Alumni Thread

[Mass Haas]

This one's for clancyphile, his biggest fan back in the day -- for those who go back with us to the beginning, you'll remember infielder Jeff Pickler, now a professional scout for the Padres.

[trwi7]

Guillermo Mota to the Giants on a minor league deal.

[Mass Haas]

LHP Brian Mazone might be one of the more forgettable Brewer independent league signings of all time, except his 2003 performance in High Desert was so memorable for its ineffectiveness. Check out his season in High Desert.

 

Mazone was able to bounce back in a pretty big way and was spectacular as a AAA All-Star in 2006. He just re-signed with the Phillies organization, still awaiting his first big league call-up.

 

Infielder Kevin Melillo, who was a regular for AA Huntsville in 2009, signed with the Pirates organization. Melillo is one of only 15 big leaguers to have drawn a walk in their only plate appearance in the majors (Athletics), with the most famous, of course, being "little person" Eddie Gaedel.

 

OF Kevin Mench, as mentioned on the major league board, signed a minor league deal with the Nationals.

[sveumrules]

Cole Gillespie and Roque Mercedes were listed as the number three and ten prospects respectively in the Arizona system over at fangraphs. Not a very good sign for the Dbacks future.

[battlekow]

Dana Eveland traded to the Blue Jays.

[battlekow]

Brewers alumni/unsigned draftees with grades in John Sickles' 2010 prospect book:

 

Jake Arrieta - B+

Michael Brantley - B

Evan Bronson - C

Darren Ford - C+

Cole Gillespie - C+

Connor Hoehn - C+ (sleeper)

Will Inman - C

Roque Mercedes - C

Scott Shuman - C

Kanekoa Texeira - C+

Jemile Weeks - B-

[Mass Haas]

Detailed article on Michael Brantley's current status with the Indians, which still seems awfully promising -- he's also added some muscle this offseason.

[TheCrew07]

The Indians didn't see winter ball as the best way for him to grow as a player? I'm shocked... I've always liked Brantley and I hope he continues to do well on the big league level.

[Mass Haas]

Vinny Rottino to the Marlins on a minor league deal.

[Mass Haas]

Quite the journey -- veteran indy ball lefty Derrick Ellison (Brewers 2008-2009) now one step from the big leagues.

[Mass Haas]

The Jesus Colome regime in Milwaukee ended last September -- the reliever signs a minor league deal with the Mariners.

[Mass Haas]

The Marlins have signed INF Mike Lamb to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.

[Mass Haas]

Normally I wouldn't note the retirement of a player who has been playing independent ball for several seasons now, but 2003 6th round high school RHP Robbie Wooley (career stats) is interesting to note.

 

As you can see, it was three years in the Brewer chain, three years in the indy ranks.

 

There was probably a bit more pressure on Wooley early on simply because he was the first pitcher chosen by Jack Z. and staff in '03.

 

Rickie Weeks, Tony Gwynn, C Lou Palmisano, OF Charlie Fermaint, and C Bryan Opdyke went in rounds 1-5.

 

Interestingly, the next five picks were pitchers, none overly successful (being polite) -- Wooley, then RHP's Brian Montalbo and Ryan Marion, LHP Greg Kloosterman, and RHP Tyler Morrison (10th round).

 

That 2003 draft did net LHP Mitch Stetter (16th round), trading chip (Overbay trade to Toronto) and future big league RHP Ty Taubenheim (19th round), cup of coffee major leaguers Carlos Corporan (12th round) and OF Drew Anderson (24th), and players still in the system -- IF Adam Heether (11th) and RHP Robert Hinton (40th round).

[twobrewers]

Sounds like Gagne is going back to the Dodgers on a minor league contract.

 

$500,000 if he makes the roster.

[djoctagone]

kevin mench, assured an invite to the nationals' big-league camp, was told to report to minor league camp, per espn.

[battlekow]

Jack Z. at it again--the Mariners signed Tom Wilhelmsen.

[Mass Haas]

Sidearm reliever Wes Littleton, (career stats at link), who was pretty inconsequential in Nashville and Huntsville stints last season, signed a minor league deal with Seattle (Rotoworld).

[Mass Haas]

We've noted in the past we can't possibly post all the indy league alumni transactions, but we do like to note when recently released Brewers find new work. Lets the current Brewer farmhands know where their teammates ended up....

 

RHP Liam Ohlmann has signed with the Evansville (IN) Otters of the Frontier League -- their roster page actually has a very good biography on Ohlmann, who pitched for the Timber Rattlers in '09.

[Mass Haas]

Much, much more from the Seattle Times on Tom Wilhelmsen -- that was an electric 2003 for those who remember.

[Mass Haas]

Hometown article from Tampa on what RHP Patrick Ryan is up to.

[TheCrew07]

I'm a little bit shocked that no one has picked up Ryan yet. He's not the most projectable guy in the world... I understand that, but he's been effective as a reliever, and I sincerely hope he gets a shot some place.

[Mass Haas]

Funny how you see certain names, and it rings a bell...

RHP Nick Slack posted some filthy peripheral numbers in his time in the system. He shared closer duties with Dana Eveland at Helena in 2003, and saw bullpen action at high-A the following two seasons, all while age-appropriate for league (154 K's in 136.2 innings, with only 39 walks).

But he was the very first Brewer farmhand to be suspended for PDE use when he was Brevard County's 22-year-old closer in 2005. Slack retired from baseball at the end of that season.

He would find independent league work in 2006, but apparently has not pitched since.

The Pensacola Pelicans of the independent American Association signed him to a contract this week.

[Mass Haas]

OF and former big league Brewer Drew Anderson, who will turn 29 this June, had to settle for an independent league gig, and signed with the St. Paul Saints of the American Association this week.

 

If you look at the accompanying Saints' roster to the right of his profile here, you'll see two former Brewer farmhands listed.

 

Consider yourself a true blue Link Report diehard if you can recognize them right away. Kudos to you.

 

Otherwise, wait until Wednesday afternoon when we'll provide the answer.

[dadofandrew]

I dunno either...

[hsvstarsfan]

OF and former big league Brewer Drew Anderson, who will turn 29 this June, had to settle for an independent league gig, and signed with the St. Paul Saints of the American Association this week.

 

If you look at the accompanying Saints' roster to the right of his profile here, you'll see two former Brewer farmhands listed.

 

Consider yourself a true blue Link Report diehard if you can recognize them right away. Kudos to you.

 

 

The only one I see is Brent Krause. Could Reed Dickert be the other.