Jim Goulart

Friday's Winter League action -- Puerto Rico Box Score And we're even at two games apiece in the best-of-seven as Mayaguez wins over Caguas 7-4. For Mayaguez, leading off and playing second base, Irving Falu was 0-for-2 (walk, sacrifice bunt, one K), and catcher Martin Maldonado was 1-for-4 (two K's, GIDP). Nobody chose o run against Maldy's arm. Game five is Saturday night. *** Dominican Box Score And suddenly we have a series here, as Licey drops a second game in a row, smoked 8-0, and now leads the best-of-nine series only by a three games to two margin. First baseman Juan Francisco was 0-for-3 for Licey (HBP, one K), and committed an error at first base (only his 2nd in 23 postseason games). Eugenio Velez, playing right field, was 0-for-2 (walk, one K). Game six is Sunday.

Jason Arndt continues his fine work tracking down offseason quotes from Brewer farmhands, the latest Tucker Neuhaus.

Have now confirmed that there is an invite to big league camp. Rogers threw for 22 teams, over 30 scouts last week in Phoenix. Apparently, he has been working with fomer Mariner 1st round pick (1984, 2nd pick overall) and fellow state-of-Mainer Bill Swift.

Have now confirmed that there is an invite to big league camp. Rogers threw for 22 teams, over 30 scouts last week in Phoenix. Apparently, he has been working with fomer Mariner 1st round pick (1984, 2nd pick overall) and fellow state-of-Mainer Bill Swift.

I've been told that 2004 1st round RHP Mark Rogers (5th overall) has signed a minor league deal with the Mariners, reuniting him with the man who drafted him, Jack Zduriencik. I'm efforting to learn whether that signing includes an invite to big league camp, but I imagine that news may come out soon enough. Rogers' long, exhausting, and exasperating (for him as well as us) Brewers career is well-known among Milwaukee fans (career stats here). Most recently, Rogers made two early winter appearances in Venezuela that were less than successful, stat lines here. His home state newspaper previewed that journey south in this November article we had previously linked to. Good luck to Mark going forward, determined, if snake-bitten, young man. Maybe the Brewers will face him in spring training.

I've been told that 2004 1st round RHP Mark Rogers (5th overall) has signed a minor league deal with the Mariners, reuniting him with the man who drafted him, Jack Zduriencik. I'm efforting to learn whether that signing includes an invite to big league camp, but I imagine that news may come out soon enough. Rogers' long, exhausting, and exasperating (for him as well as us) Brewers career is well-known among Milwaukee fans (career stats here). Most recently, Rogers made two early winter appearances in Venezuela that were less than successful, stat lines here. His home state newspaper previewed that journey south in this November article we had previously linked to. Good luck to Mark going forward, determined, if snake-bitten, young man. Maybe the Brewers will face him in spring training.

McCalvy interviewed by MLB.com

Fixed...

RHP R.J. Seidel apparently doing well in offseason workouts with Dontrelle Willis.

For those who analyze swings, big league camp invitee catcher Cameron Garfield had a recent BP session uploaded to YouTube.

Thursday's Winter League action -- Dominican Box Score Licey finally drops one in this series (6-5 score at home), so their lead in the best-of-nine is three games to one. Actually, the loss was no fault of Juan Francisco (3-for-4, solo HR, one K) or Eugenio Velez (2-for-4, run scored). The Francisco HR was pulled to RF off a LHP (former Cardinal Evan MacLane, pitched in Japan in 2011-2012). Game Five in the series is Friday.

And then RHP Harvey Martin had a glass of water.

From Baseball America -- When Looking At Winter Numbers, Factor In The League

1/23 Audio via WSSP and Bill Michaels Show Adam McCalvy (pre-Garza announcement) *** 1/23 Audio - WSSP Adam McCalvy (early afternoon, 2:00 PM hour)

John Sickels is seeking input within his Brewers organizational discussion -- chime in there!

