Jim Goulart

Saturday's Winter League action -- Dominican Box Score Licey was shut down 10-1 by former Brewers soft-tossing LHP Chris Cody (wow, check out his line, would love to see him get another chance in affiliated ball). First baseman Juan Francisco was 0-for-3 (one K), right fielder Eugenio Velez 0-for-2 HBP, one K). *** Dominican Box Score First baseman Jason Rogers' Escogido club wins another one, this time 1-0, as another unsigned pitcher, Canadian Chris Leroux, posted a spectacular pitching line. Rogers was 0-for-3 (one K). *** Puerto Rico Box Score Mayaguez rolled 10-5 as Irving Falu, playing third base, was 2-for-4 (two runs, sacrifice bunt). Ironman Martin Maldonado reached base three times (double, walk, and no kidding, yet another HBP). Falu (missed catch) and Maldonado (catcher's interference) was each charged with an error. Maldy did throw out one of two basestealers. Actually, the baserunner wasn't out, but statistically Maldonado gets credit and the baserunner is charged with a caught stealing - you don't see that often: With Jeff Dominguez batting, Benji Gonzalez advances to 3rd base on a caught stealing error by Irving Falu, assist to catcher Martin Maldonado. Also, two outs, might as well try -- Mayaguez Bottom of the 2nd Kennys Vargas strikes out swinging. Luis Figueroa doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder Geraldo Valentin. Martin Maldonado doubles (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Geraldo Valentin. Luis Figueroa to 3rd. Daniel Ortiz grounds out, pitcher Logan Williamson to first baseman Jeff Dominguez. Luis Montanez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Geraldo Valentin. Luis Figueroa scores. Martin Maldonado out at home on the throw, left fielder Geraldo Valentin to catcher Rene Rivera.

The Puerto Rico League announced their awards today, congrats to Hiram Burgos, who was a unanimous choice for their Pitcher of the Year! So my tweet of December 28th was spot on as it turns out #Brewers Winter update - if Puerto Rico League issued a Cy Young Award, it'd go to Hiram Burgos (@Burgos196) http://bit.ly/19pWQIf #wow

VIDEO: Hunter Morris discusses his hometown Huntsville Stars moving to Biloxi in 2015

