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.