouse presence,” it’s usually covering for the fact that they might not have great skills in their respective sport. That is not the case for catcher Noah Cardenas. Think of any superlative for someone’s personality, and it fits Cardenas to a tee. He’s a genuinely nice guy who cares about everyone around him. But he’s equally solid on the diamond and proved in 2025, between Double-A Wichita and the St. Paul Saints, that his time in the Major Leagues isn’t far off.
Cardenas is the type of guy who knows and addresses everyone by name. He’ll ask you how you’re doing and genuinely wants to hear the answer—unlike most of us who ask the question more as a courtesy or a national reflex. He’ll engage in conversation with you and look you directly in the eyes while doing it.
Before we dive headfirst into his baseball accolades, know this about Cardenas: every Monday, the Saints were either traveling to a road destination or had the day completely off after returning from an away series. Players take their off day and do all sorts of things—spending time with family, golfing, sleeping, relaxing by the pool, etc. All of those are completely understandable, and players should be encouraged to do any and all of them. They’ve earned the ability to unwind on their lone off-day during the week.
Cardenas did many of those things too. But each Monday, he went to local food banks, homeless shelters, hospitals, and more, giving his time to those in need. He attempted to recruit teammates to join him. Even if no one else was available—and oftentimes teammates did join him—he would still go on his own and donate his time.
Giving back to those in need is extremely important to Cardenas. He is a man of faith, and he backs up what he believes. It’s not just lip service; he leads by action. His faith is so important to him that he started a Bible study group with his teammates. He’ll often stop and ask someone if it’s OK if he prays for them. He then puts a shoulder around that person, asks what he can
pray for, and leads them in a brief prayer. No matter where you stand on your religious beliefs, it is a powerful moment. Being around Cardenas makes you feel like you’re not doing enough to help your fellow man. But he doesn’t do it to make you feel worse—he does it because it makes others feel better. During the season, the Saints offer players opportunities to take part in various community events: baseball camps, visits to Children’s Hospital, spotlight games, and more. Cardenas was always willing to participate. No questions asked.
At the end of the season, when the Minnesota Twins ask each of their affiliates to identify who deserves the Harmon Killebrew Award for community service, the Saints staff didn’t even need to discuss it. The choice was easy: Cardenas. It wasn’t the first time he received this distinction, having also won the award in 2022 while with the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels. The honor meant a lot to Cardenas—not because he does these things for recognition, but because it brought attention to organizations that need help. His hope is that others will be inspired to donate as well. While he believes deeply in giving back off the field, he more than delivers on the field.
Cardenas attended Bishop Alemany High School in California, a well-respected Southern California program that consistently contends for league titles and sends numerous players to high-end Division I schools. Former Saints first baseman Angelo Songco, from the team’s independent days, is also an Alemany graduate. Cardenas came out of high school in 2018 as the 30th-rated player in California, according to Perfect Game USA.
After high school, Cardenas played three seasons at UCLA from 2019–21. In his freshman year, he was lauded for his defense behind the plate, earning Pac-12 All-Defensive Team honorable mention.
Entering the 2020 season, Cardenas was ranked No. 24 in D1Baseball’s positional power rankings at catcher. Of course, we all know what happened in 2020. He never had much of a chance to build on his successful freshman campaign. That
didn’t bother him. He returned in 2021 and earned Pac-12 AllConference honors as a COVID sophomore after hitting .268 with five home runs, 32 RBI, and a .774 OPS.
A catcher who is solid behind the dish and can hit will catch the attention of plenty of Major League teams. That was the case for Cardenas, and the Twins selected him in the eighth round of the 2021 MLB Draft.
It didn’t take Cardenas long to prove his worth. After going 6-for-20 with the FCL Twins in his first taste of pro ball, he played a full season in 2022 and didn’t miss a beat. He hit .261 with 18 doubles, one triple, nine home runs, 43 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and a .834 OPS. Defensively, he threw out 29.3% (24-of82) of attempted base stealers.
Proving his first full season was no fluke, Cardenas was promoted to High-A Cedar Rapids in 2023, where he hit .272 with 23 doubles, one triple, three home runs, 38 RBI, nine stolen bases, and a .779 OPS. He threw out 30.9% (25-of-81) of base runners, improving on his 2022 mark.
After a down year in 2024 at Double-A Wichita, he began the 2025 season back with the Wind Surge. It didn’t take long for Cardenas to show the organization he deserved another opportunity at Triple-A. In just one month, he hit .257 with seven doubles, three home runs, 17 RBI, and a .825 OPS across 30 games, while throwing out 33.3% (13-of-39) of base runners. All of that earned him the call-up to St. Paul.
The Saints often carried three—sometimes four— catchers on the roster, making regular playing time difficult to
come by. Still, Cardenas appeared in 39 games, hitting .239 with seven home runs, 16 RBI, and a .822 OPS. He threw out 23.9% (11-of-46) of base runners. Despite a limited sample size, the former eighth-round pick proved he belonged at the highest level of the minor leagues.
Cardenas will begin the 2026 season at Triple-A. With Ryan Jeffers entrenched as the Twins’ starting catcher and Alex Jackson likely serving as the backup, Cardenas isn’t far from the opportunity he’s dreamed about his entire life. And when he finally makes his Major League debut, chances are fans, media, and staff will all say the same thing: “What a nice guy.”
Each year Baseball America puts out their Top prospects for each organization. Some of these prospects will begin the season in St. Paul, others will move up to Triple-A sometime during the season, and others won’t see Triple-A for a season or two. Here is your chance to get to know some of the top prospects in the Minnesota Twins organization.
Scouting Report: Jenkins is a potential five-tool player who stands out physically and is an elite athlete. There is little wasted movement in his lefthanded swing, and it evokes visual comparisons to Hall of Famer and former Twins all-star Joe Mauer. Jenkins starts in an open stance with his hands high and employs a slight leg lift, before finishing high with two hands on the bat. He has a solid approach and above-average bat-to-ball skills, though his contact rate decreased slightly in 2025 as a tradeoff intended to create more impact. Jenkins is adept at hitting fastballs of all velocities and comfortable hitting secondaries. His average exit velocity has increased each year, and he produces above-average EVs for his age with a max of 110.1 mph. He has one of the highest barrel rates in the Twins’ system but needs to refine his batted-ball angles to reach his power ceiling. His power is primarily to his pull side, and there is a difference in his exit velocities to his pull side compared to the opposite field. The lefthanded hitter has never hit a home run against a lefthander as a professional, but that isn’t seen as a long-term concern. Jenkins is a potential plus defender in all outfield positions. He has strong instincts and plenty of range for center field, but due to his track record of lower body injuries, might fit best in a corner, where his above-average arm would comfortably play. Jenkins is also an above-average runner but could see that decline as he ages.
