2021 Minor League Transaction Thread

[damuelle]

Five Biloxi Shuckers have elected free agency:

 

OF - Mitch Longo - 26 - signed in May after Indians' release, then carried the Biloxi offense for most of the year - .891 OPS in 293 PAs at Biloxi, though struggled in limited AAA action (.528 OPS in 59 PAs)

 

OF - Alexander Palma - 26 - signed in November 2019 - .705 OPS in 347 PAs at Biloxi

 

LHP - Leo Crawford - 24 - acquired from Dodgers in December for Corey Knebel - 4.92 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 9.3 K/9 in 64.0 innings at Biloxi

 

RHP - Jesus Castillo - 26 - signed in December 2019 - 4.74 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 5.7 K/9 in 95.0 innings at Biloxi and struggled in limited AAA action (6.75 ERA. 1.50 WHIP, 9.3 K/9 in 10.2 innings)

 

RHP - Brooks Hall - 31 - signed in June from the independent Lancaster Barnstormers in return to Brewers who'd drafted him in 2009 (elected FA in 2016) - injured in his 2nd appearance this year - 9.82 ERA, 1.91 WHIP, 14.7 K/9 in 3.2 innings at Biloxi

[damuelle]

RHP Hobie Harris has been signed to a minor league contract and invited to major league spring training.

 

INF Andruw Monasterio has been signed to a minor league contract and invited to major league spring training.

 

Both moves were reported by Will Sammon, who mentioned that Harris has hit 99mph.

 

The 28-year old Harris was originally a 31st round draft pick of the Yankees in 2015. The Blue Jays claimed him in the AAA portion of the Rule 5 draft in December 2019 and he posted a 3.92 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 10.5 K/9 in 43.2 innings (42 relief appearances) with their AAA affiliate in 2021.

 

The 24-year old RHH Monasterio was signed by the Cubs as a 16-year old from Venezuela. He was traded to the Nationals in August 2018, then dealt again to the Indians in December 2018. He split his 2021 season between AA and AAA, posting an OPS of .812 in 434 PAs (.818 in AA, .799 in AAA), starting 50 games at 3B, 27 games at 2B and 21 games at SS.

[damuelle]

- RHP Evan Reifert traded to Tampa Bay for IF Mike Brosseau

 

22-year old Reifert was signed as an undrafted free agent in July 2020 from the University of Central Missouri, when the draft was limited to just 5 rounds. He was terrific in his debut professional season, principally at High-A Wisconsin, where he posted a 2.29 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 15.4 K/9 in 51.0 innings. He also threw 9.0 innings at Low-A Carolina.

 

27-year old RHH Brosseau struggled this year between AAA (.724 OPS in 202 PAs) and the majors (.613 OPS in 169 PAs). However, his AAA/MLB numbers across 2019-2021 look better (.869 OPS in 517 PAs in AAA; .749 OPS in 409 PAs in MLB), since he hit well in 2019 and 2020. In the 2019-2021 period in AAA/MLB, he played 44.1% of the time at 3B, 28.4% at 2B, 16.3% at 1B, 5.5% in the outfield, 5.4% at SS and 0.2% pitching.

[brewmann04]

As per Tom H #Brewers sign RHP Jason Alexander, RHP Trevor Kelley and OF Jonathan Davis to minor league deals with invites to spring training.

[CheeseheadInQC]

As per Tom H #Brewers sign RHP Jason Alexander, RHP Trevor Kelley and OF Jonathan Davis to minor league deals with invites to spring training.

Until I looked him up and realized it was a different player, I thought that the Brewers had 1. brought back Johnny Davis and 2. he'd gotten formal.

[damuelle]

As per Tom H #Brewers sign RHP Jason Alexander, RHP Trevor Kelley and OF Jonathan Davis to minor league deals with invites to spring training.

 

I feel like we’re filling out our AAA roster earlier than last year:

 

- 28-year old RHP Trevor Kelley was drafted by the Red Sox in 2015 and was consistently solid in the minors from 2016-2019. He made his MLB debut in July 2019 (8.1 innings in MLB that year), spent 2020 with the Phillies (3.1 innings in MLB) and 2021 with the Braves (AAA Gwinnett: 1.52 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 10.0 K/9 in 41.1 innings, though somehow not promoted to MLB this year).

