May Transactions: Latest - Draft-and-Follow Signings Wrap Up

[Mass Haas]

Catcher Kyle Phillips joins Brevard County from extended spring training.

 

His signing was discussed April 27th in this post:

 

p092.ezboard.com/fbrewers...mp;stop=85

[Mass Haas]

Link, text follows:

 

www.oursportscentral.com/...id=3318850

 

The independent Golden Baseball League today announced that San Diego Surf Dawgs first baseman Graham Koonce has had his contract purchased by the Milwaukee Brewers and will report to their Triple-A ballclub in Nashville, Tennessee.

 

Koonce, 31, signed with the Yankees this spring and was slated for Triple A Columbus. He later requested his release in order to find a team that would offer him a more substantial playing opportunity. He initially signed with the independent Surf Dawgs in an effort to be closer to his family, but his strong performance during Spring Training with the Surf Dawgs caught the attention and opportunity of the Brewers Organization.

 

"It's been a pleasure to have Graham in Spring Training," said Surf Dawgs Manager Terry Kennedy. "With his skills, work ethic, and leadership it was only a matter of time before his contract was acquired. I hope that the Brewers provide him the opportunity he was looking for, and I believe we are going to see him in a major league uniform soon."

 

Koonce has been one of the most accomplished hitters in the minor leagues for the last five years. He won home run and RBI titles in both the AA Texas League and AAA Pacific Coast League. In 2003 he was voted MVP of the Pacific Coast League and named Minor League Player of the Year.

 

Originally signed in 1993 by the Detroit Tigers out of UCLA, the 2006 season with the Surf Dawgs was to be his second stint in independent pro baseball as he played two seasons in the old Western League for Tri-City and Chico.

 

"Graham is the fourth player that we have sold in the last 10 days," said Kevin Outcalt, GBL Commissioner. "The remarkable thing is that three of those have gone straight to Triple A and one to Double A which represents a significant increase in the skill level of our players for this season."

 

***

We'll build a Brewerfan Player Index Page for Koonce this week -- until then, here are his career statistics. Will he indeed be headed to Nashville as stated, and if so, does this somehow trigger help for Huntsville?

 

www.thebaseballcube.com/p...once.shtml

[Mass Haas]

More on recently signed DFE shortstop Brad Miller:

 

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.adaeveningnews.com/lo...ndarystory

 

Brad now a Brewer

By JEFF CALI

CNHI News Service

 

LATTA, OK ? The wait is over for Brad Miller.

The former Latta High School standout signed a professional contract last week to play baseball for the Milwaukee Brewers. Miller is scheduled to fly to Phoenix on Monday and work out there until joining the Helena Brewers Rookie League team in Helena, Montana next month. Helena?s season begins June 20.

 

Needless to say, Miller is anxious to begin this new stage of his baseball career.

 

?This is something I?ve been waiting to get the opportunity to do for 20 years. I?ve been wanting to do this my whole life,? he said. ?I wasn?t really expecting it. I was hoping to, but you can?t get your hopes up too high in case you don?t get what you want.?

 

Miller helped lead Latta to three state championships and a handful of runner-up finishes during a stellar prep career before graduating in 2004. He then spent two springs playing at Cowley College in Arkansas City, Kansas.

 

Latta head coach Eddie Collins ? also Miller?s uncle ? likes his nephew?s chances at the next level.

 

?I kind of echo what one of his scouts says. He?s one of those 10 percent that has a chance,? Collins said. ?There are probably people that are faster, a little stronger, and have better feet, but he does all those things pretty good and no matter what happens he can hit. His scout thinks he can hit at the next level, and I think the same thing.?

 

The Brewers' current plan is to develop Miller into a shortstop.

?If the determining factor is work and what he can get done, he will do it,? Collins said. ?Plus there?s one more thing that is very valuable and that is the fact that he can play a lot of different positions. He can play shortstop, second base, third base ... he has the capability of doing a lot of things.?

 

Miller was named the Jayhawk Conference Freshman of the Year his first season at Cowley, as he batted .379 with eight home runs and 77 RBI?s. He was twice named a first-team all-conference shortstop. This past year he hit .326 with seven home runs and 39 RBIs.

 

?I didn?t have the season I was really wanting, but I guess (the Brewers) liked what they saw,? Miller said.

 

And Miller also pitched for the Tigers and compiled a 12-4 record on the mound in two seasons.

 

?He?s a special player, he really is. And it?s not just because he?s my nephew,? Collins said. ?He?s smart and has a lot of knowledge of the game. And he has a very good approach to the game. But if all else fails, he can still throw the ball over 90 miles per hour.?

 

Miller, who also stole 44 bases in his career at Cowley, felt the offer from the Brewers was good enough to pass up the opportunity to play baseball at Oklahoma State University.