According to the Voice of the Sounds Jeff Hem (and his blog post here), Brewers GM Doug Melvin (and Hunter Morris) will be in attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Sounds’ new ballpark in Sulphur Dell (opening in 2015) this coming Monday the 27th. Now wouldn't that be a great day to also announce an extended partnership between the Sounds and Brewers beyond the 2014 season? I mean, the Sounds wouldn't invite Doug and then later on, not extend, right? That'd be a tough way to (not) thank Melvin and the Brewers for their patience in this process. Here's hoping there's a formal (yet silent) basis for an extension in place.

Wednesday's Winter League action -- Dominican Box Score It's been all about pitching in the Dominican League best-of-nine final, and with a 1-0 win, Licey now has a commanding three games to none lead. Fernando Rodney allowed a 9th inning run to break the scoreless tie. For Licey, Juan Francisco, now hitting .222 in 22 postseason games, was 0-for-4 (one K). Francisco is certainly getting his defensive innings in at first base. Eugenio Velez, playing right field, was 1-for-3 (hitting .250 in the long postseason). The series continues Thursday in Licey. *** Puerto Rico Box Score Huge win for the Caguas club of RHP Jose De La Torre and young shortstop Yadiel Rivera, scoring two runs in the bottom of the 9th to tie the game, and then taking a 5-4 walkoff win in the 11th. Caguas now leads the best-of-seven final series, two games to one. Rivera was a late replacement but he came up big as part of the winning rally in his only at-bat: Caguas Bottom of the 11th Defensive switch from second base to third base for Irving Falu. Josh Prince remains in the game as the second baseman. Pitching Change: Randy Fontanez replaces Tyler Herron. Aaron Bates doubles (1) on a line drive to right fielder Luis Montanez. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Edgardo Baez replaces Aaron Bates. Randy Fontanez intentionally walks Ramon Castro. Pitching Change: Pat McCoy replaces Randy Fontanez. Juan Silva strikes out swinging. Pitching Change: Travis Schlichting replaces Pat McCoy. Yadiel Rivera singles on a line drive to center fielder Eddie Rosario. Edgardo Baez to 3rd. Ramon Castro to 2nd. Miguel Abreu singles on a line drive to center fielder Eddie Rosario. Edgardo Baez scores. Ramon Castro to 3rd. Yadiel Rivera to 2nd. De La Torre tossed a scoreless inning earlier in the game, he remains a groundball master -- Mayaguez Top of the 8th Pitching Change: Jose De La Torre replaces Miguel Mejia. Martin Maldonado singles on a ground ball to center fielder Miguel Abreu. Daniel Ortiz grounds out, shortstop Luis Mateo to first baseman Neftali Soto. Martin Maldonado to 2nd. Luis Montanez grounds out, pitcher Jose De La Torre to first baseman Neftali Soto. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Jose Morales replaces Angel Sanchez. Jose Morales strikes out swinging. For the losing Mayaguez Brewers' contingent, Irving Falu had a (long overdue) huge game, 4-for-6 with two doubles and two runs scored (one K). The 30-year-old switch-hitter has plenty of shortstop experience to be the main challenger to Jeff Bianchi for the backup infielder spot this spring. Catcher Martin Maldonado, batting 6th, was 1-for-5 (no stolen base attempts against). Josh Prince saw late action as a pinch-runner and second baseman, but is still waiting for his first winter at-bat. If you're wondering, Prince has made four pro appearances at second, all coming last season in Nashville. This series is off now until Friday, in Mayaguez.

Audio via WSSP, 1/22: Here's the full audio from the Hot Stove Weekly Show with Tim & Sparky. The bulk of the show is made up of two interviews, they are included in the full link above, but you can also listen specifically to those portions by clicking on these links for Kyle Lohse and soon-to-be father of five Lyle Overbay, who indicates he indeed had been very close to signing with the Brewers in 2013.

From Wikipedia: Beau Rivage is a waterfront casino resort in Biloxi, Mississippi, USA. It is owned and operated by MGM Resorts International. Beau Rivage was rebuilt and re-opened in 2006, a year after Hurricane Katrina. *** The new Biloxi ballpark will be called "MGM Park at Beau Rivage", or by most (certainly us here), simply MGM Park.

