For 2022 - Birthday Status Thread

[Mass Haas]

1/31/22:

 

Happy 27th Birthday, RHP Robbie Baker!

 

MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting)

 

Baker parlayed a strong independent ball performance in 2021 with the Grand Junction Rockies of the Pioneer League, which is now a "partner league" of MLB, to sign with the Brewers on August 13th.

 

Baker would then perform solidly in 11 relief appearances for the low-A Carolina Mudcats, where admittedly he was over four years older than the average pitcher in the league. Three of those appearances extended to three innings each.

 

Baker's road to Milwaukee:

 

Fine article on Baker signing with the Red Sox as an undrafted fifth-year senior with the University of Richmond

 

Baker's two summers in the Boston system were solid enough, but not enough to avoid the major paring of players across MiLB in spring of 2020 due to the Covid cancellation.

 

Read into this as you will, as the pitching breakdown is over two years old, but SoxProspects.com does their usual detailed analysis here.

 

Baker was closer to age of competition with Grand Junction (1.8 years older). As noted in these two tweets from the Rockies and backed up by the stat line in the first link above, Baker dominated.

 

VIDEO evidence

 

VIDEO (via Facebook Watch, three minutes): "Pioneer Baseball League sat down with Robbie Baker last week and asked him about his time with the GJ Rockies and the PBL"

 

A condensed version of that interview is shown here:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EptEgIyIcFI

 

Baker won't be back in Low-A to begin 2022. An assignment with the Timber Rattlers may not push him enough based on age, and a Biloxi placement to begin the season can't be ruled out.

[Mass Haas]

1/31/22:

 

Happy 19th Birthday, C Blayberg Diaz!

 

MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting)

 

Hey Brewers fans (well, you're here, you must be!) - Jeferson Quero wasn't the only 18-year-old Venezuelan catcher in Maryvale to catch (pun intended) the eyes of Milwaukee brass.

 

Blayberg Diaz (theme of the thread) is the only "Blayberg" in the history of pro baseball. Pirates should have signed him, no?

 

An unheralded part of the July 2nd 2019 international class, Baseball America mentioned that fall that Diaz was "trending up". That would have come from camp reports, as Diaz did not get to formally debut until this 2021 season.

 

That's a pretty 113 at-bats (.283/.354/.416 - .770 OPS). Diaz fanned in only 19.5% of his at-bats, and the four Arizona Complex home runs is nice to see. While the eight walks were a bit underwhelming, add in five HBP's and suddenly the OBP makes sense.

 

In 27 games behind the plate (26 starts), Diaz threw out 30.8% of baserunners (12-of-39). He did have nine passed balls but guiding Maryvale arms can be frustrating.

 

The young backstop finished strong, posting an .812 OPS in 46 August at-bats and an .885 OPS in 24 September at-bats.

 

Diaz has also turned up at camp for the Cardenales de Lara in the Venezuelan Winter League. As we often see with very young players, Diaz did not get formal at-bats in-season, but his time with the older players should prove invaluable. Here he is pictured in his Lara uniform.

 

Fine photos here:

 

Via Jerry Espinoza Photography

 

Via Phrake Photography

 

VIDEO: Sweet swing!

 

For a more extended look (just missing numerous fouls straight back before connecting):

 

 

In the pre-MiLB consolidation world, Diaz would be a prime candidate for "Advanced Rookie" ball in 2022, aka the Rocky Mountain Vibes. As is, there probably isn't room to squeeze him onto Carolina's catching corps. But Diaz could easily be overlooked by fans given Jeferson Quero's prospect status. Certainly, the Brewers must be pleased with Blayberg's debut with the organization.

[Mass Haas]

1/31/22:

 

Happy 17th Birthday, LHP Wande Torres!

 

Just signed on January 15th out of the Dominican Republic, the southpaw is listed at 6'3", 190. And at that age, still growing that frame, wow. MLB.com lists Torres' bonus as $38,700.

 

How do these kids already have a baseball card line? Anyway, there's your photo.

 

***

 

After a day off Tuesday, the Birthday Thread returns on Groundhog Day, and a player befitting that day's association.

[Mass Haas]

2/2/22:

 

Happy 29th Birthday, RHP Adrian Houser!

 

MLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting)

 

We'll tend to focus more on the details and current status of Milwaukee's minor leaguers in this thread. That said, we certainly won't avoid wishing the big-league Brewers well, and today that's Adrian Houser.

 

How fitting that the ground ball specialist, who once again dazzled in that category in 2021, a 59.0% ground ball percentage, second among starting pitchers to only the Giants' Logan Webb (61.7%), is the only current player in the organization born on Groundhog Day.

 

Here's a minor league tidbit on Houser -- an incredible five teams that he played for no longer exist:

 

Greeneville in the Appalachian League

Tri-City in the NY-Penn League

Quad Cities in the Midwest League

Lancaster in the California League

Colorado Springs in the Pacific Coast League

 

One final minor league note - how fortunate were the Brewers that Adrian was assigned a 4th minor league option year to allow him to continue a proper development pace?

 

Players typically have three option years, but those who have accrued less than five full seasons (including both the Major and Minors) are eligible for a fourth if their three options have been exhausted already.

 

***

 

As far as 2021 goes, September 4th was surely a special night!

 

'He’s getting better': Houser's impressive '21

Adam McCalvy, MLB.com

 

***

 

Also in 2021, well hello there, Daniel Castano!

