April Transactions - Parra Off DL, Holmberg On (Ankle)

[rpms6]

New catcher added as per Baseball America from the Twins system:

 

Milwaukee Brewers

Signed SS Zach Sorensen, C Kyle Phillips and LHP Russel Rohlicek. Placed 2B Brian Dallimore on voluntarily retired list.

[Mass Haas]

West Virginia Power Press Release:

 

CHARLESTON, WV (April 25, 2006) - The West Virginia Power, class A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers have made another change to their roster.

 

Today, infielder Michael Bell was added to the roster and utility infielder Scott McKnight was promoted to Brevard County of the Florida State League.

 

McKnight played both second base and shortstop for the Power. In five games McKnight hit .222 with a triple and three singles.

 

Bell joins the Power from extended spring training. Bell, a fifteenth round pick in the 2005 draft, played his college ball at Grayson County Community College in Texas. Last year Bell hit .300 and knocked in 42 runs over 58 games with the Helena Brewers.

 

We are efforting to learn if this move is in conjunction with a possible move involving Manatee shortstop Alcides Escobar, who has not seen action in over a week. This is where the abysmal lack of media coverage from Brevard County comes into play.

[Mass Haas]

SS Alcides Escobar has indeed been placed on the Brevard County disabled list; we should have a status update by end-of-day, Thursday the latest.

[Mass Haas]

Alcides Escobar is nursing a sore finger after getting hit by a pitch, thus his DL stint. No cause for major concern, apparently.

[dixieflatline]

Thanks for the update Mass. I had been wondering why he wasn't showing up in the game logs.

[bork]

Did we ever hear what was wrong with Richardson? Or will we not hear anything because of the lack of coverage for Brevard County?

[Mass Haas]

The Brewers have signed center fielder Steven Sapp to a contract, and assigned him to the Helena roster for now.

 

Sapp was originally drafted in the 17th round of the 2003 draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers out of a Torrance, California high school. Sapp played his first pro season at age 17.

 

Still only 20 years old (21 this November), Sapp already has three pro seasons under his belt, as the Dodgers released him last off-season. He hasn't performed offensively to date.

 

We'll have a Brewerfan Player Index page for Sapp by this weekend. Until then, here's his career numbers:

 

www.thebaseballcube.com/p...sapp.shtml

[Mass Haas]

Baseball America reports the following releases:

 

Released OF Daniel Boyd

Released RHP Richard Breshears

Released SS Scott Candelaria

Released RHP Josue Matos

Released RHP Brian Montalbo

Released C James Stanfield

Released RHP Dan Stout

Released OF Terry Trofholz

Released RHP Glenn Woolard

 

We had reported Richard Breshears' release earlier.

 

Josue Matos was a 28-year-old minor league free agent signing this past offseason, and will now join others who are Brewer "alumni" without ever having actually played for the organization.

 

Dan Boyd, Scott Candelaria, Brian Montalbo, Dan Stout, and Terry Trofholz were all players who had left the team previously, in some cases, multiple years ago, without signing official retirement paperwork, in all likelihood. Strictly paper transactions in these cases.

 

Catcher Jimmy Stanfield was a non-drafted free agent signed in 2005. He appeared in 30 games for the Arizona Brewers before filling in at Huntsville at the end of the season, playing in three games there.

 

Glenn Woolard is the "name" among this bunch. Having joined the Brewers from the Giants as part of the Wayne Franklin / Leo Estrella deal that netted current 40-man RHP Carlos Villanueva, Woolard had a solid 2004 that had yours truly lamenting his exposure in Rule 5 that offseason. He stepped back in 2005, among nagging injuries, I believe.

 

RHP Glenn Woolard Brewerfan Player Index Page:

 

www.brewerfan.net/ViewPla...ayerId=665

[Mass Haas]

The Brewers have signed three RHP's from the Latin ranks. Because these signings took place after the release of the media guide, we won't know details on them until the Rookie League seasons begin. Regardless, we know we can place the adjectives "young" and "raw" by their names http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif :

 

RHP Yonny Chaya (new contender for best name in the system -- I'm a Nate Yoho fan)

 

RHP Joel de la Cruz (no word if related to current farmhands Fredy or Carlos)

 

RHP Luis Jimenez (no word if related to current farmhands Herman or Jose)

[DKM4Boston]

So now we know what is going on with Alcides Escobar, but what is up with Charlie Fermaint? He must be day-to-day. Perhaps I just need to read those link reports more carefully from now on.

