Misc. Minor League Alumni News & Notes

[Jim Goulart]

2017-2018 catcher Tyler Heineman listed as well.

[Jim Goulart]

Great to see for Weston:

Let's not forget this 2017 pre-game Mudcats moment (video within - look for Corbin Burnes among those congratulating Wilson):

Wilson proposes to girlfriend at Mudcats game
Brewers prospect gets engaged following ceremonial first pitch

Weston didn't know at the time he was asking Wonder Woman (face of the video game) to marry him!

 

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Jim Goulart]

July 7, 2016    Milwaukee Brewers traded 3B Aaron Hill and cash to Boston Red Sox for 2B Wendell Rijo and RHP Aaron Wilkerson.

June 16, 2018:
 

Rijo, still just 27, reached free agency this fall, but has re-signed with his 2022 organization, Philadelphia. He spent 2021 in Braves system and has been a Dominican Winter Ball staple.

838 minor league games, only 43 at the AAA level (all in 2019 with NYY).

[Jim Goulart]

Article analyzes catchers in the Pirates' system:

Samuel Escudero also had a great season at the DSL. Like Plaz, he received less than 100 plate appearances, amounting to just 94, but he made the most of it. He collected a total of 21 hits while drawing more walks (16) than strikeouts (14). The only downside is that he didn’t hit for much power, with just five doubles and zero home runs. Escudero will be 19 next season and could be a nice steal from the Milwaukee Brewers. The Pirates acquired Escudero from the Brewers in exchange for Troy Stokes Jr.

[TURBO]

• Giants signed C/OF Clint Coulter to a minor league contract.

  Coulter put up some exceptional offensive numbers the last two seasons for Triple-A Memphis in the Cardinals' minor league system. He posted a sublime .910 OPS with nine homers in 207 plate appearances over 54 contests this past season. The 29-year-old former first-round selection was a highly-regarded prospect with the Brewers a few seasons ago, but wound up stalling out in the upper minors. He has a shot to make it to the majors in San Francisco.

  Dec 31, 2022, 3:37 PM ET

   
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[TURBO]

Phillies signed INF Weston Wilson to a minor league contract.

Wilson spent the last seven years in the Brewers' system and has displayed the defensive versatility to play across the infield diamond and the outfield as well. The 28-year-old gives the Phillies some additional organizational infield depth in the upper minors. He hit .228/.297/.358 with 11 homers and a career-high 17 steals in 462 plate appearances last season for Triple-A Nashville.

Jan 2, 2023, 11:15 AM ET

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Jim Goulart]

2019 Pacific Coast League Batting Champ (San Antonio)

 

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Joseph Zarr]

Just a brief and random late January reminder:

RHP Dylan File will be playing in the KBO this year (season begins April 1st). He will take his talents to the Seoul where he'll play for the Doosan Bears. 

[Jim Goulart]

Via damuelle on 12/2:

We wanted to give a send-off message to recently released Zach Mort:

25-year old Virginian RHP Zach Mort joined the Brewers in January 2021 after being an 8th round pick of the Cubs (George Mason University) and playing the 2018 and 2019 seasons with them. Over 2021/2022, Mort threw 32 2/3 IP at Low-A Carolina and 143 2/3 IP at High-A Wisconsin, producing a combined 5.67 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 8.9 K/9. He seemed to find his groove as a reliever in 2022 (2.77 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 6-1 record), but struggled mightily in six spot starts (10.13 ERA). We wish Zach the best of luck in his next adventure.

***

UPDATE: Congrats to Zach as the Braves signed him and have placed him on their AA Mississippi roster for now.

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Jim Goulart]

Jon Olczak, the 2015-2019 Brewers farmhand (2015 21st round out of NC State) was let go in the pandemic purge of spring 2020. Now 29 years old, he gets another affiliated opportunity after two years in the Astros' system, including 47 games (45 in relief) at AAA in 2022. Olczak received a big league spring camp invite with the Crew in '19 and another with Houston last spring.
 

 

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Jim Goulart]

Always nice when opportunities, even non-affiliated ones, find those wishing to pursue their dream. After not pitching in 2022, RHP Peyton Long (30th round, 2019) finds work in the partner Pioneer League with the Vibes in Colorado Springs. Long had been released after his 2021 season with low-A Carolina (8.39 ERA in 22 relief appearances).

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Jim Goulart]

Gabe Holt finds work in the Frontier League, hopefully makes his way back to affiliated ball:
 

 

[brooks_quichenick]

Old friend Weston Wilson is off to a good start with the Phillies org, crushing a 3-2 slider to left for a 2-run homer.

 

[Joseph Zarr]

Got to submit a few questions in an MLB Trade Rumors Live chat today with one of my beloved Minor Leaguers in ol stalwart RHP Josh Lindblom. In true Lindblom fashion, he was humble; honest; and affable. I'm going to miss him on the mound:

[Jim Goulart]

 

[CheeseheadInQC]

32 minutes ago, Mass Haas said:

 

Not surprised at all, especially with him going to the Rays.

[Joseph Zarr]

Hopefully, Mark Mathias can stick with the Big Club in Pittsburgh. He was traded today after being designated for assignment:

Quote

The Rangers announced Wednesday that they’ve traded infielder/outfielder Mark Mathias to the Pirates in exchange for a player to be named later. Texas designated Mathias for assignment over the weekend in order to open a 40-man roster spot for newly signed reliever Will Smith. The Pirates announced that righty Max Kranick, who’s recovering from Tommy John surgery, has been transferred to the 60-day injured list to open a spot on the 40-man roster.