 

 

 

***

 

Heading to 2019 for a

that well, is painted with vivid color

 

***

 

Finally, Baseball Reference, can we update your nickname notation on Adrian's page? It's not spelled Doogy.

 

[Mass Haas]

2/3/22:

 

Happy 19th Birthday, RHP Yorman Galindez!

 

Just signed on January 15th out of Venezuela, Galindez is listed at 6'1", 160.

 

As per MLB.com, his signing bonus was $10,000.

 

Instagram Photos, including his signing

 

Heartfelt Facebook post on signing day

 

***

 

This thread goes idle for the next four days and returns on Tuesday February 8th.

[Mass Haas]

2/8/22:

 

Happy 25th Birthday, RHP Moises Gomez!

 

MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting)

 

Signed by the Brewers on December 15th, Gomez already has seven seasons in the Twins' system - technically six with the lost 2020 campaign - along with the 2021 season playing at the AA and AAA levels for the Mariners. His first three teenage seasons were in complex leagues, one in the Dominican Republic, two in Florida.

 

Despite this tweet from the Brewers indicating Gomez will be in big league camp this coming season (when it eventually opens), he is not listed on the club's non-roster invite page, but rather the Biloxi roster. However, the Brewers have not kept that page up-to-date. Also missing are catcher Jakson Reetz, OF Garrett Whitley, and 1B Tyler White, perhaps others.

 

From the time of his Crew signing:

 

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). He's made just 13 starts in 142 MILB games.

 

It's likely the Twins would have loved seeing what Gomez could have done in 2020. Gomez earned a spot in the Arizona Fall League after that 2019 season, but struggled with control there (9 BB, 15K in 11 IP). This is from TwinsDaily.com where they voted on the Twins Daily’s 2019 Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Year Award --

 

#3 – Moises Gomez, Cedar Rapids Kernels/Fort Myers Miracle: 32 Games, 1-4, 10 Saves, 3.59 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 52.2 IP, 28 H, 21 BB, 78 K (13.3/9IP)

 

"Surprised Gomez didn’t appear on more ballots from our voters, but of those where he did, I wasn’t the only one who ranked him #1. What stood out for me is that he maintained a sub-1.00 WHIP while having a K-rate north of 13/9 innings on the season and allowing just a .155 batting average and .507 OPS to opposing hitters. He was even more oppressive to same-sided hitters, holding righties to a .464 OPS and striking out 40.8% of them. He did not throw his first pitch until the calendar turned to May, but from then on, he was a model of consistency along with periods of dominance. In no single month did hitters post a batting average higher than .184 while in the month of June he had a 0.51 WHIP in 15 2/3 innings, and followed that up in July by posting a 1.93 ERA. It’s no coincidence those were the months he appeared on the award lists at #2 and #4 respectively." - Steve Lein

 

Gomez was a big league camp invite for Seattle last spring, but was reassigned rather early (March 16th). Gomez also participated in Olympic qualifying for Venezuela last summer, as did a few Brewer farmhands. He also has seen action in that country's winter leagues in prior seasons, but not '21-'22.

 

***

 

Instagram Page (he's donned the Brewers uniform already)

 

FYI - There is a longtime Rays' prospect OF currently a minor league free agent, also named Moises Gomez, and yes, they have faced each other.

 

***

 

Put together by his agency team, this video notes Gomez' repertoire:

 

 

***

 

Tomorrow (Wednesday the 9th), we'll profile another Brewers' "young but veteran" newcomer.

[Mass Haas]

2/9/22:

 

Happy 26th Birthday, RHP Arnaldo Hernandez!

 

MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting)

 

Listed as formally signing with the Brewers on a minor league deal on December 15th (no big league camp invite), word got out a bit earlier and this was posted here on the 9th:

 

25-year old Venezuelan RHP Arnaldo Hernandez was signed by the Royals in September 2012 at age 16. 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 Kansas City's 40-man roster in November 2018. Hernandez' 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. Hernandez 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.

 

Prior to making his full-season debut in the South Atlantic League in 2017, Hernandez, then a 20-year-old, had to serve a 50-game suspension (amphetamines).

 

This is the most thorough write-up on Hernandez, from February 2019:

 

Kansas City Royals: New Season Prospect Watch, Arnaldo Hernandez

 

Frustrating when vitals (height / weight) never get updated, you'll see from the various highlight videos, Hernandez is no longer rocking at 6'0", 175.

 

From his own Instagram, summer 2021

 

August 2018 - Career Highpoint (Complete Game Victory)

 

October 2018 Arizona Fall League via Baseball America

 

March 2019 - Six seconds highlighting fastball/offspeed/breaking stuff

 

May 2019 - Glove work!

 

May 2020 - Triple digits in "the cage"

 

December 2021 - Closing out a Venezuelan Winter League game

 

There's also a couple of extended video from Hernandez' Fall League stint, but keep in mind that these are now 3.5 years old:

 

 

 

Despite more AAA than AA experience, one could picture Hernandez opening 2022 in Biloxi's bullpen in his relatively new relief role.

 

***

 

Come back tomorrow (Thursday the 10th) for a "battery-powered" combo celebration.

[Mass Haas]

2/10/22:

 

Happy 29th Birthday, RHP Brandon Woodruff!

 

MLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting)

 

Unlike the minor leaguers where we do a deep career dive on their birthday posts, here's a tidbit or two.

 

The Texas Rangers drafted Woody in 2011 as a high schooler, and this wasn't one of those 40th round "thanks for acknowledging me" picks, they used a 5th round pick, as briefly discussed here. Texas' LHP 1st round pick that year, noted in that post, never reached the big leagues.

