Jim Goulart

It should be noted that RHP Alex Moore, 2013 28th round pick out of Lee University, was jumped to Brevard after just three Maryvale appearances last summer.

3B Taylor Brennan (tweet) - Wisconsin

Congratulations to 2013 31st round RHP Tanner Poppe (pronounced "Poppy"). The 6'6" University of Kansas product was the only player to jump from Helena directly to Brevard County. Here's his Helena audio interview from late July.

Looks like Kentrail Davis will be back in Huntsville. Until Huntsville's roster is announced and they landed at AA, these veteran players may be on the employment bubble, unfortunately for them -- RHP Johnnie Lowe (with an insightful tweet), LHP Brent Leach, OF/IF Josh Prince, and IF Hainley Statia. We'll see...

Nashville Sounds 2014 Roster - PDF Format Sounds Announce Tentative Opening Day Roster Nashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds - the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers - have announced their tentative Opening Day 28-man roster, a group highlighted by three of the organization's top 10 prospects, 15 returning players from the 2013 squad, and 11 members of Milwaukee's 40-man roster. Nashville will have to make three roster moves by Thursday's opener to get to the 25-man active limit. The Sounds' roster is heavy on experience. All but four of the team's members have big league experience under their belts in their careers, and fifteen of the 28 players on the Nashville roster played in the majors in 2013. Only pitchers Kyle Heckathorn and Dustin Molleken and infielders Hunter Morris and Stephen Parker have yet to make their major league debuts. Right-handed starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson, rated as the Brewers' top prospect by Baseball America, highlights the Nashville starting rotation on the heels of an impressive 2013 campaign. He led the Brewers organization and ranked 5th in the minors with 163 strikeouts in 152 1/3 innings between Huntsville and Nashville, posting a 3.25 ERA in 27 starts, before advancing to Milwaukee in September to make his major league debut. Joining Nelson in the Sounds' rotation is Johnny Hellweg, the 2013 Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year. The Brewers' #4 prospect was dominant for Nashville a year ago in earning All-PCL honors. The 6-foot-9 fireballer -- playing his first season at the Triple-A level -- ranked 2nd in the PCL in wins (12) and ERA (3.15) while posting the top winning percentage (.706) and lowest opponent average (.228) among all league hurlers. Morris, who was voted as the 2013 Sounds Fan Favorite and ranks as the Brewers' #10 prospect entering the year, returns for his second season in Music City after belting a team-best 23 home runs to rank second among PCL sluggers and also leading Nashville with 73 RBIs. Hellweg will serve as Nashville's Opening Day starter and be followed in the five-man rotation by Nelson, right-hander Hiram Burgos, right-hander Ariel Pena, and right-hander Mike Fiers. Of that group, all have previously appeared for the Sounds except Pena, who was a Southern League midseason All-Star at Double-A Huntsville last year after being acquired from the Angels in the July 2012 Zack Greinke trade. Fifteen players return to Music City from the 2013 Sounds squad, including starting pitchers Burgos, Fiers, Hellweg, and Nelson; relievers Alfredo Figaro, Donovan Hand, Heckathorn, Molleken, and 2013 PCL All-Star Rob Wooten; catcher Robinzon Diaz; infielders Morris, Parker, and Eugenio Velez, who finished 2013 with a PCL-best 36-game on-base streak that included a season-ending 22-game hit streak; and outfielders Caleb Gindl, who ranks among Nashville's top 10 career leaders in hits and doubles, and Sean Halton, the Sounds' 2012 MVP who split last year between Nashville and Milwaukee. Another recognizable face returns to Music City: infielder Taylor Green, who spent parts of the 2011 & 2012 seasons in a Sounds uniform and captured Brewers' Minor League Player of the Year and All-PCL honors following a stellar season for the club in 2011. He has appeared in 197 games for Nashville in his career, posting a .311 average. Green missed the entire 2013 season due to a hip injury. Notable new additions to the Brewers organization who will join the Sounds this season are veteran infielders Irving Falu, Elian Herrera, and Pete Orr, as well as outfielder Jeremy Hermida. Falu is a .278 career hitter who spent his first 11 years in the Kansas City Royals system, including stops at Greer Stadium with Triple-A Omaha in each of the past five years. The versatile infielder/outfielder was a member of the Storm Chasers' PCL championship clubs in 2011 & 2013. The versatile Herrera, who has played every position except catcher during his pro career, is a .280 lifetime hitter who joins the Sounds after spending his first 11 years in the Dodgers organization, including 197 games in the PCL with Albuquerque over the past four seasons. Orr, a 15-year veteran, has logged time in the bigs in eight of the last nine years, including making five Opening Day rosters during that stretch. He is another versatile player, appearing at five different positions last year (2B, SS, 3B, LF, RF). Hermida, a 13-year pro and former top prospect in the Marlins' system who carries a .281 lifetime minor league average, has logged 632 major league games while appearing in the big leagues in eight of the past nine campaigns. Manager Rick Sweet enters his first season at the helm of the Sounds and will be joined by a coaching staff that remains intact from 2013: coach Bob Skube, pitching coach Fred Dabney, trainer Aaron Hoback, and strength and conditioning coach Andrew Emmick. The Sounds begin their 2014 Pacific Coast League season on Thursday, April 3, in Omaha, Nebraska, where they kick off an eight-game road trip with their 7:05 p.m. opener against the defending PCL champion Storm Chasers. On Friday, April 11, the Sounds return to Greer Stadium to host Omaha in their 7:05 p.m. home opener. Ticket packages are currently on sale. Call (615) 690-HITS or visit the Sounds' website at www.nashvillesounds.com to order or for more information..

