Minor League Transaction Thread-- Latest: Nelson to AAA, Gagnon to AA

[Mass Haas]

Saw on mlbtraderumors that the brewers signed some guys. Is that Ozzie Chavez our old SS from seemingly a decade ago (with the cool middle name)?

 

Ozzie "Smith" Chavez, yes.

[JohnBriggs12]

Another guy mentioned in that mlbtraderumors.com post is Rene Tosoni, a former Twins OF who got a lot of MLB time in '11 when Twins OFs were dropping like the Twins' loss column was adding up. For all the PT he got, though, he seemed pretty overmatched. I do remember the Twins' broadcasters talking about him as a hitter w/ decent pop in the minors.

 

I'd guess these are depth moves also aimed to fill out the Nashville roster with some AAA vets.

 

The highlight of Tosoni's career was taking Greinke deep for a 3 run shot after the Brewers had staked him to a 6-1 lead, a game the Brewers eventually lost 9-7. The next day Marcum couldn't hold a big lead after his grand slam.

 

Can't say I'm all that impressed with him other than that.

[Mass Haas]

Outfielder Cole Garner signed. Those numbers sure adjusted in 2012 -- tough to leave those Rockies affiliate locations (it would be so frustrating to follow the Colorado system in detail and try and make sense of the numbers).

 

So, along with the signing on Rene Tosoni, here's the mix of AAA / AA outfielders as of now:

 

Caleb Gindl

Khris Davis

Josh Prince

Rene Tosoni

Cole Garner

Kentrail Davis

Brock Kjeldgaard

Lee Haydel

Reggie Keen

T.J. Mittelstaedt (IF/OF)

 

Haydel has 1303 plate appearances at AA, having spent the past three seasons completely at Huntsville.

[CheezWizHed]

Josh Prince got a lot of press for being a utility player, but TJ Mittelstaedt is the consummate utility player. I see a lot of Mark Loretta in him.

[brewmann04]

As per Adam Mac! brewers announce they have signed C Robinzon Diaz to Minors deal

[brewmann04]

Going to have to be a big Year for the Davis guy to see if they have potential.

[Mass Haas]

This is cool.

 

After a year in independent ball, OF Chuckie Caufield, a Brewer farmhand from 2006-2011, has been signed to a minor league deal.

[Mass Haas]

Another guy mentioned in that mlbtraderumors.com post is Rene Tosoni, a former Twins OF who got a lot of MLB time in '11 when Twins OFs were dropping like the Twins' loss column was adding up. For all the PT he got, though, he seemed pretty overmatched. I do remember the Twins' broadcasters talking about him as a hitter w/ decent pop in the minors.

 

I'd guess these are depth moves also aimed to fill out the Nashville roster with some AAA vets.

 

The highlight of Tosoni's career was taking Greinke deep for a 3 run shot after the Brewers had staked him to a 6-1 lead, a game the Brewers eventually lost 9-7. The next day Marcum couldn't hold a big lead after his grand slam.

 

Can't say I'm all that impressed with him other than that.

 

Tosoni targets fresh start with Brewers

By Dan Olson, Coquitlam (Canada) Now

 

It isn't a long way from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Milwaukee - just 480 kilometres, to be precise.

 

Port Coquitlam's Rene Tosoni is hoping he can own every mile of it.

 

The one-time Minnesota Twins prospect experienced the hard facts of professional sports two months ago when the Twins decided not to offer him a new contract.

 

The 26-year-old outfielder and his agent didn't have to look long, however, before finding someone who did.

 

Tosoni signed with the National League's Milwaukee Brewers earlier this month, with an eye on proving that he's more than just organizational depth.

 

"I'm excited to get this deal, to sign with Milwaukee and get things going," Tosoni told The NOW. "They said I'm a good fit for their organization and they liked what I've done."

 

Tosoni, who last week was named to Team Canada's roster for the World Baseball Classic, has overcome his shares of bad luck and tough bounces during the past 12 months.

 

The Twins released him after a couple of injuries kept him on the sidelines for more than half the season. The outfielder first fractured two fingers in just the third game of the season, and suffered a torn pectoral muscle a few weeks after returning from the first injury.

 

"(The broken fingers) were more [just] aggravating," said Tosoni, who spent six years in Minnesota's farm system. "They felt jammed at the time, and it took a month and a half to get back. My pectoral injury was tough. I thought I just aggravated it and tried to play through it but we later found out it was a tear."

 

He couldn't establish a good hitting rhythm after coming back, and in the end he played at four different levels - beginning at Triple-A, all the way down to a rookie league rehab assignment.

 

It was a true test of character, and one he survived with the support of family and friends. Wife Whitney, a fellow Terry Fox Secondary grad, was there to keep him grounded and balanced.

