Minor League Transactions -- 2014 Regular Season

[Mass Haas]

We have retired the gangly latest Transactions thread (still available here), which covered the period from post-All Star Game 2013 to the end of spring training 2014.

 

The next formal transaction will be the first in this thread as we gear up for the 2014 minor league regular seasons.

 

Whenever possible, please comment or provide analysis in the respective "Your 2014 'team' thread" and allow this thread to be the notification-only info, thanks.

[lcbj68c]

Connor Narron (5th round pick 2010?) signed.

[Mass Haas]

Connor Narron (5th round pick 2010?) signed.

 

Discussed here...

[JohnBriggs12]

Connor Narron (5th round pick 2010?) signed.

 

Nepotism in any organization can lead to problems. Players see teammates released and shortly thereafter a son of a coach on the parent team is signed? Relatives of higher ups in an organization may or may not be getting special treatment, but in most cases that's going to be the perception.

[Mass Haas]

You can click on these two links from our Brewerfan Player Index to see the players still in extended spring training, whether it's for injury reasons or just waiting for the short seasons to begin.

 

Helena

 

Maryvale

 

Keep in mind some of the DSL guys were in Maryvale this spring, we'll transfer them to the Maryvale roster shortly.

 

The DSL players who were highlighted in this post should be considered Maryvale players now. It's possible one or two will return to the Dominican this summer, but more likely they will play for either Maryvale or Helena this summer.

[Mass Haas]

We don't want this thread to include full-blown "Alumni" updates (meaning going back indefinitely), but we will include updates on the most recent organizational releases.

 

RHP R.J. Seidel has signed with the infamous St. Paul Saints of the independent American Association.

[Mass Haas]

Via the Brewers Player Development Staff --

 

As noted in our offseason transaction thread, RHP Matt Miller (5th round, 2010 out of the University of Michigan) was going to be noted as "retired". However, because he has not filed final paperwork, the Brewers have placed him on the restricted list to maintain his rights.

 

In a bit of a surprise, RHP Alex Moore, the 2013 28th round 23-year-old RHP out of Lee University who was unexpectedly bumped all the way from Maryvale to Brevard County in his rookie season, has formally retired.

 

Moore was interviewed by the Brevard broadcast team last July.

[Mass Haas]

From last week's releases post --

 

2010 44th round IF/OF T.J. Mittelstaedt can be proud of a solid four-year run. Labored through a full scorching Maryvale summer as a rookie out of Long Beach State, posted an .853 OPS at Wisconsin, laughed at Brevard County's status as a graveyard with an .828 OPS in 2012, and displayed defensive flexibility with nearly split levels of time at 2B/3B and the corner outfield spots. Heck, he made three one-inning relief appearances over the years and maintained a 0.00 ERA. Despite a weak average at Brevard in 2013, Mittelstaedt still managed to get his walks and slug enough for a .745 OPS, and he was the king of the walkoff last season. Sample his walk-off highlights here (along with his Manatee interviews). Here's to you, T.J. 44th round? Only 5'10"? You contributed nicely to four years worth of Link Reports.

 

Good luck to T.J., he found work with the Kansas City T-Bones of the independent American Association.

[Mass Haas]

7-day Disabled List stints announced thus far (no injury details, real or phantom, released)

 

Huntsville: IF Shea Vucinich

 

Wisconsin: C Paul Eshleman, RHP Rodolfo Fernandez

[Mass Haas]

Missed this March 29th tweet earlier:

 

Dustin Houle, the 20-year-old Canadian catcher many of us expected to see in Wisconsin this spring (he appeared in seven games there late last year), let's us know that he's sidelined:

 

Two fractured bones in my hand #badluck

 

Bummer...Steve Wendt of Helena had done nothing but rave about Houle's arm and defensive skills, best he saw during his ten-year stint as the voice of the Helena Brewers.

[Mass Haas]

Recently released OF Chadwin Stang has been signed by the New Jersey Jackals of the independent Canadian-American (Can-Am) Association.

[Mass Haas]

Via Baseball America's Minor League Transaction log, compiled by Matt Eddy --

 

"The Brewers cut ties with lefthander Will West, who in January got hit with a 100-game suspension on top of the 50-game penalty he incurred last August. He has failed three tests for recreational drug use plus another for a performance-enhancer (amphetamine), which will seriously impair the 2011 nondrafted free agent’s chances of latching on again in affiliated ball."

 

***

 

West was a unique signing as a 19-year-old undrafted free agent in June 2011. We linked to an article discussing those circumstances back then.

[Mass Haas]

Two RHP's left ballgames unexpectedly Sunday, as noted in the Link Report.

 

Each, Nashville reliever Jose De La Torre and Huntsville starter Andy Moye now lands on the 7-day DL, no word on the nature or severity of their injuries.

 

Two RHP's who were among the organization netherworld without Opening Day spots, have been added in their steads (Kyle Heckathorn to the Sounds, Johnnie Lowe to the Stars).

 

Info via the Brewers Player Development account

[Mass Haas]

Took a break from listening to Huntsville pour it on early --

 

Via Jeff Hem's blog -- AUDIO

 

"Like previous years, every Monday will bring us a weekly chat with the Sounds manager. So, until I come up with something more clever, here is this week’s installment of “Sweet Mondays” with Rick Sweet. He discusses the team’s four-game split in Omaha and gives an update on reliever Jose De La Torre, who left Sunday’s relief outing with an injury."

 

***

 

De La Torre: Grade A right shoulder contusion -- will miss 4-5 weeks, collision with a baserunner down the first base line

[Mass Haas]

Recently released and former 40-man roster RHP Santo Manzanillo has signed with the Joliet (IL) Slammers of the independent Frontier League.

