May Transactions: Latest - Draft-and-Follow Signings Wrap Up

[Jim Goulart]

With the announcement that RHP Chris Mabeus will be called up Friday and that RHP Chris Demaria is being optioned back to Nashville, look for something to happen this week with Huntsville's pitching staff, because apparently, Carlos Villanueva isn't heading back to the Stars right away.

 

Huntsville only has nine pitchers on their roster now. Rubber-armed relievers Steve Bray and Gerrit Simpson have been very solid, but there's no way there's not a couple of moves in the next day or two to help those guys out.

[Team Canada]

Sweet, I hadn't heard that yet.

 

 

I think Huntsville could use a whole new team right now..

[pogokat]

How about Derek Miller and Dane Renkert?

 

Those guys are way old for low A and could probably hold it together in AA

[And That]

I think Huntsville could use a whole new team right now..

 

Yah, there are maybe 4-5 guys on that entire team who I hope to see in the box score on a given night. I'll also take this opportunity to note that Cap'n Lou has a neat OBP (without high K's) - he's gone a ways to reasserting his prospect status this year.

 

Hall, Lewis, and Alliston all should be considered for promotion from Brevard. Of course, they'll probably just sign some more indy leaguers.

[Jim Goulart]

RHP Corey Thurman back to Huntsville from Nashville is part one of the plan for now, as reported by Nashville news media.

[bork]

With Sorensen and possibly Lehr joining Nashville soon, there should be one more player going from Nashville to Huntsville.

[bork]

MLB.com is reporting the Lehr has cleared waivers and will report to Nashville on Friday.

 

MLB.com

[foamboy1]

I think Huntsville could use a whole new team right now..

 

This made me laugh out loud...I've been thinking that anyone batting over .215 has a shot at team MVP.

[Team Canada]

Just for fun, I'd like to swap Huntsville and BC just to see how they'd do.

[WestCoastBrewer]

It seems to me that Reid Nicholls is waiting to long to make moves that could help Huntsville both in pitching and hitting.

[Jim Goulart]

To make room for RHP Justin Lehr in Nashville, RHP Brett Evert joins Corey Thurman on the Nashville-to-Huntsville shuttle, according to Nashville press reports.

[Jim Goulart]

2005 Draft-and-Follow # 4 signs:

 

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.arkcity.net/stories/0...0001.shtml

 

Tigers' Miller signs professional contract with Milwaukee

 

By RAMA PEROO

Cowley College

 

Having put together two stellar seasons playing baseball at Cowley College, shortstop Brad Miller was recently rewarded for his efforts as he signed a professional contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.

 

Miller, who was drafted by the Brewers in the 39th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft, batted .326 with seven home runs and 39 runs batted in this past season.

 

Miller was named the Jayhawk Conference Freshman of the Year his first year at Cowley, as he batted .379 with eight home runs and 77 RBI. He was twice named a first-team all-conference shortstop, and went 12-4 on the mound during his two years at the school.

 

Miller, who also stole 44 bases in his career at Cowley, felt the offer from the Brewers was good enough to pass up the opportunity to play baseball at Oklahoma State University.

 

"I had my mind set on what I wanted and I was lucky enough to get it," Miller said. Miller's signing included a signing bonus and the arrangement to pay for the remainder of his college tuition when his playing days are over.

 

"I could not be happier for Brad, he is getting to live a dream," Cowley head coach Dave Burroughs said. "He had the best of both worlds, to where if he did not get the package he was looking for he would get to play in the Big 12 with Oklahoma State."

 

Miller will join former Tiger Josh Wahpepah in the Brewers' minor league system, while former Tiger Deik Scram was drafted by the Brewers in the 2004 draft, but did not sign. (Former Cowley catcher Clay Blevins was released by the Brewers earlier this spring - Mass Haas.)

 

"That is a compliment to our players and our program," Burroughs said.

 

Miller feels he owes a lot to the Tiger coaching staff.

 

"I feel like I improved a lot at Cowley," Miller said. "All the coaches helped me and stuck with me. Coach Dave (Burroughs) is just tremendous."

 

Miller will fly to Phoenix to begin working out, and will then join the Helena (Montana) Brewers in the Pioneer League.

 

"I wanted to get into the minor leagues as soon as I could." Miller said. "I know it takes time to move up to the big leagues, but I know if I'm patient I can make it."

