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

[Mass Haas]

The Brewers announced four player releases:

 

24-year-old infielder Carlos George (career stats) had a five-year run in the system after being drafted in the 46th round in 2008 out of a Bronx high school. Hamstring issues limited him to just 26 games in 2011 at Wisconsin, where he saw action over the past three seasons. George saw action in CF in ten games last season, but the offensive numbers just never came around with the Rattlers.

 

Still to this day the only "Maverick" to play affiliated pro ball, RHP Maverick Lasker was the Crew's 5th round pick out of a Phoenix high school in 2008 (career stats). Lasker missed all of that rookie draft season with a back muscle strain, which unfortunately would be an issue for him in later years, including 2012. Still just 23, hopefully he can enjoy a healthy life minus the back issues. Lasker's 2009 Maryvale debut resulted in an All-Star season, but Lasker peaked level-wise in 2011 with 14 Brevard County starts, struggling to a 5.74 ERA there.

 

RHP Joel Pierce always had a soft spot in my fandom as I felt as though I helped convince the Brewers to sign him, (7th round, 2010). Pierce (career stats), only turned 20 this past December. Last August Pierce was interviewed by Steve Wendt (audio link, scroll to the right to August 16th) after he had a nice six-week stretch. Unfortunately, Pierce wasn't able to warrant a Timber Rattler assignment this spring.

 

RHP Michael White, 23, was drafted twice by the Brewers -- 33rd round in 2008 out of a Tennessee high school and again in the 13th round in 2010 out of community college. Noted for being long and lean (6'6", 172), White's numbers (career stats), and apparently his spring efforts, didn't gain him another opportunity with Wisconsin.

 

Wishing all these guys well with any future baseball efforts, we've seen released players find their way back to affiliated ball and even the major leagues before (Craig Breslow, Dane De La Rosa come to mind -- Tom Wilhelmsen, although he was obviously a unique case...)

[TheCrew07]

Maverick Lasker *sigh*.

 

I was so high on him and Odorizzi when they were drafted but Maverick never put it together for an extended stretch above R ball. It's hard to fault the organization for letting him go though as by last season I had even given up hope that he would fulfill his draft day promise.

 

And for what it's worth, his name is in my all time top 3.

[TooLiveBrew]

Per Susan Slusser, & via BrewCrewBall, the A's have DFA'd Josh Stinson

[battlekow]

Position players who didn't see action Opening Night:

 

Nashville - IF Hainley Statia, C Anderson De La Rosa

 

Brevard - OF Ben McMahan, C Rafael Neda, IF Adrian Williams

 

Wisconsin - SS Alfredo Rodriguez, C Brent Dean

 

Hopefully we don't see McMahan idle too often.

 

Until Victor Roache arrives, it's the Taylor - Reed - Haniger show, they're the only outfielders on the roster.

McMahan hits the DL for BC with an undisclosed injury, with Dionis Hinojosa (that's Dee-on-iss E-no-hoe-sah; thanks, Frank) coming up from extended spring to take his place.

[Mass Haas]

It's always tough when a McMahan gets hurt just before Wrestlemania.

 

Get well, Ben...

[Mass Haas]

From Friday's Link Report:

 

On the injury front, it was mentioned on the pregame that Ben McMahan's trip to the DL was for a hand injury. Later in the game it was revealed that McMahan broke his thumb in practice so it will be more than just a 7-day stint on the DL for him.

[TheCrew07]

Aramis Ramirez to the DL, Josh Prince called up to Milwaukee.

[Minigoon]

Per a tweet from Brewers Player Development

 

Brewers Player Dev‏@BrewersPD

Joey Paciorek will take the roster spot vacated by Josh Prince on the #Sounds roster

 

Paciorek was not on a roster to start the season, but did play with the Stars in their exhibition game against Alabama A&M.

[And That]

Paciorek has played in the Brewers' minor league system for parts of six years now, and has never eclipsed the 200 AB mark.

[LouisEly]

Paciorek has played in the Brewers' minor league system for parts of six years now, and has never eclipsed the 200 AB mark.

 

Looking at his career stats he has to have incriminating pictures of Mark A. or Melvin to stay with the organization for so long.

[LouisEly]

Paciorek has played in the Brewers' minor league system for parts of six years now, and has never eclipsed the 200 AB mark.

