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Milwaukee Brewers News Clips Friday, December 11, 2015

Milwaukee Brewers News Clips Friday, December 11, 2015

Milwaukee Brewers News Clips Friday, December 11, 2015

MLB.com  Brewers take infielder, in  Pina acquired from Tigers to complete K-Rod  After acquiring Cecchini, Crew focused on CF, infield  Five Rule 5 Draft picks worth paying attention to this season

Journal Sentinel  Brewers add three players to 40-man roster

RotoWire  2015 Martin-Monahan Award Winner: The Brewers Repeat

http://m.brewers.mlb.com/news/article/159331834/brewers-take-infielder-rhp-in-rule-5-draft Brewers take infielder, pitcher in Rule 5 Draft

By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com | December 10, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Brewers have not carried more than one Rule 5 Draft pick on the roster since 2003, when left-hander Matt Ford contributed to the relief corps but infielder Enrique Cruz flopped off the bench. Now they are poised to try again.

The team plucked infielder Colin Walsh, an on-base machine from the A's organization, and right-handed pitcher Zack Jones, a machine from the Twins, in the Major League phase of Thursday's Rule 5 Draft. The Brewers must keep each player on the big league roster all season or offer him back to his former team.

"We think there is a chance we can keep them," said Brewers pro scouting director Zack Minasian. "But as the offseason goes on, the moves we make will probably help dictate that a little bit more. …

"These are the types of moves that David [Stearns, Milwaukee's rookie general manager] has shown us he's very open-minded to. Take chances on younger players. It's cheap talent, compared to what other players are getting now on the free agent market, where in the past people might have said, 'Oh, you can find a reliever.' Now you're paying him $4-5 million a year."

Walsh, 26, was a 13th-round Draft pick of the Cardinals in 2010 and played the past two seasons in Oakland's system. In 134 games at -A Midland, he posted a .447 on-base percentage while batting .302 with 13 home runs and 39 doubles. He's mostly played second base, though he also has experience at third base and the corner outfield spots.

In , Walsh will provide some competition for starting Scooter Gennett, who .264/.294/.381 in the Majors in 2015 after a slow start.

"We'll likely work to increase [Walsh's] versatility, make him a little more -friendly," Minasian said. "But we really like his bat. He has on-base [skills] that you really don't see anywhere. What he did at Double- A, it's tough to ignore it. It caught our eyes right away. He's not one of these guys just up there looking for a walk, either. When he sees a pitch to hit, he's looking to drive the ball."

The Brewers' analytical team played a role in targeting Walsh. Jones, meanwhile, garnered recommendations from Brewers scout Brad Del Barba and Wisconsin pitching coach Gary Lucas. Lucas came to the Brewers last year from the Twins organization and worked with Jones in 2014 at advanced Class A Ft. Myers. Jones, 25, was a fourth-round Draft pick of the Twins in 2012 and has 186 and .186 opponents' average in 130 1/3 Minor League innings. He had a 4.18 ERA in 45 games between the advanced Class A and Double-A levels in 2015.

"A pure power arm," Minasian said. "He'll blow guys away with his . … We're buying a big, big fastball and we'll see what he can do." Jones joins a group of recent 40-man roster adds with power , including Jacob Barnes, Yhonathan Barrios and Damien Magnifico.

In the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 Draft, the Brewers selected left-hander Mitch Lambson from Atlanta and right- hander Kender Villegas from St. Louis. There are no requirements to keep those players at a certain level in 2016. No Brewers players were selected in any phase of the Rule 5 Draft.

http://m.brewers.mlb.com/news/article/159360448/brewers-get-manny-pena-to-complete-k-rod-trade Pina acquired from Tigers to complete K-Rod trade

By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com | December 10, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Brewers acquired catcher Manny Pina from the Tigers on Thursday as the player to be named later in the teams' Nov. 18 trade sending Francisco Rodriguez to Detroit.

Pina, 28, was not added to Milwaukee's 40-man roster but was invited to Major League Spring Training camp. He's immediately a candidate to catch at Triple-A Colorado Springs next season, and he could also provide depth in the event the Brewers trade starting catcher .

