2015-2016 Minor League Offseason Transaction Thread

[Mass Haas]

Here is the post where we link to information regarding the previous six Brewer Latin American signings this fall and winter, most very likely all to report to the Dominican Summer League team for play this June to begin their pro careers.

 

The Brewers announce two more signings -- unlike some of the prior signings in the link above where we may have gleaned a photo or an agency announcement, there doesn't appear to be anything on the interwebs related to these two players. We'll learn only as their statistics are built up this summer.

 

RHP Johan Dominguez, 6' 4"/190, recently turned 20 (1/18/1996); Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

 

RHP Daniel Acosta, 6' 1"/185, soon to turn 19 (2/27/1997); Bonao, Dominican Republic

 

Now remember, along with the eight signed this fall and winter, the Brewers announced seven signings last summer --

 

SS Luis Avila, Venezuela

 

RF Bryan Connell, Panama

 

SS Aaron Familia, Dominican Republic

 

CF Jesus Lujano, Venezuela

 

SS Luis Manon, Dominican Republic

 

C Moises Perez, Venezuela

 

C Jose Sibrian, Venezuela

 

Sibrian netted an invite to Fall Instructional League as he was the No. 29 international prospect for July 2. His bonus was $550,000. Lujano's bonus was $450,000.

 

So there should be at least 15 new players on the DSL squad this summer, perhaps Sibrian will begin in Maryvale.

 

We did find some video and photos on these players last summer and linked to them in four posts beginning here.

[Mass Haas]

Earlier today - Brewers announced his minor league deal with a spring training big league camp invite

 

LHP Pat Misch - Career stats

 

Great reads here...

 

Baseball America -- Pat Misch’s Long Journey To Lamigo Ends Perfectly

 

Ex-MLB LHP Pat Misch throws no-hitter in Game 7 of Taiwan Series - Fun video as well

 

Dubious distinction

 

At 34, Misch becomes the oldest player currently in the organization.

 

Misch put up respectable AAA numbers last year. He's from just down the road a bit in Northbrook, IL. You never know. He's a lefty and Brewer's aren't exactly overloaded with them.

 

Released in order to allow him to pursue an opportunity in Japan.

 

We'll Misch him very much...

[Mass Haas]

Here is the post where we link to information regarding the previous six Brewer Latin American signings this fall and winter, most very likely all to report to the Dominican Summer League team for play this June to begin their pro careers.

 

The Brewers announce two more signings -- unlike some of the prior signings in the link above where we may have gleaned a photo or an agency announcement, there doesn't appear to be anything on the interwebs related to these two players. We'll learn only as their statistics are built up this summer.

 

RHP Johan Dominguez, 6' 4"/190, recently turned 20 (1/18/1996); Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

 

RHP Daniel Acosta, 6' 1"/185, soon to turn 19 (2/27/1997); Bonao, Dominican Republic

 

Now remember, along with the eight signed this fall and winter, the Brewers announced seven signings last summer --

 

SS Luis Avila, Venezuela

 

RF Bryan Connell, Panama

 

SS Aaron Familia, Dominican Republic

 

CF Jesus Lujano, Venezuela

 

SS Luis Manon, Dominican Republic

 

C Moises Perez, Venezuela

 

C Jose Sibrian, Venezuela

 

Sibrian netted an invite to Fall Instructional League as he was the No. 29 international prospect for July 2. His bonus was $550,000. Lujano's bonus was $450,000.

 

So there should be at least 15 new players on the DSL squad this summer, perhaps Sibrian will begin in Maryvale.

 

We did find some video and photos on these players last summer and linked to them in four posts beginning here.

 

Add yet another -- 22-year-old 6'3", 190 lb. Dominican RHP Miguel Sanchez, as per the Brewers.

 

Turned 22 on New Years' Eve, decidedly late to be making a pro debut -- if he does debut in the Dominican Summer League as expected, he'll be about three years older than the average teammate and/or competitor.

[Mass Haas]

Here is the post where we link to information regarding the previous six Brewer Latin American signings this fall and winter, most very likely all to report to the Dominican Summer League team for play this June to begin their pro careers.

