Brewers sign Burch Smith to MiLB deal w/invite to ST

[wildcat2237]

Minor League contract with invite to spring training.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/01/brewers-sign-burch-smith-minors.html

 

Likely a AAA rotation piece. But maybe a bullpen option at some point.

 

Mods: Please move to minor league forum if appropriate.

[And That]

Burch Smith sounds like the name of an ill-fated sheriff in a mid 1960's western.

 

Also, he throws a FB/CH/CB, and I would imagine slot into San Antonio's rotation. He misses bats (especially with his FB) and I would not be surprised to see him in Milwaukee at some point. He was a Rule 5 pick last year and spent all season on KC's roster after recovering from Tommy John and missing all of '15-'16. Would probably benefit from re-asserting himself against AAA hitters.

[FVBrewerFan]

1) He has Hader hair

 

2) He gives up a ton of HRs, walks everyone, ERA a tick under 7.00 and WHIP of 1.7. WAR -2.0 for his career. That's really hard to do in just 114 innings. Other than that, great pitcher.

 

3) My advice to him, study the flight schedules between SA and Milw

[djoctagone]

smith enters 2019 spring training with three minor league options. he has been outrighted to the minor leagues once before.

 

the brewers have five non-roster invitees for 2019.

[jerichoholicninja]

What I find interesting is the Royals traded for him as a Rule 5 pick, kept him on the roster all of 2018 while he was getting blasted to keep his rights, and then released him. What exactly was the purpose of that?

[3and2Fastball]

What I find interesting is the Royals traded for him as a Rule 5 pick, kept him on the roster all of 2018 while he was getting blasted to keep his rights, and then released him. What exactly was the purpose of that?

 

Pitching is worth rolling the dice on, hoping to get a player turned around, especially in a rebuild.

[jerichoholicninja]

What I find interesting is the Royals traded for him as a Rule 5 pick, kept him on the roster all of 2018 while he was getting blasted to keep his rights, and then released him. What exactly was the purpose of that?

 

Pitching is worth rolling the dice on, hoping to get a player turned around, especially in a rebuild.

 

That's my point. Why go through all that and then just dump him? Seems kind of dumb from the Royals perspective.

[Mass Haas]

Smith was born in San Antonio, but went to high school in Tyler 300 miles away. But he'll be spending time near his roots with the Missions, to be sure.

[SRB]

I remember seeing this guy on TV last season (he's a memorable player), and he looked quite good. Granted it was against the Orioles I think, but I'm surprised at how terrible his end of season numbers are.

[CheezWizHed]

What I find interesting is the Royals traded for him as a Rule 5 pick, kept him on the roster all of 2018 while he was getting blasted to keep his rights, and then released him. What exactly was the purpose of that?

 

Pitching is worth rolling the dice on, hoping to get a player turned around, especially in a rebuild.

 

That's my point. Why go through all that and then just dump him? Seems kind of dumb from the Royals perspective.

 

The only thing worse than making one mistake is holding on to it. They only traded away cash, so its not like they gave up a player. At 29 this year, KC obviously didn't see enough last year to bother.

[SRB]

We absurdly hid Wei-Chung Wang on the major league roster for an entire season and then a couple years later let him go for nothing even though his minor league numbers were decent.

[CheezWizHed]

And Wang promptly went to Taiwan and had a 4.26 ERA/1.48WHIP in the KBO league in this 26 yo season. More often than not those guys don't pan out. But occasionally you find gems.

[FVBrewerFan]

We absurdly hid Wei-Chung Wang on the major league roster for an entire season and then a couple years later let him go for nothing even though his minor league numbers were decent.

 

Didn't let him go, he chose to go to Taiwan.

[djoctagone]

burch smith has been reassigned to minor league camp. he is expected to be a starter for san antonio.

[TURBO]

What I find interesting is the Royals traded for him as a Rule 5 pick, kept him on the roster all of 2018 while he was getting blasted to keep his rights, and then released him. What exactly was the purpose of that?

 

Didn't we do the same thing with Wang?

[wntrtxn21]

What could the Brewers possibly see in this guy? He gave up 15 dingers and 60 runs in only 78 IPs. He also walked 40 and allowed 90 hits in those 78 IPs. WHIP of 1.67. All that in the weak AL Central. Only a minor lg. contract, so proabably a filler type guy who has next to zero of making it to the majors again.

[ClosetBrewerFan]

As long as he is not taking away starts from prospects. I've got Tomlin, F. Peralta, Z.Brown, and Supak starting at AAA. I would have expected A.Wilkerson to take the 5th starters role, though its a coin flip whether i would rather have Birch or Aaron starting. You can throw in Derby into the mix as well, but not too high on him either.

[jerichoholicninja]

What I find interesting is the Royals traded for him as a Rule 5 pick, kept him on the roster all of 2018 while he was getting blasted to keep his rights, and then released him. What exactly was the purpose of that?

 

Didn't we do the same thing with Wang?

 

WCW was in the organization for 3 years after his rule 5 season.

[Outlander]

Yes, but he was outrighted the year after being selected by the Brewers so anybody could have grabbed him.

[jerichoholicninja]

Yes, but he was outrighted the year after being selected by the Brewers so anybody could have grabbed him.

 

I believe your first outright doesn't require waivers, you just lose your roster spot.

[djoctagone]

burch smith has been designated for assignment. the brewers have seven days to outright or release smith from the organization.

 

if another team claims him, he can be optioned. if another team does not claim him, smith reserves the right to refuse the minor league assignment.

[adambr2]

Yes, but he was outrighted the year after being selected by the Brewers so anybody could have grabbed him.

 

I believe your first outright doesn't require waivers, you just lose your roster spot.

 

I don't think it works like that. Pretty sure any player has to clear waivers to be outrighted.

[djoctagone]

a player must first clear waivers in order for a club to attempt to outright him to the minor leagues--whether or not it's the first outright attempt or not.