Pitching for the Schaumburg Boomers, an independent team in the Frontier League, in 2021, Burnsville native Aaron Rozek was resigned to the fact that his dream of reaching the major leagues had reached a critical stage. If he still found himself in independent ball at season’s end, he was prepared to call it a career, one that included pitching for Minnesota State-Mankato from 2014-18. Everything changed on June 24, 2021, when he signed as a minor-league free agent with the Twins. Less than three years later, he’s back in his hometown, pitching for the Saints. “As far as I’m concerned,” the 28-year-old Rozek said, “I’m playing with house money.” Rozek was all smiles prior to the Saints’ 4-1 loss to the Iowa Cubs on Wednesday at CHS Field as he detailed the journey that brought him back to the Twin Cities. He joined the Saints four days ago, called up from Double-A Wichita to take the place of right-hander Jeff Brigham, who is sidelined with a left oblique strain. While playing with that house money, Rozek has beaten the odds. “Knowing where velo stands with pitchers, I thought that there was a very small chance that this was going to happen,” Rozek said. “When I went to indy ball, it was just to extend being a kid without many responsibilities for as long as possible.” Not a hard thrower, the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Rozek has relied on good control, keeping hitters off balance by changing speeds — and family — to make it to the Triple-A level. “I’ve been really blessed to have a great support group,” he said, “With my wife, Cassidy, and my parents, to be able to continue to pursue my dream.” Rozek, who attended Burnsville High School, grew up a Twins fan. His favorite player was left-handed pitcher Johan Santana, whom he was thrilled to meet after joining the Twins organization. “He’s the reason I fell in love with pitching,” Rozek said. “He’s why I love the change-up; that’s my go-to pitch. He’s the reason I wore No. 57″ Now that he’s one step away from the majors, Rozek said he has allowed himself to think about what it would be like to put on a Twins uniform. “But I’m just taking it day be day,” he said. “There’s so much that goes into being called up, I don’t want to have that take away from the day-to-day thing.” Rozek’s parents are still in Burnsville, and he has extended family in Fridley and Columbia Heights that he looks forward to seeing at CHS Field. Now that he’s here, he knows he has to show that he belongs. “Hitters are hitters,” said Rozek, who will work out of the bullpen after primarily being a starter. “The best still get out seven out of 10 times. So I just have to remember that. As long as I put the ball over the white, house-shaped object in front of me, good things are going to happen, more than likely.” Rozek, who has yet to appear in a game for the Saints, has six pitches in repertoire: a four-seam and two-seam fastball, a cutter, a sweeping slider, a curve and a change-up. “I’m not going to blow anyone way with velo,” he said, “But hopefully command is going to be where it’s been in the past.” Briefly Saints starter Randy Dobnak cruised through four innings on Wednesday before giving up a three-run home run to Patrick Wisdom, who is on rehab assignment from the Chicago Cubs. Related Articles Sports | Despite Camargo’s efforts, Saints can’t battle back Sports | Nashville holds Saints to 4 hits, wins game in 10th Sports | Injury-plagued Saints open season with victory over Columbus Sports | ‘Ozempig’ remains Saints’ mascot despite uproar that name is form of fat-shaming Sports | Charley Walters: Futures of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell hinge on picking right quarterback