Scouting Grades:
Hit: 70 / Power: 50 / Run: 55 / Field: 60 / Arm: 55
Scouting Report: Rodriguez is a stocky outfielder with a strong lower half and supreme knowledge of the strike zone. There is significant variance in his profile because of questions with his hit tool. His chase rate is one of the lowest in the system, and he has a career walk rate above 20%. Rodriguez can get overly passive and likes to let the ball get deep. His career strikeout rate is over 30% and he ranks near the bottom of the system in contact rate. When he makes contact, he hits the ball extremely hard. His 90th
percentile exit velocity of 109.2 mph was the highest in the system, but to reach his power potential he needs to elevate the ball to his pull side more consistently. He is an aggressive baserunner with above-average speed. Defensively, he has a plus arm and could play center field but likely profiles better in a corner to limit defensive wear and tear.
Scouting Grades:
Hit: 40 / Power: 60 / Run: 55 / Field: 55 / Arm: 60
Scouting Report: Culpepper is an athletic infielder with minimal remaining projection. He has a balanced profile with no standout tool and no glaring weaknesses either. He has solid bat speed and clears his hips freely, allowing him to whip the bat through the zone. He’s comfortable hitting velocity and was one of two hitters in the Twins’ system with an OPS above .700 against both changeups and breaking balls in 2025. He rarely misses pitches in the zone, but his approach needs refinement. He is prone to chase, especially changeups down and out of the zone. He has average raw power that plays primarily to his pull side. His power plays below that in games, and he needs to elevate the ball more consistently. Culpepper has a plus arm but is not a lock to stick at shortstop due to his lack of range. He projects as fringe-average there but profiles better at second or third base, where he could be average or better.
Scouting Grades:
Hit: 50 / Power: 45 / Run: 50 / Field: 50 / Arm: 60
Scouting Report: Prielipp is a maxed-out lefthander with an advanced three-pitch mix and deceptive delivery. His arm action is short, and he hides the ball well. Prielipp’s fastball sits 94-96 mph and touches 98. He has solid command of the offering, and it shows bat-missing ability up in the zone. He started mixing in a sinker in St. Paul and will look to incorporate it more in 2026. Prielipp’s mid-80s slider is his most-used secondary and a potential plus offering. It has the highest spin rate in the system and premium bat-missing ability. If hitters do make contact, they primarily strike weak grounders. His high-80s changeup also shows plus potential. It plays more due to feel and command than shape. He can locate it on the edges of the plate at will and bury it down when looking for a whiff.
Scouting Grades:
Fastball: 60 / Slider: 60 / Changeup: 60 / Control: 55
Scouting Report: Tait’s frame is close to maxed out, even though he is just 19. His bat speed and contact skills are impressive but mask a raw approach. He makes poor swing decisions and his chase rate is the highest in the system. He also struggles against good velocity. Improving in those areas is key for his offensive development. He gets more leeway with his hit tool because of his ability to impact the baseball. He produces exit velocities that are impressive for an established major leaguer, let alone a teenager, and his batted-ball angles are good. He elevates the ball to his pull side with ease and has power to the opposite field as well. Defensively, it’s uncertain whether Tait can stay at catcher. He lacks athleticism and struggles blocking balls in the dirt, especially
when he has to move laterally. His receiving is improving, and his arm is plus, consistently producing pop times around 1.9 seconds on throws to second base.
Scouting Grades:
Hit: 40 / Power: 60 / Run: 30 / Field: 45 / Arm: 60
Scouting Report: Hill has gained around 20 pounds since he was drafted and started to fill out his 6-foot-5 frame, though he will always be on the lanky side. Hill throws from a three-quarters arm slot with a high release height. His 94-96 mph fastball comes in on a steep plane but plays below its velocity. He now tops out at 98 mph, a considerable increase from where he was as an amateur. Hill’s fastball command is below-average and he’s more comfortable throwing strikes with his secondaries. His best secondary is his 83-85 mph changeup which has substantial separation from his fastball and flashes plus potential. It misses bats at an above-average rate and has the highest zone rate of any of his pitches. His 81-84 mph sweeper flashes similar plus potential. He is comfortable landing it in the zone, and it misses bats at a slightly higher rate than his changeup. He rounds out his arsenal with a high-70s curveball that is primarily a chase pitch but also misses bats at a high rate.
Scouting Grades:
Fastball: 55 / Curveball: 50 / Changeup: 60 / Sweeper: 60 Control: 45
Scouting Report: Soto is close to maxed-out physically, with a sturdy build. He throws both a four-seam fastball and a sinker with distinct shapes. His four-seamer sits 96-98 mph and tops out at 100 with above-average ride and generates whiffs at an aboveaverage rate. Compared to 2024, his average four-seam velocity was up almost 2 mph and had just under three more inches of induced vertical break. His sinker sits a tick lower with heavy armside run. It doesn’t miss many bats but is adept at generating weak contact. Soto’s best secondary pitch is his potentially plus high-80s changeup. It has just over 17 inches of horizontal break and misses bats at an elite rate. Soto also throws an 85-89 mph gyro slider. It doesn’t miss many bats right now, but he can throw it for strikes. Soto’s strike-throwing improved across the board in 2025, but the sample is so small that it is hard to read too much into it.
Scouting Grades:
Fastball: 60 / Slider: 50 / Changeup: 60 / Control: 50
Scouting Report: Rojas is a medium-framed lefthander with solid pitchability. He’s maxed out physically and an average athlete. He throws from a three-quarters arm slot with above-average extension and higher release height. He has a balanced arsenal with all his pitches projecting as at least average. His fastball sits 92-95 mph and maxes out at 98 with ride. He will also cut it on occasion and use it to generate soft contact. His slider is his mostused secondary pitch against lefthanded hitters, but he will throw it to righthanders also. It sits 85-88 mph with short tilt and shows both strike-stealing and bat-missing ability. His splitter is his primary out pitch against righthanded hitters. It sits 86-89 mph,
but he struggles to consistently land it in the zone. It shows similar bat-missing potential as his slider.
Scouting Grades:
Fastball: 55 / Slider: 50 / Split: 50 / Control: 55
Scouting Report: Houston added noticeable strength heading into his draft year but retained his athleticism. His swing is short and direct to the ball, and he has above-average bat-to-ball skills. He rarely swung and missed during his pro debut and controls the strike zone well but can be overly passive at times. Even though he is listed at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, Houston has belowaverage power and his exit velocities in pro ball were lower than at Wake Forest. Slight improvements with his bat speed and quality of contact would go a long way toward rounding out his offensive profile. Houston is also an above-average runner with solid instincts. Defensively, he’s a no-doubt shortstop. He has soft hands and fluid actions and is comfortable ranging in any direction, using his length to cover ground effortlessly. He has a quick release, a plus arm and throws off-balance with ease.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 / Power: 40 / Run: 55 / Field: 70 / Arm: 60
Scouting Report: Heading into 2025, Gonzalez worked hard to improve his conditioning and add muscle to his stocky frame. His offensive profile is unique because he is extremely aggressive but also has an advanced feel for contact. Gonzalez sees among the fewest pitches in the system and chases too often, but rarely misses pitches in the zone. His walk rate improved in 2025 and his exit velocities against righthanders also improved. This is notable given his past platoon splits. Gonzalez’s swing isn’t designed for power, and his fairly poor batted-ball angles mean his game power plays below his above-average raw. He crushes lefthanders, and that alone might be enough to carry him to the big leagues even with the volatility in his hit tool. Defensively, Gonzalez doesn’t project to add much value. His arm strength is average at best and though his defense is improving, it still projects as below-average.