 

- 28-year old RHP Jason Alexander was undrafted, but joined the Angels in 2017. In 2018/2019, his numbers across AA/AAA were 5.77 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 7.6 K/9 in 168.5 innings. Released in June 2020, he signed with the Marlins in April 2021. Injured for 3 months this year, he only threw 17.2 innings in 6 games in AA/AAA in 2021, posting a 1.57 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 10.5 K/9.

 

- 29-year old OF Jonathan Davis was drafted by the Blue Jays in 2013, made his MLB debut in September 2018, claimed by the Yankees in August 2021, DFA’d and outrighted in September 2021. He’s only posted a .520 OPS in 259 PAs in MLB, though with 11 stolen bases (vs. 2 caught stealing). In AAA, he’s put up a .772 OPS in 640 PAs across 3 seasons with 25 stolen bases (vs. 7 caught stealing), but that includes 352 PAs during the juiced ball 2019-AAA season. In 2021, his MLB OPS was .425 (103 PAs) and his AAA OPS was .704 (86 PAs).

[Smichaelis9]

As per Tom H #Brewers sign RHP Jason Alexander, RHP Trevor Kelley and OF Jonathan Davis to minor league deals with invites to spring training.

 

I feel like we’re filling out our AAA roster earlier than last year:

 

- 28-year old RHP Trevor Kelley was drafted by the Red Sox in 2015 and was consistently solid in the minors from 2016-2019. He made his MLB debut in July 2019 (8.1 innings in MLB that year), spent 2020 with the Phillies (3.1 innings in MLB) and 2021 with the Braves (AAA Gwinnett: 1.52 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 10.0 K/9 in 41.1 innings, though somehow not promoted to MLB this year).

 

- 28-year old RHP Jason Alexander was undrafted, but joined the Angels in 2017. In 2018/2019, his numbers across AA/AAA were 5.77 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 7.6 K/9 in 168.5 innings. Released in June 2020, he signed with the Marlins in April 2021. Injured for 3 months this year, he only threw 17.2 innings in 6 games in AA/AAA in 2021, posting a 1.57 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 10.5 K/9.

 

- 29-year old OF Jonathan Davis was drafted by the Blue Jays in 2013, made his MLB debut in September 2018, claimed by the Yankees in August 2021, DFA’d and outrighted in September 2021. He’s only posted a .520 OPS in 259 PAs in MLB, though with 11 stolen bases (vs. 2 caught stealing). In AAA, he’s put up a .772 OPS in 640 PAs across 3 seasons with 25 stolen bases (vs. 7 caught stealing), but that includes 352 PAs during the juiced ball 2019-AAA season. In 2021, his MLB OPS was .425 (103 PAs) and his AAA OPS was .704 (86 PAs).

Looks like Alexander was at Menlo College at the same time as Lucas Erceg. The head coach of Menlo at that time was Jake McKinley, who’s currently the director of player development initiatives for the Brewers. This feels like an interesting pickup. Wonder if he figured something out with the Marlins last season with his slider, which was described as “slurvy” when he was coming out of college.

[brewmann04]

Thanks for the info on the new additions

[damuelle]

Guardians Trade J.C. Mejia To Brewers

 

“The Brewers have acquired right-hander J.C. Mejia from the Guardians in exchange for a player to be named later or cash, the teams announced.”

 

25-year old RHP Mejia was signed by Cleveland from the Dominican Republic in November 2013, spent 3 seasons in the Dominican Summer League and 3 seasons in the low minors (Rk, A-, A, A+) before making the big leap to AAA/MLB in 2021. He was solid in the 3 low-minor seasons: 3.00 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 10.0 K/9 in 168.0 innings (24 starts in 47 games). Of course, he then struggled mightily at AAA/MLB in 2021: 7.81 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, 8.6 K/9 in 77.2 innings (17 starts in 27 games). He is likely out of options, unless MLB reinstates one based on a 2019 injury that caused him to miss about 75% of that season.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/11/guardians-trade-j-c-mejia-brewers.html

Edited November 22, 2021 by damuelle

[brewmann04]

Let’s hope it Cash

[nate82]

Let’s hope it Cash

 

More than likely is someone who isn't being protected during the rule 5 draft. If they don't get picked they will go to Cleveland if they get picked it will be cash.

[ClosetBrewerFan]

Mejia looks like a good gamble assuming they dont give up much. Considering he was DFAd, I assume they did not. As recently as 2019, he was listed as Cleveland's #16th prospect per MLB where he was successful as a starting pitcher. He had a very poor 2021 at both AAA and ML, but he was clearly rushed. He skipped over AA this year. He may need to return to relief pitching where his 93mph sinker may get a few more ticks up. He also has a decent ground ball rate so he may play well in Amfam.