 

So, thank you, Mississippi State, for the development years and the lure away from the Rangers.

 

Do you remember that even as an 11h round pick, Woodruff signed in 2014 with the Crew for $2.7 million? I didn't. These days, that wouldn't happen:

 

"There is no bonus value assigned to draft slots after the 10th round, but if a club pays a signing bonus in excess of $125,000 to a player selected in the 11th round or later, the amount of that bonus in excess of $125,000 is deducted from the club’s Signing Bonus Pool."

 

We'll let you bask in six minutes of mostly a ton of K's, but then of course there's also one video we are contractually obligated to conclude our post with:

 

 

[Mass Haas]

2/10/22:

 

Happy 30th Birthday, RHP Omar Narvaez!

 

MLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting)

 

December 5th, 2019: Brewers acquire Omar Narvaez from the Mariners in exchange for minor league right-hander Adam Hill and a Competitive Balance draft pick (64th overall).

 

Hill, soon to be 25, has not developed as either Milwaukee or Seattle thought he might when acquired in trades. Stil not yet 21 years old, RHP Connor Phillips was the player taken by Seattle, and he struck out 13.1 per 9 in 76 innings last summer, so we'll see where his career goes (draft day analysis here).

 

Regardless, despite Narvaez' dreadful 2020 Covid-season, the Brewers aren't second-guessing that deal.

 

***

 

VIDEO: Here's Omar in the cage just a month ago, note the comments on the low-tee workout.

 

***

 

Enjoy the well-balanced defense/offense review:

 

 

***

 

You're in for a treat tomorrow (Friday the 11th). Be sure to come back.

[Mass Haas]

2/11/22:

 

Happy 23rd Birthday, OF Joey Wiemer!

 

MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting)

 

First official year in affiliated pro ball, due to the lost 2020 season. Incredible run for the 2020 4th round senior pick out of the University of Cincinnati ($150,000 bonus)

 

Wiemer Earns Robin Yount Performance Award

The Brewers named Joey Wiemer the club’s 2021 Minor League Player of the Year

 

We linked/tweeted to all of the articles, interviews, highlights, etc. throughout 2021. Hard to miss, actually.

 

Here are the prime cuts of the many available looks:

 

***

 

Pre-draft insights from Wiemer:

 

Wiemer hoping for the best with shortened MLB Draft

Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati Enquirer

 

***

 

June 20th, 2020 - Post-Draft Q&A:

 

Meet Joey Wiemer, 4th-round draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers

Getting to know the newest outfielder in the Brewers’ farm

By Brad Ford, BrewCrewBall

 

***

 

Via Fangraphs, on the mid-season change Wiemer made while at Carolina when he just took off:

 

A Conversation With Milwaukee Brewers Prospect Joey Wiemer

 

Wiemer: “I had talked to Zavier Warren, one of my teammates. I was hitting balls hard — I was happy with the contact I was making — but I really wasn’t getting the ball in the air. He said I should try to start lower in my stance, and that ended up cutting down my head movement. I became more compact and able to lift the ball more out of that.”

 

Thank you, Zavier (and Joey, of course!)

 

***

 

 

***

 

1:15 minute mark:

 

 

***

 

 

***

 

In this one, you've got to "wait for it", but worth it...

 

 

***

 

Videos within --

 

Wiemer stings ball during 4-hit night in Arizona Fall League

 

***

 

Just posted yesterday!

 

VIDEO Via Aram Leighton - Talking Hitting with Joey Wiemer

 

***

 

It's going to be tough (OK, impossible) for our next recipient of birthday greetings to top the production we saw from Joey Wiemer in 2021. But as far as top Brewer prospects go, this Valentine's Day birthday boy had a heck of a season.

 

The thread takes the weekend off, come back Monday the 14th with hearts afire.

[Mass Haas]

2/14/22:

 

Happy 25th Birthday, LHP Ethan Small!

 

MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting)

 

Ethan Small Recognized As Brewers' Minor League Pitcher of the Year

Former Mississippi State Lefty Made Eight of 18 Appearances With Biloxi in 2021

By Garrett Greene/Biloxi Shuckers

 

Celebrating a birthday just three days after the award-winner on the offensive side did (see one post above, what are those odds of the consecutive posts in this mega-thread?!), we wish Ethan a great Valentine's Day with his bride Hannah. Speaking of holiday celebrations, check out the wedding date on this very cool cake.

 

As with any first-round pick and with a successful start to his pro career, there has been plenty previously posted on Small. Here are some highlights, we always lean towards the video/audio interviews, always insightful to hear directly from the player.

 

The plethora of scouting reports from Draft Day 2019

 

***

 

8/24/20:

 

Via the Journal Sentinel Brewers Podcast: Ethan Small (at the 30:30 minute mark)

 

***

 

March 2021 via Fangraphs:

 

Sunday Notes: Ethan Small is a Sneaky-Fast Southpaw

 

***

 

Mid-June 2021 interviews in Biloxi with the local news outlets:

 

WLOX

 

WXXV

 

***

 

This video package from Small's final AA start on June 18th is a favorite

 

***

 

July 1st interview with Jeff Hem on the Nashville Pre-Game Show

 

***

 

Brewers Lefthander Ethan Small Unveils New Grip On His Slider

Tom Haudricourt for Baseball America

 

***

 

And finally, from just over a week ago:

 

Via Biloxi's Garrett Greene's Shuckin' Around interview series --

 

Apple Link

 

Spotify Link

 

 

 

***

 

Come back tomorrow (Tuesday the 15th) for the story of a fantastic rookie level mound debut season.

