Minor Transactions, June

[MassBrew]

From MassBrew on May 29th http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif :

 

Jeff Robinson, trying to come back from injury, has pitched pretty well, and he just turned 26 years old. It makes way too much sense to figure out a way to have the '99 7th rounder join Huntsville as their 11th pitcher, and then plug Chad Petty into his spot.

 

OK, thanks Reid Nichols. Now once you insert Petty into the Maverick rotation, you'll complete the process.

 

From the High Desert Site:

 

On Tuesday morning it was announced that Mavs starting pitcher Jeff Robinson was promoted to AA Huntsville, where he?ll join the first place Huntsville Stars in the Southern League. Robinson is the fourth player to be promoted to AA Huntsville this season, following teammates Kade Johnson, Daryl Clark and Kenny Ray, who were all promoted in the month of May. Robinson, who was on the Opening Day roster in 2001 for the Mavs will be making his first career appearance in AA after battling through a number of arm injuries in the last three seasons.

 

From the Huntsville Site:

 

Huntsville Stars outfielder Chris Cosbey is leaving the Milwaukee Brewers organization. Effective Wednesday, June 4, Cosbey?s contract has been purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies, and Cosbey will report to Advanced-A Clearwater in the Florida State League.

 

The 28-year-old outfielder got off to a blazing start in part-time duty with the Stars this season, hitting safely in seven straight games in April (9-for-21, .429) and finishing the month with a .290 average and .410 on-base percentage.

 

Cosbey then struggled through a difficult May, going 3-for-36 (.083) with 13 strikeouts. Cosbey?s season average stood at .171 when Philadelphia purchased his contract. Cosbey comes off an outstanding campaign at independent Brockton in 2002, where he hit .300 with one homerun, 34 runs batted in and 20 stolen bases.

[MassBrew]

The Brewers have transferred seven players from the Dominican Summer League state-side to the Arizona Rookie League. Six of the seven are 19 years old, the other 20 years old.

 

They are:

 

RHP's Jonathan Cedeno, Ruben Castillo, and Wington Concepcion

 

Middle Infielders Bartolo DePaula and Agustin Septimo

 

OF Fausto Mejia

 

Catcher Alberto Segura (yay, another catcher in Maryvale - every pitcher has a personal one now!)

 

What's pretty cool is that three+ years ago, Epy Guerrero discussed his latest "find", Bartolo DePaula, in a widely read Sporting News feature article:

 

As in any transitional period, though, there are holdouts against this new system. When Kehoskie showcases Severino, for instance, the Brewers won't be there. Epy Guerrero, a legend on the island, has no use for showcases.

 

"I don't call that scouting," he scoffs in the hot early afternoon sun at Complejo Deportivo Epy Guerrero, the Brewers' baseball academy in a northwestern suburb of Santo Domingo. "Showcases and auctions? I don't like that (stuff). I don't go through an agent. When they ask me to go to a showcase, I don't show up. I don't have to go to agents to find players. I can find them myself."

 

By last count, Guerrero has found 103 players who have made it to the major leagues. Most of them came up with the Blue Jays during his 17 years of scouting for that organization. Among them are George Bell, Tony Fernandez, Damaso Garcia, Alfredo Griffin and Luis Sojo. After former general manager Pat Gillick left in 1995, Guerrero switched to the Brewers.

 

"I've been doing this all my life," he says. "I don't even announce where I'm going. I go to a little town and show up at the ballpark, and 10 minutes later there is a tryout. All the young players show up. Maybe I talk to one guy on a motorcycle when I get there, and he goes all over town and says, 'Epy is here and he wants a workout at 1 o'clock.' And at 1 o'clock, the field is full. Baseball is crazy in this country."

 

His latest find is a 16-year-old shortstop named Bartolo DePaula - no relation, as far as we know, to Wellington. Guerrero found this DePaula far into the mountains west and north of Santo Domingo, in a microscopic town called Hoyo Oscuro, which means "dark hole."

 

To get there, Guerrero and an assistant drove into the hills as far as the road allowed and then switched to motorcycles. Further up the road, even the motorcycles couldn't handle the terrain.

 

"I had to get a mule to get over the hill to get to this kid," the master scout says, "but he's going to play in the big-leagues. I know it. He's not that good right now, but he's going to play in the big-leagues someday."

 

When we visit the Brewers' academy, DePaula is in his first week in a minor league uniform. He has a long way to go to get to Miller Park. But he already has come a long way, too. His father, he says, is a mason in Hoyo Oscuro who can't find regular work and makes about $90 a month. He has two sisters and a 14-year-old brother who plays second base. His mother stays at home.

