June / July Transaction Thread -- Latest: Huntsville Times w/Injury Details

[Mass Haas]

OF Mel Stocker was placed on the 7-day at Nashville earlier this week, retroactive to July 9th (undisclosed injury).

 

That was the spot LHP Randy Choate filled.

[Mass Haas]

Technically not a transaction, but we imagine he'll end up on the Sounds "restricted list" or such at some point:

 

The Tennessean:

Eric Munson, who went on the Sounds' disabled list June 2 with an injured left shoulder, has left the team and is not expected to return this season.

[Mass Haas]

RHP Wes Etheridge, fresh off a rehab stint in Maryvale for his injured ankle, has been activated from the DL and returns to West Virginia.

 

To make room, LHP Mike Ramlow gets a well-deserved promotion to high-A Brevard County.

 

Unfortunately, the reason there's room at Brevard County is that LHP Zach Braddock has been placed on the Manatee seven-day DL. The posting is back-dated to July 15th, so hopefully that's an indication that whatever Zach is dealing with is minor.

[Mass Haas]

BLUEFISH RELIEF PITCHER ELLISON SIGNED BY BREWERS

First Player Signed After Atlantic League All-Star Game

Nick Razzette -- Bridgeport (CT) Bluefish

Bridgeport, CT - July 18th - The Bridgeport Bluefish of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball announced today the purchase of LHP Derrick Ellison's contract by the Milwaukee Brewers organization. Ellison will report to Phoenix, Arizona and join the Arizona Brewers of the Arizona League, prior to re-assignment elsewhere within the organization.

 

Ellison, 29, has been playing Independent League baseball since 2001. During the past two seasons, he has been with the Joliet Jackhammers of the Northern Independent League. In 2006, he had 31 relief appearances with 34 strikeouts in 35.1 innings while posting a 1.02 ERA. In 2007, he had 59 strikeouts in 53.2 innings, both career highs, and a 5-2 record. He also held opponents to a .192 batting average.

 

Ellison has spent all eight seasons of his professional career playing in Independent leagues. He has one short stint in class-A advanced with the Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino (Seattle Mariners system) in 2005 in which he played in seven games. Over his first seven seasons Ellison has made 157 appearances with a 16-11 record and a 3.61 record. The lefty has a career .226 opponent batting average in 209.2 innings.

 

Ellison was signed to a minor league contract by the Chicago Cubs this past December but was released late in spring training.

 

Ellison made appearances in 22 games for the Bluefish this season. He holds a 1.42 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 25.1 innings. The Atlantic League recognized his dominance by naming him to the 2008 Atlantic League All-Star team. In the game, he pitched one inning with three strikeouts ranging from 78 MPH to 96 MPH on the stadium radar gun.

 

Ellison is the third Bluefish signed to a Major League organization this season. Catcher Brian Peterson (Baltimore Orioles) and outfielder Adam Greenberg (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) both signed in May. Ellison joins ex-Bluefish and Bridgeport native Angel Echevarria, currently a coach with the Arizona Brewers.

 

***

 

LHP Derrick Ellison Career Statistics

 

***

 

Link while active, text follows:

 

Ellison major-worthy, but at peace with Fish

RICH ELLIOTT, Conecticut Post

Article Last Updated: 07/05/2008

 

BRIDGEPORT - One by one, Atlantic League pitchers have been signed by major league organizations this season. There have been 11 to date.

 

In their wake, a host of talented pitchers remain. Each anxiously awaits their chance to return to affiliated ball and take a step closer to either returning to or reaching the big leagues for the first time.

 

The wait can be frustrating. It can cause players to recalculate their career path and wonder if being away from their families for what is roughly the Atlantic League salary of $2,100 a month is worth it.

 

Bridgeport Bluefish left-hander Derrick Ellison is an exception. He is in the process of assembling the best season of his eight-year career and one of the best in the 11-year history of the league. Still, as he continues to compete for the Bluefish on a day-to-day basis, there isn't a hint of frustration. He surely would like to be competing elsewhere, but buoyed by his devout Christian faith and the support of his wife, Robin, he remains content with the direction his career has taken.

 

"The time is too short here to be frustrated over it," Ellison said. "Obviously, if someone were to sign me, I would go in a heartbeat in hopes to pitch in the major leagues, because that's the goal. But it's out of my hands. If it happens, it's going to be completely the Lord, because it's not going to be anything I do on this field that will get me out of here."