 

Arkcity.net Photo by Donita Clausen:

 

http://www.arkcity.net/images/052506/lphoto2.jpg

[Jim Goulart]

Baseball America reports that Milwaukee has released two young pitchers they drafted out of high school, and watched battle arm injuries:

 

LHP Edwin Walker, 22 years old, was drafted in the 9th round in 2002 out of San Antonio, missed all of 2005, and was limited to 88.1 innings in his pro career.

 

Edwin Walker Brewerfan Player Index Page:

 

www.brewerfan.net/ViewPla...ayerId=322

 

RHP Tommy Hawk, only 21 years old last February, was drafted in the 17th round in 2003, out of Lompoc, California. He had Tommy John surgery and missed all of 2005. He pitched 89.2 innings in his Brewer career.

 

While Walker's injuries seemed to be more drawn out and recurring, Hawk seemed to have had just the one major setback, so it's surprising to see the Brewers give up on him at this point.

 

Tommy Hawk Brewerfan Player Index Page:

 

www.brewerfan.net/ViewPla...ayerId=573

 

We wish both youngsters well...

[Jim Goulart]

Nashville Site:

 

To fill Mike Adams' spot on the Nashville roster (traded to the New York Mets for RHP Jeremi Gonzalez -- see Major League Forum), right-hander Wilton Chavez has been activated from the disabled list. Chavez has missed the last two weeks of action due to a right ankle sprain.

[Minigoon]

Will Inman to the DL retroactive to May 22nd with right shoulder soreness, Steve Garrison to the active roster from extended spring training.

 

www.oursportscentral.com/...id=3317494

[DHonks]

Garrison, the one from the Hun School? Hopefully things are alright for Will. Garrison is someone I've wanted to see

[And That]

Horrible news about Inman... this better not be the start of something bigger with him. There's nothing more the Brewers could have done to baby him with pitch counts.

 

Good news on the other hand for Garrison. I wasn't expecting him to be called on until Helena started up their season, but he's one of the kids I'm more excited about from last June's draft. Good luck to him.

[PeaveyFury]

Rogers may be struggling and somewhat ineffective at this point, but he's healthy as a horse, which makes me perfectly happy about where he is at this point. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/frown.gif

[brewmann04]

disaster if Inman injury is serious seems like this orgazation regarding pitchers are reall jinxed.

we need to draft a boat load of pitchers this comming draft

[Will Inman Fan]

Inman's problem is just SORENESS!!!!! and it's not his shoulder really it's his muscle in his arm. Don't everyone get there panties in a wad, they gave him 2 weeks on DL... and he's getting better everyday...he's just got to work it out!

[Team Canada]

Thanks for the update, hopefully we'll see a quick recovery.

[Minigoon]

More WV Power transactions. Kenneth Holmberg and Ronny Malave to the DL and Nestor Corredor and Scotty McKnight to the Power roster from Brevard County. Holmberg with more pain in his left ankle and Malave with soreness in his right elbow.

 

www.oursportscentral.com/...id=3318478

[DHonks]

so who to BC?

 

Any idea what the latest on Richardson is?

[bork]

Doesn't Huntsville have to move someone to make room for Villanueva?

[Jim Goulart]

Huntsville Press Relesase:

Link for Andy Pratt photo, text follows --

 

www.huntsvillestars.com/n...newsId=854

 

The Milwaukee Brewers have returned right-hand pitcher Carlos Villanueva to Huntsville and released left-hand pitcher Andy Pratt. The Stars will have Villanueva in uniform for Monday?s game against West Tenn and he is expected to make his next start on Wednesday night.

 

Villanueva was promoted to Milwaukee last Monday and made one appearance for the Brewers, tossing a scoreless inning in relief on Tuesday at Cincinnati. He is 4-3 with a 3.52 earned run average in eight starts for Huntsville, including a complete-game, one-hit shutout over Tennessee on May 13.

 

Pratt made 16 appearances in relief with the Stars, going 1-2 with a 5.64 earned run average. He suffered the loss in his last outing on Thursday night, giving up two runs with two outs in the eighth inning of a 5-2 defeat to Jacksonville. Pratt was 0-1 with two saves and a 2.96 ERA in 21 appearances with Huntsville last season.

 

***

Pratt, 26, had been acquired in September 2004 from the Cubs for Ben Grieve. After leading the International League in strikeouts while posting a 3.40 ERA in 28 games with Richmond (Braves organization) in 2003, Pratt struggled for the most part. He did get two cups of coffee in the bigs (one game with Atlanta in 2002, four games with the Cubs in 2004).