Misc. Minor League Alumni News & Notes - 2025 Version

[Joseph Zarr]

A Marlins reunion for one of my personal faves. Great insurance for any MLB ball club. The Marlins (and Jumbo Shrimp) got a good one! Here's hoping for a fantastic and healthy 2025 Brian!

 

[Joseph Zarr]

I have been wondering for well over a year whatever happened to one of my personal faves in RHP Tyler Herb. Well, after this morning's minor deep dive I discovered a few things:

(1) Last season he was a member of Trosky Baseball (an organization that apparently has a direct relationship with the Brewers) as a regional scout and coach of the Brewers Scout Team. The transition started.

(2) From there, he joined the Vanderbilt University baseball staff - first as a Director of Analytics and now, in 2025, stepping into a 'Quality Control' position. It would very much appear his last injury (a season-ending injury 4/8 2023 @ Memphis) led him into the baseball coaching and scouting ranks.

---

Tyler really made his mark in the Brewers organization in his two plus seasons with the club. He was a fantastic interview with an extremely affable personality and, when healthy, he was absolutely knocking on the door of multiple call ups. I will always look back quite fondly at his 2022 work in Biloxi where he truly became a reliable workhorse filling multiple roles on that staff and earning his place on the Sounds' pitching staff. His playing career may have been cut short but I expect good things from him as he continues to pursue a career in baseball beyond the mound. 

[Jim Goulart]

OF Je’Von Ward is entering his 2nd season in the Blue Jays system after signing out of Indy ball last June. Here is a lengthy article plus Q&A.

[TURBO]

This one still stings...

 

Shane Smith didn’t give up a hit over two scoreless innings in his outing against the Mariners on Saturday.

 

Smith struggled Monday while allowing four runs in the first inning against the Rangers, but he was much more effective against Seattle. He didn’t walk anyone and struck out three. Smith is expected to a multi-inning option for the White Sox after being picked with the first selection of the Rule 5 draft in December.

[Joseph Zarr]

8 minutes ago, TURBO said:

This one still stings...

 

Shane Smith didn’t give up a hit over two scoreless innings in his outing against the Mariners on Saturday.

 

Smith struggled Monday while allowing four runs in the first inning against the Rangers, but he was much more effective against Seattle. He didn’t walk anyone and struck out three. Smith is expected to a multi-inning option for the White Sox after being picked with the first selection of the Rule 5 draft in December.

 You mean THIS Shane Smith? I will never (and I mean NEVER) understand this decision. Didn't make sense then. Doesn't make sense now. I am in 'Loss of Smith' Rehab. It is ongoing.

That's 99.6 mph. Yes. I was told he couldn't do this. Those who know? Know.

[wiguy94]

13 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

 You mean THIS Shane Smith? I will never (and I mean NEVER) understand this decision. Didn't make sense then. Doesn't make sense now. I am in 'Loss of Smith' Rehab. It is ongoing.

That's 99.6 mph. Yes. I was told he couldn't do this. Those who know? Know.

Wait are you saying you knew he could throw almost 100?

[Joseph Zarr]

26 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

Wait are you saying you knew he could throw almost 100?

I knew his bullpen and training sessions were sitting 97-98 after last season, yes. 99.6 is not surprising in the least in a jacked up ST game.

*btw I am not referring to any conversations we have had - convos pertaining to in-season statcast data*

[wiguy94]

3 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

I knew his bullpen and training sessions were sitting 97-98 after last season, yes. 99.6 is not surprising in the least in a jacked up ST game.

So you're saying he hit 97-98 in the offseason not during the season, right?

[Joseph Zarr]

3 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

So you're saying he hit 97-98 in the offseason not during the season, right?

Yes. Remember I was mistaken mis-remembering  in season. I then followed up after the season because to my eyes it seemed he 'left some on the plate', so to speak. Turns out he did and he shifted back to his heater profile after having to commit to the new blend of pitches. I now see it kind of like Logan dropping his slider for near two seasons!😅 Anywho, this knowledge only made me dislike the non-40 Man add even more. Serious cope needed here!

[wiguy94]

4 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Yes. Remember I was mistaken mis-remembering  in season. I then followed up after the season because to my eyes it seemed he 'left some on the plate', so to speak. Turns out he did and he shifted back to his heater profile after having to commit to the new blend of pitches. I now see it kind of like Logan dropping his slider for near two seasons!😅 Anywho, this knowledge only made me dislike the non-40 Man add even more. Serious cope needed here!

That makes sense. I was going to say I only really remember him in the mid-90's even before he got into the AA rotation. I don't ever remember him touching 98 in game though we all admittedly didn't watch as much Biloxi to start the year because their home games only had the press box view.

[biedergb]

Shane Smith will now likely replace Reece Olson as the prospect I will miss the most. Fortunately the Brewers haven’t lost many prospects that have come back to bite them, but these two would be great pitching depth at a time when the team is looking for just that exactly. Ok - better now that I got that out. 
Havemt followed spring training much but getting excited for the season ahead.

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Joseph Zarr]

A Nashville Sound for the majority of the 2023 season before being traded to the White Sox in August of that year, OF Tyler Naquin is seeking to become RHP Tyler Naquin. In his age 34 season, Naquin has moved to the bump signing a Minor League deal with the Guardians.

Good luck in your late-stage position transition, Tyler!

[Ro Mueller]

“I’m not angry, YOU’RE angry!” I think to myself as I look in the mirror. 

 

[Jim Goulart]

2016 5th round RHP Zack Brown hoping to find work. We had touched briefly on his stint in Puerto Rico this winter.

Article is available to read, though it may seem otherwise at first glance.

[TURBO]

5 hours ago, Ro Mueller said:

“I’m not angry, YOU’RE angry!” I think to myself as I look in the mirror. 

 

I'm angry, and I'm not afraid to say it!!

[Jim Goulart]

Article:

 

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Jim Goulart]

Taking his golden arm to the indy ranks for now, @Joseph Zarr

 

[Jim Goulart]

April of 2022 - Howell and C Brett Sullivan for C Victor Caratini and cash

 

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Ro Mueller]

Tall LHP Angel Perdomo to the Angels:

 

[Ro Mueller]

RHP Evan Reifert back to the Rays: 

 

[Ro Mueller]

I’d say the Willy Adames trade worked out rather well for the Brew Crew. RHP JP Feyereisen (whom we traded for Adames; oh, we received Trevor Richard’s too) now lands with the Diamondbacks: