2017 Minor League Transaction Thread

[zagski6]

A Drake Owenby sighting tonight in the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers dugout. Also posted a goodbye tweet to Arizona on Twitter.

[Mass Haas]

Carolina Press Release --

 

7/7 - C Charlie Meyer transferred to Carolina and placed on the DL

7/7 - OF Corey Ray placed on temporary inactive list

7/7 - OF Brandon Diaz activated off the Carolina disabled list

 

Ray's placement is due to his Futures Game appearance. Diaz has been on a taxi list for much of this season, and Meyer's placement frees up a Helena roster spot.

[Mass Haas]

You may remember when we first posted this back on April 28th --

 

The Brewers have purchased the Mexican League contract of 18-year-old RHP Victor Castaneda, and plan to assign him to Maryvale, according to this report (Spanish).

 

http://www.milb.com/images/674810/t5010/180x270/674810.jpg

 

Listed at 6'1", 185, Castaneda is a rookie in the league that is considered a AAA league by MiLB, but with a talent level that likely resides closer to AA.

 

Regardless, to be in the league at that young age is impressive, and the Brewers' interest likely spiked after this start on the 20th last week, which was his first pro start and 2nd appearance.

 

Tweet from the Tijuana Toros with a picture from a couple of years back, it seems: "We remember when we signed the pitcher Víctor Castañeda years ago, who today makes his first start in @LigaMexBeis."

 

***

 

Not counting on a Julio Urias-type find here, but it remains encouraging that the organization is seeking all routes to talent.

 

But then the relationship seemed to be off, as after about three weeks of being idle, Castaneda again starting making appearances for his Mexican League team, as you'll see via the stat line at his linked name above.

 

But now within the past few days, the relationship is once again official.

 

http://www.polideportivo.mx/imagenes/blog/milwaukee-firma-a-prospecto-mexicano.jpg

 

***

 

Translated text from this article --

 

The young Sinaloa pitcher Víctor Castañeda, a talented graduate of the Tijuana Toros Club Academy, joined the Milwaukee Brewers Major League Baseball organization when he signed his new contract. 

 

Right-hander Castañeda, who became the 17th player of this Tijuana Bull Academy to sign for a Major League game, was very pleased to take this big step in his young career in baseball. 

 

Martín Arvizu, a talent seeker at the Milwaukee club, said that 18-year-old Castañeda has high power in his pitches, as well as great control over running them, so his future will be very promising. 

 

"He has great strength in his arm and lots of action, I'm sure he'll have a huge showing in the big leagues. The Milwaukee board is very pleased to be able to sign it for our organization, "said Arvizu. 

 

In this signing agreement, in addition to Arvizu, was also Guillermo Armenta, director of the Talent Development Program of the Toros Club of Tijuana, who also expressed his satisfaction with the contract of this young Sinaloa pitcher. 

 

Víctor Castañeda right-hander had his LMB debut with Toros de Tijuana on April 14, in a series against Leones de Yucatan, with a performance of one-and-a-half, without allowing runs or hits, and with a punch Prescribed. 

 

Before signing his contract with Milwaukee, Víctor Castañeda had already played nine games with Toros in the 2017 campaign, with 25 innings pitched for seven strikeouts and a 3-1 win-loss record, averaging .258. 

 

For Guillermo Armenta, this 2017 has become the best year of the Tijuana Bull Development Program, due to the large amount they have had from firms of young Mexican prospects with Major League clubs. 

 

"This will undoubtedly benefit Mexican baseball in general, in the short and medium term, to have many players in development in the best baseball in the world," said Tijuana's Toros manager. 

 

The young prospect from the city of Culiacan, Sinaloa, will travel Wednesday to Phoenix, Arizona, to report to his new organization.

 

***

 

Technically for now, Castaneda is on the restricted list until his placement in Maryvale (or perhaps, but unlikely, Helena) becomes official.

[Mass Haas]

Keep in mind earlier in 2017 there was a similar independent league announcement on a different player, and the Brewers later debunked that the signing occurred. This new signing hasn't been announced by the team yet, but certainly seems as though it will end up as official --

 

RHP Alec Kenilvort is 24 years old, a 15th round college pick in 2014. He was released by the Rockies in March. He landed with the Schaumburg (IL) Boomers of the Frontier League.

 

Here are his stat pages:

 

MiLB.com

 

Baseball Reference (includes his 2017 indy numbers)

 

Kenilvort Joining Brewers Organization

 

The press release linked just above contains plenty of details on Kenilvort's 2017 campaign, including this, and is obviously a suggested read:

 

Kenilvort was consistently throwing in the mid 90’s while reaching the upper 90’s on occasion.

 

Also:

 

Kenilvort will become the fifth former Boomer in the affiliated ranks when he reports to the Brewers Low-A affiliate in the Midwest League, the Wisconsin TimberRattlers.

 

Now, it would make sense that Kenilvort is assigned to the Rattlers, but it would also seem likely that he may report to Maryvale first, even if not officially on the Arizona League roster.

 

Kenilvort hasn't Tweeted yet, but he did create this account.

