2018-2019 Minor League Offseason Transaction Thread

[Jenkins5]

Brewers Player Dev

@BrewersPD

35m35 minutes ago

Roster moves: LHPs Luis Cordero & Blake Fox have been released.

 

The Cordero news was listed earlier in this thread, and Adam Rygg (@BrewerNation) noted this Instagram post from Fox.

 

Shame about Fox. Someone mentioned him the other day as a bounce back. Solid pitcher if he could have ever got on mound. Injuries kill

[Eye Black]

Brewers sign C/1B Skyler Ewing to a minor league deal.

 

Skyler was initially signed by the independent baseball team known as the Milwaukee Milkmen who Tweeted the news of the Brewers' transaction. More information on Ewing is available via Brew Crew Ball.

[And That]

RHP Abner Uribe promoted from the DSL to the AZL Brewers Blue roster.

[Mass Haas]

Quick post to my Twitter thread this AM on 23-year-old RHP Tyler Gillies

[Mass Haas]

Brewers announced the minor league free agent signing of 27-year-old 2B/3B Bruce Caldwell, six years in the STL system, 2018 in the Yankees chain, career .256/.341/.409 (.750 OPS).

 

From MiLB.com, on his 2018 campaign, where he was the second baseman on the Yankees' all-organizational team:

 

Second baseman -- Bruce Caldwell, Trenton (74 games), Scranton/WB (48 games):

 

The Yankees signed Caldwell on March 30 after the 26-year-old spent the first six years of his professional career in the Cardinals organization. In 122 games between Double-A and Triple-A, Caldwell hit .258/.342/.404 with 41 extra-base hits -- including tying a career-high with 30 doubles -- 57 RBIs and 53 runs scored. The 2012 15th-rounder was shuttled between the Eastern League and International League for most of the season as he played four different stints with the RailRiders, leaving his mark with an extra-inning grand slam (video at link above) to seal a 7-2 playoff victory.

 

"Bruce is a guy who can play anywhere, and we used him where we needed him between Double-A and Triple-A, and he was huge for us," Raad said. "He put together great at-bats all year, the coaches love him and he really saved us at times. I feel like he really found his niche there with us."

[And That]

RHP Abner Uribe promoted from the DSL to the AZL Brewers Blue roster.

Joining Uribe on the Brewers Blue roster are INF Alberis Ferrer, RHP Cristian Sierra, and the aforementioned Tyler Gillies.

 

As I mentioned on Twitter, Ferrer quietly had a really good summer in 2018 DSL play. Sierra hasn't pitched professionally yet since signing in July 2017.

[And That]

The Brewers have signed Patrick Leonard to a MiLB deal.

[Eye Black]

Brewers announce they’ve signed outfielder Michael O’Neill and RHP Aaron Kurcz to minor league deals.

[Mass Haas]

Two new signings for the DSL

 

***

 

Brewers announce they’ve signed outfielder Michael O’Neill and RHP Aaron Kurcz to minor league deals.

 

Kurcz was once traded for Theo Epstein, and this is how he made a final impression on the Crew this week.

 

***

 

Michael O'Neill spent his first several pro seasons in the Yankees' system:

 

[Mass Haas]

Two new signings for the DSL

 

Add a third signing at that - keep those lefty's coming!

[Mass Haas]

Some additional Dominican Summer League kids coming stateside (links to Baseball Reference pages):

 

17-year-old Venezuelan C/1B Jesus Chirinos (turns 18 on July 27th) - .254/.394/.387 line (.782 OPS in his rookie 2018 season); his dad was a former Brewer farmhand

 

18-year-old Venezuelan starting RHP Leoner Colina - Only 17 walks and a 2.31 ERA in 13 starts in his debut campaign, he was signed for only $15,000

 

18-year-old Venezuelan OF Oswel Leones - LH bat played primarily LF/RF in his debut 2018 season (two games in CF), a sweet .289/.389/.374 line (.763 OPS), more walks (28) than K's (25) in 225 AB's. It's not likely Leones was a big-bonus signee, as that info was never released.

 

17-year-old Venezuelan 2B/3B/1B Luis Silva (turns 18 on July 6th) - 44 of 50 base hits were singles, but only 26 K's in 210 AB's gets one to the Arizona Rookie League

 

19-year-old Venezuelan C/1B Roberto Molina - Regardless of country of origin, if your last name is Molina, you are a catcher (Yadier and brothers are from Puerto Rico). Roberto is the only player here with two seasons in the Brewers' system.

 

Brewers seem to hit consistently with their Venezuelan signings, and by "hit", mean find prospects of early interest and potential. None of these five received significant bonuses.

