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    The 34 Brewers Farmhands Set to Become Minor League Free Agents in October (unless...)

    It's the first of our two annual feature articles/trackers (Minor League Free Agency, Rule 5 considerations) focusing on season-end personnel decisions for the Brewers' "Ivory Tower" front office members.

    Jim Goulart
    Image courtesy of Biloxi Shuckers (Coleman Crow)

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    The Brewers farm system will look a lot different come next April. There are currently 34 players set to reach minor league free agency in October, a combination of veterans signed in 2025 as organizational depth, and many players who simply are set to graduate after spending as many as seven years (including the lost 2020 pandemic campaign) in the Crew's system.

    For most of these players, it will be on to their next baseball opportunity, if hopefully one presents itself. For the Brewers front office, the next few months will help shape roster decisions - are there players whose performances are worthy of being added to the 40-man roster to maintain their rights? Are there other players who should be enticed with minor league deals at an enhanced pay scale to remain in the system?

    This list is not the list of Rule 5 eligible players, that list will be out later this week in a separate article.

    Primary decisions:

    C/2B/3B Anthony Seigler - As of today, it seems the Brewers have made the call on Seigler's future. What a nice job by the organization in identifying and further developing the versatile just-turned 26-year-old, the 23rd overall pick in the 2018 draft.

    RHP Coleman Crow - Just promoted to Nashville from Biloxi, the trade capital netted for Adrian Houser and Tyrone Taylor from the Mets (for whom Crow never pitched), Crow dazzled in his first ten starts with the Shuckers once he was full-go after rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Crow, 24 years old, is nursing a hip injury that is not expected to sideline him for long. Barring any new injury woes, Crow seems a lock for a 40-man roster spot to prevent him from walking away, or should we say flying away.

     



    Players are listed alphabetically within the two groups below -

    Veteran presence currently assigned to AAA Nashville's roster:

    C Jorge Alfaro - Alfaro, 33 in September, has displayed his career-long bit of pop (11 HR, .410 SLG) while maintaining his usual low OBP (.267). Surprisingly, Alfaro has been successful in all 11 of his SB attempts, flashing joy on the basepaths he had not since 2013.

    RHP J.B. Bukauskas - The 15th overall pick in the 2017 draft (Astros) appeared in six April games for the 2024 Brewers and pitched well. An oblique injury was compounded by a right lat injury that required surgery in February, a surgery that will keep him sidelined for all of the 2025 season. Bukauskas, 29 in October, was outrighted off the 40-man roster this past January.

    INF/OF Bobby Dalbec - The just-turned 30-year-old has raked in 51 games at the AAA level in 2025, with a .297/.367/.573 line (.940 OPS). In a tiny 18-at-bat sample with the big-league White Sox, Dalbec was 4-for-18 (one double). He's a fantastic depth piece for just about any organization.

    INF Raynel Delgado - Only 25 years old, the Cuban native had exhausted his years of control with the Guardians when the Brewers signed him for the current season. He posted a .791 OPS at the AAA level in 2024, but that has dropped all the way to .617 with the Sounds.

    C Ty Duvall - Yet to appear in an actual game, Duvall has spent 2025 on the Development List, and we believe is primarily acting as Nashville's bullpen catcher. He'll turn 28 in July.

    OF Jimmy Herron - Set to turn 29 in July, Herron and his .578 OPS currently sits on the "Development List" (excess taxi squad) for the Sounds.

    LHP Tyler Jay - The Brewers clearly like the 31-year-old, the 6th overall pick in the 2015 draft (Milwaukee does love "prospect pedigree", even if it's a decade old.) Jay has been a fine piece of the AAA bullpen, albeit in his bite-size outing lengths.

    C Nick Kahle - As solid an organizational soldier as you'll find, and currently on the Development List, Kahle is our first listed player about to maximize his seven pro seasons all within the Crew's system. It's easy to envision the 27-year-old 2019 4th rounder on a path to future coaching assignments should he wish to pursue that aspect of his baseball journey.

    RHP Jesus Liranzo - The 30-year-old has filled a mid-to-low level bullpen role for the Sounds in his first season with the Brewers.