 

"I had Whitney with me and she was incredible," he noted. "She travelled with me and was with me along the way. I talked with people who had gone through these same kinds of things. There's always people around who want to help."

 

Overall, he batted just .224 over 90 games, with four home runs and 23 runs batted in. But over his final 10 games with Double-A New Britain and having put the injuries behind him, Tosoni batted .297 with hits in nine of the 10 contests.

 

Those kinds of numbers were more in line with what he had achieved in healthier seasons prior to his major league call-up - where he began a 60game MLB stint with a seeing-eye single. That 2011 turn in Minnesota also saw him hit five home runs and drive in 22 runs. Although his .203 batting average was less than flattering, he did close out the season with a nine-game hitting streak, including two dingers.

 

It made the injuries and minor league struggles all the more frustrating for the 2009 All Star Future Game MVP.

 

Still, when he was told that the Twins were going in another direction and no longer required his services, the former Coquitlam Reds felt some new pressure.

 

"I was a little (anxious), it was something new for me," he noted. "My agent was telling me not to worry, that he'd gone through this before with other players.

 

"You're just sitting and waiting for a job. It's part of the business, but it makes you grateful for every opportunity."

 

Enter Milwaukee, which has a track record when it comes to Canadian content.

 

General manager Doug Melvin, assistant GM Gord Ash and closer John Axford are all Ontario natives. Tosoni himself was born in Toronto and played for the junior national team. While the Brewers don't make decisions based on nationalities, it is a nice coincidence.

 

Getting to represent Canada at the WBC this spring will be a nice feather in his cap, Tosoni said.

 

"It's a huge honour and a great feeling to be able to wear Canada across my chest again. There is just something about playing for your country that is indescribable."

 

As Spring Training approaches, Tosoni continues to prepare for a competition to impress Brewers coaches. It's the strategy the 36th round draft choice has taken into every training camp.

 

"Going to a new team, a new manager, you are trying to prove yourself again.

 

They've seen me play, but you have to show what you can do," the left-handed batter said. "I need to just work hard, show them I'm healthy and can play."

 

While Minnesota is in the rearview mirror and just another potential opposing team, the PoCo product says his time in the Twin Cities was special.

 

"That was an incredible moment, an amazing time," he recalled of his debut at Target Field on Apr. 28, 2011. "The Twins gave me an opportunity and you're always going to be respectful of that."

[Mass Haas]

As per Matt Eddy of Baseball America --

 

The Brewers have released Hitaniel Arias and Jose Garcia.

 

The two of them combined for $1,000,000 of bonus money in 2007 (Garcia $550,000 - Arias $450,000).

 

Arias (career stats), 22, a 6'6", 230 lb. specimen, failed as an outfielder in his age 17-20 seasons (.636 OPS). The Brewers announced he would attempt to transition to pitcher in 2012, and he did so, but for only two appearances before being sidelined for the duration of the season.

 

Garcia (career stats) will turn 22 in March. He, too, was looked upon as a potential RH power bat (.600 career OPS), and was also hinted at as a 2012 position change candidate (three games at catcher in 2012, at which he was listed for the first time in the Brewers media guide).

 

Four years ago, we posted this:

 

Dominican Republic:

RHP Rolando Pascual, 2005 -- $710,000

OF Jose Garcia, 2007 -- $550,000

RHP Wily Peralta, 2005 -- $450,000

SS Yohannis Perez, 2006 (DR vis Cuba) -- $450,000

OF Hitaniel Arias, 2007 -- $450,000

RHP Roque Mercedes, 2004 -- $375,000

RHP Luis Guerrero, 2007 -- $185,000

RHP Adrian Rosario, 2006 -- $125,000

RHP Santo Manzanillo, 2005 -- $80,000

C Orton Rodriguez, 2007 -- $65,000

RHP Pedro Lambertus, 2006 -- $55,000

RHP Carlos Villanueva, 2002 -- $50,000 (by San Francisco, acquired as a rookie baller with RHP Glenn Woolard for Wayne Franklin/Leo Estrella)

RHP Juan Sandoval, 2000 -- $42,000 (by Seattle)

RHP Edwin Linares, 2007 -- $40,000

RHP Amaury Rivas, 2005 -- $30,000

RHP Jose Sanchez, 2007 -- $24,000

LHP Rafael Lluberes, 2002 -- $16,000

RHP Rigoberto Almonte, 2008 -- $10,000

 

Venezuela:

 

3B Edgar Trejo, 2006 -- $130,000

RHP Francisco Rivero, 2008 -- $90,000

IF Allixon Cequea, 2006 -- $85,000

OF Jose Rangel, 2007 -- $38,000

SS Alcides Escobar, 2003 -- $33,000

C Jonathan Requena, 2006 -- $30,000

OF Freddy Parejo, 2003 -- $16,000

2B/CF Hernan Iribarren, 2002 -- $15,000

LHP Jose Romero, 2005 -- $14,000

C/OF Anderson DeLaRosa, 2003 -- $10,000

RHP Luis Pena, 1999 -- $6,000

 

***

 

To be honest, Peralta and Escobar's "hits" more than make up for the big "misses" listed.

