The Brewers Farmhands Lined Up for Minor League Free Agency

As you'll read below, some of the 20 players looking at MiLB free agency this fall had already extended their Brewer tenures beyond that initial commitment. From a team perspective, the obvious way of keeping a player from walking away is to add him to the 40-man roster. Milwaukee did just this with Tyrone Taylor in October of 2018. The lone candidate among the players listed seems on the surface to be now-power reliever Lucas Erceg, but whether that ends up happening remains to be seen.

In approximately ten days from now, I will release a similarly profiled piece on those players who qualify for consideration to be added to the Milwaukee 40-man roster in order to prevent another organization from plucking them away in the rule 5 draft in December, so be on the lookout for that.

It may prove helpful if you bookmark this page for future access when needed.

Listed alphabetically, current affiliate noted:

Robbie Baker, RHP, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, age 27
Baker falls under the category of surprise minor league free agent qualifier as he only signed his initial pro contract in June 2018, when the Boston Red Sox made him a non-drafted free agent signing out of the University of Richmond. When the Red Sox released Baker as a victim of 2020 Covid roster-paring in May of that year, it effectively ended any seven-year hold that original contract had. When the Brewers signed Baker in August 2021 and assigned him to Carolina, they were not able to assume the seven-year control of the Boston contract. Instead, Baker signed for the remainder of 2021 and 2022. Clearly, Baker is much older than his competition, but he's in the midst of a near-perfect August, with only one baserunner reaching against him in four outings covering 9.1 innings (an HBP). The Brewers may choose to approach Baker to extend through 2023, one might think.

Zack Brown, RHP, Nashville Sounds, age 27
It's a bit hard to believe that Brown, the Brewers 5th round pick out of the University of Kentucky in 2016 and Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2018, has yet to make his MLB debut, never mind be added to the 40-man roster. Brown did receive invites to big league spring training from 2019-2021 and was an alternate site participant in 2020. Brown, now strictly a reliever. is the owner of a 3.16 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with Nashville this summer, yet he has been bypassed by others, including those previously not on the 40-man roster, when callup opportunities were available. Brown should be able to find a landing spot elsewhere this fall.

Harold Chirino, RHP, Biloxi Shuckers age 24
Earlier this year, I detailed the entirety of Chirino's Brewers baseball journey in this post. Chirino has been generally effective within the AA bullpen in 2022. He won't turn 25 until January and will be one of the younger minor league free agents available this fall.

Yeison Coca, INF, Biloxi Shuckers, age 23
Speaking of being young, somewhat amazingly, Coca doesn't turn 24 until May 2023. Acquired from Boston as part of the Tyler Thornburg haul in June 2017, Coca was just short of two years of his initial signing with Boston. Because Coca was traded and not released, the Brewers maintained the full years of control over him. Known for his glovework, Coca has posted a .239/.304/.334 line in over 1700 minor league plate appearances (.638 OPS). Have glove, will travel. Organizations prize having defensive depth, and Coca likely will have suitors once he's deemed free.

(On 9/25 - Signed to a minor league deal with a big league camp invite for 2023) Lucas Erceg, RHP, Nashville Sounds, age 27
Erceg won't turn 28 until next May. Most are very familiar with the career path of the 2016 2nd round pick, drafted as a third baseman. This past spring, Erceg was quite open about his struggles with alcohol and depression and journey to the mound, as detailed here by Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. To this very day, Erceg seems to be tantalizingly close to being a fireballing major league bullpen contributor. This will be a decision to watch for sure.

Hobie Harris, RHP, Nashville Sounds, age 29
The bullpen corps at Nashville in 2022 has been pretty phenomenal and add Harris' name to the list of contributors. An easy-to-root-for 2015 31st round pick of the Yankees out of the University of Pittsburgh, Harris had a long stint in the New York system before he was taken in the minor league phase of the 2019 Rule 5 draft by Toronto. Milwaukee quickly signed him when he reached free agency for the first time last November. All 210 of Harris' pro appearances have been out of the pen. Much like Zack Brown this year, Harris has been the victim of having too much talent surrounding him in the Crew's AAA ranks. 

(On 10/19 - Signed to a minor league deal with a big league camp invite for 2023) Tyler Herb, RHP, Nashville Sounds, age 30
Herb was signed by the Brewers just prior to the start of the minor league season this past spring after time in the Seattle, San Francisco, and Baltimore systems. He was rightfully bumped up to Nashville after a month-plus with Biloxi. Primarily utilized as a starter, Herb has consistently posted solid numbers at the AA level and rough numbers at the highest minor league rung. It's inherently unfair to speculate, but it wouldn't appear Herb would be made a priority to bring back, but there is no risk in a minor league deal other than it's one less uniform to distribute to another.

Josh Lindblom, RHP, Nashville Sounds, age 35
While Lindblom's three-year MLB contract for $9.125 million has proven to be mostly dead money on the big-league front, a rare David Stearns failed creative signing, Lindblom has at least been a useful innings-eater and clubhouse presence while with Nashville. Come this fall, the sides will shake hands and part. If Lindblom invested wisely, he's set for life.

Matt Lipka, OF, Nashville Sounds, age 30
Lipka has been acquired by Milwaukee via trade in each of the 2021 and 2022 seasons to provide depth on the outfield grass. Even with the departures of David Dahl and Abraham Almonte, the sudden in-tandem promotions of the exciting law firm outfield trio of Frelick, Mitchell and Wiemer have relegated Lipka's role to fill-in as of the present.