 

The Brewers announce two more signings -- unlike some of the prior signings in the link above where we may have gleaned a photo or an agency announcement, there doesn't appear to be anything on the interwebs related to these two players. We'll learn only as their statistics are built up this summer.

 

RHP Johan Dominguez, 6' 4"/190, recently turned 20 (1/18/1996); Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

 

RHP Daniel Acosta, 6' 1"/185, soon to turn 19 (2/27/1997); Bonao, Dominican Republic

 

Now remember, along with the eight signed this fall and winter, the Brewers announced seven signings last summer --

 

SS Luis Avila, Venezuela

 

RF Bryan Connell, Panama

 

SS Aaron Familia, Dominican Republic

 

CF Jesus Lujano, Venezuela

 

SS Luis Manon, Dominican Republic

 

C Moises Perez, Venezuela

 

C Jose Sibrian, Venezuela

 

Sibrian netted an invite to Fall Instructional League as he was the No. 29 international prospect for July 2. His bonus was $550,000. Lujano's bonus was $450,000.

 

So there should be at least 15 new players on the DSL squad this summer, perhaps Sibrian will begin in Maryvale.

 

We did find some video and photos on these players last summer and linked to them in four posts beginning here.

 

Add yet another -- 22-year-old 6'3", 190 lb. Dominican RHP Miguel Sanchez, as per the Brewers.

 

Turned 22 on New Years' Eve, decidedly late to be making a pro debut -- if he does debut in the Dominican Summer League as expected, he'll be about three years older than the average teammate and/or competitor.

 

It's going to be huge year of turnover on the DSL squad -- latest signing just announced:

 

Dominican RHP Jenri Montas, 19 years old, 6'3", 200

 

That means a minimum of 17 Latin players will debut in 2016.

[Mass Haas]

Tim Dillard on his offseason job-hunting experience

[Mass Haas]

Brewers Player Development posted this on Twitter -- also by numerical if you wish, notes below:

 

 

Everything lines up as expected, except for the obvious absence of past and present members of the DSL squad. This includes DSL alumni who spent part or all of 2015 stateside in Helena and/or Maryvale. This includes names like RHP's Nattino Diplan and Nelson Hernandez, who were stateside for instructionals last fall. You may have noticed OF Nicolas Pierre (.461 OPS in Maryvale), OF Yerald Martinez (.664 OPS in Maryvale), and IF Julio Mendez, who received a mid-season bump up to Maryvale from the Dominican, are all absent.

 

We've learned that the Brewers are trying something new for 2016, in which their DSL players who are expected to open in Helena or Maryvale in June, will not be brought over until sometime in April. Makes sense when you consider the full season squads will be out of camp, and these players will be able to receive more attention at that time. We imagine many, if not all, are working out at the DSL complex pre-April.

 

That being said, nice to see RHP Carlos Herrera, acquired in the Adam Lind trade, stateside for the first time.

 

Normally we'd be very pleased to see RHP Carlos Luna on this list, as the Panamanian native dazzled in his age 18 DSL season last summer, including All-Star Game MVP. But it's our understanding he's stateside for rehab purposes, we're trying to learn more, but hopefully it won't cost Luna part or most of his 2016 campaign.

 

Don't be surprised if a couple of players (IF/OF Yerison Pena and IF Jorge Quiterio) open the season on the restricted list. That could be due to any number of reasons, but it's a way for the Brewers to retain their rights regardless of the circumstances.

[Mass Haas]

Normally we'd be very pleased to see RHP Carlos Luna on this list, as the Panamanian native dazzled in his age 18 DSL season last summer, including All-Star Game MVP. But it's our understanding he's stateside for rehab purposes, we're trying to learn more, but hopefully it won't cost Luna part or most of his 2016 campaign.

 

No official word on the injury, but it wasn't Tommy John (don't even know if it's arm-related), but we do know Luna should be good to go for the start of the Maryvale Rookie League season in June.

[Mass Haas]

As per @BrewersPD, the team has released RHP's Connor Baits and Evan Parker.

 

Baits, 22, was drafted in the 33rd round last June out of UC-Santa Barbara. In eight appearances for Maryvale (one start), he put up some numbers that can best be appreciated by clicking his Baseball Reference link above. We may never see quite a line again. Credit to the Brewers for sticking with Baits through the winter, he must have been assigned an offseason program, but it is odd to see a release so early in camp. Good luck to Connor going forward.

