The St. Paul Saints are back for another season, their second in CHS Field, and will be looking to match last year's 74-26 record that won the division by 26.5 games. Here is a look at this year's team, and how this year may not be as memorable as last season.
Recap of last season
Last season was arguably the best season in franchise history. The 2015 Saints finished the season with a 74-26 record, the second best in the league. The only team with a better record was the Sioux City Explorers, who finished with a record of 75-25.
Both teams easily won their divisions, but due to American Association Playoff rules, they met up in the first round of the playoffs, where the Explorers took home a 3-1 series victory. They went on to lose the league championship to the Laredo Lemurs, who surprised the Wichita Wingnuts in their semi-final matchup.
Players not returning
Independent baseball is a unique business, as the players are not tied down to one team. Yes, they sign contracts, but most contracts are one-year deals. Players are under no obligation to return to their teams from year to year, and the Saints were hit hard by players not returning.
Their big two hitters, Ian Gac and Vinny DiFazio, both are not returning, as well as pitchers Kramer Sneed, Mike Zouzalik, and Pedro Hernandez. That leaves the question of who is returning? To put it simply, about half of last year's team is returning, led by 1B Angelo Songco, who spent Spring Training with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is joined by relief pitcher Ryan Rodebaugh, and outfielder Alonzo Harris.
New Additions
The Saints did make some free agent signings, and a few trades to replace those who did not return. The biggest deal they made came on Monday when they announced that they had acquired pitcher John Straka from the Explorers for the rights to Brett Harper, who is currently playing in the Mexican League.
Last year, Straka was one of the best pitchers in the league, as he finished the season with an 11-3 record, with a 3.27 ERA.
In addition, they signed former Minnesota Twins pitcher Caleb Thielbar, and former Saint Mark Hamburger, who will get the start Thursday night when they open the season against the Gary Southshore Railcats.
Players to watch
There are a few players to keep an eye on, mostly because they have the chance to make the jump to affiliated ball throughout the season. The first name that comes to mind is Songco, who spent Spring Training with the Los Angeles Dodgers, before being cut. He has the potential to make a quick jump to affiliated ball, and once he does, he could be a major league player.
A second name to watch is Thielbar, who has major league experience, as he spent the last two seasons pitching for the Twins in an eighth-inning set-up role. He is trying to use the Saints as a stepping stone to re-start his major league career.
Hamburger is also a player to keep an eye on, as he played for the Saints a few years ago, then left after the Twins purchased his contract. After spending a few years in the Twins minor league system, he was released, and re-signed with St. Paul, where he will be the ace of the staff.
Season prediction
Manager Geroge Tsamis did a great job over the winter of putting together a team that has the potential to win. While they most likely won't match last year's team, this writer predicts that they will finish with a winning record, and will win the division. What happens in the playoffs depends on how the other divisions play out.
No matter how the season turns out, it is shaping up to be another great year for the Saints.