A career .256 hitter in 11 Minor League seasons, Pina appeared in five big league games for the Royals in 2011 and 2012. He is coming off a good offensive season at Triple-A Toledo, where he batted .305 with seven home runs and 39 RBIs in 77 games.

The teams waited until Thursday to move Pina because he had been eligible for that morning's Rule 5 Draft.

The Brewers had earlier acquired second base prospect Javier Betancourt in the trade for Rodriguez. Betancourt slipped a spot to No. 21 on the top Brewers prospects list after Thursday's trade for Red Sox third baseman Garin Cecchini, who entered Milwaukee's list at No. 20.

http://m.brewers.mlb.com/news/article/159330394/brewers-look-to-center-field-infield-moves After acquiring Cecchini, Crew focuses on CF, infield

By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com | December 10, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Brewers added another competitor at third base with a minor trade in the waning moments of the Winter Meetings, acquiring former top 100 prospect Garin Cecchini from the Red Sox for cash.

Cecchini, 24, was a fourth-round Draft pick in 2010 and shot up the prospect rankings after batting .322 with a .443 on-base percentage in 2013, reaching the Double-A level in his age 22 season. He reached the Majors in 2014, but found himself blocked in Boston after the Sox signed third baseman Pablo Sandoval to a mega free agent contract, and he slumped badly in 2015 (.213/.286/.296) at Triple-A Pawtucket while learning the outfield.

Cecchini can also play first base, another position of need for the Brewers after they traded Adam Lind to the Mariners on Wednesday. But Cecchini probably fits best at third base, the thinnest position in Milwaukee's system, including at the Major League level. Earlier this offseason, the Brewers acquired Jonathan Villar from the Astros as an option at the position.

The Red Sox designated Cecchini for assignment last week when they signed .

"Still like him, still believe in him," Boston GM Mike Hazen said of Cecchini. "He's a good player. Just happened to get in the situation now with the roster that we had to make a decision, make a move. Talking to him, I know he was disappointed by last year. We think very highly of him. He's going to have a good career in the big leagues. Just right now, we had to make this move."

Cecchini has a Minor League option remaining. Villar is out of options.

Deals done The Brewers' most notable Winter Meetings transaction gained traction after dinner Tuesday and was completed by Wednesday morning. In trading Lind to the Mariners for three teenage pitching prospects (right-handers Daniel Missaki, Carlos Herrera and Freddy Peralta), Brewers GM David Stearns admitted the Brewers were taking on some risk.

"Whenever you acquire players who are farther away, there is more variability," Stearns said. "In a deal like this, we are really targeting that type of variability to find an impact-type pitcher, even if it is multiple years down the road."

The team then made two transactions Thursday. After acquiring Cecchini, the Brewers announced they'd also received catcher Manny Pina from the Tigers as the player to be named later in last month's trade with Detroit for Francisco Rodriguez. Pina wasn't placed on Milwaukee's 40-man roster, but he did get an invitation to big league Spring Training camp.

Rule 5 Draft Cecchini was one of three players added to Milwaukee's 40-man roster on Thursday. The team also selected a pair of players in the Major League portion of the Rule 5 Draft; infielder Colin Walsh, a switch-hitting on-base machine from the A's organization, and right-handed pitcher Zack Jones, a strikeout pitcher from the Twins. Both must stay on the Major League roster all season in order to remain property of the Brewers, who haven't carried a pair of Rule 5 picks since infielder Enrique Cruz and left-hander Matt Ford in 2003.

Goals accomplished Trading Lind had been a priority since the Brewers exercised his $8 million option for next season, and now Stearns can move on to other matters. His week at the Winter Meetings was useful in gathering information about interest in other players, including catcher Jonathan Lucroy and catcher , who could be moved next. It was also a great opportunity to gather his baseball operations team in one room to see how they interact together. Given Stearns' mountain of other obligations since assuming GM duties, the group had fewer than usual opportunities to get together in person in recent weeks.

