Jim Goulart

2013 Timber Rattlers LHP Mike Strong turns 25 today, and power-hitting Maryvale first baseman David Denson finally turns 18. They share a birthday with this Ryan Braun guy, who turns 30. Good day to all.

As their friend Brewers farmhand RHP Seth Harvey tweeted, congrats to the Brewers Fall League men on their championship (2-0 win, box score), including Twitter-less Taylor Jungmann. If you click on those account names in the tweet, you'll see some excited and happy photos and posts. Hope you got a chance to see or DVR the game, here's Tyler Cravy's two scoreless and David Goforth's one for the save. (On a side note, Goforth's facial hair trumps Cravy's, but worthy effort by Tyler, too.) Mesa Top of the 4th Pitching Change: Tyler Cravy replaces Eduardo Rodriguez. Devon Travis singles on a ground ball to left fielder Henry Urrutia. Kris Bryant called out on strikes. With C. J. Cron batting, Devon Travis caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Jorge Alfaro to second baseman Mookie Betts. C. J. Cron flies out to center fielder Tyler Naquin. Mesa Top of the 5th Steven Souza Jr lines out sharply to left fielder Henry Urrutia. Taylor Lindsey strikes out swinging. Jorge Soler lines out to left fielder Henry Urrutia. Mesa Top of the 9th Pitching Change: David Goforth replaces Keone Kela. Kris Bryant flies out to left fielder Henry Urrutia. C. J. Cron flies out to center fielder Tyler Naquin. Steven Souza Jr called out on strikes. Quiet game for RF Mitch Haniger, batting 5th, 0-for-3 (two K's - no favor from the home plate ump on one called strike three). Cravy's stint was marred by a visitor in the booth in his first inning (eye vision specialist), and his 2nd inning was so quick there was no time for specific commentary on him. Goforth was throwing gas, but oddly the broadcast did not include radar readings (neither did Gameday). MLB.com's report

Saturday's Winter League action -- Actually, first we catch up from Friday, in this box score from the Dominican, new waiver claim via the Dodgers utilityman Elian Herrera made his winter debut, leading of at second base, 0-for-4 with two K's. *** Just because it's the Cubs -- their 40-man roster waiver claim project via Boston, Daniel Bard, walked all five men he faced in Puerto Rico Saturday, and added three wild pitches, has faced 11 batters this winter, one out, one reached on error, nine walks. Kind of sad, actually, to see a career obliterate like that (Steve Blass). Final score was 22-9. Bard's team won. Not a good start for former Brewers LHP Bobby Bramhall (box). *** Puerto Rico Box Score Catcher Martin Maldonado 0-for-2, now 1-for-7 on the young season. He did throw out the lone baserunner who challenged him. Maldonado grounded out in the 6th, and did not return for the 7th. His team was down 5-0, so as of yet, no concern about injury, but something to keep an eye on. *** Dominican Box Score Juan Francisco was 0-for-4 with one K, playing third base and batting cleanup, to drop to .297 after 91 AB's. We have another Brewers winter debut, as teammate RHP Alfredo Figaro tossed a scoreless but busy inning -- Escogido Bottom of the 8th Pitching Change: Alfredo Figaro replaces Maximo Nelson. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Julio Lugo replaces Fernando Martinez. Julio Lugo walks. Eury Perez strikes out swinging. Jorge Polanco singles on a ground ball to left fielder Julio Borbon. Julio Lugo to 2nd. James McCann grounds into a double play, second baseman Carlos Triunfel to shortstop Jurickson Profar to first baseman Chris Marrero. Jorge Polanco out at 2nd. *** Dominican Box Score Elian Herrera again played second base and batted leadoff, this time 1-for-4 (one K) with a run scored. SS Hector Gomez was 2-for-4 with a run scored (.293 after 58 AB's, only one walk). Gomez did commit an error, his 3rd.

