2012 Minor League Transaction Thread -- Pre-Draft

[Mass Haas]

First, for reference, here's a link to the post-draft 2011 minor league transaction thread:

 

viewtopic.php?f=64&t=25057

 

Quite a potential story here, at least it's an interesting way to kick off this spring's transaction season.

 

In 2010, the DSL Mariners had a 6'4", 175 lb. LHP named Brandol Perez.

 

He posted transcendent video game numbers -- here they are via link and then listed:

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=perez-001bra

 

That would be 11 G, 8 starts, 48.1 IP, 20 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 14 BB, 68 K

 

7-0, 0.19 ERA

 

Now, less than two years later, he's in the Milwaukee Brewers system. Yup. Did we note he's a 6'4" southpaw?

 

The Mariners believed his birthdate was 08/18/93, so he would have been 16 years old in that 2010 season.

 

ProspectInsider.com wrote this in August of 2010:

http://prospectinsider.com/view/lat-am-top-11/

 

1. Brandol Perez, LHP

Perez is the M's top Lat Am prospect, led by a fastball-slider-curveball repertoire with a hard changeup on its way. The organization has him focusing more on the curveball now, both for the good of his arm and for the further development of what projects as the better of the two breaking balls. He's touched 88 mph but sits 83-86 and just turned 17 earlier this month.

 

The Dominican native made five starts in 2010, including four over the final three weeks of the season when he fanned 28 batters in 21 innings of work. He did not allow an earned run during the same span. His fastball is generally straight but he gets good plane considering his high three-quarters arm slot.

 

Despite lack of experience Perez grinds it with runners on base, a sign of maturity, and has a solid pickoff move. He's also a good athlete and fields his position well.

 

His control and command are slightly below average, but that's typical for most 16 and 17-year-olds, foreign or domestic. His frame suggests projectability, which is what lands him in the top spot here.

 

***

 

Now we don't know how or when it occurred, but at some point prior to the 2011 season, Perez fractured his left elbow, and subsequently did not pitch last season.

 

At some point in 2011, the Mariners learned that Perez was actually three years older than believed, and his birthdate is now shown as 08/18/90, making 2012 his age-21 season.

 

You'd have to ask Jack Z. and Mariners officials, but for whatever combination of reasons, they released Perez last September 14th.

 

Last November 3rd, the Brewers quietly signed Perez as a minor league free agent, and we're just learning about it now.

 

Will he be ready to pitch this April in the DSL or perhaps state-side this June in Maryvale or Helena? That is to be determined.

 

But at the very least, it makes for an interesting storyline to watch.

 

We've learned of four additional DSL signings, all rookies (and apparently some releases), and I hope to post those later this evening.

 

Please continue to follow me via Twitter @Mass_Haas

 

https://twitter.com/#!/Mass_Haas

 

where I only clutter up the twitterverse with Brewers-related updates, like the ones on Nick Ramirez and Max Walla you'll see at the link above. I know many of you rely specifically on Brewerfan's various very active minor league threads here, and whenever news of note far exceeds 140 characters , like this one, you should continue to see updates here.

 

In this transition year of semi-Link Report retirement for me, I look forward to a team-oriented community involvement in this forum. If you have news, please share, and of course, your related Brewer farmhand thoughts as well. Thanks!

[Mass Haas]

In addition to LHP Brandol Perez (see above), look for these four new names on the DSL squad. We have no news as to how highly-regarded these players are nor their signing bonus info, but we'll ask our Baseball America friends, who may have more information:

 

17-year-old infielder Carlos Belonis is listed at 6'3", 175 (so we'll guess corner infielder), bats/throws R; signed last November; DOB 08/19/94; he was born in NYC but was signed out of Santo Domingo in the D.R.; the Brewers media guide tells us his father played ever-so-briefly with the San Francisco Giants in 1990:

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/santaan01.shtml

 

***

 

RHP Miguel Diaz -- 6'1", 175 out of the Dominican, 17 years old (11/28/94), signed last December

 

***

 

Another 17-year-old Dominican native, OF Juan Ortiz, 6'1", 175; bats L, throws R, signed a 2012 contract last July

 

***

 

OF Yunior Santana, 18 years old (09/10/93); 6'3", 210; B/T Right; signed last November

 

***

 

These players will be added to the sortable Brewerfan Player Index this week:

 

http://www.brewerfan.net/ViewPlayerIndex.do

[Mass Haas]

Looks like at least four DSL Brewers were released this past offseason, their names link to career stat pages:

 

20-year-old RHP Javier Belen walked 36 in 40 relief innings in 2010-11.