[Mass Haas]

Baseball America reports the following Brewer minor league releases:

 

For now, just the Player Pages are linked here. As we prefer to do, either myself or damuelle (who has done such a wonderful job here in 2021 during my prolonged absence) will fill in and highlight their past efforts within the next day or so. Good luck to each in all endeavors, baseball or otherwise.

 

Corner IF/OF Gabriel Garcia

 

Corner OF/1B Chad Spanberger

 

LHP Cody Beckman

 

RHP Freisis Adames

 

RHP Keegan McCarville

 

If they had gone on and completed the upcoming 2022 seasons, specifically Garcia and Adames would have qualified for minor league free agency at season's end.

[Mass Haas]

In alumni news, Baseball America also reported:

 

Reds released RHP Karsen Lindell

 

Astros brought back RHP Jon Olczak

 

Angels brought back 1B Jake Gatewood

 

Athletics signed RHP Trey Supak (did not pitch in 2021)

 

Pirates brought back LHP Nathan Kirby

 

Padres signed RHP Jordan Brink

[zagski6]

In alumni news, Baseball America also reported:

 

Reds released RHP Karsen Lindell

 

Astros brought back RHP Jon Olczak

 

Angels brought back 1B Jake Gatewood

 

Athletics signed RHP Trey Supak (did not pitch in 2021)

 

Pirates brought back LHP Nathan Kirby

 

Padres signed RHP Jordan Brink

 

Colorado signed RHP Michael Petersen, who pitched in the system from 2015 through 2019

[damuelle]

Thank you Mass Haas for the transaction news and note of appreciation, however unfortunate the cuts may be. Three of these were mild surprises to me, though obviously the team knows best.

 

- 23-year old Puerto Rican RHH Gabriel Garcia was a 14th round pick in the 2016 draft from Broward College (FL). He posted great seasons in 2016 (AZL) and 2017 (Helena), a down 2018 (Low-A) and a respectable 2019 (Low-A), before somewhat aggressively spending over half of 2021 in AA. First 4 seasons: .238/.354/.402 in 1,154 PAs, bolstered by 97 extra-base hits. This year split between High-A and AA: .217/.295/.372 in 234 PAs. Third base and first base accounted for 97.3% of his innings in the field in 2021.

 

- 26-year old Ilinoisan LHH Chad Spanberger was acquired from the Blue Jays for Chase Anderson in November 2019, having been previously drafted by the Rockies (2017 – 6th round) and traded to Toronto in 2018. His 2017-2019 numbers looked solid from High-Rookie to AA: .274/.340/.501 in 1,259 PAs, including 59 homers. His sole year in the Brewer system was a tale of two extreme halves (nearly entirely at AA Biloxi): .564 OPS through 168 miserable PAs, then a .779 OPS over his last 172 PAs, for a combined slash of .202/.285/.387. This year, he spent 58% of his time in RF, 32% at 1B, 10% in LF.

 

- 27-year old Floridian LHP Cody Beckman was a 30th round pick in the 2017 draft from N.C. State. His 2017 and first half-2018 numbers looked good through AZL, Helena and Low-A Wisconsin: 3.03 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 9.6 K/9 in 59.1 innings. But things got shaky in High-A and AA from late 2018 through 2021: 5.15 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, 9.6 K/9 in 129.1 innings, including a 6.36 ERA and 1.71 WHIP this year in Biloxi.

 

- 25-year old Dominican RHP Freisis Adames was signed in December 2015 and put up four consecutive seasons of sub-4.00 ERA, sub-1.25 WHIP in the DSL (2 years), AZL and Low-A, accumulating a combined 3.50 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 8.7 K/9 in 228.2 innings. A bit old for High-A Wisconsin in 2021, the Brewers gave him a shot there anyway, but this ended up being his most difficult campaign: 5.57 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 8.2 K/9 in 82.1 innings.

 

- 23-year old Arizonan RHP Keegan McCarville was a 36th round pick in the 2019 draft from Santa Clara. After a fabulous 2019 debut in the AZL, the Covid washout of 2020 and a 2021 injury limited any chance to build on his early success. AZL 2019 numbers: 1.72 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 11.3 K/9 in 36.2 innings (all in relief). After missing May and June 2021 with injury, he pitched principally at Low-A Carolina, registering a 7.71 ERA, 1.76 WHIP, 10.0 K/9 in 23.1 innings in 2021 (again all in relief).