A true blow it up at this point is a 5-7 year process with no guarantees at the end. Ask Cubs fans (Rizzo, Castro). No thanks. Watch as the Votto contract weighs down the Reds maneuvers, they're going to take some hits this offseason. Pirates? Did the 2011 96-win Brewers find a way to fall back? Let's see the Cardinals hit at insanely historic rates with RISP for another season. I'm not going to blow up a cost-controlled productive middle of Lucroy-Segura-Gomez, with Braun (even at let's say 85% past capacity). There's obviously dozens of extra layers this conversation can take, more on both the positive and negative than I can convey in a few sentences, but just making sure fans realize what a true blow-up process entails. Huge amounts of pain and hope. I personally enjoy a competitive April through as late as possible, knowing that an 83-win club won the World Series as recently as 2006. But I do recognize your sentiments, and I'm also guessing those all come from a much younger crowd

AUDIO: Chipper Jones reacts to the Braves getting a new stadium

Set your DVR! You'll be able to watch the Brewers boys go for the Arizona Fall League title on MLB Network Saturday afternoon at 2:00 PM Central. Friday's Winter League action. Venezuela Box Score From June 15th: Sounds starting pitcher Mike Fiers seemed to be having a nice 28th birthday Saturday when he entered his fifth start of the season. But after 6 1⁄3 innings that saw him give up only one run, Fiers gave up a grand slam to Zephyrs infielder Donovan Solano. One out later, a line drive hit Fiers on the right forearm, breaking it. Pitching for the first time since then -- Zulia Bottom of the 5th Pitching Change: Mike Fiers replaces Guillermo Moscoso. Ryan Lollis flies out to right fielder Casper Wells. Ender Inciarte bunt grounds out, catcher Ramon Cabrera to first baseman Jesus Aguilar. Freddy Galvis strikes out swinging. Zulia Bottom of the 6th Jose Pirela singles on a ground ball to left fielder J. D. Martinez. Ernesto Mejia homers (6) on a fly ball to left center field. Jose Pirela scores. Henry Rodriguez strikes out swinging. Marwin Gonzalez hit by pitch. Pitching Change: Jonathan Torres replaces Mike Fiers. With Felix Perez batting, Marwin Gonzalez picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher Jonathan Torres to first baseman Jesus Aguilar to shortstop Hernan Perez to first baseman Jesus Aguilar to second baseman Luis Rodriguez. Felix Perez flies out to right fielder Casper Wells. So while not perfect, nice to see Mike back in action. Welcome back! In that same game, RHP Arcenio Leon continued his busy winter season in his homeland with an extended (but eventful) scoreless relief outing: Caracas Top of the 5th Pitching Change: Arcenio Leon replaces Elvis Araujo. Daniel Mayora called out on strikes. Casper Wells singles on a line drive to left fielder Jose Pirela. Ramon Cabrera singles on a ground ball to right fielder Ryan Lollis. Casper Wells to 3rd. Luis Rodriguez grounds into a double play, shortstop Freddy Galvis to second baseman Henry Rodriguez to first baseman Ernesto Mejia. Ramon Cabrera out at 2nd. Caracas Top of the 6th Hernan Perez singles on a line drive to left fielder Jose Pirela. Jesus Galindo walks. Hernan Perez to 2nd. Alex Gonzalez ground bunts into a force out, pitcher Arcenio Leon to third baseman Marwin Gonzalez. Hernan Perez out at 3rd. Jesus Galindo to 2nd. Alex Gonzalez to 1st. J. D. Martinez strikes out swinging. Jesus Aguilar flies out to right fielder Ryan Lollis. Caracas Top of the 7th Daniel Mayora lines out to right fielder Ryan Lollis. Casper Wells grounds out, shortstop Freddy Galvis to first baseman Ernesto Mejia. Ramon Cabrera singles on a line drive to right fielder Ryan Lollis. Pitching Change: Jose Guanchez replaces Arcenio Leon. Luis Rodriguez grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Freddy Galvis. Ramon Cabrera out at 2nd. *** Puerto Rico Box Score Martin Maldonado started at first base, later moved behind the plate -- 0-for-3 with three K's, and another HBP (2nd in two games). Maldy now 1-for-5 with all four outs via the K. Maldonado's teammate RHP Hiram Burgos had an amazing line -- one IP, two hits allowed (including a double), three walks, yet did not allow a run, see and believe: Santurce Top of the 5th Pitching Change: Hiram Burgos replaces Alex De La Cruz. Edwin Maysonet doubles (2) on a line drive to center fielder Michael Taylor. Neftali Soto singles on a ground ball to left fielder Daniel Ortiz. Edwin Maysonet to 3rd. Jonathan Singleton called out on strikes. With Austin Wates batting, wild pitch by Hiram Burgos, Neftali Soto to 2nd. Edwin Maysonet out at home, catcher Rene Rivera to pitcher Hiram Burgos. Austin Wates walks. Luis Matos walks. Neftali Soto to 3rd. Austin Wates to 2nd. Jonathan Rodriguez strikes out swinging. Santurce Top of the 6th Christian Vazquez walks. Pitching Change: Sam Runion replaces Hiram Burgos. Jack Lopez pops out to second baseman Luis Figueroa. Billy Hamilton called out on strikes. Edwin Maysonet singles on a line drive to left fielder Daniel Ortiz. Christian Vazquez to 2nd. Neftali Soto singles on a line drive to right fielder Jerry Sands. Christian Vazquez to 3rd. Edwin Maysonet to 2nd. Pitching Change: Hector Hernandez replaces Sam Runion. Jonathan Singleton strikes out swinging. *** Dominican Box Score Juan Francisco, batting cleanup and playing third base (cleanly), 1-for-4 with an RBI (two K's). Francisco now hitting .310 with 13 walks and 23 K's in 87 AB's. *** Dominican Box Score SS Hector Gomez 1-for-4 with a run scored (one K), having a hacktastic winter (.278 with one walk in 54 AB's). *** Blast from the past -- Remember LHP Steve Hammond, the Brewers 6th round pick in 2005 who, along with OF Darren Ford, was traded to the Giants for Ray Durham during the '08 playoff charge? Released by the Giants after the '09 season, Hammond pitched in the independent Atlantic League in 2010 and part of 2011, before making his way to a semi-pro league in Japan, the Ishikawa Million Stars. He's starting games in Mexico this winter, you can follow him on Twitter here.