[zagski6]

David Burkhalter has been released. Per conversation with him tonight

[Mass Haas]

David Burkhalter has been released. Per conversation with him tonight

 

The 2014 6th round RHP out of a Louisiana high school is only 21 (22 later this month), and as Toby noted last night on Twitter, just couldn't fully overcome injuries (missed much of 2016 with an elbow strain).

 

Hopefully he gets another affiliated opportunity.

[Mass Haas]

Brewers make trade with Orioles for international signing bonus slots

Not currently clear how much the Brewers are receiving

Brad Ford, BrewCrewBall.com

 

***

 

Good luck to RHP Aaron Myers in the Orioles' organization. The 2.5 year career peripherals certainly would have caught Baltimore's eye, although if you've listened to the Rattler Radio podcasts, you realize that velocity is not part of Myers' game, but there are places for the Pat Neshek-types in the sport.

 

Proves that every single farmhand is playing for "every" organization - Myers was an undrafted free agent signing after the 2015 draft.

[ClosetBrewerFan]

Its surprising to me that Baltimore is not more active in international signing. This is the second trade DS has made with them for international bonus money. Magnifico trade was the first.

 

Keep it up DS!

[Mass Haas]

As also posted in our "Draft / International Signings Forum" --

 

The Brewers have once again acquired International signing bonus slots from the Orioles, this time for the current signing period. Per MLB Trade Rumors the Brewers have acquired multiple slots from the Orioles in exchange for RHP Aaron Myers.

 

The Brewers have also signed Vitor Watanabe a player out of Brazil who it appears will be joining one of the Brewers DSL teams.

 

A few links regarding Watanabe...

 

Tweets with photos of the signing (Tweet Link #1 and Tweet Link #2)

 

Also, below is a recent article on Watanabe that was translated using Google Translate.

 

Vitor Watanabe to sign with the Milwaukee Brewers

 

http://www.theplayoffs.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/vitor-watanabe-mlb-768x576.jpg

 

Vitor Watanabe will be reinforcing Milwaukee Brewers plus a young Brazilian player is close to closing with a Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise. Marília pitcher Vitor Watanabe has advanced talks with the Milwaukee Brewers and is expected to sign a seven-year franchise agreement. The official signing of the tie is scheduled to take place this Friday (07), in a hotel in São Paulo, with the presence of Luiz Perez, a member of the scout team of the specialized franchise in Latin America.

 

The agreement would be the fourth confirmed of Brazilians in this first week of the window of international signings hiring that turn 16 years in 2017, initiated last Sunday. Before Watanabe, Heitor Tokar and Victor Coutinho signed for seven years with the Houston Astros. Already Eric Pardinho has signed his business for six years and $ 1.4 million ($ 4.6 million) with the Toronto Blue Jays.

 

Like Pardinho, Watanabe's negotiation was carried out through an agent. Previously treated through family members, brokerage through a professional is becoming popular among Brazilian prospects.

 

The pitcher is expected to travel next Sunday (09) to the Dominican Republic, where he will join the new team. In fact, he has already undergone medical examinations by the Milwaukee Technical Commission and there is the possibility to play this year in the minor leagues.

 

Watanabe would be the fifth member of the MLB Academy to transfer to US baseball this year, the fourth only in the current window. The representatives of the North American league in the Country project the negotiation of up to seven players in this cycle of hiring.

 

In May of this year, in negotiation still valid through the previous window, the pitcher Christian Rummel Pedrol had already closed with the Seattle Mariners. In the Dominican Republic just under two months ago, he is already training with the Dominican Summer League (DSL) team and only waiting for the agreement to finally play.

[LouisEly]

Its surprising to me that Baltimore is not more active in international signing. This is the second trade DS has made with them for international bonus money. Magnifico trade was the first.

 

Keep it up DS!

Corporate strategy - they forego the cost of international scouting, the competition for those assets (being outbid by the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, etc.), and the risk of spending that money on 16-year-olds who never develop in exchange for more established players who may not have as high of a ceiling.

 

Given how many organizations blatantly disregarded the rules just within their own division (Red Sox, Yankees), I can't blame them one bit for not wanting any part of it.

[Mass Haas]

Via the Sky Sox --

 

The Colorado Springs Sky Sox and the Milwaukee Brewers have announced that OF Lewis Brinson and INF Mauricio Dubon have been placed on the temporary inactive list due to their participation in the All-Star Futures Game.

 

In a pair of corresponding moves, RHP Forrest Snow has been reinstated from the temporary inactive list and C Tyler Heineman has been transferred to the Sky Sox roster from Rookie Helena. Roster at 25.

[And That]

That gives the Sky Sox 4 catchers and 14 pitchers on their 25 man roster, if I'm counting right.

[Mass Haas]

The Brewers have signed RHP Jorge Mancebo, a 22-year-old RHP and Dominican native who previously pitched for the Rangers' organization in the Dominican Summer League.

 

Mancebo pitched in 2014 and part of 2015 prior to his July 20, 2015 release.

