Minor League Transactions -- First Half of Season (Pre-Draft)

[Paris16]

Boy, that is a great group of catchers they have there. Kemp, Alfonso, and Hopf are gone but they have Maldonado hitting .118, McCraw hitting .000, and Delarosa hitting .158. All 3 are career .230 hitters for their career.  Then you have Garfield throwing out 16 percent of runners, and Zarraga who can't catch the ball. These guys are geniuses evaluating catching talent. Then you have Kottaris and Zaun hitting in the .150's  in the big leagues, with Lucroy hitting .900 still not on the big club. What an absolute joke.

[And That]

Boy, that is a great group of catchers they have there.

Lucroy and Salome would be top 10 prospects in any organization and Garfield is a really promising up and comer, and I think Tyler Roberts is too. So yes, the Brewers do have enviable depth at catcher. None of Kemp, Alfonso, Hopf, Maldonado, McCraw or Delarosa are or were anything much more than organizational guys. Zarraga may or may not pan out as a catcher, but he could be a good hitter. Kottaras and Zaun are generally uninspiring, but far from terrible (unless you're measuring their worth 14 games in to the season).

 

Look, I know you're angry at the Brewers' handling of Alfonso, but that's no reason to run down the Brewers any time catching is brought up.

[Paris16]

I will not back down from what I said. Lucroy, and Salome are great. Tyler Roberts is very promising. If Garfield is worth 450 thousand, and Zarraga is worth 220 thousand dollars like the bonuses they both got, then the Brewers don't have a clue. Garfield had 12 bases stolen against him in a doubleheader last year with 4 throwing errors. Zarraga had to be taken out the last 3 games in Wisconsin last year cause he couldn't catch a ball. This is pro ball, not high school; all I am stating is the facts. Yes , I will put Alfonso behind the plate right now anytime you want and he will outplay both of them. The kid never got a chance. Yet they are fooling around with guys his age or older and giving them 200 to 300 at bats while they are hitting .199. How did McCraw receive over 200 at bats in Wisconsin after hitting .143, for the Mets and getting released. I'll tell you how. the Brewers have their favorites, and they are going to play no matter what. No one is saying the Alfonso kid should be in front of Salome, or Lucroy, but he definitely is better than most of their other catchers who have been given chance, after chance, and have been career 220 hitters for 6 or seven years now. By the way, I was an all american behind the plate so don't tell me about catchers.

[Tedaldtada]

I was pretty intrigued when theY drafted the guy. I thought he could turn into a bit of a steal in the (10 round?) draft. I never really understood why he didn't get my run.

 

With that said, not one other MLB org. picked him up after his release. That should tell you something. Pretty sure he just joined an indy league.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes:

 

Outfielder Brett Dowdy was signed today by the Brewers as a minor league free agent. The 28-year old attended Padres Spring Training this season before being released on March 25. Starting at six different positions, including all three outfield spots, second base, third base, and shortstop, and two scoreless outings on the mound, Dowdy spent the entire 2009 campaign with the Portland Beavers, batting .237 (78-for-329) with 16 doubles, three home runs, 20 RBIs, and 30 runs scored in 90 games.Catcher Patrick Arlis has been placed on the disabled list, retroactive to April 21st, to make room for Dowdy on the Nashville roster.

 

Brett Dowdy Career Numbers

 

***

 

We'll have to see what this says about the Adam Stern (oblique) and Brendan Katin (knee) injuries. Another outfielder was sorely needed. Dowdy is kind of a tool-kit guy.

[And That]

The guy I feel kind of bad for is Tike Redman... he gets released right before the squads break camp, only to see Stern injured within days and then Dowdy brought in because of Katin's injury.

[Mass Haas]

If you don't mind that the scouting report is three years old, a decent write-up on Mr. Dowdy.

[Mass Haas]

At Huntsville, RH reliever Mark Willinsky is activated from the seven-day DL, while LH reliever Casey Baron, who tossed 1.2 innings on Thursday, is placed on the list (thus far an undisclosed injury).

[Mass Haas]

Update from Brevard County:

OF Kentrail Davis (ankle sprain) has been activated from the seven-day DL -- to free up that spot, IF Brent Brewer (.344 OPS after 39 AB's) has been placed on the DL, retroactive to 4/22 with an undisclosed injury. Davis had been excellent in his first six pro games.

[Mass Haas]

At Brevard, the Brewers gave 22-year-old RHP Nick Tyson (career stats) his release.

 

Drafted in the 32nd round in 2006 and inked as a draft-and-follow out of a Florida community college, Tyson posted a pretty impressive 153-to-39 K-to-BB rate during his time in the system (187.2 IP). He did hit a few too many bats (210 hits in those innings). Outside of a rough 16-game stretch in his first taste of full-season ball with West Virginia in '08, Tyson posted a respectable ERA as well.

