2023 Minor League Transaction Thread

[Joseph Zarr]

• RHP Taylor Floyd has been traded to the Minnesota Twins as the PTBNL portion of the RHP Trevor Megill trade

 

[TURBO]

4 hours ago, Joseph Zarr said:

• RHP Cam Robinson has been designated for assignment by the Milwaukee Brewers

Man, I really thought this kid was going to be special when he was with the T-Rats.  Bummer.

[Joseph Zarr]

2 minutes ago, TURBO said:

Man, I really thought this kid was going to be special when he was with the T-Rats.  Bummer.

He still could be a very solid MLB reliever. In 2023 it would appear it's in his head. A change of scenery might be very good for him. OR, if he goes unclaimed, a re-assignment (staying in Biloxi or, heck, rediscovering himself in High-A) and continued work in reclaiming his stuff and presence on the mound. He is still just 23 years old. This is a by-product of a significant step back season and a regression after having earned Rule 5 rostered protection. Another team will see the work of 2022 and he will likely get scooped right up.

[Ro Mueller]

- RHP Robert Stock released by AAA Nashville

[Jim French Stepstool]

Sort of ironic Robinson & Floyd are involved in moves at the same time. I had hopes for both & thought it might mitigate our need to acquire BP arms every deadline.

Of course, if Uribe shines in AAA............

[Ro Mueller]

OF/INF Keston Hiura sent on rehab assignment to ACL Brewers

OF Monte Harrison transferred to Development List from AAA Nashville

[Ro Mueller]

We wanted to tip our caps to some players that were recently released or retired:

22-year old LHP Pablo Garabitos, born in the Dominican Republic, was taken in the 25th round ($125k sign-on bonus) of the 2018 draft out of Lakewood Ranch High School in Florida. Pegged as a reliever from the get-go, he was quite dominant in Arizona (2 seasons – 2.22 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 9.8 K/9 in 48.2 IP)) and Low-A ball (2022 season – 1.61 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 9.8 K/9 in 56 IP), so it’s difficult to understand why the organization didn’t promote him at a faster clip. He evidently suffered an injury this past offseason or at the start of spring training, causing him to be placed on the 60-day injured list in early April 2023, before his surprising release last week. We hope that Pablo is fully healed and ready to seize the next opportunities which come his way.

22-year old OF Micah Bello was a competitive balance pick after the 2nd round ($550k sign-on bonus) in 2018 out of Hilo High School in Hawaii. He did just enough on the field in 2018 and 2019 to keep prospect watchers interested (e.g. .648 OPS, 10 stolen bases in Arizona; .726 OPS with 6 homers at Rocky Mountain). He then recorded a ho-hum .663 OPS with 64 Ks (vs. 11 walks) as a 20-year old at Low-A Carolina in 2021, though lost two months due to injury. Sent to repeat at Low-A in April 2022, he was the team’s top hitter with a .994 OPS in 18 games before being promoted to High-A Wisconsin, where he posted a .641 OPS over 20 games before being injured. This year, he struggled in 14 games at Wisconsin, though perhaps he was dealing with yet another injury before announcing his voluntary retirement. We hope that Micah was able to further his education on the side during his five seasons in the Brewers’ organization and wish him luck in his future endeavors.

22-year old RHP Fernando Olguin joined the Brewers as an international free agent out of Mexico in May 2019, then did nothing but impress over his first two seasons: 1.88 ERA with 53 Ks in 43 IP in the Dominican Summer League in 2019; 2.87 ERA with 30 Ks in 31.1 IP in Arizona in 2021. Then 21-year old Fernando put up somewhat respectable results last year in Low-A ball (5.30 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 9.0 K/9 in 69.2 IP), though with need for improvement. This year, Olguin faced just 11 batters at Low-A Carolina before being released. He has since joined Tijuana of the Mexican League (independent ball) and we hope he makes significant strides there.

25-year old RHP Joey Matulovich was a 20th round selection ($110k sign-on bonus) in 2018 out of UC-Berkeley. After surprisingly good numbers (2.75 ERA with 49 Ks in 36 IP) in the hitter-friendly Pioneer League in 2018, the next season in Arizona/Low-A Wisconsin was more of a struggle (5.57 ERA with 45 Ks in 32.1 IP). By 2021, he was revived in Low-A ball (1.80 ERA with 56 Ks in 40 IP) but struggled after a promotion to High-A (6.55 ERA with 39 Ks in 34.1 IP). Last season saw a full-time shift to the bullpen in High-A, which unfortunately didn’t deliver the expected results (5.98 ERA with 64 Ks in 58.2 IP), then he only saw action in 5 games at High-A Wisconsin in April before being released. He’s since joined Winnipeg in the American Association (independent ball) and we wish him terrific success.

