ST. PAUL, Minn. - Two members of the 2009 Concordia University baseball team, one player and one coach, have signed with the St. Paul Saints to continue their playing careers at the professional level. Chris Herbert (2008-09) and Steve Butler (2002-04) have joined the Saints for the 2009 season, both were invited to camp as non-roster invitees and signed as free agents. Herbert becomes Concordia's ninth player to sign a professional baseball contract in 10 seasons under head coach Mark "Lunch" McKenzie in 10 years of Division II baseball at the University. Butler will begin his fifth season of pro baseball.
Herbert will begin his rookie season of professional baseball and is one of two catchers on the squad, the other being his former backstop teammate at the University of Minnesota, Jeff DeSmidt. Herbert mashed in his two years for Concordia, hitting 24 home runs and finishing his career third on the career home run list. As a senior in 2009, Herbert broke the school record for RBI with 65 as he was named All-Central Region and All-NSIC First Team at catcher. He also brought speed to the bases with 11 stolen bases in 12 tries while throwing out 11 of 49 base stealers with his arm.
"I am excited for the opportunity Chris has to begin his professional career," commented McKenzie. "Chris worked very hard at Concordia and put up great numbers. I'm eager to see how he will perform at the next level."
Butler served as an assistant coach to McKenzie in 2009 and will be extending his second stint with the Saints organization. Butler began his pro career with the Saints in 2005 and played his first two years with the club. In 2007, he played for South Georgia where he had his best season as a professional, hitting .275 while setting career highs in virtually every hitting category. He hit 10 doubles and his only two professional home runs while driving in 36 runs on the season with a .372 on base pct. In 2008, Butler started the year with Fort Worth before finishing up the season with the Saints. In 24 games with St. Paul last year, Butler hit .250 with a .347 on base pct. He will once again be counted on as a utility player, much like he was in a Golden Bear uniform. Butler has played in 217 games in his pro career.
"Steve is flat out a hard working baseball guy. He worked hard on his game when he played here (at Concordia) and has continued that work ethic throughout his five year professional career," McKenzie commented. "His work ethic and determination have been a huge asset for us this season and we are excited to get him back as a coach this fall."
Herbert made quite a first impression with a home run in his first at bat in exhibition play while Butler finished the exhibition season with a three hit performance in a win over Winnipeg yesterday.
The Saints open their 2009 season tomorrow, May 14 at Sioux Falls Stadium against the Sioux Falls Canaries at 7:05 p.m. The game can be heard live on Relevant Radio AM 1330. All regular season and playoff home games will be televized, with Saturday games being carried on KSTC Channel 45 with all other games on the Saints Cable Network. On the radio, all 96 games will be broadcast on Relevant Radio 1330 AM and carried online at www.saintsbaseball.com.
