Camp Transactions - 29 Releases Reported This Past Week

[Mass Haas]

Last month, the Los Angeles Angels released 20-year-old catcher Martin Maldonado, who they had drafted in the 27th round in 2004 out of a Puerto Rico high school.

 

The Brewers have now signed the smallish (6'1", 180) catcher to a contract. All of Maldonado's games have been in the Arizona Rookie League (except for nine Pioneer League games in 2005), so the Brewers would have seen him quite a bit.

 

Of his 57 career hits, 51 are singles. He doesn't strike out or walk, but he's hit only a light .237.

 

If he sticks, he'll likely get a chance with Helena.

 

Not sure if he's a relative of longtime major leaguer, fellow Puerto Rican (and former Brewer), Candy Maldonado.

 

Martin Maldonado Career Statistics:

 

www.thebaseballcube.com/p...nado.shtml

 

http://www.asgbaseball.com/images/martin_maldonado3.gif

[Mass Haas]

According to Baseball America, the Brewers have also signed RHP Juan Sepulveda.

 

This appears to be a pitcher who will be making his pro debut this year, and we won't know more about him until the Brewer media guide (always a highlight of the spring!) is available mid-March or so.

[Mass Haas]

Busy couple of days here, this one from the Sounds' site:

 

LHP Lindsay Gulin (pronounced Goo-leen) - The 30-year-old southpaw attended Seattle Mariners spring training as a non-roster player last year before being released, then enjoyed an outstanding campaign with the Lincoln Saltdogs in the independent American Association. Gulin (13-2) finished first in the league with a 2.10 earned run average (28 ER / 120.0 IP), second with 13 wins, and third in strikeouts with 104, and was named to Baseball America?s All-Independent League First Team and recognized as the AA Player-of-the-Year by Sportsticker. The left-hander spent the 2004 & 2005 seasons in Japan after opening his career with stints in the Mets, Mariners, Cubs, and Dodgers organizations. He holds a 3.35 career ERA in 237 games (186 starts) over his 12 pro seasons and has tossed two no-hitters, including a nine-inning no-no for Triple-A Las Vegas in 2003.

 

Very easy guy to root for, the 92-44 career winning percentage state-side is nice as well.

 

Link from March 2006 in Mariners' camp, text follows:

 

seattletimes.nwsource.com...ari10.html

 

Pitcher Lindsay Gulin's long, winding road

By Scott Hanson

Seattle Times staff

 

PEORIA, Ariz. ? Left-handed pitcher Lindsay Gulin has chased his big-league dream to places he had never ever heard of.

 

From small outposts in Florida and California. From Massachusetts to South Carolina. From Tennessee to Minnesota, and from Wisconsin to Nevada.

 

Then, after playing for 10 different teams and for five different organizations in nine seasons, the 1995 Issaquah (Washington) High School graduate took his act to Japan for two seasons beginning in 2004.

 

"I've been to a lot of places," Gulin said. "Now, going to Japan, that was an experience. The language barrier was sometimes tough, but the people there were just crazy about baseball. They treated us [he and wife Traci] very well."

 

But Gulin has never stopped for long on his 11-year journey, and now he is here, at spring training with the Mariners, the team he rooted for while growing up in the Seattle area. The 29-year-old's passion is still strong, and he hopes to fulfill his dream with an organization he previously played for in 1998.

 

"Being here in big-league camp, with this team, is just really special," Gulin said. "I am enjoying every minute of it."

 

Gulin has had success throughout his minor-league career, with a record of 79-42 and an earned-run average of 3.48. Being left-handed didn't hurt him, either, but he has lacked the velocity that catches teams' attention.

 

"He tops out around 83 miles per hour, at least that's what we had him at [last week in an intrasquad game]," said Mariners pitching coach Rafael Chaves. "What I see in him is a skillful veteran who knows how to pitch and keep hitters off-balance. For him to get a spot [on the major-league roster], he will have to perform, just like anyone else trying to get one."

 

Gulin is a longshot to win a spot in the bullpen, but he's ready to keep going, no matter the outcome this spring, and wants to stay in the Mariners' organization.

 

"I am nowhere near ready to stop doing this," he said. "I love pitching, and it's not like I have been getting ripped. I have had success, and I want to keep on going. If I was getting ripped out there, then I guess it would be different and I would have to start thinking about doing something else."

 

Gulin doesn't have to look far for some inspiration. He has been learning by listening and talking to Jamie Moyer, another soft-tossing lefty, whose best years have come in his 30s and 40s. At age 29, Moyer was released by the Chicago Cubs and spent the season in Class AAA in the Detroit Tigers' system.

 

"I've learned a lot from him, whether it is listening to him, or talking to him about throwing the cutter," Gulin said of Moyer. "He is a very nice guy and very approachable."

 

Chaves said Moyer and Gulin have similar velocity.

 

"Jamie leads by example and Lindsay can look at Jamie and say, 'If he can do it, then maybe I can, too,' " Chaves said.