Pitchers Jacob Barnes, Stephen Peterson, Chad Pierce, Tommy Toledo return All four of these guys have to be asking themselves what they have to do to move up to the AA bullpen. In Peterson's case, a worthwhile (yes, older) southpaw, well, the Brewers have shown they just don't have a plan for advancing or cultivating LH bullpen arms (or LH starters, for that matter...).

2014 Brevard County Manatees Official Roster - PDF Format Brevard County's 2014 Opening Day roster announced By Frank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees VIERA, Fla. - The Milwaukee Brewers have announced the Opening Day roster for the 2014 Brevard County Manatees, which features eight of the Brewers' top 30 prospects, according to Baseball America. Outfielders Tyrone Taylor (ranked 2nd) and Victor Roache (5th), infielders Orlando Arcia (7th) and Yadiel Rivera (13th); along with pitchers Tyler Wagner (16th), Jed Bradley (18th), Damien Magnifico (23rd) and Jorge Lopez (24th) will suit up for the 'Tees to start the season. Taylor, a second round pick in the 2012 MLB Draft, led Class-A Wisconsin last season in hits, runs scored and doubles. Roache, the 28th overall pick in the 2012 Draft, finished third in the Midwest League in 2013 with 22 homers and led the Timber Rattlers with 74 RBI and 202 total bases. Along with Taylor and Roache, Brevard's Opening Day roster features several other top hitters from the 2013 Wisconsin squad. Michael Reed hit a team-high .286 with the Timber Rattlers, stole 26 bases and finished second in the Midwest League with 13 triples. Mike Garza ranked second on the Timber Rattlers with a .282 batting average last season, while Alfredo Rodriguez hit .270 and finished second on the team in on-base percentage. Arcia, who according to Baseball America has the best infield arm in Milwaukee's minor league system, finished 2013 with the third-lowest plate appearances per strikeout ratio as he struck out just once every 12.15 plate appearances in Wisconsin. Wagner and Lopez were the top two starting pitchers for the Timber Rattlers last season. Wagner finished eighth in the Midwest League with a 3.21 ERA, third with 148.2 innings pitched and a batting average against of .236, which ranked fifth. Lopez ranked second on the team behind Wagner in wins, innings pitched and earned run average. Along with the returning Rivera, Bradley and Magnifico, five other players from last year's Brevard squad will start 2014 with the 'Tees. Pitchers Jacob Barnes, Stephen Peterson, Chad Pierce, Tommy Toledo and catcher Cameron Garfield also return as they helped the Manatees to a 66-68 record, the club's best mark since 2009. In the first half the 2013 season, the 'Tees finished one-half game out of first place. Barnes tied for third in the Florida State League in 2013 with nine wins, while Pierce ranked fifth in the FSL with 106 strikeouts and Toledo finished the season with 20 saves, tying him for second in the league. Fans will have the opportunity to meet the team on Tuesday, April 1, during the annual Manatees Fan Fest beginning at 6:00 PM at Space Coast Stadium in Viera. Players will be available for autographs and fans can watch the team practice under the lights as they prepare for the 2014 season. Admission for Manatees Fan Fest is free. The Manatees will open the 2014 season at Space Coast Stadium on Thursday, April 3 at 6:35 PM (5:35 Central). as they host the defending Florida State League Champions and rival Daytona Cubs. Opening Night is presented by Parker Brothers Concepts and admission is free. In lieu of paying for admission, the Manatees are asking for fans to please make a monetary donation to the Manatees Community Foundation on Opening Night. There will also be Thirsty Thursday drink specials from when gates open until the end of the fifth inning as select 16 ounce Miller draft beers and 16 ounce Coca-Cola fountain drinks will be just $2. Following the game, there will be a fireworks show presented by Creative Pyrotechnics. For more information on the Brevard County Manatees, call (321) 633-9200 or go online to ManateesBaseball.com.