Well, this is an encouraging tweet from Mississippi sportswriter Creg Stephenson: "Biloxi owner Ken Young says team will "most likely" remain Milwaukee Brewers affiliate, but final decision won't come til September." It's going to be a long wait for confirmation, but that's the first indication of any kind on the matter. Now because it's an existing relationship, the Biloxi ownership group (and Nashville's, for that matter), don't have to wait until September to extend the relationship, they could do so at any time. Certainly the Biloxi folks want to get to know the Brewers, and thankfully current Stars GM Buck Rogers continues to tout their virtues. The longer Nashville waits, that will get a little antsy, though. *** Creg also tweets info on Biloxi baseball's Twitter account and web site, should you wish to follow or add to your favorites.

Tuesday's Winter League action -- Puerto Rico Box Score Mayaguez catcher Martin Maldonado hit a two-run 3rd inning double that put his team on top 5-1 in an eventual 6-4 win that evened the league championship best-of-seven at one game apiece. Maldonado also singled and scored a run in a 2-for-4 game (one K). Irving Falu led off and played second base (1-for-5). Josh Prince made his winter debut with a pinch-running appearance. For the losing Caguas squad, RHP Jose De La Torre gave up a late run that allowed Mayaguez some insurance -- Mayaguez Bottom of the 8th Pitching Change: Jose De La Torre replaces Miguel Mejia. Daniel Ortiz triples (1) on a line drive to right fielder Juan Silva. Luis Montanez grounds out, shortstop Luis Mateo to first baseman Neftali Soto. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Jose Morales replaces Angel Sanchez. Jose Morales singles on a ground ball to center fielder Miguel Abreu. Daniel Ortiz scores. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Josh Prince replaces Jose Morales. Irving Falu flies out to center fielder Miguel Abreu. Luis Figueroa flies out to center fielder Miguel Abreu. Game three in this series is Wednesday evening back in Caguas. *** Dominican Box Score Licey takes a two games to none lead in the best-of-nine final with a 5-1 win at home. Juan Francisco (1-for-4, one K) hit a solo shot (to center field, off a righty), his 6th home run in 21 postseason games this winter. Eugenio Velez played right field, was 1-for-3 with a run scored. Game Three is Wednesday at Escogido. *** Venezuela Box Score RHP Arcenio Leon tossed 1.2 scoreless innings of relief in his club's loss and successfully stranded an inherited runner. His Zulia team is only 5-11 in the round robin there and will not be in the league finals. Caribes Bottom of the 6th Pitching Change: Jose Guanchez replaces Silvino Bracho. Alexi Amarista doubles (3) on a fly ball to left fielder Jose Pirela. Oscar Salazar singles on a line drive to center fielder Ender Inciarte. Alexi Amarista scores. Cory Aldridge grounds into a force out, second baseman Jose Flores to shortstop Freddy Galvis. Oscar Salazar out at 2nd. Cory Aldridge to 1st. Pitching Change: Arcenio Leon replaces Jose Guanchez. Jose Castillo grounds into a double play, second baseman Jose Flores to shortstop Freddy Galvis to first baseman Luis Ugueto. Cory Aldridge out at 2nd. Caribes Bottom of the 7th Hector Gimenez walks. Niuman Romero out on a sacrifice bunt to first baseman Luis Ugueto. Hector Gimenez to 2nd. Eduardo Escobar strikes out swinging. Gorkys Hernandez singles on a ground ball to shortstop Freddy Galvis. Hector Gimenez to 3rd. With Jose Gil batting, Gorkys Hernandez steals (3) 2nd base. Jose Gil grounds out to first baseman Luis Ugueto. *** RHP Eric Marzec ended his stay in Australia. One rough outing bumped his final ERA in 13 relief appearnces to 4.34, but more importantly, in 18.2 innings, Marzec struck out 28 and walked seven. Also, Eric is happy he's no longer paying beer prices Down Under.

Via, the Post-Crescent, Gord Ash on Timber Rattlers' Manager Matt Erickson (and Ryan Braun)

1/21 via WTMJ Audio Sophia Minnaert of FSWI joins Sports Central to talk about her recent trip to the Domincan Republic Read this as well via MLB.com if you haven't already.

Nice read from Wisconsin Sports Blog -- Interview with Huntsville Stars GM Buck Rogers

Jason at BrewersFarmReport caught up with RHP Devin Williams