Friday's Winter League action -- Dominican Box Score Licey wins 4-1 and moves to 6-6 and 2nd place in the round-robin (top two teams meet in the finals). Six games still remain, though. Juan Francisco, playing first base, singled in four trips and scored a run (one K). RHP Alfredo Figaro retired both men he faced -- Gigantes Top of the 7th Pitching Change: Andrew Sisco replaces Guillermo Mota. Josh Whitesell flies out to left fielder Felix Perez. Pitching Change: Alfredo Figaro replaces Andrew Sisco. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Ray Olmedo replaces Juan Silverio. Ray Olmedo flies out to center fielder Emilio Bonifacio. Guillermo Rodriguez flies out to right fielder Jamie Romak. For the Cibao club (5-7), SS Hector Gomez was 1-for-3 (one K), but this looks like a baserunning blunder -- Gigantes Top of the 3rd Hector Gomez singles on a line drive to right fielder Jamie Romak. Leury Garcia flies into a double play, left fielder Felix Perez to second baseman Anderson Hernandez. Hector Gomez out at 2nd. Alexi Casilla singles on a ground ball to shortstop Erick Aybar. Francisco Peguero called out on strikes. *** Dominican Box Score 1B Jason Rogers' Escogido club (8-4) lost 4-3, as Rogers was 0-for-3 with a walk. *** In Puerto Rico also, six games remain before the round-robin concludes. Puerto Rico Box Score Caguas (3-3) scored two runs in the bottom of the 9th for a 4-3 win, former Brewer farmhand Andy Gonzalez the game-winning bases-loaded walk. Pinch-runner Yadiel Rivera scored the game-tying run. Also for the winners, RHP Jose De La Torre pitched out of 8th inning trouble, was charged with a 9th inning run, but his team bailed him out late -- Carolina Top of the 8th Pitching Change: Jose De La Torre replaces Miguel Mejia. Osvaldo Martinez grounds out, third baseman Andy Gonzalez to first baseman Neftali Soto. Robinson Cancel walks. Luis Matos singles on a ground ball to second baseman Rey Navarro. Robinson Cancel to 3rd. Luis Matos to 2nd on the throw. Jose De La Torre intentionally walks Jobduan Morales. Rene Garcia grounds into a force out, third baseman Andy Gonzalez to catcher Ramon Castro. Robinson Cancel out at home. Luis Matos to 3rd. Jobduan Morales to 2nd. Rene Garcia to 1st. Jesus Feliciano flies out to left fielder Edgardo Baez. Carolina Top of the 9th Jose Castro walks. Ruben Gotay grounds out, second baseman Rey Navarro to first baseman Neftali Soto. Jose Castro to 2nd. Pitching Change: Andres Santiago replaces Jose De La Torre. Anthony Garcia walks. Osvaldo Martinez walks. Jose Castro to 3rd. Anthony Garcia to 2nd. Robinson Cancel singles on a ground ball to first baseman Neftali Soto. Jose Castro scores. Anthony Garcia to 3rd. Osvaldo Martinez to 2nd. Luis Matos grounds into a force out, third baseman Andy Gonzalez to catcher Ramon Castro. Anthony Garcia out at home. Osvaldo Martinez to 3rd. Robinson Cancel to 2nd. Luis Matos to 1st. Jobduan Morales strikes out swinging. *** Saved the best for last today: Puerto Rico Box Score Wow, what a 4-3, 12-inning win for Mayaguez, now 5-1. Mayaguez trailed 3-0 heading to the 9th -- Mayaguez Top of the 9th Pitching Change: Fernando Cabrera replaces Pedro Feliciano. Randy Ruiz walks. Kennys Vargas walks. Randy Ruiz to 2nd. Pitching Change: Caleb Graham replaces Fernando Cabrera. Luis Figueroa strikes out swinging. Martin Maldonado homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Randy Ruiz scores. Kennys Vargas scores. Daniel Ortiz singles on a ground ball to first baseman Jeff Dominguez. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Jose Morales replaces Luis Montanez. Jose Morales strikes out swinging. Dee Gordon flies out to center fielder Reymond Fuentes. Way to go, Maldy! Maldonado also singled and added a sacrifice bunt in his big 2-for-4 night. And of course, no one dared run... 3B Irving Falu was 0-for-5 (one walk, two K's).

So, as announced Friday, and no surprise if you've been with this thead since the beginning -- Southern League makes it official: Huntsville Stars' sale and move to Biloxi approved Now we wait for the real news, which will hopefully be an extension of a Player Development Contract with the Brewers, which could be announced at any time, but no later than this fall, shortly after the regular season ends. (The same goes for Nashville.) So there will be multiple stories on ground-breakings and a contest to name the Biloxi team, etc., but until we learn the state of the Brewers' future relationship with the AAA and AA ownership groups, future stadium-related stories will mean little.

OF Brock Kjeldgaard has been re-signed, as per the Brewers Player Development Twitter feed. I noted on Twitter that the Brewers have re-signed 11 of their end-of-season 26 minor league free agents, the list is here. Kjeldgaard began his playing career in 2006, signing as a 34th round draft-and-follow from the 2005 draft (the Ryan Braun draft). He's similar to fellow Canadian Taylor Green (25th round) in that regard. In fact, if you're talking current longevity in the Brewers' system, Kjeldgaard only trails Rickie Weeks (2003 draft), Yovani Gallardo (2004), and Braun. The only other current Brewers to begin their playing careers in 2006 are Green and Dominican signings in RHP's Wily Peralta and Santo Manzanillo. (Recently re-signed RHP R.J. Seidel signed late in the summer of his 2006 draft year, but signed a 2007 contract and debuted in '07.) Entering their 9th seasons in the organization, neither Kjeldgaard (who was a pitcher his first two years as a pro) nor Manzanillo, have yet to play at the AAA level. Good luck to all in 2014.

