Record: 34-27
Place: 2nd in the North Division (1 GB), 2nd in Wild Card (0.5 GB)
Team Pitching (League Ranking Listed in Parenthesis): ERA: 4.40 (8), Strikeouts: 425 (11), WHIP: 1.42 (8)
Team Batting (League Ranking Listed in Parenthesis): Average: .277 (3), Home Runs: 73 (1), Slugging: .451 (1), Stolen Bases: 44 (9)

Recap

It is hard to believe, but for the first time since the St. Paul Saints moved to CHS Field they find themselves in second place in the North Division coming out of the All-Star break. In fact, the team had only been out of first for two days in their first two seasons in their new home.

The Saints got out to a quick start to begin the 2017 American Association campaign, beginning 5-1 and left May 8-5. St. Paul caught fire in June, going 19-8 during the month, thanks in large part to the middle of their order. Brady Shoemaker, Anthony Gallas, and Tony Thomas were unstoppable and helped to make this team one of the most challenging lineups in the league to pitch against. The bullpen was also rock solid, as Seth Rosin and Caleb Thielbar formed arguably the best 1-2 duo out of a bullpen, with Rosin not allowing a run in his time with St. Paul and Thielbar leaving June with a 0.57 ERA.

However, July has been brutal. The Saints limped into the All-Star break on a three-game winning streak, thanks to a sweep of the Salina Stockade, but they are 7-14 overall in the month, and it has been the complete decimation of their pitching staff that has been the culprit. Rosin was signed by the Giants and Thielbar went on the DL. Benji Waite moved to the starting rotation where he has been stellar, but the bullpen has suffered because of it. The Saints were swept in St. Paul by the Sioux Falls Canaries, then lost two of three at home to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks before being swept in Winnipeg.

The Good

Mark Hamburger picked up right where he left off last season. The right-hander is 10-2, leading the American Association in victories, and has been the most dependable pitcher on the team. He was named as the All-Star game starter and well deserved. Hamburger has thrown 4-complete games this season with a shutout.

The middle of the order has also been everything that Manager George Tsamis could have asked for. Anthony Gallas has put himself in the running for league MVP, hitting .332 with 15-homer and 50-RBI. He is fourth in homers and RBI. Brady Shoemaker has been just as impressive, hitting .326 with 15-HR and 38-RBI. He has also walked 40 times. Tony Thomas made the All-Star team, along with Gallas, and it is well-deserved. Thomas is hitting .295 with 13-home runs and 42-RBI. He was hurt in the last game before the All-Star break, adding to the growing concerns.

The Bad

The starting rotation is in complete disarray right now. After Hamburger and Waite, no one has really pitched consistently for St. Paul. Ryan Zimmerman started out red hot, but has fallen back to earth, posting a 5.21 ERA in 10 starts. Jason Creasy was released, as was Kramer Sneed. Dustin Crenshaw left for Mexico, John Straka resigned with Toronto, Eric Veglahn retired, and Robert Coe was released as the team hopes that he can regain his arm strength. George Tsamis is desperate for pitching right now.

The Ugly

The troubles with the Saints are not just about pitching. They are just as much about injuries. Coe started the season on the DL, as did Sneed. Neither regained their form. Thielbar is now on the DL. Outfielders Danny Oh and Breeland Almadova were both hurt, with Oh still on the DL. Now, Thomas is out and there are concerns about Kes Carter. If Thomas is going to be out for any extended period of time this team may not be able to recover.

1^st Half Most Valuable Player: Anthony Gallas

Acquired before the season, Gallas has moved into the cleanup spot in the lineup and has been awesome. He is leading the team with a .332 average, as well as tied for first in home runs and RBI. The slugger has proven to be one of the most formidable hitters in the league.

1^st Half Top Pitcher: Mark Hamburger

Hamburger continues to excel, leading the American Association with a 10-2 record. In his 14-starts this season, he has tossed 4-complete games and has given up four or more runs just twice. He keeps the team in games and gives the bullpen a rest each time he takes the mound.

 The Prognosis

It is the injuries that are going to have a huge say over where this team goes. The additions of Carter and Mitch Delfino have proven that George Tsamis knows how to find talent, especially when a player seems like they are done. Carter is hitting .324 since joining the Saints, and Delfino .294. If he can bolster the bullpen then the struggles of the starting rotation may become insignificant. As much as the team has struggled this month, they are just a game out. This looks a lot like 2014 when the team was a game out at the All-Star break, but fell apart in August. The Saints need prayers that will not be the case.

By Robert Pannier