Pig's Eye Podcast

On this week's episode we chat with one of the more recent, but key additions to the St. Paul Saints, shortstop Joey Wong. A native of Salem, OR and former College World Series champion at Oregon State, we reminisce on the ridiculous amount of winning he was a part of early in his playing days. We look back on his now 10-year professional career, playing overseas in Australia for Team China in the World Baseball Classic and also, how baseball has changed for him since becoming a father. All that and more, enjoy!

On Episode 12, we welcome St. Paul Saints second baseman, Zach Walters. A man that has reached the Major Leagues, we discuss his tenure in pro ball and how he found success playing in five different organizations. Zach talks about getting his first hit off of the late Jose Fernandez and playing for Terry Francona. Nicknamed "The Iron Teddy," Walters takes us into his world of personal quirks, obscure walk-up songs and passion for art. He also reveals his post-playing aspirations to become a member of the US military and current steps he is taking to make it a reality. Enjoy!

On this week's episode, we are happy to welcome Saints center fielder Kyle Barrett! We dive into what it is like now to be in the thick of a Saints playoff push and how he was able to gel with a close-knit clubhouse. A recently turned 25-year old, Kyle discusses his recent tenure with the Miami Marlins system and going through tough times following his release. We examine the political aspect of baseball and being a part of an organization when there is internal overhaul like the Marlins recently underwent. We talk about "the best time of his life" and career at the University of Kentucky, then competing in the Cape Cod League. Finally, we have some fun in our final rapid fire round. Hope you enjoy!

On this week's episode, we welcome Saints outfielder Burt Reynolds! Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New Jersey, we discuss his upbringing in Newark and lifelong baseball relationships, including with his cousin Robinson Cano and close friend Hector Santiago. Reynolds details his professional career, which began at age 19 and how much he's learned over his now 11 years in the pro ranks. We also break down his ridiculously hot start with the Saints and get into some off-the-field fun, explaining the process of "Kangaroo Court." Hope you enjoy!

This week we sit down with one of steadiest members of the St. Paul Saints bullpen, right-hander Mike Devine. (10:34) Originally from just outside of Pittsburg, PA, we discuss what it was like playing sports in a tight-knit community and how he made his decision to attend Virginia Military Institute. He explains his experiences as a KeyDet and then making the transition to Independent Ball in 2012\. From there, we go through his travels and how he made his way to the Twin Cities. The 28-year old brings a two-way, everyday type of mentality to the field and breaks down just how and why he loves to throw as much as he can. Hope you enjoy!

On Episode 8, we are pleased to present our guest of week and St. Paul Saints shortstop Anthony Phillips! After getting you caught up on the team's recent play, we jump right into Phillips' (6:30) upbringing in South Africa and his athletic beginnings. Coming over to the states at just 16 years old, the Capetown native had to go through plenty of adjustments both on and off the field. He recounts his time within the Seattle Mariners organization as well as he first stop with the Saints back in 2015\. We also talk about playing in the World Baseball Classic and how he has seen the sport grow in the past 10+ years in his home country. Hope you enjoy!

On this week's episode we sit down with St. Paul Saints starting pitcher Matt Solter. Now one of just two Opening Day members of the rotation, we discuss Solter's assessment of himself as well as the club through the halfway point of the 2018 season. We get into his beginnings in New Bern, SC along with his collegiate experience at a top-tier liberal arts school in Furman University. Also, he breaks down his professional experience first in the Independent ranks before pitching in the San Francisco Giants organization for two years (during which he got to pitch against the likes of Tim Tebow). Finally, we throw him into our rapid-fire round and get to know one the more energetic members of the St. Paul staff. Hope you enjoy!

This week we welcome St. Paul Saints outfielder Max Murphy onto the Pig's Eye Podcast! We discuss the Saints recent surge and how they have found themselves now half-way through the 2018 season. His performance as one of the catalysts of the offense and how his defense has shone all summer long. We talk about growing up 20 minutes away from CHS Field and his time within the Minnesota Twins organization after competing in college for Bradley University (IL). We also get a glimpse inside his impressive fishing trips and what his biggest catches were. This sit down allows us to learn a little more about Murphy, who has been arguably the most quietly consistent member of the Saints. Hope you enjoy!

On Episode 5 we sit down with St. Paul Saints first baseman Brady Shoemaker who is just one of three members in franchise history to hit 20 home runs in a single season (21, 2017). After a dominant first year he has returned to bring a veteran presence and power bat to the hear of the St. Paul order. We get into the Brazil, IN natives upbringing and stellar collegiate career at Indiana State University along with his introduction to the affiliated ranks as a 19th Round selection by the Chicago White Sox in 2009\. Shoemaker reflects on the highs and lows from his seven seasons between the Chicago and Miami Marlins systems, which saw him make four MiLB All-Star appearances. The humble slugger has produced at every single level he has played and grants us an opportunity to go inside the head of one of the steadiest of Saints. Hope you enjoy!

On this week's episode we sit down with Saints starter Eddie Medina to discuss his hot start in 2018, his new role at the top of the rotation and of course we get into his career. From his childhood love for Mariano Rivera, his pride from being from the "fifth borough," his collegiate success at St. John’s university then turned into a freak injury that prevented him from signing with the Toronto Blue Jays and his path from there. Having to take a windy road to where he currently stands in the Twin Cities , he bounced around different independent leagues, one in which he did not even have housing and had to sleep in his car the night before taking the mound as the Opening Day starter. All of that and much more, enjoy!