Offseason / Spring Training Minor League Transactions

[Mass Haas]

It would be puzzling if it were anyone but Jack Z. and Tony Blengino in Seattle, in on this.

 

So much promise for Trejo after his just-turned-18-year-old season in Maryvale in 2007, then the season-ending ACL injury just three Helena games into 2008 was such a bummer at the time.

 

So either the Brewers realized they didn't have a spot for him and contacted Jack Z. to do the kid a favor, or the Mariners realized they needed to fill a specific hole at the lower levels and gave Doug a call.

 

Still just 20 years old until July, good luck to Edgar.

 

Duran, Delaney, Trejo -- that 2009 Wisconsin squad, and particularly its infield, is moving on (or away) quickly.

[battlekow]

Duran, Delaney, Trejo -- that 2009 Wisconsin squad, and particularly its infield, is moving on (or away) quickly.

Plus Corey Kemp. Next: Michael Marseco gets lost in the infield grass.

[TheCrew07]

Ha, everyone knows I was into Trejo, ohh well. He was pretty athletic but his swing was looooong. I was still hopin though... good luck Edgar.

[LouisEly]

Here's to you, David Welch --

 

Take care, David.

 

Thanks,

Brewerfan.net

Tis a sad, sad day in the LouisEly house.

 

When you look at the numbers they aren't spectacular, but they are not bad in any way. His first four years were solid, and despite a mediocre second go-around in Huntsville the numbers lie a little - he got off to a rough start, perhaps hiding an injury, but the second half of the year I believe his ERA was around 2.50 and finished with an impressive performance in the World Cup. For his career he gave up fewer hits than innings pitched; not an easy feat when you log over 500 career innings. Take a look at Welch's career stats and compare them to Mike Jones - you'd be surprised how similar they are.

 

I'm guessing it was a numbers game. The needed as close to major league replacement-level depth as they could get at AAA and had too much talent at AA, thus no room at the Inn.

 

Thanks for the jersey, David. Although you didn't get to appear on TV for the Brewers with a jersey on, I proudly did it for you.

 

LouisEly

[Mass Haas]

Semi-transaction update from the J-S:

 

Right-hander Chris Smith and OF Adam Stern have been told they won’t make the opening day roster and will be sent to Nashville, but they’ll both remain with the team through the end of camp and for the two exhibition games at Miller Park before the season starts.

[battlekow]

Jonathan Lucroy was returned to minor league camp[/url] and will be sent to Huntsville to start the season; Melvin: "I told him he could be called up to the big leagues from Double-A."

 

EDIT: Lucroy, of course, isn't on the 40-man and thus doesn't need to be optioned. Duh.

[ReverendBrewmeister]

Jonathan Lucroy was returned to minor league camp and will be optioned to Huntsville to start the season; Melvin: "I told him he could be called up to the big leagues from Double-A."

Interesting comment by Melvin.

 

Perhaps there should be some Lucroy vs. Salome discussion. Is Lucroy the better catching prospect of the two? If so, shouldn't he be at AAA?

(In my opinion, both questions should be answered in the affirmative.)

[jimmyjeromehardy7]

I liked Lucroy's comments and attitude. I have a feeling he will be my favorite Brewer next season.

[battlekow]

Haudricourt: Luis Cruz optioned to Nashville; thread on the Major League forum if you have an opinion on the move other than "Oh."

[Mass Haas]

J-S:

The Brewers brought catcher Martin Maldonado back to major-league camp to fill innings in exhibition games.

[Mass Haas]

The Brewers have signed catcher Ben Johnson to a minor league contract. Look for him to back up either Angel Salome in Nashville or Jonathan Lucroy in Huntsville.

 

The 28-year-old switch-hitter spent the past six seasons in the Angels' system after being their 23rd round pick in 2004 out of the University of Washington, splitting each of the past two seasons between AAA and AA.

 

Career stats

 

Photo

Johnson has yet to see big league time. He did participate in the Arizona Fall League in 2007.