 

Looking at his career stats he has to have incriminating pictures of Mark A. or Melvin to stay with the organization for so long.

[Mass Haas]

As per Baseball America, the Brewers picked up a rookie level pitcher from the Indians system, Estevenson Encarnacion, who has two pro years under his belt, one in the Dominican Summer League and last year in the Arizona League. The Indians released him on March 23rd.

 

Encarnacion will turn 23 in June. As you can see on his career stats page, the 6'4", 186 lb. RHP was born in Anguilla Island, United Kingdom.

 

Wikipedia:

 

Anguilla (pron.: ang-GWIL-ə) is a British overseas territory in the Caribbean. It is one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles, lying east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and directly north of Saint Martin. The territory consists of the main island of Anguilla itself, approximately 16 miles (26 km) long by 3 miles (5 km) wide at its widest point, together with a number of much smaller islands and cays with no permanent population. The island's capital is The Valley. The total land area of the territory is 35 square miles (90 km2), with a population of approximately 13,500 (2006 estimate).

 

***

 

 

Encarnacion pitched for Great Britain in WBC qualifying action.

[JohnBriggs12]

Paciorek has played in the Brewers' minor league system for parts of six years now, and has never eclipsed the 200 AB mark.

 

Looking at his career stats he has to have incriminating pictures of Mark A. or Melvin to stay with the organization for so long.

 

He's got good baseball bloodlines. Might have designs on managing/coaching. Those are good guys to have as role players.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes:

 

LALLI CALLED UP BY MILWAUKEE; CHAVEZ JOINS SOUNDS: Catcher Blake Lalli had his contract purchased by the Brewers this morning and has joined Milwaukee for today’s game in Chicago. He was 1-for-7 in three games for Nashville. Veteran infielder Ozzie Chavez (career stats) will replace Lalli on the Sounds’ roster. The 29-year-old opened the year with Double-A Huntsville and went 0-for-4 in his lone game for the Stars. Chavez played in 212 games for the Sounds from 2006-08 during his first stint with the Brewers organization.

 

***

 

No word yet on a corresponding roster move to backfill Huntsville; as noted Chavez had only seen action in one game in the opening Stars' series. Sometimes those veteran-types are handy as utility backups, a tough role for younger players in need of regular at-bats.

 

Nashville still carries three catchers even after the Lalli call-up (Anderson De La Rosa, Dayton Buller, and Joey Paciorek).

 

Cole Garner and Caleb Gindl remain the only true outfielders on the AAA roster, with Sean Halton learning his way. Chavez has never played OF in his 1104 minor league games.

[Mass Haas]

Updates from Brevard County (links lead to stat pages):

 

RHP Eric Marzec transferred from Brevard County to Huntsville. Marzec appeared in ten games at the AA level in 2012. This also fills the one open roster spot on the Stars' roster.

 

RHP Andre Lamontagne placed on the disabled list, retroactive to 4/8. Bummer, we imagine this is related to Lamontagne's long road back from shoulder surgery, but we don't know that, it may be unrelated.

 

RHP Tyler Cravy transferred from Helena to Brevard County. Word is that Cravy looked strong this spring, so his non-inclusion on the Manatee roster initially was a bit of a surprise.

 

Brevard County's roster is at 24 active players with two players on the DL (OF Ben McMahan - broken thumb, and now Lamontagne).

[Mass Haas]

Also announced by the Brewers:

 

RHP Johnnie Lowe moves from Huntsville to Nashville; infielder Hector Gomez (oblique) comes off the Stars' DL to fill that spot.

 

At Nashville, Lowe takes the spot of RHP Kyle Heckathorn, no additional word on the nature or severity of his injury. Heckathorn last pitched on the 7th.

[Mass Haas]

The open roster spot at Brevard County has been filled by RHP Matt Miller, the 2010 5th rounder (career stats), who opened this season at extended spring training for unknown (injury, we imagine) reasons.

[bork]

So Kyle Heckathorn comes off the DL. Jim Hoey and his 27.90 ERA have been released.

[Mass Haas]

Love it when the independent league signings who had never played affiliate ball before do well.

 

Signed in August 2011, RHP Mark Williams (career stats) has been bumped to AA Huntsville after only five games at the High-A level with Brevard.