24-year old LHP Jakob Brustoski signed as an undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech in July 2021. He can certainly light up the radar gun, striking out 69 batters in just 32.2 IP in 31 games over about two seasons with the Brewers: 7 games in Arizona, 24 at Low-A Carolina. Unfortunately, control was an issue as he also walked 50 batters, threw 32 wild pitches and hit 9 players, contributing to his career MILB ERA of 11.57. We wish Jakob success in putting his tools together elsewhere in baseball or in whichever career he chooses.

33-year old RHP Robert Stock joined AAA Nashville in January 2023 after an eventful career with the Cardinals, Pirates, Reds, Padres, Red Sox, Cubs, Mets, Dooson Bears (Korea) and the Israeli National Team. He’s logged 72.2 innings in the Majors, lastly in 2021. Originally selected by St. Louis as a catcher from USC in the 2009 draft, he didn’t transition to pitching until 2012 in Low-A ball. He’d pitched respectably in AAA in 2021 and in Korea in 2022, but this season with Nashville was a struggle (8.22 ERA in 23 IP). Mr. Stock has quickly landed on his feet with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League (independent ball) and we wish him tremendous success.

20-year old OF/INF Jacob Zalm joined the Brewers as an international free agent out of Curacao in July 2019, though wasn’t able to debut until July 2021 due to the lost Covid season. After a highly productive 2021 in the Dominican Summer League (.764 OPS with 15 stolen bases in 135 PAs), he spent most of 2022 stateside Arizona, posting a somewhat respectable .655 OPS with 5 stolen bases (vs. 0 CS) in 113 PAs. Released just prior to the ACL season commencing, perhaps Zalm was a casualty of the Brewers’ reduction to having just one team in Arizona, but his lack of a premium defensive position (most 2022 innings were in left field) probably didn’t help his case. We wish Jacob all the best whether in baseball or other career pursuits.

21-year old RHP Phili Silverio was signed as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in March 2021. Phili skipped Dominican Summer League ball, being placed directly in Arizona in July 2021, understandably struggling to a 5.59 ERA and 1.86 WHIP, though with an eye-opening 30 strikeouts in just 19.1 innings pitched. Unfortunately, his ERA (7.48) and walks (26 in 21.2 IP) didn’t improve in a second season in Arizona, before he was ultimately released early last month. Good luck Phili!

20-year old RHP Delson Guzman signed as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in October 2019. Similar to Zalm, Guzman didn’t formally debut until July 2021. He pitched just 4.2 innings in the Dominican Summer League that season, before going on the 60-day injured list. Unfortunately, that injury carried into the 2022 season, in which he only pitched 7 innings (2.57 ERA with 9 Ks) in Arizona. This year, Delson was placed on the 60-day injured list to start the season in April and has now been released. We wish Mr. Guzman the best of success in his future pursuits.

19-year old RHP Leonardo Rivera joined as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic in January 2021, but went on the 60-day injured list and didn’t debut until 2022 with DSL Brewers-1. Last season, he made 15 relief appearances, delivering a 6.48 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 7.2 K/9 in 25 innings. He also earned two wins and one save for his efforts. We wish him a successful career, whether in baseball or another path.

18-year old RHP Breijher Subero signed as an international free agent from Venezuela in June 2022, but he unfortunately never made his organizational debut. We hope he’s healthy and wish him well in his career and life.

[Jim Goulart]

1 hour ago, damuelle said:

25-year old RHP Joey Matulovich was a 20th round selection ($110k sign-on bonus) in 2018 out of UC-Berkeley. After surprisingly good numbers (2.75 ERA with 49 Ks in 36 IP) in the hitter-friendly Pioneer League in 2018, the next season in Arizona/Low-A Wisconsin was more of a struggle (5.57 ERA with 45 Ks in 32.1 IP). By 2021, he was revived in Low-A ball (1.80 ERA with 56 Ks in 40 IP) but struggled after a promotion to High-A (6.55 ERA with 39 Ks in 34.1 IP). Last season saw a full-time shift to the bullpen in High-A, which unfortunately didn’t deliver the expected results (5.98 ERA with 64 Ks in 58.2 IP), then he only saw action in 5 games at High-A Wisconsin in April before being released. He’s since joined Winnipeg in the American Association (independent ball) and we wish him terrific success.

I really dislike the move of the MLB draft to July for one selfish reason - I am able to take in Cape Cod League games, and over the years have been able to visit with Brewers' draft picks as they were considering whether to sign or not. Matulovich was the most recent (I'm sure I convinced him wearing all my Brewers gear), but Joey was a pleasure to chat with, very accommodating, and yes, here's to the continued pursuit of his baseball dream.