[Mass Haas]

From Tom at the J-S:

 

First baseman Joe Koshansky, who replaced Prince Fielder in Monday's game, homered and singled in two at-bats, then was returned to the minor-league camp after the game. At least he went out with a blast.

 

Apologies to those looking for something more meaty within this post. Patience...

[brewpitch]

Today is a big day. There will be some sad faces in the locker room today.

[Mass Haas]

The following players have been released by the Brewers -- we wish each of them well.

 

LHP Rafael Lluberes deserves first mention. As we noted earlier this spring, Lluberes has pitched in the system since he was a 17-year-old for the Brewers' 2002 (and then 2003) Dominican Summer League squads. We think of him as a LOOGY based on 77 Brevard County appearances over the last two years, but 39 of his 56 appearances in 2006 and 2007 were starts.

 

INF Shane Justis was picked up from the Dodgers' organization in the minor league Rule 5 draft prior to the 2009 season. Having just turned 27 in March, he may have had an opportunity in Nashville this coming season, but the apparent decision to push Brett Lawrie to AA and Eric Farris to AAA (decisions that make plenty of sense, by the way), left Justis outside looking in.

 

RH reliever Juan Sandoval had quite the background, as we mentioned (link) when he was first acquired in minor league Rule 5 from Seattle in December 2007. He was a Timber Rattler in 2003 with the Mariners. He made 94 appearances for the Brewers, 87 in Huntsville, seven in Nashville. The Dominican native turned 29 in January.

 

Catcher Derrick Alfonso was selected in the 2008 draft, in the 26th round out of the University of Louisville. If you've read all our threads here on the Minor League forum, you know that he had at least one very ardent fan from his college days who would defend him in various threads here. Alfonso will be 25 years old in July. There is a long list of college catchers who have been drafted or signed as free agents by the Brewers this decade who have barely sniffed advanced A-ball. It seems as though the organization needs the bodies to handle all the rookie level arms, but few of these "veteran" rookies get a real chance to advance. It's a fact of organizational life, but Alfonso should know he's not the first to be in his shoes.

 

RH reliever Brandon Rapoza was drafted in the 31st round of the 2008 draft out of Flagler (FL) University. This upcoming season would be his age 24 season, and considering the success (statistically) he had at Brevard County in 2009 (2.13 ERA in 41 appearances, 67.2 IP, 61 H, 19 BB, 46 K), he would not have been "old" if he had made it to AA for 2010. He struggled in Monday's spring training game (you'll see the box score later today), but it just goes to show that these young men are given opportunities right up until literally decision day. Not a name we might have expected to see on this list...

 

***

 

Those are the releases we're aware of for today, that may or may not mean the Brewers are done for the week. We'll have to see...

[Mass Haas]

One note on Rafael Lluberes, eight years in the system, and not a single one at the AA level or above, no seasons lost to injury. That's survival and potential (over time)...

[Paris16]

Matt, just saw where Alfonso was released. Yet they kept Dean, Stockfisch, Pechek, Delarosa, Hopf, and Arlis who all or about his age or older.. The kid threw out almost 50 percent of runners for his career at Louisville, starting all 4 years, and was regarded as one of the best defensive catchers in the nation his junior and senior year.  He was on the Johnny Bench Award list his last two years, and threw out 63 percent his senior year. The Brewers never gave him a chance but have kept some catchers that are very suspicious.  Dean was an assistant coach at U.C.L.A. three weeks ago, Stockfisch had 3 at bats for his whole career  in Arizona last year,  Pechek hit 147 in Arizona last year and De La Rosa struckout 32 times without walking once last year. Not trying to put down these players, but why was Alfonso the one released. Look at Alfonso's stats in pro ball and they are not bad considering he played once out of every 10 games.  You can even compare them to McCraw, Zarraga, and Maldonado who had 300 at bats last year and hit .199. It is obvious the Brewers have their favorites. You are right, I am a huge fan of his because I am from Louisville and watched him play many a game. I can promise you the Brewers made a big mistake, and there is no way they have many catchers who catch and throw like he can. I absolutely don't understand why he wasn't given the same number of at bats  McCraw, and Maldonado were given. McCraw was picked up by the  Brewers from the Mets after hitting  just .143 when he was released.  Then he goes straight to Wisconsin and is the starting catcher . Why? The funny thing is Alfonso isn"t that bad a hitter, and showed  pop at Louisville and in pro ball. I was shocked when I read you're thred and I am sure the kid is devastated because he loves baseball. I will be very surprised  if someone doesn't pick him up. You don't have to respond to this, I just feel the kid needs someone to stand up for him. I don't have a clue what the Brewer catching guys are evaluating, but it is not catching skills.