    LHP Josh Maciejewski - Milwaukee seems to like its Yankees connections, and the longtime New York farmhand, who turns 30 in August, has recently received starting opportunities with Nashville, long having performed in that role, as well as in the bullpen, throughout his career.

    1B Ernesto Martinez - The fan favorite has already re-upped with Milwaukee on not one, but two, minor league contract extensions, meaning he has already been with the organization for nine years. With a significant drop in SLG this year, the relationship may be reaching its end. Martinez recently turned just 26, so he'll find suitors elsewhere.

    RHP Sam McWilliams - The 6'7", 230 lb. reliever turns 30 in September. In 17 appearances in 2025 limited to just 19 innings, McWilliams has posted a rough 1.84 WHIP.

    RHP Vinny Nittoli - Some may question why some prized power bullpen arms in Biloxi are currently blocked by such a group of established veterans in Nashville. Nittoli, 34, has fanned 34 in 24.1 innings, but with an elevated 1.60 WHIP. Manager Rick Sweet isn't one to utilize a true long man.

    OF Jared Oliva - When healthy (limited to 44 games thus far), the 29-year-old Oliva has proven to be dynamic in center field and streaky but mostly effective at the plate.

    LHP Thomas Pannone - the 31-year-old could have been a sneaky choice to make a start for the big-league club at some point this season but suffered a torn flexor tendon which landed him on the full-season injured list.

    RHP Joel Payamps - We thank Joel for his two strong years in Milwaukee. The 31-year-old has been effective in his eight Nashville appearances.

    RHP Garrett Stallings - A May 2024 trade acquisition from Baltimore, Stallings, who turns 28 in August, has been a bit of a godsend for Rick Sweet's staff, having recently performed well in a rotation role. 

    LHP Bruce Zimmerman - The 30-year-old with significant (but rarely effective) MLB experience has performed to his expected career norms while with the Sounds.

     


     

    Others currently assigned below the AAA level:

    RHP Alexander Cornielle - The Dominican native turns only 24 in August. Cornielle has taken a long-anticipated leap in performance in his first taste of AA ball, with 14 solid starts under his belt. While not necessarily a prime candidate for October 40-man roster addition, the Brewers would be wise to entice Cornielle to remain in the organization.

    RHP Jeferson Figueroa - The current Wisconsin Timber Rattler will be 25 years old come August. He has not built upon a successful 2024 season split between Carolina and Wisconsin.

    C David Garcia - Currently on the full-season injured list at Wisconsin, Garcia only received 19 at-bats before being sidelined. The 25-year-old longtime Texas Rangers farmhand has yet to reach the AA level.

    INF/OF Eduardo Garcia - Remarkably, Garcia won't turn 23 until July yet qualifies for minor league free agency after being a key $1.1M signing in the July 2018 international pool. Garcia has given the Brewers much to consider in 2025. He has clubbed 11 home runs (more than the prior two years combined) and has blown away his previous stolen base high. That being said, this is the 4th season he has seen time at the High-A level (ten games at Biloxi in 2024). He and his agent should have a busy offseason weighing offers.

    OF Yhoswar Garcia - Another youthful player, the speedster who was dropped by the Phillies during spring training 2024, will turn 24 in September. All of his triple-slash figures have dropped precipitously with Wisconsin this season, after Garcia was very solid overall with Carolina last year. This concludes the Garcia portion of our list.

    OF Adam Hall - Hall began the year with Nashville but is now back with Biloxi and recently turned 26 years old. Hall was recently featured by MLB for his unique Bermudian roots.

    RHP Edwin Jimenez - Yet to appear in any game in 2025, the 23-year-old has remained Brewers property in 2025, but does not have a specific roster designation, having last pitched on May 26th of last season. Jimenez had a crazy and fortuitous W-L line in 2024, going 7-0 in eight appearances (six starts) with Wisconsin despite a 5.02 ERA before landing on the full-season injured list.

    RHP Abdiel Mendoza - The Panamanian native turns 27 in September. The Brewers took a flier on the minor league free agent out of the Blue Jays' system, but Mendoza has struggled mightily with the Shuckers (5.61 ERA, 1.71 WHIP).