?I could not be happier for Brad, he is getting to live a dream,? Cowley head coach Dave Burroughs said. ?He had the best of both worlds, to where if he did not get the package he was looking for he would get to play in the Big 12 with Oklahoma State.?

 

Miller was drafted by the Brewers the 39th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft but had he not been presented with a suitable deal by the Milwaukee organization, he could have re-entered the draft this year. Collins said according to most scouts, Miller would have been picked anywhere from the fifth to ninth rounds in 2006.

 

?(The Brewers) project where they would draft him again and with them saying he would go so high speaks well,? Collins said.

 

Miller has spend the last week working with some of Latta?s future stars, whether it be coaching first base for a 12-and-under team or just practicing with young Panther players.

?Here his is a pro baseball player and now he?s out hitting fungo with some of our younger players. That tells you what kind of young man he is,? Collins said.

 

The veteran prep coach said Miller?s success and character speaks volumes about Latta?s tradition-rich baseball program.

?He has benefited from coming from a good baseball program and Brad would tell you the same thing. He got a chance to play in front of a lot of people because of his teammates,? Collins said. ?He was a special guy, but they were all special to me. I think his teammates are happy for him and are excited that one of their own has moved on.?

 

Ada (OK) Evening News Photos:

 

Latta High School graduate Brad Miller signed a contract last week to play professional baseball with the Milwaukee Brewers.

 

http://www.adaeveningnews.com/localsports/images_sizedimage_150160938/xl

 

New Milwaukee Brewers rookie Brad Miller shows 11-year-old Jake Colllins the correct form for fielding ground balls Saturday afternoon at Latta's Panther Park.

 

http://www.adaeveningnews.com/localsports/images_sizedimage_150161051/xl

[Mass Haas]

As colbyjack noted in the Draft Forum today, draft-and-follow # 5 from the 2005 draft has signed with the Crew, LHP Michael Ramlow, taken in the 24th round:

 

24. Michael Ramlow, LHP (Owens CC, OH)

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/colbyjack/michael_ramlow.jpg

 

Ramlow is the second of three intriguing, projectable left-handers the Brewers will follow this spring with an athletic and wiry 6'7", 165 pound frame. He was named the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2005 after posting a 7-2 record his freshman season with an ERA just above 1.00. Ramlow's fastball sits in the 89 range, and with his frame he could easily add a few more ticks, and is expected to throw in the low-90s this spring. He also throws a very good curveball and a polished changeup, both of which he throws for strikes, and he has shown a propensity for missing bats. The biggest knock on Ramlow is his stature, given his weight relative to height, although he has worked hard to add strength. His mechanics at this point in time are clean, but given his lanky frame he will need to continue to keep his mechanics in check to avoid injury.

[Mass Haas]

The Brewers have released two more pitchers:

 

RHP Tyler Morrison had just turned 21 on May 1st. Drafted out of a California high school in the 10th round in 2003, Morrison never made it out of rookie ball, allowing 91 hits in 67 Helena innings in 2005.

 

Tyler Morrison Brewerfan Player Index Page:

 

www.brewerfan.net/ViewPla...ayerId=572

 

RHP Miguel Parejo turns 20 next week. Signed out of Venezuela in 2004, Parejo appeared in relief in 19 games in the Arizona Rookie League last season.

 

Miguel Parejo Brewerfan Player Index Page:

 

www.brewerfan.net/ViewPla...ayerId=683

[bork]

Will he indeed be headed to Nashville as stated, and if so, does this somehow trigger help for Huntsville?

 

Welcome back to Huntsville Mr. Nelson? He's been hitting better lately, but he hasn't been playing a whole lot.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Site:

 

Following Tuesday night's game, first baseman Brad Nelson and infielder Milko Jaramillo were transferred to Double-A Huntsville. Their roster spots with the Sounds will be filled on Wednesday. Nelson spent the entire season with Nashville and batted only .215 (28-for-130) with three home runs and 17 RBIs in 39 games. Two of those longballs came in the same game on Sunday at Iowa. Jaramillo, who joined the Sounds in mid-May after being signed out of the independent Golden Baseball League, batted .214 (3-for-14) with three RBIs in seven contests for Nashville, including an 0-for-3 evening Tuesday night.

[Rob]

Does this officially put an end to Brad Nelson as a Brewer?

[Mass Haas]

The Nashville roster spots will be filled by newcomer Graham Koonce at first base, and Zach Sorensen in the infield.

 

Sorensen comes off the disabled list (right biceps tendinitis).

 

Does this officially put an end to Brad Nelson as a Brewer?

 

Of course not. He's still on the 40-man roster, although his spot is tenuous at best. This move is as much about assisting Huntsville as anything. Many would say Brad's outlook had been murky regardless, but to say that it officially ends his Milwaukee chances is premature and inaccurate.