Unfinished business Manager hinted at many moves to come, saying on Wednesday, "Let's understand it's December 9th. There's time to -- there's going to be players acquired."

Center field is a priority now, Counsell said, and even in the wake of the deal for Cecchini, Stearns will be eyeing third base and first base. The Brewers have had contact with agent on free agent Pedro Alvarez, who has experience at both infield corners and could provide the Brewers with power.

GM's bottom line "We're trying to add as much talent to the organization as we can. Some of that will be at the upper levels and Major Leagues. You will see transactions in the coming days, weeks and months that directly impact the Major League team. This is a transaction we hope will have an effect on the organization in years to come." -- Stearns

http://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2015/12/10/159359744/five-notable-rule-5-draft- picks?partnerId=as_mlb_20151211_56231896&adbid=675310819953934336&adbpl=tw&adbpr=241544156 Five Rule 5 Draft picks worth paying attention to this season

By Michael Clair / MLB.com | December 10, 2015

For many players, the only thing they want is a real opportunity, a chance to show off their skills instead of being relegated to the bench or the Minors before their best years are up. Thursday's Rule 5 draft is an attempt to rectify that. Any players not on their team's 40-man roster that have played for four years and were signed at 19 (or five years if at 18), are eligible to be selected.

Because there is always hope. And while many players are sent back to their teams or become little more than role players, surprises always sneak their way in there. Players like Johan Santana, Dan Uggla and to name a few were selected as Rule 5 picks, while Phillies Odubel Herrera came out of the draft to hit .297 with 8 HRs last season.

So out of the 16 names selected this year, here are the five we're most excited to check out come Spring Training. And for scouting reports for the whole list, head over to MLB Pipeline.

Tyler Goeddel - Phillies

Former team: Rays

The Phillies are once again looking for a boost in their outfield with another toolsy outfielder. Taken first overall in the Rule 5 Draft, Goeddell, the brother of the Mets' Erik Goeddell, has a powerful throwing arm, speed (28 steals, 10 3Bs) and the ability to jack out dingers. Though he hit 12 last year, there is plenty to dream on his 6-foot-4 frame.

Luis Perdomo - Padres

Former team: Cardinals

Most selected in the draft are pegged for the bullpen. After all, they usually come with big fastballs, but lack the targeting mechanism necessary with which to place them or the secondary options to keep batters off- balance.

Not so in Perdomo's case. The right-hander posted a 3.98 ERA while striking out 8.4 batters per nine and walking only 2.6/9 in Class A and Advanced Class A last year. While that's a big jump to make, he was also in the Futures Game in 2015. Does this mean the Padres traveled to the future, saw how Perdomo's career turned out, traveled back in time, and then selected Perdomo? Probably not, but maybe.

Colin Walsh - Brewers

Former team: Athletics

Do you like walks? I said do you like walks?! If OBP is your jam and you simply can't get enough of players maxing out their ability by doing all the little things that need doing, Colin Walsh is your man. Not surprising given that he's coming from Oakland. Walsh hit .302/.447/.470 with 13 HRs while primarily playing 2B. Though the power is nice from a middle infielder, the Minors-leading 124 walks is what you're really here to see. Especially for a team like the Brewers who finished 25th in OBP last season.

Jabari Blash - Padres

Former team: Mariners

Beyond having the best name in the draft, we may as well start calling him Jabari Bash. Or Smash. Or Jabari Blash- ted. Basically, there's a lot of ways to call his home runs.

Blash hit 32 home runs between Double and Triple-A last season, though of course that came with a downside: strikeouts. Blash also whiffed more than once a game, though if you want homers like these, that's the kind of thing you need to put up with.

