Former Lincoln Saltdogs pitcher Lindsay Gulin, the 2006 “Star of Stars” in the American Association, will have a chance to finally break into the big leagues next spring. The Milwaukee Brewers have given Gulin a non-roster invitation to major league spring training, after his All-Star performance at the AAA level in 2008.

At this point, Gulin appears to be unique among former independent-level players who now play in the affiliated minor league. Bob Wirz of Independent Baseball Insider writes, “The first former Independent player that I have seen getting a non-roster invitation to major league spring training in 2009 is southpaw Lindsay Gulin, who has been knocking on the big league door for a while. The onetime Lincoln, NE standout had a solid 3.54 ERA (7-7) for Triple-A Nashville this summer to stretch his career record to 111-57.”

Gulin was a two-time winner of the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week award this past season, and his ERA ranked second in the league. No starting pitcher in the PCL held opponents to a lower batting average than Gulin’s .219 mark. The 32-year-old lefty has spent the past two seasons in the Brewers organization, pitching mainly for AA Huntsville in 2007 before moving full-time to Nashville in 2008.

In 2006, Gulin dominated the American Association for Lincoln, going 13-2 with a 2.10 ERA in 19 games, including 18 starts. He won the league’s ERA crown, finished second in wins (setting a Lincoln team record), and ended up third in the AA in strikeouts. Gulin led the Saltdogs to a 65-31 record, the best ever posted in the league, as Lincoln won North Division titles in both halves of the season. The Brewers purchased Lindsay's contract from Lincoln that winter.

Gulin may have more than just an outside chance of winning a spot on Milwaukee’s roster next spring. The Brewers top two starters, C.C. Sabathia and Ben Sheets, are both free agents and may sign elsewhere. The Brew Crew’s closer in 2008, Salomon Torres, announced his retirement at the end of the season. A lot can happen between now and February 14, when pitchers and catchers can report to spring training, but Milwaukee appears to have some openings on its pitching staff heading into 2009.

Courtesy: Saltdogs.com