Scouting Grades:
Hit: 55 / Power: 50 / Run: 40 / Field: 40 / Arm: 50
Don’t expect many changes in the International League in 2026. The International League–Pacific Coast League crossover series will continue, and rumors of three 10-team divisions have not come to fruition. The two leagues will remain the same, with 20 teams in the IL and 10 in the PCL.
The St. Paul Saints, who welcomed the Round Rock Express (Texas) last season, will now head out on the road to face a PCL opponent when they travel to Las Vegas (Athletics) to take on the Aviators at Las Vegas Ballpark. It’s the lone new ballpark the Saints will visit in 2026.
The International League season once again begins one day after the Major League season, on Friday, March 27. That’s when the Saints open the season on the road — their earliest game in franchise history — against the Indianapolis Indians (Pittsburgh Pirates). The season runs from March 27 through Sunday, September 20, and concludes on the road in Columbus against the Clippers (Cleveland Guardians). It’s another 150game season, with Mondays serving as a traditional off day, along with a four-day break for the Major League All-Star break from July 13–16.
The playoff format is identical to 2025: the team with the best overall record in the first half hosts a best-of-three series against the team with the best record in the second half. The winner advances to Las Vegas for the Triple-A National Championship Game against the Pacific Coast League champion.
For simplicity, here’s how the standings will appear, despite divisions having no competitive meaning. The Saints are in the West Division alongside the Columbus (OH) Clippers
(Cleveland Guardians), Gwinnett (GA) Stripers (Atlanta Braves), Indianapolis (IN) Indians (Pittsburgh Pirates), Iowa Cubs (Chicago Cubs), Louisville (KY) Bats (Cincinnati Reds), Memphis (TN) Redbirds (St. Louis Cardinals), Nashville (TN) Sounds (Milwaukee Brewers), Omaha (NE) Storm Chasers (Kansas City Royals), and Toledo (OH) Mud Hens (Detroit Tigers).
The East Division is comprised of the Buffalo (NY) Bisons (Toronto Blue Jays), Charlotte (NC) Knights (Chicago White Sox), Durham (NC) Bulls (Tampa Bay Rays), Jacksonville (FL) Jumbo Shrimp (Miami Marlins), Lehigh Valley (PA) IronPigs (Philadelphia Phillies), Norfolk (VA) Tides (Baltimore Orioles), Rochester (NY) Red Wings (Washington Nationals), Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (PA) RailRiders (New York Yankees), Syracuse (NY) Mets (New York Mets), and Worcester (MA) Red Sox (Boston Red Sox).
The Jumbo Shrimp pulled off an incredible first-half comeback, catching the IronPigs after being double-digit games back. They claimed the playoff spot by half a game to secure the first-half title. In the second half, the RailRiders emerged as the league’s strongest team, earning the playoff spot by three games over the Mets.
The Jumbo Shrimp went on to win an epic three-game playoff series, capped by a 7–4 victory in the decisive Game 3. A clutch strikeout with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth sealed their trip to the Triple-A National Championship Game. There, they faced the Aviators at Las Vegas Ballpark, where the Jumbo Shrimp were designated as the home team. That proved pivotal, as they captured the title on a dramatic walk-off, tworun homer by Jacob Berry in the bottom of the ninth for an 8–7 victory.
Art and creativity have always been an important part of Saints culture. When the club moved to the historic Lowertown Arts District, they seized the opportunity to collaborate with the local art community and infuse CHS Field with the artistic spirit of Lowertown. Now in its 11th season, the Saints Art Program features seasonal public art happenings, game day art activities, and year-round opportunities for local artists to display and sell their work.
Located in the play zone, The Outfield Art Station offers free artist-led activities for fans on weekend home games.
The Art Showcase is a year round, rotating art exhibit in the Saints office and Securian Financial Club Lobby that features originals and prints by local artists.
Located at Andy’s Gallery behind home plate, the Artist Pop-up project offers free vendor space to artists at every Saints home game.
Each year, the Saints Art Program produces a series of temporary public art project and artist pop-ups in collaborations with local culture makers. These projects can be seen in and around greater St. Paul.
Rachel Wacker: Saints Community Art Program Director Email: rwacker@saintsbaseball.com
Each MLB team is allowed to have 40 players on their roster that are protected, signed to major league contracts with that club. The 40-man roster contains all 25 active Major League players as well as 15 other players that are in various spots in the club’s minor league system or on the MLB injured list.
A player signed to a Minor League contract, but invited to Major League Spring Training. This player is not on the 40-man roster.
A DFA’d player is immediately removed from his club’s 40-man roster. Within seven days of the transaction (had been 10 days under the 2012-16 Collective Bargaining Agreement), the player can either be traded or placed on irrevocable outright waivers. If the player is claimed off said waivers by another club, he is immediately added to that team’s 40-man roster, at which point he can be optioned to the Minor Leagues or assigned to his new team’s 26-man roster. If the player clears waivers, he may be sent outright to the Minor Leagues or released. Players with more than three years of Major League service time or who have been previously outrighted may reject the outright assignment in favor of free agency.
Players on a 40-man roster are given three Minor League “options.” An option allows that player to be sent to the Minor Leagues (“optioned”) without first being subjected to waivers. Players who are optioned to the Minors are removed from a team’s active 26-man roster but remain on the 40-man roster.
Only one Minor League option is used per season, regardless of how many times a player is optioned to and from the Minors over the course of a given season. Out-of-options players must be designated for assignment -- which removes them from the 40-man roster -- and passed through outright waivers before being eligible to be sent to the Minors. Players typically have three option years.
A club attempting to remove a player from the 40-man roster and send him to the Minor Leagues must first place that player on outright waivers, allowing the 29 other Major League clubs the opportunity to claim him. The claiming club assumes responsibility for the remaining money owed to the claimed player, who is placed on his new club’s 40-man roster. Should the player clear waivers, he can be sent to any Minor League affiliate the club chooses. Outright waivers are also used when clubs wish to remove a player who is out of Minor League options from the 26man roster by sending him to the Minors. Claiming priority is based on league and reverse winning percentage. If a player has more than three years of Major League service time or was previously outrighted in his career (by his current club or another club), he is eligible to reject the outright assignment and instead opt for free agency. Players with more than three but less than five years of Major League service time must forfeit any remaining guaranteed money on their contract if they reject an outright assignment. Conversely, those with five or more years of Major League service time are still owed any guaranteed money remaining on their contract, should they elect free agency following an outright.
These terms can be easily mixed up because they mean very similar things but are distinctly different. If a player is already on the 40-man roster and playing for a minor league team, he would be “recalled” to the MLB parent club because he is already a member of the 40-man. However, if a player from the minor leagues is called up to the MLB parent club and is not on the 40man, the MLB club must “purchase his contract” and place him on the 40-man roster. If there are no spots on the 40-man, then they must DFA (designate for assignment) a current member of the 40-man to make room.