Baseball America - 2014 Milwaukee Brewers Top 10 Prospects Chat with Tom Haudricourt

Already a thread on minor league forum.

Informative MLB.com article from Adam McCalvy on Jason Rogers' immediate future, and a reminder about next week's deadline for adding players to the 40-man roster. Reminder -- here's the list of eligible players for 40-man (must be added by November 20th to be protected from the Rule 5 draft). If you wish to discuss that topic, please do so in the linked thread.

Although the Cardinals and Memphis are technically tied only through 2014, for now, look for that relationship to continue long-term as the St. Louis organization has now taken over ownership of the Redbirds.

11/14 via WSSP - MLB.com's Adam McCalvy Tough comments on Braun's lack of damage control thus far...

No winter league updates from Thursday, it was a day off for the Dominican clubs and no Brewers took part elsewhere (Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela).

Prospect Profile, Victor Roache, Milwaukee Brewers

Last July, the Brewers announced five international signings -- as Adam McCalvy wrote at the time, two broke the club's signing bonus record, $800,000 apiece for 16-year-old Dominicans Franly Mallen, a shortstop, and Nicolas Pierre, a center fielder. J.P. Breen of Disciples of Uecker did a nice job providing additional information at the time summarizing what additional details had come available. Depending on your Spanish skills, you may want to follow on Twitter two of the players signed at that time, Mallen, and Panamian catcher Johel Atencio. So there's been a Twitter stream of late that prompted this re-visit. Scroll down Sophia Minneart's timeline just prior to November 4th, for some great photos, including her visit with Jean Segura in the Dominican. Today's photo included Mallen, Pierre, and highly-regarded infielder Carlos Belonis. We were able to learn that the Brewers had also signed three players last summer, signings not announced until now. All three of these players were signed out of Venezuela. Julio Mendez, 2B - 10/24/1996 (just turned 17) – from Sabaneta, Venezuela, R/R 5’10 140 Mendez signing his pro contract Another photo via his busy (Spanish) Twitter feed Joantgel Segovia, OF - 11/08/1996 (just turned 17) – from San Cristobal, Venezuela, R/R 6’1 175 Segovia's Twitter feed Nicol Valderrey, 1B - 01/20/1997 (still just 16, good size) – from Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela, R/R 6’2 180 Seven of the eight signings last summer were position players, if you followed our DSL Link Report updates, you know that was a real need. *** Now, Mallen and Pierre will draw more focus, but should any of the latest-named youngsters prove to be future big league cogs for the Crew, we'll be sure to link back to this post when you were introduced to them .