[Ro Mueller]

- RHP Tyson Miller optioned to AAA Nashville from MLB Brewers
- LHP Wade Miley and DH/1B Jesse Winker reinstated to MLB Brewers from MILB rehab assignments
- OF Lamar Sparks placed on 7-day injured list by AA Biloxi, retroactive to 6/16
- RHP Samuel Dario placed on 7-day injured list by ACL Brewers

[Joseph Zarr]

- RHP Cam Robinson has cleared waivers and been outrighted to the Biloxi Shuckers.

Let's find that 2022 form, Mr. Robinson!

- 1B Jon Singleton has been DFA'd by the Milwaukee Brewers

[ARobsBrewCrew]

On 6/17/2023 at 7:14 AM, damuelle said:

18-year old RHP Saul Arias signed as an international free agent from Mexico in July 2022, but he unfortunately never made his organizational debut. We hope he’s healthy and wish him well in his career and life.

I believe Arias is dealing with an injury and is still in the organization, unless I have missed something.

[Ro Mueller]

14 minutes ago, ARobsBrewCrew said:

I believe Arias is dealing with an injury and is still in the organization, unless I have missed something.

Thank you. You're probably right. I'll delete that part of the post. This is probably a case of Arias not showing up on any roster, so he ended up a the bottom of my spreadsheet. OF Jose Gonzalez is another such case of a man in limbo.

[jay87shot]

I feel like Tyler Black and Luis Lara are ready for promotions (among others). Lara almost has a 2 to 1 bb to k ratio, even though he is a young 18 I would give him a push up. Black being in the same boat, neither really has a big prospect in their way slowing them down. 

Who else did I miss that is on the doorsteps of a promotion?

[wiguy94]

31 minutes ago, jay87shot said:

I feel like Tyler Black and Luis Lara are ready for promotions (among others). Lara almost has a 2 to 1 bb to k ratio, even though he is a young 18 I would give him a push up. Black being in the same boat, neither really has a big prospect in their way slowing them down. 

Who else did I miss that is on the doorsteps of a promotion?

Players I think are could be ready for promotions. 

A - Lara, Adams, Wehrle, Smith

A+ - Lazar 

AA - Black, Campbell

A+ is a bit of a log jam with not a lot of players deserving of promotions. I think they could push Gray again if Lara gets promoted to A+. Woessner I think could handle a promotion but I feel like he needs to maintain his velo deeper into starts before he’s truly ready for a promotion. 

[Ro Mueller]

• RHP Nick Merkel promoted to High-A Wisconsin from Low-A Carolina
• RHP Jose Chavez promoted to Low-A Carolina from ACL Brewers
• OF Roman Quinn released by AAA Nashville
• INF Josh VanMeter activated from AAA Nashville's 7-day injured list
• RHP Pedro Fernandez placed on AAA Nashville's 7-day injured list
• RHP Jason Alexander’s rehab shifted to AA Biloxi

[Joseph Zarr]

In what is likely an unsurprising bit of news, but still sad for me none the less, 1B Jon Singleton cleared waivers and has elected Minor League Free Agency.

We thank you, Mr. Singleton, for your time in the Brewers organization. You were a true pleasure to watch and your story is inspiring to so many of us. I sincerely hope you get a great opportunity wherever that may be. Best of luck to you and your beautiful family.

[Ro Mueller]

- OF/INF Keston Hiura activated from AAA Nashville’s 7-day injured list
- LHP Eric Lauer placed on AAA Nashville’s temporary inactive list

[SF70]

Great news on Hiura. Now let’s see what the lab/PDS can do with Lauer.

[Robocaller]

What happened to Eric Brown? He hasn't played since June 3.

 

[wiguy94]

15 minutes ago, Robocaller said:

What happened to Eric Brown? He hasn't played since June 3.

 

Jam shot that caused thumb soreness. Curt Hogg said he is expected to return to play as soon as this week. It’s about all we have gotten.

[Joseph Zarr]

- RHP Trevor Megill was optioned to the Nashville Sounds by the Milwaukee Brewers

[Joseph Zarr]

- RHP Aidan Maldonado has been placed on the 7-Day IL (retroactive to 6/21) by the Carolina Mudcats

[Jim French Stepstool]

On 6/19/2023 at 10:37 AM, jay87shot said:

 

Who else did I miss that is on the doorsteps of a promotion?

I wouldn't mind seeing Justin Jarvis get his feet wet in AAA, but it would leave a hole in the Biloxi staff as I'm not sure who from Wisconsin could fill his spot in a corresponding move. Maybe Tyler Woessner or Max Lazar?

[Ro Mueller]

- LHP Ethan Small placed on AAA Nashville’s 7-day inured list
- RHP Johan Zapata assigned to DSL Brewers-2 from DSL Brewers-1

[Ro Mueller]

- OF Lamar Sparks activated from AA Biloxi’s 7-day injured list
- RHP Jason Alexander’s rehab shifted to AAA Nashville from AA Biloxi