Jim Goulart

Sunday's Winter League action -- Dominican Box Score Big league spring training invite SS Hector Gomez is hot, and his team recognized that, moving him to the #2 spot in the lineup. Gomez, 1-for-4, hit a two-run HR in a four-run 8th inning as his club won 6-1. *** Dominican Box Score Robinzon Diaz, DH'ing (hasn't been behind the plate in a while), 1-for-3 with a walk. *** Dominican Box Score Juan Francisco was 0-for-2, but did walk twice, that's 12 walks vs. 76 AB's. Francisco's numbers vs. LHP's should be noted at the link there as well -- lots of LHP's in the DWL, apparently, they can't all be specialists. Francisco played third base, and committed his 5th error (throwing). Wow, Chris Narveson doing his best to draw interest here. Sophia Minneart enjoyed the game! *** Venezuelan Box Score RHP Arcenio Leon already has 13 relief appearances (13.1 innings), he netted a win here. Caribes Bottom of the 10th Niuman Romero grounds out, shortstop Henry Rodriguez to first baseman Ernesto Mejia. Pitching Change: Arcenio Leon replaces Jose Guanchez. Gorkys Hernandez flies out to center fielder Ender Inciarte. Alexi Amarista singles on a fly ball to right fielder Felix Perez. With Jose Castillo batting, wild pitch by Arcenio Leon, Alexi Amarista to 2nd. Jose Castillo grounds out, shortstop Henry Rodriguez to first baseman Ernesto Mejia.

Saturday's Winter League action -- Dominican Box Score Third baseman Juan Francisco fanned in both his AB's before exiting as his club fell deep behind early. Robinzon Diaz was the DH for the winners, 1-for-2 with a sacrifice bunt before exiting. 40-man roster RHP Ariel Pena made his first appearance since way back on October 22nd, as he came in for struggling starter Chris Volstad, who just signed a minor league deal with the Angels. Pena's appearance was both brief and ineffective -- Gigantes Bottom of the 3rd Moises Sierra singles on a ground ball to left fielder Yamaico Navarro. Marcell Ozuna singles on a line drive to center fielder Dee Gordon. Moises Sierra to 2nd. Robinzon Diaz out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Chris Volstad to first baseman Chris Marrero. Moises Sierra to 3rd. Marcell Ozuna to 2nd. Jimmy Paredes triples (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Yamaico Navarro. Moises Sierra scores. Marcell Ozuna scores. Pitching Change: Ariel Pena replaces Chris Volstad. Maikel Franco doubles (4) on a fly ball to left fielder Yamaico Navarro. Jimmy Paredes scores. Carlos Paulino called out on strikes. Jonathan Diaz homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Maikel Franco scores. Leury Garcia grounds out, second baseman Anderson Hernandez to first baseman Chris Marrero. *** Dominican Box Score All of a sudden, SS Hector Gomez' numbers look reasonable in the still-small sample (.289 - 11-for-38, 3 XBH's, only one BB, nine K's). He was 2-for-3 with a double here.

Surprise lost 9-4 on Saturday (box score). Mitch Haniger was 0-for-4 with two K's. His line is now very solid but no longer spectacular at .284/.360/.477 (OPS .837). The talents of Jason Rogers were wasted on the bench, catcher Adam Weisenburger as well. Indians' RHP Will Roberts had a rough start, and the Brewers Tyler Cravy came in with runners on 1st and 2nd, none out. One inherited runner scored, then Cravy allowed a run in his follow-up inning. Mesa Top of the 4th Tyler Collins doubles (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Tyler Naquin. Jett Bandy singles on a line drive to left fielder Henry Urrutia. Tyler Collins to 3rd. Addison Russell singles on a line drive to shortstop Derrik Gibson, deflected by third baseman Ryan Rua. Tyler Collins scores. Jett Bandy to 2nd. Pitching Change: Tyler Cravy replaces Will Roberts. Brian Goodwin singles on a ground ball to second baseman Joe Wendle. Jett Bandy to 3rd. Addison Russell to 2nd. Jorge Soler grounds out softly, third baseman Ryan Rua to first baseman Travis Shaw. Jett Bandy scores. Addison Russell to 3rd. Brian Goodwin to 2nd. C. J. Cron grounds out softly, pitcher Tyler Cravy to first baseman Travis Shaw. Kris Bryant grounds out softly, third baseman Ryan Rua to first baseman Travis Shaw. Mesa Top of the 5th Taylor Lindsey strikes out swinging. Steven Souza Jr singles on a sharp line drive to left fielder Henry Urrutia. Tyler Collins singles on a ground ball to right fielder Mitch Haniger. Steven Souza Jr to 2nd. Jett Bandy flies out to center fielder Tyler Naquin. With Addison Russell batting, wild pitch by Tyler Cravy, Steven Souza Jr scores. Tyler Collins to 3rd. Throwing error by catcher Jorge Alfaro. Addison Russell walks. Brian Goodwin grounds out sharply to first baseman Travis Shaw. RHP David Goforth wrapped up in a rare non-save situation. Mesa Top of the 9th Pitching Change: David Goforth replaces Keone Kela. Steven Souza Jr grounds out, shortstop Derrik Gibson to first baseman Travis Shaw. Tyler Collins strikes out swinging. Jett Bandy grounds out, second baseman Joe Wendle to first baseman Travis Shaw. You can check out the pitch-by-pitch option in the 4th, 5th, and 9th innings via Gameday for pitch selection and speed details. Goforth topped out at 97 MPH, Cravy 92-93. As usual, the league is idle on Sunday.