 

We wish all five gentlemen good luck and fortune in their upcoming endeavors.

[damuelle]

On December 1st, the Brewers traded SS David Hamilton and 3B Alex Binelas to Boston as part of the Jackie Bradley Jr. - Hunter Renfroe trade.

 

- 24-year old Texan David Hamilton was an 8th round pick in 2019 from the University of Texas. An injury prevented a 2019 debut in the Brewers' system, then Covid pushed him to independent ball for "Team Texas" of the Constellation Energy League in 2020. Finally debuting at High-A Wisconsin in 2021, he posted a solid .773 OPS in 309 PAs with 41 stolen bases (vs. 6 caught stealing) before being promoted to AA Biloxi, where he put up a .736 OPS in 150 PAs with 11 stolen bases (vs. 3 caught stealing). In all, he started 87 games at shortstop and 13 at second base this season. Hamilton also recently saw time in the Arizona Fall League, delivering a .916 OPS in 53 PAs with 4 stolen bases (vs. 2 caught stealing).

 

21-year old Wisconsinite Alex Binelas was a 3rd round pick in 2021 from the University of Louisville. Quickly acclimating to the minor leagues, he posted a .973 OPS in 159 PAs this year, principally at Low-A Carolina, including 9 home runs. He made 26 starts at third base and 4 starts at first base whilst a Brewer minor leaguer.

 

Good luck young men!

[damuelle]

In today's MILB Rule 5 Draft, the Brewers brought RHP Caleb Boushley back to his roots (from the Padres), while losing Catcher Kekai Rios to the Dodgers.

 

- 28-year old Caleb Boushley was born in Hortonville and attended UW-La Crosse before being drafted in the 33rd round of the 2017 draft by the Padres. After a rocky 2017 debut principally in Arizona Rookie Ball, he put up decent numbers in 2018 (mainly Low-A) and 2019 (at High-A): combined 3.23 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 9.0 K/9 in 175.1 innings, including 11 starts and 53 relief appearances. In 2021, he made the leap to AA (35.2 innings) and AAA (80.0 innings), not surprisingly stumbling a bit: 5.21 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 8.5 K/9 across 23 starts and 1 relief appearance.

 

- 24-year old Hawaiian Kekai Rios was a 28th round draft pick in 2018 from the University of Hawaii. He had a .986 OPS in 60 PAs in Arizona Rookie Ball before plummeting to a .511 OPS in 109 PAs at Low-A Wisconsin in 2019. But in 2021, he contributed a solid .766 OPS in 144 PAs at High-A Wisconsin, though struggled in brief time at AA Biloxi (combined .711 OPS this year). It's worth noting that he also threw out 23 of 57 base stealers (40%), well above the 19% and 12% he'd achieved in 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

Good luck to Kekai Rios and Welcome Home to Caleb Boushley!

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Milwaukee Brewers

@Brewers

· 7m

C Jakson Reetz, OF Garrett Whitley and RHP Moises Gomez have been signed to Minor League contracts with invitations to Major League camp.

 

Whitley is a name that many fans should find familiar. He's a former Top 100 prospect and is a 1st round pick (#13 overall) of the Rays in 2015. 24 years old now. Solid numbers in AA last season before looking overmatched in 30 games at the AAA level it appears. Still, he's a really good athlete. Probably not a terrible type to take a flyer on.

 

Reetz also has some prospect pedigree as a former 3rd round pick of the Nats.

[markedman5]

Brewers Player Development

@BrewersPD

·

4m

RHP Arnaldo Hernandez and 1B Jonathan Singleton have been signed to minor league contracts.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Brewers Player Development

@BrewersPD

·

4m

RHP Arnaldo Hernandez and 1B Jonathan Singleton have been signed to minor league contracts.

 

Singleton is kind of a blast from the past. Hasn't played affiliated ball since 2017, and was most recently suspended for drug use. Somehow he's only 30 years old, though. He's always had prodigious power, but has been kind of a knucklehead in the past off the field. On the field, he's always K'd a ton.

