Minor League Transactions - 2015 Regular Season

[Mass Haas]

Fortunately, the disabled list stay for Biloxi RH closer Damien Magnifico was brief.

 

He is activated, while utility infielder Brandon Macias goes on the 7-day DL (undisclosed injury, possible "taxi squad"-type move).

[Mass Haas]

When RHP David Goforth officially arrives in New Orleans, the Sky Sox will need to make a roster move.

[Mass Haas]

One of the biggest under-the-radar disappointments of the 2015 season has been infielder Gregory Munoz' struggles in his first crack at full-season ball with Wisconsin.

 

Munoz jumped from the DSL to Helena in 2014, and while pedestrian for the Pioneer League, his .708 OPS with 21 steals in 27 attempts as a middle infielder (primarily second baseman) gave some hope for an OK age 21 season with the Rattlers. But an ugly line of .193/.293/.219 (four XBH's in 187 AB's, along with just 12 steals in 23 attempts) has him back down to Maryvale for now.

 

RHP Josh Uhen, the 2013 5th round UW-Milwaukee pick, comes off the DL. To be honest, Uhen's career has been underwhelming considering his draft status, as he has, at age 23, languished in middle relief at Wisconsin, neither in a tandem nor a clear back-end guy.

[Mass Haas]

We'll set up this separate thread to discuss the new Brewers farmhands via the Astros -- more to come shortly.

[Mass Haas]

Via the Brewers --

 

OF Logan Schafer (recalled) and INF/OF Elian Herrera (selected) will join the team from Triple-A @skysox tomorrow.

 

***

 

OF Domingo Santana will take one of the two AAA spots, the other spot to TBD, it could be a Biloxi bump-up considering the three new Shuckers are on the way.

[Mass Haas]

At Colorado Springs, LHP Nick Additon is placed on the Temporary Inactive List, as OF Bryan Petersen is activated from that same designation.

[Mass Haas]

Here are the pertinent links re: Malik Collymore, the 20-year-old 2013 10th round pick, $275,000 bonus, acquired in the Broxton deal with St. Louis. He'll be assigned to Helena. Outfield? Second base?

 

From our own (and Perfect Game's) colbyjack on the Major League Forum:

 

That's an exciting addition (considering I wasn't expecting to get any player of substance in return for Broxton) as Collymore has some intriguing upside with a power/speed profile, although he's raw (or was coming out of high school). Here's what we (PG) wrote about him prior to the 2013 draft:

 

http://www.milb.com/images/641471/generic/180x270/641471.jpg

 

204. MALIK COLLYMORE, 2b/ss, Port Credit HS, Mississauga, Ontario

Collymore has always flashed considerable raw speed and power potential in his powerful, compact, well-defined 6-foot, 190-pound frame, but his performance at Perfect Game’s National Pre-Draft Showcase in Iowa in mid-May may have legitimately pushed him into the early rounds of this year’s draft. He ran the 60 in an event-best 6.54 seconds, homered in three of 10 batting-practice swings and went deep again in game competition. During speed training on a fast indoor track at Toronto’s York University he ran the 60 in a lightning-fast 6.22 seconds. Though Collymore has obvious speed, scouts say he needs to use it more efficiently on the bases and in the field under game conditions. Balls will also jump off his bat, but he’ll struggle making consistent contact with breaking pitches. With his simple hitting approach that emphasizes consistent contact, Collymore projects to hit more for doubles-power rather than true home-run power. His greatest challenge is on the defensive side of the ball, no matter where he eventually plays. He has plenty of arm strength to play on the left side of the infield and is capable of occasionally making the spectacular play at shortstop, but his hands and footwork appear best-suited for second base.

 

***

 

From March 17th:

 

Future Redbirds Top 25 Prospects for 2015: #14 - Malik Collymore

 

***

 

Major League Forum post by trwi7

 

***

 

Good read by Jeff Moore of Baseball Prospectus

 

***

 

Relevant (meaning today's), Nick Melotte's assessment of Collymore (via minorleagueball.com)

 

***

 

Scroll down at the Viva el Birdos link for another "today" assessment

 

***

 

Collymore bros stick together

by Alexis Brudnicki on February 26, 2014

 

Alexis is a fine baseball writer on the Canadian scene, and promises a Collymore follow-up...

 

Related "older" posts on that link's right sidebar...

 

***

 

Via Eric Longenhagen --

 

"Malik Collymore is good-bodied and strong. Doesn't load hands, weight transfers early, kinda stiff. Hard to hit with all that going on."

 

***

 

Young man has already updated his Twitter bio.

[pogokat]

Michael Reed to SkySox...

[igor67]

Pretty excited about that promotion. He is the kind of player I'm inclined to promote at a steady rate and let him settle into a big league role ahead of any kind of wave, maybe he is good enough to fend off other behind him, and maybe you move on.