Any MLB player can be assigned to any minor league affiliate for the purpose of rehabbing an injury for a maximum of 20 days (non-pitchers) and 30 days (pitchers). The player will still continue to get his MLB salary while on his rehab assignment. The rehabilitation assignments do not count against the minor league affiliates roster or as an “optional assignment.”
In the minor leagues there is only one IL and that is the seven-day IL. If a minor league player is placed on the seven-day IL, he must remain there for at least seven days before he can once again be activated. Players that are on the seven-day IL, therefore, can be on it for anywhere from seven days to the entire season since that is MiLB’s only IL.
Q: You have the fifth most wins among Minor League managers since your first year in 2019. What makes a successful Minor League manager where it’s about development and not necessarily wins and losses?
A: Finding a balance between making sure the players are getting chances to better themselves and learning the game while also making decisions that give the team the best chance to win. It can be a fine line because you want players to get better and advance but also make it a fun environment with winning baseball.
Q: Managing at Triple-A might be the most difficult level to manage at because the Major League team isn’t afraid to grab your best player and not replace it with a high-end prospect from Double-A. I’m sure you’ve spoken with Toby, what kind of advice has he given you about managing at this level?
A: He has provided me with lots of experiences he has encountered and to just be ready for anything. Moves happen often and your roster can look different daily. There are times that you will have to make due with what is available due to players going up to join the big league team.
Q: A number of guys on the Saints roster in 2026 will have come up through the system. How beneficial is that for you to manage guys you’ve already managed?
A: That is definitely helpful because we have already built a relationship and knowing each other. Understanding what each guy can do and try to put them in the best position possible to succeed is beneficial.
Q: You made the playoffs each of your first three seasons as manager in 2019, 2021 & 2022, but fell short in winning a championship. How did those years help you in 2023 when you finished with the best record in Minor League baseball and capped it off with a title in Cedar Rapids?
A: I think getting that taste of playoff baseball is exciting and you learn from those chances. We were 1 win away from a title in 2021 and just realizing how hard it is to win the whole thing makes you appreciate it even more when you do win a championship. Every team and season is different but getting a chance at playoff baseball never gets old.
Q: You started off your coaching career with the Twins in 2015 in the GCL and then as a hitting coach with Cedar Rapids from 201618. At what point in your life did you decide you wanted to be a manager?
A: Once I got into the coaching side of baseball, I was fortunate to work with some great managers my first couple seasons that made me look at the game and think it’s something I would like to try. When the opportunity came open at Cedar Rapids, I felt like this is my chance to try and become a manager.
Q: You were an eighth-round pick by the Twins out of McKendree (IL) University, an NAIA school. Did you have any big-time schools looking at you or did you ever consider transferring?
A: Out of high school I did not have a ton of colleges looking at me for baseball scholarships. A few junior colleges in the area and a few other colleges were interested but McKendree definitely
showed the most interest. It was a great fit and I was excited to go there cause I was going to get the chance to play right away as a freshman.
Q: You reached the Major Leagues in 2011. How did you find out you were getting called up?
A: We had a day game that day and was back at my apartment (with Toby also) playing video games when I got a phone call from our manager saying I was heading to the big leagues. A phone call you always hope to receive someday.
Q: Telling guys they are getting called up is special and you’ve had the opportunity to do it at Low-A, High-A and Double-A. But this year you’re telling guys at Triple-A they are going to the Major Leagues. Have you thought of any creative ways you want to do that?
A: I have not thought a ton about it yet, but I think it depends on the players and their personality. If there is a chance to have fun with the player and make it memorable for them, I will try to do that.
Q: I’m sure Cedar Rapids and Wichita are very creative with their promotions, but the Saints are often lauded as one of the best in all of minor league baseball. How do you handle the wackiness of Minor League Baseball promotions with doing your job on the field?
A: Minor League Baseball is about entertainment but also making sure we are still respecting the game and making the players better. I look forward to seeing some of the promotions (I have heard many good stories on the promotions) the Saints offer and entertainment for the fans but also understand we are working to win ball games each day.
Q: What is it you want Saints fans to know about as you begin your first season as manager in St. Paul?
A: I love playing golf on my days off and my wife and daughter look forward to spending some summer days in Minnesota.
The 2025 campaign was one for the books for the St. Paul Saints — though not always for the reasons fans might prefer. A season that began with promise ultimately unfolded into a challenging ride through the trenches of the International League, one marked by heavy rainouts, momentary spark plugs of hope, the growth of future Twins stars, and a rebuilding identity within the Twins’ farm system. Here’s how the season went, what it meant, and who stood out along the way.
The Saints finished the 2025 regular season with a 6286 record, placing 10th in the International League West Division. Cumulative offensive and pitching numbers reflected the uphill battle the team faced: St. Paul scored 693 runs but allowed 822,
highlighting inconsistencies on both sides of the ball that the club battled all season long.
The finish wasn’t what the Saints, or their loyal fans at CHS Field, hoped for, but the season was never without significance, especially in developing talent for the Minnesota Twins.
Right out of the gate, the Saints confronted an unusual obstacle: rainouts. By late April, the team had already postponed six games due to weather and had to play a slew of doubleheaders to make up for them. These disruptions didn’t help a club looking for early rhythm, and the inconsistent availability of games contributed to uneven performance in April and May.
The three most important people, and perhaps the unsung heroes of CHS Field, return once again this season. All three have years of baseball experience and often spend countless hours at the ballpark, long past the time everyone else has gone home. The three of them will continue the upkeep of CHS Field. They can’t do it alone as they come with some help for the 2026 season.
Cody Pamperin and Trace Brayton begin their first year as co-head groundskeeper, but not their first years working on the pristine CHS Field. Pamperin begins his sixth season with the Saints while Brayton will enjoy his third. They have been around to oversee GLOW, a ballpark wide light show with a zip line, giant slide. Their job is to oversee, develop, and maintain a firstrate playing surface for the facilities many users. They are also responsible for the care of CHS Field’s many landscape highlights in and around the ballpark. Their right-hand men this season are Adam Wicklund, and Todd “Louie” Wansura, both seasonal assistants.
Curtis Nachtsheim made sure fans at Midway Stadium had enough to eat and drink from 2005-14. Now, he is responsible for an entire ballpark as the Operations Manager of CHS Field. He oversees everything from the lights, to the toilets, and everything in between. His responsibility is to make sure the ballpark runs flawlessly for every event that takes place in CHS Field.
Curtis oversees a staff that is responsible for the upkeep of the ballpark during the season, staffing the parking lots on game day, hiring the crew to clean up the ballpark following each game, and is Mr. Fixit when any issue occurs.
In addition to serving as the Saints’ home, CHS Field is the home of Hamline University, amateur and high school baseball, concerts, festivals, weddings and much more. With a year-round space in the Securian Financial Club, CHS Field will be one of the hottest venues in 2023.
