Alumni Thread

[battlekow]

Two for two! I did have to check, though.

[Mass Haas]

Technically you were supposed to wait until Wednesday evening, but since it was our good friend David Weiser of www.starsboxscore.com fame in on things http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif, yes, OF Brent Krause and RHP Reed Dickert were Brewer farmhands, both recently, in 2008.

[Mass Haas]

OF Charlie Fermaint (4th round, 2003), a Top 10 Power 50 ranking after the 2006 season (# 9), was given his release by the Washington Nationals.

[Mass Haas]

I know we keep saying we'll rarely comment on independent league signings / alumni (there's more than you can imagine), but just couldn't resist yet another comeback story with the former garbage man, 36-year-old RHP Joe Winkelsas (Wikipedia) who signed with Southern Maryland of the Atlantic League.

 

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Manager Butch Hobson has announced the signing of four pitchers new to the organization for 2010. The latest round of signings is headlined by veteran righty Joe Winkelsas, who has Major League experience in two seasons.

 

Winkelsas ended a brief retirement by signing with the Blue Crabs, and did not play in 2009. He is a veteran of 13 professional seasons, including stints in the Majors with the Atlanta Braves in 1999 and the Milwaukee Brewers in 2006. In 302 career appearances as a professional, all have come in relief. In addition to the Atlanta and Milwaukee organizations, Winkelsas was last employed by the Chicago White Sox. In his most recent season in 2008, he split time between Triple-A Charlotte and Double-A Birmingham. He also spent a portion of the 2004 season in the Atlantic League, with the Somerset Patriots. Winkelsas brings 61 career saves to the Blue Crabs this season.

[Mass Haas]

I'm a little bit shocked that no one has picked up Patrick 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.

Ryan's independent league team has now re-signed him --

 

Ryan returns to Bridgeport for his sixth season of professional baseball and second in the Atlantic League. In 21 appearances last year with the Bluefish, the righthander recorded an impressive 0.73 ERA with 25 strikeouts, four saves and held opposing hitters to a .204 batting average over 24.1 innings of work. In 2008, the 26-year-old made his first appearance at the Double-A level with Huntsville (Brewers) of the Southern League. In 39 games, he posted a 2.52 ERA with six saves and 38 strikeouts over 61 innings of work. In 188 career minor league appearances, Ryan has a record of 18-16 with a 2.81 ERA. He has recorded 18 saves and 266 strikeouts over 333 innings pitched, while holding opposing sluggers to a .242 batting average.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Giants' Ford runs fast, also can stand his ground

By Andrew Baggarly, San Jose Mercury News

 

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Giants already knew Darren Ford could run. Anything he hits to the gap is a stand-up triple.

 

But as they're discovering this spring, Ford can stand his ground, too.

 

In an exhibition game Monday, Ford was buzzed and knocked to the dirt by a 94 mph fastball from live-armed Texas Rangers prospect Tanner Scheppers. The next pitch was a curveball that would have compelled some hitters to bail out of the batter's box.

 

Not Ford. He kept his nose in there, took an aggressive swing and put the ball in the gap. For a triple, of course.

 

"I got mad," said the 24-year-old center fielder, the Giants' breakout star of the spring. "When I get mad, I get locked in. But I try not to play that way, because this is a game when you fail seven times out of 10."

 

When to run and when to stand your ground? Ford has the experience to know the difference — and it extends far beyond the chalk lines.

 

He was a robbery victim in November, held up at gunpoint while making a bank deposit from his offseason job at a car dealership in his hometown of Vineland, N.J. Staring down a double-barreled shotgun, Ford didn't think twice. He handed over the deposit bag, his cell phone and the cash in his wallet.

 

Compared with that, a knockdown pitch doesn't seem like much.

 

Without going into details, Ford said it wasn't the first time a gun has been pointed at him.

 

"Wrong place at the wrong time," he said, shaking his head.

 

The robbery was the final straw. Ford packed up, kissed his mother and two sisters goodbye and moved to Arizona, where he began working out for spring training. The Giants had added him to their 40-man roster, so Ford knew he would be in big league camp for the first time.

 

Nobody was happier than his mother.

 

"I don't want to see Darren home, ever," said Carla Nelson, taking a break from her nursing shift at a state home for the developmentally disabled. "I'll come where he is."

 

Vineland sounds idyllic. Located about halfway between Philadelphia and Atlantic City, it's the birthplace of Welch's Grape Juice and has the only operating drive-in movie theater in the state.

 

But gang activity, drugs and violence have become part of downtown life. And even though Nelson said her son never became involved in the gang scene, the town is small enough that they will find you.

 

"You don't want to be around people who are jealous or want to do wrong by you," Nelson said. "So if he can stay out there, stay out there."

 

Ford had the athletic gifts to go places. He played running back and wide receiver in high school. His senior year, he ran track for fun and became the state champion in the 55-meter dash.

 

He chose baseball when a Milwaukee Brewers scout offered to draft him and arrange a place to play at Chipola College in Florida. The Brewers eventually signed him, and he came to the Giants in the July 2008 trade that sent Ray Durham to Milwaukee.

 

The trade knocked Ford for a loop — and it was about to get tougher. The Giants asked him to try switch hitting during instructional league and saw enough progress to believe it might work.

 

It didn't. Ford was miserable at Single-A San Jose last year. He had a .207 average at the All-Star break, and every at-bat from the left side seemed hopeless.