 

Eight of the 11 pitchers that have been signed have prior big-league experience. The other three have played at the Class AA and AAA levels. Ellison, 29, had only a brief stay - seven appearances - in the Seattle Mariners organization in 2005 at Inland Empire in the Class A California League.

 

Yet, in watching him take the mound for the Bluefish this season, there is no mistaking his wealth of talent. Ellison was 1-0 with a 0.40 ERA and one save in 20 appearances through Friday. He had 23 strikeouts, 12 walks and opponents were hitting .205 against him in 22 innings.

 

The only reliever in the league with comparable numbers was Southern Maryland Blue Crabs left-hander Matt Schweitzer, who was 0-3 with a 1.03 ERA and three saves in a league-high 37 appearances. He had 44 strikeouts, 14 walks and an opponent's batting average of .221 in 35 innings. "I just really believe that God's got his hand over my career, and good or bad, I'm going to give him the glory and the credit," Ellison said. "The coaching staff has given me opportunities to be successful, and God's will at this point is we've just had some good outings. I've just been fortunate that things have worked out."

 

Ellison, who was sidelined for 30 days earlier this season with a strained right oblique, had not allowed a run in his last 16 innings since surrendering a home run to Matt Padgett of the York Revolution May 7.

 

Although Ellison said he's clearly not tracking his success, he made the mistake of eyeing his statistics early in 2006 when he was with Schaumburg in the independent Northern League. What he saw was an 0-1 record and a 7.53 ERA in eight appearances (14 innings).

 

Ellison was released in mid-June that year before signing with league rival Joliet. He would finish 2-0 with a 1.02 ERA and one save in 31 appearances (35 innings) for the Jackhammers.

 

"I never look at my stats," Ellison said. "My wife does. I know with the ability that God's given me that I possess the tools to pitch at the next level."

 

Ellison regularly throws in the low 90s and hit 94 against the Blue Crabs Monday, making his fastball his staple for success. He also features a curveball and changeup.

 

Bluefish catcher (and former Brewer farmhand, albeit briefly) Brian Munhall said that Ellison's release point, which is slightly behind his back, also makes it difficult for hitters to pick up the ball. And by the time most of them do, it's already on them.

 

"I think the biggest thing is most of the big power arms aren't here," Munhall said. "All of a sudden you see 90, 92, 93 and you're used to seeing 85, 86. And he's got a little extra, too. It's not just straight as an arrow. It rises a little bit and gets on you quicker than you think. His fastball has gotten him where he is now.

Numbers-wise, I don't think you can find anybody better right now (in the league)."

 

The one area in which Bluefish manager Tommy John would like to see Ellison improve is his success rate against left-handed hitters. It is his assertion that if Ellison is signed by a major league organization, it will be as a left-handed specialist.

 

Through Friday, left-handers were hitting .353 (6-for-17), with five strikeouts and seven walks. Right-handers were hitting .161 (9-for-56), with 18 strikeouts and four walks.

 

"The only drawback that I see is if you look at his record against left-handers," John said. "They should be in the low .200s off of him the way he throws the ball. But, still, he's outstanding. You would like to see somebody buy his contract because I can't believe that there are organizations that have better arms than guys like that."

 

Ellison is a combined 17-11 with a 3.30 ERA, eight saves and an opponent's batting average of .224 in 177 career appearances. But 170 of those appearances have come against hitters in the Frontier League, the Northern League and the Atlantic League.

 

Still, he remains unfazed by his tour of the nation's independent leagues. Ellison, who will turn 30 in September, continues to press on. And with his faith, his family and his potent left arm serving as a foundation, he is harboring no thoughts of retirement. "My arm feels great," Ellison said. "I feel like I'm getting stronger and better. My velocity's gotten consistent right now and I feel like I can compete. So at this point, no, there's no immediate opportunity to stop playing. I know that it's a blessing from the Lord to be left-handed and throw that hard. We just hope someone sees it and gives me an opportunity."

 

The Ellison file

 

WHO - Derrick Ellison

WHAT - Bluefish reliever

AGE - 29

VITALS - 6-foot-2, 195 pounds

[Mass Haas]

During the AAA All-Star break, Nashville OF Mel Stocker was activated from the DL, while RHP Mark DiFelice (forearm or back strain depending on which report you read) was placed on the 7-day DL, retroactive to July 13th, so hopefully a quick return for Mark.

[Mass Haas]

Connecticut Post:

Derrick Ellison was clocked as high as 96 mph at the All-Star game when he struck out three. He will depart for Arizona Sunday.