Curtis will be joined by his trusty sidekick, Noah Lindsey, who has been with the Saints since their days at Midway, begins his third season as Assistant Director, Ballpark Operations. CONTINUED
When you look around CHS Field there are plenty of “sexy” areas in the Lowertown ballpark: the state-of-the-art Securian Financial Club, the beautiful Western Red Cedar on various overhangs and ceilings, the lush Treasure Island Berm beyond the left field wall, and the City of Baseball Museum, to name a few. These are areas that add to the aesthetics and comfort for fans entering CHS Field. There are, however, many valuable assets around the ballpark that fans may not pay close attention to but are extremely valuable for the organization in becoming the Greenest Ballpark in the country.
The ballpark was universally lauded when it opened in 2015, winning numerous awards. During that season, the Saints and their partners were recognized at every turn. While it’s easy to celebrate the design and architecture of CHS Field, it was the unsung parts of the ballpark receiving honors that made many in the organization thrilled.
Prior to its opening, CHS Field was touted as The Greenest Ballpark in America. That bold prediction came to fruition when CHS Field was named the Greenest New Ballpark courtesy of GreenSportsBlog, one of the top read blogs in Sports + Green initiatives. CHS Field is the product of a privatepublic partnership between the City of Saint Paul, the State of Minnesota, and the St. Paul Saints Baseball Club. It’s one of four awards the organization received touting the sustainability efforts of the Saints and, at the time, Ecolab.
CHS Field was up against heavy competition, including Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers and host of Super Bowl 50. According to GreenSportsBlog, however, “small projects can sometimes be very influential.” The blog goes on to say CHS Field, “dotted a myriad of green I’s and crossed many green t’s, often in innovative fashion.” “The Greenest Ballpark in America” addresses several sustainable objectives, including building construction and operations best practices, waste disposal, water conservation, and alternative power generation and use.
At the heart of the initiative is an effort to make CHS Field a Zero Waste facility. A robust recycling and composting program were designed by the Saints and Minnesota Waste Wise, an initiative of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce that works with private businesses throughout the state to minimize and creatively dispose of waste. The ballpark received a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency grant to further the effort, providing more than 30 different color-coded recycling and composting stations within the concourse, ensuring that fans didn’t need to walk far to find a place to recycle or compost. The message was driven home to fans through a partnership with the Ramsey and Washington County Resource Recovery Project, Biz Recycling, in communicating and marketing the program to fans at all games in fun and entertaining ways.
Levy Restaurants/ProSportsCatering, the company running CHS Field’s food and beverage operation, recycles and composts from the back of house. The company also purchases recyclable or compostable material for food and drink containers, utensils, and napkins. Working through its waste hauler, Walter’s Recycling, the team can collect data and track performance from homestand to homestand throughout the season.
Energy efficiency, and the use of alternative energy, is also a key theme. In left field, a 102.5 kW solar array supplies 12% of the ballpark’s energy demand, in addition to acting as a shade pavilion in The Cub A Cabana Lawn group area. The project competed for, and received, a grant through Xcel Energy’s RDF program covering much of the cost of one of the largest in-stadium arrays in professional sports. In addition, the ballpark utilizes the City’s District Energy system, which uses alternative fuels to heat and cool businesses and dwellings in the city’s downtown core.
Sports stadia historically have been significant water wasters. The ballpark houses a 27,000-gallon cistern, capturing rainfall from the 30,000-square-foot roof of the Met Transit Operations and Maintenance Facility next door. When fans flush toilets, the water used has been recycled from the cistern. Additionally, 25% of the ballpark’s irrigation needs are met by re-used rainwater. This will save 450,000 gallons of domestic water each year. CHS Field is one of the first ballparks to reuse rainwater for field irrigation and fixture flushing. The rainwater re-use system was funded through grants from the Minnesota Clean Water Legacy Fund, the Metropolitan Council, and the Capitol Region Watershed District.
Tree trenches at the Broadway entrance capture and filter storm water from the city streets and adjacent sidewalks before releasing it off-site. A rain garden at the 4th Street entrance similarly captures and filters storm water. A subgrade filtration system below the playing field also captures and filters storm water. The ballpark is located less than a quarter mile from the Mississippi River.
To make room for CHS Field, a massive, vacant concrete warehouse was demolished, and 82,000 yards of contaminated soil were removed from the site. In addition, 95% of the building was recycled, including keeping 20% of the material on-site as part of new construction.
All-together, a site that was virtually 100% water impervious, now boasts 55.9% pervious greenspace. A site with virtually no trees now contains 135 trees and 36,000 square feet of planting.
None of this work happens overnight nor did it end after year one. The Saints continue to build upon their awardwinning first year in educating their fans through humorous videos, informational signs around the ballpark, and interactive kiosks at various areas along the concourse. The goal is for fans, and Saints staff, to recycle and compost 90% of the materials used at CHS Field. With everyone’s help CHS Field will continue to be the Greenest Ballpark in America.
CREW A
Pete Talkington
Denver Dangerfield
Nathan Hall
CREW B
Tom Fornarola
Steven Rios
Robert Ginther
CREW C
Casey James
Kaleb Martin
Josiah Shepherd
CREW D
Raul Moreno
Trevor Dannegger
Jared Duerson
CREW E
Charlie Welling
Kellen Marin
Dereck Pacheco
CREW F
Louie Krupa
Paul Roemer
Matt Blackborow
CREW G
Jonathan Parra
Kelvis Velez
Trevor Mathews
CREW H
Evin Johnson
Harley Acosta
Chandler Durham
CREW I
Mitch Trzeciak
Bryan Van Vranken
Joe Belangia
CREW J
Ben Phillips
Austin Snow
Travis Brewer
EL BURRITO MERCADO
Elote Corn
Chips and Queso
Burrito Bowl (Chicken, Pork or Beef)
Street Tacos (Chicken, Pork or Beef)
Chicken Quesadillas
Torta Sandwich Chicken Melanesia
SANDWICH LOT
Minnesota Chicken and Wild Rice Soup (seasonal)
Walking Taco
FRIES AND PIES
Funnel Cake Fries with Powdered Sugar
Pickle Pizza
Canadian Bacon and Pineapple Pizza
MUD’S DAIRY AREA
Mac and Meat
Flavored Icees
VON HANSON’S SAUSAGE HAUS
Old Fashioned Hot Dog
Chili Cheese Bratwurst
Original Bratwurst
Cajun Sausage
CREW K
Steven Hodgins
Joe McCarthy
Tim Barreras
CREW L
Macon Hammond
Sean Sparling
Mickey Smith
CREW M
Dillon Wilson
Ty Krauss
Elliott Melton
CREW N
Felix Neon
Nate Diederich
Ray Valero
CREW O
Darius Ghani
Tom O’Neil
Alex Shears
BROADWAY BURGERS
California Dreamin’ Burger
Beer Cheese Burger
Mushroom and Swiss Burger
Visiting Team Burger
1. Hamline University played the first ever baseball game at CHS Field on April 11, 2025. Who was their opponent?
2. Who hit the first grand slam in CHS Field history?
3. When Kevin Millar suited up for the Saints on June 24, 2017 he hit one of the most famous home runs in franchise history. Who was the opponent and who was the pitcher on the mound?
4. Which team do the Saints have the most walk-off wins against?
5. How many four plus hour games have the Saints played since becoming a Triple-A affiliate?
6. Randy Dobnak is the franchise leader in innings pitched, strikeouts, and walks. Who is second in all three categories?