Deolis Guerra - Angels

Former team: Pirates

If the name seems similar to you, there's a reason for that: Guerra was one of the key prospects included in the Mets' trade for Johan Santana. Sure, that came all the way back in 2008 -- another lifetime ago -- but Guerra finally made his big league debut in 2015, striking out 17 batters in 16 2/3 innings. Given that he also posted a 1.17 ERA in the Minors this year, it looks like Guerra could be a key bullpen piece. Even if it is almost a full decade after we first learned his name.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/brewers-add-three-players-to-40-man-roster-b99631997z1- 361520251.html Brewers add three players to 40-man roster

By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel December 10, 2015

Nashville, Tenn. — In a span of a few minutes Thursday morning, the Brewers filled half of the six openings on their 40-man roster.

That's what happens when you're trying to create competition at as many positions as possible during a massive rebuilding process.

For the first time since 2002, the Brewers took two players in the Rule 5 draft of unprotected minor-league prospects. They selected second baseman Colin Walsh from Oakland's organization with the fifth pick of the first round and right-handed reliever Zach Jones from Minnesota in Round 2.

After the winter meetings concluded with that draft, the Brewers announced they acquired third baseman/outfielder Garin Cecchini from Boston for cash considerations. Cecchini was designated for assignment earlier in the week when the Red Sox needed a 40-man roster spot to add free-agent ace David Price.

So, just like that, the Brewers went from 34 to 37 players on their 40-man roster. Rule 5 picks cost $50,000 each and must be kept in the majors a full season or offered back to their previous clubs.

Walsh and Jones each had one particular skill that made them stick out for the Brewers. Walsh, 26, drew 124 walks in 134 games at Class AA Midland and produced a high on-base percentage (.447) — a trait sorely lacking among the Brewers' current middle infielders.

The switch-hitting Walsh also hit .303 with 39 doubles, 13 homers, 49 RBI and 17 steals while striking out 131 times.

"He has unique on-base skills. It was tough to ignore it," said Brewers pro scouting director Zack Minasian, who spearheaded the club's Rule 5 preparation. "We really like his bat. We'll work to increase his versatility and make him a little more National League friendly. He'll play different positions — second base, third base, outfield.

"He's a little older for the level. He was with the Cardinals' organization prior to the A's. It's tough to read the minds of other organizations but we're definitely excited to take a chance on him.

"It's intriguing to think what that guy might do with major-league at-bats. We'll find out in spring training what he can and can't do. He's not a guy who just goes up there looking for a walk, either. If he gets a pitch to hit, he looks to drive the ball."

Brewers second baseman Scooter Gennett slumped badly at the outset of 2015 and was sent to the minors to regroup for a few weeks. In 114 games, he compiled a .294 OBP with only 12 walks in 391 plate appearances. Jones' primary tool is a power arm that allows him to reach 99 mph at times on the radar gun. In 45 games at the advanced Class A and AA levels this year, he struck out 68 hitters in 512/3 innings, giving the 25-year old righty 186 Ks in 1302/3 innings in the minors and 33 saves in 41 opportunities. He issued 73 walks over that time.

"A pure power arm; he can blow guys away with his fastball," said Minasian. "He dominated in high (Class) A and got up to Double-A and struck some guys out but didn't pitch quite as well (6.00 ERA in 27 games). We're just buying a big, big fastball and seeing what he can do.

"He's got a good curveball. The hold-back has been the control, so hopefully he comes to camp and throws some more strikes and gives (manager) Craig (Counsell) another option in the bullpen." Cecchini, 24, entered the 2015 season ranked among Boston's Top 10 prospects but had a rough year at Class AAA Pawtucket while expanding his duties from third base to the outfield and first base. The Red Sox had Pablo Sandoval at third in the majors and wanted to test Cecchini's versatility.

He struggled at the plate, batting .213 with a .286 OBP and .296 in 117 games, with only seven home runs and 28 RBI. He lost some of his aggressiveness at the plate, but the Brewers have a need at third base and believe Cecchini, who has a minor-league option remaining, might benefit from a change of scenery.

The Brewers are trying to create competition as they rebuild their roster, and that's why Walsh, Jones and Cecchini now are on the 40-man roster.

"As the off-season moves on, the other moves we make will probably dictate (those players' chances)," said Minasian. "These are the types of moves (general manager) David (Stearns) has shown us he is open-minded to — taking chances on younger players."

