Minor League Transactions - 2015 Regular Season

[Mass Haas]

Pretty big class of non-drafted free agent signings this year--

 

Dixie State (UT) University pitcher Evan Parker signs contract with Milwaukee

 

Dixie State University righthander Evan Parker (college player page) signed a free agent contract with the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday.

 

The senior closer is the second Storm baseball player to ink a deal with a Major League Baseball organization, joining lefthander Porter Clayton, who was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 19th round of the 2015 MLB First-Year Player Draft on June 10.

 

Parker helped lead Dixie State to the second of back-to-back Pacific West Conference baseball titles in 2015, and was a First Team all-PacWest selection and named to the NCBWA All-West Region first team.

 

He is DSU's career saves leader with 26, including tying his own single-season record with 13 saves this past season to go with a 2.45 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 24 appearances.

 

Last season, Parker set the DSU single-season record for saves with 13 and posted a 1-0 record with a 1.59 ERA in 21 appearances. He also struck out 24 batters in 22.2 innings pitched.

 

***

 

*Same school as current Helena Brewer RHP Bubba Blau, along with Brandon Kintzler

[Mass Haas]

Former Bonneville star, Evan Parker signs with Brewers

By JON OGLESBY, Standard-Examiner correspondent

 

ST. GEORGE -- Dixie State pitcher Evan Parker has always been a standout on the mound.

 

A star hurler at Bonneville in Ogden, Parker played well enough for the Lakers to land at Western Nevada Community College -- a premiere junior-college program -- after high school. After his time in the Silver State, Parker returned to Utah, playing at Dixie State University.

 

The baseball-filled journey led to a proud moment Friday, as Parker saw his ultimate goal of playing professional baseball come true, as he signed a free-agent deal with the Milwaukee Brewers.

 

Dixie State coach Chris Pfatenhauer said Parker deserved a contract because of his love of baseball.

 

“He’s the hardest worker we’ve had,” he said. “Early to work, stay late, come in on an off day -- you name it, he does anything possible to better his craft. Since our season ended, he’s been in the weight room, on the track, and on the field every day, just waiting for a call.”

 

This past season for Parker was impressive, as he helped lead Dixie to its second consecutive Pacific West Conference title. As the team’s closer, he was a first team All-Pac West selection, and registered 13 saves with a 2.45 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 24 appearances last season. He also was named to the All-West Region first team for his efforts.

 

Storm pitching coach Dave Martinez said he expects Parker to be successful in the pro ranks because of his studious nature.

 

“(Evan) came to the field everyday with open ears and open eyes,” he said. “He never took his job for granted, and always worked like it was going to be taken away.”

[Mass Haas]

Brewers Player Development announced that catcher Carlos Leal was activated from the Timber Rattlers 7-day DL after the minimum stay. RHP Josh Uhen, who was roughed up in Friday's game, has been placed on the DL to make room.

[Eye Black]

Brewers 12th round draft pick LHP Drake Owenby is on his way to join the Helena Crew per his TWEET.

 

@_DRAKEEE: Wheels up to Montana!! Gunna miss the boys in AZ but excited to start a new journey with the Helena Brewers! #BrewCrew

[Mass Haas]

From our draft forum:

 

Harber makes the jump from college to MLB

The Daily Astorian (Oregon)

 

Astoria’s Conor Harber announced Sunday that he will sign today with the Milwaukee Brewers, and hopes to begin play soon with the team’s minor league affiliate in Helena, Mont.

 

Less than three weeks after being selected by the Brewers in the 16th round of the Major League Baseball draft, Harber plans to travel today to Helena, where he will sign.

 

The Helena Brewers — a Rookie League affiliate of Milwaukee — compete in the North Division of the Pioneer League.

 

“I’ll sign a contract and hopefully start playing,” said Harber, a right-handed pitcher, who played two years at Western Nevada College, then played the 2015 season at the University of Oregon.

 

After being drafted in previous years by Tampa Bay and Baltimore, Harber said he felt the time was right to turn pro.

 

“As long as you can get into the system and start working your way up … as long as you get that chance, then things are good,” he said. “I’ll miss Oregon a lot, but I’m excited.”

[Mass Haas]

As per Matt Eddy of Baseball America (link), the Brewers activated RH reliever Casey Medlen from the Brevard County DL (last pitched on May 9th), and then subsequently released him.