    C Darrien Miller - A 9th round high school pick in 2019, Miller, now 24 years old, continues to maintain a high OBP in his 2nd AA season with Biloxi, but has year-to-year drops in already low AVG and SLG figures.

    RHP Zach Peek - The 27-year-old reliever is in his first year in the Brewers' system, having been plucked from Baltimore in the Minor League Phase of December's Rule 5 draft. Peek was bumped up from Wisconsin to Biloxi on June 3rd.

    RHP Jake Polancic - Another 27-year-old, Polancic, a former Diamondbacks prospect (11th round, 2016), was obtained from the independent league ranks in the offseason prior to the 2024 season, and saw action last year with 14 Timber Rattlers relief appearances through June 7th. He currently remains on the 60-day IL and the nature of his injury was not made public.

    OF Bladimir Restituyo - Restituyo turns 24 years old this week, but has been a pro since signing out of the Dominican with the Rockies in 2017, and exhausting all his Colorado team control. He's in his 3rd full season at the AA level, and the Eastern League, his prior home, is not all that different an offensive atmosphere to the Southern League. Yet Restituyo currently sports a poor .458 OPS through 196 Shuckers at-bats.

    C Ramon Rodriguez - Rodriguez, 27 in October, is prized for his defensive acumen and leadership. The former Dodger and Oriole farmhand had already signed for an extended one-year stay with Milwaukee after 2024, and was raking with a .941 OPS in the smallish sample of 21 games in 2025 when he suffered a devastating Achilles injury on May 16th. Many prospect follower fans would welcome his return.

    C Victor Torres - Torres turns 25 years old on July 29th. After appearing in only 14 games in the White Sox system in 2023, he similarly played in just 14 games for the Crew in 2024, split evenly between Carolina and Wisconsin. So far with Biloxi in 2025, Torres has appeared in just one game. As with Ty Duvall in Nashville, it's believed Torres is functioning as the bullpen catcher.

    RHP Justin Yeager - It seems we are almost contractually bound to note every time we mention the 27-year-old reliever, that Yeager was the third incoming piece in the infamous Esteury Ruiz ATL-OAK deal (William Contreras, Joel Payamps). Yeager has made 76 appearances in the Brewers organization, all with Biloxi, and nearly all as an effective closer.  Coming off a very successful run as the closer for Team Puerto Rico all the way through the Caribbean Series last winter, Yeager has yet to get the bump to Nashville.

    Beyond the seemingly obvious Coleman Crow choice, would you place any of these players on the 40-man roster come October? Which players do you really hope come back on a new minor league deal? Let us know in the comments.


    Interested in learning more about the Milwaukee Brewers' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!

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    The only three that I see as interesting decisions are

    1. Mr. Alexander Cornielle - up to AA, and is doing fairly well. I know most of you are shocked that I would list him (lol), but as a big fan, I see where he could re-up with the Brewers (maybe with an invite to camp), or he will sign with a pitching starved club where the path to bigs is easier, or he could be dealt (gulp!) at the trade deadline so that it is another team's decision to make. I look forward to seeing him in the Brewers uniform but he (like the other two) may have their fortunes elsewhere. As a side note I was looking at possible pitching depth next year, and while health is the great unknown I see a lot of pitchers who will be in that AAA/MLB mix (Hunt, Wichrowski, Crow, Rodriguez, Kuehner, Meyers, Patrick, Gasser, Hardin) which is a crowded field, unless he repeats AA again but he would know that he has a better chance of being in the AAA/MLB mix next year with another organization. I only hope he pitches so well the next two months that he forces his way into this discussion. But still that's a few pitchers who will have to be trading chips at some point in the next year or two.

    2. Darrien Miller - man I have really wanted him to be the next catching prospect to emerge for a while (he was drafted out of HS in 2019!!), but he has been since lapped by Quero, and now will be passed by at least Dinges and even Wood who seems to be holding his own in AA and is better defensively. I doubt that Miller stays also knowing that Contreras, Quero, Wood and Dinges likely are above him (or at least in competition with him) in the pecking order. But a prove it deal and play at AAA next year is not out of the question.

