Minor League Transactions - 2014-2015 Offseason

[Mass Haas]

Just remembered that LHP Tyler Alexander's status as a Maryvale Brewer instead of a Wisconsin Timber Rattler was prompted solely by his involvement in a HBP-immediately-after-surrendering-a-HR-sparking-a-brawl incident last July.

 

So my implied assumption (I really should strike "assume" from my online vocabulary) in this post from above was not valid.

 

However, Alexander's status as a Maryvale roster member does appear to significantly delay the start of his suspension from April to June, and it's going to be tough for him to salvage much of anything in 2015, although here's to a big August for the young man.

[Mass Haas]

Via Matt Eddy of Baseball America --

 

Signed: C Beau Wallace (released by Pirates, June 2) -- 22 years old, RH bat

 

A Pirates 12th-round pick in 2013, Beau Wallace made it to short-season Jamestown that year as a light-hitting, error-prone third baseman. Pittsburgh released him out of extended spring training in 2014, and the Brewers are now apparently giving the Hinds (Miss.) CC product a look at catcher.

 

MiLB Player Page

 

Baseball Reference Page

 

Via PiratesProspects.com - 2013 Page

 

VIDEO INTERVIEW upon 2013 signing

 

The Brewers did something similar with a catcher conversion project in Connor Narron, son of Jerry, last season.

[Mass Haas]

The Brewers announced the signing of Ron Roenicke's nephew, 32-year-old RHP Josh Roenicke (career minor league / major league stats).

 

Via MLB Trade Rumors:

 

The Brewers have re-signed right-hander Josh Roenicke to a minor league deal, per the club’s transactions page (a Spring Training invite is not mentioned, seemingly indicating that he will head to minor league camp). Roenicke spent the 2014 season with the Triple-A affiliates for the Nationals and Rockies, pitching to a combined 6.04 ERA with 4.5 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 in 89 1/3 innings (15 starts, 14 relief appearances). The former Reds prospect brings plenty of big league experience to the table in Milwaukee, as he has 220 1/3 career innings in the Majors. He most recently pitched to a 4.35 ERA in 62 innings with the Twins.

 

***

 

So Roenicke pitched in AAA Colorado Springs in 2011 and 2013, and could serve as a swingman there. He made his first 15 career starts after eight years strictly out of the bullpen with the Nationals' AAA club last summer.

 

Pete at Reviewing the Brew with a write-up here.

[JohnBriggs12]

Nepotism is alive and well in Brewer system. If a Roenicke or a Narron is looking for a job, you can bet the Brewers will find one.

[Boomer5]

Just saw the Brewers released Nicky Delmonico.

 

 

EDIT: Thread discussing White Sox signing of Delmonico includes comments from Chicago management

[ewitkows]

Righty David Herndon has signed a minor league deal with the Brewers, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com tweets. The 29-year-old, who is trying to reach the bigs for the first time since 2012, has been significantly limited by injuries over the last several seasons. Over 117 total MLB frames from 2010-12, Herndon owns a 3.85 ERA with 5.8 K/9 against 3.2 BB/9

[Mass Haas]

An interesting Albuquerque Journal article on 2009 2nd round OF Max Walla, who was released in November.

 

Yes, he had a disappointing run, but Walla comes across as genuine and realistically introspective about his pro career.

 

Better article than you might think, with many insights from those around Walla in the New Mexico baseball community. Give it a read (once you get past a couple of web survey questions).

 

Best of luck to Max going forward.

[Mass Haas]

Something came out of Ron Roenicke's Goodwill Tour --

 

Brewers have signed (according to these tweets) 21-year-old catcher Beau Bishop (RH bat), a New Zealander who was in the Red Sox system in 2012 and briefly in 2013.

 

His story is pretty amazing, as he was a "softballer" who had never played baseball when Boston inked him.

 

The real story behind the Red Sox’ discovery of New Zealand softballer Beau Bishop

 

Interview at that time:

 

 

Why did the Red Sox sign a 17 year old Kiwi?

 

 

Boston Globe on Bishop - 2011

 

Spring training story - 2012

 

Baseball Reference

 

Brief note on his 2013 release

[Mass Haas]

Article link:

 

Perseverance and patience has paid off for New Zealand Diamondblacks catcher Te Wera (Beau) Bishop after the former Boston Red Sox player signed a minor league contract with Major League club Milwaukee Brewers.

 

Bishop was sensationally signed as a 17-year old in 2011 by the Boston Red Sox, but was released by the club two years later and had a short stint with The Adelaide Bite in Australia’s Baseball League.