RHP Hiram Burgos, who posted a spectacular 1.40 ERA in 38.2 winter innings in Puerto Rico (only 25 hits allowed, 35-to-12 K-to-BB), confirmed for me that he is done for the winter. Next stop is spring training, much to the likely dismay of his Mayaguez club. It would not be unusual if the Brewers strongly suggested or even insisted that Burgos be idle at this point, especially coming off a season cut short by a shoulder impingement, in order to save innings for the 2014 regular season in Milwaukee and/or Nashville. I did not push Burgos to confirm on that aspect, his simple "yes, I'm done" says enough for now.

The Brewers signed LHP Brad Mills to a minor league deal, and Kyle at BrewCrewBall once again saved me a write-up. Mills profiles as a long reliever at Nashville, where the only other LHP currently around is LH reliever Brent Leach. *** The Brewers re-signed Seidel after all, and Seidel is pleased about that. From late August: A look at potential minor league free agent R.J. Seidel via Wisconsin Sports Tap

Thursday's Winter League action -- Dominican Box Score In the battle of dueling first basemen, Jason Rogers' club again got the best of Juan Francisco's, this time by a 3-2 score. Both contributed as Rogers singled, walked and scored two runs (1-for-3, two K's), and Francisco singled twice, walked, and drove in a run (2-for-4). Also, Francisco's teammate LF Eugenio Velez returned to the lineup and was 1-for-4 with a walk. *** Dominican Box Score SS Hector Gomez' Gigantes team is now 5-6 in round robin, tied with Francisco/Velez' Licey team at 5-6 for 2nd place. Gomez was 0-for-3 (walk, run, one K).

Exceptional... is perhaps more than a tad hyperbolic. Yikes, glanced over that. Reminder that one walk for every ten at-bats is normally considered acceptable, and exceptional would need to get well beyond that. Good catch...

Tom H. reported he wanted to go back to school. If the Brewers still wanted to retain his rights, they could have agreed with Bucci to place him on a restricted list.

The Brewers have signed a young Dutch catcher to a professional contract -- here's a rough translation from this this web page. *** The baseball life of Milan Post has received an unexpected turn. Initially, he would start this month at San Jacinto College in Houston. Those plans have now changed. The nineteen-year-old catcher from Diemen has signed a professional contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, the American professional organization where he did an internship for ten days in Sepember. The career of Post has been very impressive. As many as nine clubs from Major League sought the talented Dutch catcher, who in 2012 made ​​his debut for L & D Amsterdam in the Dutch League. When he was 16, he was found to be suffering from rheumatism, and there were even "a few months when I could not even walk", Post said. He missed a year of baseball. Post recovered slowly and in 2012 he got the chance to get on the baseball field. His comeback "I thought: I 'm going to make it." However, it turned out differently. " I went to Junior Team for the World Cup to South Korea. But this World Cup, I messed up. The European Baseball Academy of Major League Baseball went dramatically. I had too high expectations of myself." Post decided to work even harder. Successfully. Followed in 2013 for the fourth year in a row, an invitation to the MLB Academy. "That was just plain good. I was even approached by scouts from San Francisco Giants." On the advice of scouts Post decided then to focus on college baseball and he got a scholarship offered at San Jacinto College in Houston, where he would start this month. But those plans have now changed. In September, Post, along with Rowan Hoek and Ruben Prince, left for Arizona . They received compensation from the sports fund Leo van der Kar. In the Maryvale Baseball Park in Arizona there were ten days of internship with the Brewers. This was done under the leadership of former Major League catcher Charlie Greene . The Dutch catchers already trained in the Netherlands before. After seven days, "The Brewers were very excited." A day later, the Dutch catcher was offered a contract. Early December Post for eight days returned to the United States for medical tests, after which he put his signature under the seven-year (standard minor league contract) with the club from Milwaukee late last month. "I am really looking forward to it, I'm very curious what it will be like. I expect that I will start for the AZL Brewers, but have higher hopes. Post reports on March 2 in Arizona for Spring Training. He will return to the complex where he stayed in September for his ten-day internship. Post: " So I know the clubhouse, the property, and a number of people. " Meanwhile trains Post also join the Dutch A-team. Post: "It's very strange. I'm actually now a professional baseball player." *** Here are some training videos via Post. Post is a right-handed bat.

