10 Minor-League Free Agents The Crew Should Consider

[Harold Hutchison]

While many fans may look to free agency to plug holes, they often focus on major-league free agents. But could minor-league free agents help Milwaukee fill some holes?

Image courtesy of © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

A minor-league free agent can be an excellent pickup. Look no further than Andruw Monasterio, who was signed in the 2021-2022 offseason as a minor-league free agent, and who was named Brewer Fanatic’s Top Brewers Rookie of 2023. Can they secure others who could make a similar difference for the Crew?

When looking at the minor-league free agents, we’re not just looking at those who could have a big impact in 2024 at the major-league level, but those the Crew could develop. That doesn't mean, though, that we won't find some 2024 contributors in the process. Here are ten contenders to help out, either in 2024 or beyond, currently on the minor-league free-agent market.

C Mario Feliciano
Feliciano had a number of injured list stints in 2023, but the Brewers will be looking for either a decent backup for William Contreras or someone to take a lot of Triple-A catcher time when Jeferson Quero forces his way to Milwaukee (assuming they choose to keep Wes Clarke at first base). Feliciano could fit in well, knows how the Brewers handle pitching, and offers a solid bat when he's healthy. A one-time top prospect for the Crew, the 25-year-old Feliciano still could turn things around, or at the very least be a decent No. 2 for Contreras or Quero (or both).

LHP Alemao Hernandez
If the Brewers are looking for a pitching equivalent to Monasterio, Hernandez might be a worthwhile signing. The 24-year-old lefthander worked from the rotation, going from High A to Triple A in one season after pitching in the Mexican League for the entirety of his previous professional career. If the Brewers are looking for potential Nashville-Milwaukee shuttle candidates, Hernandez is arguably one at whom they should take a long look.

RHP Max Lazar
Lazar was a prospect who looked like an under-the-radar steal prior to the pandemic. He recovered from a pair of injury-riddled seasons, starting with winter ball in Brisbane. The Crew should look to bring him back as rotation depth within the system. At 24, he still has plenty of gas left in the tank; he could be a potential replacement for Bryse Wilson.

1B Lewin Diaz
While he scuffled in three major-league stints with the Miami Marlins, in 2023, Díaz’s OBP skills seemed to level up. He has flashed some good glove work in the majors, finishing second in Total Zone Runs in 2022, despite only playing 58 games. A left-handed power hitter, Díaz could surprise in American Family Field (see Eric Thames for one example).

RHP Nick Neidert
Neidert is a one-time blue-chip pitching prospect who has been decent in three MLB stints with the Marlins. He had injury issues in 2022 (nothing related to his arm), and was healthy for all of 2023. Neidert looks like a prime candidate for the Crew’s pitching lab, and could be a sneaky-good pickup for the team. He would also have plenty of team control for the Crew, should he stick with the club.

LHP Cam Vieaux
Vieaux could be an option as a lefty out of the pen and an eventual replacement for Hoby Milner (nothing against Milner, but he is 32, and he's now arbitration-eligible). Vieaux had a brief cup of coffee with the Pirates in 2022, and while he’s 30, he still offers multi-inning capability and past starting experience, and has plenty of team control.

RHP Jason Alexander
Like Monasterio, Alexander is proof that minor-league free agency can be a significant source of help for a big-league club, coming over after the 2021 season as a minor-league free agent from the Angels system to be the fill-in hero for the Brewers pitching staff in 2022. He had his own injury problems in 2023, but his past performance has been solid. Reuniting with Alexander would not be the worst move the Crew could make.

C/IF Tony Wolters
With the Crew in need of a new backup catcher following Victor Caratini’s departure, Wolters makes for an interesting option. A left-handed hitter who has demonstrated good OBP skills, he has also played second base, shortstop, and third base in the majors, offering some additional versatility to the bench. Wolters is not likely to start, given the presence of Contreras and Quero, but he may fit right in as a backup.

LHP Garrett Williams
Since moving to the bullpen after the 2020 season, Williams has averaged more than a strikeout per inning. While control has been an issue (he also averaged more than a walk an inning), Williams does offer the ability to go multiple innings, avoided the go-fer ball in 2023 (except for one occasion), and still can fill in as a starter if needed. Williams could be a candidate for the pitching lab, although at 28, he still is a bit of a project.