[Mass Haas]

Huntsville Press Release:

Link, text follows --

 

www.huntsvillestars.com/n...newsId=857

 

Stars' Roster Overhaul Continues

 

The Milwaukee Brewers have released first baseman Greg Sain and reassigned infielder Guilder Rodriguez to Brevard County of the Florida State League. The Brewers have sent first baseman Brad Nelson and infielder Milko Jaramillo to Huntsville from triple-A Nashville. Nelson and Jaramillo are expected to be in uniform for the Stars doubleheader against West Tenn at Joe Davis Stadium on Wednesday night.

 

Sain batted .171 with eight home runs and 25 runs batted in over 41 games, including 36 starts. He hit only one home run after April 27 and knocked in only three runs after May 3. The veteran first sacker was acquired by Milwaukee for a PTBNL late in spring training after spending the first five years of his career in the San Diego organization. He led the Southern League with 28 home runs in 2004 playing for Mobile.

 

Rodriguez hit just .163 in 43 at-bats with the Stars, starting seven games at second base and three at shortstop. The switch-hitter batted .301 in 133 at-bats for the Stars last season and is in his sixth year with the Brewers organization.

 

Nelson was hitting .215 with three home runs and 17 RBI for the Sounds. The left-hand batter split last season with the Stars and Sounds and was a part of Nashville?s Pacific Coast League title team. He batted .293 with six long balls and 38 driven in with the Stars and .253 with seven round trippers and 39 knocked in at Nashville. The Brewers selected Nelson in the fourth round of the 2001 draft.

 

Jaramillo joined the Sounds on May 21 and had collected three hits in 14 at-bats and knocked in three runs in seven games. He was originally signed by the Dodgers as a non-drafted free agent in 1996 and was selected by the Cardinals in the minor league phase of the Rule V draft following the 2001 season. Jaramillo spent the last half of the 2004 season in the Southern League with the Tennessee Smokies and batted .223 with five home runs and 29 RBI.

[huntsvillefan]

We really do need help at Huntsville and these two could certainly supply it. The peculiarity of being a minor league supporter is that though I'm glad to see the team improved, I feel gutted for Greg Sain. Its almost certainly the right decision, but, despite his atrocious BA he was still by far the most thrilling of the currennt team to watch at the plate. I really hope he gets another chance elsewhere and turns it round.

I'd be happier for G-Rod if I thought he'd get regular playing time, but that looks unlikely with their line-up. His D is very sound, he can play anywhere well and it would be nice to see him get an extended run and a chance to use his bat reguarily.

Anyhow on a purely selfish note lets hope the change of personnel brings the Stars a few more wins.

[dadofandrew]

Koonce can hit, but I wonder why he wasn't placed at AA, as Brad has nothing left to prove there. Nelson can't be considered much of a prospect, especially compared to other players on the 40 man, despite the fact he has youth on his side.

[And That]

Koonce can hit, but I wonder why he wasn't placed at AA

 

He wouldn't have signed if the Brewers told him they were placing him in AA. He might even be good enough to have earned a AAA-only contract, not a AA/AAA contract.

[dadofandrew]

You could be right Toby, but he's 30+ and playing indy ball...I can't believe he'd turn down any affilated deal. He's as blocked as you can be, as well, so I think he would have signed with anyone.

[And That]

I can't believe he'd turn down any affilated deal.

 

My guess is that he received a number of affiliated deals in the offseason, but as I alluded to earlier, he was probably waiting for a guaranteed AAA spot. He's an OBP machine, and has been almost a Jack Cust-lite during his minor league stay. This signing probably didn't come very cheaply for the Brewers, and is a function both of Nelson's struggles and the Brewers' desire to keep Nashville in line for a playoff spot and Huntsville, well, competetive. I like him and if he was given a shot in the bigs, I think he might turn out to be an average or so first baseman, but his defensive limitations (ie being primarily a first baseman) make that shot a long one.

[DHonks]

and Al, Nelson could use AA to get things going. He's not hitting in the PCL. That says something about his struggles. Not to mention that light-hitters Gwynn, Krynzel, and Barnwell are outperforming him

[Mass Haas]

As colbyjack noted in the Draft Forum and on our Home Page, the Brewers have signed their 6th and final draft-and-follow from 2005, infielder Taylor Green:

 

25. Taylor Green, 2B (Cypress College, CA)

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/colbyjack/taylor_green.jpg

 

Green's best tool is his bat, as he uses quick, strong hands that allow him to employ a smooth, line-drive swing from the left side of the plate. Right now he has more doubles power than home run power, and he exhibits a strong eye at the plate. Green will slide over to either second or third base at the professional level, as he doesn't have the ideal range to stick at shortstop. He is accustomed to using a wood bat growing up in British Columbia, Canada, where, as noted above, high school players use wood bats.