Clint Coulter tweet -- Wisconsin

Discussed here...

We have retired the gangly latest Transactions thread (still available here), which covered the period from post-All Star Game 2013 to the end of spring training 2014. The next formal transaction will be the first in this thread as we gear up for the 2014 minor league regular seasons. Whenever possible, please comment or provide analysis in the respective "Your 2014 'team' thread" and allow this thread to be the notification-only info, thanks.

Via ESPN 540: 03/29/14 Grantland staff writer and New York Times best selling author Jonah Keri joins Milwaukee Baseball Tonight to talk about the Brewers, his new book "Up,Up and Away" and more! *** Really enjoyed that interview...

bkrause2 (Brad Krause of Miller Park Prospects) will be chronicling what should be a very exciting Brevard County squad to begin Link Report season -- thanks, Brad. The Manatees' staff does a nice job with their post-game online reports and I'm sure your own insights will be excellent as always. I will be taking one of the four full-season affiliates to begin the season, hopefully to pass it on to another once I'm responsible for Maryvale in mid-June. So we're all set for three of four spots thus far. I don't mind taking a second nightly team as well, depending on additional responses this week. Super-pumped about the start of the season -- might as well take advantage of that enthusiasm until the early-August dog days hit.

Indications are that we will begin to see some formal minor league roster announcements as early as Monday 3/31 or Tuesday 4/1. The formal announcement will come directly from the Timber Rattlers, not the Brewers. All four minor league affiliates will likely send out their press releases within an hour or so of each other once the Brewers have given them the official go-ahead to do so. Feel free to link to any formal notices you see here. As you might know, we use the "Your 2014" threads to post and link to feature stories that are outside the scope of game activity covered in the Daily Link Report. These threads have become among the most popular for viewing here, and we look forward to kicking them off formally.

Indications are that we will begin to see some formal minor league roster announcements as early as Monday 3/31 or Tuesday 4/1. The formal announcement will come directly from the Manatees, not the Brewers. All four minor league affiliates will likely send out their press releases within an hour or so of each other once the Brewers have given them the official go-ahead to do so. Feel free to link to any formal notices you see here. As you might know, we use the "Your 2014" threads to post and link to feature stories that are outside the scope of game activity covered in the Daily Link Report. These threads have become among the most popular for viewing here, and we look forward to kicking them off formally.

Indications are that we will begin to see some formal minor league roster announcements as early as Monday 3/31 or Tuesday 4/1. The formal announcement will come directly from the Stars, not the Brewers. All four minor league affiliates will likely send out their press releases within an hour or so of each other once the Brewers have given them the official go-ahead to do so. Feel free to link to any formal notices you see here. As you might know, we use the "Your 2014" threads to post and link to feature stories that are outside the scope of game activity covered in the Daily Link Report. These threads have become among the most popular for viewing here, and we look forward to kicking them off formally.

Indications are that we will begin to see some formal minor league roster announcements as early as Monday 3/31 or Tuesday 4/1. The formal announcement will come directly from the Sounds, not the Brewers. All four minor league affiliates will likely send out their press releases within an hour or so of each other once the Brewers have given them the official go-ahead to do so. Feel free to link to any formal notices you see here. As you might know, we use the "Your 2014" threads to post and link to feature stories that are outside the scope of game activity covered in the Daily Link Report. These threads have become among the most popular for viewing here, and we look forward to kicking them off formally.

Brad's final report from Maryvale has been posted at Miller Park Prospects, and it's one we've been waiting for -- powerful 1B David Denson, about to embark on his age 18 season.