Carlos Luna, RHP, Biloxi Shuckers, age 25 (26 this September)
Luna debuted with the Brewers way back in 2014 as a 17-year-old in the Dominican Summer League, and he absolutely dazzled in his DSL encore in 2015. We wouldn't see Luna again until 2018 when he finally came stateside after he lost two full seasons to Tommy John surgery and complications thereafter. Luna was an unfortunate Covid release in May of 2020 but was a welcome sight on a re-sign a year later. Luna has been serviceable in an unsung middle and long relief role with Biloxi this summer.

(On 10/28 - Signed to a minor league deal with a big league camp invite for 2023) Andruw Monasterio, INF, Biloxi Shuckers, age 25
Another former international signing (Cubs, 2014) who is set to reach minor league free agency at a very young age, though this is actually Monasterio's second spin as it's how the Brewers enticed him last November with a big-league camp invite. Monasterio played in mostly a reserve role for Nashville this season until a June 28th assignment down to a depleted Biloxi roster rejuvenated Monasterio big-time (.983 OPS in 43 games). Surely a minor league manager's dream, but unless the Brewers just like the continuity and the "we know you" aspect of their rosters, it's likely Monasterio will slide on out.

Antonio Pinero, INF, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, age 23
Midway through Pinero's rookie season with Boston in 2016, the Red Sox were penalized for playing loose with the draft signing rules, and the Brewers scooped up the youngster. The owner of a .570 career OPS, you may as well insert the Yeison Coca career path seen above here for Pinero. Defensively a rock star and offensively limited, it will be interesting to see if the Brewer brass chooses to say goodbye to both infielders without an offer to tempt either or both back.

Corey Ray, OF, Biloxi Shuckers, age 27 (28 this September)
The first round of the 2016 MLB amateur draft became pretty much a wasteland, but that doesn't ease the pain of getting nothing but a memorable big-league debut game base on balls and run scored out of the #5 overall pick. It seems the Brewers organization has come to terms that this fall will bring the official termination of a failed partnership. Maybe Ray will reach out to White Sox management to see if his South Side roots can reignite the talent within.

Jose Sibrian, C, Carolina Mudcats, age 23 (24 this October)
Yes, a low-A ball player makes the list. Sibrian has battled injuries for much of his Brewer tenure, missing all of 2017 and of course, 2020. The five games played with Carolina in September of 2021 incredibly marked his first games with a non-rookie level affiliate. Known for his defensive acumen, it's possible this is an easy offer of a 2023 contract, but both parties need to be amenable.

(On 10/31 - Signed to a minor league deal with a big league camp invite for 2023) Jon Singleton, 1B, Nashville Sounds, age 30 (31 in September)
If not fully familiar with Singleton's unique career path, revisit this Adam McCalvy feature from March. Singleton has had several highlight-worthy longball moments in 2022, has walked a ton, and has certainly contributed to the Sounds' success this season. It all made for some interest among fans, but it seems this will be a one-year visit in the Crew's system, barring a don't-jinx-it Rowdy Tellez serious injury down the stretch.

(Has since been traded to San Francisco for cash considerations) Nash Walters, RHP, Biloxi Shuckers, age 25
Walters was Milwaukee's 3rd round pick in 2015 (90th overall) out of a Texas high school. Walters was actually a minor league free agent in the fall of 2021, but the Brewers and he were able to agree on a return for this year. The 2017 and 2018 seasons were lost to Tommy John surgery and a less-than-successful initial rehab. Losing 2020 didn't help. Walters has a 4.81 ERA and a more telling 1.28 WHIP in 39 appearances with the Shuckers in 2022. The very full and effective Nashville bullpen has served as a block in a sense to the AAA level.

(Has since been traded to Atlanta for cash considerations) Tyler White, 1B/DH, Nashville Sounds, age 31 (32 in October)
Like Jon Singleton, White has hardly been an anchor to the Sounds' lineup, but his numbers haven't truly popped either at .230/.357/.431. The Brewers didn't miss with this minor league signing, they just didn't reap an obvious reward beyond a healthy AAA contributor. If nothing else, the Singleton and White signings backfilled a pretty glaring system power need at 1B/DH heading into 2022.

Garrett Whitley, OF, Biloxi Shuckers, age 25
Yes, Whitley's current age surprised me, too. We forget that amid the restocking of the Brewers system at the upper levels late last fall, Whitley's arrival after a disappointing seven-year run in the Rays' system, being drafted as a high schooler 13th overall in 2015, was included. Recently dropped to Biloxi to make room for the previously referred to bally-hoo'd prospect trio, a change of scenery to Milwaukee's system didn't ignite Whitley.

Weston Wilson, IF/OF, Nashville Sounds, age 27 (28 in September)
Some look at the term "organizational soldier" as demeaning, and it is true that I have come around in limiting my use of the wording, though I disagree in finding it truly derogatory. A 17th round pick out of Clemson in 2016, Wilson has done everything but catch in his solid contributor seven-year Brewer tenure. Wilson has managed a suitable .757 OPS along the way. I really hope we see Wilson netting a decent payday in minor league free agency for an organization realizing they'll be getting value in versatility.

EDIT: Additions are Nashville C Pedro Severino and RHP JC Mejia.