Ro Mueller

New Plan: Keep Frelick and Wiemer down so that we can win the first half of the season, thus allowing Nashville to host a 3-game AAA semi-final series in September: https://www.milb.com/news/triple-a-national-championship-game-2023

This is nice to see after the Brewers didn’t give him a call-up from AAA last year despite a 2.04 ERA in 53 innings. It’ll be Hobie Harris’ MLB debut: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/03/nationals-to-select-hobie-harris.html

Hiura had some trade value when we inexplicably burned his final option on July 13 last year instead of trading him. He even had a little (less) value at the August 2 trade deadline, though I understood that we weren’t trading him based on the foolish July move. Guaranteeing him $2.2m in wages for 2023 this offseason, instead of trading him like we did with Chase Anderson some years ago, was another interesting decision. I guess it’s basically like paying damages at this point. It has seemed like he needs to start afresh with a new set of voices, but I’m not sure he has any value left at the moment. Who’s going to guarantee $2.2m to a player who can’t field and isn’t hitting? The best move may be to trade him and pay part of his salary at the new club. Otherwise, we may see Keston go unclaimed via DFA, then stick around in AAA Nashville earning $2.2m.

Here are some notes on the four men released today. We wish them success in their next endeavors, inside and outside of baseball: LHP Leoni De La Cruz – 24 – De La Cruz was an older international free agent signing out of the Dominican Republic in June 2021, similar to how we picked up RHP Miguel Sanchez in 2016. Over two seasons, Leoni handled all challenges in the DSL, ACL and Low-A Carolina with aplomb, registering a combined 2.19 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 11.1 K/9 over 70 innings pitched. I’d expected a promotion to High-A Wisconsin to start this season, but instead Mr. De La Cruz is a surprising spring release. OF Oswal Leones – 22 – Corner outfielder Leones was an international free agent signing out of Venezuela in November 2017 and got off to a quick start with a solid 2018 DSL campaign: .763 OPS, 3 HR, 28BB/25K ratio. A rough first season stateside in 2019 (.566 OPS in ACL), then 2020 wipeout, was followed by a bounceback 2021 ACL repeat year: .791 OPS, 16BB/22K ratio, though with no homers and only one stolen base. He opened the 2022 season at Low-A Carolina, but it was tough sailing (.560 OPS through 222 PAs), with the Brewers ultimately sending him back to Arizona for his final 9 games. RHP Andy Garcia – 21 – Yet another international free agent signee, Garcia came aboard in September 2020 from the Dominican Republic. He skipped DSL ball and started 14 of his 20 games in the Brewers system over two years, both of which are signs that the team thought that Mr. Garcia had solid potential. Unfortunately, the results didn’t come through, as he posted a 7.03 ERA in 2021 and 7.22 ERA in 2022, including 51 walks vs. 67 Ks in his 60 2/3 innings over the two campaigns. LHP Junior Castillo – 20 – Signed as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in May 2021, Castillo started 7 of his 13 games in the DSL that season, recording a solid 3.05 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, though with only a 7.8 K/9 ratio. He moved to the bullpen at ACL Blue this past season, upping his K/9 ratio to 9.9, but nothing else went right: 11.42 ERA, 3.00 WHIP, 27 walks in 17 1/3 innings.

Four minor league players were unfortunately released today, with the first on a list being a surprise: - LHP Leoni De La Cruz by Low-Carolina - OF Oswal Leones by ACL Brewers Blue (though he played mainly at Low-A Carolina last year) - RHP Andy Garcia by ACL Brewers Blue - LHP Junior Castillo by ACL Brewers Blue

Thanks for the feedback, gents. Maybe I should have made some predictions!: - Hardy and Boushley both make MLB debuts in 2023 - Ernesto Martinez romps in AA and gets traded to a team that’s ready to give him a year-end 40-man MLB roster spot - Vassalotti and Morales get pushed to AA relatively early in the season and struggle, with both re-upping with the Brewers for an 8th season - Lutz, Bullock, Lazar, Ward and Diaz all compete hard, then head out to other organizations as MILB free agents at year-end

RHP Trevor Tietz was released from Low-A Carolina The 22-year old Watertown, Wisconsin native was signed as an undrafted minor league free agent in July 2021 out of Jefferson College, Missouri. After throwing 4 1/3 scoreless innings for ACL Brewers Gold in 2021, the hard-throwing (~94mph) Tietz made Low-A Carolina’s opening day bullpen in 2022. An extremely rocky start saw him holding a 7.53 ERA through 25 games (28 2/3 IP), 16 at Carolina and 9 after a demotion back to the ACL. However, he then managed a complete turnaround in the second half of the season, producing a 1.17 ERA over his final 18 games (23 IP) – 10 in the ACL, 8 in Carolina. Most notably, Tietz struck out 72 batters in 51 2/3 innings of work (12.5 K/9) in 2022. We wish Trevor success on his next opportunity.

