Alumni Thread

[Mass Haas]

Racine Times with a nice quote-filled update on Vinny Rottino

[Mass Haas]

Hadn't realized after his Brewer release in May, OF Charlie Fermaint (stats) was picked up the Nationals. He's toiled at low-A all season with Hagerstown, and ws just bumped up to AA Harrisburg of the Eastern League.

 

Fermaint joins the Class AA club from Class A Hagerstown. The 23-year-old Fermaint was originally a fourth-round pick in 2003 by the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers released him this year, and the Nationals signed him as a free agent in May. He was batting .254 with four home runs, 29 RBIs and 13 stolen bases in 78 games with Hagerstown.

 

LHP Edwin Walker (9th round, 2002 - stats) was hurt during his entire Brewer run. Now 25 (26 in October), he's been with the Yankees' low-A squad out of independent ball.

[chowyo123]

Michael Brantley was called up for the Indians. He also got his first hit (single) in his second at-bat.

 

edit to add link: Michael Brantley called up

[battlekow]

From Friday's MLU at BP:

Sleeper alert!

Darren Ford, OF, Giants (High-A San Jose)

Thursday's stats: 2-for-3, 3B, BB, 2 SB

Ford was always seen as one of the better athletes in the minors when he was coming up through the Brewers system, but he just never hit much at High-A, and was traded to the Giants at last year's deadline for second baseman Ray Durham. Beginning his fourth year at the level, Ford decided to abandon switch-hitting, and after a slow start, he's had a monster second half, including a 21-for-39 mark in his last ten games. The tools were always there, and he might end up being one of those late bloomers.

Pre-ASB: .207/.341/.293

Post-ASB: .354/.414/.563

 

Wow.

[Mass Haas]

John Sickels with a nice Michael Brantley write-up

[dadofandrew]

If only we could have kept him and got CC. We'd have a $400K CF for next year and no worries except whether he'd be ok or very good.

[Mass Haas]

A look at some pretty spectacular numbers from Mike Adams

[battlekow]

The Rays re-signed Gabe Kapler.

[twobrewers]

That would have been a really well spent $1M for the Brewers. (Unless, of course, Cameron comes back)

[Mass Haas]

Considered bumping the old "Following Inman, Thatcher, Garrison Thread", but instead will link to this AFL write-up on Steve here.

[dadofandrew]

Kapler left last year because he wanted to play more, and it's hard to see him getting more time than in TB, where he'll platoon again. Hard to figure he'd have any desire to leave, as long as he liked it in in TB.

[Mass Haas]

Daron Sutton AFL video with Cole Gillespie

[battlekow]

MiLB.com has a feature on Nelson Cruz's tortuous path to the big leagues:

Cruz was traded to Texas with Carlos Lee for Nix on July 28, 2006. Rangers general manager Jon Daniels considered Cruz the key to the deal.

"We wouldn't have made this trade if he wasn't a part of it," Daniels told MLB.com. "We really like him. He's an athletic outfielder who is starting to put it together and perform, a five-tool guy who could be our right fielder for some time."

Also, Chris Coste and Kevin Barker were outrighted off the Astros' and Reds' 40-man rosters, respectively, and granted free agency.

[battlekow]

Sounds like Steve Garrison might have suffered a significant knee injury in the AFL today.

[Mass Haas]

Both players dealt in the Felipe Lopez trade, OF Cole Gillespie and RHP Roque Mercedes, were added to the Diamondbacks' 40-man roster.

 

Many of us forgot about the spawn of the Jose Mercedes and Rafael Roque families, no?

[Mass Haas]

LHP Steve Garrison joins fellow lefty Joe Thatcher on the Padres' 40-man. Will Inman, not.

 

Garrison also to undergo knee surgery, out until June.

[battlekow]

Darren Ford was a victim of armed robbery, but was fortunately uninjured.

[TheCrew07]

Wow, thankfully Darren is okay.

 

I've been thinking about this since Mass posted it last week, but is anyone else surprised that Inman hasn't found a way to wiggle onto SD's 40 man yet? Even as a reliever? He doesn't have great stuff, but it's all averagish and he has good control or has seemed to when I've watched him pitch. Scouting reports say he works mostly in the upper 80s topping out around 92 but the fastball does have good movement. He didn't pitch all that well in 2008 as his walk rate did spike some but he's been solid in that department otherwise through out his career including last year. I always liked Garrison as well, but if you would have told me he'd beat Inman to the 40 man and it wasn't injury related on Inman's part I wouldn't have believed you.

[agent39]

Darren is doing fine thankfully.

[Mass Haas]

Former Brewers minor league free agent signees on the latest Baseball America transaction list:

 

Braves re-signed C J.C. Boscan (12 of Boscan's 14 pro seasons have been with Atlanta, never to the big leagues)

 

Cubs re-signed RHP Vince Perkins

 

Mariners re-signed RHP Steve Bray

 

Tampa Bay Rays

Signed: RHP Joe Bateman, LHP R.J. Swindle

Bateman and Swindle have long track records of success as minor league relievers-not to mention low arm angles-so at worst they'll provide Triple-A Durham with significant tactical weapons.

 

Toronto re-signed C Kyle Phillips (58 games with Brevard County in 2006, did you remember?)

[Mass Haas]

Had to figure at age 25 with his defensive skills, catcher Carlos Corporan was going to be a quick and popular target for someone this winter (Diamondbacks).

 

And ho-hum, Chad Moeller re-signs with Baltimore, expected to back up Matt Wieters. It must drive AAAA catchers mad, the difference between them and being a big league backup is so negligible.

 

Chris Coste to the Mets a few days ago, indications are it will be tough to crack that roster.

 

All are minor league deals...

[dadofandrew]

If you've seen Inman pitch, it's no surprise at all. He miht well make it in the bullpen, but he'll have to prove himself double with that painfully funky motion.

[Mass Haas]

Nice job by Vinny, as Rottino earns a major league camp invite with the Marlins

[sbrylski]

Does this go here?

 

Jerry Crasnick reports Geoff Jenkins has been working out and hopes to land a bench role for next season. Apparently he's been practicing his first base.

 

"Jenkins is taking grounders at 1B and working out in the OF. His agent, Damon Lapa, says he's looking for a "Matt Stairs type role.''

[battlekow]

Ruddy Lugo signed a minor league deal to remain in the Tigers organization.