Minor League Transactions: Oct. 14-20
Official minor league transactions, conveyed to Baseball America by Major League Baseball, for the period Oct. 14-20.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Released: RHP Anyel Beato, C Michael Branigan
Atlanta Braves
Signed: RHP Joel de la Cruz (re-signed), RHP Enderson Franco (re-signed), LHP Sam Freeman, OF Ronnier Mustelier (re-signed)
Released: RHP Tyler Brosius
Elected free agency: C Blake Lalli, 1B Brandon Snyder
Velocity makes 29-year-old lefthander Sam Freeman attractive to speculating teams, and now the Braves will take a chance on the slight reliever who has averaged about 94 mph on his fastball during callups the past three seasons. He elected free agency from the Brewers in October following his outright assignment to Triple-A Colorado Springs.
Chicago White Sox
Signed: RHP Terance Marin (re-signed), 1B K.C. Hobson (Lancaster (Atlantic))
Cincinnati Reds
Signed: 3B Victor Ruiz
The Reds signed 16-year-old Mexican third baseman/catcher Victor Ruiz after scouting him at the Mexican League academy in Monterrey. The Tijuana club previously held his rights.
Cleveland Indians
Signed: C Juan de la Cruz (re-signed)
Detroit Tigers
Signed: RHP Sandel de la Cruz, RHP Arcenio Leon (Monclova (Mexican)), RHP Cory Riordan (re-signed)
Houston Astros
Released: RHP Moreno Polanco
Kansas City Royals
Signed: LHP Onelki Garcia (Mexico City (Mexican))
Assigned to Arizona Fall League: RHP Todd Eaton
Lefthander Onelki Garcia, a 27-year-old reliever, has tantalized clubs with a 93 mph fastball and quality slider, but a knee injury sidelined him in 2015 and then the White Sox released him in spring training this year. He surfaced in the Mexican League and struck out 8.2 batters per nine innings in 14 appearances, earning him another shot in affiliate ball.
Miami Marlins
Signed: RHP Ryan Beckman (Laredo (American Association)), OF Dalton Wheat (Kansas City (American Association)),
Elected free agency: 1B Xavier Scruggs
Removed from 40-man: 1B Xavier Scruggs (outrighted to Triple-A)
Assigned to Arizona Fall League: RHP Ryan Newell
Former Division II Emporia State outfielder Dalton Wheat ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the independent leagues this year after signing in the American Association in June. He hit .335/.414/.403 with nine stolen bases and 24 walks in 67 games for Kansas City. A lefthanded batter, Wheat is a table-setting type with good wheels and a ceiling of fourth outfielder.
Minnesota Twins
Signed: 3B Niko Goodrum (re-signed)
Elected free agency: LHP Andrew Albers, LHP Tommy Milone, OF Logan Schafer
Removed from 40-man: LHP Andrew Albers, LHP Pat Dean, LHP Tommy Milone, 2B James Beresford, OF Logan Schafer (all players outrighted to Triple-A)
Switch-hitting third baseman Niko Goodrum re-signed with the Twins for at least one more season, which is significant because he would have been a minor league free agent after the World Series had he not re-upped. The 2010 second-round pick out of a Georgia high school had a fine half-season at Double-A Chattanooga, batting .275/.357/.451 with six home runs and eight stolen bases in 49 games.
The 24-year-old Goodrum showed some power, some speed and a nice walk rate—he also played 12 games at shortstop—but he would benefit from making more contact after striking out 25 percent of the time in the Southern League.
New York Yankees
Signed: RHP Jose Pena (re-signed), RHP Matt Wivinis (Evansville (Frontier))
Assigned to Arizona Fall League: LHP Nestor Cortes
Oakland Athletics
Signed: RHP Ryan Brasier (re-signed)
Philadelphia Phillies
Signed: OF Luis Guillermo Matos
Elected free agency: 2B Emmanuel Burriss
San Diego Padres
Signed: C Gilberto Vizcarra
Seattle Mariners
Signed: LHP Brad Mills (re-signed)
Elected free agency: RHP Steve Johnson
Tampa Bay Rays
Released: C Samm Wiggins
Toronto Blue Jays
Elected free agency: LHP Scott Diamond
Washington Nationals
Signed: C Jhonatan Solano (re-signed)
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