 

Nice job by the pro scouting dept., you'll notice Williams' indy league numbers were not strong, but the Brewers obviously saw something there.

 

The Manatees roster is now at 24, one below the limit. Huntsville will need to make a move, they're at 26.

 

***

 

Via FSNW's Andrew Gruman, right-hander and 2011 2nd round pick Jorge Lopez (career stats) has been placed on the DL for Class-A Wisconsin.

 

No word on the nature or severity of his injury, but it may explain his ineffectiveness to date.

[Mass Haas]

Huntsville will need to make a move, they're at 26.

 

RHP Arcenio Leon, the former waiver claim from the Astros no longer on the Brewers' 40-man roster, has been placed on the DL retroactive to 4/20.

 

Leon (career stats) lasted only one inning (five runs) in his last appearance, a start on Friday.

 

As we usually type on in-season injuries not directly related to game action (such as obvious injury on the field, i.e. play at the plate), we do not currently know the nature or severity of Leon's injury.

[Mass Haas]

We'll update the Transactions thread when the moves are official, but 1B Adam Giacolone tweets he's on his way with Victor Roache to join the Rattlers.

 

Tweet from the Brewers

 

So Jorge Lopez to the DL frees up one spot, but the Rattlers will need to make another move today.

 

EDIT: Catcher Brent Dean joins Lopez on the DL.

[Mass Haas]

Fortunately, RHP Andre Lamontagne's 2013 stay on the Brevard County disabled list was brief. He has been activated to fill the open spot on their 25-man roster, and we should see him in a game shortly. When he does appear, it will be the first appearance above the rehabbing Maryvale level for the now 27-year-old Lamontagne since the 2010 season (long road back from right shoulder surgery). Good luck, Andre (career stats)!

[Mass Haas]

From April 24th:

 

Manatees starting pitcher Jacob Barnes (2-0, 1.08) left the game with two outs in the fifth inning with an undisclosed injury. The righty was spectacular before being forced to leave. He allowed one unearned run on one hit over 4.2 innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out four.

 

Follow-up tweets:

 

Barnes hurls in a pitch and suffers apparent discomfort on the left side.

 

Jacob Barnes left in the 5th with an apparent left hip/oblique injury. Looked like something tightened up.

 

Barnes' injury has subsequently landed the big (6'2", 230) 23-year-old RHP on the Manatee 7-day DL (stats for the 2011 14th round pick).

 

Coming up from Wisconsin is LH starting pitcher Brent Suter, also 23 (stats). The 6'5", 195 lb. 2012 31st round pick out of Harvard has had an impressive start to his pro career.

 

No word quite yet on how Wisconsin will backfill their open roster spot.

[Mass Haas]

Actually, here is what is posted on MiLB.com's FSL transactions page:

 

Brevard County Manatees placed RHP Jacob Barnes on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to April 24, 2013. elbow injury

 

That's a bit disconcerting...

[Mass Haas]

LHP Daniel Meadows -- I have a message into Dan, if he is injured, we haven't caught wind of the nature or severity.

 

Nice mini-chat with Daniel (career stats, 25-year-old 49th round pick in 2008, nice productive five years in the system thus far), he was kind enough to let me share with you folks.

 

He's not hurt.

 

With about a week remaining in camp, the Brewers moved him to full time sidearm. They need him to be a specialty guy, and he's working on things down in extended spring training. Meadows, who received a big league camp spring training invite in 2012, is viewing it as a positive switch (as should we), and a good/quick way to get to the big leagues.

 

Current big-league LOOGY's who were Brewers farmhands but never pitched for the big league club include Craig Breslow (released), Joe Thatcher (Linebrink deal), and Lucas Luetge (Rule 5 loss). Also on a 40-man roster is the Twins' Caleb Thielbar, unceremoniously released after just two seasons in the system.

 

Outside of Mitch Stetter, it's been a dry spell of producing and keeping the organization's own lefty specialists. Here's wishing Daniel well.

 

Latest:

 

Meadows with a positive tweet --

 

"Excited to start this new chapter in my career. Headed to Florida #Brevard #sidearm #heatersandhammers"

 

The Manatees will need to make a corresponding move to free up a spot when Meadows is activated.