 

Gulin has pitched in two Cactus League games, allowing four hits and walking eight (but allowing no earned runs) in four innings.

 

His vagabond adventure began in 1995, when he was taken by the New York Mets in the 16th round of the June draft. He played for 10 different teams in his first six seasons, including a stint with St. Paul (Minn.) in an independent league, almost entirely in Class A. He played in the South, North, West and East, and he said he enjoyed every place he went.

 

In 2000, he found himself in the center of the country, with West Tennessee in Jackson.

 

"I had never heard of it, but I had a great time there," he said. "Great bass fishing."

 

Gulin began 2001 in Class AA with the Cubs' organization and reached AAA the next year with Las Vegas in the Dodgers' organization.

 

He was 10-10 in Las Vegas in 2003, including a 7-0 no-hitter against the Tacoma Rainiers "that was definitely one of the highlights of my career," he said.

 

Link to game story on no-hitter:

 

www.issaquahpress.com/mai...30&S=1

 

But while trying to wrap up a deal for the 2004 season, he was offered a contract with Fukuoka of Japan that was worth more than six times what he had been making. That was too much to turn down for someone who had previously spent a couple offseasons working construction and several years living with his parents.

 

Gulin decided to take the offer and moved to Japan with his high-school sweetheart, Traci, whom he married two years ago.

 

He was having a strong season for Fukuoka in 2004, when he suffered a bad break ? literally.

 

"I was 8-3, but I missed the end of the season when a line drive up the middle hit me in the hand and broke my thumb," Gulin said.

 

Gulin was demoted to Fukuoka's minor-league club in 2005, and was without a team when he met Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi by chance at a Sonics game. Gulin knew Bavasi from his time in the Dodgers' organization.

 

"We chatted for a little and about a week later I received an invitation to camp," Gulin said.

 

A familiar face at camp for Gulin is new Mariner Kenji Johjima, who caught for Gulin when the two were Fukuoka teammates in 2004.

 

"He's a great catcher," Gulin said. "First of all, he is ultra-competitive. That's probably a big part of why he is here now. He could have made millions over there and been comfortable, but he wanted the challenge.

 

"He calls a great game, is great defensively and he can hit."

 

If only Gulin could be pitching to Johjima again when April rolls around. Gulin said reaching the major leagues might mean more to him because of his long journey trying.

 

"I try not to let myself think about, but I think I would just bust if that happened," Gulin said.

 

***

 

There are at least three videos of Lindsay Gulin pitching in the Dominican Winter League recently, including in the championship series. He makes Tony Batista look silly in one at-bat. These were posted by a Japanese fan:

 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=U...mp;search=

 

Little-known fact:

 

Gulin was a local badminton hero in Washington who once went to an Olympic team training camp.

 

Lindsay Gulin Career Statistics:

 

www.thebaseballcube.com/p...ulin.shtml

 

http://saltdogs.com.ismmedia.com/ISM2/PlayerManager/209.jpeg.300.jpeg

[dadofandrew]

Gulin needs to be tried as a relief guy, for heavens sake. He'll still have 15 years left as a loogy!

[Mass Haas]

Sorry to our fearless leader, Brian, also Khalid's biggest fan, this photo montage is for you:

 

images.google.com/images?...amp;tab=wi

 

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.al.com/stars/huntsvil...amp;coll=1

 

Stars' Ballouli decides to retire

Pitcher spent most of last two seasons on injury list

By MARK McCARTER

Times Sports Staff markcolumn@aol.com

 

Khalid Ballouli, an oft-injured member of the Huntsville Stars pitching staff the past two seasons, has retired, according to manager Don Money.

 

That's what suffices as "big news" for the Stars after two days of spring training in Maryvale, Ariz. After reporting Friday and undergoing physicals on Saturday, the players are in the midst of fundamental drills this week.

 

They were also immediately involved in "live" batting practice - pitchers throwing from the mound rather than coaches doing the work - a baseball parallel to diving into a cold pool, rather than wading in.

 

Huntsville will play the Giants' Double-A club on Saturday in the first of 13 spring games. However, the Stars club that takes the field then will be a far cry from the club that opens the 2007 season at home on April 5.

 

Money is currently working with young players destined for the Single-A teams, while more experienced players - and most of the potential '07 Stars - are on the Triple-A Nashville roster or even still in the big-league camp.

 

Because the Brewers have several question marks on their roster, they are giving a long look to top young prospects, like third baseman Ryan Braun and several pitchers.

 

Milwaukee will likely wait deep into camp before making some decisions that begin the domino effect, shipping players from the majors to Triple-A, then in turn players being dropped from Nashville to Huntsville.

 

It could be, Money said, the latest it has been in many years that he learns his team's final roster.

 

Career stats for the soon-to-be 27-year-old, drafted in the 6th round in 2002:

 

www.brewerfan.net/ViewPla...ayerId=341

 

Good luck, Khalid.

[Brian the Automator]

A piece of me died today.