Interesting from a Mets fan perspective -- What’s All The Fascination With Aoki About? What I find hilarious about this nonsense is that Aoki actually has a higher slugging percentage than Davis. Aoki also has a 6.5 fWAR over the last two seasons compared to a 1.0 fWar for Ike.

Friday's Winter League action -- 40-man roster RHP Hiram Burgos (shoulder injury) made his first appearance since a start for AAA Nashville on July 7th, tossing an inning of relief for Mayaguez in his native Puerto Rico. Ponce Bottom of the 6th Pitching Change: Hiram Burgos replaces Steve Smith. Reymond Fuentes strikes out swinging. Christian Colon singles on a ground ball to right fielder Noel Cuevas. Ivan De Jesus grounds into a double play, shortstop Luis Figueroa to second baseman Danny Gonzalez to first baseman Kennys Vargas. Christian Colon out at 2nd. *** Venezuelan Box Score First baseman Hunter Morris, batting 7th in his third winter league game, gets the monkey off his back with a single in the 5th inning that snapped an 0-for-9 start to his season: Hunter Morris singles on a fly ball to right fielder Alex Romero. Morris finished 1-for-4 and is now 1-for-11 overall -- hang in there, Hunter! *** Venezuelan Box Score RHP Arcenio Leon with a relatively uneventful inning of work -- Caracas Bottom of the 5th Pitching Change: Arcenio Leon replaces Cesar Valdez. Jesus Sucre flies out to center fielder Ender Inciarte. Luis Rodriguez walks. Casper Wells flies out to right fielder Felix Perez. Jesus Aguilar strikes out swinging. *** Dominican Box Score LF Eugenio Velez, batting 6th, was 0-for-2 with two walks, now 19-for-63 (.302), six BB's, 11 K's. Velez also stole his 7th base in eight tries. Hector Gomez, who turns 26 in March, walked in a pinch-hit appearance, remained in the game at second base, and later, lined into a double play to third base. Both Velez and Gomez will be in big league camp with the Brewers. *** Dominican Box Score So how full are those Dominican bullpens? Twenty-three pitchers saw action in a 9-7 15-inning win for Juan Francisco's Licey team. Francisco, batting .347, was 2-for-7 with a walk, and drove in two (two K's). Entering this game, Francisco was 3rd in the league in OPS at 1.070. His teammate Sean Halton was idle Friday, he was 5th in the league in OPS at .948.

Quiet day on the Arizona Fall League front, as Surprise (now 16-9) fell, 6-1 (box score). Mitch Haniger, batting cleanup and in LF, was the lone Brewer to play, and went 0-for-4. It does seem like Surprise takes its rare losses more often when fewer Brewers are in the lineup. It'll be a rematch vs. Mesa Saturday afternoon, this time in Surprise at 1:35 Central (you'll be able to see that box score here).

Via Adam McCalvy -- Gord Ash said that No. 2 prospect Taylor Jungmann was back on track in the Arizona Fall League after missing time with a groin issue. Jungmann surrendered four earned runs on five hits in 2 1/3 innings for the Surprise Saguaros on Wednesday, his first appearance in nearly a month, and is scheduled to make one final appearance on Tuesday. "He was a little rusty [in his return to action]," Ash said, "but was otherwise OK."

