How They're Doing: Chad Christensen signs with independent St. Paul Saints

CEDAR RAPIDS — Chad Christensen was released last week by the Minnesota Twins but found another Twin Cities baseball team to play for.

The former Cedar Rapids Washington prep signed with the St. Paul Saints of the independent American Association. He was 4 for his first 11 at the plate with an RBI.

Christensen was struggling with a batting average under .190 for high-Class A Fort Myers when he was let go by the Twins. His teammates with the Saints include former Kernels teammate Tanner Vavra and Davenport Assumption graduate Willie Argo.

Other teams in the American Association are Winnipeg, Fargo-Moorhead, Sioux Falls, Sioux City, Lincoln, Gary, Kansas City, Texas, Joplin, Wichita and Laredo.

How They're Doing

Colin Rea (Cascade): Promoted back to the big leagues (Padres) after a short stint in Triple-A. Is 3-2 with a 4.85 ERA in 11 games, 10 starts.

Scott Schebler (Cedar Rapids Prairie): Outfielder has hits in 11 consecutive games and in 15 of 16 for Triple-A Louisville (Reds) to increase hit batting average to .289 in 35. That includes seven doubles, four triples, six home runs and 22 RBIs.

Matt Dermody (University of Iowa): Relief pitcher continues to be awesome for Double-A New Hampshire (Blue Jays). Has yet to allow a run in eight appearances, covering 11 2/3 innings. Is 2-1 with a 1.20 earned run average in 30 innings this season between Double-A and high-A Dunedin.

Jon Keller (Cedar Rapids Xavier): Reliever threw 2 2/3 innings of shutout ball in his only appearance last week for Double-A Bowie. Lowered his ERA to 5.04 in 17 appearances for the Baysox.

Mitch Keller (Cedar Rapids Xavier): Starting pitcher has been selected to participate in the South Atlantic League All-Star Game. Is 5-4 with a 2.42 ERA in 12 starts for low-A West Virginia (Pirates). Has allowed just 47 hits and has 76 strikeouts in 67 innings.

Jake Yacinich (University of Iowa): Shortstop hitting .218 in 25 games for low-Class A Burlington, with four homers and 12 RBIs. The four homers are a career high.

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