Jim Goulart

Puerto Rico Box Score Not upset but a bit puzzled to see RHP Jorge Lopez get the Thursday start, when we had read he was starting Saturday's All-Star Game in Puerto Rico. Now even an inning is not happening on one day's rest. Lopez' club lost 2-1 on a walkoff home run. Oh yes, Martin Maldonado made his winter debut, catching Lopez. Maldy was 0-for-2 with a sacrifice bunt, and drove in his club's only run with a sacrifice fly. Maldonado threw out one of two baserunners attempting to steal. Lopez worked out of trouble during his 4.2 inning stint, but only allowed one run and now sports a 1.73 ERA through 26 innings. 4.2 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 K, 2 WP, GB:FB 3:4, bullpen stranded two of his baserunners by retiring a former Brewer farmhand Holy defense and bad baserunning helping out Lopez in this game! Caguas Bottom of the 1st Rusney Castillo singles on a line drive to center fielder Fehlandt Lentini. Angel Sanchez flies out to right fielder Luis Montanez. With Rey Navarro batting, Rusney Castillo steals (1) 2nd base. Rey Navarro walks. Jaime Ortiz doubles (3) on a line drive to right fielder Luis Montanez. Rusney Castillo scores. Rey Navarro out at home, right fielder Luis Montanez to second baseman T. Rivera to third baseman Luis Figueroa to catcher Martin Maldonado to third baseman Luis Figueroa. Ramon Castro strikes out swinging. Caguas Bottom of the 2nd Edgardo Baez called out on strikes. Henry Ramos strikes out swinging. Luis Mateo strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Jorge Lopez. Luis Mateo to 1st. Miguel Abreu singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jesmuel Valentin. Luis Mateo to 2nd. Rusney Castillo singles on a ground ball to center fielder Fehlandt Lentini. Luis Mateo out at home on the throw, center fielder Fehlandt Lentini to catcher Martin Maldonado. Caguas Bottom of the 3rd Angel Sanchez reaches on a throwing error by third baseman Luis Figueroa. Rey Navarro flies out to left fielder Daniel Ortiz. Jaime Ortiz singles on a line drive to left fielder Daniel Ortiz. Angel Sanchez out at 3rd on the throw, left fielder Daniel Ortiz to third baseman Luis Figueroa. Jaime Ortiz to 2nd on the throw. Ramon Castro called out on strikes. Caguas Bottom of the 4th Edgardo Baez flies out to right fielder Luis Montanez. Henry Ramos singles on a line drive to center fielder Fehlandt Lentini. Luis Mateo strikes out swinging. With Miguel Abreu batting, wild pitch by Jorge Lopez, Henry Ramos to 3rd. Miguel Abreu grounds out, pitcher Jorge Lopez to first baseman Kennys Vargas. Caguas Bottom of the 5th Rusney Castillo singles on a line drive to center fielder Fehlandt Lentini. Angel Sanchez flies out to right fielder Luis Montanez. Rey Navarro grounds into a force out, first baseman Kennys Vargas to shortstop Jesmuel Valentin. Rusney Castillo out at 2nd. Rey Navarro to 1st. Jaime Ortiz singles on a ground ball to center fielder Fehlandt Lentini. Rey Navarro to 3rd. Pitching Change: Kanekoa Texeira replaces Jorge Lopez. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Sergio Miranda replaces Ramon Castro. Sergio Miranda strikes out swinging.

The Brewers announced the re-signing of INF Hainley Statia (career stats). Statia has a career .271/.345/.357 line (.703 OPS) through a ten-year career (2004 9th round by the Angels, out of a Florida high school). He'll turn 29 in January. In 962 games and 3273 AB's, he's only struck out 431 times. (The Brewers drafted RHP Derek DeCarlo in that round, out of Florida International; DeCarlo did not advance past A-ball, just two years in the system.) Given Statia is a switch-hitter, puts the bat on the ball, and has all-over-the-infield defensive flexibility (a bit of OF as well), it's easy to see why he has value on a minor league squad for any manager. After six years in the Angels' system, Statia was prepared to go the indy ball route in the spring of 2011 when Milwaukee purchased him from the Lancaster (PA) Barnstormers, and he's been brought back each year since, netting the following number of AB's over four years in the Brewer system in AAA and AA -- 344, 380, 343, and 269. Statia was born in Curacao, which is pretty cool in and of itself, just another reason to hope he eventually gets his "Guilder Rodriguez" cup of coffee big league moment. From 2013, here's an audio interview with Statia via Jeff Hem's Nashville blog.

Ramblin' Al with a printed recap if you can't invest the listening time right now...