    3. Eduardo Garcia - man he has been a Brewer farmhand since like 2008 it seems. He was at AA briefly last year I think and is doing an EMJ in '24 type of resurgence year.  There is need for a middle infielder who can play outfield, but in his fourth year at high A, unless he gets up to AA this year, he will also likely look for another organization with less depth. Our current MLB infield is so young (25-27 yo) and we have a former MILB infielder turned OF who has done well since joining another organization (Collins), so Garcia may likely opt to go that way.

    HM - EMJ.  Wow last year there was no way I was going to think of him as anything but a Brewer, but his so-so AAA year, and the depth again (theme) of Adams, Boeve, Burke, Bitonti who are younger (an high draft pedigrees) and all will need to move up, so that leaves EMJ as the MLB or bust camp, and maybe he can hold the fort down if given a 40 man spot, but we will see in the next article about Rule 5 protection, but I think the numbers game see him elsewhere next year too.

    There doesn't seem to be a EMJ or Shane Smith this season, who is on the cusp of protection/MLB that the minor league followers are clamoring for in terms of bringing back.

    Martinez could force their hand with a big finish, but otherwise it is probably just Crow. I would like to see them try to bring back Cornielle and Garcia, but I doubt they get 40-man spots, unless Cornielle gets moved to the Nashville bullpen and is lights out to close the year.

    • Like 1
    44 minutes ago, CheeseheadInQC said:

    Martinez could force their hand with a big finish, but otherwise it is probably just Crow. I would like to see them try to bring back Cornielle and Garcia, but I doubt they get 40-man spots, unless Cornielle gets moved to the Nashville bullpen and is lights out to close the year.

    I see Martinez as an upgrade over Bauers. He's heated up in the second half before. He's got a more well-rounded offensive profile (he's a baserunning threat) and he's been able to handle center field, plus he has Gold Glove-caliber defense.

    Give 40-man spots to - Crow and Seigler

    Try to re-sign to MiLB deal - Martinez, Cornielle, E Garcia, Jimenez, Peek, Yeager

    Everyone else I'd be fine with exiting the org through FA. Maybe re-sign a couple catchers as it's always nice to have stability at the catching position in the minors.

    • Like 3
    20 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

    Maybe re-sign a couple catchers as it's always nice to have stability at the catching position in the minors.

    Second that one.

    Between Garcia being injured, Rodriguez going down, and now Dinges, it seems like there are not enough catchers right now, or so it feels.

    And I'd love to sign every one of these guys, but they also have a chance at a better opportunity to get to the big league elsewhere I think, as there is some serious depth in this organization, not just star studded (there are some of those for sure) but even like Matt Wood who (along with Quero and emergence of Dinges) may push a Darrien Miller out. Just using him as an example again, I am sure there are organizations out there now with little AAA/AA catching prospects or depth where he will fill in, rather than toil away another year in AA. But some guys also may really like it in the organization so we will see.

    • Like 1
    2 hours ago, wiguy94 said:

     Maybe re-sign a couple catchers as it's always nice to have stability at the catching position in the minors.

    I counted eight catchers in the list.  It'll be interesting to see if we address those numbers in the draft in a couple of weeks by picking up two or three to help offset any potential loses.

    4 minutes ago, James Zumstein said:

    I counted eight catchers in the list.  It'll be interesting to see if we address those numbers in the draft in a couple of weeks by picking up two or three to help offset any potential loses.

    yes I joking said we would draft catcher heavy.

    But there can be a lot of motion in the catching ranks. We did so last year bringing in guys like Garcia and Rodriguez who were a little older, less "prospect" but solid and that helps pitchers in their development. So for catcher you want a few prospects (Quero, Dinges and marginally Miller/Wood), and then you need some guys who will be D first catcher, who may be future back ups in the bigs (that is a path for them), and get one in each of AA, A and even low A to help the defense and pitching out.