7. Only one pitcher has collected a hit in franchise history. Who was it?
8. Toby Gardenhire, who is now with the Minnesota Twins coaching staff, holds the record for most ejections in Triple-A franchise history. How many times was Toby ejected?
9. Which pitcher set the Triple-A franchise record for strikeouts in a game?
10. What two players homered over the batter’s eye for the Saints in 2025?
Let’s be clear. No one in Minor League Baseball does it like the St. Paul Saints. After five seasons in Triple-A, it’s clear that in most ballparks the Saints travel, it really is “all about the baseball.” Many Triple-A franchises treat their games just like they do in the Major Leagues. That’s not how we choose to do it. We bring the fastball every night, with the occasional curveball thrown at you. Over the course of 75 games, we’ll change speeds and split your sides with the hilarity at CHS Field.
The state of Minnesota has more actors and actresses per capita than any other state in the U.S. OK, maybe that isn’t entirely true, but add up the comedy clubs, theatres, and improv studios and you will find a ton of talent. Each year we search near and far to find the best of the best and bring them into one venue for the summer. While the players produce the entertainment on the field, our staff of talent produces the entertainment in the stands and between innings. There is one person who oversees all the hilarity, and it’s slash herself, Vice President/Assistant General Manager/Brand Marketing & Experience, Sierra Wolfe. Her job is to make sure each of our actors is on point and that everything runs like a well-oiled machine.
Our actors and actresses, or as we affectionately refer to them, Ushertainers, are overseen by Entertainment Director
Joshua Will. He begins his ninth season in that role with the Saints and will make sure that our Ushertainers hit their marks.
Our three-headed Master of Ceremonies, Lee Adams, Nicholas Leeman, and Rita Boersma return for their 10th season together. Lee is back for year number 14, while Nicholas turned his Stadium Correspondent gig in years past into the co-leading role. Rita did some fill-in work in year number one of CHS Field and has brought her dry and acerbic sense of humor into a full-time role ever since. Their voices are the ones you hear throughout the ballpark and provide hilarious commentary throughout the game. Their banter, quick wit, and talent as actors and actresses help engage the crowd each night.
The musical mood is set by organist Andrew Crowley. Crowley returns for his 24th season and his knowledge of various musical genres keeps fans of all ages entertained. He has a feel for each moment. Whether it’s getting kids on their feet dancing in the aisles or bringing back nostalgic memories for parents, Crowley is on top of it from his perch on the third base side of the Club Level. He is also in charge of hiring the nightly pre-game bands playing at the Farmers Market and the National Anthem singers.
The Ushertainers, the lifeblood of the entertainment at CHS Field, will be back in full force for the 2026 season. Seigo, the cult-like figure, will serenade the crowd with “Signing with Seigo” and don the sumo suit as he “Rides the Pony.” Maybe you like feeling cooler than The Nerd and Nerdette, doing calisthenics with Coach, cooking up something special with Chef, or being among royalty with Belle of the Ballpark, but whatever tickles your fancy, fans will be entertained to the fullest at CHS Field.
1. The Pipers took on Concordia-Moorhead and won 6-5 in Game 1 of a doubleheader.
2. Alonzo Harris accomplished the feat on July 4, 2016 against the Joplin Blasters. He hit the grand slam in the fourth inning off Noel Arguellas.
3. He hit it off of Winnipeg Goldeyes left-hander Zack Dodson. He gave up just 10 home runs that season in 124.1 innings, but none more memorable than that one.
4. It should come as no surprise the Saints have walked-off the Iowa Cubs more times than any other opponent, mainly because they have played more games against them than any other team. They have walked the I-Cubs off eight times with Columbus and Louisville second most with five.
5. They have played three four plus hour games with the longest game being the epic 14 inning game at Toledo on August 28, 2021 that was halted due to curfew. That game lasted five hours and seven minutes. The other two four-hour games were May 21, 2021 a fourhour and four-minute game vs. Indianapolis that went 10 innings and an August 26, 2021 game at Toledo that also lasted four-hours and four-minutes going 11 innings. The Saints lost all three of these games.
6. Ronny Henriquez is second on all three lists with 207.1 innings pitched, 214 strikeouts, and 86 walks.
7. Andrew Albers went 1-2 with a single and groundout on May 9, 2021 vs. Omaha. 10 other pitchers have received an at bat going a collective 0-10 with eight strikeouts.
8. He was thrown out 14 times in his five years as a manager. His last ejection came on July 11, 2025 at CHS Field when he argued an obstruction ruling at third base. His first ejection came on June 22, 2021 at Columbus when he argued a strike three call on Jimmy Kerrigan. Kerrigan was also tossed for arguing the strike three call.
9. Mick Abel did something no other Saints pitcher had done when he fanned 11 on August 16, 2025 @ Omaha. Five other times, three different pitchers, struck out 10 with David Festa accomplishing the feat three times, and Griffin Jax and Randy Dobnak once.
10. Aaron Sabato launched one over the batter’s eye on June 19 against Toledo. Just nine days later Yunior Severino did the same against Louisville on June 28. For Severino, it was the second time he’s gone yard over the batter’s eye, the lone player to do so. It’s happened nine times with eight different players, with a Saints player doing it seven times.
Despite the struggles in the standings, there were offensive bright spots throughout the lineup. Carson McCusker set a franchise single-season record with 22 home runs and 70 RBIs, pacing the lineup with steady power production. Behind him, Edouard Julien provided one of the team’s best seasons at the plate, hitting.276 with a strong on-base percentage (.415) and an .879 OPS, combining patience and slugging effectively.
Other hitters also made noise. Mickey Gasper posted a solid .916 OPS before his promotion, and Kyler Fedko showed flashes of multi-tool ability, giving fans reasons to stay engaged even amid losses. He was one of four Minor League players in 2025 with 25 HR & 25 SB (28/38). Kala’i Rosario at Double-A Wichita (Twins) went 25/32, Spencer Jones between Double-A Somerset & Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (NYY) went 35/29, and Junior Perez between Double-A Midland & Triple-A Las Vegas (Athletics) went 26/27.
On the mound, the Saints saw a mix of veterans, rehabbing Major Leaguers, and budding prospects take their turns. Darren McCaughan led the staff in wins, while others like Kyle Bischoff logged significant innings and strikeouts, showcasing durability if not always consistent results.
The pitching staff at times demonstrated excellent strikeout ability, there were outings with double-digit punchouts, but also gave up too many runs, especially in key situations that could have flipped close games.
The Saints’ season was a roller coaster. There were high moments, such as snapping a 12-game losing skid with a gritty 4-3 win that reminded fans of the team’s competitive fire. But that kind of spark was hard to sustain; the schedule also included multiple extended stretches where the club struggled to string wins together.
Losses by one run became frustratingly common, eroding morale and testing depth as the schedule marched on. The Saints were walked off multiple times and suffered a variety of tough, close defeats.
Though St. Paul’s record didn’t reflect success, the heart of the club’s mission, developing talent for the Major Leagues, delivered meaningful results. The Twins organization leaned on the Saints heavily as a conduit for rising prospects and rehabbing Twins alike.