Nice job by Jason Arndt catching up with D'Vontrey Richardson

Wednesday's Winter League action -- Puerto Rico Box Score Mayaguez (4-1) defeated Caguas (2-3) by a 3-0 score. As usual with these two teams, several Brewer connections -- 3B Irving Falu was 1-for-4, his double drove in two insurance runs in the 8th. Mayaguez Top of the 8th Pitching Change: Michael O'Connor replaces Shaun Garceau. Daniel Ortiz walks. Luis Montanez strikes out swinging. Dee Gordon reaches on a fielding error by second baseman Rey Navarro. Daniel Ortiz to 2nd. Irving Falu doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Miguel Abreu. Daniel Ortiz scores. Dee Gordon scores. Eddie Rosario walks. Pitching Change: Jose De La Torre replaces Michael O'Connor. With Randy Ruiz batting, wild pitch by Jose De La Torre, Irving Falu to 3rd. Randy Ruiz reaches on a fielder's choice out, second baseman Rey Navarro to catcher Ramon Castro. Irving Falu out at home. Eddie Rosario to 2nd. Kennys Vargas grounds out to first baseman Neftali Soto You'll see above that RHP Jose De La Torre did a nice job stranding two inherited runners. Mayaguez catcher Martin Maldonado was 1-for-3 (one K), but was hit by a pitch yet again. Maldonado must have made some sort of adjustment in his stance/approach, the HBP frequency is just much more than a coincidence at this point. Maldy did make one throwing error, and saw one stolen base against. Caguas SS Yadiel Rivera did get another start, but was 0-for-3 (one K). *** Venezuela Box Score The Zulia club of RHP Arcenio Leon fell to 1-4 in the postseason, losing a 5 hour, 24-minute, 12-inning, 8-7 game. Leon was charged with his third blown save of the round robin, but once again there was some bad luck as he almost escaped a bases-loaded, none out jam -- La Guaira Bottom of the 7th Carlos Sanchez hit by pitch. Cesar Suarez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Ender Inciarte. Carlos Sanchez to 3rd. Pitching Change: Sergio Espinosa replaces Edwin Quirarte. Joe Thurston hit by pitch. Cesar Suarez to 2nd. Pitching Change: Arcenio Leon replaces Sergio Espinosa. Alex Cabrera strikes out swinging. Rafael Alvarez called out on strikes. With Rene Reyes batting, passed ball by Sandy Leon, Carlos Sanchez scores. Cesar Suarez to 3rd. Joe Thurston to 2nd. Arcenio Leon intentionally walks Rene Reyes. C. J. Retherford singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jose Pirela. Cesar Suarez scores. Joe Thurston scores. Rene Reyes to 3rd. Retherford to 2nd on the throw. Heiker Meneses grounds out, second baseman Luis Maza to first baseman Ernesto Mejia *** Dominican Box Score Licey falls to 5-5 in the postseason after this 3-0 loss. Cleanup first baseman Juan Francisco doubled in four at-bats. *** Dominican Box Score First baseman Jason Rogers' Escogido club is looking good at 7-3 with their 9-3 win. Rogers was 0-for-3 (two K's), but knocked in a run with a sacrifice fly. *** Australian Box Score (Thursday) RHP Eric Marzec's Melbourne team lost 2-0, Marzec tossed a perfect inning to keep it close -- Adelaide Bottom of the 8th Pitching Change: Eric Marzec replaces Joe Burns. Brock Hebert strikes out swinging. Jeremy Cresswell strikes out swinging. Joe Sclafani pops out to third baseman Ryan Dale in foul territory.