 

19-year-old 3B Jorge De La Cruz had a miserable 2011 after a promising 2010, even so, only 107 AB's combined.

 

The pro career of Yheris Mateo, a 5'9" RHP, now 21, lasted all of four relief appearances. At least he can be known as the only "Yheris" ever to appear in a pro baseball game.

 

Soon-to-be 21-year-old catcher Julio Sotelo appeared in 30 games the past two seasons, missing most of last season due to an injury he suffered in a home plate collision.

 

On very rare occasions, the Brewers have accidentally left players off the media guide listings. That's unlikely, but possible, here.

[Mass Haas]

Baseball America's Ben Badler wrote about the Brewers' new DSL kids in his NL Central International Review. It's a subscription piece well worth your time, and we can only present just a very few tidbits here. You understand.

 

Again, these names were introdcued a couple of posts above...

 

Carlos Belonis signed for $550,000 and is considered the top signing. He'll probably get a chance at SS but his size may move him to an OF spot eventually, above-average runner.

 

Juan Ortiz signed with the Brewers for $375,000; smooth, easy lefthanded swing, corner OF, arm should allow for RF.

 

Yunior Santana ($110,000) -- raw RH power, athletic, likely another corner OF.

 

Ben's piece also discusses two of our favorite DSL rookies from 2011 -- 3B Sthervin Matos and RHP Orlando Torrez, with several details on each we can't share here, but as the diehard readers could have surmised last summer, both highly thought of.

[Mass Haas]

21-year-old Hitaniel Arias (career stats), who signed as a 16-year-old outfielder out of the Dominican for a hefty $450,000 in July of '07, has been converted to pitcher for the 2012 season by the Brewers.

 

Listed at 6'6", 238, this could prove to be an exciting career path change. Let's hope, love the creativity. Arias spent 2011 in the Maryvale Brewers outfield, no word on whether Arias will pitch in the DSL or state-side this summer.

[TooLiveBrew]

Wow, that's surprising, but I agree that the creativity is interesting to see. It's a bit surprising to me, since iirc Arias was getting a lot of time at 1B & DH last season, not exactly implying "live arm"

[Mass Haas]

Always tough when the release names start filtering in --

 

Brewers minor-league releases as per @eddymk of Baseball America -- LHP's Del Howell, Efrain Nieves & Jon Pokorny, IF's Mike Brownstein & Sergio Miranda

 

Player names link to career stats --

 

LHP Del Howell -- Drafted out of the University of Alabama in the 15th round of 2009, the now 24-year-old was 7-18 with a 4.56 ERA in 51 career games (38 starts), with 32 starts coming at Wisconsin in 2010 and '11. Here was a detailed report on him from the Post-Crescent in May 2010. Howell peaked at #25 on the Power 50 in '09.

 

LHP Efrain Nieves -- Though only 22 now, Nieves already has five years in the system as the Crew's 7th round pick out of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy & School in 2007. He was used exclusively in relief at Brevard last season, but did make 36 starts earlier in his career. Here's another Post-Crescent profile. History -- Nieves reached #20 on the Power 50 in April '09.

 

LHP Jon Pokorny -- Another 24-year-old who spent all of 2011 at Brevard County, the 9th round pick seems to have a case for success elsewhere. He's allowed fewer hits than innings pitched in his career, with 185 K's in 160 career innings. In the second half of 2011, Pokorny limited opponents to a .211 average, so the southpaw wasn't trending downward. Yes, he did get his own Timber Rattlers feature profile in July of 2010. He also had a Power 50 history.

 

IF Mike Brownstein -- The now 24-year-old was the Brewers' 14th round 2009 pick out of the University of New Mexico. He missed all of 2010 following surgery on his right hamstring. Splitting his return season evenly between Wisconsin and Brevard, he posted a combined .684 2011 OPS. Although never on the Power 50, Mike is the only "Brownstein" ever to play affiliated pro baseball.