Doug Melvin mentioned in his WSSP audio today that Asian teams are inquiring with the Brewers about Jimenez.

Dominican Box Score Like Mr. Obispo, here's another excellent Brewer debut, this one from LH starter Nick Additon -- 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, GB:FB 6:3 Aguilas Top of the 1st Rafael Ynoa doubles (7) on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Cory Spangenberg. Zoilo Almonte singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jimmy Paredes. Rafael Ynoa scores. Fielding error by right fielder Jimmy Paredes. Dan Black flies out to right fielder Jimmy Paredes. Manny Ramirez called out on strikes. Derek Dietrich strikes out swinging. Aguilas Top of the 2nd Dionys Cesar grounds out, shortstop Erik Gonzalez to first baseman Brad Glenn. Audry Perez grounds out, second baseman Jorge Polanco to first baseman Brad Glenn. Willy Garcia walks. Angel Franco flies out to center fielder Freddy Guzman. Aguilas Top of the 3rd Rafael Ynoa grounds out, third baseman Pedro Ciriaco to first baseman Brad Glenn. Zoilo Almonte grounds out, shortstop Erik Gonzalez to first baseman Brad Glenn. Dan Black lines out to shortstop Erik Gonzalez. Aguilas Top of the 4th Manny Ramirez grounds out, shortstop Erik Gonzalez to first baseman Brad Glenn. Derek Dietrich flies out to right fielder Jimmy Paredes. Dionys Cesar grounds out, shortstop Erik Gonzalez to first baseman Brad Glenn. *** This was Additon's 3rd winter appearance, and first start after two brief relief appearances.

Dominican Box Score Hector Gomez, playing second base, went 0-for-4 in a 7-3 loss. Gomez is now 5-for-33 (.152) in his small sample DWL stint.

Dominican Box Score First baseman Hunter Morris, batting 6th, singled in four AB's (three K's, one fielding error) in a 9-3 loss. On the winning side of the ledger, Elian Herrera, playing second base, was 0-for-3 (walk, run, K, lifted for a pinch-hitter late) and 3B Luis Jimenez posted the same line as Herrera, except he also drove in a run on a sacrifice fly. Also for the victors, RHP Wirfin Obispo celebrated his Brewers signing in grand style, striking out the side -- Licey Top of the 8th Pitching Change: Wirfin Obispo replaces Edgar Garcia. Diory Hernandez strikes out swinging. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Jose Ruiz replaces Juan Francisco. Jose Ruiz called out on strikes. Tigres del Licey designated hitter Jose Ruiz ejected by HP umpire Santo Castillo. Domingo Santana hit by pitch. Hunter Morris strikes out swinging.

Erickson to return as Timber Rattlers manager Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent Media Matt Erickson considers himself to be a teacher of the game, and his classroom isn’t about to change. The Appleton native said Tuesday that he will return to manage a fifth season with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers after reaching an agreement with the Milwaukee Brewers’ organization in the fall instructional league. “I’m very appreciative of the situation I have in Appleton,” said Erickson, a 1994 Appleton West graduate. “Being close to my family and having them be a part of what goes on means a lot to me. “I have tremendous balance in my life and I’m appreciative of that. This is still a very good fit for me.” Erickson took over as Timber Rattlers manager in 2011 after serving as the team’s hitting coach the previous two years. Erickson played 11 seasons of professional baseball as an infielder (1997-2011). He spent his first eight years in the Marlins’ organization after being selected by the team with a seventh round pick out of the University of Arkansas in the 1997 first-year player draft. Erickson also spent parts of two seasons in the Milwaukee organization, reaching the majors with the Brewers for a stretch of the 2004 season, before finishing his playing career with the Arizona Diamondbacks’ organization. The Brewers haven’t made an official announcement on their 2015 minor league coaches and instructors, but Erickson said the majority of last year’s Timber Rattlers coaching staff will return. The exception will be at pitching coach where Gary Lucas will take over. Lucas, a former major league pitcher, worked for years in the Minnesota Twins’ organization and was the pitching coach of the Class A Beloit Snappers last season. “Gary is familiar with the Midwest League and had a lot of experience with the Twins organization, so I’m excited to have him join us,” said Erickson.