Congratulations, Jim Henderson! The Stubby Clapp Award is given by Baseball Canada to "someone who embodies desire, competitiveness, and a never-say-die attitude".

Not Brewer-specific, but an interesting read -- How Many Scouts Played Pro Ball? Respect to all scouts...

From Tue. 1/7/14 -- AUDIO: WSSP Hot Stove Weekly Show That link is for the entire 40-minute show. There are two interviews within, Jonathan Lucroy begins at the 12:00 minute mark, and Jim Henderson is at the 26:00 minute mark (the interviews are pretty much back-to-back).

Tuesday's Winter League action -- Puerto Rico Box Score Caguas defeated Mayaguez, 3-1. It was the first loss for Mayaguez in the postseason round robin, now 3-1. Caguas moves to 2-2. Player info -- Caguas: Kudos to 21-year-old SS Yadiel Rivera, who had only seven regular season winter AB's, but got the start here. Batting 9th for his hometown team, Rivera was 2-for-3 (double, single, walk), it'd be cool to see this net him additional playing time. RHP Jose De La Torre tossed a scoreless inning for a hold -- Mayaguez Bottom of the 8th Pitching Change: Jose De La Torre replaces Miguel Mejia. Luis Figueroa grounds out, pitcher Jose De La Torre to first baseman Neftali Soto. Randy Ruiz singles on a line drive to left fielder Miguel Abreu. Kennys Vargas grounds into a double play, pitcher Jose De La Torre to shortstop Yadiel Rivera to first baseman Neftali Soto. Randy Ruiz out at 2nd. My goodness, De La Torre's ground ball rate consistency is really something... By the way, Brewerfan longtimers will recognize the winning pitcher, LHP Efrain Nieves, the 2007 7th round Brewer draft pick, now in the Blue Jays' system, still just 24 years old. Mayaguez: Irving Falu, playing third base, was 1-for-5 with a stolen base. Martin Maldonado remains the catching stalwart (no stolen base attempts), 0-for-2 with a walk and yet another HBP. Maldonado really has added the hit-by-pitch to his ofensive arsenal this offseason. But after a stolen base earlier in the week, Maldy was caught being a little frisky here -- Mayaguez Bottom of the 2nd Martin Maldonado walks. Eddie Rosario flies out to right fielder Juan Silva. With Austin Wates batting, Martin Maldonado caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Ramon Castro to shortstop Yadiel Rivera to first baseman Neftali Soto. Austin Wates called out on strikes.

Kyle at BrewCrewBall put together a detailed write-up very quickly this afternoon, view it here. That is a darn shame -- hope to see Nick elsewhere in the game someday. At least this young man (Chris Saenz) got his one shining moment before arm injuries runined everything.