[Mass Haas]

From the Brewers via Adam McCalvy:

 

Brewers announce Minor Leaguers Lee Haydel, Austin Hall and Brandon Williamson have retired.

 

Brewers released Hitaniel Arias, Jose Dicent, Mike Francisco, Jose Garcia, Elliot Glynn, Eliezer Montano, Franklin Romero, Connor Whalen.

 

The Francisco, Glynn, and Whalen releases had all been announced prevciously.

 

***

 

During the overnight, we'll briefly detail these players and send them off with a proper notation of good wishes in the future.

 

Haydel played the last three seasons exclusively in Huntsville. Young man could enter politics down there if he wished.

[Mass Haas]

All linked names lead to career stats --

 

We had noted the releases of LHP's Connor Whalen, Elliot Glynn, and Mike Francisco earlier in this thread, and had discussed OF/RHP Hitaniel Arias and OF/C Jose Garcia just two posts above.

 

***

 

Last June 16th we posted this about just-released Dominican Summer League third baseman Jose Dicent:

 

The Brewers supplemented their DSL squad with two players who had been released by other organizations prior to this season -- 3B Jose Dicent (Diamondbacks system, 2009-2010, idle in 2011) and catcher Yunior De La Cruz (Indians 2011).

 

The Brewers have another Dicent from Santo Domingo in their system (RHP Joel, who we'll probably see on next week's Maryvale roster). Jose is 11 months older, so they could very well be brothers, as that is not a common last name in the annals of Domincan baseball, via Baseball Reference.

 

Jose Dicent, now 22, posted a .362 OBP in 2012, but only six of his 41 hits were for extra bases, thus a .286 SLG.

 

***

 

LHP Eliezer Montano spent all four of his pro seasons (age 17-20) in the Dominican Summer League, although it should be noted he's from Venezuela. He's most noted for being tall and rail-thin (listed at 6'7", 170 in the latest media guide). Montano had his BB/9 rate down to 3.8 in 2011, but it jumped to 4.5 in 2012, and his K rate was never as healthy as one would think for a tall southpaw.

 

***

 

OF Franklin Romero, Jr. was the 20th round pick in the 2009 draft out of a California junior college.

 

In August of 2011, I wrote:

 

Wow, what you don't know about a person. Powerful backstory there, and I'm sure other players must have their own personal inspirations. Much respect, Franklin.

 

after reading this 2011 profile story from Bob Brainerd. Earlier in 2011, Romero was also profiled by Mike Woods of the Post-Crescent. Here's

, too.

 

Unfortunately, Romero's numbers had not been impressive since his Helena stint. Young man certainly had the passion, we wish him well in the future.

[Mass Haas]

The three recent retirees: All linked names lead to career stats --

 

The last time we saw a detailed profile of OF Lee Haydel was in May 2010:

 

Still on the run: Haydel making impact in minors

 

Former teammate Darren Byrd, a non-roster big league camp invite this year, put it well yesterday on Twitter:

 

Man can't believe my boy Lee Haydel hung up the spikes guy can play wish nothing but the best for him #yerrrrrrr

 

Haydel, 25, was entering his 7th and final committed year to the Brewers in 2013. The 2006 19th round pick, as noted above, had played the last three full seasons at AA Huntsville, and posted his best AA line (.284 AVG, .346 OBP) in 2012, but in a diminished 3rd/4th OF role. If only more line drives had found the doubles lane in the OF to pick up that SLG percentage even a bit, not that it was a pre-requisite for the quick Haydel.

 

***

 

RHP Brandon Williamson (24 in April) was drafted in the 20th round in 2011 out of Dallas Baptist University.

 

Williamson should receive a lot of credit from coming back from this head injury (photo) in July 2011 while with Helena.

 

You know Williamson was in tough shape when the line drive off his head deflected all the way to right field --

 

Kurtis Muller singles on a line drive to right fielder Max Walla, deflected by pitcher Brandon Williamson. Danny Vicioso scores.

 

In 20 appearances for Brevard last season (19 starts), and two starts for Huntsville, there weren't a lot of positive numbers to grab on to in Williamson's age 23 campaign, but this was Brandon's call to walk away. He most likely would have still had a spot in the organization if he hadn't.

 

***

 

BYU's Austin Hall spent his age 23 rookie season in Maryvale, so not seeing Helena must have been discouraging, even as a 33rd round pick.