[damuelle]

Six intriguing MILB signings, which others have noted:

 

- 31-year old North Carolinian RHH 1B Tyler White was a 33rd round pick of the Astros in 2013 from Western Carolina University. He made his MLB debut in April 2016 and posted a .725 OPS across 859 PAs over 4 seasons with the Astros and Dodgers. Outrighted in February 2020, he tried his luck in Korea and promptly broke a finger, then a hand, playing only 9 games. He spent 2021 in AAA for the Blue Jays, where he posted .292/.424/.900 in 443 PAs, with a terrific 80 walks vs. 73 Ks. He had similar BB/K numbers from 2013-2015 and part of 2018, so perhaps he’s returned to his old approach. Tyler elected free agency in November 2021.

 

- 24-year old Venezuelan RHP Moises Gomez was signed by the Twins in April 2014, putting up quality numbers every year except 2017. After a 2019 season of 2.91 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 13.3 K/9 in 52.2 innings in Low-A and High-A and a 2020 Covid wipe-out, he elected free agency in November 2020 and signed with the Mariners. Terrific in AA in 2021 (1.23 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 7.7 K/9 in 29.1 innings), he ran into trouble in AAA (5.94 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 9.7 K/9 in 16.2 innings). I’m guessing Moises elected free agency after the season. He's made just 13 starts in 142 MILB games.

 

- 30-year old Californian LHH 1B Jonathan Singleton was an 8th round pick of the Phillies in 2009 from Millikan HS. He made his MLB debut with the Astros in June 2014, delivering a .621 OPS in 420 PAs over 2 seasons. Outrighted in November 2016, he spent 2017 in AA (.205/.376/.397 in 500 PAs, with 107 walks and 132 Ks). He was suspended in January 2018 after failing a 3rd drug test. Missing 3 seasons, Jonathan resurfaced in the Mexican League in 2021, posting the best OPS in the league: .321/.503/.693 in 189 PAs, with 51 walks and 50 Ks.

 

- 24-year old New Yorker RHH LF Garrett Whitley was a 1st round pick (13th overall) of the Rays in 2015 from Niskayuna HS. He slashed .229/.338/.444 in 347 PAs in AA and AAA in 2021 (.880 OPS in AA, .570 OPS in AAA), boosted by 34 extra base hits. This was quite similar to his 2019 season in High-A: .226/.339/.412 in 439 PAs, boosted by 42 extra base hits. Garrett elected free agency in November 2021.

 

- 25-year old Venezuelan RHP Arnaldo Hernandez was signed by the Royals in September 2012. He was solid every season except 2016, registering an interesting 3.55 ERA, 1.10 WHIP but only 5.6 K/9 in 58.1 AAA innings in 2018, then being selected for 40-man roster in November 2018. Arnaldo’s 2019 season was unkind (6.39 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, 5.5 K/9 in 105.2 AAA innings, though was fine in 23.0 AA innings) and he was outrighted in November 2019. After a blank Covid season, he elected free agency in November 2020. Arnaldo started 2021 in Mexico, got shelled and released after 9.2 innings, subsequently rebounding with 14.0 decent innings in the independent Atlantic League. A starter through 2019, in this 2021 season Arnaldo principally pitched in relief. He’s presently playing and struggling in the Venezuelan Winter League.

 

- 25-year old Nebraskan RHH C Jakson Reetz was a 3rd round pick of the Nationals in 2014 from Norris HS. He made his MLB debut in July 2021, got 2 PAs (double, flyout), was outrighted in September and elected free agency in November. Jakson spent most of 2021 in AA, putting up a slash of .189/.297/.317 in 300 PAs across AA and AAA. He threw out 17 of 72 potential base stealers this season (24%).

[Eye Black]

From former Astros front office member Kevin Goldstein (via Twitter)…

 

Jon Singleton is now 30 and hit 321/503/693 over 46 games in Mexico with a 27% walk rate and 15 HR in 137 ABs. He also played his home games in Mexico City, where my 10-pound dog could probably slug .400. Altitude is 50% higher than Denver.

 

Also, re: Jon Singleton. Remember the barrel-chested beefy guy he was the last time you saw him play? He's absolutely ripped now. It would be totally fun if he ended up being good again.

 

 

Below is the evidence that Jon Singleton does indeed appear to have been working out since we last saw him…

 

[TURBO]

I sure hope that MLB never goes to all that advertising on the uniforms. It's bad enough that we have to look at the nike swoosh on everything, but adding more sponsorship on the unis would really suck.

 

NBA has started, hopefully we never see it in MLB.

[jerichoholicninja]

Coincidently (or not), Singleton's contract extension he signed with the Astros ended this year.