Via Adam McCalvy (MLB Trade Rumors text) -- The Brewers have inked catcher Connor Narron (career stats), the son of bench coach Jerry Narron, to a minor league deal, tweets MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. Narron will report to extended Spring Training. The 22-year-old was drafted in the fifth round in 2010 by the Orioles, and has topped out at the high-A level thus far. He was released by the O's earlier this week. *** In his pro career, the switch-hitting Narron has played at the following positions -- First base - 94 games Third base - 81 games Left field - 45 games Shortstop - 8 games Right field - 4 games Catcher - 0 games From this year-old article (I suggest this click for the full read): Connor Narron's nearly ended earlier this year over a tray of brownies. While attempting to scoop brownies out of the tray with a knife instead of a spatula — a move even he knows is ill-advised — Narron sliced open the palm of his left hand and needed 10 stitches to close the wound. The mishap caused Narron, the only son of former major league catcher and manager Jerry Narron, to miss nearly all of spring training. He practiced for about a week before being assigned to Frederick, where he will open the season Friday with the Keys as one of the team's first basemen. Narron knows he is lucky. If that cut was a few centimeters deeper, his career epitaph would have read something like: Connor Narron, lacerated hand (brownies). It's hard to imagine a more ignominious career-ending injury and it's even more impossible to imagine how he might have lived it down, especially as the son of a former major leaguer. Not that Narron was giving it much thought. "I had a full stomach (from the brownies)," he said. *** No matter how you slice it (pun intended), those are ugly career offensive numbers. And now it's an apparent transition to catcher. Starting over in Maryvale at age 22 is not a crime, however, so we'll see...

Via @BrewersPD, Friday's results: Nashville dropped a 5-4 contest to Albuquerque. Sean Halton hit a 3-run HR. Donovan Hand (two innings), Michael Blazek, and Rob Wooten had perfect appearances in relief. From the Sounds site -- Eugenio Velez drove in the other Nashville run with a sacrifice fly. Right-hander Hiram Burgos made the start and took the loss for Nashville, allowing five runs (three ER) on seven hits in five innings of work (63 pitches). *** Chattanooga blanked Huntsville, 3-0. Shawn Zarraga had two of the Stars four hits. Drew Gagnon 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 SO. Brevard County routed Rancho Cucamonga, 9-1. Tyrone Taylor 4x5, R. Garrett Cooper 2x3, R, 3 RBI, HR. Orlando Arcia 2x4, 2 R, RBI. RHP's Austin Ross, Martin Viramontes, and Tanner Poppe all had scoreless appearances. Wisconsin/Great Lakes tied 5-5. Taylor Brennan 3x5, 3 RBI. Clint Coulter 2x3, HR, 2 RBI. David Denson 2x4. Omar Garcia 2x3, R. Preston Gainey 2 scoreless IP, 1 SO.

Max Walla Coverted to Pitcher by Brewers Ha, the first of many promised mis-spelling hijinks on the eve of Link Report season...

As per his own tweet, Brewers OF Max Walla, who turns 23 on April 12th, is being coverted to a pitcher (he's a southpaw). Walla (career numbers), was a highly touted power bat 2nd round pick of the Brewers out of an Albuquerque, NM high school back in 2009. He didn't project as an everyday player in what is going to be a crowded and talented Brevard County outfield in 2014. This appears to be a worthwhile project in that Walla is young enough to allow a progression to still work (and left-handed enough ) Good luck to Max and the Brewers -- here's a 2009 video and scouting report that indicates: "Arm strength: Has a good arm; also pitches and has touched 90 mph off the mound."

