Ro Mueller

- RHP Christian Mejias is also on the roster of Tigres de Aragua in Venezuela And one of the Brewers' coaches - MLB catching guru Nestor Corredor has stepped in at the last minute to manage Aguilas del Zulia, winning the opening day game 5-3.

Our Saguaros reps went a combined 1-for-8 in their 5-2 defeat to Peoria, but each reached base twice: - DH Clarke - single, walk - SS Brown Jr. - walk, HBP (caught stealing after HBP) - LF Mendez - 2 walks RHP Justin Yeager navigated a tricky spot, entering in the 7th inning with a runner on 2B and nobody out. Ground out, K, K - job well done. Box score.

4 of the 6 current Brewers played on opening day in Venezuela: - CF Carlos D. Rodriguez led off and went 3-4 with a walk, but Magallanes fell 5-3 to 1B Jesus Chirinos’ (1-for-4) Zulia squad - Kaleb Bowman started with a K but then walked 2 and allowed a single in the 9th inning of La Guaira’s 4-3 extra inning win over Aragua, He’ll owe teammate Carlos Suniaga a beer for coming in to induce a GIDP - zero earned runs. INF Jadher Areinamo pinch ran in the 9th inning for La Guaira, but didn’t play in the field. It was actually a thrilling win for La Guaira, down 3-1 with nobody on, 2 outs and a 1-2 count in the bottom of the 9th inning. That 1-2 count turned into a walk and Angel Aguilar smacked a 2-run homer to tie it. Old friend RHP Arnaldo Hernandez got the win in the 10th, not allowing the Manfred man to score. They won on a walk off sacrifice fly.

I count 6 current Brewers and 3 very recent Brewers on winter league rosters in Venezuela: - RHP Edwin Jimenez, INF Jadher Areinamo, RHP Kaleb “Bo” Bowman - Tiburones de la Guaira - INF Eduardo Garcia, C Jose Sibrian (exited) - Cardenales de Lara - OF Carlos D. Rodriguez - Navegantes del Magallanes - 1B Jesus Chirinos - Aguilas del Zulia - LHP Luis Amaya (exited) - Caribes de Anzoategui - C Jason Lopez (exited) - Bravos de Margarita

Those five releases include three rather sad ones for the players and the organization, as it’s always tough to see promising starting pitchers derailed by injuries. I could be wrong, but I don’t recall any of the following five players receiving anything material as a signing bonus when they joined the organization: 23-year old RHP Jhoan Cruz joined the Brewers in May 2018 out of the Dominican Republic, impressing with a 0.96 WHIP in 33.1 innings (3.51 ERA, 7.6 K/9) in the DSL that year. As a 19-year old for Brewers Blue in Arizona the following season, he posted a challenging 6.97 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 8.7 K/9 in 41.1 IP while starting 5 of 10 games. After the 2020 Covid wipeout, Cruz made 15 starts and 5 relief appearances for Low-A Carolina in 2021: 6.42 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, 8.7 K/9 in 81.1 IP, but that’s the last time he pitched in an official game, as he missed 2022 and 2023 with injuries. We hope that Jhoan is back to full strength and wish him well in 2024 and beyond, whether in baseball or elsewhere. 22-year old RHP Domingo Mejia was signed in May 2021 out of the Dominican Republic, dominating 11 starts in the DSL that year: 1.98 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 12.1 K/9 in 50 innings. He was then the Opening Day starter for ACL Brewers Gold in 2022, but lasted only four games (7.88 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 7.9 K/9 in 16 innings) before an injury erased the next 18 months of his baseball career. We pray that he’s already fully recovered and able to seize any opportunity that comes available to him, in baseball or otherwise. 21-year old RHP Jared Albir was signed in January 2021 out of Nicaragua, starting 12 games in the DSL in 2021 (4.50 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, 6.3 K/9 in 46 innings). He then started 7 of his 9 games for ACL Brewers Blue in 2022, understandably struggling a bit as he was only 19 years old: 6.81 ERA, 1.82 WHIP, 9.8 K/9 in 35.2 IP (.419 BABIP against). His last game was on August 11, 2022, which means he was likely shut down with 12 days left in that season. Unfortunately, Albir then missed the entire 2023 year with injury. We hope he’s made a full recovery and wish him success in whichever adventure he takes on next. 22-year old INF/RHP Alberis Ferrer joined the Brewers in June 2017 from the Dominican Republic, debuting in 2018. Over four active seasons (Covid year excluded), Ferrer was a solid infielder, making 57 starts at SS, 71 at 3B and 8 at 2B. At the plate, Ferrer posted OPS’s of .689 and .720 in the DSL in 2018 and 2019 (combined 306 PAs), then appeared to break through with a .308 AVG / .379 OBP / .573 SLG in Arizona in 2021, though in just 132 PAs (.400 BABIP). The year 2022 was a rough one at Low-A Carolina: .188 AVG / .277 OBP / .336 SLG in 170 PAs. Ferrer was then converted to a pitcher for the 2023 season but never officially appeared in that capacity. We hope that Alberis finds success wherever his journey takes him. 20-year old RHP Samuel Dario signed with the Brewers in March 2021 from the D.R., moving directly to Arizona as an 18-year old. He made 10 starts and 2 relief appearances in 2021, though it was tough going: 7.15 ERA, 1.91 WHIP, 8.7 K/9 in 34 IP. The year 2022 was slightly better, with 22 relief appearances yielding a 5.40 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 9.9 K/9 in 31.2 IP. Still in Arizona to start 2023, an injury in his third game (June 14) essentially wiped out his season, though he did make one more brief appearance on July 14, throwing just 2.2 innings this year. We hope that Samuel is fully healed and ready to tackle his next opportunity.

