So far this season, Saints reliever Ryan Jensen has looked very much like a pitcher worthy of being a first-round draft choice in 2019. The fact that he is playing for his fourth organization in less than a year suggests that there have been a few trials and tribulations since he left Fresno State.

But make no mistake, the Twins think they have something in the 26-year-old right-hander they picked up off of waivers in January. Just as the Chicago Cubs did when they drafted him. Just as the Seattle Mariners did when they claimed him off waivers last summer. Just as the Miami Marlins did when the claimed him off waivers after the season.

Jensen has a major-league arm. Finding a way to harness that talent in the form of consistently throwing strikes will determine if his potential will be met.

“It speaks highly of the stuff, where that many teams are interested and want to strike gold,” Saints pitching coach Pete Larson said prior to the Saints’ 5-2 win over the Iowa Cubs on Thursday night at CHS Field. “There’s that thought, that we can be that team to help turn it around.

“We saw him last year (against) Iowa and saw an explosive arm. If he can attack the zone well he has a shot, because the stuff is exceptional, and its high-end.”

Jensen (2-0) has made three appearances for the Saints this season and has yet to allow a run.

He has given up three hits in four innings while striking out seven. He’d like to think his control problems — and vagabond days — are behind him.

“It was definitely a whirlwind,” Jensen said of the past few months. “It made me reconnect with who I am, so it was almost a blessing in disguise. It led to me focusing on myself and what I need to accomplish, and not focus on what teams had in mind for me.”

A converted starter, Jensen has cut down on the number of different pitches he throws, with the goal of gaining more command. His fastball has reached 96 miles per hour this season, and Jensen said he has reached triple digits in the past.

“We saw 99 in spring training, which is extremely exciting,” Larson. “He has a power slider and a change-up, which is a little hard. It’s funny to say hard change-up, but it’s got really good depth and run to it.”

Larson’s work between outings this season has been all about honing his control. Among other things, the Saints have turned to something as simple as changing the spot Jensen makes contact with the pitching rubber.

“Some of his misses where down on the glove side,” Larson said. “Shift you over and throw the same way, and those misses are now more over the plate. That’s how we’re going to attack it initially, and so far the results have been there.”

Jensen faced Iowa, the former team he has the most history with, on Wednesday night, coming on in the ninth inning and striking out three while allowing a single.

“It was probably the most butterflies I’ve had in a while,’ Jensen said. “Just because they’re all my friends, so competing against them almost means more than some random person.”

Briefly

The Saints got a three-run home run from Diego Castillo and a solo shot by DaShawn Keirsey Jr.

David Festa, the No. 5 prospect in the Twins organization according to MBL Pipeline, started for the Saints but lasted only 2 2/3 innings. Festa allowed one run on three hits, striking out four while walking four.

Twins reliever Caleb Thielbar made his second rehab appearance with the Saints. He struck out four in two innings of work while giving up a home run.

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