Michele Vassalotti and nine other Brewers minor leaguers have a huge year ahead of them, in their final season before becoming minor-league free agents. Who among them will make the leap toward a 40-man MLB roster spot in 2023? Image courtesy of © Scott Paulus / Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via Imagn Content Services, LLC In March 2018, former 2012 second-round pick Tyrone Taylor was coming off three consecutive sub-.700 OPS seasons at AA Biloxi and entering his seventh and final season of team control. All signs seemed to indicate that this once-promising prospect had, unfortunately, reached his ceiling. But with his back against the wall, Taylor spun a phenomenal career pirouette in 2018, posting an .825 OPS with stellar outfield play at Triple-A Colorado Springs. That earned him a place on the Brewers’ 40-man MLB roster on October 29, 2018, just days before he would have become a minor-league free agent. Which minor leaguer entering his final season of team control could be this year’s version of Tyrone Taylor? The following ten players find themselves particularly under the microscope this spring. Prospect Status is Still Shining Michele Vassalotti – RHRP – 22 – The Brewers signed Vassalotti as an international free agent in June 2017, and he immediately impressed in the DSL, with a 1.63 ERA and 0.80 WHIP. However, he then struggled for the next three active seasons, including ERAs over 7.00 in 2019 (Rookie Rocky Mountain) and 2021 (Low-A Carolina). Given another shot in Carolina in 2022, this time purely in a bullpen role, Michele was exceptional for the first four months of the season (2.04 ERA, 11.7 K/9 through 35 1/3 innings) before some year-end fatigue set in. After impressing for Italy against Panama at the World Baseball Classic (4 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 Ks), let’s hope his momentum carries into an exceptional 2023 season. Karlos Morales – LHRP – 23 – Drafted in the 25th round in 2017, Morales didn’t post an ERA below 8.00 in any of his first three seasons in Arizona, but was (somewhat surprisingly) still in the organization after the 2020 Covid wipeout. In 2021, he registered a terrific increase in strikeout rate (13.2 K/9) while still in Arizona, but his 5.34 ERA and 1.71 WHIP were nothing special. However, he followed up with easily his best campaign in 2022, posting a 2.35 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 10.8 K/9 while principally at Low-A Carolina. Will the Brewers send Karlos to Double-A Biloxi for a serious test? Don’t forget to check out the weekly podcast that Mr. Morales participates in. Ernesto Martínez – 1B – 23 – Signed as an international free agent for $800,000 in May 2017, Martínez has mashed in four of his five active seasons (.792 career OPS), but his progress was stunted by a lost 2020 season, delayed promotion from Carolina in 2021 despite an .876 OPS with nine homers through his first 60 games that season, then an injury-filled 2022 campaign at High-A Wisconsin. Now entering his final season under the Brewers’ control, Martínez needs to make the jump and immediately perform at Biloxi, despite having just 77 High-A plate appearances (.792 OPS) under his belt. No pressure. Starting to Look Like Greybeard AAAA Players Caleb Boushley – 29 – RHP (starter) – Born in Hortonville, Boushley was selected by the Padres out of UW-La Crosse in the 33rd round of the 2017 draft. He performed at a high level in 2018 (2.71 ERA, mainly at Low-A) and 2019 (3.61 ERA, mainly at High-A) before leaping to AAA for most of 2021 and (understandably) struggling. The Brewers then nabbed him with the 22nd pick of the minor-league phase of the Rule 5 Draft, and he came through with a fabulous 2022 season: 12-2 record, 3.25 ERA, 1.17 WHIP at Triple-A Nashville, though with a disturbing drop to only 6.4 K/9 and a really fortunate BABIP (.256). Will Boushley be the 2023 version of Jason Alexander, surprisingly making a number of starts in the majors? Matt Hardy – 27 – RHP (reliever) – Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2017, Hardy struggled through his first two seasons before a breakout campaign at Carolina in 2019 (3.32 ERA, 10.0 K/9). He continued that success at Biloxi in 2021 (3.83 ERA, 11.1 K/9) before finding