 

That's the same club 1B Adam Giacalone signed with a couple of weeks ago.

[Mass Haas]

Looks like the Brewers are going to do their best to carry a taxi squad in reserve this year, apparently with the blessing of MiLB.

 

Via the @BrewersPD twitter:

 

Shea Vucinich has been added to the Huntsville roster from the DL. Joey Paciorek placed on the temporary inactive list.

 

***

 

In 2013, Vucinich appeared in 43 games at third base, 26 at second base, and nine in left field, all with Huntsville.

 

In 50 games, Paciorek appeared in 14 at third base, 11 at catcher, four in left field, and two at second base (among pinch-hitting appearances).

[Mass Haas]

RHP Andy Moye, who left his opening start in the 2nd inning Sunday and is on the 7-day DL at Huntsville, has what's being described as a "lower body" injury.

 

Welcome to the NHL, they love that "upper/lower" stuff.

 

Better than an arm, that's for sure.

[Mass Haas]

Recently-released LHP Alan Williams has signed with the Wichita Wingnuts of the independent American Association.

[Mass Haas]

Via the Stars:

 

On Saturday, April 12th, Stars LF Kentrail Davis was placed on the disabled list. He left Thursday’s game in the top of the 8th inning after Pensacola’s Rey Navarro homered to left. Davis did walk off the field under his own power but tweaked his groin when he broke on the ball. Davis, currently leads the Southern League in hitting with his .409 batting average.

 

Catcher Lucas May has been transferred from the Helena roster to the Stars taking Davis’s roster spot. May, a veteran catcher, appeared in 12 games with the KC Royals in 2010, logging 37 at bats. He batted .189 with six RBI.

[Mass Haas]

RHP Johnnie Lowe transferred from Huntsville to Nashville (making that 90-mile drive as I type, I imagine).

 

Lowe backfills Rob Wooten, called up due to Brandon Kintzler's DL stint with the big league club.

[Mass Haas]

Back on February 4th, we posted --

 

As per his own tweet, we learn the Brewers have signed minor league free agent LHP Kevin James, who was Tampa's 9th round pick in 2009 out of Whitefish Bay High School in Wisconsin ($625,000 signing bonus, at the time the 2nd largest for a 9th round pick in the history of the draft), so James will be re-acquainted with (he's excited) his high school teammate and 2013 Helena Brewer, Charlie Markson (who played college ball at Notre Dame).

 

James, now 23 years old as of last October, pitched in four seasons at the Rookie and/or Rookie Advanced level for the Rays (career numbers, very limited innings, only one appearance in '09 after signing late that summer).

 

From the Milwaukee Baseball Academy website --

 

Kevin James was born and raised in Whitefish Bay, Wisc. He attended Whitefish Bay High School, graduating in 2009. He was a 4-year varsity baseball player and 3-year varsity basketball player. Kevin was voted team captain his junior and senior year in baseball, as well as captain of the basketball team during his senior year. He earned All-State honors in baseball his junior and senior year, and was named Louisville Slugger Wisconsin State Player of the Year and Old Timers Baseball Association Player of the Year during his senior season.

 

Kevin committed to play baseball at Boston College, but chose to sign a professional contract after being drafted as a pitcher in the 9th round of the 2009 MLB First Year Player Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. Kevin played in the Tampa Bay Rays organization for 4 years. He will be working for Milwaukee Baseball Academy in his off-season, offering instruction for both participating hitters and pitchers.

 

James, listed at 6'4", 190, did not pitch professionally in 2013, it appears. Not quite sure why James was limited to four outings in his first full season of pro ball in 2010.

 

Follow Kevin on Twitter @KevJames17.

 

Heck, we even had a Brewerfan thread on him back in his draft year.

 

The Timber Rattlers seem like a likely starting point in 2014, perhaps Brevard County.

 

***

 

So the Brewers trade for Will Smith, then sign Kevin James. Go Hollywood, baby! Welcome, Kevin!

 

Baseball America reports that LHP Kevin James was released this past week. Too bad it didn't work out.

[Mass Haas]

Via the Manatees - this is how the open AA spot gets filled:

 

RHP Jacob Barnes has been transferred from Brevard County to Huntsville.

 

RHP Chad Pierce has been transferred from Helena to Brevard County.

 

***

 

Selected by the Brewers in the 14th round of the 2011 draft out of Florida Gulf Coast University, Barnes gets to make his AA debut after two-plus seasons with the Manatees. Congrats to him.

 

Chad Pierce, like Kyle Heckathorn and Johnnie Lowe before him, gets free of the temporary Helena purgatory of not having a roster spot.

[Mass Haas]

Recently released AA corner infielder Mike Walker has retired, rather than pursue playing opportunities elsewhere.

[JohnBriggs12]

Barnes is a guy I'm keeping an eye on.

[Mass Haas]

Via @BrewersPD:

 

Roster moves- Pena to the DL in Nashville, replaced by Leach. Barnes replaces Leach in HVL. May to the DL, replaced by Paciorek in HVL

 

***

 

So Ariel Pena, struck by a hard grounder during his start Saturday and forced to exit, hopefully won't be out long. With a 16-to-3 K-to-BB ratio in nine innings thus far, he's off to a tremendous start.

 

Outside of one solo HR, veteral LHP Brent Leach had four strong appearances at AA, now back in Nashville.

 

Lucas May debuted yesterday at Huntsville and grounded out in a pinch-hit appearance. Joey Paciorek is activated from the temporary inactive list, so his brief absence was likely of a personal nature (perhaps a bereavement or such).