    • Like 2
    Ro Mueller
  • Brewer Fanatic Contributor
  • Posted

    Crow is probably a shoe-in after last year’s Rule 5 oopsie, though he’s also a potentially valuable trade chip.

    EMJ and Dalbec are both fringe guys who could add value at the MLB level.

    Outside of them, I’d especially like us to re-up with Peek (feels like a Max Lazar path), Ramon and David Garcia.

    • Like 2

    Crow, Seigler, and EMJ for me. There probably will be quite a lot of 40 man spots with the big group of free agents leaving and other borderline 40 man guys.

    There are a bunch of guys like Cornielle and Garcia I would like to keep but aren't 40 man guys. No one will take either in the rule 5 or at least keep them all year. 

    Getting vet catching isn't to hard. I would think it would be easy to sign guys like Alfaro and Miller in free agency. It would be nice to keep both (and others) but by no means a must.

     

    Would seem that how Cornielle & Crow have broken out this year, at AA, which isn't a nothing level to break out in, they would be the most likely for 40 man spots, no? Who would they be jumping ahead of for those spots? 

    One other issue is how the Crew uses Nashville for their potential pitching depth, thus possibly pinning someone such as Cornielle in Biloxi, opposed to showing some innings at the higher level. Tough to balance the development and the current depth .

    Excited to see how Siegler is in the majors!

    The next 8 weeks may provide different answers than now. 

    • Like 1
    7 minutes ago, MattK said:

    Would seem that how Cornielle & Crow have broken out this year, at AA, which isn't a nothing level to break out in, they would be the most likely for 40 man spots, no? Who would they be jumping ahead of for those spots? 

    One other issue is how the Crew uses Nashville for their potential pitching depth, thus possibly pinning someone such as Cornielle in Biloxi, opposed to showing some innings at the higher level. Tough to balance the development and the current depth .

    Excited to see how Siegler is in the majors!

    The next 8 weeks may provide different answers than now. 

    Cornielle is having a fine season, but there's really nothing beyond his ERA that says he should be given a 40-man spot. His underlying numbers have been pretty unimpressive and he doesn't have very good stuff.

    • Like 2
    1 hour ago, wiguy94 said:

    Cornielle is having a fine season, but there's really nothing beyond his ERA that says he should be given a 40-man spot. His underlying numbers have been pretty unimpressive and he doesn't have very good stuff.

    As a huge fan of Cornielle - he is talented and an incredibly thoughtful person who seems like a nice guy from interviews (he is the translator for all Shucker interviews with Spanish speaking players) - I have to agree he is not a 40 man player, and his path to the big leagues is really crowded if not blocked in Milwaukee right now unless he transforms into an elite reliever.

    • Like 2

    I feel like I've seen credible information that Jadher Arenaimo is Rule 5 eligible if not protected. He's far enough from the majors that maybe that's not an issue, but then a case could be made that he should be in AA already. I think he's really promising but he kind of gets lost in the shuffle between Pratt and then the Carolina kids.

    As I said in another place, possible deadline deals might well include the likes of Arenaimo and Cornielle because of the 40-man considerations, much as the Nick Mears deal included Yujanyer last year.

    Edit:  I see this is technically the minor league FA thread, but a lot of the discussion has revolved around Rule 5.

     

    • Like 2
    3 hours ago, SoCalBrewfan said:

    Edit:  I see this is technically the minor league FA thread, but a lot of the discussion has revolved around Rule 5.

    Yes while separate rules, there is a lot of overlap with 40 man roster being the biggest way to protect a player from leaving.

    While many know this ( and I hope I'm describing it correctly) the Rule 5 designation will only impact whether or not the player could be eligible for the Rule 5 draft and that player stays with the team if not drafted (or protected), but minor league FAs need to re-up with the team or find a new team unless they are added to the 40 man roster. I think I have that correct (I hope)


    So using Areinamo and Corneille as examples, the rules will impacted each, but different ways:

    1. Areinamo,if he is eligible and not protected, could go to a rebuilding team (think Rockies/WhiteSox/Marlins) as a Rule 5 pick up, but will be a Brewer if not selected. Protection would be primarily 40 man add.  