 

Already 24 (last September), Hall, who is on Twitter, is married and apparently ready to move on with his BYU degree. He can always say he was drafted and played pro ball.

[WV Brew]

Will miss Franklin Romero (1230 AB, 27 BB). Always a good bet on the over/under for his first walk of the season.

[Mass Haas]

OF Reggie Keen did indeed sign his retirement papers last week.

 

Link from our 2012 Manatee thread

[Mass Haas]

As per Matt Eddy at Baseball America, four releases at the rookie league level:

 

This one seems odd -- you invest a 9th round pick on a Georgia high school outfielder in 2011, and then, as expected, assign him to Maryvale for his first two pro seasons, where the youngster shows an improved .268/.370/.297 stat line in year two, granted with no power showing at all. Malcolm Dowell (stats) was let go, and it's rare the Brewers let their Top Ten round high school picks, especially those who show an ability to get on base, go so quickly. Let's not speculate, although I guess I just implied to...

 

Others let go --

 

Catcher Deivi Mejia, 23 (stats) -- for fun, I tweeted this last week. Ironic.

 

RHP Yefri Saba (pronounced Jeffrey), 21 (stats) -- coming off his 2nd AZ season after one in the DSL

 

RHP Juan Francisco, 22 (stats) -- Francisco will have this memory - a seven-inning DSL no-hitter, here's the Link Report archive which then points to the unique box score line.

[djoctagone]

This is cool.

 

After a year in independent ball, OF Chuckie Caufield, a Brewer farmhand from 2006-2011, has been signed to a minor league deal.

quote from this article:

 

For now, assistant GM Gord Ash has asked (Al) LeBoeuf to mentor Chuckie Caufield, a former Brewers farmhand who is transitioning to a coaching role.

[Noche]

This Malcom Dowell release is a weird one but you just cannot sit here and play executioner until more details emerge. He seemed like a decent dude.

 

If this is behavior/work ethic related, it would reinforce the Brewers no-nonsense developmental image.

[Mass Haas]

I'll miss Chris Mehring typing "STOSH" in all caps in his various updates.

 

And the moustache.

 

2012 was Stosh Wawrzasek's 5th year in the system (career stats), and 2nd at Wisconsin (after a tough brief stint to begin at Brevard County), but the Canadian native is only 22, and did post a 1.03 WHIP with the Rattlers last summer.

 

Along with his release, the Brewers let go catcher Emmanuel Quiles (career stats), the 23-year-old former Padres 6th rounder, who spent last year with Helena after five years in the San Diego organization. The Puerto Rico native saw action in his country's winter league this past offseason.

[Mass Haas]

Classy tweets from Stosh.

[dacbrewers]

Sad to see that Stosh was released. I hope to see him playing somewhere soon.

[Mass Haas]

New Nashville third baseman, and good luck to Darren Byrd with the A's organization.

 

From January 2012 on Stephen Parker:

The A's did not land a top third-base prospect in their latest trades. Do they feel Stephen Parker (career stats) will be the real deal in 2013?

-- Jeff C., Kennewick, Wash.

 

That could definitely be the year Parker eases into the big league scene, but I don't think the A's are going to rush the process. At the moment, they're quite comfortable with Scott Sizemore at third base and the potential he has there with more time under his belt, while Parker is still very much a work in progress. He's been rather inconsistent with the glove during his time in the Minors -- he has a career .924 fielding percentage at third base -- and also saw a dip in power last year at the Double-A level. However, the long-term power potential is there for Parker, who will likely start the season in Sacramento.

 

At the same time, I'd suspect Billy Beane and Co. are always on the lookout for a third baseman since it is an area that doesn't have a ton of depth. But when making those trades this offseason, the team needed to address immediate needs and felt it did so by acquiring a couple of outfielders, as well as pitchers to fill the holes left by Gio Gonzalez and Trevor Cahill.

[Mass Haas]

New Nashville third baseman, and good luck to Darren Byrd with the A's organization

 

Baseball America analysis

[Mass Haas]

Neat coincidence with RHP Taylor Mangum:

 

If y'all haven't heard my brother in law Steve (Stephen Parker) is now playing with me as a Brewer, traded today from the A's!

[TooLiveBrew]

RHP Jairo Asencio traded to BAL for PTBNL

 

McCalvy blog post

[Mass Haas]

2009 2nd round draft pick OF Max Walla (career stats - .681 OPS in four pro seasons out of a New Mexico high school) tweeted today that he'll be sidelined 4-6 weeks with a "rebroken hand".

 

In 2012, Walla, a LH bat and arm, was sidelined to begin the season with a fractured left index finger.

 

Walla only turns 22 April 12th -- this is likely going to be a Brevard County year for him, although the numbers haven't met the early hopes and expectations. Last year was his first spent above the rookie ball (Maryvale - Helena) level.