 

However, a change in his own self-belief and a successful try out in front of Milwaukee Brewers Manager Ron Roenicke on Roenicke’s recent trip to New Zealand has led to Porirua-based Bishop being re-signed this week.

 

"It totally came out of the blue being able to work out for the Brewers manager when he was here", said Bishop, who added, "I’m unbelievably happy to be given another chance to make the big leagues".

 

The 21-year old said that the Brewers want him to report to Minor League Spring Training in Florida in just two weeks, and that it’s all happened at a rapid pace. "I’ve got to get all the paperwork sorted, like visa, etc, and the Brewers also need to get a medical report from Boston to ensure there are no hidden or long term injuries they need to be aware of." His contract was sent this morning by email, according to Bishop.

 

Apart from a stint with the Diamondblacks 21U team at November’s Baseball World Cup in Taiwan, Bishop said he hasn’t played much top level baseball in a while so to get picked by a club such as the Brewers is huge. However, he has kept up a belief after working with 21U MLB coaches Chris Woodward of the Seattle Mariners and Josh Bard of the Los Angeles Dodgers that he could get another opportunity.

 

Baseball New Zealand CEO Ryan Flynn is delighted at Bishop’s call up, saying, "Te Wera was at a crossroads in his career after being released by the Red Sox in 2013, and it’s a full credit to him that he’s done the work and never gave up. His story is one of true perseverance and a message to a lot of people involved in the sport that you never give up on your dream."

 

With more Kiwis being noticed by Asian and North American professional and collegiate teams, Flynn says his organisation must work diligently to provide young players with the necessary training and competition that can lead to these opportunities being afforded to our young men.

 

Bishop joins Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher John Holdzkom as the Kiwi flagbearers in the professional game signed to major league organisations, whilst a host of young Kiwis are forging careers in independent and college baseball in the States, Europe, Australia and in Asia.

 

Two former professional players from New Zealand, Howick Pakuranga’s Scott Campbell and Christchurch’s Travis Wilson, came close to cracking big league rosters with the Toronto Blue Jays and Atlanta Braves respectively, and Holdzkom’s brother Lincoln was a 40-man roster guy on two big league teams as well. Also, former Blue Jays hurler Scott Richmond, who played for Canada in the World Baseball Classic and Olympics, has a Kiwi father.

 

Flynn adds that this also means it is imperative that the sport’s governing body must aim to get a franchise into the ABL as soon as possible to open the door further to young Kiwi sportsmen-a move that baseball officials believe is now closer than ever to fruition.

[Mass Haas]

Video report out of New Zealand on Beau Bishop's signing with the Brewers (includes interview footage, Ron Roenicke on the phone)

[Mass Haas]

As per their transactions page, the Brewers have re-signed catcher Robinzon Diaz, who has split the past two minor league seasons pretty evenly between AA and AAA with the Crew.

 

The 31-year-old Diaz (career numbers), a right-handed bat and Dominican native who last saw big league action in 2009 with the Pirates, is hacktastic in the sense that he has only walked 29 times in 643 AB's with the Crew, but his slugging percentage fell off a cliff from 2013 to 2014, down to .339 last season. Diaz has seen limited action at third base and left field in the past.

 

There will be potential cuts this spring, as you now have 40-man roster member Juan Centeno, along with Diaz, Adam Weisenburger, Nevin Ashley, Cameron Garfield, and Parker Berberet all ticketed for catcher duties at AAA / AA this upcoming season.

 

There were eight Brewers minor league free agents unsigned prior to Diaz' inking. Now there are seven, you'll see them listed here, along with all those who have found work.

[Mass Haas]

RHP Brooks Hall clears waivers and is outrighted off the 40-man roster in order to make room for K-Rod.

 

Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors wrote --

 

The 24-year-old Hall missed much of the 2014 season with bone spurs in his right elbow, pitching only 26 innings at the Double-A level. He did work to a solid 2.77 ERA in that time, though his 15 strikeouts continued a trend of marginal strikeout rates. The former fourth-round pick has done his best work over the past three seasons after struggling in his first year of pro ball; overall he has a 4.00 ERA with 6.0 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 in 360 1/3 minor league innings.

[Mass Haas]

The Brewers have signed 31-year-old catcher (32 in April) Tyler LaTorre, who has spent all nine of his prior seasons in the Giants' organization.

 

LaTorre was featured in this February article on MiLB.com.

 

Love of game burns strong in Minors vets

Years of hunting for job in Majors doesn't necessarily breed bitterness

By Josh Jackson / MiLB.com

 

Article worth your read...

