The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, an independent professional baseball team in the American Association of Professional Baseball, signed Germany national team left fielder Lou Helmig on March 4.
March 3 Transaction: @FMRedHawks signed INF Lou Helmig.
The former #Phillies farmhand is currently playing for Germany at the World Baseball Classic. https://t.co/4n0awgR1eP pic.twitter.com/zvMOzHEIAl
— American Association (@AA_Baseball) March 5, 2025
Helmig, 21, was born in Paderborn, Germany, and played two seasons in the Florida Complex League with the Philadelphia Phillies from 2022 to 2023.
Across his two seasons in the Phillies’ system, Helmig played 49 games, posting a .179 batting average, .311 on-base percentage, and .270 slugging percentage. He struck out 29.6% of the time but also showed a disciplined approach, drawing walks at a 14.1% rate. His power potential saw slight improvement in his second year, with his isolated power increasing from .057 in 2022 to .149 in 2023.
Defensively, Helmig has experience at multiple positions, spending most of his time at first base but also logging innings at third base, left field, center field, and right field.
Helmig is currently a member of Regensburg Legionäre in the German Baseball League. The team plays its home games at Armin-Wolf-Arena, with Martin Helmig, Lou’s father, at the helm.
Martin Helmig was a multi-sport athlete before becoming a professional baseball player. His grandfather, Claus T. Helmig, is regarded as one of the founders of baseball in Germany and is often referred to as “the godfather of German baseball.”
“My family didn’t know anything else besides baseball,” Helmig said in an interview with ESPN’s Michael Clair during Germany’s World Baseball Classic Qualifiers in Tucson. “I was just growing up on a baseball field and living a dream there.”
Helmig hit in the 2-spot for Team Germany in the WBC Qualifiers, appearing in four games and finishing with a 2-for-16 performance at the plate. He recorded 2 RBI, 2 runs, 1 double, 2 walks, and 1 stolen base while striking out three times. His best game came in Germany’s 12-2 victory over China, where he went 1-for-5 with an RBI single, a stolen base, and a run scored. His most impactful moment came against Brazil when he delivered an eighth-inning double that led to a run.
The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks also signed Dominican Republic infielder Osmy Gregorio for the 2025 season on March 4.
March 3 Transaction: @FMRedHawks signed INF Osmy Gregorio.
The Dominican Republic native and former #Mariners, #Rays and #Angels farmhand spent 2024 with the @goflyingboxcars and @golexlegends. pic.twitter.com/TSQC6uGF8c
— American Association (@AA_Baseball) March 5, 2025
Gregorio, 26, was born in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic and has played seven minor league seasons with the Seattle Mariners from 2016-17, the Tampa Bay Rays from 2018-19, and 2021, and the Los Angeles Angels in 2023.
In addition to his time in affiliated baseball, Gregorio has played in the independent leagues, spending the 2021 season with the York Revolution in the Atlantic League before joining the Lexington Legends from 2023-24 and the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars in 2024.
Across three seasons in the Atlantic League, Gregorio hit .274 over 214 games, tallying 216 hits, 33 doubles, six triples, 20 home runs, and 97 RBI in 863 plate appearances. He also stole 22 bases and posted a .727 OPS, striking out 174 times while drawing 54 walks.
Last season, Gregorio split time between Lexington and Hagerstown, appearing in 99 games with 391 plate appearances. He batted .261, collecting 93 hits, 20 doubles, two triples, eight home runs, and 48 RBI, along with 17 stolen bases and a .709 OPS.
In his seven minor league seasons, Gregorio played 475 games, posting a .224 batting average with 393 hits, 62 doubles, 19 triples, 19 home runs, and 183 RBI. He also stole 76 bases, walked 153 times, and struck out 470 times, finishing with a .604 OPS.
The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks continued adding international talent for the 2025 season, signing Venezuelan outfielder Alexfri Planez on March 3.
February 27 Transaction: @FMRedHawks signed OF Alexfri Planez (@ajplanez33).
The Venezuela native joins Fargo-Moorhead after six seasons in the #Guardians' system. https://t.co/o4CBvQEceX pic.twitter.com/NYiRjjoUeI
— American Association (@AA_Baseball) March 4, 2025
Planez, 23, was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and spent seven years in the Cleveland Guardians organization. He signed a minor league contract on August 27, 2017, and remained with the club until electing free agency on November 4, 2024.
In 2024, Planez led Double-A Akron with 16 home runs, appearing in 104 games. He batted .219 with 88 hits, 14 doubles, two triples, and 48 RBI in 425 plate appearances. He also stole three bases, walked 16 times, and struck out 123 times, finishing with a .637 OPS.
During the 2024-25 Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional winter league season, Planez played 20 games for the Tigres de Aragua. He struggled offensively, hitting .111 in 40 plate appearances, with four hits, one double, one home run, five RBI, and two stolen bases. He also drew four walks and struck out seven times.
Over six minor league seasons, Planez played 371 games and posted a .252 batting average. He recorded 362 hits, 76 doubles, 10 triples, 61 home runs, and 208 RBI in 1,529 plate appearances. He also stole 26 bases, walked 56 times, and struck out 403 times, finishing with a .734 OPS.
Last season, the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks finished 53-47, placing third in the American Association Western Division standings. Their playoff run ended in the best-of-three semifinals against the Winnipeg Goldeyes.
The RedHawks will open their 2025 American Association regular season at home against the Sioux Falls Canaries on May 9 at Newman Outdoor Field in Fargo, N.D. The game time has not yet been announced.
Lou Helmig fields a play at first base as one of three key international signings for the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks’ 2025 roster.
Photo Source: Mittelbayerische Zeitung