 

It's almost a case of debate -- higher upside in a kid who may not be able to show command but has "stuff" that can possibly be harnessed, vs. a young pitcher who shows that command, but his pitches don't fool enough opposing batters.

 

***

 

Tyson was released to free up a spot for LHP Chris Capuano, who was activated from Nashville's DL and assigned to the Manatees. Cappy may make his first appearance as early as the 'Tees next game, Tuesday the 27th.

[Mass Haas]

http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/ohwell.gif

 

Huntsville Times:

Outfielder Lorenzo Cain was placed on the disabled list after suffering a groin injury on Sunday. No replacement had been named late Monday night, according to Manager Mike Guerrero.

***

 

The Brewers aren't traditionally very deep witrh outfielders organizationally, anyway -- often when one goes down, it's a utility type of player filling in. Chuckie Caufield will see additional action, but it's been tough to keep outfielders healthy just far.

[battlekow]

To replace Cain on the Stars roster, Brett Dowdy was transferred to Huntsville from Nashville.

[Mass Haas]

OF Adam Stern (oblique) comes off the seven-day DL at Nashville.

[Mass Haas]

Not good news on the Eric Farris front, although we're waiting to hear more about the nature and severity of his injury. He's been placed on the seven-day DL at Nashville -- the Brewers didn't waste any time.

 

Farris was apparently injured when he slid underneath Memphis catcher Brian Anderson's tag on a sac fly to center in the first inning.

 

Shuffling things, veteran Anderson Machado was transferred from Huntsville to fill Farris' spot, and warranted or not, Brent Brewer was activated from the Brevard County DL and bumped up to the Stars.

[battlekow]

At Huntsville, Donovan Hand to the DL and Casey Baron activated.

[bork]

Are these Huntsville relievers going on the "DL" (wink, wink) like last year?

[battlekow]

Are these Huntsville relievers going on the "DL" (wink, wink) like last year?

It certainly seems that way.

[Southern Leaguer]

Are these Huntsville relievers going on the "DL" (wink, wink) like last year?

 

Last year there was a lot of "Assigned to Helena", I've not noticed any of that this year ...

[Mass Haas]

Via Chris at Rattler Radio:

- Joey Paciorek placed on the disabled list
- Cutter Dykstra transferred to Wisconsin from extended Spring training

Dykstra is available today, but not in the starting lineup. Pete Fatse is starting at second base, with Michael Marseco at third, Scooter Gennett at shortstop.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes:

 

ANDERSON RETURNS TO SOUNDS; MACHADO SENT TO HUNTSVILLE: Outfielder Drew Anderson (career stats) signed a minor league contract with the Brewers yesterday and has joined Nashville for the fourth season of his career (2006-07, ‘09). Entering 2010, Anderson carries a .279 career average (127-for-456) with five home runs and 46 RBIs in 129 contests for the Sounds. To make room on the roster for Anderson, infielder Anderson Machado was returned to Double-A Huntsville. Machado did not make an appearance for Nashville during his three days on the roster.

 

***

 

Welcome back, Drew. Like a comfortable mitt, why you never burn bridges and act like a pro.

 

No word yet on a corresponding roster move for Huntsville to free up room for Machado's return.

[MLS1965]

First, welcome back Drew. I always liked him and was always warm with the fans.... Now, a funny note. Someone was asking about Drew last home stand. I told them Drew hand not been in Nashville since 2007, with a brief return last year. They told me they were from Nebraska and wanted to say Hello.. Kind of odd I do say........

[Mass Haas]

From Brett at the Post-Crescent:

 

Injury update

Wisconsin manager Jeff Isom said infielder Joey Paciorek – currently on the disabled list – injured his right throwing hand during a recent batting practice mishap at Beloit.

Paciorek was fielding grounders when he was hit on the hand on a liner. It’s unknown how long he’ll be out.

[battlekow]

C Patrick Arlis from Nashville to Huntsville, with C Sean McCraw going on the DL.

[Mass Haas]

Via Adam McCalvy:

 

GM Doug Melvin said rehabbing left-hander Chris Capuano would make one more start for Class A Brevard County before a promotion to Triple-A Nashville. Capuano, coming back from the second Tommy John surgery of his career, last appeared on Sunday and has 12 strikeouts vs. no walks in two starts at Brevard County spanning 9 2/3 innings.

[battlekow]

Utilityman Brett Dowdy was released to make room for Anderson Machado in the wake of Drew Anderson's signing; Dowdy is expected to sign with a Mexican League team.