[Mass Haas]

Signed C Kyle Phillips

 

Thanks, rpms6.

 

Kyle is the younger brother of fellow catcher Jason Phillips, who has seen big league time with the Mets and Dodgers in recent years.

 

For the moment, Kyle Phillips is in extended spring training preparing for activation. For the moment, he's on the temporarily inactive list on the Brevard County roster -- that doesn't necessarily mean he'll be a Manatee when activated.

 

Phillips was a 10th round pick of Minnesota in 2002 -- a left-handed bat; his best season was in advanced rookie ball in 2003 -- having just turned 22, it seems the Brewers have recently inked players who were signed out of high school, but were jettisoned by their clubs after some unproductive minor league seasons (more on another soon).

 

Kyle Phillips Career Statistics:

We'll have a Brewerfan Player Index Page in place this weekend...

 

www.thebaseballcube.com/p...lips.shtml

 

Link while active, text follows (from 04/15/05):

 

www.miraclefans.com/news/...41505.html

 

Catcher aims for brother in bigs

By David Dorsey

Fort Myers News Press

 

Kyle Phillips hopes to someday catch his older brother in the big leagues.

 

Kyle Phillips, 21 (now 22), starts at catcher for the Fort Myers Miracle, the Class A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.

 

Jason Phillips, 28, starts at catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

 

Separated by seven years, they seem to be taking identical professional baseball paths.

 

"It seems so far away, and yet, it's so close," Kyle said of getting to the big leagues. "As of right now, it's a few steps away. To play against each other or play on the same team as each other, that would be great not just for us, but for our entire family."

 

Their father, Clyde Phillips, turns 51 on Monday. He owns a plumbing supply business, and he has earned 15 Gold Gloves as a professional softball player.

 

"That's a big influence coming up," Kyle said. "Everywhere you go growing up, there's a baseball field or a softball field."

 

Kyle said it's eerie how his hot and cold hitting streaks seem to coincide with Jason's.

 

Just look at their statistics from last season: Kyle hit .228 with 11 home runs and 44 RBI for low-Class A Quad Cities.

 

Jason hit .218 with seven home runs and 34 RBI for the New York Mets.

 

That trend held true for 2003 as well: Kyle hit .289 with eight home runs and 49 RBI at Elizabethton.

 

Jason hit .298 with 11 home runs and 58 RBI for the Mets.

 

"I'll go 0-for-36," Kyle said. "I'll call my brother, and he's 0-for-25. At that point, we just let things happen.

 

"It's kind of comforting, having someone there who's at the highest level in all of sports to talk to."

 

Their defense and presence behind the plate have made up for any hitting slumps.

 

Entering Thursday night's game against the Dunedin Blue Jays, Kyle was hitting .308 (4-for-13) for the Miracle, who had a 6-1 record.

 

Jason entered Thursday hitting .250 (6-for-26) for the Dodgers.

 

During a phone interview from Los Angeles, Jason said he enjoyed following his brother's budding career.

 

The two do not get a chance to see each other play in person that often, but Jason managed to travel to Quad Cities last season on a day off. The Mets were on the road between playing the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers.

 

"We talk a lot about the game," Jason said. "Mainly it's about how he did. When it's a good streak or a bad streak, we just let it ride. If you're doing good, you don't want it to end.

 

"It's hard to make it. You have to have a lot of luck."

 

Like Jason, Kyle converted to catcher after playing first and third base at El Capitan High in suburban San Diego. The Twins drafted Kyle out of high school in the 10th round of the 2002 draft.

 

Kyle played catcher just two times in high school, and a Minnesota Twins scout had the good fortune to see one of those games.

 

"He was terrific back there," said John Leavitt, a scout for the Twins based in Orange County, Calif. "I thought, why doesn't he catch all the time?

 

"I talked to him about it. He said, 'My brother catches. I just want to play. I learned a lot from him. I learned a lot from my dad.' You talk to him for just a few minutes, and you realize he's very outgoing and has good instincts for the game."

 

So far, Kyle has impressed Miracle manager Riccardo Ingram.

 

"He's taking charge behind the plate," Ingram said. "He's keeping those guys in control on the mound. He calls a good game.

 

"That's the main thing as a catcher, to calm the pitchers down and settle everyone down on defense. That's one of the reasons why we're off to such a good start."

