Minor League Transactions -- Potential FA's Henderson, Arlis Return; 12 released

[TheCrew07]

He blew out his hamstring and has been sent back to AZ for rehab per Steve on the game broadcast the other night.

[Mass Haas]

From Adam McCalvy:

The Brewers signed another young pitcher from the Dominican Republic this week. Leonard Lorenzo, 18, is a 6-foot-3, 196-pound right-hander who will report to the Dominican Summer League team that the Brewers co-op with the Orioles.

[Mass Haas]

OF Caleb Gindl to the Brevard 7-day DL, retro to August 2nd.

 

Gindl was the DH in his last two games, and sat out a game in-between, so between that and the retro-placement, signs that this is more minor in nature. We'll see...

[Mass Haas]

From the Stars:

 

The Milwaukee Brewers and the Huntsville Stars announced today that RHP Robert Hinton has been promoted to Nashville. Also, RHP Nick Green has been assigned to Huntsville from Nashville.

 

You'd think Green will will be moved into the Stars' rotation. This will be Hinton's first stop in AAA, in this, the sixth year in the system for the soon-to-be 25-year-old.

[TheCrew07]

I hope not, the AA rotation isn't all that prospect laden to begin with. I'd love for Anundsen and Rivas to get bumped up, but I'm not sure who'd fill in behind them as no one else at WI has done enough to earn a promotion in my opinion (starting pitcher wise).

[JohnBriggs12]

I've got a do-over candidate for the Marseco pick.

 

The everyday SS for league leading Winnipeg in the Northern League is 22 year old (same age as Marseco) Wisconsin native Adam Frost. Playing against mostly more experienced players than play in the Midwest League, Frost is batting .305/.351/.426 with 24 steals in 31 attempts in 58 games. Frost isn't the defensive whiz but he can play all over the infield.

 

Frost was drafted in 08 by Detroit (I believe in round 22) but was inexplicably released in spring training this year after decent numbers in rookie ball. Detroit apparently has a plethora of teenage Latin SS in their system so I assume they couldn't find a spot for Frost.

[DHonks]

It couldn't hurt Scarpetta to hit A+. He's shown some glimpses and is on the 40 man already.

[ClosetBrewerFan]

... as well as Peralta and Meadows are worthy of a promotion. Luetge could move back into Brevard's rotation also.

 

I'm having a hard time understanding why Anundsen and Rivas have not been bumped up to AA yet.

[Mass Haas]

Adam McCalvy of MLB.com:

 

The Brewers are expected to promote newly signed reliever Jesus Colome from Triple-A Nashville as early as Friday. Colome, released by the Nationals last month and scooped up by the Brewers, pitched two more scoreless innings on Tuesday to preserve his perfect ERA. He struck out 11 batters in seven innings over his first four appearances for Nashville. ...

 

Milwaukee would have to free up 25-man and 40-man roster spots.

[brwrsfan]

The 25 man roster spot shouldn't be that hard....Smith hasn't exactly pitched well up here and Swindle doesn't really appear to be in teh team's plans. I have no idea on the 40 man though.

[Never Outhustled]

Smith has pitched just fine, but Swindle has struggled with the role Macha uses him in. He is a LOOGY only, but we don't need 2 of them against Houston. Burns could also be in jeopardy, as we don't need a 5th starter until the 15th.

 

We have a slew of guys on the 40 that don't need to be there, like Green, Wright, and Corporan.

 

Hopefully Colome is this years Coffey.

[DHonks]

Swindle appears like a Shane Nance. He's got a really funky delivery but has no special pitch. He doesn't have a Mike Myers/Mitch Stetter slider or Brian Shouse's delivery, consistency, and movement. Personally, I'd try to reacquire Shouse if we need a second lefty, since he hasn't been a big part of the Rays due to injuries and performance.

[dadofandrew]

Corporan seems like the obvious 4o choice, unless an injured guy can be moved to the 60 day DL.

[BrewCrew Fan]

Guess it's official now. Congrats for to Juan for a job well done.

[rpms6]

The Tucson Toros announced Thursday that the Milwaukee Brewers have acquired the contract of Righthanded Pitcher Tom Wilhelmsen. The hard throwing Tucson native struck out an impressive 13 batters over 11 2/3 innings for the Toros this season and notched two saves, including the franchise's first ever save on Opening Night. Wilhelmsen will be returning to the Milwaukee organization who originally drafted him in the 7th round of the 2002 MLB Amatuer Draft out of Tucson High School. Tom is expected to report to the Brewers minor league complex in Phoenix before joining the Rookie Level Helena Brewers of the Pioneer League.

[TheCrew07]

Is it 2003 all over again? Wow, I'm actually pretty happy about this, surprisingly so.

[Never Outhustled]

This is good news. Wilhelmsen had legit stuff, I hope its all still there. This could be a real Indy league success story.

[Mass Haas]

RHP Tom Wilhelmsen's Power 50 history, before his sudden departure from the organization back in the spring of 2004.