 

He has not pitched in affiliated ball play since then, we would imagine Mancebo will be assigned to one of the two DSL squads, but that official transaction has not been made yet.

[Mass Haas]

Some news we knew within the past 24 hours, some new --

 

Via Chris Mehring's Rattler Radio Blog --

 

TRANSACTIONS: The following transactions were announced by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and Milwaukee Brewers after last night’s game. Pitcher Aaron Myers was traded to the Baltimore Orioles organization. Pitcher David Burkhalter was released from the Brewers organization. Pitcher Thomas Jankins has been placed on the Wisconsin disabled list retroactive to July 5. Pitcher Andrew Vernon has been transferred from the Helena Brewers to the Timber Rattlers. Pitcher Drake Owenby has been transferred from the Arizona League Brewers to the Timber Rattlers.

[And That]

C/1B KJ Harrison is active on Helena's roster for tonight's game.

 

30th round LHP Cody Beckman, and NDFAs C/1B Kyle Beam & RHP Matt Hardy have all three been transferred from the AZL roster to the Helena roster.

[Mass Haas]

The Brewers released Biloxi first baseman Art Charles on Saturday. He had been on the 7-day DL retro to July 1st, perhaps that had been on a paper move.

 

Charles, plucked from the Reds in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft by the Brewers not long after the Reds had signed Charles, coming off a monster indy ball season. Charles had seen prior time in the Toronto and Philadelphia systems.

 

Charles was seeing only sporadic playing time as of late for the Shuckers, and for the season, posted a .176/.248/.287 line (.535 OPS) in 43 games (108 AB's).

 

We wish the big guy well in his future endeavors.

[markedman5]

BrewersPD tweet

 

Moves: Herrera to Wisconsin, Barker to Carolina, Hardy & Beckman to Helena. Art Charles released.

[TURBO]

Burkhalter released? Waiting to hear more on this...

[And That]

There was more a few posts above.

[Mass Haas]

From the Wisconsin Media Notes:

 

Catcher A.J. Murray has been transferred to Biloxi. Catcher Yoel Vasquez has been transferred from Helena.

 

This is where the fun begins.

 

Murray had been on Wisconsin's disabled list since June 19th, but he is listed as active on Biloxi's current online roster.

 

Vasquez was not on Helena's disabled list, but he is listed as being so on Wisconsin's current online roster.

 

***

 

22-year-old LHP Quintin Torres-Costa gets a well-deserved bump from Carolina to Biloxi. Torres-Costa, tremendous value as a 35th round pick in 2015, has struck out 190 in 141.2 career innings, with a 1.29 WHIP.

[LouisEly]

All aboard the QT-C bandwagon! I've had my eye on him for the past year and a half; he's never made my top 35 prospect list but has been just outside of it (have mentioned him in my "others").

 

Between QT-C and Nick Ramirez the Brewers have some solid left-handed relief prospects on the horizon. Ramirez started off slow - he hadn't pitched in six years, you had to expect some walks early on - but since June 1st he has a line of 22.1 IP, 17 H, 1 ER (solo HR), 2 BB, 17 K. That's over 10 games, so he's done it averaging over 2 IP per outing and not as a lefty specialist. In fact, he's faced twice as many righties as lefties.

 

QT-C has been particularly nasty against lefties - this year over 15.1 IP he's given up 8 hits, walked three, hit two, and struck out 26. Also has a 12.0 K/9 vs righties.

[And That]

From the Wisconsin Media Notes:

 

Catcher A.J. Murray has been transferred to Biloxi. Catcher Yoel Vasquez has been transferred from Helena.

 

This is where the fun begins.

 

Murray had been on Wisconsin's disabled list since June 19th, but he is listed as active on Biloxi's current online roster.

 

Vasquez was not on Helena's disabled list, but he is listed as being so on Wisconsin's current online roster.

 

***

 

22-year-old LHP Quintin Torres-Costa gets a well-deserved bump from Carolina to Biloxi. Torres-Costa, tremendous value as a 35th round pick in 2015, has struck out 190 in 141.2 career innings, with a 1.29 WHIP.

 

The Shuckers provide some further detail via press release.

 

Tyrone Taylor activated from the 7-day DL for Biloxi as he concludes his AZL rehab assignment. Michael Reed placed back on the 7-day DL. As Jim noted, A.J. Murray transferred to Biloxi, but he was placed on the 7-day DL there. Essentially transferred from Wisconsin's DL to Biloxi's DL.

 

The Biloxi PR also confirms the Charles release and the addition of 1/3 of Hawaii KO.

[Mass Haas]

Via Monday's Wisconsin Media Notes -

 

TRANSACTIONS: Pitcher Braden Webb has been placed on the Wisconsin disabled list retroactive to July 6. Pitcher Cameron Roegner has been activated from the Wisconsin disabled list.

[Mass Haas]

7/7 - OF Corey Ray placed on temporary inactive list

7/7 - OF Brandon Diaz activated off the Carolina disabled list

 

Reverse this now that Ray is back.

[And That]

Quintin Torres-Costa was indeed promoted to Biloxi's roster, but he finds himself on their Temp Inactive list.