June Transactions: Jones DL'd, 2 Newcomers, Candy Man

[MassBrew]

Mark McCarter of the Huntsville Times reports that RHP Reggie Rivard has been dropped to High Desert from Huntsville to make room for Paul Stewart's arrival.

[Al the Thinking Man]

Reggie, definition of organizational soldier.

[slideinheadfirst1]

i've just noticed that ken durost has been activated by the beloit snappers back to their roster. anyone know what was involved with his disappearance act?

[MassBrew]

I've just noticed that Ken Durost has been activated by the Beloit Snappers back to their roster. Anyone know what was involved with his disappearance act?

 

We've known for some time now that RHP Kenny Durost had a change of heart regarding his retirement, but hadn't commented officially here until the Snappers made his return official. No known reason behind any of the circumstances, let's just say "Go get'em, Kenny!"

[MassBrew]

The Brewers have apparently made a quick decision on RHP Garrett Berger of the Helena squad, as he was given his release. Too bad, as we've linked to recent stories on Berger from Helena newspaper coverage and ESPN's Rob Neyer. Both of those links can be found within the Helena thread:

 

p082.ezboard.com/fbrewers...2156.topic

[MassBrew]

The Brewers have acquired 26-year-old middle infielder Wandel Campana from Schaumburg of the Northen League and assigned him to Beloit.

 

Campana already has plenty of Midwest league experience as a member of the Reds' organization.

 

Wandel Campana career stats:

 

www.sports-wired.com/play...sp?ID=4783

 

2004 Independent League numbers:

 

www.baseballamerica.com/c...er=campana

 

Campana's Bio with Schaumburg:

 

www.flyersbaseball.com/fl....asp?ID=61

 

We didn't think Guilder Rodriguez would be out much longer, Will Lewis has arrived in Beloit, and Campana's primarily a second baseman. With a roster limit of 25, it appears that two other moves would have to be made to allow for Ken Durost's return and the Campana acquisition.

 

Just a week ago:

 

Campana was taken to Alexian Brothers Hospital for precautionary measures after he was hit by a pitch in the first inning.

 

"He was hit in the left cheek, I think the ball might have hit his helmet and then hit his left cheek," Flyers medical director Tony Garofalo said. "He did lose consciousness for about 30 seconds or less."

 

Campana also experienced blurred vision, headaches and a lot of swelling in the left cheek, Garofalo said.

 

Campana went into Wednesday's game hitting .304 with 19 RBI.

 

But from this past Saturday night:

 

Schaumburg second baseman Wandel Campana hit a three-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning Saturday night at Alexian Field in Schaumburg, Ill.

 

A 26-year-old inked for Beloit? Something's up elsewhere...

[Minorfan]

MassBrew - I think the rule has changed this year about the number of active players allowed on a roster. I think they dropped the rule that the active roster must go down to 23 after a certain date. I think the roster may remain at 24 all season long. I am not sure where to verify this but maybe you do.

[MassBrew]

Thanks, minorfan, I believe you're correct as I remember reading that myself now -- that's for AAA and AA, while A+ and A remain at 25. That answers our Indianapolis question from above -- while Beloit questions remain. By the way, I was using the roster limits listed at milb.com -- they haven't updated them from those winter changes.

[MassBrew]

It now is clear that middle infielder Wandel Campana has been signed to help plug a shortstop gap at Beloit, and will share time with Josh Murray there.

 

This, because SS Gilberto Acosta has been moved down to Helena. The 21-year-old Acosta gave fans of the Arizona Rookie box scores a real show last summer, hitting .349 in 189 AB's, and stealing 30 bases in 33 attempts (50 games).

 

The slightly built switch-hitter from Venezuela jumped Helena this spring and began play in Beloit, but struggled, hitting .167 in 132 AB's, only one SB (can't steal first), and only three extra-base hits, all doubles (a .423 OPS -- ouch).

 

Last season the Brewers had to go the independent league route with an under-performing Chas Terni playing in 106 games. This year looks to be another gap year in the system at the position at Beloit, and since Josh Murray's taken enough board heat today (imcumbent with his second round status), I'll stop here except to say that I'd love to see Alcides Escobar man the spot next year as an 18-year-old.

[MassBrew]

Perhaps just a Sports Network technicality, but High Desert LHP / DH Eric Henderson is now officially listed as a position player on the Maverick roster.

 

Henderson, the 2000 4th round pick, will be 25 years old in September. With regular offensive playing time, if he could become a useful stick who could also come on as a lefty reliever (with a wicked pickoff move), I'm all for it. I know Toby has voiced some displeasure, and the other High Desert bench players probably aren't thrilled, but if the Brewers are willing to commit to the move and really give it a shot, why the heck not. You've got 4th round money invested in the guy.

 

Goodness knows Eric'd have value on the short Huntsville position player bench as of now.

 

And just for reference's sake, here's Henderson's less-than-spectacular offensive and mound numbers for 2004:

 

www.baseballamerica.com/c...rson%2C+er

[DiscoStu]

Sports Network does not count the batting stats for pitchers individually, it lumps them in to all others.

 

But they will list a postion player's pitching stats. I believe this is why Henderson is now listed in the postion player's column, so he can have both his hitting stats and pitching stats listed, but it doesn't have anything to do with the Brewers grand plan for him.

[MassBrew]

Thanks DiscoStu. Your clarifications, like those of others within our Brewerfan "nation", are always appreciated.