Alphabetically on the releases specifically announced Thursday, links point to career stats via MiLB.com: 23-year-old RHP Estevenson Encarnacion, signed one week after his release by Cleveland last March - Encarnacion, who will turn 24 in June, made 15 relief appearances for Helena last summer. Previously, he spent two years in the Indians' system, one in the Dominican Summer League and one at the Arizona Rookie level. From Anguilla Island in the Caribbean, a British territory, Encarnacion pitched for Great Britain in 2011 WBC qualifying play. 25-year-old 1B Cody Hawn, 6th round, 2010 - The University of Tennessee product did the obligatory raking in the Pioneer League, and posted a .294/.382/.406 line at Wisconsin a year later. But things did not go well at Brevard County, and it was a repeat season, this time in a part-time role for the left-handed bat, in 2013. Hawn was interviewed three times for Manatees broadcasts last summer, you can listen to those here. Recently-turned 25-year-old RHP Taylor Mangum, undrafted free agent signing out of Utah Valley Univeristy in June of 2012 - Mangum saw action at four levels with the Crew, from Maryvale up to Brevard County. His numbers neither shone nor were poor, but for a 6'1" undrafted RHP, they weren't quite enough to move on. You can revisit his journey through 2012 audio at Helena and 2013 audio from Brevard. OF Charlie Markson (38th round, 2013) turned 23 last February, and it's disappointing the Whitefish Bay and Notre Dame product only got one year in the system, and won't get to play alongside recent Brewer free agent signee LHP Kevin James, who followed the same school path. Thought Markson would be a valuable 4th outfielder-type with his home-state Rattlers this summer. You can listen to two Helena interviews via Steve Wendt with Markson here. 2010 44th round IF/OF T.J. Mittelstaedt can be proud of a solid four-year run. Labored through a full scorching Maryvale summer as a rookie out of Long Beach State, posted an .853 OPS at Wisconsin, laughed at Brevard County's status as a graveyard with an .828 OPS in 2012, and displayed defensive flexibility with nearly split levels of time at 2B/3B and the corner outfield spots. Heck, he made three one-inning relief appearances over the years and maintained a 0.00 ERA. Despite a weak average at Brevard in 2013, Mittelstaedt still managed to get his walks and slug enough for a .745 OPS, and he was the king of the walkoff last season. Sample his walk-off highlights here (along with his Manatee interviews). Here's to you, T.J. 44th round? Only 5'10"? You contributed nicely to four years worth of Link Reports. LHP David Otterman, 7th round, 2012 - The Brewers' Canadian connection took a real hit this spring: Chadwin Stang (noted below), Jalen Harris, now Otterman. Tough one for David, the club needs 7th round college picks to advance beyond the rookie-ball level. Otterman walked 38 in 44.2 innings at Helena last summer, and despite his southpaw-ness, wasn't kept on for 2014. Helena audio can be found here. LHP Juan Santiago, 23, Dominican-based signing prior to the 2010 DSL season - Similar to Otterman, control was an issue for Santiago at Helena in 2013. Santiago made the jump to Montana after three developmental seasons at the Dominican complex. OF Chadwin Stang, 8th round, 2009 - Stang's pro career included a lost 2010 (torn left knee meniscus, right shoulder labrum tear). Who comes back from that daily double? Stang did, and kudos for him, reaching AA in 2013. Stang closes his Brewers stint with a career .682 OPS. Listen to Manatee audio from last season here. Chadwin said goodbye with a classy Tweet here. Veteran infielder Joe Thurston, 34, signed by the Brewers last January - so Milwaukee will not be included on Thurston's career stat page. 24-year-old catcher Mike Turay, 24th round, 2012 - played his senior season at Cal State Stanislaus, not sure when we'll be typing that school's name again. Turay saw quite a bit of action at third base in 2012 at Helena, but was back behind the plate for the majority of 2013, again in Montana. It's so tough for catchers to advance beyond the lowest levels of the system - the organization needs bodies to catch all the newbie arms, but there's only so few spots open once the full seasons begin. Turay had a good interview presence, here he is with Steve in both 2012 and 2013. 3B/1B Mike Walker, 25 (26 this coming June), 14th round, 2010 - the University of Pacific product advanced exactly one full level in each of his four years, maxing out at Huntsville in 2013. His mother, born and raised in Australia, qualified Walker for WBC play with the squad, and he was recently Down Under facing the Dodgers and Diamondbacks in exhibition play. After three solid seasons, it was a rough go at AA last summer, and it appears that the (apparent) need to play Jason Rogers at third base in Huntsville to start 2013 meant it was time to let Walker go. Despite the tough 2013 season, Walker had his share of audio and video highlights from Huntsville archived.

Brad spoke with 1B (and 3B) Garrett Cooper while in Maryvale

Said noted Arizona-based baseball photographer Bill Mitchell -- Impressive player from time on back fields today - Tyrone Taylor (#Brewers). Plus speed and more raw power than expected.

First player tweet not a surprise: @KyleHeckathorn 1 more day of spring training then off to #Nashville #pumped