 

Medlen (career numbers), who will turn 26 in August, spent all of 2013 and 2014 at the AA level with Huntsville, nice work for a 37th round draft pick in 2011 (University of North Florida). Medlen struggled badly with the Manatees early this season after being dropped a level to start 2015.

 

Wishing Casey well in all future endeavors, especially on the field...

[Mass Haas]

As per this tweet from his agency --

 

27-year-old RHP Derek Eitel (MiLB Player Page; Baseball Reference Page), released earlier this month by the Diamondbacks, has been signed by the Brewers. It's not known at this time to which level Eitel will be reporting to in the Milwaukee chain.

 

Included was much more on Eitel in the original post earlier in this thread.

 

In the same Matt Eddy link from the Casey Medlen post above, Eddy indicates that Eitel is on a DL, and we have learned that is' on Biloxi's DL at this time.

 

Eddy also tells us that player/coach Edwin Maysonet is on the 60-day DL with Helena, which means that they're saving him for a hopeful postseason stretch run .

 

Finally, Eddy mentions that catcher Dustin Houle (post Tommy-John) has been activated (and removed, but in what order) from the disabled list, but MiLB.com still shows him as "inactive" and not formally on any Brewers roster.

[Mass Haas]

Tom Haudricourt just tweeted that Wisconsin All-Star starting pitcher Cy Sneed has been bumped up to the Brevard County roster.

 

Well-deserved, congrats!

[Mass Haas]

Helena Independent Record's Ryan Collingwood --

 

Infielder Blake Allemand and RHP Cody Ponce have been promoted to the Milwaukee Brewers' Single A club, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Both 2015 draft picks, the second baseman Allemand, a fifth rounder out of Texas A&M, had a .373 batting average and three errors. The right-hander Ponce (1.80 ERA), a second-round pitcher out Cal Poly Pamona, went just five innings, giving up three runs with four strikeouts and no walks.

 

Ryan is a good Twitter follow for Helena fans (his timeline, including Tuesday's updates).

 

***

 

That's a heck of a birthday present for the switch-hitting Allemand, who turns 23 on Wednesday (7/1).

[Mass Haas]

Recently-turned 23-year-old LHP Clint Terry of the Manatees, who last pitched way back on June 11th, is finally placed on the 7-day DL with an unannounced injury.

 

Terry was in the midst of a fantastic early season, including his peripherals, and as an age-appropriate southpaw, we can hope this isn't serious.

 

This DL placement makes room for RHP Cy Sneed on the Manatee roster, as was announced earlier.

[Mass Haas]

How about this!:

 

Recently-turned 22-year-old 27th round Oklahoma State RHP Jon Perrin started his pro career with a no-hitter, effectively: over three outings, 9 IP, 0 H, 2 BB, 8 K.

 

Perrin was asked to complete this game with a 4th inning and was finally touched up, just a bit.

 

Hey, who needs Helena?

 

Perrin tweets he's heading out to join the Timber Rattlers.

 

Wow, congrats!

[Mass Haas]

To make room for RHP Jon Perrin on the Timber Rattlers roster, IF/OF Francisco Castillo has been placed on the 7-day DL with an undisclosed injury.

 

RHP Cody Ponce was officially added to the Wisconsin roster today, giving the club 13 pitchers / 12 position players, which has been the split for most of the affiliates all year.

[Mass Haas]

Initially posted on June 29th --

 

From our draft forum:

 

Harber makes the jump from college to MLB

The Daily Astorian (Oregon)

 

Astoria’s Conor Harber announced Sunday that he will sign today with the Milwaukee Brewers, and hopes to begin play soon with the team’s minor league affiliate in Helena, Mont.

 

Less than three weeks after being selected by the Brewers in the 16th round of the Major League Baseball draft, Harber plans to travel today to Helena, where he will sign.

 

The Helena Brewers — a Rookie League affiliate of Milwaukee — compete in the North Division of the Pioneer League.

 

“I’ll sign a contract and hopefully start playing,” said Harber, a right-handed pitcher, who played two years at Western Nevada College, then played the 2015 season at the University of Oregon.

 

After being drafted in previous years by Tampa Bay and Baltimore, Harber said he felt the time was right to turn pro.

