Brewer signs as free agent with Arizona Diamondbacks
06/27/2006 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
June 27, 2006
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Former Southern Illinois University utility player Matt Brewer recently signed a free agent contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Brewer, who hails from Springfield, Ill., signed as a pitcher, and is currently with the Missoula Osprey, the Diamondbacks' rookie affiliate.
Brewer was an outfielder, third baseman and pitcher throughout his Saluki career. After garnering second-team all-Missouri Valley Conference honors at third base in 2005, Brewer made his pitching debut as SIU's game three starter a year ago.
"During the past four years, we have watched Matt evolve at each of those positions," said Saluki head coach Dan Callahan. "For the Diamondbacks to sign him as a pitcher speaks volumes of his arm strength and athleticism."
Brewer made 83 career starts in the outfield, 65 at third base and nine on the mound in four years with the Dawgs. He hit .280 with 87 runs scored, 36 doubles, two triples, 14 home runs and 77 RBI. Brewer also broke the school's single-season record with 23 doubles in 2005.
Pitching wise, Brewer went 3-3 with a 3.48 ERA and one save in 15 appearances. His first win as a college pitcher came against then-ranked No. 11 Wichita State on Mar. 25. He also recorded 28 strikeouts in 57 innings.
Other Minor League News:
Norrick promoted
All it took was one appearance for former Saluki left-hander Tyler Norrick to be promoted to the St. Louis Cardinals' Class-A affiliate, Quad Cities Swing. Norrick, previously with the State College Spikes, struck out nine and did not allow a walk in four relief innings against Williamsport on June 21. He was credited with the win in his lone appearance.
Gerrard off to good start with Spokane
Grant Gerrard, a seventh-round draft pick of the Texas Rangers, is currently hitting .321 with four runs scored, two doubles, two triples and seven RBI in eight games with the Class A Short-Season Spokane Indians. Gerrard ranks second on the team in slugging percentage (.536) and third in both batting average and on-base percentage (.424). His seven RBI also tie a team-high.
Finigan tops Lakeland in wins
P.J. Finigan, who was named Missouri Valley Conference Player-of-the-Year as SIU's shortstop/pitcher in 2005, is 7-1 in 25 relief appearances with the Lakeland Tigers, Detroit's Class-A affiliate based in Lakeland, Fla. His seven wins are the most of any pitcher on the Tigers' staff. Finigan boasts a 2.55 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 49.1 innings.
Summer League Updates
Kevin Koski
Saluki center fielder Kevin Koski is playing for the Anchorage Bucs, a member of the highly touted Alaska Baseball League. He is hitting .321 with 12 runs scored, a double, two triples, nine RBI and eight stolen bases in 14 starts. He leads the Bucs in stolen bases and ranks third on the team in batting average.
Danny Wells
SIU reliever Danny Wells, who tied a school record single-season high with 32 appearances a year ago, is 1-0 with a 0.82 ERA and one save after eight appearances with the Harrisonburg Turks. Wells also struck out 13 and allowed just one earned run in 11 innings.