Misc. Minor League Alumni News & Notes

[Joseph Zarr]

OF Skye Bolt, who manned the Nashville outfield grass in 2023 posting a .257/.359/.367 line in 64 contest, has signed a Minor League contract with the Atlanta Braves.  He will look to try and claw his way back to the MLB level for the first time since 2022.

[Jim Goulart]

The Carlos Santana acquisition last summer.

Severino played three games in the Pirates' Florida Complex League

[Jim Goulart]

 

[TURBO]

18 hours ago, Mass Haas said:

 

This one still hurts.  We will regret this one in the near future.

[Joseph Zarr]

OF Abraham Almonte (2022 Sounds hitting specialist - and boy did he hit in 2022 for Nashville- until a late July trade to Boston for cash monies) is headed to Mexico to further his baseball career. Best of luck in 2024!

[Joseph Zarr]

Considering he spent a good chunk of his 2023 season in Nashville scuffling through his ongoing loss of 'stuff', let's give a shout out to LHP Eric Lauer who signed a Minor League pact with the Pirates of Pittsburgh yesterday. Hopefully, the one time MLB rotation arm can rediscover what got him there - just not against the Sounds or the Brewers🤭.

[Joseph Zarr]

RHP Luis Contreras is doing exactly what I thought he had the chance to do with the Astros this Spring Training: dominancing. He pitched another scoreless (2K) inning today versus the Phillies (3/8).  He has been with the Big League staff all ST long - he has yet to concede a single run. Here's hoping the Astros organization can tap into what I saw for the past year plus in Nashville and Biloxi: possibly dominating stuff with a bit more fine-tuning and professional seasoning. The arm side run and ride on his heat should play at any level - plus stuff.

[Joseph Zarr]

Me waiting for any updates and news on RHP Tyler Herb's health status and 2024 MiLB season status:

One of my favorite interviews while with the Sounds, I truly felt as tho he was on the precipice of making his run for serious MLB call-up contention. His injury last year, when he had established himself over a season plus first in Biloxi and then as a key versatile hurling piece for manager Rick Sweet and the Sounds pitching staff at large, was just so incredibly unfortunate. He is still a free agent, technically, but I have a feeling that injury process and rehab was and is quite serious.

[Joseph Zarr]

On 3/8/2024 at 11:42 AM, Joseph Zarr said:

RHP Luis Contreras is doing exactly what I thought he had the chance to do with the Astros this Spring Training: dominancing. He pitched another scoreless (2K) inning today versus the Phillies (3/8).  He has been with the Big League staff all ST long - he has yet to concede a single run. Here's hoping the Astros organization can tap into what I saw for the past year plus in Nashville and Biloxi: possibly dominating stuff with a bit more fine-tuning and professional seasoning. The arm side run and ride on his heat should play at any level - plus stuff.

BUMP:

Contreras is in the last week of ST competing for the last Astros bullpen spot. He would be a 40-Man add. Just an incredible spring.

I said it many times last year: his fastball already had fantastic arm side 'rise and run'. He explicitly stated just this past December, he came to the Astros to further improve his greatest weapon. I am so happy for him it is working out so far. Even if he doesn't get that Opening Day nod, he is already firmly in the conversation.

[Jim Goulart]

Add LHP Nick Ramirez (NYY) to this list:
 

 

[Joseph Zarr]

INF/DH/sometimes LF Keston Hiura was also left off Detroit's Opening Day roster. They are hoping he sticks and carves a role as Toledo's starting 1B. They will have to wait and see, however, due to a clause in his Minor League contract:

Quote

He did not make the team's final roster, but there are some expectations that Hiura can lock down a role in Triple-A. Detroit wants him to be the team's starting first baseman at the Triple-A level, serving as quality depth within the Tigers organization. 

Perhaps one of the things to note about Hiura and his contract is that he has an upward mobility clause. This clause is worked into his minor-league contract with Detroit, meaning that the Tigers must offer him to the other clubs around the league.

Full article HERE.

Perhaps, we'll see him when the Sounds open vs Toledo this Friday? Stay tuned!

[Ro Mueller]

Old friend RHP Jake Cousins gets a chance to see his first big league action since June 3, 2023 with the Brewers. 

 

[Joseph Zarr]

In a strange April Fools themed Non-April Fools transaction, the beleaguered Athletics of Oakland option old (but not so long tenured) friend OF Esteury Ruiz:

 

A strange move in that Ruiz came out of the gates blazing hot...

[Jim Goulart]

Speedster turned slugger for an at-bat:

Hunter Renfroe trade (the incoming one).

[Ro Mueller]

Switch-hitting 26-year old 1B/OF Thomas Dillard (a 5th round pick in 2019) serves as a pretty strong exhibit for how difficult it can be to make the majors:

- 2022: first taste of AA ball: .755 OPS, 12 HRs, 14 SBs in 16 attempts - in 516 PAs. Released! 😳

- 2023: Atlantic League (the best of the independent leagues, chock full of former major leaguers): .988 OPS, 39 HRs!!!, 100 RBIs, 8 SBs in 10 attempts, 100 walks, 125 Ks - in 533 PAs

Most of Dillard’s power comes from the left side of the plate. Clearly he’s not Ernesto Martinez in terms of defensive scoops at first base, but come on!!!

- 2024: Signs with the Cleburne Railroaders (Texas) of the American Association of Professional Baseball (AAPB)

Thomas, if you’re out there, please go to Japan, Korea or Taiwan, mash, make some money and maybe find your way back to affiliated baseball from there.

[Jim Goulart]

 

[ARobsBrewCrew]

RHP Zach Vennaro has signed with independent Gastonia for the 2024 season.

[ARobsBrewCrew]

This has to be one of the happiest bits of info that I’ve ever passed along (although it’s bittersweet given the organization :/ ).  RHP Daniel Missaki has signed with the Chicago Cubs in what marks the end of a long journey back to affiliated ball.

[Jim Goulart]

Update on RHP Brady Schanuel, on the Indy ball route after a lost 2023 to injury.

ArticleBrady Schanuel 

[Ro Mueller]

Two former Brewer minor leaguers have recently signed in the independent Frontier League:
- RHP Anthony Perez (now 220lbs?) - Lake Erie Crushers
- OF Arbert Cipion - New Jersey Jackals

[Ro Mueller]

 

[Ro Mueller]

Congrats to C Alex Jackson on making it back to the majors for the first time since July 2022. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/05/rays-select-alex-jackson-option-rene-pinto-designate-colby-white.html

[Ro Mueller]

Three ex-Brewers appear to have landed jobs in independent ball for 2024:

- RHP Nate Grief - traded to Staten Isand

- OF Je'Von Ward - signed with Kane County

- OF Dillon Thomas - signed with Fargo-Moorhead

[Ro Mueller]

2022 Biloxi Shuckers legend C Jakson Reetz has finally been getting significant time at catcher in AAA and now gets the call to MLB, given San Francisco’s injuries. 

[wiguy94]

Monte Harrison has committed to play football at the University of Arkansas. Guess he's given up baseball.