News gleaned from a couple of translated articles in Puerto Rico -- Martin Maldonado was scheduled to make his Puerto Rico winter debut Wed. night, but the game was rained out. Congratulations 21-year-old RHP Jorge Lopez, named to start in the Puerto Rico League All-Star Game this Sat. Well deserved! Some of you may have seen this tweet on Lopez from MiLB.com tonight, but that game was actually the completion of the November 21st suspended game (our write-up on that one), so Lopez didn't actually pitch tonight. *** Puerto Rico Box Score SS Yadiel Rivera was 0-for-4 (now 16-for-78, .205), but he managed an eventful night on the basepaths in his team's 4-1 loss, and is now just 1-for-5 in winter stolen base attempts. Santurce Top of the 5th Jonathan Rodriguez doubles (4) on a line drive to left fielder Juan Silva. Yadiel Rivera reaches on a fielder's choice out, shortstop Luis Mateo to third baseman Angel Sanchez. Jonathan Rodriguez out at 3rd. Jack Lopez strikes out swinging and Yadiel Rivera caught stealing 2nd, catcher Roberto Pena to shortstop Luis Mateo. Santurce Top of the 7th Jonathan Rodriguez strikes out swinging. Yadiel Rivera reaches on a fielding error by shortstop Luis Mateo. With Jack Lopez batting, Yadiel Rivera caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Roberto Pena to shortstop Luis Mateo. Jack Lopez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Juan Silva. Reymond Fuentes singles on a line drive to right fielder Henry Ramos. Jack Lopez to 2nd. Jorge Padilla grounds out, shortstop Luis Mateo to first baseman Trever Adams. This game also saw the winter debut of big money Cuban Red Sox signing Rusney Castillo.

Every so often we'll link a reminder to the Brewers site' video page, catch up on those posted in the last couple of weeks here.

AUDIO 12/3: Doug Melvin on the Chuck and Wickett Show (WSSP 105.7 FM) This is just a wonderfully entertaining 35 (35!) minutes. Enjoy.

AUDIO 12/3: Ken Sanders on WSSP discusses Broxton, Jeffress, and more

Initial post has been updated to include recent minor league free agent signings LHP's Brent Leach and Nick Additon and RHP Wirfin Obispo.

AUDIO 12/2: Jerry Augustine on WSSP's "The Big Show"

Learn all about new Brewer RHP Wirfin Obispo here, as he'll be part of the Dominican Winter League updates, unless he's just wrapped up his season.

Newest Brewer RHP Wirfin Obispo (career stats, including four seasons in Japan) is 30 years old, but is yet to see a major league mound. Obispo did spend time on the 40-man rosters of the Braves and Pirates in 2014. Should he ever be added to the Brewers' 40-man roster, he'll have two options remaining. Since coming stateside in 2012, Obispo has K and BB ratios of 9.13 and 4.54, respectively. John Manuel of Baseball America noted "his delivery has some effort but good stuff". There is probably a good backstory here -- how many Dominican Summer League players head directly to Japan at age 22 without playing stateside at all (although he only made two appearances there his first season in Japan and none detailed the following season). Obligatory Wikipedia cut-and paste -- "Obispo was originally signed by the Boston Red Sox as an international free agent on January 20, 2002. He played in the Dominican Summer League with the Red Sox as a shortstop before being released on November 3, 2003. The Cincinnati Reds then signed him to a minor league deal on January 23, 2004.[1] Obispo then went to Japan for four seasons, winning one championship with the Yomiuri Giants. He signed with the Reds for 2012,[2] where he pitched 5-3 with a 3.00 ERA in 35 games, 13 of them starts. He pitched for Triple-A Louisville and Double-A Pensacola. On November 5, 2012, Obispo signed a minor league-deal with the Atlanta Braves with an invitation to spring training.[3] The Braves added him to their 40 man roster on November 1, 2013.[4] He was designated for assignment on May 31, 2014, and the Pittsburgh Pirates claimed him from waivers on June 1." *** Ah yes, the backstory -- thank you, redsminorleagues.com (5/21/12) "Obispo is a bit of an urban legend in some Reds prospect circles after he dominated the Dominican Summer League after a conversion to the mound from shortstop. He was, however, caught up in a marriage scandal that left him unable to obtain a work visa to enter the US and eventually wound up in Japan where he pitched for several years before finally being able to obtain a work visa when the Reds signed him this past offseason. Obispo throws a fastball, change up and slider. His fastball seems to work, in my limited time seeing him, in the 89-93 MPH range while touching 94. The pitch is a little straight, but he seems to hide the ball well with what I can best describe as, interesting mechanics that seem to have a little bit of violence to them. His change up shows some solid late tumble on it. The slider has short break to it, and could work well at the bottom of the strikezone, but the break isn’t sharp enough for it to do much if it isn’t at the bottom of the zone. At best, it is an average pitch and is only a pitch that should be thrown in the lower half of the strikezone and is thrown in the mid 80’s." *** Fun mini-video from Huntsville in 2012 - catch glimpses of Obispo and Jimmy Nelson in these game highlights. *** Obispo will be part of our 2014 Winter League updates -- in 17 games for Estrellas thus far in the Dominican, the 6'2", 215 lb. Obispo has a 2.35 ERA (15.1 IP, 15 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 2 HR, 5 BB, 17 K's - stat page).