 

His bonus was $8,000. A bargain for the Brewers; a fortune for the family.

 

"I had to get a mule to get over the hill to get to this kid," the master scout says, "but he's going to play in the big-leagues. I know it. He's not that good right now, but he's going to play in the big-leagues someday."

 

A mule! Priceless, just priceless.

 

For that entire article, which makes for pretty good reading, here's the link (I gave you the Brewers' part above):

 

www.sportingnews.com/base...dream.html

[igor67]

Well based on the picks so far it seems like a good bet that Arizona will only get a few raw prospects from the draft with most of the college kids going to Helena and some of the advanced ones starting higher probably Beloit (Weeks and Gwynn stand out as decent bets to be in Beloit soon). Here's to hoping these DSL kids can make some noise.

[BrewDude]

I was wondering when that Fausto Mejia was gonna get a shot. He was the offensive star on that DSL team last year. I just hope he can continue to show that here now in the states.

[MassBrew]

Yet again, the Brewers have reached into the independent league ranks to fill a roster spot.

 

LHP Tommy Marx was signed from the Kalamazoo Kings of the Frontier League and assigned to High Desert, filling Jeff Robinson's spot, Robinson having previously been assigned to Huntsville.

 

The 6'7", 23-year-old Marx was the Detroit Tigers 3rd round pick in 1998. He pitched full seasons in the high-A Florida State League the past two seasons. Despite his size, he's not overpowering and in fact, both walked and struck out 161 batters in 273.2 IP in 2001 and 2002 at Lakeland. Normally that combination won't work well in the desert, but we certainly wish Marx well.

 

Marx joins Justin Backsmeyer, Bobby Bystrowski, Aaron Dean, Jeff Hundley, Brian Mazone and Ken Ray (now in Huntsville) as free agent signees for the Mavericks' staff who were not in the Brewers' organization in 2002.

 

LHP Tommy Marx' Career Stats:

 

www.sports-wired.com/mlb/...sp?ID=6154

[MassBrew]

Kalamazoo sends the Brewers' organization another arm in RHP Jon Huizinga. Huizinga has been assigned to Beloit.

 

To make room on the Snappers' roster, LHP Gabe Mendoza has been transferred back to Helena. After a hot start, Mendoza had struggled as of late.

 

Huizinga just recently made his pro debut with Kalamazoo, four games in relief:

 

www.baseballamerica.com/c...r=huizinga

 

Apparently not drafted last year, Huizinga pitched four years for Michigan State, completing his career in 2002. I don't have his 2002 numbers; he did pitch, but the 2002 Big Ten stats only list pitchers who appeared in a minimum number of innings...

 

msuspartans.ocsn.com/spor...jon00.html

[MassBrew]

38-year-old 1B Doug Jennings to Indianapolis:

 

Central Islip, N.Y., June 4, 2003) ? Long Island Ducks team officials today announced that the Milwaukee Brewers have purchased the contract of first baseman Doug Jennings from the Ducks. Jennings will be assigned to the team?s AAA affiliate, the Indianapolis Indians. Jennings earned Atlantic League Player of the Month honors, as he led the league in batting average (.380), hits (33), runs scored (19) and on base percentage (.521) during May. He also led the team in doubles with 10 and tied for the team lead in RBIs with 20.

 

?Losing Doug is a blow to our squad,? said Ducks general manager Michael Hirsch. ?But we understand this is part of the equation and we?re happy for Doug. He certainly deserves it.?

 

Jennings goes to Indianapolis just one hit short of 1,500 for his minor league career. In 5,051 career minor league at bats, he owns a .297 batting average, with 188 home runs and 902 runs batted in.

 

You can listen to Jennings discuss signing with the Brewers in three very brief audio links at this link...

 

www.liducks.com/cgi-bin/d...s.cgi?id=1

 

Doug Jennings Major League Numbers:

 

www.sports-wired.com/mlb/...p?ID=13308

 

Not sure how this will affect the Indians' 23-man roster, currently full.

[igor67]

I know the Indy guys are disappointed and they should be, but The Brewers do seem to have made a serious effort to augment the team in the last week or so. Let's see if things don't improve some more for the rest of the season.

[MassBrew]

From hdmavs.com:

 

The latest move sees right-handed relief pitcher Greg Schaub officially announce his retirement from baseball. Originally drafted in 1995 as an outfielder, Schaub made the conversion to pitcher in 2001 and has been with the Mavs for the last two seasons. Schaub got off to a great start this year before soreness in his right arm landed him on the DL and eventually led to him calling it a career.

 

I believe only Valerio de los Santos has been in the Brewers' system longer than the 26-year-old Schaub, a member of the 1995 draft class along with Geoff Jenkins, drafted in the third round, only two rounds after Geoff.