 

Baseball Reference page for career numbers

 

LaTorre also was featured in ESPN the Magazine's "Big Money" issue -- actually, for anything but...

 

LaTorre indicated his signing with the Brewers via his own tweet.

 

Welcome aboard, Tyler!

[Mass Haas]

We know the Brewers scout pretty heavily in Puerto Rico, as noted by the number of draft picks used on that island's players during the Melvin era.

 

Milwaukee has signed a soon-to-be 21-year-old CF who the Royals drafted in the 17th round in 2012, but released this past season (on July 1st, only four games played in 2014).

 

Ariel Estades is a LH bat, listed at only 5'11", 150 on his most recent MiLB.com player page.

 

Baseball Reference Page

[Mass Haas]

The Brewers have signed 31-year-old catcher (32 in April) Tyler LaTorre, who has spent all nine of his prior seasons in the Giants' organization.

 

LaTorre was featured in this February article on MiLB.com.

 

Love of game burns strong in Minors vets

Years of hunting for job in Majors doesn't necessarily breed bitterness

By Josh Jackson / MiLB.com

 

Article worth your read...

 

Baseball Reference page for career numbers

 

LaTorre also was featured in ESPN the Magazine's "Big Money" issue -- actually, for anything but...

 

LaTorre indicated his signing with the Brewers via his own tweet.

 

Welcome aboard, Tyler!

 

By Jim Seimas, Santa Cruz Sentinel

 

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/NE/20150314/SPORTS/150319834/AR/0/AR-150319834.jpg&maxh=400&maxw=667

 

After spending his entire career in the San Francisco Giants’ organization, veteran catcher Tyler LaTorre signed a one-year free agent contract with the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday.

 

“I’m beyond excited,” LaTorre said Saturday, a day after passing his physical. “After (nine) years with the same organization, to move on from that to, well, new everything ... it’s an anxious time for me. It’s an opportunity for me to show the Brewers the information, baseball knowledge and everything I’ve accrued over the years and hopefully help them.”

 

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

 

The 31-year-old Aptos High and UC Davis alum has played in the minor leagues since 2006, when he signed a non-drafted free agent contract with the Giants.

 

Serving as his own agent, LaTorre contacted numerous MLB clubs in the offseason to remind them of his free-agent status. When the Brewers called Tuesday, LaTorre said he jumped at the chance.

 

“Double-A or Triple-A, at this point I don’t care. I just want to play,” LaTorre said.

 

He reports to camp Sunday in Maryvale, Ariz. He’ll start the season with either the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox or Double-A Biloxi Shuckers in Mississippi.

 

A left-handed hitter, LaTorre finished last season with the Richmond of the Double-A Eastern League, where he helped mentor pitcher Kyle Crick, the Giants’ No. 1 prospect, after starting the season in Triple-A Fresno of the Pacific Coast League.

 

In his career, he caught most of the Giants’ top arms, including Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum.

 

LaTorre, who played for Italy in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, is a .267 lifetime hitter in 110 Triple-A games. In his professional career, he’s batting .242 with 290 hits, including 59 doubles, 14 home runs and 131 RBIs.

 

He batted .250 in five spring games the past three seasons, according to baseballamerica.com.

[Mass Haas]

Various updates we've learned and confirmed --

 

RHP Tommy Toledo is now, as he describes on his Twitter byline, a "former pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers organization", as the 26-year-old 2011 11th round pick out of the University of Florida, has retired (career numbers).

 

Toledo was used exclusively out of the bullpen after his rookie campaign in Helena, and topped out with Huntsville last year. He was dropped from the playoff roster for the Stars. As his stat lines show, it was a solid four-year run for one of the great minor league monikers, and we wish him well.

 

Jason Arndt had published a nice September 2013 write-up on Toledo here.

 

***

 

There is another retirement to report as RHP Taylor Stark (Baseball Reference), the Brewers 30th round pick last June, has also left the game. Stark had a rough go of things statistically in eight relief appearances with the Maryvale Rookie Club. Stark is 23 and will now put his Delta State (MS) education to use, good luck to him as well.

 

***

 

21-year-old Yunior Santana (career numbers) has been an outfielder in the Brewers' system for three years (two in the Dominican Summer League, one stateside in Maryvale). Coming off a .495 OPS last summer (but with 16 steals in 19 attempts), the decision has been made to convert Santana to a pitcher, and that transition looks like it will begin back in the Dominican Republic this summer.

 

***

 

Two Domincan natives have been placed on the Brewers' restricted list for "failure to report". They are:

 

Just-turned 24-year-old Leudi Otano, who has quite the diverse defensive history (Baseball Reference), after three seasons in the DSL and one in Maryvale.