    2. Cornielle could sign and join any organization as a FA in the offseason. But could still be a Brewer if either added to the 40 man, or he chooses to just renew his minor league contract with the club (ie EMJ last year).

    • Like 1
    26 minutes ago, biedergb said:

    Yes while separate rules, there is a lot of overlap with 40 man roster being the biggest way to protect a player from leaving.

    While many know this ( and I hope I'm describing it correctly) the Rule 5 designation will only impact whether or not the player could be eligible for the Rule 5 draft and that player stays with the team if not drafted (or protected), but minor league FAs need to re-up with the team or find a new team unless they are added to the 40 man roster. I think I have that correct (I hope)


    So using Areinamo and Corneille as examples, the rules will impacted each, but different ways:

    1. Areinamo,if he is eligible and not protected, could go to a rebuilding team (think Rockies/WhiteSox/Marlins) as a Rule 5 pick up, but will be a Brewer if not selected. Protection would be primarily 40 man add.  

    2. Cornielle could sign and join any organization as a FA in the offseason. But could still be a Brewer if either added to the 40 man, or he chooses to just renew his minor league contract with the club (ie EMJ last year).

    Everything you've typed here is correct.

    We have maintained two separate threads each year (Minor League FA's, Rule 5 Eligibles), and the initial post in each thread will be modified as players come, go, etc. Comments in each thread will advise everyone as to when the initial header post is updated.

    I'm not sure why this year has been such a mish-mash amongst our posters. Anyway, the Rule 5 thread will be out within 36-48 hours, and I'm sure folks can hold off on Rule 5 thoughts until then 😉

    I guess next year I'll have to post the threads on Opening Day!

    • WHOA SOLVDD 3
    • Love 1
    On 6/30/2025 at 1:22 PM, Harold Hutchison said:

    I see Martinez as an upgrade over Bauers. He's heated up in the second half before. He's got a more well-rounded offensive profile (he's a baserunning threat) and he's been able to handle center field, plus he has Gold Glove-caliber defense.

    Martinez is not an MLB caliber CFer. I don't even think he's a Corner OFer except in a pinch. 

    He's started 9 career MiLB games in his career. 

    He's a big guy who looks pretty good at 1st, but he's a 1B/DH only. His bat will have to carry him. 

    I hope he hits well enough to get a shot... I don't think he's an upgrade over Bauers...though he is cheaper. 

    • Like 1

    RHP Sam McWilliams - The 6'7", 230 lb. reliever turns 30 in September. In 17 appearances in 2025 limited to just 19 innings, McWilliams has posted a rough 1.84 WHIP.

    ***

    Released on 7/3, and removed from the initial post on this list. Good luck moving forward to McWilliams, yet to see MLB action.

    On 6/30/2025 at 12:54 PM, Jim Goulart said:

    LHP Tyler Jay - The Brewers clearly like the 31-year-old, the 6th overall pick in the 2015 draft (Milwaukee does love "prospect pedigree", even if it's a decade old.) Jay has been a fine piece of the AAA bullpen, albeit in his bite-size outing lengths.

    RHP Vinny Nittoli - Some may question why some prized power bullpen arms in Biloxi are currently blocked by such a group of established veterans in Nashville. Nittoli, 34, has fanned 34 in 24.1 innings, but with an elevated 1.60 WHIP. Manager Rick Sweet isn't one to utilize a true long man.

    LHP Bruce Zimmerman - The 30-year-old with significant (but rarely effective) MLB experience has performed to his expected career norms while with the Sounds.

     

    On 7/16, the above text was removed from the initial post in this thread. Nittoli and Zimmermann are known opt-outs, Jay may very well have been as well. There are now 31 names to consider on the minor league free-agent-to-be list, not 34.

    We are back up to 33 minor league free agents to be as of 07/17, and the initial post in this thread reflects this.

    OF Drew Avans - Avans, 29, was added to this list when he was outrighted to AAA Nashville on 7/18.

    C 
    Andrick Nava - Nava was acquired for cash from the Phillies on July 18th, to help shore up catcher depth in the middle levels of the system. He turns 24 in October.

     




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