Big League Spring Games -- Minor League Names

[Mass Haas]

This thread will point out the minor league camp players (those not part of the big league spring training camp), who get pulled in for appearances in the big league spring games -- these players are part of the early spring minor league mini-camp, most of the minor leaguers aren't officially scheduled to be in Maryvale yet:

 

Thursday, 2/26

21-year-old OF Erik Miller, a RH bat, was a 17th round pick in '07

 

21-year-old speedster OF Lee Haydel

 

Veteran RHP Mike Burns

[Mass Haas]

Friday, 2/27

 

Not enough oufielders, no problem. Just bring the kids. Text below from this link.

 

PHOENIX - Cutter Dykstra knows what made his dad a successful big leaguer, and he hopes to emulate him.

Dykstra hit an RBI double and scored a run in his first action in big league uniform, helping the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Oakland Athletics 8-5 Friday.

"It was great; probably the most fun I've ever had playing baseball," said Dykstra, 19-year-old son of Lenny Dykstra. "The ultimate goal is to perform and put on a show."

Dykstra came on as a pinch-runner for Jason Kendall, who doubled with one out in the sixth, and scored when Corey Hart singled sharply up the middle against Russ Springer.

"I remember going with my dad to the Mets' camp when I was in the seventh grade and was sitting near the on-deck circle thinking, 'Maybe one day I'll be out there,"' Dykstra said.

"I've tried to model my game after him. I want to leave the field with people saying, 'He plays the game just like his dad.' My dad played the game right."

Dykstra had his RBI double in the decisive three-run seventh inning.

 

Adam McCalvy of MLB.com:

 

Minor Leaguer Cutter Dykstra nearly missed his at-bat in the seventh inning because he wasn't sure of the batting order, though he redeemed himself by knocking an RBI double without any batting gloves.

 

Tom Haudricourt of the J.S.:

As I have noted, the Brewers are thin in outfielders in camp, presenting the opportunity for minor leaguers to come over and see some action. Today, two outfielders from last year's draft -- Cutter Dykstra (second round) and Logan Schafer (third) -- joined in the fun and each knocked in a run.

Think about it. Last year this time, Dykstra was in high school in California. Today, he was playing on the same field with major leaguers. And the son of Lenny Dykstra didn't seem intimidated one bit. His RBI came on a booming double to left-center, showing the 180-pound centerfielder has some pop.

[Mass Haas]

Saturday 2/28 Box Score

Gameday (Click on Gameday tab)

 

Brent Brewer pulled a home run to left field in the 7th to break a 3-3 tie in the Brewers' 5-3 win.

 

Brendan Katin followed Corey Hart in right field and K'd in his only AB.

 

Adam Stern ran for Mike Cameron in the 6th, remained in the game in center, and was 0-for-1. He'll join Team Canada shortly in the WBC.

 

Brett Lawrie played the final two innings at second base, did not get a fielding chance nor an at-bat. He'll join Stern on the Canada squad now.

 

MLB.com's Adam McCalvy indicated that Lorenzo Cain is nursing a sore elbow, otherwise he'd likely be seeing time.

 

On the mound, RHP Matt Ginter retired only two of the six men he faced in the 6th. LHP Chris Cody came on to see if he could limit the Ginter damage with two on and two out. After a walk to load the bases, Cody got a fly ball to Brendan Katin to strand three.

 

RHP Richie Gardner allowed three baserunners and a run in the 8th.

 

If Eddie Morlan had to face one more batter in his starting stint, RHP Steve Bray was warming up and ready to go, but was not needed.

 

Technically not in this thread as they're in big league camp (so we won't bold their names http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif), but 1B/OF Scott Thorman remains hot, RHP Nick Green had two more scoreless innings, and while catcher Carlos Corporan was 0-for-2, he did pick a runner off of first base. Corporan is the best defensive catcher in the system.

 

If you've read the reports of today's game, you know the innings were needed because Braden Looper was scratched with a slightly sore oblique, and Trevor Hoffman asked to throw a bullpen session only (no injury issues with Hoffman).

[Never Outhustled]

Brent Brewer pulled a home run to left field in the 7th to break a 3-3 tie in the Brewers' 5-3 win.

 

 

I'm smiling. He's a budding superstar. I had him #6 on my prospect list, I was maybe too conservative.

[Mass Haas]

It was painful to hear Uecker call Brent "Billy" for an inning or two prior to his home run, although Cory Provus had the call of the blast itself. Brewer crushed a first-pitch offering immediately after Hernan Iribarren made a first-pitch out, and you could tell it wasn't until after Brewer had crossed the plate that Provus determined who it was. Such is the way of a spring training late-inning situation.

 

It's at the 2:50:00 hour mark of the archived WTMJ audio from 02/28 for those of you with the Gameday Audio package from MLB.com or any of its various offshoots.

[Mass Haas]

Sunday 3/1 Box Score / Gameday Tabs

 

OF Lee Haydel with a single, IF Michael Garciaparra 2-for-2, OF Logan Schafer 0-for-1 (K), Brendan Katin 0-for-1, Zelous Wheeler saw action at third base and handled two chances cleanly, no AB's.

[Mass Haas]

Lorenzo Cain's elbow is well enough that 'Zo is making his spring debut in the "A" game against San Diego. Details on that game after completion.

 

Tom H. with some news from the "B" game, with several non-camp minor league kids mentioned.

[Mass Haas]

Monday 3/2 Box Score / Gameday Tabs

 

Cole Gillespie, Lorenzo Cain, Adam Heether, and Brendan Katin all 0-for-1, Brent Brewer a pinch-runner.