 

“As long as you can get into the system and start working your way up … as long as you get that chance, then things are good,” he said. “I’ll miss Oregon a lot, but I’m excited.”

 

But this article posted today indicates things are pending for Harber:

 

Excerpts:

 

More recently, the Milwaukee Brewers signed former Western Nevada College relief pitcher Evan Parker, and have not yet come to terms with Conor Harber, who starred for the Wildcats on the mound and in the outfield during the 2013-14 seasons.

 

After being selected by the Orioles and Rays in previous drafts, Harber leaned toward signing with the Brewers when they chose him in the 16th round of the June 8-10 draft. Harber, however, indicated on Thursday that he hadn’t been offered a contract by the Brewers.

 

While playing for Whittemore in 2013 and 2014, Harber inflicted damage with his bat and right arm. He led the Wildcats in hitting both seasons and never lost a decision on the hill, finishing with a career mark of 8-0.

 

Used exclusively as a pitcher at the University of Oregon in 2015, Harber started the season as a reliever before making eight starts before season’s end. He won four games and fanned 59 batters in 55 2/3 innings.

 

“Conor really made some huge strides this year on the mound,” Whittemore said following the draft last month. “It isn’t surprising because he is such a competitor that he can elevate his game and play with the best. Couple that with great coaching and surround him with Pac-12 teammates, and it’s no wonder he increased his draft stock. The WNC program past and present are both proud of him and happy for him.”

 

Although Harber has yet to sign and Parker is awaiting his first relief appearance for the Brewers in the Arizona League, they could eventually find themselves on the same team again.

 

“It’s definitely cool that we are in the same organization together, and it would be awesome to be able to play with him again someday,” said Parker, who was on the 2013 WNC team with Harber.

[Mass Haas]

Whoa, this kind of came from nowhere -- looking for a multi-inning reliever in Cravy for now, it seems...

 

Brewers tweet:

 

RHP Corey Knebel and INF/OF Jason Rogers have been optioned to Triple-A @skysox. RHP Tyler Cravy and RHP David Goforth have been recalled.

 

Not like Jason Rogers will get any AAA 3B reps with Matt Dominguez on the Sky Sox roster.

 

Knebel has seen quite a bit of action, maybe just a chance to dial back his appearance count for the moment.

 

***

 

Care to discuss? Major League forum thread is here, thanks.

[Mass Haas]

Reliever Austin Ross promoted to AAA Colorado Springs

The former LSU Tiger was 3-2 with a 2.61 ERA over 26 games out of the bullpen

Biloxi Shuckers

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/2/5/4/134448254/cuts/Rossthumb_d0yhnu4p_dm458at1.jpg

 

Austin Ross was a 2015 Southern League All-Star selection (Benton Reed Photography)

 

BILOXI, MS - The Milwaukee Brewers have announced the following roster move that affects the Shuckers roster prior to tonight's 6:10 PM contest with the Mississippi Braves at MGM Park. Right-handed reliever Austin Ross, has been promoted from Biloxi to AAA Colorado Springs.

 

Ross, 26, appeared in 26 games in relief for the Shuckers this season, going 3-2 with a 2.61 ERA (11 ER/38.0 IP) to go along with 47 strikeouts and just nine walks. His performance in the first half earned him a trip to Montgomery for the 2015 Southern League All-Star Game on June 23, which he struck out the two batters that he faced. Ross ranked first among Southern League relievers in strikeout ratio, sitting down 11.13 batters per 9.0 innings pitched. Ross also ranked fourth among relievers by walking just 2.13 batters per 9.0 innings pitched. Ross led the Biloxi bullpen in strikeouts and innings, ranking second in appearances. Ross stymied right-handed batters, holding them to just a .146 batting average.

 

Ross was selected by the Brewers in the eighth round of the 2010 draft out of LSU and over six professional seasons has a career 26-20 record and a 4.06 ERA in 107 games and 65 starts. Ross joins former Shuckers' reliever Jaye Chapman and infielder Yadiel Rivera on the Triple-A Colorado Springs roster. The Shreveport, LA native will join the SkySox on the road in Nashville as they take on the Sounds tonight at 7:00 PM.

