Alec Shepherd, who was born in Willmar and played summers in Spicer, recently signed a minor league contract with the St. Paul Saints and will make his first home start of the season tonight against the El Paso Diablos.
Shepherd, a right-handed pitcher, was playing for the St. Joe Blacksnakes and had beaten the Saints 17-1 on July 31. Four days later, the Saints acquired him for cash and future considerations. The Saints also signed Fernando Valenzuela Jr., the son of the former Los Angeles Dodgers great by the same name, on the same day as Shepherd.
"It's nice to be back in Minnesota," Shepherd said by telephone Wednesday night. "I'm looking forward to starting my first game at home for the Saints."
Shepherd's parents, Buster and Bonnie Shepherd, lived in Willmar from 1979-86, but lived on Green Lake in the summer until 2004. Alec played Little League and one season of American Legion ball with Spicer. His parents now reside in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Shepherd, 21, a three-sport prep standout at Colorado Springs, was drafted by the Detroit Tigers last year and played one season in the minor leagues before being released in spring training this year. He then signed with the St. Joe Blacksnakes where he went 5-1 with a 3.20 ERA in 12 games this summer. In 642/3 innings pitched, he walked 23 and struck out 41.
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He made his first start with the Saints on Saturday against the Sioux Falls Canaries, hurling seven innings and allowing five hits and three runs in an 8-6 win in Sioux Falls.