Adam McCalvy has comments from Gord Ash regarding the big Nashville news, which we had been tracking throughout this thread. *** Of course, with a hopeful opening date in 2015 (that's going to be tight), let's remember the Sounds-Brewers relationship is only locked in through 2014. Via this very informative and up-to-date link: International League (AAA) Buffalo Bisons - Toronto (signed through 2016) Charlotte Knights - Chicago (AL) (signed through 2014) Columbus Clippers - Cleveland (signed through 2016) Durham Bulls - Tampa Bay (signed through 2014) Gwinnett Braves - Atlanta (owned by Atlanta) Indianapolis Indians - Pittsburgh (signed through 2016) Lehigh Valley IronPigs - Philadelphia (signed through 2016) Louisville Bats - Cincinnati (signed through 2016) Norfolk Tides - Baltimore (signed through 2014) Pawtucket Red Sox - Boston (signed through 2014) Rochester Red Wings - Minnesota (signed through 2014) Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders - New York (AL) (signed through 2014; owned by New York (AL)) Syracuse Chiefs - Washington (signed through 2014) Toledo Mud Hens - Detroit (signed through 2016) Pacific Coast League (AAA) Albuquerque Isotopes - Los Angeles (signed through 2014) Colorado Springs Sky Sox - Colorado (signed through 2014) Fresno Grizzlies - San Francisco (signed through 2014) Iowa Cubs - Chicago (NL) (signed through 2016) Las Vegas 51s - New York (NL) (signed through 2014) Memphis Redbirds - St. Louis (signed through 2014) Nashville Sounds - Milwaukee (signed through 2014) New Orleans Zephyrs - Miami (signed through 2014) Oklahoma RedHawks - Houston (signed through 2014) Omaha Storm Chasers - Kansas City (signed through 2016) Reno Aces - Arizona (signed through 2016) Round Rock Express - Texas (signed through 2018) Sacramento River Cats - Oakland (signed through 2014) Salt Lake Bees - Anaheim (signed through 2014) Tacoma Rainiers - Seattle (signed through 2014) Tucson Padres - San Diego (signed through 2014) Now. let's agree that most of those relationship extensions are just formalities (would the Red Sox leave Pawtucket, RI, for instance?). So realistically there are not nearly potentially 18 dance partners for Nashville. Still, it would be nice to hear about an extension through 2016 (or even 2018, the maximum allowed) sooner rather than later.

AUDIO LINK: While in the Dominican, Sophia Minnaert chats with with Doug Russell on WTMJ's Sports Weekly -- includes insights on her visit with Jean Segura

Mark Rogers attempts comeback in Caribbean The former Mt. Ararat standout and Milwaukee Brewer thinks there’s still life in his arm By Paul Betit, Portland (ME) Press-Herald Mark Rogers of Orrs Island is in Venezuela trying to get a new lease on his baseball life. Rogers, a right-handed pitcher who became a minor league free agent in September when he was removed from the Milwaukee Brewers’ 40-man roster, reported last week to the Bravos de Margarita in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. “A lot of teams were interested in Mark, and this was the best situation for him,” said Ivan Hand, an attorney based in Alabama who represents Rogers. According to Hand, Rogers could make his first start in the winter league next week for the Bravos. “He will throw a couple of bullpens and then he’ll start,” he said. Rogers, 27, was the fifth overall pick in the 2004 draft out of Mt. Ararat High School in Topsham. In 2012, he went 3-1 with a 3.92 earned run average in seven starts during a two-month stint in the majors with the Brewers. In this past season, Rogers was expected to compete for a spot in Milwaukee’s starting rotation, but suffered from diminished velocity in spring training that the Brewers attributed to “shoulder instability.” He never made it past Double-A. In his final start for the advanced Class A Brevard County Manatees in the Florida State League on Aug. 29, Rogers’ fastball touched 93 miles per hour. Rogers’ career has been plagued with shoulder and hand surgeries. Following Rogers' release at the end of the minor league season, Milwaukee assistant general manager Gord Ash did not rule out re-signing him to a minor-league contract. “(We) told him to finish his season in Brevard, go home after that and we’ll be in touch,” Ash said. Hand said a number of major league teams have expressed an interest in Rogers. “We’re in the process of fielding free-agent offers,” he said. “There’s a lot of interest in him based on (his) 2012 (performance) with the Brewers. He’s healthy now and ready to show what he can do.” The Bravos play on Isla de Margarita Island, located about 100 miles east of Caracas in the Caribbean.

Venezuelan Box Score RHP Arcenio Leon with a good inning -- Caracas Bottom of the 7th Pitching Change: Arcenio Leon replaces Roy Merritt. Danny Dorn grounds out, first baseman Ernesto Mejia to pitcher Arcenio Leon. Ramon Cabrera strikes out swinging. J. D. Martinez singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Jose Flores. Jesus Sucre strikes out swinging. *** Venezuelan Box Score 1B Hunter Morris, batting 6th, was 0-for-3 with two K's, now 0-for-7 after two games. Morris was lifted for a pinch-hitter with the game tied in the 8th, men on 1st and 2nd, two out. A LHP was brought in, PH was a RH bat. It worked out for Morris' team.