[Mass Haas]

2/15/22:

 

Happy 20th Birthday, RHP Miguel Segura!

 

MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting)

 

Segura signed out of Venezuela as part of the July 2019 class (photo rocking a bow tie), and then immediately lost his age 18 season in 2020.

 

But count Segura among several rather unheralded very young and statistically impressive Brewers international arms who we will spotlight as the year goes on.

 

First, please review the season-long numbers linked above.

 

Then, for a clearer picture of how Segura's career began, review his game log page.

 

Ridiculous first month, right? Those first two appearances netted Segura DSL Pitcher of the Week honors. That 2nd game ever (5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 11 K) marked the first time a Milwaukee pitcher fanned 11 or more in a DSL game since RHP Wilbur Perez (since traded to the White Sox) spun this beauty in 2018.

 

Back to the game logs to see how Segura didn't miss a beat upon his Maryvale debut August 20th. Notice the two game log lines on August 27th multiple time zones apart? Yeah, that was a fun Link Report oddity.

 

VIDEO Tweet via @Brewers PD: RHP Miguel Segura's August 27th performance

 

An Oakland baseball operations staff member had Segura clocked at 94-95 for this game.

 

Tiring by season's end? Twelve walks over three four-inning September starts is pretty much the only blemish on an otherwise fantastic debut year.

 

Thirteen hits allowed and a WHIP of 0.91 over 37.1 innings.

 

Segura should get a chance against advanced rookie batters at Rocky Mountain in 2022 (oh wait, can't subject the kids to those Pioneer League bus rides) - so he'll hopefully continue to dominate in Maryvale prior to a Carolina debut by late spring / early summer.

 

***

 

Among those in our next post (Friday the 18th) is a player who saw action at every level in the Brewers' system by age 22 (DSL, Maryvale, Advanced Rookie, Low-A, High-A, AA and AAA).

[Mass Haas]

2/18/22:

 

Happy 23rd Birthday, OF Jesus Lujano!

 

MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting)

 

Jesus Lujano is actually entering his 7th year in the Brewers' system despite his youthfulness. So, he'll be a 23-year-old minor league free agent at season's end unless he's a surprise 40-man add. The lost 2020 season sneaks that timeline up on us.

 

As a 16-year-old, Lujano signed for a not-insignificant $450,000 bonus as part of the July 2015 international class. His signing and that of catcher Jose Sibrian (also still in the system) really marked Milwaukee as major players in the Venezuelan market when most organizations had reduced or even eliminated scouting operations in the country due to particular unrest at that time.

 

Lujano has been durable, never having been placed on an injured list. That being said, a career line over 351 games of .251/.321/.320 hasn't been overwhelming even when playing against older competition at every level. That's six career home runs total, including remarkably two in one game in Peoria last May (sorry, no video).

 

(go to the 01:20 minute mark)

 

Lujano was quoted a few years back as saying he hoped to model his game after that of big league vet Ender Inciarte. He's had his share of career highlights to keep him on the "interesting" scale, to be sure:

 

- More walks than strikeouts in the Dominican Summer League in his pro debut (60 games).

- Led the Arizona League in runs (50) and ranked second in steals (29) in Maryvale in his age 18 2017 season

- May 2018 Prospect Spotlight via 2080baseball.com

- Lujano's prospect status peaked in April and May of 2019 with Wisconsin. He sported a .293 AVG and .352 OBP as May ended, but cratered the rest of the way, finishing with a .589 OPS over 122 games in that low-A season.

 

In fact, that hot stretch prompted two features:

 

Jesús Lujano stays motivated amid hot streak with Timber Rattlers

Dan Wussow, Appleton Post-Crescent

 

Frosty Microbrew: Lujano Continues Brewers’ Venezuelan Connection

Kyle Lobner, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

Lujano actually began 2021 in Biloxi for four games of action and also saw action in Nashville (six games) and then back to Biloxi (17 games altogether there). The bulk of his time was in Wisconsin, though now in High-A as opposed to that 2019 campaign. And when you add up the 59 games from last year, you see a respectable .261/.347/.369 line (.716 OPS).

 

Thus the answer to our thread tease earlier this week:

 

The player who saw action at every level in the Brewers' system by age 22 (DSL, Rookie, Advanced Rookie, Low-A, High-A, AA and AAA).

 

Lujano really expanded his experience this past winter - he led Venezuela to the "Under 23" World Cup tournament championship. He batted .364 (12-for-33 with six doubles).

 

VIDEO from the World Cup: Exactly what we envision most of Lujano's base hits look like - pretty, though

 

VIDEO from the World Cup: Lujano, who saw more action in the corners than CF in 2021, with a beautiful throw here

 

To cap things off, Jesus then spent all of the Venezuelan Winter League season with his La Guaira Tiburones (Sharks), long an ambition of his, where he posted a .758 OPS in 40 at-bats before postseason round-robin play begin, thus halting the compilation of official stat lines.

 

If the Brewers wished to continue to see if Lujano can continue to develop as he gets closer to his prime, they could offer to extend him for another season after 2022. It's tough to envision Lujano getting a bulk of at-bats in the High-A or AA outfield this summer, but we'll have to see how it plays out.

[Mass Haas]

2/18/22:

 

Happy 19th Birthday, RHP Rosmel Reyes!