Thursday's Fall League Finale Box Score Reminder: After a day off on Friday, you'll be able to watch the Brewers boys go for the AFL title on MLB Network Saturday afternoon at 2:00 PM Central. As for today, fairly quiet, Mitch Haniger, playing RF, 0-for-4 with two K's; Jason Rogers 1-for-3 with one K, but he did have an outfield assist from LF -- Peoria Bottom of the 2nd Jonathan Meyer doubles (3) on a line drive to center fielder Tyler Naquin. Cory Spangenberg walks. Jorge Bonifacio lines out to left fielder Jason Rogers. Cameron Perkins doubles (4) on a line drive to left fielder Jason Rogers. Cory Spangenberg scores. Jonathan Meyer out at home, left fielder Jason Rogers to shortstop Tony Wolters to catcher Jorge Alfaro. Cameron Perkins to 3rd on the throw. Nolan Fontana strikes out swinging. On the mound, RHP Kevin Shackelford with his 7th scoreless appearance in his last eight outings, ERA down to 3.09: Peoria Bottom of the 7th Pitching Change: Kevin Shackelford replaces Jason Gurka. Cameron Perkins grounds out, shortstop Tony Wolters to first baseman Brett Nicholas. Nolan Fontana walks. Chris Taylor singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jason Rogers. Nolan Fontana to 2nd. Delino DeShields grounds into a double play, shortstop Tony Wolters to second baseman Jonathan Schoop to first baseman Brett Nicholas. Chris Taylor out at 2nd. Here's the Gameday link, use the pitch-by-pitch option for the 7th inning. Shackelford topped out at 90-91, more concerning is that you just don't see the disparity in MPH in his other offerings, at least on this tracker.

Wednesday's Winter League action -- Venezuelan Box Score RHP Arcenio Leon made his 14th relief appearance a perfect one -- Margarita Top of the 9th Pitching Change: Arcenio Leon replaces Silvino Bracho. Breyvic Valera strikes out swinging. Elias Diaz called out on strikes. Antoan Richardson called out on strikes. *** An FYI from Venezuela -- reliever Jesus Sanchez, just outrighted by the Brewers off the 40-man roster and allowed to become a minor league free agent, has been unscored upon in all eight winter appearances, covering 6.1 innings. *** Puerto Rico Box Score 40-man roster RHP Jose De La Torre pitched on a second consecutive day, with two perfect innings. De La Torre, 28 years old, has two minor league options remaining. Ponce Bottom of the 9th Pitching Change: Jose De La Torre replaces Ryan O'Rourke. Jan Vazquez strikes out swinging. Jon Garcia strikes out swinging. Christian Colon grounds out, shortstop Luis Mateo to first baseman Jaime Ortiz. Ponce Bottom of the 10th Reymond Fuentes grounds out, second baseman Kristopher Negron to first baseman Jaime Ortiz. Ivan De Jesus grounds out, shortstop Luis Mateo to first baseman Jaime Ortiz. Jose Lozada flies out to left fielder Luis Montanez. *** A curiosity FYI -- Cubs' 40-man roster waiver claim from Boston Daniel Bard (like De La Torre was for Milwaukee) has followed up his wild 2013 regular season (27 walks in 15.1 innings) with four walks thus far in two winter appearances, retiring just one batter. Yikes. *** Puerto Rico Box Score Catcher Martin Maldonado made his winter debut, 1-for-2 with a sacrifice bunt and an HBP. Maldonado left for a pinch-runner in the 10th, but it was after his single, not the HBP, which came in the 2nd. Only one baserunner tried to steal on Maldy, and Reds' speedster Billy Hamilton was successful. Maldonado was pleased with his club's victory. *** Dominican Box Score Robinzon Diaz, batting 5th as the DH, was 0-for-4 with one K (.219), "Z" for snooze as of late. *** Dominican Box Score SS Hector Gomez (.280) 0-for-4 with a K, take a walk, Hector! Juan Francisco started at third base, moved to first base late in the game -- he committed his 6th winter error, fielding at third base. Francisco (.313) singled in four trips (one K). *** Five idle days for Hunter Morris (1-for-11) in Venezuela, last played on the 8th.