 

We wish Greg well in his post-baseball life.

 

Greg Schaub Brewerfan Player Profile Page:

 

www.brewerfan.net/ViewPla...ayerId=209

[Past Member]

C'mon now. Doug Jennings is 38 years old! How does this do ANYTHING positive for Indy? You might as well sign a guy like Ricky Henderson and put some butts in the seats.

 

Besides, I thought Doug Jennings was a washed up magician.

[MassBrew]

Besides, I thought Doug Jennings was a washed up magician.

 

Doug Henning -- passed away within the past couple of years...

 

http://www.doughenning.com/newimages/dougfire.jpg

[Past Member]

Dang, now I feel bad for calling him "washed up". I actually saw him perform in Madison when I was about 10 years old. How'd he die?

[Past Member]

Nevermind, it was liver cancer.

[MassBrew]

Another dip into the independent leagues, for Indianapolis. With the previous signing of Doug Jennings, it seems it's time for two members of the Tribe to be concerned about their status within the organization, as room needs to be made.

 

Camden, N.J. ? Camden Riversharks (Atlantic League) catcher Alex Delgado has been signed by the Milwaukee Brewers General Manager John Brandt announced today. Delgado will be assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis, where he will join the team immediately.

 

This will be Delgado?s second stint at Triple-A this season after starting the year at Memphis where he batted .428 in five games for the Red Birds. Upon his release from Memphis, Delgado joined the Riversharks, where he was batting a team-best .333 upon his departure.

 

In 22 games this season with Camden, Delgado collected 23 hits, scored seven runs, ripped six extra base hits and drove in 10 RBI. Delgado was also magnificent behind the plate as he committed just one error and threw out 33 percent of would be base stealers.

 

?This is what the Atlantic League is all about, moving players back into organized baseball,? General Manager John Brandt said. ?We wish Alex all the best in the Brewers organization and hope to see him back in the Big Leagues.?

 

Delgado, 32 years old, had his only stint in the majors with the Boston Red Sox briefly back in 1996. I believe squarepusher will have a Player Index and career stats page in place for us by later today. - MB

[mike53565]

To make room for Jennings and Delgado they released Joe Lawrence and traded Budzinski to the Red for cash

 

I found this out beause I get emails from the Indy Indians and my last email I just got had that in it

[MassBrew]

Thanks, Mike! Here's the Indy Press Release:

 

www.indyindians.com/press..._0603.html

[squarepusher]

They reall need prospects in Indy..... because it's just too tedious getting stats in the database for all these older players.

 

Alex Delgado Brewerfan.net Player Profile:

www.brewerfan.net/ViewPla...ayerId=558

[MassBrew]

Joe Lawrence's Power 50 spot (# 37) is officially up for grabs.

[squarepusher]

Wow... Doug Jennings as a fan site:

dj7.cjb.net/

[Al the Thinking Man]

I liked Joe Lawrence's batting eye and ability to play 8 positions. Tony LaRussa would wet himself if he could get him, as the inability to hit has never kept SL reserves off the team.http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[MassBrew]

Indianapolis RHP Mike Buddie has been placed on the disabled list with a right elbow strain; no word on any potential forthcoming replacement on the "active" Indy roster.

[950opsLHcatcher]

Anyone want to place odds on which indy league the Brewers will take Buddie's replacement from?

 

I'm going Northern League, 3:1.

[MassBrew]

The Brewers have signed 32-year-old RHP Joe Roa to a minor league contract, and he has been assigned to Indianapolis. Roa cleared waivers from the Phillies earlier in the week.

 

Roa has established himself as a premier minor league pitcher. As a stopgap, he certainly provides a fine starting option for Indy. Beyond that, he could not embarass himself any more than Glendon Rusch, and to a lesser extent, Ruben Quevedo, have, in Milwaukee, once his arm is stretched a bit at AAA. Looks to be a smart signing for both player and team.

 

Joe Roa Career Stats:

I think we can forgive squarepusher if he doesn't import all these figures...

 

www.sports-wired.com/mlb/...sp?ID=6767

 

Joe Roa Rotoworld Profile (Focus on MLB numbers):

 

www.rotoworld.com/display...X=5542&Y=0

[igor67]

Looks like a pitch to contact kind of guy. I could certainly see the Brewers giving him a look. And dare I say he'd have been a better bet than Ritchie. A season with some luck on ball in play and he'd look awesome.

[squarepusher]

Let no stat go ununtered....

 

Joe Roa Brewerfan.net Player Profile:

www.brewerfan.net/ViewPla...ayerId=581