Surprise won its second straight game, 7-1 over Salt River, nudging them up to 2nd place in the crowded standings. Box score. 2B Eric Brown Jr.’s impressive campaign continues: infield single, 2-RBI single to center field, 8th stolen base. 2-for-5 in this game. LHP Justin King had a solid 8th inning: fly out, K, 9-pitch walk, infield single to himself, K.

Thanks for this. It’d be nice to have Canha back and the second half of 2023 certainly proved the value of having a few “bat-first” players (also making me more angry about 2014/2022). I’m just not sure he hits for enough power to be one of the few (only?) bat-first players on the roster. This might be like the Chase Anderson and Brad Boxberger decisions in the past: borderline to exercise the option, with a likely trade even if we exercise. Let’s see.

Unfortunately, all of that effort ultimately went for naught in rather excruciating fashion: the Saguaros' 9th inning pitcher (Jacob Wallace - Royals) faced 7 batters, none of whom hit the ball out of the infield, yet the tying and game-winning runs both scored: infield single, 4 walks, 2 ground ball outs. Scottsdale 9, Surprise 8. Box score. DH Wes Clarke - 1-for-4, HR, walk, 2 RBIs PR Eric Brown Jr. - pinch ran, thrown out on the double steal, didn't play the field

Adam McCalvy summarizes the evolution of the farm system in 2023, highlighting six players. I love this quote from farm director Tom Flanagan about RHP Logan Henderson: “He’s set up in a really good spot heading into 2024, Do you start him at Appleton, maybe [Double-A] Biloxi? Who knows. We’ll see in Spring Training. But he’s in a really good spot the way he’s throwing the ball -- and he’s 100 percent healthy.” Note: Flanagan’s actual title is Vice President - Player Operations and Baseball Administration.

Here are at least two Hitting Coach opportunities for 2024:

Sam Dykstra has a nice write-up on the Brewers' AFL contingent:

It looks like some key changes are afoot, with Dave Nilsson (often seen as the linchpin of the Milwaukee Brewers-Brisbane Bandits collaboration) coming to Alabama to oversee the athletic department of Briarwood Christian High School and the Bandits naming Shayne Watson as their new manager. Brewers' Development Coach Michael O'Neill will also serve as the squad's Pitching Coach.

Surprise lost a second straight game, this one 5-1 to Salt River, thus catapulting Salt River (now 9-5) to first place and dropping Surprise (now 8-6) to 4th place in the 6-team league, though they're actually just one game apart in the tight standings. Box score. Three Brewers' position players and one relief pitcher all had respectable efforts, although the Saguaros could have really used some extra base hits (Salt River 4 XBHs, Surprise 0): 1B Wes Clarke - 1-for-3 - single, walk SS Eric Brown Jr. - 1-for-4 - single, 6th stolen base of the season RF Hendry Mendez - 1-for-4 - single RHP Justin Yeager - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 Ks - threw 19 pitches (12 strikes) in the top of the 9th inning. The walk came on a full count and the hit was a single

In the Mexican League, the only current Brewers' player that I've noted thus far is LHP Jesus Broca, who just turned 20 years old yesterday. He's playing for Algodoneros de Guasave and has already put in one fine performance, starting Sunday's game which his team ultimately won: 3.1 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 4 Ks. The Brewers signed Broca on July 15, 2023 and he pitched in two games for DSL Brewers-2 after appearing in 8 games in the independent Mexican League this summer.