[Mass Haas]

Via the Twitter account Milwaukee Prospect Report (Brad Krause and the former MillerParkProspects crew):

 

TWEET: "Doing a little late-night reading of the 2019 Media Guide and noticed that infielder Jean Cruz and newly-signed catcher Jeyner Baez will both be moving to the mound this season as the Brewers look to convert them to pitchers."

 

TWEET: Found a few injury updates in the media guide, all four listed here offseason shoulder surgeries. 2017 4th round Illinois high school LHP Brendan Murphy (September 7th, missed all of 2018 with left biceps tendinitis), 2017 8th round RHP Jayson Rose (October 11th, missed all of 2018 save for two brief late July Maryvale starts with a right rotator cuff strain), Mario Feliciano (November 1st) and Max McDowell (December 7th).

 

NOTE: Both Feliciano and McDowell have already been listed as playing in minor league spring training games.

 

MORE:

 

Also, we learn that DSL RHP Juan Gomez missed the 2018 season with right elbow bursitis.

 

***

 

INF Tucker Neuhaus, who is entering his 7th season and will be eligible for minor league free agency next fall), will include the past three years here, it's been rough:

 

2018 - Missed the remainder of the season after being placed on the 7-day disabled list with a right shoulder contusion on 7/12; underwent right shoulder surgery on 7/31. 2017 - Missed the remainder of the season after being placed on the 7-day disabled list on 7/22 with a left knee strain. 2016 - Missed the rest of the season after being placed on the disabled list on 4/16 with a right wrist fracture.

 

***

 

LHP Drake Owenby (12th round, 2015) - Missed the entire 2018 season with a left elbow strain; underwent "Tommy John" surgery on 8/9.

 

***

 

LHP Drew Rasmussen, last summer's 6th round pick out of Oregon State, he's throwing this spring in camp (quite well, reportedly), here's his history:

 

2018 - Missed the entire season as he recovered from "Tommy John" surgery. 2017 - Underwent his second "Tommy John" surgery on 8/23/17. 2016 - Underwent "Tommy John" surgery on 3/29/16.

 

Was previously drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 39th round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft and the Tampa Bay Rays in the Competitive Balance Round A (31st overall) in the 2017 First-Year Player Draft, but did not sign

 

***

 

RHP Austin Rubick (20th round, 2017): 2018 - Missed the remainder of the season after being placed on the 7-day disabled list on 7/25 with a left oblique strain

 

***

 

RHP Matt Smith (34th round, 2016): 2018 - Missed the entire season as he recovered from "Tommy John" surgery. 2017 - Missed the entire season after undergoing “Tommy John” surgery on 6/1.

 

NOTE: Baseball Reference shows Smith making eight appearances for the Road Warriors of the independent Atlantic League, a rare miscue on their part

 

***

 

RHP Tyler Spurlin (NDFA, 2013): 2018 - Missed the entire season after undergoing "Tommy John" surgery on 3/9. 2017 - Missed the entire season with a right elbow sprain.

 

***

 

LHP Quintin Torres-Costa (35th round, 2015): 2018 - Underwent "Tommy John" surgery on 9/13

 

***

 

LHP Christian Trent (24th round, 2015): 2018 - Missed the entire season after undergoing "Tommy John" surgery on 2/13. 2017 - Missed the season due to a left forearm strain.

 

***

 

RHP Andrew Vernon (28th round, 2016): 2018 - Missed the entire season as he recovered from "Tommy John" surgery. 2017 - Missed the remainder of the season after being

placed on the 7-day disabled list on 8/10; underwent “Tommy John” surgery on 10/19.

 

***

 

RHP Nash Walters (3rd round, 2015): 2018 - Missed the entire season as he recovered from "Tommy John" surgery. 2017 - Missed the entire season with a right elbow strain; underwent “Tommy John” surgery on 9/19.

[clancyphile]

So THAT is what happened with Drake Owenby...

 

I had wondered why he'd vanished after starting out pretty well.

[Mass Haas]

Good luck in the future to Brewers farmhand middle infielder Trever Morrison (12th round, 2016, out of Oregon State), who has reportedly retired. Morrison, soon to be 24, split 2018 between Wisconsin and Carolina. Bat never quite got going, even out of the gate in Helena.

 

[Mass Haas]

16-year-old pitcher signing out of Colombia, have to love translated articles:

 

Fray Mórelo became this coming new player from Santiago de Tolú to be signed by an organization of organized baseball in the United States.

 

The 16-year-old baseball player signed a contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, after being assessed his strong arm and power at bat.