 

MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting)

 

Officially signed in December 2019, two months shy of his 17th birthday, Reyes, like so many others, had to wait until 2021 to debut. Even then, the start of the Dominican Summer League was delayed, and Reyes' debut came on August 9th. Or did it?

 

Here's what we posted in the Link Report for games of August 3rd:

 

18-year-old Venezuelan RHP Rosmel Reyes makes his pro debut -- walk, 5-3 groundout, E-6, tarp comes out.

 

Then we posted this in the Link Report for games of August 9th:

 

Pro debut for 18-year-old Venezuelan RHP Rosmel Reyes, scoreless inning.

 

So, which was it?

 

Our entry earlier this week discussed the unique suspended game situation of intriguing RHP Miguel Segura. Well, the August 3rd contest was the origin of that game, and it didn't qualify as an official game until completed on August 27th. And by chance, Reyes was able to be placed back in the game when it picked up again 24 days after it began.

 

Via Reyes' Facebook page --

 

Baseball from 1st Professional Strikeout - yes, they do this in the DSL. That's a lot of debuts and baseballs!

 

And if you're now double-checking, no, Reyes did not strike out anyone on the 3rd, but did as he completed his stint on the 27th. Confused yet? Don't be, as his baseball on the 9th was indeed representative of his first official K. We almost needed to share with Jayson Stark on that one!

 

Nice November 2021 photo at the Dominican Complex

 

The final of Reyes' 11 relief appearances skewed his final numbers (2 IP, 4 ER). But it's a classic line for many age-18 DSL debut seasons - as many walks as innings pitched, mix in some WP's and HBP's, yet strike out 13.5 per 9, and limit batters to a .209 average.

 

We'll see Reyes back in the island sun looking for refinement in his age 19 season.

 

***

 

Come back on Sunday the 20th when we check in to see how one of those draft picks that is growingly rare, the starting pitcher straight out of high school, is doing.

[Mass Haas]

2/20/22:

 

Happy 22nd Birthday, RHP Justin Jarvis!

 

MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting)

 

Here's our collection of the July 2018 draft day scouting reports for the 5th round high school pick.

 

Always fun to read about emotions/reactions upon being drafted.

 

“A big part of my consideration was the scholarship plan through MLB,” Jarvis said. “Once I sign my contract [and] after I retire from baseball, I have a full scholarship to UNC Wilmington.”

 

You'll see Justin mention this in a video interview a bit further down this post. Jarvis signed with the Brewers for $327,100 (full pick 155 value).

 

Jarvis would appear in ten games (three starts) with Maryvale post-draft. Seven of those appearances were multi-inning, and he would only allow more than one run on two occasions - his pro debut (2 IP, 4 R) and his 9th mound effort (2 IP, 6 R). That's how the rookie small-sample skewed to a 6.63 ERA.

 

Frosty Microbrew: Brewers Hope Young Pitchers Worth the Wait

 

"Kyle Lobner’s latest Frosty Microbrew is on some young pitchers who might be heading to the Timber Rattlers in 2019. Meet Caden Lemons, Max Lazar, and Justin Jarvis.

 

That December 2018 feature story highlights the tough path it takes for drafted high school pitchers to progress - Lemons and Lazar remain in the Brewers' system as well. Lemons would miss all of 2019 after hip surgery, and then had Tommy John surgery last summer, after making only four appearances with the 2021 Mudcats. Lazar also underwent Tommy John surgery; we believe it was late March/early April 2021. Jarvis has been placed on an injured list twice, for the minimum seven days in August 2019, and a near month-long stint last July/August.

 

***

 

Here are some nice May 2019 photos of Jarvis from extended spring training, just days before Milwaukee would have Justin bypass advanced rookie ball and debut in full-season ball with the then Low-A Timber Rattlers as a 19-year-old starting pitcher. By late June, Jarvis was really establishing himself.

 

Rattlers Toss A Shutout at Cedar Rapids

Jarvis and two relievers beat Kernels 4-0 on four hits

By Chris Mehring, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

Former fifth-round draft pick Justin Jarvis making strides on the mound with Timber Rattlers

Jordan Jacobson, Appleton Post-Crescent

 

Quotes from Manager Matt Erickson, Pitching Coach Jim Henderson, and Jarvis...

 

Jarvis would finish 2019 (again, three years younger than the competition) with a 3.50 ERA and only 52 hits allowed in 74.2 IP. The walk (4.3 per 9) and K (6.3 per 9) rates were not shiny, but that's all one could quibble with.

 

***

 

How about this December 2020 comment:

 

Seeing Luis Gonzalez on the list of releases is a reminder of the depressing fact that of the high school pitchers the Brewers have drafted in the first 10 rounds from 2015 to the present, only Justin Jarvis has pitched in A-ball.

 

Back to Wisconsin, now in High-A for 2021 (once again, dang you, 2020), and:

 

VIDEO Tweet: Apparently 96 MPH in June

 

Jarvis' 2021 numbers in 17 starts were not ideal, you can check out the links that opened this post, but the Brewers clearly remain committed, and Jarvis was among those sent to the Arizona Fall League, where he made seven appearances (five starts). Walks remained an issue in the small 17.2 inning sample, but the experience and confidence shown must have been a positive.