"When I called him I said to myself this is the fun part of the job because I could see the kid smile through the phone," Bluefish general manager Todd Marlin said. "It couldn't happen to a better guy."

Ellison said that he has been told by a Brewers official that based on how he performs next week in front of what he termed as "the upper decision-makers in the minor league system" there's a 50-50 chance that he'll be assigned to either Brevard County in the high Class A Florida State League or to Huntsville in the Class AA Southern League by the end of next week.

[Mass Haas]

RHP Alex Periard, who only turned 21 this past June, has been bumped from Brevard County to AA Huntsville. Given his current inning status vs. last season, it'll be interesting to see how Periard is used down the stretch.

 

Taking his place in Brevard is 22-year-old RHP Amaury Rivas, another starting pitcher who has performed very well, but now needs to be monitored some for workload.

 

No word quite yet on a new body for West Virginia.

 

Joe Dillon fills Steve Hammond's roster spot in Nashville.

[DHonks]

Periard might just be our #2 pitching prospect right now. He's also a lesson for the Dominicans as to why we shouldn't grow too impatient. He seemed to take a long time to develop, as he was drafted at 17.

[bork]

Doesn't Huntsville need to remove a player from their roster now? Brevard is still short a position player and West Virgininia is now down 2 players.

[Mass Haas]

My exact post from Monday's Link Report:

MiLB.com is listing a newcomer pitching for the Arizona Brewers, soon-to-be 24-year-old RHP Bobby McEwen.

 

Apparently he pitched out of Gonzaga, his college career ended after '07, this looks like it will be his pro debut.

 

It appears he's been focused on coaching and academy work (scroll on link). To be signed at that age, McEwen must have really impressed at a local tryout or such.

 

Career stats at Gonzaga are amazingly non-impressive.

 

Good luck to the "kid", there must be a nice backstory here somewhere.

[Mass Haas]

Helena catcher Brett Whiteside, who saw some time in left field recently after coming back from a quadriceps injury, is now sporting a cast on a fractured hand (I missed which one, we'll replay the media from Steve Wendt later). Helena's position player roster remains thin.

 

EDIT: Left non-throwing hand for Whiteside

[Mass Haas]

News from Huntsville (Brewerfan notes in parentheses):

 

The Milwaukee Brewers announced today that Stars' LHP Troy Cate has been promoted to Triple-A Nashville (well-earned) to take the roster spot of former Huntsville Star Steve Hammond who was traded to the San Fransisco Giants in a package for 2B Ray Durham. Replacing Cate on the Stars' roster will be RHP Alex Periard from Single-A Brevard County (reported yesterday). The Brewers also placed OF Michael Brantley on the disabled list (we imagine a re-aggravation of his ankle injury, but that's not confirmed), and released INF Ryan Crew (who had been on the suspended list).

 

The Stars roster currently stands at 23, one shy of full capacity.

 

News from Brevard County:

The Manatees roster gets filled by the transfer of Nashville OF Mel Stocker to Brevard County. (Seems like a chance for Stocker to get some AB's, and relieve the Nashville outfield glut.)

[battlekow]

The Brewers are expected to sign OF/pariah Jay Gibbons. h/t brewfan2 on BCB.

[DHonks]

The Brewers have signed three (3) additional players from the 2008 June First-Year Player Draft. These signings include RHP Blake Billings (19th round selection) from Hillcrest (AL) High School, RHP Bobby McEwen (free agent) from Gonzaga University and INF Steve Braun (free agent) from the University of Maryland. Steve Braun is the brother of Brewers OF Ryan Braun.

 

from Brewers press release

[Patrick425]

Not exactly familiar with how some of these transactions work. However, is there any possibility that the recent R. Braun LT contract extention with the Brewers included a stipulation that the Brewers would also agree to extend his un-drafted brother a minor league opportunity?

[Mass Haas]

Mark DiFelice activated from the DL at Nashville -- see Tuesday's Link Report -- and Derrick Turnbow placed on the DL to make room, with an undisclosed injury. Turnbow has been sent to the Brewers' extended spring training facility in Phoenix to rehab.

[craigharmann]

Derrick Turnbow placed on the DL to make room, with an undisclosed injury.

Actually, Turnbow has been afflicted with something that has afflicted many pitchers throughout the years. Cantpitchitis. Sometimes, it can be overcome, and many times, it is debilitating. We'll see what happens with Derrick.

