Other articles by Sarah Trotto:

Korn decides he wants to dabble in football before track season begins Freshman makes quick transition from high school Lights out on Triple-AZucker takes bull by horns with new team at Hi Corbett Field 6 going back up to D-backs; Whitesell gets first promotion 'It's a good atmosphere' Winders' catcher can handle bat and a stick Tucson gets help as season winds down Whitesell red-hot, literally D-backs' roster expands Monday, but Upton, Scherzer go up early

Driver/Transportation
Winroc Corp
Drivers Health Care
Sonora Behavorial Health
Executive Assistant Health Care
VALOR HOSPICECARE
ON-CALL NURSE General
VALLEY PROTECTIVE SERVICES
SECURITY OFFICERS Driver/Transportation
Pioneer Landscaping
Dieel Fleet Mechanic Health Care
Mountain Land Rehabilitation
Physical Therapist Administrative & Professional
Pima Prevention Partnership
Administrative Assistant

The newest member of the Sidewinders has gone from undrafted free agent to minor-league all-star who is on the brink of the big leagues.

After Reid Mahon pitched in just 29 games in four seasons at the University of Minnesota, every major-league team passed over the 6-foot-3-inch hard-throwing right-hander in the 2006 draft.

"I didn't expect to get drafted, just because I didn't have very much mound experience in college," said Mahon, a St. Paul, Minn., native, before the Sidewinders' 3-2 victory over Fresno at Tucson Electric Park on Wednesday.

In his Sidewinders' debut Wednesday night, he struck out two and walked one in two scoreless innings to earn his first save.

Two weeks after the draft, Mahon received a call from the Arizona Diamondbacks, who had scouted him during a 45-degree, windy day at Northwestern.

His hometown Minnesota Twins also scheduled a tryout, but when the D-backs made an offer, Mahon signed.

Mahon has since compiled a 2.69 ERA in three seasons at the short-season, Single-A and Double-A levels.

He earned 18 saves at Double-A Mobile and Southern League All-Star honors before the D-backs promoted him to Triple-A on Wednesday.

He will be a late-inning reliever for Tucson.

"It's kinda unbelievable," Mahon, 25, said of his progress. "I don't really set goals. I want to enjoy each day out here, because I didn't enjoy it in college. So far, it's kinda worked to my benefit."

Mahon said he struggled mainly with the mental side of the game in college.

At Minnesota, he said he would pitch maybe once a week and dwell on his performance for days until his next outing. Pitching more frequently in the minor leagues, he said he has a shorter memory and can bounce back quicker.

"I'm way more relaxed," he said. "I used to treat it as a life-or-death situation. Now, I'm out there playing ball, instead of freaking out about it, so to speak."

Throwing a sinking fastball in the 90-to-96-mph range also helps. Last season, Mahon racked up a 1.62 ERA pitching in Class A, High A and Class AA. He threw 66 2/3 innings, two more than he threw in four years of college.

Before his arrival in Tucson, Mahon struck out 33 and walked 10 in 41 innings, and posted a 3.07 ERA at Mobile.

"He's got an overpowering fastball," manager Bill Plummer said. "He throws a real heavy ball with a good sink action. I've always liked him. It's a pretty neat thing for an undrafted kid to come through the ranks the way he has."

Pitching coach Mike Parrott was unable to recall another pitcher who made the leap to Triple-A after signing as an undrafted free agent.

"It's rare and it's a nice story, because usually undrafted guys don't make it out of rookie ball or A-ball," Parrott said. "It shows people that anything's possible with maybe a little luck, but mostly with talent and hard work."

● Plummer said he will be suspended for one game after being ejected from Tuesday's game for arguing a called strikeout. He will sit out Friday. "I deserved it," he said. "You've got to control yourself."

● Tucson will get Double-A catcher Frank Curreri to replace Robby Hammock, who was promoted.

● Pinch hitter Trent Oeltjen drove in the winning run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly after Donnie Kelly had doubled and advanced on a passed ball.

● Matt Torra allowed a run and seven hits in six innings for a no-decision. He was selected as a Southern League All-Star after pitching for Mobile.