 

Parker, 23, was signed as an undrafted free agent on June 25th out of Utah's Dixie State College. His pro stint with the Crew lasted only five Maryvale relief appearances last summer. The highs and many lows, of the undrafted free agent, some times they go much further, as evidenced by Nate Orf's rise through the system in recent years. Hopefully Evan will get a chance elsewhere.

[jerichoholicninja]

As per @BrewersPD, the team has released RHP's Connor Baits and Evan Parker.

 

Baits, 22, was drafted in the 33rd round last June out of UC-Santa Barbara. In eight appearances for Maryvale (one start), he put up some numbers that can best be appreciated by clicking his Baseball Reference link above. We may never see quite a line again. Credit to the Brewers for sticking with Baits through the winter, he must have been assigned an offseason program, but it is odd to see a release so early in camp. Good luck to Connor going forward.

 

After seeing Baites' totals I figured it had to be a bad appearance or two. Then I clicked on the game log. Wow. Every time he took the mound was a disaster. I didn't think it was possible for a professional pitcher to pitch so bad consistently. It's one thing if a guy gets hit around or can't find the zone, but he somehow did both giving up gobs of hit while walking everyone and hitting everyone else.

[JohnBriggs12]

As per @BrewersPD, the team has released RHP's Connor Baits and Evan Parker.

 

Baits, 22, was drafted in the 33rd round last June out of UC-Santa Barbara. In eight appearances for Maryvale (one start), he put up some numbers that can best be appreciated by clicking his Baseball Reference link above. We may never see quite a line again. Credit to the Brewers for sticking with Baits through the winter, he must have been assigned an offseason program, but it is odd to see a release so early in camp. Good luck to Connor going forward.

 

After seeing Baites' totals I figured it had to be a bad appearance or two. Then I clicked on the game log. Wow. Every time he took the mound was a disaster. I didn't think it was possible for a professional pitcher to pitch so bad consistently. It's one thing if a guy gets hit around or can't find the zone, but he somehow did both giving up gobs of hit while walking everyone and hitting everyone else.

 

 

Reminds me of the book I read about 20-25 years ago named "A False Spring" by one time Milwaukee Brave farmhand turned author, Pat Jordan. It's a must read for any hard core baseball fan and main theme is total loss of control and the mental anguish he felt as a mere 20 year old going through it. Jordan's numbers while not quite as ugly were certainly interesting. As a stunt he pitched an inning at age 56 in an indy league in 1997.

[DHonks]

Wow, Baits' numbers rival Jason Neighborgall's numbers years ago with the Dbacks. I wonder if the kid throws as hard

[JohnBriggs12]

Haudricourt just tweeted that the Brewers have released Luis Ortega, Francisco Castillo, Jose Pena, Daniel Leonardo, and Joshua Torres.

[Mass Haas]

Haudricourt just tweeted that the Brewers have released Luis Ortega, Francisco Castillo, Jose Pena, Daniel Leonardo, and Joshua Torres.

 

We'll post a more-detailed update tonight on these players, as we've done in the past for those let go by the Brewers.

[Mass Haas]

Brewer player release:

 

Corner OF Jose Pena, just-turned 23, was a $400,000 Dominican signing at the July 2nd signing period of 2009, having turned 16 years old that March.

 

It appeared Pena had broken out in 2012, his first stateside season after two in the DSL, but had plateaued low since.

 

Bruce Seid upon the signing:

 

"It's official. He signed," Seid said. "We're real happy that we got Jose Pena. We've been watching him for some time and had him at a couple of workouts, and [brewers general manager] Doug Melvin was down here and saw him. We've been really able to cover the bases on Jose Pena."

 

Some steps remain. Pena must pass a physical, plus Major League Baseball's official background check that verifies players' ages. Pena just turned 16 in March, and Seid expected no problems in that process.

 

Pena, 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, is a right-handed hitter described by Seid as a polished hitter with power and projectability.

 

"He's a great 'make-up' kid," Seid said. "He's someone who looks you in the eye and takes instruction well. Overall, the package is good in terms of ability, power, athleticism and make-up."