 

IF Sergio Miranda -- The 25-year-old Puerto Rico native who attended Virginia Commonwealth was acquired in a seemingly random obscure trade from the White Sox in March of 2009 for cash considerations that had us all scrambling to learn about him. He made three career outfield appearances, but otherwise spread his defense all around the four infield spots. Baseball Reference indicates he made one appearance at both pitcher (we can see that) and catcher (really?) with Brevard in 2009.

 

Here's wishing these guys well. Should they pursue their careers in 2012, we'll let fans and former teammates know about any landing spots, including independent ball.

[Mass Haas]

OF Corey Patterson released, as per Adam McCalvy

 

EDIT: And then re-signed him

[Mass Haas]

Looking more and more like 2009 3rd round SS Josh Prince is an OF now.

[DHonks]

Prince was supposed to be very good defensively. I was hoping he'd find his rookie ball success now that he's out of the FSL. Unfortunately, he's no longer our best SS prospect, and thus a lot less sexy

[TooLiveBrew]

I guess I don't really understand the Josh Prince move off SS. Maybe he wasn't as good defensively as we'd all heard/read? Otherwise I don't get it.

[YoungGeezy]

Steffan Wilson has been MIA all spring, wonder if he is injuried, at least hoping. I have always been a fan and really hope they didn't release him.

[LouisEly]

I thought Pokorny would have a shot as a RP/LOOGY with his H:IP and K:IP ratios. Apparently not.

[Mass Haas]

Update from Helena IF Gant Elmore -- also the son of the H-Crew's owner

[Mass Haas]

Steffan Wilson has been MIA all spring, wonder if he is injuried, at least hoping. I have always been a fan and really hope they didn't release him.

 

We covered it here on the forums a while back, but Steffan Wilson is now working for the Brewers as their Northeast area scout, similar to what Drew Anderson does in the Nebraska area...

[dacbrewers]

I thought the same about Pokorny. He was trending better and deserved a shot. His numbers are better than a first rounder that the Brewers keep moving up. Makes me wonder what they see in some people as opposed to others.

[Mass Haas]

Catcher Patrick Arlis (career stats) was released by the Brewers this past week and has already subsequently signed with the El Paso (TX) Diablos of the independent American Association.

 

Arlis, 31, was an independent league signee of the Brewers in April 2009. The first 5+ years of his pro career were in the Marlins' system.

 

Arlis was fodder for us in a (hopefully) good-natured way, as he was always the AAA or AA catcher to be sloshed around the phantom DL list in order to make room for others. We had read previously that perhaps a coaching position will be in Arlis' future, but he's obviously not quite ready to end his playing days.

 

As our goodbye and well-wish to him, we salute his Brewers' career transaction history.

[patrickgpe]

today the brewers claimed josh stinson from the mets, i assume for nashville fodder

 

https://twitter.com/#!/AdamRubinESPN/status/187600830923423744

[Mass Haas]

This will land in the Major League Forum as well, most likely, but the Brewers have claimed Mets RHP Josh Stinson on waivers. Made 14 relief appearances in his big league debut last year. 37th round pick in 2006, he'll be placed in Huntsville's bullpen to begin the season.

 

Career stats

 

We'll have more on him shortly.

[Mass Haas]

Pending transactions for the next day --

 

Nashville and Huntsville need to free up one roster spot each, Brevard County two; Wisconsin is all set at 25.

[Mass Haas]

Disciples of Uecker helps us out on Josh Stinson

[Mass Haas]

Mark McCarter of the Huntsville Times reports that "Cody Scarpetta has remained at the Brewers' headquarters in Maryvale, Ariz., after a spring training injury."

 

So Scarpetta will open on the DL, R.J. Seidel takes the rotation spot for now.

[TooLiveBrew]

So is it possible then that the assignment to repeat Huntsville is related to coming back from whatever the injury is? The optimist (?) in me says yes.

[Mass Haas]

High-A Brevard transactions: RHP Brooks Hall placed on 7-day DL (undisclosed injury); C Brent Dean returned to extended spring

 

With those two moves, Manatees roster stands at 25-man limit for Opening Night tonight.

[Mass Haas]

AAA Nashville: LHP Juan Perez on 7-day DL (perhaps still working back from earlier collapsed lung); Sounds roster now seemingly at 25-man limit

 

UPDATE from the Sounds: Perez opens the year on DL due to back spasms and has yet to join club from Maryvale.