Joseph Zarr

RHP Elvin Rodriguez heads to the KBO

As @markedman5 shared previously, another New York team targets another quality former Brewer signing talented RHP Zach Peek to a Minor League deal:

Any and all transactions that aren't players signing with the Brewers org but feature players previously in the Brewers org go in our 'Misc. Minor League Alumni News & Notes - 2025 Version' (Soon to be 2026 Version) HERE Thanks Everyone!

That is an amazing promotional step ladder. More like a trampoline. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall in his interview and the decision-makers meeting. I can't but imagine the overwhelmingly positive pitching performances this past summer played at least a small part?

Yankees getting some good Ones! Go crush it, men! We believe in you!

Update: We have our debut Pod, folks! We really cut it short this year at just under 3 hours for the Opener. 😅 Enjoy!

It appears along with the Baddoo signing, we have a new Minor League signing with a Big League Camp invite: Jones was claimed by the White Sox and spent the majority of his 2025 at Triple-A Charlotte. Verifiable speed merchant: (Full Claim write-up via MLB Trade Rumors HERE)

I guess the only question I have is: But how Baddoo is his MLB output, reallllly?

Really great lil convo. Go straight to the 28:35 minute mark for Minor League Rule 5 discussion. After Rule 5 Master, JJ Cooper (this was his 18th Rule 5 Draft in attendance!) shouts out Hedbert and Zavi he goes straight into his favorite ML Rule 5 pick in one (now) Brewers prospect RHP Cole Phillips. Awesome stuff overall! *HINT: Phillips is rumored to be in line to miss all of 2026!

Now that this is over we can anticipate a bevy of ML FA signings forthcoming. Our inning depth got absolutely pillaged. Spain, Warren, Peterson, and Hedbert played a lot of depth innings last year. Losing the upside of Vire stings.

BTW, I absolutely love the thinking behind taking RHP Cole Phillips. Premium HS draft pick. Elite stuff. Hasn't pitched an inning due to consecutive TJ's. I am sensing a Woodward/Phillips renaissance in 2026.

Seeing the Yankees select Hansel Rincon...I'm hearing they only narrowed in on the player after reading Jim's elaborate and clarifying Transaction posts.

Welcome to Wisconsin Mr. Nick Stanley? It'd be a shame for Nick Stanley to miss out on an inaugural Wilson Warbirds groundbreaking season but a promotion is very much deserved and would be cool to see. It stings to lose Estevez, but seeing Him get an opportunity on the Nationals staff (a staff that also features old Brewer Corey Ray) is truly Sweeeeet.

Well deserved! Awesome to see them get the organization-wide recognition they deserve

All good. Agreed.

I don't think calling him Jeff Janis is an insult. He's a field stretching TE. I simply want the Packers to use him to his strengths and it appears they are starting to do that more frequently. I thought that was his best game as a Packer.

I saw it move after he went to the ground but that was when the ball moved on his body. Perhaps it indeed moved or hit the ground to bounce back to that position? But, yeah, I guess not enough looks at it.

A day after and I'm still in disbelief they overturned Williams INT and Musgrave's grab. Was there any shred of real concrete evidence either ball in fact hit the ground? It's encouraging to see the coaching staff now sending Musgrave on these deeper routes more often. It is his specialty. It is where he can really impact games. That catch was incredible and I still believe that was a catch. Am I just missing it?

Both Made and Pena appear to offer quite a bit more projectable offensive potency than Pratt - especially when we factor in age with the output. According to Ben Badler of Baseball America, scouts are fairly divided on Pratt as a whole and especially when it comes to his bat. His defense, as a whole at SS, is largely considered his calling card to MLB ascendancy and the bat remains a mystery - tho, we do obviously see pull power from time-to-time it just isn't consistent nor is the hard contact consistent in any lasting manner as of now. Could he go the route of Turang in that regard? Sure. How likely that is is unknown. What's funny to me is I came into the 2025 season (and throughout the first 1.5 months) with Pratt as my clear SS #1 in the system. I made some outlandish statements overlooking Made's youth and over focusing on his rough edges and mental mistakes. Not a good look for me but I certainly learned to not look the prospect gift horse in the mouth, so to speak. It's important to remain open to possibilities while also understanding age implications not to mention the immensely long breadth of a baseball season. By season's end ,Made had leapfrogged Pratt for me. He's just a different level of human. IF Made can dial in the erratic throws across the diamond (he absolutely has the arm), he offers an entirely different level of athleticism and agility to the position. He really made some unbelievably athletic plays there as his season progressed. I think it's unrealistic to expect all three of Made/Pena/Pratt to achieve everyday MLB duties. Is it possible? Sure. Is it likely? I think not. I personally think Pena's best position down the line is likely 3B - cannon arm, uber athletic, incredible bat-to-ball profile, while limiting his range responsibilities and hopefully minimizing those uncomfortable moments (I personally don't think defense comes natural to him). Regardless, of the three Made is only the clear 'untouchable' prospect by my eyes. He is a crowned jewel. This being said, thankfully, the Brewers aren't in a position where they need to move on from any of the three. I personally hope they play this out as long as they can to continue discovering what untapped levels of play these talented three can reach. Given the nature of Made's bat, tho, he is on a fast track to the 40-Man. His bat and his switch-hitting profile is on another level and it has actually improved its impact with each successive promotion. He's different in all the best ways.

Always great to beat the Bears. Officials blowing calls repeatedly (what's new?) and refusing to call a single holding call is something. McManus kick off brain farts and execution blunders are a real problem. Touchbacks happen way too frequently. That kick out of bounds after responding with the TD to go up 10 (I think?) was just all sorts of face palm. Anywho, always great to beat the Cubs.

Old friend, OF Ben Gamel, gets another opportunity to try and get back on an MLB roster after an injury filled (albeit impactful) 2025:

RIP Elden Campbell. Man, what a tragic freakish medical event and terminal result. Ugh. I feel for His family and close Ones. I fondly remember watching him on the Lakers and those Hornets squads. Even won a ring with one of those Pistons teams.

The obvious target with this current absolutely electric Bucks backcourt is SF Jalen Johnson of the Hawks. Absolutely not Trae Young - those proposed trades at ESPN were predictably nauseating. You get a Johnson plus one additional young meaningful player and premium draft picks then you are trending toward exciting young basketball. This is Giannis we are talking about. This is not a fore sale for crying out loud. From there, develop the timeline to blow up the FO and coaching staff. New visions to grow a young nucleus. Can not have Horts and Doc in the fold at the draft. At all. As I said previously, I am prepared for the Bucks to absolutely underwhelm.

And so it begins... Or, according to Windy, so it continues... Sighs. It feels like just yesterday our young Buckaroo was just tasting smoothies and frozen yogurt for the first time! As stated above, I fully anticipate the Bucks to absolutely scree the pooch on compensation. Holding iut the slimmest amount of hope they get the sweetheart Mavs Doncic deal. Can not for the life of me, however, believe there is a world whereby the Bucks ship off the Legendary HOF Once in a Lifetime G-Man while keeping a roster with Kooooooooz and Bobby. And, alas, here we are. I got Horts n Haslam all up in muh Bucks life!😅

BUMP: Ponce signs for a 3 yr/$30M USD fully guaranteed contract. Cash in, young man! (31 is indeed young to this middle aged farmer. What a career move for Him!