 

In tests prior to the contract, which was carried out at the Notaria Única de Santiago de Tolú, he made launches of 92 miles and proved his great talent as the king of sports.

 

This is the product of years of constant and disciplined work, which was carried out with the professional advice of a particular coach in the city of Cartagena, according to the player.

 

The athlete was happy and at the same time committed to giving even more on the pitch, now representing the team whose major league roster plays in the Central Division of the National League.

 

Asterio Mórelo Julio and Senith González, parents of the athlete, also celebrated with great joy this achievement, also applauded by the fans of Sucre, especially the Toludeña.

 

The signing of the contract was developed with Teófilo Gutiérrez and José Luis Barraza, representatives of Milwaukee and was attended by parents, grandparents and close relatives of the player several times called to Selection Colombia.

 

Fray Mórelo González started practicing the discipline of baseball at the age of 6 years at the Astros Amigos school, directed by the toludeño Óscar Luis González, who discovered his potential.

 

***

 

[zagski6]

Good luck in the future to Brewers farmhand middle infielder Trever Morrison (12th round, 2016, out of Oregon State), who has reportedly retired. Morrison, soon to be 24, split 2018 between Wisconsin and Carolina. Bat never quite got going, even out of the gate in Helena.

That's too bad! He is one of the most genuine players I've ever met! Best of luck Trever!

[JDBrewCrew]

Brewers Player Dev

‏

 

@BrewersPD

1h1 hour ago

More

Player moves: RHPs Mitch McIntyre, Jorge Ortega, Jesus Brea, & Jenri Montas have been released. Also released, OFs Jay Feliciano & Nicolas Pierre. INF Trever Morrison has retired.

[clancyphile]

Brewers Player Dev

‏

 

@BrewersPD

1h1 hour ago

More

Player moves: RHPs Mitch McIntyre, Jorge Ortega, Jesus Brea, & Jenri Montas have been released. Also released, OFs Jay Feliciano & Nicolas Pierre. INF Trever Morrison has retired.

 

Can't believe they released Ortega... that guy had outstanding control. Guess he never got back from his injury.

 

Also thought Jay Feliciano had a ton of potential.

[82brewcrew82]

More to it than looking at the back of a baseball card. All but McIntyre were international signings.

[82brewcrew82]

Some additional Dominican Summer League kids coming stateside (links to Baseball Reference pages):

 

17-year-old Venezuelan C/1B Jesus Chirinos (turns 18 on July 27th) - .254/.394/.387 line (.782 OPS in his rookie 2018 season); his dad was a former Brewer farmhand

 

18-year-old Venezuelan starting RHP Leoner Colina - Only 17 walks and a 2.31 ERA in 13 starts in his debut campaign, he was signed for only $15,000

 

18-year-old Venezuelan OF Oswel Leones - LH bat played primarily LF/RF in his debut 2018 season (two games in CF), a sweet .289/.389/.374 line (.763 OPS), more walks (28) than K's (25) in 225 AB's. It's not likely Leones was a big-bonus signee, as that info was never released.

 

17-year-old Venezuelan 2B/3B/1B Luis Silva (turns 18 on July 6th) - 44 of 50 base hits were singles, but only 26 K's in 210 AB's gets one to the Arizona Rookie League

 

19-year-old Venezuelan C/1B Roberto Molina - Regardless of country of origin, if your last name is Molina, you are a catcher (Yadier and brothers are from Puerto Rico). Roberto is the only player here with two seasons in the Brewers' system.

 

Brewers seem to hit consistently with their Venezuelan signings, and by "hit", mean find prospects of early interest and potential. None of these five received significant bonuses.

Is Valerio up as well or is he expected to be in the DSL again?

[And That]

Valerio is currently assigned to the DSL club. He is not currently in stateside spring training.

[82brewcrew82]

Valerio is currently assigned to the DSL club. He is not currently in stateside spring training.

Interesting. Obviously a lot goes into he decision to bring a player stateside but given his numbers (and the fact that they traded for him) would suggest a stateside bump. I wonder if he gets DSL ABs and then gets bumped when the short season teams begin play.

[JDBrewCrew]

Adam McCalvy

Verfied

@AdamMcCalvy

15h15 hours ago

The Brewers have signed RHP Michael Tonkin to a Minor League deal. Pitched for the Twins from 2013-17 before spending last season in Japan. He'd been in the Rangers' camp.

 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=tonkin001mic

[packer822]

is there a site where I can see box scores for AAA and AA and A spring training games?

[And That]

is there a site where I can see box scores for AAA and AA and A spring training games?

No. There are no formal records kept online.