 

Clyde Phillips said he's overjoyed to watch his two sons play professional baseball. He plans on traveling from San Diego to Fort Myers to watch Kyle play for the Miracle later this summer.

 

Clyde compared his two sons:

 

"Jason is a really, really good catcher," Clyde said. "He's gold-glove caliber. But potentially, Kyle has more potential because of his size (6-foot-2, 210 pounds to Jason's 6-1, 210). Kyle, I think, will fair better in the power game. He's got a little bit of lift to his swing.

 

"Jason's more of a line-drive, gap-to-gap hitter with occasional pop."

 

Kyle also brings some intangibles.

 

"If you talk to Kyle, he's a little bit over and beyond his years," Clyde said of Kyle, who is engaged to be married. "He's a pretty sharp kid."

 

Said Leavitt, a scout for the past 11 years: "Of all the players I've ever signed, he's probably the most baseball intelligent of all of them. I think he can hit enough to play in the big leagues. He has a good-looking swing. He really has the desire."

 

***

The blogger at SethSpeaks projected Phillips here in January 2006 (heading indicating 2005 date is incorrect) -- a bit odd the Twins would give up fairly quickly on a young catcher:

 

www.sethspeaks.net/011806.htm

[Mass Haas]

Look for an announcement within the next day or two on the addition of RHP Matt Kretzschmar to the West Virginia pitching staff.

 

No word on any corresponding move that will take place when Kretzschmar's addition becomes official. Kretzschmar (22nd round, 2005) had some impressive outings early on in Helena last summer, before stumbling a bit at season's end.

[Mass Haas]

The Brewers have signed a shortstop, currently on the Helena roster.

 

David Parker, 23 (12/2/82), played at Saddleback College and then Point Loma Nazarene University, both California schools.

 

Here's a link to Parker's Point Loma bio, which details his 2004 season.

 

www.ptloma.edu/athletics/...parker.htm

 

In June of 2005, Parker signed a pro contract and played with the Arizona Rookie League Padres.

 

In 44 games for the Padres, he was 35-for-160 (.219), 5-for-8 in SB attempts, 16 BB, 31 K, 6 HBP, for an OPS of only .557.

 

The Brewers staff would have seen Parker plenty last summer in the Arizona League, and considering he's a defensive standout, thought pursuing him was worthwhile.

[Mass Haas]

West Virginia Press Release:

 

CHARLESTON, WV (April 12, 2006) - The West Virginia Power, Class A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers have made another roster move.

 

Today, left handed pitcher Brandon Parillo was activated from disabled list, and right hander Steve Palazzolo was sent back to extended spring training.

 

Parillo was placed on the disabled list on April 12 after suffering a strained left shoulder. Before the injury, Brandon Parillo was 0-0 with a 54.00 ERA over two outings. He surrendered four runs on one hit with three walks through two thirds of an inning.

 

Palazzolo was 0-0 with a 9.72 ERA over seven appearances with the Power. He surrendered nine runs, all earned on 13 hits over eight and a third innings of work out of the bullpen.

 

That's excellent news on the promising lefty Parillo; hopefully Palazzolo can straighten out some things, he'd be fun to watch climb the ladder a bit (no pun intended, ladder not needed at 6'10").

[Mass Haas]

Great news here --

 

Huntsville Press Release:

 

The Milwaukee Brewers have taken left-hand pitcher Manny Parra off the disabled list and off the Huntsville Stars roster and transferred him to Brevard County in the high class-A Florida State League.

 

Parra will begin a rehabilitation assignment with the Manatees.

 

Parra pitched for Huntsville last season and went 5-6 with a 3.96 earned run average in 16 starts. He made his last start June 30 at West Tenn and was placed on the disabled list July 1 for the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury.

[Mass Haas]

West Virginia Press Release:

 

The West Virginia Power, Class A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers have made another roster move.

 

Sunday, right handed pitcher Matt Kretzschmar was called up from extended spring training, and second baseman Kenny Holmberg was placed on the disabled list.

 

Holmberg was placed on the disabled list after suffering a left ankle sprain. Holmberg sprained his ankle while running to first base during Friday night's game in Greensboro. Holmberg's four home runs are a team high and he is hitting .308 through 20 games this season.

 

Kretzschmar, a product of Rio Hondo Junior College in California, was selected in the 22nd round of the 2004 draft. In 2005 he went 1-0 with a 4.23 ERA in 15 appearances between Helena and Arizona. Kretzschmar was named the starter for Sunday's game against Greensboro.