On the development side, Connor Prielipp, one of Minnesota’s top pitching prospects, was promoted from Double-A in mid-August to bolster the Triple-A rotation. Moments like these were as much a win as any victory in the standings.
Earlier in the summer, first-round draft pick Aaron Sabato made his Triple-A debut after a strong stretch at Double-A, giving the Saints and Twins reason to believe in the future of the infield.
Other Saints players, including Carson McCusker, Ryan Fitzgerald, Travis Adams and Pierson Ohl, saw time with the Major
League club in 2025, meaning the Saints notched multiple MLB debuts, a testament to the organization’s developmental depth. Unfortunately, some promotions were tempered by setbacks: Festa, who began the season with St. Paul before moving back and forth with the Twins, was ultimately sidelined late in the year with a shoulder injury.
Meanwhile, Major Leaguers like Bailey Ober returned on rehab assignments, giving Saints fans a treat and a reminder of the strong bridge between Triple-A and the big leagues.
As the 2025 season wrapped, the Saints already began preparing for 2026 with a new managerial shift. Long-time manager Toby Gardenhire, at the helm in 2025, was promoted into the Twins’ major league staff, and Brian Dinkelman was announced as the new Saints manager.
The 2025 season might not have delivered a playoff push, but it delivered something arguably more important for a Triple-A team: real growth, real minutes for future stars, and experiences that will shape the next wave of Twins talent.
The Saints’ 2025 season was a story of resilience in the face of adversity, the triumphs of individual development amid team struggles, and an unwavering commitment to the farm system that fuels Major League success. From weather delays in April to the call-ups of late summer, this season was a chapter in a larger story, one that will continue to unfold at CHS Field and beyond.
(76-62, Texas League North Division) — The Wind Surge recorded their first winning season since 2022 and finished second in the Texas League North division as well as second in Texas League overall; however, they missed the Postseason for the third consecutive year. They ranked first out of 10 Texas League teams in runs scored (723), home runs (171), RBI (672), on-base percentage (.351) and OPS (.780). They also ranked second in batting average (.256), doubles (228) and slugging percentage (.429), fourth in stolen bases (172) and sixth in triples (24). The pitching staff recorded the third-lowest ERA (3.95) and strikeouts (1,137) in the league, as well as the fourthmost hits (1,124) and home runs (113). Outfielder Kala’i Rosario led the league runs scored (92), doubles (30), home runs (25) and RBI (83); ranked second in games played (130) and hits (127); ranked T-5th in triples (5); and T-7th stolen bases (32). Outfielder Walker Jenkins, Minnesota’s No. 1 prospect (No. 14 in baseball) spent 52 games with Wichita before being promoted to St. Paul on August 25. He slashed .309/.426/.487 with 11 doubles, one triple, seven home runs, 24 RBI and 11 stolen bases. Infielder, No. 4 prospect and Twins minor league Player of the Year Kaelen Culpepper was promoted to Wichita on June 20 where he recorded .285/.367/.460 with seven doubles, one triple, 11 home runs, 30 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 59 games with the Wind Surge. Despite being promoted to St. Paul in June and later making his major league debut in July, right-hander Pierson Ohl led the team in ERA (2.08) and WHIP (0.90) among pitchers with at least 20.0 innings, and Mike Paredes led in wins (11) and innings pitched (103.2). Rosario (OF), Kyler Fedko (DH), Culpepper (UTL) and Ohl (RP) were all named to the Texas League Postseason All-Star Team.
(74-63, Midwest League West Division) — The Kernels posted their 12th-straight winning season and reached the Postseason for the 11th time in 12 years after missing out last season. After clinching the division in the first half, securing a playoff spot with a record of 41-28, they recorded just a 31-32 record in the second half, finishing the regular season at 72-60 and placing second in the Midwest League West Division, as well as fourth in the Midwest League overall. Cedar Rapids beat Beloit in three games to secure the Midwest League West Division title, sending them to their third Midwest League Championship in five years. However, the West Michigan Whitecaps defeated the Kernels in just two games to take the crown. They tied for first out of 12 Midwest League teams in triples (41), ranked second in doubles (237), third in runs scored (640) and RBI (578), fourth in home runs (102) and sixth in stolen bases (180). The pitching staff ranked fifth ERA (4.31), T-10th in
strikeouts (1,077) and 10th in home runs allowed (69). Infielder and Twins No. 13 prospect Brandon Winokur ranked T-1st in the Midwest League in home runs (17), T-2nd in games played (122) and T-4th in RBI (68). Catcher Eduardo Tait was traded to the Twins from Philadelphia alongside right-hander Mick Abel in exchange for reliever Jhoan Duran. Tait became the Twins’ No. 2 prospect and appeared in 30 games for the Kernels, batting .250/.286/.408 with 10 doubles, three home runs and 14 RBI. Southpaw Samuel Perez led the team in ERA (2.05) among pitchers with at least 20.0 innings, and right-hander Chase Chaney led in wins (7) and innings pitched (107.2)
(52-73, Florida State League West Division) — The Mighty Mussels placed last out of 10 Florida State League teams. They recorded their first losing season since 2012 when tey went 60-75. A .416 winning percentage on the season also marked their lowest since 1993, Fort Myers’ second season of affiliated baseball, when they had a .410 win percentage. They ranked last in batting average (.218) runs scored (543), hits (884), doubles (140), triples (16), RBI (475), and OPS (.648). They ranked fourth in stolen bases (236) and T-5th in home runs (81). The pitching staff ranked seventh in ERA (4.48), and strikeouts (1,146), and sixth in home runs allowed (81). 2025 first-round draft pick and No. 6 prospect Marek Houston ranked first in batting average among Mighty Mussels players with at least 20 at-bats (.370), with four doubles, nine RBI and six stolen bases in 12 games with the team. Shortstop Dameury Pena led the team in runs scored (50), hits (89) and RBI (43); and outfielder Yasser Mercedes led in doubles (13), home runs (10) and stolen bases (34). Merecedes’ homers and stolen bases both tied for 10th-most in the league. Right-hander Cole Peschl led the team in ERA among pitchers with at least 20.0 innings (1.03), right-hander Eli Jones led in starts (18) and innings pitched (100.0), and righthander Jason Doktorczyk led in strikeouts (88).
(39-20, Rookie, Florida Complex League) — The Florida Complex League Twins posted their first winning season since 2019 (.577) and finished with their best winning percentage (.661) since 2007 (.661). They clinched the FCL’s South Division and went 1-2 in the best-of-three FCL Championship Series. Offensively, they ranked second out of 15 FCL teams in walks (305), fourth in home runs (29), on-base percentage (.361) and OPS (.689), and eighth in slugging (.328). Their pitching staff posted the sixth-lowest ERA (3.77) in the league and secondhighest strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.54) while allowing 21 home runs, tied for the fourth-fewest in the league.