 

Did he jump for joy when coaches told him to stop hitting left-handed?

 

"No," Ford said. "Because I'm the one who told them. I wasn't doing it anymore. That was something I prayed about for a long time. I thank God I was able to overcome it."

 

The failed experiment wasn't a total waste. During his struggles, Ford began to understand how pitchers were attacking him. With his newfound knowledge, and liberated from his left-handed slap swing, he became arguably the best player in the California League over the final two months.

 

His final average was .300, an amazing recovery.

 

Ford hit for power, too. He had seven home runs in the second half — more than teammate Roger Kieschnick, who led all Giants minor leaguers with 23.

 

And he kept hitting this spring. Another single Wednesday lifted his average to .500 in 20 at-bats along with four stolen bases. He probably will win the franchise's Harry S. Jordan award as the most impressive player in his first big league camp. If his bat holds up against upper-level minor league pitching, he could find himself in San Francisco soon.

 

But no matter how fast Ford might be, the important people in his life always will keep up with him.

 

"Wherever Darren is, we'll go," his mother said. "We're at every game to support him. He would do anything for us. He is truly a wonderful son — a gift from God."

 

Ford wears his loyalties where everyone can see them. He has N.J. tattooed on one side of his neck. On the other side are the initials F.O.E.

 

"Family over everything," he explained.

 

Photo link

[djoctagone]

the hurricane cleared waivers and was outrighted to the minor leagues by texas. too bad . . . it appeared that he had a shot to break camp after texas claimed him.

[Mass Haas]

Baseball America:

The Diamondbacks optioned RHP Roque Mercedes (Felipe Lopez deal) to AA Mobile (Southern League).

 

The Cubs released one-time Brewer 40-man roster member RHP Vince Perkins.

 

The White Sox released IF Keith Ginter.

 

The Nationals released LHP Ron Villone.

[Mass Haas]

Only because Adam McCalvy gave Brewerfan a "shout-out" with our last Joe Winkelsas update and just in case you're planning a road trip to see him --

 

The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball agree to transfer the rights to Joseph Winklesas to the Newark Bears for future considerations.

[Mass Haas]

Rotoworld update on Joe Thatcher

[djoctagone]

seth mcclung was released by the marlins.

[Invader3K]

seth mcclung was released by the marlins.

I saw that. I hope he gets a chance with another organization. I assume he will, if only for his mid 90's fastball.

[craigharmann]

seth mcclung was released by the marlins.

Bring back Big Red!!!!!!!!!!!!

[thumperden]

Bring him back for depth, send him to AAA and hope he refines his secondary pitches. I think he's a little better than Villaneuva at least.

[JoeHova]

Bring him back for depth, send him to AAA and hope he refines his secondary pitches. I think he's a little better than Villaneuva at least.

I disagree. If you just go by ERA, Villanueva is over a run better in his career than McClung. It's the same story with xFIP. McClung fares relatively better by FIP but he's still .87 runs behind Carlos by that measure. I think Carlos is significantly better than Seth.

[dadofandrew]

Seth can throw at AAA anywhere, as his velocity will have every team happy to have him. He needs to find a team who will put him in their AAA rotation.

[Mass Haas]

Baseball America reports that the Mariners have already released 3B Edgar Trejo -- so is the PTBNL or cash still Felix Hernandez?

 

Other releases of alumni:

 

Giants -- LHP Steve Hammond, RHP Steve Palazzolo

Reds -- OF Stephen Chapman

 

Dodgers -- RHP Eric Gagne

[Mass Haas]

Just-released LHP Donald Brandt managed to find independent league work within a day or two after his release.

 

He signed with the Na Koa Ikaika Maui of the Golden Baseball League. Yes, that's in Maui. If you're going to play indy ball, do it in Maui.

 

It blows me away that an independent league (and check out the diverse locations of this league) can afford the travel costs involved.

 

North Division

CALGARY VIPERS

CHICO OUTLAWS

EDMONTON CAPITALS

ST. GEORGE ROADRUNNERS

VICTORIA SEALS

South Division

MAUI IKAIKA

ORANGE COUNTY FLYERS

TIJUANA CIMARRONES

TUCSON TOROS

YUMA SCORPIONS

[Mass Haas]

Another off-season release, RHP Mark Holliman (Huntsville, 2009) has signed with Winnipeg of the independent Northern League.

 

FYI -- a newly christened and updated Alumni thread with relevant links within the initial post, should be available as it normally is, around May 1st.

[Mass Haas]

The Diamondbacks optioned OF Cole Gillespie to AAA Reno.

[Mass Haas]

Knowing that remaining Brewer farmhands may like to know what recently released players are up, we'll tell you that RHP Ryan Platt has signed with the Traverse City (Michigan) Beach Bums of the independent Frontier League. Here's the writeup.

 

And yes, there are beaches in Michigan. Silly me didn't automatically associate lakes with beaches.

[homer]

I don't think I saw this elsewhere on the site (if so feel free to delete) but Dana Eveland was named 5th starter in Toronto.

[battlekow]

Matt Treanor's contract was purchased by Texas.

[Mass Haas]

LHP Sam Narron was released by the Tigers.

 

RHP Matt Ginter was released by the Astros.

 

OF Corey Patterson released by the Mariners.

[Mass Haas]

LHP John Halama and OF Tike Redman were welcomed back to the independent Atlantic League (links for press releases).