[pogokat]

Well, I posted that earlier based on a tweet from Joe Block where he stated that Santana would play in one corner and Reed the other for the SkySox, but Michael is clearly playing for the Shuckers tonight, so who knows... I hope he's not weeping in the outfield.

[Mass Haas]

At Colorado Springs, LHP Nick Additon is placed on the Temporary Inactive List, as OF Bryan Petersen is activated from that same designation.

 

The initial Additon transaction was on 7/29, and he was activated two days later (today, 7/31), to make the start for the Sky Sox.

[clancyphile]

Pretty excited about that promotion. He is the kind of player I'm inclined to promote at a steady rate and let him settle into a big league role ahead of any kind of wave, maybe he is good enough to fend off other behind him, and maybe you move on.

 

I'n excited, too. I think Reed's the Brewers' Opening Day 2016 center fielder.

[Mass Haas]

Here's what needs to happen when the trade acquisitions are formally activated at AAA and AA, where rosters max out at 25 --

 

At Colorado Springs, with the additions of RHP Zach Davies and OF Domingo Santana and the promotion of OF Michael Reed, the Sky Sox will have 27 players (14 pitchers, 13 position players). They'll likely drop one pitcher and one position player, with taxi squad type moves possible (Temp Inactive List, 7-Day DL).

 

At Biloxi, three players acquired from the Astros (OF Brett Phillips, and two starting pitchers, LHP Josh Hader and RHP Adrian Houser, will eventually be activated, perhaps as early as today (Saturday). After Michael Reed's callup, the Shuckers roster (including the three newcomers) stands at 27 as well, 16 (!) pitchers and 11 position players. So we know at least two pitchers need to be moved, and does the club really want a 14-11 split once the dust settles?

 

Both Brevard County and Wisconsin have full rosters. The Manatees are carrying 13 pitchers on their 25-man roster, if you're wondering about the Biloxi overflow of arms.

 

Even the Wisconsin roster is tilted right now (14 pitchers, 11 position players).

 

So, it's probably an anxious day on the farm, especially for the pitchers.

 

NOTE: We have a long record of not speculating on releases, maybe outside of the occasional grizzled veteran at AAA. These roster spots are so precious to these players' dreams, "taxi squads" are one thing, but potential releases are quite the other, so we'll just see how everything plays out. Just wanted to lay out the parameters for the weekend transaction watchers.

[bork]

It's interesting that Davies and Collymore showed up right away on their respective rosters, but the Astros players are taking a few days.

 

Can we speculate on Hellweg being one of the roster spots, either DL or moved to a different level? He has been getting hammered. I know he's working his way back, but is he healthy?

[Mass Haas]

Helena Top of the 3rd

 

Pitching Change: Braulio Ortiz replaces Tanner Banks.

Joantgel Segovia reaches on a missed catch error by pitcher Braulio Ortiz, assist to first baseman Nick Parent.

Steven Karkenny strikes out swinging. Joantgel Segovia steals (3) 2nd base.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Milan Post replaces Joantgel Segovia.

David Denson grounds out to first baseman Nick Parent. Milan Post to 3rd.

Jake Gatewood strikes out swinging.

 

***

 

The team tweeted that Segovia hurt his ankle.

 

Voice of the H-Crew, Dustin Daniel, via Twitter:

 

Another unfortunate injury for the Brewers. Joantgel Segovia breaks his ankle, is done for the season.

 

Looked like a sprain last night, even after the game as he tried to walk it off. Broken in three places. Very similar to Monte Harrison's injury.

 

Malik Carrymore's arrival now essential as Helena has two outfielders and a couple of stretch infielders.

 

***

 

Tough break (literally) for the 18-year-old 2014 DSL batting champ who excelled in Maryvale earlier this season.

 

At least, unlike Orlando Arcia at age 17 when in Maryvale, who broke his ankle in extended spring training, this injury is as of July 31st.

[Mass Haas]

Via Brewers Player Development --

 

Reliever Tim Dillard (Colorado Springs) and 3B/UT Brandon Macias (Biloxi) both have been activated from DL with their respective teams. LHP Luis Ortega heads to the Wisconsin DL.

 

OF Michael Reed & LHP Michael Strong have been transferred to Col Springs. OF Bryan Petersen and LHP Michael Kirkman have been released.

 

***

 

The Shuckers announce 40-man roster RHP Johnny Hellweg will return to Brevard County, where a corresponding move will need to happen once he's activated there. They also announce that OF Brett Phillips (yay!) is now active on their roster.

 

***

 

The Timber Rattlers have activated top pick (OK, competitive balance round one pick) LHP Nathan Kirby (yay again!) to backfill LHP Luis Ortega's DL transaction.

 

***

 

Nicely deserved bump for Strong, who is on the Brewers' 40-man roster. Of course, Reed's promotion was deserved as well, and that was noted earlier.

 

It will make sense that the starting pitchers acquired for the Biloxi rotation (LHP Josh Hader and RHP Adrian Houser) won't be activated until their turn in the rotation comes up. Gives the organization more time for maneuvering.