The Brewers picked up another player when the earlier trade of Francisco Rodriguez to Detroit was completed with the acquisition of catcher Manny Pina. He is not a 40-man roster player but has been invited to the Brewers' spring training camp and provides depth at the position.

http://www.rotowire.com/baseball/showArticle.htm?id=26229 2015 Martin-Monahan Award Winner: The Brewers Repeat

By Jeff Stotts, RotoWire December 9, 2015 In professional sports, the health of a team can go a long way to determining the success of a franchise. It is particularly important in where one significant injury can have a trickle down effect on the entire organization and throughout the various levels of competition. The responsibility of preventing and minimizing injuries, as well as managing them when the do occur, falls on the shoulders of the team’s medical staff, a group of professionals whose names often go unmentioned.

To recognize these individuals, the Martin-Monahan Award was established by injury sports writer and managing editor of FanDuel Will Carroll and is presented in conjunction with RotoWire.com and their injury analyst Jeff Stotts. The Martin-Monahan Award winner is selected using a number of statistical measures including days lost, injury cost, and multi-year average. The award is meant to highlight the contributions of the entire medical team, including physicians, Athletic Trainers, physical therapists, and other associated health professionals.

The Martin-Monahan award is named in honor of two well-respected Athletic Trainers that spent their careers committed to improving and preserving the health of their athletes. Dick Martin, a long-time Athletic Trainer for the Twins, and Gene Monahan, a former mainstay for the , continually held themselves and those around them to unprecedented standards and helped raise the bar for medical care in Major League Baseball.

The 2014 Martin-Monahan award was presented to the , led by Head Athletic Trainer Dan Wright and Director of Medical Operations Roger Caplinger. The Brewers were the first repeat winner of the award having previously claimed the title following the 2005 season. Proving their success was no fluke, the Brewers bettered their numbers from last season and are the 2015 recipients of the Martin-Monahan award.

This marks this first time an organization has claimed the award in back-to-back seasons, though Wright and Caplinger have performed at an elite level throughout their careers. Wright was a member of the medical team that was named the MLB “Training Staff of the Year” in 1991 by the Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) while Caplinger was part of the group that earned the award in 2001. Both men have served as athletic trainers for Major League All-Star Games, and in 2005 the duo worked together to claim their first Martin-Monahan award.

After finishing second to the last season with 571 total days lost to injury, the Brewers lowered their total to 538 days lost to injury and returned to the top spot in baseball. The , the 2013 Martin- Monahan winner, continued their recent string of success finishing just behind the Brewers with 574 days lost to injury.

The Brewers were able to keep their days lost to a minimum by keeping the overall number of injuries low, finishing the year with 39 total injuries occurred. The number is more impressive when you consider that several of these ailments were the result of fractures, injuries that are largely unavoidable despite the medical team’s best effort. Catcher Jonathan Lucroy missed time after a stray foul ball caught his foot and broke a toe while Jean Segura spent time on the disabled list with a fractured pinkie sustained during a head-first slide attempt. The consequences of Scooter Gennett’s lacerated hand are even harder to pin on the medical team as the second baseman was injured in a bizarre shower accident.

The real success of the Milwaukee medical staff comes from their work with the pitching staff. As the Tommy John “epidemic” continues to rampant in Major League baseball, the Brewers did not have a documented case of Tommy John surgery for the sixth straight season. Avoiding this surgery and its lengthy rehab process has allowed the Milwaukee medical staff to experience sustained success across multiple seasons worthy of recognition.

We would to like to congratulate Wright and the entire Brewers medical team and look forward to presenting them with the 2015 Martin-Monahan Trophy.

Previous Martin-Monahan Award Winners

2004: 2005: Milwaukee Brewers 2006: 2007: 2008: Pittsburgh Pirates 2009: 2010: Chicago White Sox 2011: 2012: Cincinnati Reds 2013: Seattle Mariners 2014: Milwaukee Brewers

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