Joseph Zarr

Good news here in early February: 1B Jon Singleton has re-signed a Minor League contract with an invite to Spring Training. He will be starting his 2023 season (most likely) with the Nashville Sounds. This is fantastic! Also in that tweet thread is the update that C Jeferson Quero has been invited to Spring Training. The rise and recognition in the organization continues its lofty trajectory - rightfully so. Lastly, OF Antony Gomez was assigned to the DSL Brewers 1.

So, when we reflect back to when broke he broke his hand in such timely fashion back in 2021 do we call that punch a 'screwwall'? Asking for a friend (who is also a dad).

Hear ye, Hear ye. Good stuff! Love the arm discourse - an extremely important but oft overlooked quality of a player. Though his arm is probably a notch below Adames (naked eye observations from Sounds games), Turang indeed benefits from a solid ability to toss the white rat with decent velocity. I continue to hope last year's impressive showing from Cam Devanney was just the beginnings of what could be a long career. That is the best infield arm in the system - yes, better than Eduardo Garcia. An absolute cannon that is so fun to watch. He's knocking on the door at Nashville and I hope he can open it and show his wares.

'MLB the Show 2022' agrees with you @Matthew Trueblood. However, they add a real wrinky dinky to the whole schtick: he throws a Screwball and a Change. Whoa nelly! It's almost too hot to handle! Considering I recently lost to the Angels, 4 games to 1, in the World Serious (super likely) they're now adding further intrigue to my baseball soup: I am currently facing the Philadelphia Phillies in an early 2023 season home series where recently acquired Brewer Minor League Free Agent, INF Josh VanMeter (Spring Training invite - he'll play for the Sounds), is their starting 3B. It's all so gossipy and unfathomably cutting edge. All this is to say: Welcome aboard! We're happy to have you.

Brewers and Carolina Mudcats staff promotion connection: Good luck, Daniel!

Welcome back, OF Monte Harrison! The Brewers have officially signed Harrison to a Minor League contract with an invite to Spring Training. He was assigned to the Nashville Sounds where he will help add depth to an already talent-laden pool of young outfield prospects. After spending 2021 with Jacksonville and the Jumbo Shrimp in the International League, Harrison spent last season in the Angels organization and the PCL with their Triple-A affiliate in Salt Lake. He did grab some cups of coffee with the Big Club in late June into July where he was given a grand total of 14 AB's. Regardless, I'm excited to see Harrison back with the organization! More In-Depth Analysis Here (MLB Trade Rumors write-up)

Add Skye Bolt to the treasure trove.

OF Skye Bolt and familiar face RHP Colin Rea have been invited to Spring Training on Minor League contract deals: More details HERE

The Brewers have officially released 1B Jon Singleton. He had been designated for assignment to Nashville when INF Brian Anderson signed with the club as a FA. More details here: Big Jon Takes His Talents Elsewhere in 2023

Following up: Shears will begin his affiliated season at High-A Wisconsin. A short journey North for the fireballer.

Just a brief and random late January reminder: RHP Dylan File will be playing in the KBO this year (season begins April 1st). He will take his talents to the Seoul where he'll play for the Doosan Bears.

Just following up here, Fernández was officially assigned to the Nashville Sounds today (1/24/2023).

Ahhhhhhh that sweet and sour taste of seeing beloved prospects fade into the wispy halls of baseball's Honorable Mentions. I can only hope this current round of blue chipper can find more success. As a kiddo, I fondly recall being enthralled when hearing Robidoux's name on the radio. He would have made a fine opening act for a country headliner at Alpine Valley.

Don't know where to put this but the Brewers Dominican Training Academy is nearing completion:

RHP Moises Gomez has been activated by the ACL Brewers Blue. It would appear the talented hurler is officially coming out of his brief affiliated retirement.

For a complete list of all the International Signings on Day 1 of the signing period (officially signed on 1/15/2023) please visit this page: Brewers Busy on Day 1 of 2023 International Free Agent Signing Period

I'm seeing a subtle trend in this class of players. Subtle. But, it's there.

Closing this loop (for now): Sparks was officially assigned to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers to start his affiliated season.

Another hard-throwing reliever into the mix with a Minor League deal (as noted by @Ron Robinsons Beard HERE - for greater conversation please visit that thread): Brazilian born Thyago Vieira signed ** Updated to Add: Vieira has officially been assigned to the Nashville Sounds to start his 2023 affiliated season.

Closing the loop from RHP Trevor Kelley's outright assignment to Nashville: - Kelly cleared waivers and rejected the assignment and has opted to test the Minor League free agency waters. More in depth coverage of Kelley's ongoing efforts to find success at the MLB level HERE

This is a very cool development for current and former Milkmen players. A realistic ability to turn an eye toward the coaching ranks.

Following up here: VanMeter was officially assigned to the Nashville Sounds. I would also like to quickly add, when your team acquires a player nicknamed 'Meat Sauce', regardless of results, it is cause for celebration.

More importantly, perhaps, my good friends: Hernandez impressed pretty much everyone in 2022. He won the California League 'Pitcher of the Year' honors. This is a heck of a lottery ticket if they can harness more command: Full Write-Up Here **NOTE: There is a clip of above-mentioned deadly slider as a strikeout pitch. One word: nasty.** Hernandez Blurb:

Let's go 2023! <Coughs...auditorium is quiet> RHP Joseph Hernandez (acquired in RHP Justin Topa to Seattle trade) was assigned to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. * Hernandez had a heck of a year in Low-A Modesto for the Mariners org in 2023: 116 2/3 IP / 21 HB / 54 BB / 143 K / .193 BAA / 1.14 WHIP / 3.39 ERA w 9-5 overall...that's enough to be excited about what might be jumping into the T-Rats staff

I love the smell of prospect discourse in the morning, it smells of Victory. I'm going to simply play the game of 'Seven Prospects with Something to Prove' - knowing full well, my personal opinion is: every prospect has things to prove - to themselves and their organizations - every season. Love being along for their rides! (1) Freddy Zamora: What exactly was that performance pre-injury? What was 2021 in relation to 2022's extremely rough pre-injury performance? Lots to look forward to in 2023. (2) Felix Valerio: Can he convert his contact rate into more productivity? Given his defensive limitations, he really 'needs' to develop and maximize that very capable bat. And, man, when he is on point he really can rake. (3) Carlos Rodriguez (OF): Man, he was crushing it in High-A. He really seemed to turn a corner of consistency and then, boom, just like that the injury. Can he find that form again and keep growing? (4) Wes Clarke: I realllllly loved Clarke's season as a whole. His bat really evolved. His family support is awesome. He will take over the Thomas Dillard role in Biloxi now that Dillard was released (sigh). He plays a competent 1B/DH/spot fill C. Can he take another step? (5) TJ Shook: A dominant start to his High-A season led to a deserving promotion to the Southern League where he saw mixed results. Can he start this year like he began 2022? I would say his season as a whole was open-ended. Can he continue to develop the movement of his pitches? He has the size, the frame, and all the ability. I am hoping for big things. (6) Nick Bennett: Was there a pitcher in the system who teased signs of dominance more than Bennett in the Southern League muggy air? He has an interesting delivery and truly dominates in spells. Can we get more Big League consistency? (7) Joe Gray Jr.: Beloved in the clubhouse. An awesome personality and persona. Incredibly athletic but down-to-Earth. Can he move beyond the weird purported eye issues and fine-tune his approach at the plate? We know he can thrive in the OF. We have yet to see a consistent means of production and true threat at the plate. Honorable Mentions: Je'Von Ward, Ernesto Martinez, Max Lazar, Israel Puello, Ryne Moore, Darrien Miller