 

Wish the very best for Michael Kirkman and Bryan Petersen, Kirkman's most recent tweet from Friday was interesting.

[Mass Haas]

Tyler LaTorre, 32, retires from pro baseball to take job with SFSU’s team

By Jim Seimas, Santa Cruz Sentinel

 

http://www.milb.com/images/503353/generic/180x270/503353.jpg

 

Tyler LaTorre, a 32-year-old catcher, announced on Facebook on Saturday night that he has retired from professional baseball and is taking an assistant coaching position at NCAA Division II San Francisco State University.

 

The Aptos native, signed in the offseason to a minor league contract by the Milwaukee Brewers, played 10 seasons in the minors, including nine in the San Francisco Giants’ organization.

 

During his pro career, he caught most of the Giants’ top arms, including Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum. He spent parts of his final four season with the Giants in Triple-A, bouncing around levels to fill holes in teams’ rosters and help develop the younger pitchers.

 

LaTorre also played for Italy in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

 

“Over the course of my career, I’ve had so many incredible memories,” LaTorre wrote on his Facebook page. “Today was one of the best. Today was my last game as a player. ... I was humbled today by the actions of my teammates, coaches and the Biloxi Shuckers front office. I can’t wait to start a new chapter of my life with my loving and gorgeous wife, Stacey LaTorre.”

 

LaTorre joins the staff of Tony Schifano, who was named the Gators head coach Tuesday. Schifano spent the past eight years as the assistant coach at UC Davis, his alma mater.

 

The Gators went finished 19-29 last season, including 17-23 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association to finish tied for seventh place with Chico State and Sonoma State.

 

Like Schifano, LaTorre is a former Aggies standout. He played at UC Davis from 2003-06, earning all-conference honors as a senior before signing with the Giants as an undrafted free agent.

 

According to milb.com, LaTorre played in 452 minor league games, holding a .241 career average with 60 doubles, 14 home runs, 131 RBIs and 155 runs scored.

 

LaTorre is one of baseball’s classy guys. In a February article by milb.com on some of the elder statesmen of the minor leagues, LaTorre held his head high despite never reaching the majors.

 

“I’ve always tried to make it clear that I’m happy to be out there,” he said. “Whoever you are, baseball is such a short time in your life, so you’ve got to enjoy it as much as you can.

 

“I’m always a guy who’s out there signing autographs, talking to people before or after the game. I’m always trying to do the camps for the little guys or the visits in the community or whatever I can. I remember as a fan that I always appreciated the guys signing autographs and making sure to give back, getting to know the community around you, and that’s the kind of player I’ve always tried to be.”

 

***

 

LaTorre appeared in 14 games for Biloxi earlier this spring. He had been on the Helena roster, technically as a type of taxi-squad player with Biloxi.

 

His goodbye tweet

 

We wish Tyler well.

[Mass Haas]

The Brewers released both 27-year-old LHP Nick Additon and 32-year-old utility infielder Donnie Murphy on Sunday.

 

Best wishes to both.

 

Along with LHP Michael Kirkman and OF Bryan Petersen, released Saturday, that's four veteran releases in two days.

 

OF Domingo Santana was activated today at Colorado Springs, and had an RBI double in his first Brewer organization at-bat.

[Mass Haas]

The Brewers released 27-year-old RHP Derek Eitel from the Biloxi roster.

 

Here is the June post from when Milwaukee inked Eitel as a minor league free agent.

[Mass Haas]

Wish the very best for Michael Kirkman, his most recent tweet from Friday was interesting.

 

Actually, this was Kirkman's most recent tweet -- he certainly was not pleased given his solid performance since signing with the Crew.

[And That]

I feel for him, but he also walked 28 guys in 32 innings. Not sure that translates well to MLB.

[TURBO]

I feel for him, but he also walked 28 guys in 32 innings. Not sure that translates well to MLB.

 

strange he left that out of his tweet...

[Mass Haas]

On Sunday RHP Tim Dillard went back on the Temporary Inactive List with Colorado Springs.

[Mass Haas]

Via the Manatees --

 

C Robinzon Diaz has been reinstated from the Colorado Springs DL and has been transferred to Brevard County. He will join the Manatees for Tuesday night’s game vs. Tampa.

 

C Paul Eshleman has been placed on the Brevard County DL.

 

***

 

Also, LHP Jarret Martin has had his rehab session ended, meaning he now counts against roster limits. To begin, he'll join up with the Timber Rattlers from Maryvale as of Tuesday. To make room there, LHP Tyler Linehan has been placed on the Wisconsin DL.

[Mass Haas]

As per some tweets with Adam Rygg from last evening, the Brewers have signed RHP Jack Finnegan, a 6'2", 175 21-year-old out of McLennan Junior College in Texas (stats). Finnegan pitched well for Falmouth in the Cape Cod League this summer (stats).

 

He also pitched well at the JUCO World Series in Colorado this summer.

 

You can follow him on Twitter @finneganjack30.