Chris Barnwell

[645]

Transaction: Chris Barnwell

Player: Chris Barnwell
Date: 06/20/2006
Action: Purchased the Contract
From Team: Nashville Sounds
To Team: Milwaukee Brewers

[645]

<b><font size=4>Finally in the show</font>
Barnwell called to majors after six years down on farm</b>

Chris Barnwell was at home Monday in Jacksonville, Fla., enjoying the first day of a rare two-day break on the Class AAA Nashville schedule, when the telephone rang with news he could barely believe.

After six years and 616 games in the minors, the diminutive infielder was being summoned to the major leagues by the Milwaukee Brewers.

"It was more than exciting," Barnwell said. "I got a little emotional."

Which was understandable. Over the past few years, Barnwell - a 25th-round draft pick in 2001 - barely got noticed while playing with high-profile prospects in the Brewers' system such as Rickie Weeks, Prince Fielder and J.J. Hardy.

Barnwell, 27, was considered an organization player, the kind of guy you need to fill rosters and do whatever is asked without any questions. He had not batted above .247 since his rookie-ball year at Ogden but made himself useful by playing a number of positions.

"I didn't worry about (being passed over)," Barnwell said. "Those other guys are unbelievable baseball players. I knew things would have to fall into place for me to get a chance."

On Tuesday, they did. The Brewers got rid of seldom-used relief pitchers Joe Winkelsas and Allan Simpson, sending the former outright to Nashville and designating the latter for assignment.

The Brewers used those roster openings to activate right-hander Rick Helling from the disabled list and call up Barnwell. With their starting pitching finally stabilizing after weeks of turmoil in the aftermath of injuries to Ben Sheets and Tomo Ohka, the Brewers no longer felt the need to carry 13 pitchers.

Meanwhile, the infield depth had thinned considerably. Hardy remains on the disabled list with a sprained ankle and the lone backup infielder, Jeff Cirillo, has been hobbled with a twisted ankle.

The Nashville infield included veterans with major-league time such as Zach Sorensen and Brent Abernathy but Barnwell earned his shot by batting .326 in 66 games with 16 doubles, one triple, three homers, 26 RBI and nine stolen bases. Playing mostly at shortstop, he committed eight errors.

"He deserves the chance," Brewers manager Ned Yost said. "There's something to be said for kids who work hard. He deserved the opportunity. He doesn't have a huge bunch of talent but he knows how to play the game. He runs the bases, makes the routine plays. He's fundamentally sound. He's not flashy. He's just a baseball player."

Barnwell didn't have to wait long to see his first action. After Detroit broke out to a 10-0 lead, Barnwell replaced Bill Hall at shortstop in the sixth inning.

Neither Winkelsas nor Simpson had been used since June 9, which made them expendable. Simpson, who won't clear waivers for 72 hours, was 0-0 with a 3.38 earned run average in two outings, and Winkelsas was 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA in seven appearances.

[645]

Transaction: Chris Barnwell

Player: Chris Barnwell
Date: 07/25/2006
Action: Optioned
From Team: Milwaukee Brewers
To Team: Nashville Sounds

[645]

Transaction: Chris Barnwell

Player: Chris Barnwell
Date: 09/26/2006
Action: Outrighted
From Team: Nashville Sounds
To Team: Nashville Sounds

[645]

Player: Chris Barnwell
Date: 10/31/2007
Action: Contract Expired
From Team: Nashville Sounds
To Team: Free Agent