 

Very recently --

 

AUDIO: Via the Walkin' Off Podcast: RHP Justin Jarvis

 

"Justin Jarvis was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 5th round of the 2018 draft. We talk about throwing a no-hitter in high school, getting drafted by Milwaukee at 18 years old, life in the minors, his time in the Arizona Fall League and more"

 

 

 

Instagram photos

 

***

 

At just 22 for 2022, Jarvis could be asked to start again at High-A, with the goal of reaching AA by mid-summer. As with any of the projections in this thread, pure conjecture until Opening Day rosters are released the first week of April.

[Mass Haas]

2/20/22:

 

Happy 18th Birthday, RHP Dikember Sanchez!

 

MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting)

 

Yes, it's happened yet again in this thread. Sanchez is the only "Dikember" in the history of professional baseball.

 

Signed out of Venezuela in January of 2021 a month shy of his 17th birthday (in what normally would have been the July 2nd, 2020 international signing class), Sanchez is not believed to have been signed to a significant bonus. As this particular Facebook photo shows, Sanchez was sporting Brewers gear as early as March 2020 - and likely even earlier.

 

As long as we're glancing at Sanchez' social media, let's congratulate the young man on his environmental efforts picking up trash along the Dominican shoreline this past December with Brent Suter, Keston Hiura, Luis Urias, Willy Adames, the Rays' Wander Franco and others (various photos).

 

On the mound, Sanchez' debut age 17 season was a moderate roller-coaster ride that finished with the line you saw linked above: 3-3, (15 games, four of those starts), 4.54 ERA, 39.2 IP, 34 H, 29 BB, 35 K, 1.58 WHIP.

 

Clearly the 6.6 BB/9 is not going to fly, but Sanchez should merit another DSL season to build on that first effort.

 

Speaking of first efforts, his pro game debut was one of a few that soured his overall line -- one-third of an inning of relief, 2 H, 4 BB, 5 ER. That 135.00 ERA might have kept him up that night.

 

But if Sanchez showed anything, it was that he could rebound from the occasional clunker. Six combined scoreless innings over his next two appearances. In fact, Sanchez' ten appearances after Opening Day went rather well before, like other very young hurlers we've already profiled in this thread, it appears a bit of a wall was hit - 11 ER over 10 IP in a four-game stretch. But Sanchez capped his season with a three-inning scoreless effort, only one walk.

 

Oh, did we mention Sanchez was part of a bit of Brewers pseudo-history? The below was our Daily Link Report entry for games of August 7th (check out the box score at the link):

 

Box: DSL Brewers #1 Squad 5, DSL Brewers #2 Squad 1, seven innings

 

No-Hitter!

 

Does the organization celebrate or not?

 

"Ugh, we got no-hit today."

 

"No, wait, we pitched a no-hitter today."

 

Uh, doesn't count in MLB/MiLB's eyes anyway, seven innings.

 

The victors walked six and hit two batters in the seven frames, so hardly your traditional effort, especially by 19-year-old Dominican RHP Anthony Perez, who couldn't escape the first inning.

 

But kudos to 17-year-old Venezuelan RHP Dikember Sanchez and 19-year-old 2nd-year Colombian RHP Fray Morelo for combining on the final 6.1 innings. Morelo did not walk a batter and fanned five in his three frames.

 

The winning Cerveceros scored their five runs on only three hits.

 

***

 

How cool is it we get video of Sanchez on the mound from that 2021 DSL season? More photos via his Instagram here, also.

 

***

 

We're back tomorrow (Monday the 21st) for this year's President Day birthdays.

[Mass Haas]

2/21/22:

 

Happy 25th Birthday, RHP Brady Schanuel!

 

MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting)

 

Drafted and signed for $50,000 in the 27th round out of the University of Iowa in 2018, Schanuel had been drafted twice previously as his draft day scouting reports (always informative as to that pro career starting point) indicate.

 

Schanuel has had a busy run thus far in pro ball.

 

In 75 appearances, all in relief, Schanuel has an 11-2 record, and say what you will about W-L%, but part of that record is driven by his career strand mark, as only 12 of 42 inherited runners have scored. That will net you some relief victories, as the Timber Rattlers' Chris Mehring noted last August.

 

While Schanuel was assigned directly to advanced rookie ball (Rocky Mountain) post-draft, he wasn't able to avoid Maryvale altogether, as he was transferred down after a very rough eight-game beginning. Schanuel was back in Colorado Springs for his age 22 season in 2019 and stuck, though a career-long issue with walks (6.8 per 9/IP) continued. In 39.2 IP that summer, Schanuel struck out 70 and walked 30. I love this August 9th, 2019 quote:

 

I'm not sure what the future holds for Brady Schanuel, but I'll give him this: He is interesting in a way college pitchers who repeat rookie ball almost never are.

 

Phrake Photography 2019 Photos

 

Instead of just sitting idle in 2020, Schanuel pitched in the CarShield Collegiate League in his native Missouri, found control, and dominated in the small but "wow" sample.

 

The Brewers saw the opportunity to have Schanuel bypass low-A Carolina and he spent all of 2021 with Wisconsin, where given his continued K and BB rates (12.0 and 6.3), one would surmise and confirm -- yes, Brady throws hard.

 

Schanuel was a sidenote in Milwaukee's sour deadline deal that sent RHP Reese Olson to the Tigers for LHP Daniel Norris.

 

Olson, was very much taken by surprise by the news, in fact, he has a funny story about how he was made aware of the trade.

 

"I saw on twitter that the Brewers were about to acquire Daniel Norris," Olson said. "So I got up and I went to my friends room, my roommate, and told him that he was getting traded as a joke. Then I went back in the living room, refreshed my feed and saw it was actually me, so that is how I found out."