 

***

 

The Shuckers will play with 24 for now, and the Sky Sox will need to make room once both Jason Rogers and Corey Knebel are both active on the AAA roster.

[TheCrew07]

Taylor Williams, oh how I miss thee.

[Mass Haas]

Originally posted June 25th --

 

Orr set to step up for Canada’s Pan Am baseball squad

By John Cudmore, Newmarket (CN) Era

 

***

 

Good luck to Pete Orr, placed on the Sky Sox temporary inactive list for the tournament.

 

Catcher Juan Centeno is activated from his 2nd bare-minimum 7-day DL stint in the past month, filling that roster spot.

[Mass Haas]

The Brewers have bumped RHP Johnny Hellweg from Brevard County to Biloxi, filling the open roster spot there. No word on a backfill move for the 'Tees yet.

 

Despite a rough 15 innings with Brevard, the Brewers need to see what they have at this point with the post-Tommy John Hellweg.

[Mass Haas]

Posted June 20th in our Helena / Maryvale thread --

 

Promising 18-year-old Panamanian catcher Johel Atencio is on the 7-day DL as well.

 

As per this twitter reply from Brewers Player Development, looks like a lengthy absence.

 

Hat tip R.C. Giese.

[Jenkins5]

2 things

1) I was really disappointed when they tweeted me back about the injury, was really looking forward to him play this season.... We need some true catching prospects.

 

2) Brewers Player Development is absolutely excellent! If you don't follow them on twitter I suggest you do.... They almost always tweet me back in a timely matter when I have questions about injuries and so forth.

[Mass Haas]

Via @BrewersPD:

 

SS Luis Sardinas has been placed on the DL with Colorado Springs. Donnie Murphy has been activated from the DL there.

 

***

 

Many of you know Matt Garza (shoulder inflammation) went on the DL retro to 6/3 today; Corey Knebel back to Milwaukee, Tyler Cravy takes Garza's rotation spot.

[Mass Haas]

RHP David Goforth back to Colorado Springs as Khris Davis returns to Milwaukee.

 

When Goforth officially arrives with the club, the Sky Sox will need to free up a roster spot.

[Mass Haas]

RHP David Goforth back to Colorado Springs as Khris Davis returns to Milwaukee.

 

When Goforth officially arrives with the club, the Sky Sox will need to free up a roster spot.

 

Via @BrewersPD, we learn:

 

RHP Derek Eitel has been added to Biloxi active roster. LHP Trevor Seidenberger transferred to Brevard County (from Biloxi). Robinzon Diaz to the DL in Col Springs.

 

So each roster is back to the 25-man limit, as Brevard had an open a lot.

[CheezWizHed]

SS Luis Sardinas has been placed on the DL with Colorado Springs. Donnie Murphy has been activated from the DL there.

 

Any information on the injury?

[WV Brew]

DSL Brewers outfielder Estades suspended

Former Royals prospect tests positive for Nandrolone, out 72 games

By Danny Wild / MiLB.com

07/10/2015 5:15 PM ET

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/3/0/2/135939302/cuts/Estades_esiu87o5_w7nrx4qq.jpg

 

Ariel Estades has hit .242 with 25 RBIs and 31 steals in 96 career Minor League games. (Burlington Royals)

 

Brewers Minor League outfielder Ariel Estades was suspended for 72 games on Friday after testing positive for a banned steroid.

 

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball said Estades received a 72-game suspension without pay after testing positive for metabolites of Nandrolone, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

 

The suspension is effective immediately.

 

Estades, 21, was originally drafted by the Royals in the 17th-roundof the 2012 Draft out of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and spent parts of three seasons in Kansas City's system before being released last July. He signed with the Brewers in February and was hitting .269 with six RBIs, 15 stolen bases and a .374 on-base percentage in 78 at-bats over 25 games in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League this season.

 

The lefty-hitting outfielder spent his first two seasons in the Arizona League and DSL with the Royals before getting nine at-bats over four games last summer with Rookie-level Burlington.

 

Nandrolone, commonly sold as Deca-Durabolin, is an anabolic steroid used to promote muscle growth, bone density and red blood cell production. It's considered a Schedule III controlled substance.

 

Major League Baseball has issued 70 suspensions to 69 players this year for violating the Minor League drug program. MLB handed out 60 in both 2014 and 2013.