it a bit more difficult at Nashville last year (4.15 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 8.3 K/9). Hardy has had an active “offseason”, being one of the top relievers in the Puerto Rican Winter League (0.64 ERA, 0.82 WHIP in 28 IP), before having a rough time with Panama at the WBC. Can Matt find another gear this season, thus positioning himself as a future MLB bullpen piece in Milwaukee (or elsewhere)? Tristen Lutz – 24 – OF – This former first round pick (34th overall in 2017; $2.352m signing bonus) can take inspiration from predecessors Taylor and Trent Grisham, both of whose career arcs appeared stalled before sudden success. Lutz’s path to the majors appeared on course through 2019 (.754 OPS at Carolina, with 13 HR), but the Covid wipeout and a down 2021 (.654 OPS at Biloxi) pushed him off track. A nice revival in 2022 (.796 OPS with 12 HR in a Double-A repeat) was helped by a .344 BABIP, likely requiring the team to give him a legitimate shot in the Nashville outfield in 2023. It's Time to Put it All Together Justin Bullock – 23 – RHP – Bullock was selected in the 16th round of the 2017 draft ($295,000 bonus), and has put together an up-and-down career to date (5.18 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 8.6 K/9). His most promising period was a 14-game stretch across three organizational levels in the first half of 2021 (2.91 ERA in 74 1/3 innings), but he really struggled at Biloxi in late 2021 and early 2022 before heading back to Wisconsin and ultimately having his season end in early August due to an injury. We’ve not yet seen an indication of whether he’s fully recovered for his pivotal 2023 campaign. Max Lazar – 23 – RHP – Lazar was also a 2017 draft pick, chosen in the 11th round ($475,000 bonus). A respectable 2018 season in the hitter-friendly Pioneer League (4.37 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) was followed by a phenomenal 2019 at Wisconsin: 2.39 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 12.4 K/9. Unfortunately, that momentum was derailed by the lost 2020 season, then a 2021 year wrecked by an injury that required Tommy John surgery. The Brewers eased him back in for the 2022 season, as he threw just 40 innings (3.83 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 5.9 K/9 – primarily at Wisconsin), which he then followed up with 46 innings in Australia this winter (3.72 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 10.2 K/9). Is a move to the Biloxi bullpen in store for Lazar in 2023? Je’Von Ward – 23 – OF – The Brewers grabbed Ward in the 12th round of the 2017 draft ($475,000 bonus), but apart from a decent 2018 season in the Pioneer League (.795 OPS vs. .777 league average), his key tools have yet to come to the fore. Through 1,137 PAs over four active seasons, Ward owns a .692 OPS with nine home runs and 31 stolen bases (against 23 caught stealing), while spending 71% of his innings in left field (26% RF, 3% CF). It’s been an excruciating (literally) past three years for him: no action in 2020, played with a torn UCL much of 2021 before Tommy John surgery, no action in 2022 due to a torn left knee in spring training. Finally healthy again, the Brewers sent him to the Arizona Fall League in October, where he acquitted himself well: .785 OPS with four stolen bases and an 11-to-15 walk-to-strikeout ratio in 50 plate appearances. Can Ward breakout at Biloxi in 2023, à la Grisham in 2019? Brent Diaz – 26 – C – Last but not least, Diaz was selected in the 29th round of the 2017 draft, quietly and consistently putting together respectable minor-league seasons. Through five active years, he owns a .727 career OPS (876 PAs) and has thrown out 28% of attempted base stealers. He repeated Low-A in 2019 (.746 OPS), was rushed to Biloxi in 2021 (.636 OPS), then surprised with a .261/.342/.422 slash line while repeating the level in 2022, assisted slightly by a .320 BABIP. Barring injury to Payton Henry, Alex Jackson or Brian Navarreto, I’d expect that Brent will commence his third consecutive campaign as a Shucker, aiming to build on last year’s success. Which of these ten prospects do you expect will be the first to reach the Major Leagues? Who will have the best MLB career? Let us know what you think! View full article