Arizona League Box Score - Wed. afternoon Surprise was down 7-0 at the 7th inning stretch and nearly rallied to win, but fell 7-6. No Brewers saw at-bats in this game. However, RHP's David Goforth and Tyler Cravy did their part to keep the game close late, each tossing a hitless, scoreless inning -- Peoria Top of the 8th Pitching Change: David Goforth replaces Keone Kela. Jake Lowery flies out to center fielder Tyler Naquin. Jonathan Meyer walks. Patrick Kivlehan flies out to center fielder Tyler Naquin. Lane Adams strikes out swinging. Peoria Top of the 9th Pitching Change: Tyler Cravy replaces David Goforth. Orlando Calixte strikes out swinging. Cory Spangenberg strikes out swinging. Aaron Altherr flies out to left fielder Henry Urrutia. Here's the Gameday link, you can click on the Pitch-by-Pitch feature to track their pitch selections and speed. *** The regular season finale is Thursday at 1:35 Central, you'll find that box score here. After a day off on Friday, you'll be able to watch the Brewers boys go for the AFL title on MLB Network Saturday afternoon at 2:00 PM Central.

Congratulations, Mike Guerrero. Official Release: New Brewers Coach Guerrero Named Mike Coolbaugh Award Winner

Tuesday's Winter League action -- Puerto Rico Box Score Nice "hold" by 40-man roster waiver claim Jose De La Torre (Joe Torre's kid, right? - someone else must have posted that when the Brewers claimed him), stranding two inherited runners while getting two outs, including Reds speedster Billy Hamilton -- Santurce Top of the 8th Austin Wates walks. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Jose Morales replaces Christian Vazquez. Jose Morales grounds out, first baseman Aaron Bates to pitcher Bryce Stowell. Austin Wates to 2nd. Edwin Maysonet singles on a ground ball to left fielder Edgardo Baez. Austin Wates to 3rd. Pitching Change: Jose De La Torre replaces Bryce Stowell. Jack Lopez strikes out swinging. Billy Hamilton grounds out to first baseman Aaron Bates. You know, I had made a point in the postseason that Brewer reliever Michael Blazek had a rooting interest in a Cardinals postseason money share, but failed to point out that De La Torre (seven MLB games for Boston in 2013) should do very well for himself, even with only a partial quarter- or half-share. *** Dominican Box Score SS Hector Gomez, elevated to the leadoff spot, 2-for-4 with a double and run scored, caught stealing in his 1st attempt this winter. (Gomez was an awful 6-for-15 in that regard for Huntsville this past season.) Gomez is now at .302 (14-for-46, five XBH's, but only one BB, ten K's). Teammate Eugenio Velez has been idle a few days now. We can never be quite sure about the comings and goings on these teams, save for the rare tweet, such as Sean Halton's in yesterday's roundup. *** Dominican Box Score Robinzon (with a "Z") Diaz may be having the most bland winter season within our reports, 1-for-4 as the DH here, now at .232 after 69 AB's. The Dodgers' second base signing out of Cuba, Alexander Guerrero, had a big game. *** Dominican Box Score Cleanup man Juan Francisco, playing third base, was 0-for-3 with two K's, but did walk again (13 vs. 79 AB's). Wow, Jose Contreras still on a mound...

Via Adam McCalvy -- Outing likely ends Jungmann's second pro season Brewers' No. 2 prospect allows four runs in two-plus innings in Arizona Fall League Box Score Click the box score link to see the days for Adam Weisenburger (DH, batting 2nd), Mitch Haniger (CF, two singles), and LF Jason Rogers. Speaking of Rogers, he's going directly to the Dominican for winter ball after the AFL season (tweet).