The four most popular Winter Leagues in Latin America are commencing at about this time: Mexico - started on October 13 Dominican Republic - October 19 Venezuela - October 21 Puerto Rico - November 3 We oftentimes can only see which Brewers' minor leaguers (plus a few major leaguers) are participating by checking the various team rosters when the games actually commence, although some snippets may pop up on Twitter or elsewhere.

Who are we thinking might participate this year? INF Mike Boeve? - following in Robert Moore's footsteps? C Matt Wood? - or did he log too many innings behind the plate this season? Could we see Blayberg Diaz or Satchell Norman in his place? 1B Tayden Hall, SS Eduardo Garcia or any of OFs Luis Castillo, Terence Doston, Hedbert Perez or Eduarqui Fernandez could make sense, after dealing with injuries or relatively limited playing time in 2023. On the mound, I'd look for the likes of LHP Brandon Knarr (if healthy), LHP Brian Fitzpatrick, RHP Jeferson Figueroa, RHP Aidan Maldonado, etc.

Now an annual tradition, the Brewers will once again be sending several minor league prospects Down Under to play for the Brisbane Bandits, whose season will run from November 17 to January 21 (plus playoffs, if applicable). We can use this thread for all things Aussie Baseball-related.

The Brewers' contingent have been clutch contributors for several victories, but Monday was unfortunately the reverse, as the Saguaros blew a 7-2 lead, ultimately falling 10-8 in extra innings to Mesa. Box score. LHP Adam Seminaris got the start, but only lasted two innings: 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 2 Ks. RHP Joseph Hernandez will unfortunately be pointed to as the main culprit in the collapse, conceding 5 runs in the 6th inning: 1.2 IP, 5 ER, 6 H (including 2 HR), 1 BB, 1 K. Down to their final strike in the bottom of the 9th inning, Mesa tied the game on an RBI single. Then LHP Justin King entered for the bottom of the 10th inning, getting ahead of Cubs' prospect Kevin Alcantara 0-and-2 before conceding a walk-off 2-run homer to end it. Yes, King only threw 3 pitches in the game. Offensively, SS Eric Brown Jr. got another start, contributing 2 singles and a stolen base: 2-for-4. He's now batting .333 with a .905 OPS in a solid AFL campaign thus far.

Some solid love for Brewers’ prospects from Just Baseball, in addition to profiles: - OF Jackson Chourio - #3 overall - C Jeferson Quero - #26 - RHP Jacob Misiorowski - #50 - OF Luis Lara - #62 - 3B Tyler Black - #64

Pretty solid day in Surprise’s 5-2, seven inning win over Mesa. Box score. 2B Eric Brown Jr. pulled off an EBJ special: walk, SB, SB inducing an error to score. Also doubled. 1B Wes Clarke walked in the game’s first run. Also drew another walk later. RHP Justin Yeager struck out 2 of 4 batters faced in a scoreless inning. 11 of his 12 pitches registered as strikes. RF Hendry Mendez also went 1-for-3.

Taylor Rogers gave up earned runs in 8 of his last 12 games before joining the Brewers. We’d have been better off without him, maybe just putting a claim on LHP Angel Perdomo instead and getting a bat. It was also bizarre to me that we weren’t willing to use Ruiz as an MLB pinch runner during that 2022 stretch run. Oh well. Matt Arnold flipping Ruiz for Contreras, Payamps and Yeager was beyond masterful. Then the team turning Payamps into a top reliever was amazing. Hopefully Gasser is our next star MLB pitcher.

Looking for a DSL Manager for 2024:

- LHP Alex Claudio of AAA Nashville elected free agency

A solid 7-6 come-from-behind win on Thursday for the Surprise Saguaros over Salt River improves their record to 6-4 and puts them in second place in the 6-team AFL. Box score. Down 5-3, the Saguaros tied the game in the 6th inning, then took the lead for good on a 1B Wes Clarke (1-for-4 in this game; .321 AVG, 1.174 OPS overall) RBI double in the 7th inning. Hendry Mendez also started in left field, going 0-for-1, walking twice and scoring the game-tying run in the 6th inning.