[battlekow]

Josh Butler had his option voided because of his pre-existing elbow injury and was placed on the (Major League) DL instead; Major League forum thread.

[Mass Haas]

As per Tom H. --

 

RHP Mike Burns released

Wish him well while you breathe a sigh of relief...

[JohnBriggs12]

As per Tom H. --

 

RHP Mike Burns released

Wish him well while you breathe a sigh of relief...

While he's the poster boy for "we need to keep all our 5+ ERA starters because heaven forbid if we are forced to call up another Mike Burns", I might point out the Brewers were 4-4 in the 8 games he started.

[dadofandrew]

He was also very good in relief. Hopefully some team will see him as cheap relief, if he's healthy.

 

The irony is, he's what a replacement level SP is, though some act like a 5 ERA is easy to find.

[TheCrew07]

The irony is, he's what a replacement level SP is, though some act like a 5 ERA is easy to find.

Where was that posted anywhere? I'd settle for even one post of that variety as proof...

 

The actual points that have been made literally 100s of times by multiple posters were:

 

1) the team already had plenty 5+ ERA depth at AAA and adding more guys of similar quality didn't mean that the team had better depth as evidenced last season

 

2) the top of the rotation needed upgrading, not the bottom, again see #1

 

3) going forward our starting pitcher depth should be the true prospects in AA and AAA who are already on the 40 man.

[JohnBriggs12]

TheCrew07]

The irony is, he's what a replacement level SP is, though some act like a 5 ERA is easy to find.

Where was that posted anywhere? I'd settle for even one post of that variety as proof...

 

The actual points that have been made literally 100s of times by multiple posters were:

 

1) the team already had plenty 5+ ERA depth at AAA and adding more guys of similar quality didn't mean that the team had better depth as evidenced last season

 

2) the top of the rotation needed upgrading, not the bottom, again see #1

 

3) going forward our starting pitcher depth should be the true prospects in AA and AAA who are already on the 40 man.

My point is that all spring we've heard how important it was to keep all 4 guys competing for the 4th and 5th rotation spots with the implication that they were caught short last year. Considering that in reality Burns was pretty much as good as 3 guys in the Brewer rotation didn't speak to depth being the issue, but to the fact that performance of the guys who were supposed to be starters was the real issue and all 3 of those guys are still in the picture.

[battlekow]

Tike Redman released.

[TheCrew07]

JohnBriggs12]My point is that all spring we've heard how important it was to keep all 4 guys competing for the 4th and 5th rotation spots with the implication that they were caught short last year. Considering that in reality Burns was pretty much as good as 3 guys in the Brewer rotation didn't speak to depth being the issue, but to the fact that performance of the guys who were supposed to be starters was the real issue and all 3 of those guys are still in the picture.

Listen I'm not going to argue results over metrics, I think there is value both sides. Burns wasn't on the 40 man, the other guys are, and I've never ever said anything about keeping all 4 pitchers.

[Mass Haas]

Adam McCalvy asked Reid Nichols about Brandon Rapoza:

 

Brandon Rapoza, the Brewers' 31st round Draft pick from 2008, is only 24 years old and posted a 2.13 ERA in 41 relief appearances at Class A Brevard County last season. He was pushed out by pitchers with higher upside, according to Milwaukee farm director Reid Nichols.