Dominican Box Score Elian Herrera lives! First appearance since leaving a game early on November 24th, Herrera struck out a pinch-hitter, and went in to play a bit of center field. Herrera's teammate, Luis Jimenez, was the DH, and went 1-for-3 with a walk and run scored. *** Dominican Box Score Hector Gomez, playing second base, was 0-for-3 with an HBP. *** Dominican Box Score Hunter Morris singled twice in five at-bats, drove in one, scored a run, and stole a base! Morris did not attempt a single stolen base in 103 regular season games in 2014. Licey Top of the 3rd Diory Hernandez grounds out, shortstop Rafael Ynoa to first baseman Dan Black. Juan Francisco grounds out, second baseman Derek Dietrich to first baseman Dan Black. Domingo Santana walks. Hunter Morris singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Ricardo Nanita. Domingo Santana to 3rd. With Anderson Hernandez batting, Hunter Morris steals (1) 2nd base.

Puerto Rico Box Score SS Yadiel Rivera 1-for-3 with a run scored, but his club fell, 3-2 *** Puerto Rico Box Score Catcher Juan Centeno, DH'ing here, was 0-for-2 to drop his average to .171 (7-for-41, one double, .466 OPS), but Centeno did walk twice, once with the bases loaded.

Venezuela Box Score Fun format for the Venezuela League All-Star Game, as it's the kids "Futures" vs. the veterans. And the kids smoked the older guys, 8-0. SS Orlando Arcia started and was 0-for-2 (one K).

Mexico Box Score It's been a tough, tough winter for this RH reliever, over 21 games and 20.2 IP -- 29 H (.354 BAA), 12 BB, 14 K; five hits allowed here - allowed all three inherited runners to score (grand slam), then was fortunate enough to have all three of his own one-out runners stranded with help from his bullpen mate. Obregon Bottom of the 6th Carlos Figueroa flies out to center fielder Daniel Hinojosa. Agustin Murillo singles on a line drive to shortstop Garrett Weber, deflected by third baseman Sergio Gastelum. Donald Lutz reaches on a force attempt, throwing error by third baseman Sergio Gastelum. Agustin Murillo to 2nd. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Luis Urias replaces Carlos Valencia. Luis Urias reaches on a fielding error by shortstop Garrett Weber. Agustin Murillo to 3rd. Donald Lutz to 2nd. Pitching Change: Manny Barreda replaces Marco Camarena. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Robert Saucedo replaces Daniel Muno. Robert Saucedo pops out to catcher Arturo Rodriguez in foul territory. Christian Villanueva hits a grand slam (6) to left field. Agustin Murillo scores. Donald Lutz scores. Luis Urias scores. Sergio Contreras grounds out, first baseman Jorge Vazquez to pitcher Manny Barreda. Obregon Bottom of the 7th Jesus Alberto Vega singles on a line drive to left fielder Ronnier Mustelier. Esteban Quiroz singles on a ground ball to left fielder Ronnier Mustelier. Jesus Alberto Vega to 2nd. Carlos Figueroa grounds into a force out, third baseman Sergio Gastelum to second baseman Ramiro Pena. Jesus Alberto Vega to 3rd. Esteban Quiroz out at 2nd. Carlos Figueroa to 1st. Nicolas Garcia singles on a ground ball to third baseman Sergio Gastelum. Jesus Alberto Vega scores. Carlos Figueroa to 2nd. Donald Lutz singles on a line drive to left fielder Ronnier Mustelier. Carlos Figueroa to 3rd. Nicolas Garcia to 2nd. Pitching Change: Federico Castaneda replaces Manny Barreda. Luis Urias flies out to center fielder Daniel Hinojosa. Robert Saucedo lines out to third baseman Sergio Gastelum.

AUDIO 12/2 - Adam McCalvy's visit with WSSP 105.7 FM *** AUDIO 12/2: MLB.com's Michael Bauman via the Bill Michaels' Show

Welcome to the forum! Here's an accompanying detailed article that was released today.

From November's list of releases -- Hillis just signed with the Traverse City (Michigan) Beach Bums of the independent Frontier League. (As we have in past seasons, we'll report on alumni transactions involving indy ball, but only for those players who saw action during the 2014 regular season in the Brewers' chain.)

No surprise, but still nice to see -- Timber Rattlers locked in to the longest allowable term at this time, through 2020

Link - Nicholas from Disciples of Uecker with a detailed look at the 2014 draft picks beyond the top rounds