1B/3B Jason Vosler
Vosler is a left-handed power bat who plays third base and first base. That general profile fits American Family Field very well. In Vosler’s case, he has shown some solid OBP skills and some legitimate power in the minors, even though he scuffled in two out of three major-league cups of coffee.

What do you think of these minor-league free agents? Are there any you think should be added to the list? Let us know in the comments below.

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[Stubby66]

I think another possible minor league free agent to consider should be Thomas Dillard 

[jay87shot]

Good stuff, I would add some of those power hitting 1B/3B types. Never bad to add extra arms. 

Is there a reliable website that lists minor league free agents?

 

 

[Bashopolis]

I wish the Brewers would have signed Peyton Henry and given him a legit chance at being the back up catcher at the beginning of the year but he signed with the Blue Jays:   https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/12/blue-jays-payton-henry-agree-to-minor-league-contract.htmle 

[CheeseheadInQC]

From a purely roster perspective at the minor league level, they could use an additional outfielder and catcher in high-A and double-A. An international signing hitting free agency at 23 or an Indy ball hitter wouldn’t shock me there.

Unless he managed to make big strides defensively, I think the Feliciano ship might have sailed. The Brewers’ way didn’t produce results there. I don’t know, for that reason, that a reunion is in either side’s best interest.

[Stubby66]

Like the idea of bringing back Feliciano wouldn't mind them bringing back Robinson,  Nash Walter's and Thomas Dillard  too. Think they may get a better shot with Murphy running the show.

[sveumrules]

Feliciano can't field the position and hasn't hit since A+ in 2019.

[Joseph Zarr]

I'd put the shot of re-signing Feliciano at next to zero. That ship certainly appears to have more than sailed. Stranger things have happened, and I certainly wish him well, but let me just say: extremely unlikely. He did have a strangely positive season throwing out base stealers (11-of-26) after mightily struggling for years with the Crew. But, the sample size was so small given he was back on the IL - a recurring theme for the one-time highly touted prospect - it doesn't really carry any water.

When it comes to catchers, Brewers fans continually forget they have an extremely worthy MLB back-up option/ Triple-A Nashville starter in Brian Navarreto. He is very very good behind the dish and surprisingly clutch when swinging the bat. Now that the Henry ship has sailed North, I wouldn't be surprised in the least if they re-upped both Brent Diaz (another extremely underrated and highly professional back-stop) and finally bumped the very worthy Jose Sibrian up a level or two given he's clearly mastered Low-A. Both continue to test the ML FA waters. My one source of trepidations here, even though I highly enjoy watching both players, is they were released by the club - ie, they didn't choose FA (at least via the official Transaction Wire earlier this Fall). Regardless, both have been excellent Brewers Minor Leaguers.

[Joseph Zarr]

1 hour ago, jay87shot said:

Good stuff, I would add some of those power hitting 1B/3B types. Never bad to add extra arms. 

Is there a reliable website that lists minor league free agents?

 

 

Yes. Baseball America publishes it every fall:

Link HERE

[brewmann04]

I would like Max to return

[CheeseheadInQC]

19 hours ago, Joseph Zarr said:

I'd put the shot of re-signing Feliciano at next to zero. That ship certainly appears to have more than sailed. Stranger things have happened, and I certainly wish him well, but let me just say: extremely unlikely. He did have a strangely positive season throwing out base stealers (11-of-26) after mightily struggling for years with the Crew. But, the sample size was so small given he was back on the IL - a recurring theme for the one-time highly touted prospect - it doesn't really carry any water.

When it comes to catchers, Brewers fans continually forget they have an extremely worthy MLB back-up option/ Triple-A Nashville starter in Brian Navarreto. He is very very good behind the dish and surprisingly clutch when swinging the bat. Now that the Henry ship has sailed North, I wouldn't be surprised in the least if they re-upped both Brent Diaz (another extremely underrated and highly professional back-stop) and finally bumped the very worthy Jose Sibrian up a level or two given he's clearly mastered Low-A. Both continue to test the ML FA waters. My one source of trepidations here, even though I highly enjoy watching both players, is they were released by the club - ie, they didn't choose FA (at least via the official Transaction Wire earlier this Fall). Regardless, both have been excellent Brewers Minor Leaguers.

If there is interest in a reunion, bringing back Diaz and Sibrian makes sense. I looked through 3/4 of the list and the only more interesting catcher who isn’t over qualified for a A+ or AA role was the Twins’ Jeferson Morales.