 

[Mass Haas]

For the moment, Huntsville is one short of filling their 24-man allowed roster, and West Virginia is thin, playing with 23 (25 allowed). It's not as if Helena can spare position players to send to Charleston right now.

[IIAY]

It looks like the Brewers are about to sign Jay Gibbons to a minor leauge deal.

 

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-sp.bbnotes22jul22,0,5720289.story?track=rss

[Mass Haas]

Infielder Steve Braun's Player Profile Page from the preseason at the University of Maryland site

[battlekow]

According to Baseball America, Maverick Lasker was placed on the DL, which explains why he hasn't debuted yet.

[Mass Haas]

Jay Gibbons signing is official -- in fact, he debuted with Huntsville Tuesday night, grounding out as a pinch-hitter.

 

Jay Gibbons Career Statistics

 

Link, text follows:

 

Brewers sign Gibbons to Minors deal

By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com

ST. LOUIS -- Veteran outfielder Jay Gibbons passed a physical in Huntsville, Ala., on Tuesday afternoon and cleared the final obstacle on his long road back to organized baseball.

The Brewers inked a Minor League contract with Gibbons, a left-handed hitter who belted 121 home runs for the Orioles from 2001-07. He was released in March and had been playing in an independent league.

Gibbons, 31, will spend at least the next 10-14 days with Double-A Huntsville as a replacement for outfielder Michael Brantley, who aggravated an ankle injury and was to be placed on the disabled list when Gibbons is activated. When Brantley returns, Gibbons is expected to get a promotion to Triple-A Nashville.

"He's a little rusty, self-admittedly rusty," Brewers assistant general manager Gord Ash said. "The idea is to get him some Minor League at-bats and then evaluate as we go along."

Gibbons appeared in Huntsville's 3-2 loss Tuesday night to the host Carolina Mudcats. He made his first appearance as a pinch-hitter in the seventh and grounded out to short in his only at-bat

Gibbons was one of the players mentioned in former Sen. George Mitchell's report on performance-enhancing drugs that was released in December. He later admitted to using human growth hormone to speed his recovery from a wrist injury. In a move to find work after Baltimore released him, Gibbons was forthright about his past indiscretions in a letter sent to the Brewers and 28 other teams.

Gibbons was in New York during the All-Star break and met with Ash and Brewers amateur scouting director Jack Zduriencik. The Brewers subsequently dispatched a scout to see Gibbons play for the Independent Long Island Ducks, where one of his teammates was former Brewer Alex Sanchez, another former Major Leaguer linked to performance-enhancing drugs.

"He was very straightforward about his situation off the field," said Ash, who was the Blue Jays' GM when that team drafted Gibbons in the 14th round in 1998. The Orioles snatched him away in the 2000 Rule 5 Draft.

"They sat down and basically interviewed him," Brewers GM Doug Melvin said. "Gord is familiar with him from Toronto, and [Gibbons] wants to get back and playing. I don't know exactly what his [off-the-field] issues were, but they were not enough to not give a guy a second chance. He's always been a good guy with a good work ethic."

The Orioles are paying Gibbons nearly $12 million this season and next. Unless someone is traded before the July 31 nonwaiver deadline, Gibbons would join a slew of other left-handed outfield bats at Nashville with Major League experience, a list that already includes Tony Gwynn Jr., Laynce Nix and Hernan Iribarren.

Melvin said that Gibbons has a good chance for a September callup to Milwaukee.

[LouisEly]

The Manatees roster gets filled by the transfer of Nashville OF Mel Stocker to Brevard County. (Seems like a chance for Stocker to get some AB's, and relieve the Nashville outfield glut.)

 

Is there a chance that might have come with a wink and a nudge about being added to the 40-man on Sept. 1st and called up for pinch running duties again?

[battlekow]

Cutter Dykstra should be back in the lineup for the AZL Crew tomorrow and back in Helena soon enough.

[Never Outhustled]

Cutter Dykstra should be back in the lineup for the AZL Crew tomorrow and back in Helena soon enough.

Thats great news, scoopmaster Battlekow. I've seen tons of posters who've been down on Dykstra, and I can't figure out why. Who wouldn't like an elite athlete with speed, explosive stregnth, bat speed, scrappiness, work ethic, and bloodlines? He reportedly puts on a show in batting practice. If one was worried about his ability to translate his talent into production, I'd think those worries should have been eased by Dykstra's hot start. Before going down with the groin strain, Cutter had a 868 OPS as an 18 year old in Helena. We should talking about Dykstra as our next big star.