Monday's Winter League action -- Dominican Box Score The two Dominican games were actually Monday afternoon affairs. Licey won 7-3 to move to 5-4 in round robin play. First baseman Juan Francisco was 0-for-3 (HBP, one K), and LF Eugenio Velez was 0-for-4 (RBI, caught stealing). For the losing Escogido club (still leading at 6-3 in the round-robin), 1B Jason Rogers was 1-for-4 (double, two K). *** Dominican Box Score SS Hector Gomez' club is in trouble, now 3-6. Gomez was 0-for-3 with two K's before being pinch-hit for in the 9th inning of a 5-2 loss. *** Venezuela Box Score RHP Arcenio Leon entered a tough situation and was charged with a blown save when an inherited runner scored on a ground ball that made it to left field. Caribes Top of the 8th Cory Aldridge grounds out, shortstop Freddy Galvis to first baseman Ernesto Mejia. Hector Gimenez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Ender Inciarte. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Carlos Duran replaces Hector Gimenez. Alexi Amarista singles on a ground ball to center fielder Ender Inciarte. Carlos Duran to 2nd. Pitching Change: Arcenio Leon replaces Yeiper Castillo. Eduardo Escobar singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jose Pirela. Carlos Duran scores. Alexi Amarista to 2nd. Gustavo Molina reaches on a fielding error by third baseman Ali Castillo. Alexi Amarista to 3rd. Eduardo Escobar to 2nd. Niuman Romero reaches on a force attempt, fielding error by third baseman Ali Castillo. Alexi Amarista scores. Eduardo Escobar to 3rd. Gustavo Molina to 2nd. Gorkys Hernandez flies out to center fielder Ender Inciarte. Oscar Salazar flies out to center fielder Ender Inciarte.

Pitcher on the Francisco HR looks like he's in shape...

Sunday's Winter League action -- Puerto Rico Box Score Mayaguez moves to 3-0 in postseason play, scoring the go-ahead run in the top of the 9th in a 3-2 win. 3B Irving Falu was 3-for-5 (one K); Martin Maldonado was 0-for-5 but no one ran against him. *** Venezuela Box Score RHP Arcenio Leon was charged with a blown save, although the run he allowed was unearned -- Caribes Top of the 6th Pitching Change: Jose Guanchez replaces Roy Merritt. Cory Aldridge strikes out swinging. Hector Gimenez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Ender Inciarte. Alexi Amarista singles on a ground ball to center fielder Ender Inciarte. Hector Gimenez to 2nd. Pitching Change: Arcenio Leon replaces Jose Guanchez. Eduardo Escobar grounds into a double play, shortstop Freddy Galvis to first baseman Ernesto Mejia. Alexi Amarista out at 2nd. Caribes Top of the 7th Gustavo Molina reaches on a fielding error by third baseman Jose Flores. Niuman Romero out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Arcenio Leon to second baseman Hernan Perez. Gustavo Molina to 2nd. Gorkys Hernandez strikes out swinging. Oscar Salazar singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jose Pirela. Gustavo Molina to 3rd. With Jose Castillo batting, wild pitch by Arcenio Leon, Gustavo Molina scores. Oscar Salazar to 2nd. Jose Castillo strikes out swinging. *** Dominican Box Score 1B Jason Rogers' Escogido club won 4-2 in 11 innings to move to a strong 6-2 record in pool play. Before exiting for a pinch-runner, Rogers was 1-for-3 with a walk (one K). In the other dugout, SS Hector Gomez singled in four at-bats (one K), but committed an error (a recurring theme all winter, both at short and third). *** Dominican Box Score Licey Bottom of the 6th Anderson Hernandez flies out to right fielder Ricardo Nanita. Erick Aybar walks. Juan Francisco homers (4) on a fly ball to left field. Erick Aybar scores. That's Francisco's 4th postseason HR in just eight games (he only hit three in 40 regular season winter games). He also singled as part of a 2-for-4 night in his team's 3-1 win. LF Eugenio Velez was 0-for-3, he did steal a base, but was also pinch-hit for late in the game.

TH followed up -- "I am told by #Brewers asst GM Gord Ash that manager Mike Guerrero left Licey club in DR with flu. Nothing serious."

About that Hector Gomez three-run HR Saturday, if that's Gomez as we believe (# 38), he's an impressive physical specimen at 6'2". 185 (listed). Tweet from the Dominican League included this photo Gomez played for Toros in the DWL regular season, but finds himself on the Gigantes squad now.

As per this Tom Haudricourt tweet -- "Licey Tigers announce @Brewers coach Mike Guerrero stepped down as manager during DR playoffs due to "health and family matters." Here's a translated page on the Licey site.