 

23-year-old RHP Felix Paulino (Baseball Reference), who actually was a "no-show" last spring but we're just learning of the reason for his formal absence now. Paulino pitched two DSL summers, and was supposed to be among the 2014 stateside debuts.

[Mass Haas]

RHP Greg Holle (the big 6'8" 26-year-old RHP -- 11th round, 2010, career stats) is the first to tweet (very classy extended tweet) about his departure from the Brewers.

 

Darn, I hate these few days...best wishes, Greg. I'm guessing another affiliated opportunity isn't far away.

[Mass Haas]

Conversation's already there, so here's the Hunter Morris traded to the Pirates for a PTBNL thread in the Major League forum.

 

Good luck Hunter, and thanks for the contributions...

 

EDIT: Brewers have until September 1st to determine who the PTBNL is.

[Mass Haas]

Via his own well-worded tweet, RHP Chris Razo (MiLB page), the 24th round 2013 pick out of Illinois State, indicated he was released.

 

Razo spent all of 2014 with the Timber Rattlers, but posted a 1.61 WHIP in 28 relief appearances.

 

Good luck to Chris, who can now resume his Cub fandom.

[Mass Haas]

Via the Brewers Player Development Twitter account, we learn of additional recent releases:

 

Good luck to each of these gentlemen...

 

OF D'Vontrey Richardson - Primarily a CF in his four-years of action (stepped away from the game in 2012 for a season), Richardson was the Brewers 5th round pick out of Florida State in 2009. The former college QB posted a .648 OPS in 318 AB's for Huntsville last season, and the 26-year-old (27 in July) was likely deemed not ready for AAA and in the way of the Brevard OF trio moving up (Roache, Taylor, Reed).

 

***

 

RHP Manny Barreda, also 26, a client of Brewer-friendly agent Joshua Kusnick, was very busy for his Mexican Winter League club this past offseason. Barreda was quickly signed to a minor league deal by Milwaukee last July within hours of his release by his original club, the Yankees. The hard-throwing Barreda then re-signed with the Crew during the minor league free agent signing period in October.

 

***

 

OF Edgardo Rivera turns 21 next week - he was drafted in the 8th round in 2013 out of a Puerto Rico high school. Rivera saw action in 57 games for Helena last season, posting a rough .245/.327/.277 line, with only six XBH's in 188 AB's (all doubles).

 

***

 

Catcher Jack Cleary was the Brewers' 39th round pick in 2013 out of the University of Maryland. Cleary turns 25 in June, spent all of 2014 in Helena, and apparently wasn't able to be in the mix for a spot at Wisconsin or the more age-appropriate Brevard County.

 

***

 

The Brewers also formally indicated the retirements of RHP's Tommy Toledo and Taylor Stark, and the releases of RHP's Greg Holle and Chris Razo, which were all previously noted in this thread.

[EdgarDiazRocks]

I watched Richardson in the cage at Maryvale in a group with Coulter, Reed, and Wren. Seemed to hold his own. That kinda makes me sad.

[dacbrewers]

What makes me sad is his awesome defensive skills will be missed by a lot of brewers minor league pitchers. D'vontrey made some of the best minor league catches in the gap that I have ever witnessed, just wish they would've given him a final opportunity.

[Outlander]

They really should have tried to push Richardson at AAA this year as they have a bunch of journeymen anyway. If he didn't cut it then release him during the season. They spent this much time on him, what is another couple of months.

[reillymcshane]

They really should have tried to push Richardson at AAA this year as they have a bunch of journeymen anyway. If he didn't cut it then release him during the season. They spent this much time on him, what is another couple of months.

I'm kind of in this boat. I honestly don't really know that much about D'Vo or guys like Matt Long - maybe Long or whomever really is a lot better - but I kind of like giving the guys we draft and develop a little longer leash. I also like players who can play CF really well. Seems like D'Vo could handle that. It might have made him a backup candidate in a year or two at the big league level.

 

Ultimately, it's not a big deal, but it's tough giving up on players you have been following for many years.

[JohnBriggs12]

They really should have tried to push Richardson at AAA this year as they have a bunch of journeymen anyway. If he didn't cut it then release him during the season. They spent this much time on him, what is another couple of months.

 

They never push a guy to AAA who hasn't succeeded to some degree at AA, and Richardson didn't meet that criteria. With Taylor, Wren and Reed all at AA, it left no room to keep him around for another AA try. He's going on 27. Hard to argue he hasn't gotten a chance.