 

His roommate with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers was relief pitcher Brady Schanuel.

 

Clearly the Brewers have faith in Schanuel's arm and eventual ability to harness his command. So he remains a Brewer, and will have the opportunity to make a case for a AA Biloxi placement this spring training.

[Mass Haas]

2/21/22:

 

Happy 17th Birthday, SS Jose Pena!

 

Just signed on January 15th out of the Dominican Republic for $230,000, the switch-hitter is listed at 6'0", 155.

 

PHOTO: Looking sharp on signing day

 

If the very common name "Jose Pena" sounds familiar from a Brewers' recent minor league perspective, it's because:

 

This Jose Pena was a corner outfielder in the Crew's system from 2010 to 2015, reaching as far as High-A Brevard County. He slugged .502 (19 doubles, 10 home runs) in 57 games with Helena in 2013.

 

This Jose Pena also was a corner outfielder, playing in the Dominican Summer League in his age 17 and 18 seasons in 2016 and 2017 (.615 OPS in 70 games total).

 

***

 

See you again tomorrow (Tuesday the 22nd) with one of the two currently locked-out Brewers who has yet to make his big league debut.

[Mass Haas]

2/22/22:

 

Happy 28th Birthday, C Brett Sullivan!

 

MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting)

 

Both the folks at BrewCrewBall and Reviewing the Brew provided nice introductory profiles for Sullivan upon his surprise direct addition to the 40-man roster as a minor league free agent signing (officially November 30th).

 

Impressive to note that in seven minor league seasons, Sullivan has never seen a disabled list.

 

Now although this feature from DRays Bay is now four years old, there are a whole bunch of "get to know" tidbits on Sullivan within, worth your time.

 

Good stuff below if you find the 25 minutes to invest:

 

 

***

 

Back on Thursday the 24th as we hold our breath to see if the Brewers spent $1.3 million in 2019 wisely.

[Mass Haas]

2/24/22:

 

Happy 19th Birthday, OF Luis Medina!

 

MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting)

 

Officially signed out of Venezuela at age 16 years, four months old in July 2019, the Brewers went big, committing $1.3 million to Medina, who would have been in their sights long before that July 2nd date.

 

From Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com --

 

Medina, who is 6-foot-2, has an easy, majestic swing with well-above-average power and the ability to hit to all fields. Defensively, he has a chance to play center field, but he could outgrow that position and move to a corner-outfield spot. If that’s the case, he still projects to be an average defender with an above-average arm. Medina could lose a bit of his speed as he grows and fills out, but his instincts will help compensate in the field.

 

Medina, like most others, was idle in the 2020 Covid year, and his 2021 debut was definitely underwhelming at .228/.255/.315 (.570 OPS).

 

The LH hitter struck out 45 times, so in 30.2% of his 149 at-bats, while drawing only five walks.

 

Luis also struggled on the basepaths, successful in only one of five attempts.

 

Defensively, he started 16 games in LF, 13 in RF, and six in CF - only one error.

 

In mid-August, Medina had a six-game hit streak in which he hit .360: 9-for-25 (no walks, seven K's). He also ended his season on a four-game streak: 5-for-13 (two walks, five K's).

 

Via Prospects Worldwide, here's nearly seven minutes of plate appearances. We try to focus on the positive, but there was very little encouraging here --

 

 

The young man will certainly be back in Maryvale for his age 19 season. The Brewers will be looking for improvements in their big investment - certainly can't be written off yet.

 

***

 

Visit on Friday the 25th as the thread takes us once again to the warm breezes of the Dominican Summer League of 2021.

[Mass Haas]

2/25/22:

 

Happy 20th Birthday, RHP Henry Garrido!

 

MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting)

 

Garrido is one of the Brewers farmhands who has made his debut that we know the least about.

 

The Venezuelan native was part of the January 15th, 2021 international signing class - this previously would have been the July 2nd, 2020 class. Unlike the January 2022 class, we have not seen detailed signing bonus information on Garrido or his "classmates".

 

We do know that upon his July 16th debut at the start of the season (game logs here), Garrido was placed in the starting rotation, usually an indication that a pitcher is seen in high regard by the organization.

 

Garrido only made five starts, particularly struggled in his final effort on August 14th, and that was his last outing in a DSL campaign that didn't end until September 30th. Garrido had a nice 3rd start but struggled otherwise.

 

Facebook Photo #1

 

Facebook Photo #2

 

Hopefully healthy, look for Garrido to shoot for a full DSL season in 2022.

 

***

 

On Monday the 28th, we'll profile two Brewer prospects even though technically only one has a birthday that day. (Yes, there's a February 29th Leap Year Baby in the organization - we gave that away in the initial post in this thread).

[Mass Haas]

2/28/22:

 

Well really, the non-existent 2/29/22 for this Leap Year 2000 baby!

 

Happy 22nd Birthday, C Tristan Peters!

 

MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting)

 

MiLB.com's Jim Callis with the signing bonus / draft day scouting note

 

From Perfect Game:

 

A very under-the-radar JUCO prospect recruited to SIU by since-departed recruiting coordinator Nick Magnifico, now at South Alabama, Peters had a huge spring in terms of performance, slashing .355/.463/.548 with 20 doubles, 14 swipes, and 46 walks to just 28 strikeouts. Peters is lauded for his bat-to-ball skills and barrel adjustability, with some seeing a solid-average hit tool long term, to go along with below-average overall power that should still come with plenty of doubles. He’s a plus runner with good instincts in the outfield, though his arm strength limits him to center or left field. He’s seen as a potential fourth outfielder at the big-league level who can play all over the outfield in spurts and handle the bat.

