9/1 Call-Ups: Villy, Spurling, LHP Stetter, Rottino and AA Speedster Stocker

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

http://www.tribstar.com/sports/local_story_243163533.html

 

Indiana State alum Mitch Stetter called up by Brewers

By Dennis Clark

The Terre-haute (IN) Tribune-Star

 

Former Indiana State pitcher Mitch Stetter is finishing up his long journey - literally making the trip to join a pennant race - to reach the major leagues since being drafted in 2003 by the Milwaukee Brewers after four years performing for the Sycamores.

 

The Tribune-Star caught up with Stetter during the nine-hour drive from Nashville, Tenn., to Milwaukee on Friday afternoon. Stetter will report for duty with the Brewers around noon Saturday when all the major league clubs are allowed to expand their 25-man rosters.

 

He received the welcome news while playing for the Nashville Sounds, the Brewers' Triple-A affiliate, on Tuesday.

 

"I came into the clubhouse to check the lineup card like I usually do," Stetter said. "The manager popped out of his office and said the pitching coach needed to see me. I went to him and he said 'just kidding' and turned away. They're always doing things like that. So I turned away too, then I heard him say 'oh yeah, you're going to the major leagues.'

 

"I asked 'I hope you're not kidding me.'"

 

They assured Stetter, a lanky 6-foot-4 lefty hurler from Huntingburg, they weren't joking this time.

 

"It was an emotional time," Stetter noted. "I hugged both the manager and the pitching coach and then they told me to call my parents."

 

Stetter, who was drafted by Milwaukee in the 16th round (459th overall) of the amateur draft, has been told by the Brewers that he will assume the left-handed relief specialist role - just as he's done for Nashville the past two seasons.

 

http://images.cnhi.zope.net/images_sizedimage_243162948/med

[And That]

That Mel Stocker? Am I hallucinating? Woe for Steve Moss and Tony Gwynn.

 

Edit: That was almost a haiku! Whoa.

 

That guy, Mel Stocker?

Am I hallucinating?

Woe for Moss and Gwynn.

[Nearsighted Views]

Why no Gwynn? Anyone know?

[pitchleague]

I would venture a guess that they need SOMEBODY for the AAA playoffs.

[brettac1]

Why no Gwynn? Anyone know?

 

They're want to call up useful players instead?

[endaround]

Why no Gwynn? Anyone know?

Melvin's afraid Yost would actually start Gwynn and so makes sure he only has a pinch runner?

 

[thevaccinator27]

I thought Gwynn was still bothered by his hammy.

[SoCal Brew Crew Fan]

Maybe they want Gwynn to get healthy and keep getting ABs...he could still come up after the playoffs.

[bthurley19]

Found this gem from the past on Stocker when I was looking for some defensive stats. Looks like he can play some great defense since he was rated as Baseball Americas top defensive outfielder in the Royals farm system. Also found he had 56 stolen bases in the independent leagues last year. Pretty much sounds like a TGJ clone but can't hit at all.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/features/04top10s/royals.html

[kgbaseball]

I'm shocked to see Stocker. Guy hasn't done anything with the bat this season for Huntsville. I'm interested to see the reason for Gwynn's non-promo.

 

No complaints with the other callups. Hopefully, they plan of giving Villanueva a couple starts to see what he can do.

[Blazer25]

Pretty much sounds like a TGJ clone but can't hit at all.

That would actually make him an exact TGJ clone as Gwynn can't hit a lick either.http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/features/04top10s/royals.html

[dlk9s]

Man, that must be the greatest feeling in the world to get called up to the bigs. I'd probably cry.

[mothershipconnection]

Wow, Stocker. Honestly, I had to look the guy up. It's pretty obvious that he can't hit for crap, but he has 227 steals with 56 CS in his career and if he plays decent D he could be useful in some situations. Also, it's pretty obvious he won't be back after this year, so they can add him to the 40 man and quickly free that spot up again, as opposed to adding the guy to the 40 man and trying to keep him while removing him from the 40 man.

[Nearsighted Views]

Pretty much sounds like a TGJ clone but can't hit at all.

That would actually make him an exact TGJ clone as Gwynn can't hit a lick either.http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/features/04top10s/royals.html

 

TGJ must still be a little hurt cause if you're gonna call up his clone, why wouldn't you just call up the version with some major league experience. I'm happy for the dude and I wish him luck, though.

[brewers4eric]

What are the odds that Stocker will make an appearance at the plate with the Brewers? The guy must have Miquel Dilone like speed. I imagine he'll take the designated runner role that is reminiscient of the 1970's era Oakland A's. Mitch Stetter surprises me, also. He never seemed to do much in the Arizona Fall League or at AAA, but maybe they think he has enough stuff get a left handed batter out.

[RightFieldCoder]

I think Stetter will become the LOOGY allowing Shouse to become a full inning guy.

[Team Canada]

Stocker's going to be our Dave Roberts.

[kgbaseball]

Hopefully they'll allow him to run the bases for Estrada.

[LouisEly]

In the minor league report for yesterday, IIRC Kremblas said someting about expecting the Brewers to call up "situational"/role players, and that's exactly what Stocker and Stetter are; Stocker will be nothing more than a pinch runner and maybe late inning defensive replacement - I highly doubt he will bat except in a blowout or in an emergency situation in a 15+ inning game. Stetter is going to be a LOOGY, freeing up Shouse to pitch a full inning.

 

Something tells me that when Nashville is done we will see Gwynn and Nix in Milwaukee.

[ccbrew]

I'm just excited that these September call-up decisions have been made with a specific purpose other than big league experience for the young guns. One of those things that comes with being in a pennant race, and something that I hope to learn to get used to.

 

--Completely irrelevant note-- I don't have my glasses on/contacts in, so dlk9s's avatar (page 2) totally had me trying to squish the non-existent on-screen bug.

[MNBrew]

Stocker's going to be our Dave Roberts.

Dave Roberts? How about Herb Washington?

[TooLiveBrew]

--Completely irrelevant note-- I don't have my glasses on/contacts in, so dlk9s's avatar (page 2) totally had me trying to squish the non-existent on-screen bug.

http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/roll.gifCompletely hilarious note