Tagged: Taylor Williams

Brewers By the (Jersey) Numbers ’15 – BONUS ARTICLE

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As happened last year, the Milwaukee Brewers only recently announced the rest of their Spring Training jersey number updates for 2015. There are six players to catch up on who missed their own dates as a result.

The reason for this bonus article is that, as mentioned above, these players were announced after the day on which they would have otherwise had their individual article written and posted.

As in 2014, these won’t be in-depth profiles of these players but I wanted to make sure you knew a little something about them before camp opens and you see their names popping up in box scores.

TylerCravyBBtJN#75 – Tyler Cravy

Tyler Jay Cravy, 25, is a 6’3″ right-handed pitcher from California who the Brewers drafted out of Napa Valley College in the 17th round of the 2009 draft. He’s been a 40-man roster consideration each of the last couple of years, especially the most recent one where Cravy posted a combined 1.64 ERA in 17 games (15 starts) for three different spots in the Brewers system. In 82.1 innings, Cravy struck out 76 batters, walking just 20.

It may not have done the trick to get him on someone’s Rule 5 Draft board, but it was enough to garner him an invitation to big league camp this year. He’s likely to break camp with the new Class-AAA affiliate Colorado Springs, and it would seem as though he’s ticketed for their rotation after 2014. Cravy was primarily a bullpen arm for the three years prior.

HobbsJohnsonBBtJN#74 – Hobbs Johnson

In contrast to how long it’s taken Cravy to reach big league camp, Jeffrey Hobbs Johnson will join the big leaguers in what is just his second spring training. Drafted in the 14th round out of North Carolina, the 23-year-old Rocky Mount native has performed very well as a professional. He had limited reps after signing in 2013 (11 games, no starts) between Helena (R) and Wisconsin (A) but posted very good numbers. Last year in his first full professional season, Johnson compiled a 12-8 record in 25 games (24 starts). He pitched to a 2.93 ERA in 147.1 innings for Class-A Advanced Brevard County.

At 5’11”, the left-handed Johnson being a starter is something in which the Brewers are not exactly flush throughout their minor league system. The invite to big league camp should be viewed as the honor it is, a reward for a great season, but don’t take it to mean that Johnson has any shot at breaking camp on the 25-man roster. He’s still got a ways to go, especially when considering the standard Brewers development plan.

TaylorWilliamsBBtJN#73 – Taylor Williams

Another smaller pitcher than the Brewers have targeted in recent years, Taylor G. Williams at 5’11” still has managed to turn heads in the organization and out. He’s got a quality profile and pitch arsenal, and has been putting things together nicely to this point in his young pro career. 2014 saw Williams post a combined 2.72 ERA between Class-A Wisconsin and Class-A Advanced Brevard County. He appeared in 27 games, making 17 starts. Williams pitched to a FIP and SIERA both until 3.00 as well, showing that the peripherals are supportive of his strong season as opposed to being red flags of regression. Williams kept his WHIP at 1.02 on the year as well, along with striking out 137 hitters in 132.1 innings pitched.

At times, shorter pitchers have trouble keeping the ball down effectively. While it’s hardly an exact illustration of his ability, Williams allowed just eight home runs all of last year. His strikeout-to-walk ratio of 4.89 is high quality as well.

The bottom line is that Williams is jumping up Top Prospects lists around the industry. He’s definitely one to keep an eye on over the next year or two. He could force his way onto the 40-man roster by way of call up before he needs its protection.

CameronGarfield#72 – Cameron Garfield

Last year in this same “Bonus” article, I told you that Cameron Garfield is not simply “organizational catcher guy” who comes to big league camp for a couple of weeks while extra pitchers are in camp too.

Garfield, now 23, played in 95 games a year after appearing in 109. He repeated Class-A Advanced Brevard County and did see his offensive numbers slip a bit year over year. It can’t ever be forgotten that the Gulf Coast League is tough on hitters though Garfield certainly has room to grow at the plate as he continues to improve behind it.

A second round draft pick in 2009, Garfield is a bit behind where he’d normally be because of some significant injuries early in his professional career. But he is a guy to which the Brewers will give plenty of opportunities to realize his potential. Catching is always a premium.

AdamWeisenburger#71 – Adam Weisenburger

Another catcher who repeats in this bonus column all the way down to his uniform numbers, Adam Robert Weisenburger continues to carry the reputation as a very good receiver. Weisenburger caught most of 2014 as Double-A Huntsville before moving up to Triple-A in August after their top backstop (Matt Pagnozzi, now with the Diamondbacks) got a September call up.

Weisenburger posted offensive numbers roughly in line with where you’d hope a quality receiver/second catcher could consistently put up. As a 34th round draft pick, if he’s able to get there one day, that would be a big win for the Brewers development staff.

MattLongBBtJN#70 – Matt Long

The only new-to-the-organization guy in this column, Matthew Eugene Long is a primary outfielder who has played some second base as well. Drafted by the Angels in the 30th round back in 2009, the California native has played as high as Class-AAA each of the last three seasons. His career Triple-A slash line is .279/.358/.442 over 1102 plate appearances across 262 games.

Long has played the majority of his games in the outfield the last two seasons, after playing mostly at second base in 2012. It’s been a return to familiar ground for Long who spent all of his time in the outfield from 2009-2011. Long even found a handful of games at the hot corner last year at Triple-A Salt Lake.

Versatility is the key for many minor leaguers, and if Long is to one day make his major league debut, being able to fill in at multiple positions is one way he might be able to get there. For now, he looks ticketed to the thin aired outfield in Colorado Springs to start the season.