 

***

 

Peters (Manitoba province) was one of 17 Canadians drafted in 2021, the Brewers also drafted second baseman Tyler Black of Ontario 33rd overall. Canadians love highlighting their own in the baseball world, this 18-minute audio interview is from April 2021 as Peters was in the midst of his outstanding college season at Southern Illinois.

 

VIDEO Tweet: College HR Yank

 

Peters' Maryvale season began officially August 30th as visa issues had to be coordinated in the age of Covid.

 

Maryvale videos via "Prospects Worldwide":

 

Lined single

 

 

Tristan is currently in the Brewers' early "Start Up" camp.

 

***

 

Here's a Twitter thread from July, tons on Peters here as well, including more audio.

 

Immerse yourself in everything about the Savannah Bananas (collegiate wood-bat summer league franchise), but even if you only click on two links in this entire post, make it these:

 

Peters (#6) getting some accompaniment on his walk-up music as he approaches the plate

 

Peters wraps up his stay with the Bananas with this incredible Britney Spears choreography

[Mass Haas]

2/28/22:

 

Happy 24th Birthday, C Nick Kahle!

 

MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting)

 

All the draft-day Kahle scouting reports highlighting his offensive capabilities are absolutely worth a read as we try and review where Kahle is after his 2021 season.

 

Brad Ford's Q&A with Kahle upon signing with the Crew in 2019

 

***

 

Kahle's pro career started out on a fine and expected path as the 2019 4th rounder posted an .825 OPS with Advanced Rookie Rocky Mountain before netting a late cup of coffee call-up to High-A Carolina (two games).

 

Kahle found some significant (all things considered) work during the pandemic downtime compared to most -- 21 games of independent ball in North Dakota in the summer of 2020 before heading to Brisbane, Australia, where he saw action over the winter in 24 games as part of a Brewer contingent.

 

Returning to High-A for 2021, but this time in Wisconsin, made sense.

 

Let's see how Kahle ended up with a final .186/.279/.286 line (.565 OPS) over 231 AB's.

 

May: .148 - 9-for-48 (one double), 8 BB's, 21 K

Well, a .310 OBP somewhat eased the situation

 

June: .230 - 14-for-61 (five doubles), 3 BB's, 20 K

 

July: .278/.385/.481 - 15-for-54 (five doubles, two HR), 8 BB's, 18 K

An .866 OPS is fantastic, the 33.3% K rate still an issue, but there's the Nick we know can exist.

 

On July 31st, Kahle collected his final hit of the month, a line drive 6th inning single to right. He K'd in the 8th.

 

And then the calendar turned to August.

 

Kahle would collect one hit in his final at-bat in August, a single. It was his only base hit all month, 1-for-42. When he went hitless in his first two games of September, the "streak" had run to 1-for-51 (four walks, 18 K's).

 

I didn't pore through box scores to see how many line drive outs there were in that stretch, but surely there was some element of bad luck involved.

 

I take no pleasure in noting this in a birthday post of all things, but it'll put context into Kahle's 2022 placement and his hopeful rebound, especially as a 4th round pick.

 

Just turn the page on 2021 in this case, especially August 2021, as we imagine Nick already has.

 

***

 

We're back tomorrow (Tuesday March 1st) with two more entries.

[Mass Haas]

3/1/22:

 

Happy 29th Birthday, RHP Jason Alexander!

 

MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting)

 

First of all, we'll set all the Seinfeld references aside - his Brewerfan signing thread contained enough.

 

Finally given a chance, Jason Alexander’s improbable journey has him standing out a step from the majors

Scott Kornberg, Broadcaster and Media and Public Relations Manager for the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

 

No amount of research we could do would provide more detail than contained in the above. A must-read on the invite to Brewers' big league camp.

 

About the only thing that feature story doesn't mention is that Jason's brother is LHP Scott Alexander, who continues to carve out a successful big league career.

[Mass Haas]

3/1/22:

 

Happy 20th Birthday, RHP Edrian Robinson!

 

MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting)

 

A sign of the times (again) when it comes to parent's new-fangled baby name choices a couple of decades ago - for the umpteenth time in this rather young thread, Robinson is the first and thus far only "Edrian" to ever play professional baseball.

 

The 6'5" Robinson, a Dominican native, was signed at an odd time, October of 2020, not part of a bundled international signing group, "likely" an indication this was a minimal bonus contract.

 

That being said, Robinson began his pro career with his age 19 season spent in Maryvale this past summer. We've seen this before, but it sometimes seems rather random. That'd be a good question to see answered by Brewers development staff at some point - what factors go into starting a teenage Latin player stateside?

 

In 15 relief appearances spanning 21.2 innings, Robinson walked as many as he struck out (23). He also threw 15 wild pitches (can we assume that velocity was one reason he debuted in Maryvale?)

 

Amidst the tough lines in Robinson's game log were a Link Report gem or two, such as appearance #9 and his final outing on September 14th.

 

Via Edrian's Instagram page --

 

VIDEO - Yeah, throws hard

 

6'5" sitting down

 

While a 2022 Dominican Summer League assignment can't be ruled out, we'll probably see Robinson harness what he can back in Arizona.

 

***

 

Back on Friday the 4th with two more young Latin imports.