The kid’s also a 3-time National Punt, Pass & Kick champion 😁: https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/hinsdale/ct-dhd-punt-pass-kick-tl-0114-20160107-story.html

Thanks for this. Sooooo much depends on the progress of Turang, Zamora, Brown and Garcia. I’m actually assuming that Brown is the High-A starter already and even knocking on the AA door (depending on how Zamora’s looking). If Turang struggles when he gets his MLB opportunity and ends up spending half the season in AAA, the Brewers will have to decide whether he should principally play shortstop or second base there.

I don't envy you writing up the infield skill positions (2B, 3B, SS), given the vast number of decent players to consider. Speed skater Eddy Alvarez has mainly played second base in MLB Spring Training games, but he'll be battling for playing time with the likes of Miller, VanMeter, Toro and Monasterio. Tyler Black and Felix Valerio should ordinarily get 99% of the starts in AA, but we've also got Isaac Collins looking for some playing time. Then there's Ethan Murray, who logged 237.1 innings at second base last season. And of course, Eric Brown Jr. and Eduardo Garcia can't play shortstop at the same time. Finally, what is Dylan O'Rae's natural position? It's a pretty fortunate situation that the organization finds itself in, I must say.

Thank you for the first base overview. Most eyes appear to be on the Hiura/Voit decision, which could break many different ways. Big bat Ernesto Martinez is actually the only Brewers AA-level (expected) position player (other than Darrien Miller, who had a long Winter Ball season) who’s yet to be invited to participate in an MLB Spring Training game thus far. I hope he’s healthy! I also think it’s worth noting that Zavier Warren mainly played first base in the Arizona Fall League and that’s where he’s been getting some action when invited into MLB Spring Training games. Finally, Tayden Hall should see time at first base in Carolina when not catching or DH’ing.

Pulling for Knarr. He and Seminaris will hopefully be a ridiculous combo in Biloxi and Nashville this year, then Nashville and Milwaukee in 2024.

Wood’s 8 days older than Miller and was paid a $347,500 signing bonus last year, so yeah, I think we could see him commence at High-A. But that’s probably dependent on Miller or Quero starting at AA Biloxi, as all three need to catch regularly.

Thanks for this. You’ve probably got the #1’s correct: AAA Henry, AA Miller, High-A Quero, Low-A Wood. I’ll keep holding out hope, though, that they let Miller (defense) and Quero (offense) work on skills development in High-A Wisconsin to start the year. They’re just 22 and 20 years old and High-A’s not exactly a cakewalk, as we saw for some prospects last year. That would allow the old timers (Brent Diaz, Jason Lopez, Nick Kahle) and Wes Clarke to get more early season action at AA Biloxi, so we certainly wouldn’t be short of players. 6’4”, 20-year old Tayden Hall is our latest convert-to-catcher experiment, but I guess most figure it’ll go the same way Thomas Dillard’s went. I hope it works out though. Lastly, let’s not sleep on Satchell Norman - 20 years old, $125k signing bonus last year, .854 OPS in limited time. The only position he played was catcher in the 7 times he saw the field for ACL Brewers Gold last year.

Thanks for the blog on minor leaguers! If it’s possible, twin tower high schoolers Luke Adams and Quinton Low may be interesting players to spotlight.

I believe the team just needs to prevent him from being on the MLB roster for 172 days, which means we can add him on April 14th...well, unless the regular season gets extended for an extra day or two. If we keep him down longer than that, then I think we're getting into deeper manipulation to try to prevent him from being a Super Two player that will ultimately make more money in arbitration (but not affect the first year of free agency). We did this type of manipulation with Ryan Braun and Keston Hiura, I believe.

Assuming Frelick is not on the Opening Day roster, can someone please go to the ballpark with a #BetterCallSal sign every day until he's called up? I'd pay to see that.

I hope they prove me wrong. He's seemed like such an obvious DFA-and-outright candidate - lacking velocity, results and options.

I suspect some behind-the-scenes discussion on whether franchises will be allowed to have 2 state-side rookie teams, like the Brewers, Giants, Diamondbacks and Astros did last year. The D-backs only announced minor league staff for full-season levels, while the Astros published a similar graphic as the Brewers (one state-side rookie level manager, but a lot of extra coaches). Don’t be surprised if they’re arguing about it with MLB and we may not know definitely ‘til May.

Zamora, Valerio, Black, Brown, Moore, Garcia, Murray, Acosta and Raabe all vying for middle infield time in AA / High-A. Exciting times.

Thanks for this. 33-year old NRI Eddy Alvarez has mainly played SS/2B/3B while hammering AAA pitching from 2018-2022. I’m not sure why we’ve listed him as an outfielder. Hopefully he has some more good years in him.

With LHPs Ashby and Wilson on the shelf early in the year, we’ll have to keep a close eye on Ethan Small, Thomas Pannone and Alex Claudio in spring training and AAA ball, as any of them could easily see an early-season call-up if there’s an injury to Lauer, Miley or Milner.

Great, now I'm terrified about Freddy Peralta pitching for the Dominican Republic in the upcoming World Baseball Classic...