Just-released Brewers farmhand Daniel Meadows with a Marlon Byrd thought via Twitter

Jungmann is wild in the 1st inning. Can't get his rhythm. Walked two so far. 1.33 to 1.36 to the plate. Running on him. LF Jason Rogers lost a ball in the sun. Ruled a base hit, it cost his teammate Jungmann a run. Sac fly allows second run to score off #Brewers Jungmann after a 3rd walk. More runs were saved by fine play at 3B by #Rangers Ryan Rua. Jungmann looks more relaxed this inning and is throwing more strikes. Getting secondary pitches over now. 1-2-3 inning. Jungmann was replaced by #RedSox Keith Couch after throwing his 56th pitch. Left after a walk and single with no outs. Taylor Jungmann's line today: 2 IP 2H 4R 4ER 4W 2K. ERA now 9.82 for fall. He looked healthy to me-no doubt about it. Sat 86-88 with his velocity. Has now walked 7 in 7 1/3 IP. *** Gameday link to check out pitch choices and speeds -- mostly sitting 88-89-90.

Arizona Fall League -- In the third, Mitch Haniger staked Surprise to a 4-1 lead with a grand slam, his fourth home run of the season. After a torrid start with Surprise, the 22-year-old outfielder had slowed of late, hitting just .256 with one homer over his previous nine games. The grand slam was Haniger's only hit Monday. He also walked once and struck out twice. Haniger leads the league with 23 RBI. We'll get to see Haniger and his Brewers' mates in the AFL Championship Game at 2:10 Central on Saturday via MLB Network. Box Score Jason Rogers (.327) with a rare rough day, 0-for-5 with three K's. Catcher Adam Weisenburger (.200) was 1-for-4 with a double, RBI, and run scored (one SB against). RHP Kevin Shackelford with a nice inning. Scottsdale Bottom of the 8th Pitching Change: Kevin Shackelford replaces Tim Berry. Cory Vaughn called out on strikes. Alex Dickerson grounds out, second baseman Mookie Betts to first baseman Brett Nicholas. Kyle Kubitza strikes out swinging. *** On Tuesday, look for tweets from scout Bernie Pleskoff on Taylor Jungmann and likely other Brewers (his tweet). It's a 1:35 Central start, and you'll find that box score here.

Looks like Sean Halton is heading home after appearing in 15 DWL games and posting a nice .948 OPS. His tweet here. *** Monday's Winter League action -- Dominican Box Score Robinzon Diaz singled in three at-bats as the DH. Old friend LHP Chris Cody (2007-2010) had a nice game. *** Puerto Rico Box Score RHP Hiram Burgos made his 2nd relief appearance in four days, this time extending to two innings (one run). LHP Bobby Bramhall (2007-10) with a nice start in this game. Carolina Top of the 5th Pitching Change: Hiram Burgos replaces Jeremy Kehrt. Anthony Garcia walks. With Juan Centeno batting, wild pitch by Hiram Burgos, Anthony Garcia to 2nd. Juan Centeno grounds out, second baseman Danny Gonzalez to first baseman Kennys Vargas. Anthony Garcia to 3rd. Osvaldo Martinez out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Daniel Ortiz. Anthony Garcia scores. Shuhei Fukuda grounds out, pitcher Hiram Burgos to first baseman Kennys Vargas. Carolina Top of the 6th Enrique Hernandez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Daniel Ortiz. Carlos Moncrief singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jerry Sands. Enrique Hernandez to 2nd. Robinson Cancel grounds into a double play, third baseman Chris Curley to first baseman Kennys Vargas. Enrique Hernandez out at 3rd. Carlos Moncrief to 2nd. Ruben Gotay called out on strikes.

As Kyle from BrewCrewBall just noted on Twitter: "I refuse to get excited about a potential new ballpark in Nashville because it's a near lock that someone else's AAA team will play there." Again, scroll up one post to see who the Brewers may be in competion with for that affiliation. Coming off a hideous (in terms of W-L) 57-87 2013 season and a 67-77 2012 season in which the club was never in contention, the Brewers would serve themselves very well to find the right mix of veterans to sprinkle in with their own prospects this coming season. Hard to believe that 2014 will be the Brewers' 10th season in Nashville already. And while five of the first six seasons saw over .500 records, including a stellar 2007 campaign, a poor 2014 would mark a 4th consecutive losing season and could bring back memories of Indianapolis (and thus their very nice Victory Field) dumping the Brewers for Pittsburgh after 2004.