 

Surely the boys are enjoying the food spreads in big league camp during their visits.

[Mass Haas]

As they say, "hat tip" to BrewCrewBall, for video of Ivan Dejesus, Jr. inexplicably running into Carlos Corporan at the plate and breaking his leg (his own, not Carlos').

[Hammer]

I've seen little leaguers slide better than that. Sheesh...

[Mass Haas]

Tuesday 3/3 Box Score / Gameday Tabs

 

A triple for Lorenzo Cain, Brendan Katin a fly to right. Everyone else a member of the 40-man roster or a big-league camp invitee.

[Mass Haas]

As Tom H. indicates here, Lorenzo Cain has been officially brought into major league camp, so while you'll be able to scan his activity in our daily link here, he just disqualified himself from the name-bolding highlights of non-camp kids in this thread.

But enjoy the nicer spreads and benefits this month, young man!

[Mass Haas]

LHP David Welch with two scoreless innings against Seattle Wednesday -- he won't face the Brewers today.

 

Team Canada OF Adam Stern was 3-for-5 leading off against Philly. Brett Lawrie was 0-for-1.

 

Vinny Rottino was 0-for-2 for Italy vs. Florida Wednesday.

 

Stern and Lawrie saw action Tuesday against Toronto (0-for-4 combined).

 

Rottino was 0-for-2 and Mark DiFelice started and tossed two scoreless Tuesday against Washington.

[BrewCrew Fan]

Just to add into the comment about the runner not sliding. Where in the heck was the on deck batter? It's his job to let the runner know that there is a play at the plate and in which direction to slide. I believe that's Juan Pierre who comes into the picture well after the play is over and the runner is tagged out. He should have been right there on top of the play trying to help his team score a run let alone protect his fellow team mate.

[Mass Haas]

Brendan Katin was the lone non-big league camp roster player to face Australia, he K'd in his plate appearance. The outfielder has certainly benefited from the lean numbers among the ranks there.

 

OF Adam Stern singled against the Yankees in a Team Canada at-bat. Brett Lawrie was tucked into left field (don't read into that) in a non-batting Team Canada appearance.

[Mass Haas]

Friday 3/6 Box Score / Gameday Tabs

Versatile infielder Adam Heether went 2-for-2 with a walk, coming in and playing second base. Heether is 27, and will be a minor league free agent at the end of 2009, as he's entering his seventh year with the Brewers organization. Here's hoping he'll have a successful 2009 and beyond, he's definitely had supporters here over the years wishing him well.

Cole Gillespie was 0-for-2 in this one.

Within this thread, we assume you've read more detailed accounts of the game from the usual various sources. From a minor league perspective, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com learned that Hernan Iribarren has a fourth option year available. While that's good for the Brewers, I still happen to think he's in danger of losing his 40-man roster spot when a player like Chris Duffy needs to be added in early April. We'll see.

And Lorenzo Cain, congrats, kid. That's going to be a nice $10,000,000 savings when you're the Opening Day CF in 2010. Have a monster year in Nashville.

LHP David Welch surrendered three hits and a run in his inning of work in Australia's exhibition game vs. the White Sox.

[Minigoon]

From a minor league perspective, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com learned that Hernan Iribarren has a fourth option year available. While that's good for the Brewers, I still happen to think he's in danger of losing his 40-man roster spot when a player like Chris Duffy needs to be added in early April. We'll see.

I think that as long as Iribarren has one more option year left, he should be OK when/if Duffy is added because it sounded like it was between Duffy, Nixon, and Gwynn, Jr. for the back up outfield spot. Now should Gwynn, Jr. open on the DL, then Iribarren could have his 40 man spot in jeopardy. Personally, I'm a big fan of Iribarren so I probably have a little bias toward him, but he is only 24 and has some versatility between the outfield and 2nd base.

[Never Outhustled]

I enjoyed watching Lorenzo Cain on the WGN broadcast today. Every Lo Cain scouting report calls him smooth, and it doesn't take long to see why. He is Mike Cameron smooth, with what should be a better approach at the plate. He's even built like Cameron.

 

He is an extremely exciting prospect, with no discernible warts. Scouts seemed very impressed with him in the AFL. BA should have had him in there top 100. He is going to see a monster jump next year in that list, if he doesn't lose his eligibility this year. When the light goes on for a player, he happens so fast. Cain is arriving. He might help this year if theres an injury.

[wvpowerblkwel]

Anyone know why Angel hasn't been playing? Lucroy has been getting most of the non-Kendall ABs.

[pete]

I think Angel has stiff back muscles. Mike has a bad hammy. Vinny is off catching for Italy.

[Mass Haas]

Not a lot of opportunity for the minor league camp kids as of late -- infielder Adam Heether was 0-for-1 on Monday.

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday, 3/11

Brent Brewer is still batting 1.000 in big league games (RBI single); Brendan Katin was 0-for-1 (K).

Otherwise it was all big league campers again today.

Good luck to LHP David Welch, starting in a do-or-die matchup with Mexico tonight in the WBC.

[wvpowerblkwel]

Did I look at the wrong box score....Mat Gamel was 2 for 3 yesterday!

[Mass Haas]

OF's Brent Krause and Logan Schafer, and IF Michael Garciaparra each 0-for-1 on Saturday.

 

Formal minor league spring trining games begin on Friday the 20th. We'll get a few reports on those.

[Mass Haas]

OF Brendan Katin is now 0-for-6 this spring (four K's).

 

It should be noted that utilityman Jason Bourgeois (broken finger) made his spring debut on Tuesday. He's officially still in big league camp.