You can follow all of the players profiled in this article on Twitter.

So there you have it. We’re caught up to today with #68 Ariel Peña coming later.

2015 Brewers Non-Roster Invitees to Big League Spring Training

This is a list I’m parking here, basically for my own reference, because the Brewers.com website isn’t updated yet.

Here is list, broken down by position, of the announced non-roster invitees that will be initially assigned to the big league side at Spring Training 2015. I’ll update the list as players are added and do my best to remember to do the same when they are reassigned.

Pitchers (6)

  • Tyler Cravy
  • Hobbs Johnson (L)
  • Brent Leach (L)
  • Ariel Peña
  • Taylor Williams
  • Dontrelle Willis (L)

Catchers (4)

  • Nevin Ashley
  • Parker Berberet
  • Cameron Garfield
  • Adam Weisenburger

Infielders (1)

  • Pete Orr

Outfielders (2)

  • Matt Long
  • Bryan Petersen

TOTAL: 13

2014 Opening Day Affiliates Rosters

Opening Day is here for the minor leagues!

What follows are the announced rosters for each of the full-season minor-league affiliates for the Milwaukee Brewers, broken down by position group.

Nashville Sounds

Class-AAA Affiliate (Twitter: @nashvillesounds)

Manager: Rick Sweet

28 Total Players

Pitchers (13)

Catchers (3)

Infielders (9)

Outfielders (3)

Huntsville Stars

Class-AA Affiliate (Twitter: @HuntsvilleStars)

Manager: Carlos Subero

28 Total Players

Pitchers (14)

Catchers (3)

Infielders (7)

Outfielders (4)

  • Kentrail Davis
  • Mitch Haniger (@M_Hanny19)
  • Brock Kjeldgaard
  • D’Vontrey Richardson

BC Manatees

Class-A Advanced Affiliate (Twitter: @BCManatees)

Manager: Joe Ayrault

26 Total Players

Pitchers (13)

Catchers (2)

Infielders (8)

Outfielders (3)

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Class-A Affiliate (Twitter: @TimberRattlers)

Manager: Matt Erickson

27 Total Players

Pitchers (13)

Catchers (3)

Infielders (6)

Outfielders (5)

*Player/Coach

Brewers Make Eight Day Two Selections

The Milwaukee Brewers made eight selections during the second day of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft today from Rounds 3-10.  Milwaukee selected three right-handed pitchers, one left-handed pitcher, one infielder and three outfielders on Day 2. 

The Brewers drafted RHP Barrett Astin from the University of Arkansas with their third-round selection (90th overall).  He went 4-4 with a 1.79 ERA and one save in 18 games (14 starts) for the Razorbacks this season after spending 2012 as the team’s closer (11 saves in 2012).  In 90.2 innings this season, he allowed 85 hits, including just one home run, and struck out 74 batters.

Milwaukee selected RHP Taylor Williams from Kent State University with their fourth-round selection (122 overall).  A First Team All-MAC selection in his junior campaign, he led the Golden Flashes with a 10-1 record and a 2.47 ERA in 15 starts, including three complete games.  He only surrendered 29 earned runs in 105.2 innings this season while striking out 110 batters.

With their fifth-round pick (152nd overall), the Brewers selected RHP Josh Uhen from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  Uhen, an Oshkosh, WI native, made 21 appearances out of the bullpen for the Panthers in his redshirt sophomore season this year.  He compiled a 1-0 record with a 3.80 ERA in 21.1 innings with 19 strikeouts.

The Brewers drafted 1B Garrett Cooper out of the University of Auburn with their sixth-round selection (182 overall).  The 6’6” first baseman batted a team-leading .354 with seven home runs and 37 RBI this past season.  He was named to the Second Team All-SEC squad.

Milwaukee selected CF Omar Garcia from Miami Dade Community College South with their seventh-round selection (212th overall).  The speedy outfielder (6.3 in the 60-yard dash) batted .447, stole 32 bases and scored 39 runs for the Sharks, leading them to an overall record of 38-10 and the 2013 Southern Conference title.

With their eighth-round pick (242nd overall), the Brewers selected CF Brandon Diaz from American Heritage (FL) High School.  The right-handed batter helped lead the Patriots to a 25-4 record in his senior season.  He batted .478 with seven home runs, 22 RBI and 44 runs scored over 28 games. 

Milwaukee drafted LHP Tyler Linehan out of Fresno State University with their ninth-round selection (272nd overall).  Linehan was 3-7 with a 5.90 ERA in 19 appearances (seven starts) while striking out 28 batters over 50.1 innings in his junior season.  The lefty compiled a 11-14 record with a 4.59 ERA over 46 appearances (28 starts) in three seasons for the Bulldogs.  He was named the Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week in his sophomore season (February 13-19, 2012) and the WAC Pitcher of the Week, also in his sophomore season (May 7-13, 2012).

The Brewers selected Rice University LF Michael Ratterree with their 10th-round pick (302nd overall), their last selection of Day 2 of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft.  Ratterree batted .282 with nine home runs and 41 RBI for the Owls in his senior season.  He was chosen as a Freshman All-American in 2010 by Collegiate Baseball, a 2011 Second Team ABCA All-South Region selection and was named to the 2012 Conference USA Academic Honor Roll.  In his four years at Rice, he batted .282 with 31 homers, 190 RBI and 193 runs scored in 244 games.

Overall, the Brewers have made 10 selections over the first two days of the draft, which includes seven college players and three high school players. Milwaukee has selected five pitchers (one left-hander and four right-handers), two infielders and three outfielders.