[Mass Haas]

Post-Crescent:

 

"He's going to be missed, but when somebody leaves like that though, it's an opportunity for somebody else to step up. And hopefully, we have someone that steps up and does what he does, the ability to play multiple positions and a high level. And he's kind of a scrappy guy, as well." - Manager Jeff Isom on infielder/outfielder Juan Sanchez, who on Thursday was promoted to High-A Brevard County. Sanchez hit .253 with 22 doubles, one homer and 27 RBI in 100 games with the Rattlers

[LouisEly]

I forgot about Marseco being hit in the face and needing surgery - my apologies. I only partially retract my statement though because when he was drafted the scouting report said he will never be an offensive threat, and at 5'9" 140lbs at the age of 21 there doesn't seem to be a lot of potential for development. And while he did hit .311, and OBP of .338 isn't very impressive and shows that even in Rookie ball they don't fear him at the plate. "Worst", no. "Bad", yes.

 

Josh Murray has nothing on Brian Opdyke, Dane Artman, or Jon Steitz.

[Mass Haas]

Infielder Kyle Dhanani (stats linked) has joined the Timber Rattlers from Helena. He was the 43rd round pick of the Brewers this spring.

[TheCrew07]

Brett Christopherson's take on the Dhanani promotion from his Post-Crescent blog.

[Mass Haas]

As one of our posters also noted in the Draft Forum --

 

Link while active, text follows:

 

Update: FSU coaches wish Richardson the best with Brewers

By Steve Ellis

TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT SENIOR WRITER

 

Former Florida State quarterback and outfielder D'Vontrey Richardson signed a contract with the Milwaukee Brewers late Friday night.

 

The two-sport athlete had made it clear from almost the moment he was selected in the fifth round by the Brewers that he would sign and no longer play college football or baseball at Florida State.

 

Jamey Shouppe, the FSU baseball team's associate head coach, learned Saturday morning that Richardson will be bound for professional baseball pending a physical.

 

"We wish him all the best," Shouppe said. "I think he'll have a good pro career but the first two years will be crucial for him. Devoting full time to baseball will benefit him. He's a good athlete."

 

The Major League Baseball deadline for signing June draft selections is Aug. 17. The only holdup was the Brewers obtaining approval from the MLB Commissioner's office to sign Richardson to a signing bonus above the fifth-round average. The amount of the signing bonus was not announced.

 

Richardson spent the summer working out in Albany, Ga. in preparation for professional baseball. The outfielder hit .304 in 22 starts for the Seminoles this past season. Richardson, a backup quarterback last season, would have worked out at safety this fall.

 

"A lot of physical skills. He does a lot of great things. He's fun to watch play baseball," FSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher said of his former backup quarterback. "He's got the ability."

 

Richardson spent the summer working out in Albany in preparation for professional baseball. The outfielder hit. 304 in 22 starts for the Seminoles this past season. Richardson, a backup quarterback last season, would have worked out at safety this season.

 

http://cmsimg.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=CD&Date=20090808&Category=FSU03&ArtNo=90808003&Ref=AR&Profile=1008&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

[Mass Haas]

It's official: Ex-Lee star D'Vo signs with Brewers

D'Vontrey Richardson smiles after inking his name on a Milwaukee Brewers contract. (Special to The Albany Herald)

 

http://www.albanyherald.com/SiteImages/Article/5259a.jpg

 

D'Vontrey Richardson signs as Brewers scout, Ryan Robertson, looks on.

 

http://www.albanyherald.com/SiteImages/Article/5259b.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Brewers' call surprises Wilhelmsen, who thought he'd stay with Toros

Right-hander set to resume career after 5 years off

By Casey Crowe

ARIZONA DAILY STAR

 

Tom Wilhelmsen did not touch the seams of a baseball for a self-estimated five years, finally ending that hiatus in May during an open tryout for the independent Golden Baseball League's Tucson Toros.

 

Just three months since returning to the mound, and after totaling 13 strikeouts against four walks with two saves in 11 2/3 innings, the 25-year-old right-hander finds himself back in a Major League Baseball organization.

 

The Milwaukee Brewers acquired the contract of the 6-foot-6-inch Tucson High School product Thursday, and he said he will report to the franchise's spring training complex in Maryvale in about two weeks.

 

Was Wilhelmsen expecting this turn of events?

 

"No," Wilhelmsen said during a Friday phone interview. "I was expecting to be with the Toros all year. I didn't even know the Brewers still owned my rights until we got a call (in June). I was hoping I'd get noticed. But five years off, three months back … it was faster than I thought."

 

"All the scouts are in love with the radar gun, and Tom was back up in the 92-95 (mph) range," said Toros pitching coach Ed Vosberg. "I think they can see the potential. Now that he is back throwing regularly, you can see what he is capable of."

 

Originally drafted by the Brewers in the seventh round of the 2002 draft, Wilhelmsen did not flame out because of his on-field performance, amassing a 2.84 ERA in 17 minor-league starts at the rookie and Single-A levels.

 

But it was off-the-field where Wilhelmsen said he was not prepared for the pros.

 

"I was young and I had no idea how to handle myself professionally away from the game," said Wilhelmsen whose last minor-league season was 2003. "I burnt myself out that way. I've matured in the last five years. I have a wife now and I have dreams for us. I'm aware of what it takes now. Back then, I wasn't."

 

Wilhelmsen is the third Toros pitcher to sign a minor-league contract this season, following fellow Tucsonan Rene Garcia, a Sunnyside product who signed with the Chicago White Sox, and Andrew Romo, who signed with the San Francisco Giants.

 

"You'd obviously like to keep the guys that are playing well, but the whole objective here with the Toros is to get a chance like that," said Vosberg, who spent parts of 10 seasons in the majors. "We like winning here, and we like having the best players here to do that. But if they have the ability to play at that level, they should take those opportunities. I got that chance and they should too."