[Al the Thinking Man]

and the other High Desert bench players probably aren't thrilled

 

That's a shame.

 

I think we have now seen the least of our concerns.http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[MassBrew]

From the Indy Indians:

 

On the nice news front, look for CF David Krynzel's name to start popping up in Arizona Rookie League box scores, perhaps as soon as in the one from today's (June 28th) game, as he's been assigned to that level to begin rehab play (returning from broken foot).

 

Indianapolis OF Jon Nunnally was placed on the disabled list after breaking the hamate bone in his right hand. Brewerfan sympathies to the veteran Nunnally, as we learned a lot about hamate bone issues in 2002/2003 via Brad Nelson.

 

Finally, while noted briefly in Sunday's Link Report, Beloit second baseman Guilder Rodriguez has been activated from the Snapper DL, and at this time, is expected to rotate game action with Will Lewis.

[huntsvillefan]

There's a guy called Jamie Gann appearing unnumbered on the Huntsville roster, does anyone know anything about him?

[bork]

Jamie Gann statistics from BA:

 

www.baseballamerica.com/c...=gann%2C+j

 

Edited: to avoid extra-wide screen text.

[squarepusher]

Looks like he was originally in the dbacks system:

sports-wired.com/players/...?Name=FDIA

[MassBrew]

RHP Mike Jones has once again officially been placed on the Huntsville disabled list. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/ohwell.gif

[MassBrew]

From the High Desert site:

 

Mavericks utility infielder and outfielder Scott Candelaria had been placed on the Mavericks restricted list. Candelaria leaves the Mavs after three seasons and 238 games with a combined .275 average, 43 doubles and 9 home runs.

 

From mlb.com:

 

Restricted List:

A player who fails to report or fails to sign a contract with the Club to which the player is reserved may be placed on the Restricted List. There is no minimum number of days the player must remain on the Restricted List before the player can be reinstated to the Active List. A player on the Restricted List does not count against a Club's Active List limits or its Reserve List limits.

 

The 25-year-old "Candy Man" is returning home to help out his family and continue his education.

 

Brewerfan wishes Scott well, and his placement on this list perhaps keeps the door open ever so slightly for a return down the road. Despite the Mavs' losing ways, I know I've heard Candelaria's name often via audio in the midst of many Cal League offensive barnburners.

[batman]

Mike, you're too nice for this to keep happening. Maybe try and learn how to throw knuckleballs? Or try the Chad Bradford submarine delivery?

 

Not really, but it really sucks that he keeps having trouble with that golden right arm. This is why drafting high school pitchers is not a good idea... I'm Jonesy's biggest fan (well, not really... but he's a favorite), so I hope he figures out what mechanical issues are causing this, but things ain't looking so good!

 

For those that would know (*hint*), have the Brewers ever offered Mike a trip to the American Sports Medicine Institute to get digitally recorded while pitching? Have they done *any* of that kind of biomechanical analysis using high-speed video and composite photography? What kind of prehab program (if any) has he been given by the Brewers' brass?

 

With all the tools at teams' disposals these days, I sincerely hope the Brewers do everything they can (even if it costs a bit of cash) to help Mike right the ship.

 

~Bill

[MassBrew]

New Northern League OF for High Desert -- looks like some promise for a Rushford / Zoccolillo - type:

 

Linked story while active, text follows:

 

www.flyersbaseball.com/te....asp?ID=85

 

SCHAUMBURG, IL- Outfielder Ben Van Iderstine, the Northern League?s leading hitter, is now the third Flyer this season to join the affiliated ranks. The Milwaukee Brewers organization purchased Van Iderstine?s contract on Wednesday and assigned him to Class A High Desert in the California League. He is scheduled to join the club on Thursday in San Jose.

 

Van Iderstine is the second Flyer to be signed by the Brewers organization in the last week after Milwaukee picked up IF Wandel Campana on June 24. Campana reported to Class A Beloit in the Midwest League. Van Iderstine joins former Flyers RHP Brad Ziegler in the California League. Ziegler was signed by Oakland on June 14 and has started off well for Class A Modesto.

 

The 25-year-old Van Iderstine got off to a phenomenal start for Schaumburg in 2004. He reached base via a hit or a walk in the first 34 games of the season, establishing a new team record. His batting average remained above .400 since the second game of the year and he leaves with the Northern League?s highest batting average at an even .400.

 

The Canadian native joined the Flyers for the final month of the 2003 season and was an important contributor to the club?s playoff chase down the stretch. This is Van Iderstine?s first opportunity with a major league organization after he began his career with two seasons in the independent Frontier League and then spent the first part of last year in the independent Canadian League.

 

There are now eight former Schaumburg players and one former Flyers coach currently working in affiliated ball. Van Iderstine is the 25th player or coach to join a major league organization after working in Schaumburg, dating back to 1999.

 

Numbers:

 

www.baseballamerica.com/c...+iderstine

[huntsvillefan]

He's 29+, and came from the Bridgeport Bluefish.

www.bridgeportbluefish.co...s/Gann.htm

Interestingly he played for High Desert in 97 & 98.

He got as high as AAA with the Diamondbacks in 2000 & 2001 and has been in the independents ever since.

An interesting acquisition, who'll certainly bump our average age up a bit.

He might be the eventual answer to the Brewers' RF problemhttp://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif