The Minnesota Twins have found success in 2013 with former Independent League players. It all started a couple of years ago when they purchased the contract of St. Paul Saints pitcher. They are hoping the magic continues as infielder Brad Boyer (pictured) had his contract purchased by the Twins.
The 29-year-old Boyer is having an incredible season batting .337 with seven homers and 50 RBI in 78 games. In 303 at bats he has 26 doubles, three triples, a .395 on base percentage and a .512 slugging percentage. He has been among the league leaders in batting average since day one and is currently tied for sixth in the American Association.
Boyer’s season, which has seen him start 44 games at second, 17 games at third and four games at shortstop while DHing 14 times, has been filled with incredible moments. He scored a run in a career high seven straight games from May 16-25 and then topped that when he scored in eight straight from July 4-12. On June 11 he clubbed a walk-off homer against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks.
Boyer tore up American Association pitching in 2011 with the Gary SouthShore Railcats finishing eighth in the league with a .348 average, 11 homers and 68 RBI in 87 games. In 353 at bats he scored 66 runs, roped 21 doubles, eight triples, a .405 on base percentage and .538 slugging percentage. He was voted a Post-Season All-Star at second base.
In 2005 Boyer was selected in the 14th round of the June Amateur Draft by the Seattle Mariners out of the University of Arizona, but elected not to sign. Following his senior season at Arizona he was selected in the 13th round of the June Amateur Draft by the San Francisco Giants.
Boyer played in the Giants’ organization from 2006 to 2010, reaching Triple-A in his final season before going to the American Association. The infielder is now expected to join the Twins’ Double-A affiliate, the New Britain Rock Cats, of the Eastern League.
Recap courtesy of Sean Aronson/St. Paul Saints
Photo courtesy of Emily Robertson/St. Paul Saints