 

Pena was compared in scouting circles at the time to Jermaine Dye and Juan Gonzalez and wowed scouts in a showcase against the Canadian Junior National Team. He was considered the 6th best talent out of that signing period, and it was thought to be "a bargain" for the Brewers to net him at that price.

 

BA's Ben Badler on Pena:

 

Jose Pena, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound right fielder has flashed some power in game situations from the right side of the plate, showing average speed and a plus arm. Pena has shown well in front of some teams, including a workout in front of the Dodgers' brass and at a showcase last month in the Dominican Republic where he hit a home run off Canadian lefthander Jake Eliopoulos, the Blue Jays' second-round pick. "He's grown bigger and stronger," said one scout. "He's the kind of guy who you might get out the first time, but he adjusts and finds a way to figure it out."

 

By the way, Eliopoulos did not sign out of high school that year, and never pitched in pro ball. His sad death at age 21 is covered here.

[Mass Haas]

More Brewer farmhand releases --

 

Turning 22 this April, RHP Joshua Torres was an undrafted 18-year-old signing out of Puerto Rico, and after two summers in the DSL, came stateside and was the Arizona Rookie League ERA champ in 2014 with a 1.92 mark (1.10 WHIP).

 

Torres was among the 2015 Timber Rattlers who skipped Helena to begin 2015, and struggled before finding his way down to Montana in June, where he settled in nicely.

 

Based purely on numbers, this release surprises, but obviously more than raw numbers is analyzed by the development team.

 

***

 

A defensively versatile switch-hitting IF/OF, 22-year-old Francisco Castillo stuck with the Timber Rattlers for all of 2015 upon his early May call-up from extended spring training. This was his 5th season in the system, signed as a teenager out of the Dominican Republic. Unfortunately for Castillo, his 2015 numbers with Wisconsin matched his tough 2014 figures (.528 OPS / .524 OPS).

 

There have been lots of system goodbyes to members of that truly struggling 2015 Rattler squad, speaking of which...

 

***

 

LHP Luis Ortega was actually a trade acquisition, from the Red Sox in November 2013 for RHP Burke Badenhop. Other than shiny ERA's masked by the allowance of many unearned runs in two summers in the Sox system, it was tough to see much to like from Ortega from the start, and a review of 2014-2015 numbers with the Crew are tough on the eyes. Ortega turns 23 this April.

 

***

 

20-year-old middle infielder Daniel Leonardo spent three seasons in the Brewers' system, one in his native Dominican Republic, and two in Maryvale.

 

Listed at 5'9", 168 as of this spring, all 22 of the switch-hitting Leonardo's hits in 2015 were singles.

 

***

 

Here's wishing these young men well in future endeavors, imagine it's often especially tough for the very young Latin players when released.

[Mass Haas]

Brewers announced the signing of 27-year-old 6'6", 235 lb. RHP Stephen Kohlscheen (Baseball Reference page) Wednesday, just a few days after the Padres released him.

 

Kohlscheen was the secondary piece traded by the Mariners to San Diego, along with OF Abraham Almonte, for OF Chris Denorfia in 2014. Kohlscheen had been drafted out of Auburn in the 45th round out of Auburn by the Mariners in 2010.

 

From the time of that trade:

 

Kohlscheen's primary strength is that he throws strikes with his sinking fastball, which he throws in the 91-93 mph range. His ability to pound the strike zone has resulted in a 9.8 K/9 in his minor league career.

 

That ratio is down to 9.3 after a tough 2015, as evidenced by his numbers linked above.

 

The current voice of the Biloxi Shuckers, Chris Harris, was a AA broadcaster for the Mariners previously (tweet):

 

"Spent parts of 2012-2014 with Stephen. A big right-hander that adds some bullpen depth. Great guy and nice addition."

 

Also from the time of the 2014 trade, via MiLB.com:

 

Stephen Kohlscheen was in the midst of his first turn at Triple-A ball at the time of Thursday's deal. The 6-foot-6 right-handed reliever posted a 2.25 ERA with 33 strikeouts and only four walks in 32 innings at Double-A Jackson, where he was named a Southern League All-Star before a June promotion. His numbers at Tacoma (3.28 ERA, 22 strikeouts, six walks in 24 2/3 innings) have slipped some but have been solid for the most part.