[pogokat]

my condolences on your loss, brian

[Team Canada]

We're here for you. Don't hold it in.

[Brian the Automator]

Well, I guess this June, I need to find my new Khalid. Until then, I'll wear black every day.

[DHonks]

Until then, I'll wear black every day.

 

I've heard black can have a slimming effect. Although on women, it just reveals where they have extra pudge.

 

Brian, I'll miss teasing you about Khalid. I never really understood how he even got to AA, but apparently he had good stuff. His results weren't there, and it always confused me. Why don't you jump on the Garrison bandwagon. If you don't he may come and get you, since he's a Hun. Or Steven Hammond has only a few supporters.

[Brian the Automator]

[ Why don't you jump on the Garrison bandwagon. If you don't he may come and get you, since he's a Hun. Or Steven Hammond has only a few supporters. ]

 

That's not how it works... I must pick the player on draft day for no apparent reason.

[TheCrew07]

I thought his name was something you could get behind?

[jackalope02ca]

Darn there goes the one guy you could blame for all the teams problems even when he wasn't pitching.

 

Best of luck to him in his future ventures.

[Nefaste]

Quote:

---

That's not how it works... I must pick the player on draft day for no apparent reason.

---

 

Come now Brian, we both know Mr. Ballouli's stunning good looks mesmerized you, no shame in admitting it.

[Brian the Automator]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y117/phearinc/ballouli.jpg

[Mass Haas]

It's absolutely fantastic when the affiliate websites pursue original content of their own. "Voice of the Stars" Brett Pollock does a great job detailing his interview with Khalid Ballouli here -- support the Stars' by visiting their site, we'll provide the link:

 

www.huntsvillestars.com/n...ewsId=1075

[Mass Haas]

The Brewers have signed RHP Devin Rogers as a minor league free agent.

 

Drafted in the 8th round out of Nicholls State University (Louisiana) in 1999 by the Cleveland Indians -- actually the same year and round as Chris Capuano, Justin Lehr, and former Brewer David Pember -- Rogers hasn't pitched professionally since 2001, amazing.

 

Having signed for $76,000, Rogers struck out 83 in 89.2 innings for Columbus in 2000. Then -- right shoulder surgery Sept 2000, UCL sprain in right elbow July 2001, Tommy John surgery May 2002. Yikes.

 

The Brewers signed him during an open workout this winter, apparently with some impressive radar readings. We believe he's now 28 years old.

 

Devin Rogers Career Statistics:

 

www.thebaseballcube.com/p...gers.shtml

 

This would be a great story and a super "scout find" if it works out.

[dadofandrew]

Just like The Rookie, if a guy throws hard enough in a tryout, it's pretty much an automatic sign.

[DHonks]

it's why I've always theorized that guys like Neugy and Gold should give it another try at around age 28. Give there arms a few years to get back to the rigors of daily life. Essentially, it's like letting the muscles and tendons re-calibrate. Then attempt to try throwing once their bodies are done growing.

[docduany]

I keep hoping to see Tom Wilhemsen (sp?) show up on this thread some day.

[Mass Haas]

From our friends in Nashville:

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=2219

 

Jose Macias Signed To Minor-League Contract

 

The Milwaukee Brewers signed veteran utility player Jose Macias to a minor-league contract on Wednesday, two days after the 35-year-old switch-hitter was released by the Washington Nationals.

 

Macias, whose versatility allows him to play third base, second base, and all three outfield spots, is expected to open the 2007 season as a member of the Sounds roster.

 

Invited to Nationals spring training as a non-roster player this year after spending the 2006 campaign in Japan, Macias batted .167 (3-for-18) with one RBI in 10 Grapefruit League games for the Nats before being reassigned to minor-league camp and ultimately released.

 

The Panama native spent the 2006 season in Japan, where he batted .229 (52-for-227) with three homers and 21 RBIs in 73 games for the Nippon Ham Fighters.

 

Macias spent the entire 2001 through 2005 seasons in the Majors with the Tigers, Expos, and Cubs, and last appeared in the minors in 2000 with Toledo (AAA-Tigers). The 15-year veteran carries a career .270 average in 720 minor league games and a .256 mark in 659 major league contests.

 

INF Jose Macias Career Statistics (Career .669 OPS):

 

www.thebaseballcube.com/p...cias.shtml

[dadofandrew]

Nice veteran backup for the Sounds.

[sbrylski]

Nice veteran backup for the Sounds.

 

Hell, I'd take him over Counsell in the thirdbase timeshare.

[mothershipconnection]

If we get into a situation where he'd see significant playing time, it probably means the season is over. However, it's a great depth move and he'd be better than most "last resorts" as a 25th man in an emergency.

[dadofandrew]

Hell, I'd take him over Counsell in the thirdbase timeshare.

 

Sub .300 career OBP, 50 points lower than Craig. Jose also cannot play SS. Very poor comparison.

 

There's a reason that Macias is available as a AAA backup and Counsell is making big bucks. Craig is simply a much better player.