*All prospect rankings from MLB.com
Whether on a big screen, in the palm of your hand, or in your ears, there will be no shortage of ways to follow the St. Paul Saints in 2026. With one of the more expansive TV schedules in franchise history, plus every game over the airwaves, fans can tune into Saints games no matter where they are in the world. A total of 32 of the Saints 75 home games can be seen on the CW Twin Cities and Fox 9+ in 2026. The Saints will also expand their reach around the state working for a second consecutive year with Gray Media. In addition, all 150 games can be heard, once again, on KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM. The entire Saints Broadcast Network is presented by Northland Ford Dealers.
All six Saints weekday afternoon games, three Saturday games, and, 10 Sunday games will be on the CW Twin Cities. Fans can find the CW Twin Cities on the following channels: Comcast 8/1008, DirectTV 23, Dish 23, Charter Spectrum 23/1023, and Over the Air 23.1. Each of the 13 Friday night home games can be found on FOX 9+. Fans can find Fox 9+ on the following channels: Comcast 10/807, DirectTV 29, Dish 29, Mediacom 10/803, Spectrum 10, and Over the Air 9.2. The Saints will carry all Friday Night Fireworks, powered by Xcel Energy, live on FOX 9+ following the game.
The remaining 43 home games can be seen on the Saints Broadcast Network, cable access channels in and around the Twin Cities Metro area. The channel in your area can be found at saintsbaseball.com. For the second consecutive year, the Saints will extend beyond the Twin Cities Metro courtesy of Gray Media with all 75 home games broadcast in Mankato on KEYC, 10 games in Rochester on KTTC, and 10 games in Duluth on KBJR.
The Saints will carry all 150 games at MLB+, MLB.TV, and MLB.TV/Twins.TV via the home broadcast feed. All three subscription-based services include the broadcasts of all Minor League teams. Fans can also watch via the Bally Live app for free.
For the ninth consecutive season the Saints can be heard on an iHeart station in the Twin Cities with every game carried on KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM.
The Saints began with the iHeart family in 2018, on Alt 93.3 FM. In 2019, the Saints moved their games to the brand new KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM, which has been the home of Saints Baseball for the last seven seasons. For those that don’t live in the coverage area, fans can download the iHeart Radio app and listen to games anywhere in the world.
Sean Aronson returns for his 20th season as the playby-play broadcaster of the Saints and will handle the broadcast for all 150 games. He can be seen on all 75 Saints TV broadcasts, the 19 on the CW Twin Cities, 13 on FOX 9+, and the 43 on the Saints Cable Network, and heard on all 75 road games via KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM. Aronson made his Major League debut in 2024 broadcasting six games for the Minnesota Twins and added four more Spring Training games in 2025.
Aronson called his 2,000th Saints game in 2025 and is the longest tenured broadcaster in franchise history. Entering his 20th season with the Saints makes him the second longest active English-speaking lead broadcaster for any Minnesota sports franchise, trailing only Paul Allen with the Vikings, who began in 2002. Alan Horton of the Minnesota Timberwolves also began in 2007.
In 2016. Aronson was awarded the Ballpark Digest Broadcaster of the Year Award for Minor League Baseball and on the final day of that regular season he became the first broadcaster in Saints history to call 1,000 games. He was nominated for a Regional Emmy for Saints TV broadcasts in 2010 and 2025. Aronson graduated from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism in 1999.
Joining Aronson this season are Matt Dean, who returns for his third full season with the Saints after spending 2015 with the team, and Steve Linzmeier, his fifth season.
Outside of Dean’s work with the Saints, the Milwaukee, Wisconsin native is also the radio broadcaster for Minnesota State Men’s Hockey, calling all home and road games for the Mavericks on KTOE in Mankato, a role he stepped into for the first time in 2025. He also covers high school sports as a television play-byplay announcer and studio host for North Metro TV in Blaine.
Dean got his start in baseball as the broadcasting and media relations intern for Aronson during the first season at CHS Field in 2015. He then rolled that into a full-time position as the Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations for the Charleston RiverDogs, then the Single-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, for four years before returning to his Midwestern roots. He is a 2015 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
In addition to the Saints, Linzmeier took over at St. Cloud State as the voice of the Men’s and Women’s basketball team, beginning in 2022-23 season, for the departed J.W. Cox, a former Saints broadcaster. Prior to his time with the Saints, Linzmeier spent nine years as the Sports Director at KQDJ in Jamestown, ND. He was the lead play-by-play voice for the University of Jamestown and Jamestown High School. Linzmeier was honored by his peers as the 2016 North Dakota Sportscaster of the Year. He has broadcast over 1,500 games including some locally for PrepSpotlight and St. Catherine University. He is a 2010 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism in 2010 and went on to get his Master’s in Sports Administration at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 2021.
For more information on the Saints broadcast schedule, fans can visit the virtual press box at saintsbaseball.com.
Eagle Valley Golf Course in Woodbury is a few minutes east of St. Paul. Our staff is committed to delivering an unforgettable experience every time you visit. The golf course consists of eighteen uniquely challenging holes suited for all skill levels. The practice facility offers a course-like feel with multiple targets, oversized practice green and bunker. Dine in our inviting, newly renovated clubhouse and enjoy an expanded food and beverage menu!
Great conditions and friendly staff every day!
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Starting with your first class, you’ll see why Hamline is different. Get an innovative education from expert faculty in a supportive community and graduate confident, capable, and empowered to succeed.
Admission into the City of Baseball Museum is free during St. Paul Saints home games with the purchase of your Saints ticket. If you'd like to set up a time to visit the museum outside of St. Paul Saints home games, please reach out to museum@saintsbaseball.com to schedule an appointment.
The City of Baseball Museum is located on the concourse behind the left field bleachers at CHS Field. Visit www.cityofbaseballmuseum.com for more information.
In order to provide a welcoming experience for all, the St. Paul Saints have implemented a Fan Code of Conduct. Out of respect for fellow guests, players, coaches, and ballpark staff, all guests are prohibited from:
• Trespassing on the playing field at any time;
• Interfering with baseballs that are in play;
• Throwing or tossing objects;
• Using foul, obscene or derogatory language (see below) or gestures;
• Misusing or overconsuming alcohol, including, underage consumption;
• Behaving in a manner that is disruptive, unruly, or abusive;
• Accessing areas of the ballpark without a proper ticket, pass, or credential;
• Misusing tickets, passes, or credentials in any way; or
• Bringing prohibited items into the ballpark.
Derogatory language is defined as offensive language concerning a person’s race, ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, or national origin, and anyone using such language is subject to automatic ejection from the ballpark.
Violations of the Fan Code of Conduct will not be tolerated and may lead to ejection from the ballpark, a ban on attending future games, or other consequences. Guests who are found to have used derogatory language will be ejected from the ballpark.
Guests are encouraged to report violations of the Fan Code of Conduct to the nearest ballpark staff member. This can be done in person, at the Fan Services Desk (Concourse Section 105), directly to a saints Fan Services representative in your seating area, Club Security Supervisor, Club staff member’s immediate supervisor, Assistant General Manager or the General Manager. Saints Vice President and Director of Fan Services may be reached by calling 651-288-9888, text 612-270-9190 or by emailing ecoblentz@saintsbaseball.com.