Going back to his last at-bat Tuesday, Juan Francisco reached base ten consecutive times, 11 times out of 12. Linked page on his name will include Thursday's stats when updated mid-day Friday. While this stretch is ridiculously hot, Francisco has been fantastic in 17 games thus far. Would love to hear what Francisco's Dominican Winter League Manager, the Brewers' Mike Guerrero, is reporting to the brass right now. Can we hope the changes in Francisco's elimination of leg lift and his overall approach have allowed him to turn a real corner? We can't completely write off Francisco's efforts here. Otherwise we should have ignored Jean Segura's DWL batting title last winter. Juan Francisco singles on a sharp ground ball to first baseman Dan Black. Juan Francisco walks. Juan Francisco singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jim Adduci. Juan Francisco doubles (7) on a fly ball to left fielder Eugenio Velez. Juan Francisco hit by pitch. Yamaico Navarro to 2nd. Juan Francisco walks. Winston Abreu intentionally walks Juan Francisco. Juan Francisco singles on a ground ball to right fielder Moises Sierra. Juan Francisco doubles (8) on a fly ball to center fielder Leury Garcia. Jurickson Profar scores. Yamaico Navarro scores. Juan Francisco doubles (9) on a fly ball to center fielder Leury Garcia. Tuffy Gosewisch scores. Dee Gordon scores. Juan Francisco flies out to left fielder Jimmy Paredes. Pedro Viola intentionally walks Juan Francisco. *** In Thursday's Dominican box score, Francisco's teammate Sean Halton was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Halton has been among league hitting leaders as well, just currently being overshadowed by Francisco's dominance. Brewers 2014 big league camp invite C/1B/3B Robinzon Diaz was 0-for-5 in the game with two K's, falling to .211.

Surprise continues to roll, the class of the Fall League. Twenty hits and eight walks in a 14-5 win (box). RHP Kevin Shackelford finished up, and has allowed only one run over 6.2 innings in his most recent six appearances. Peoria Bottom of the 9th Pitching Change: Kevin Shackelford replaces Jason Gurka. Stefen Romero flies out to left fielder Jason Rogers. Delino DeShields grounds out, third baseman Ryan Rua to first baseman Travis Shaw. Orlando Calixte strikes out swinging. Mitch Haniger split time in RF and CF (one throwing error), and was 3-for-6 with a double and two runs scored (.916 OPS, 10th in the league). LF Jason Rogers was on base four times -- two singles, two walks (two K's) - 1.054 OPS, 5th in the league.

Wednesday's Winter League activity: Puerto Rico League box score 40-man roster RHP Jose de La Torre tossed two innings and took the loss in his team's 3-2 10-inning defeat -- Santurce Top of the 9th Pitching Change: Jose De La Torre replaces Ryan O'Rourke. Christian Vazquez flies out to center fielder Jorge Padilla. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter John Rodriguez replaces Jonathan Rodriguez. John Rodriguez flies out to left fielder Edgardo Baez. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Jonathan Singleton replaces Dickie Thon. Jonathan Singleton singles on a line drive to center fielder Jorge Padilla. Billy Hamilton flies out to center fielder Jorge Padilla. Santurce Top of the 10th Jeff Dominguez strikes out swinging. Luis Matos walks. Neftali Soto strikes out swinging. Luis Matos steals (1) 2nd base. With Austin Wates batting, wild pitch by Jose De La Torre, Luis Matos to 3rd. Austin Wates singles on a ground ball to left fielder Edgardo Baez. Luis Matos scores. With Derrick Robinson batting, Austin Wates caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Johnny Monell to shortstop Luis Mateo. *** Dominican Box Score SS Hector Gomez had a nice game, 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Teammate LF Eugenio Velez singled in five AB's.

Surprise has asked an awful lot of their closer David Goforth, going to him at every save opportunity. He was brought in to strand two runners in the 8th inning today, and did so successfully: Peoria Top of the 8th Lane Adams lines out to center fielder Tyler Naquin. Chris Taylor singles on a line drive to center fielder Tyler Naquin. With Cory Spangenberg batting, wild pitch by Nick McBride, Chris Taylor to 2nd. Cory Spangenberg singles on a soft ground ball to first baseman Brett Nicholas. Chris Taylor to 3rd. Cameron Perkins pops out to second baseman Mookie Betts in foul territory. Pitching Change: David Goforth replaces Nick McBride. Cameron Rupp strikes out swinging. *** But the 9th inning saw Goforth lose the one-run lead and more -- Peoria Top of the 9th Japhet Amador homers (3) on a fly ball to center field. Aaron Altherr doubles (3) on a line drive to center fielder Tyler Naquin. Jonathan Meyer called out on strikes. With Jake Lowery batting, passed ball by Michael Ohlman, Aaron Altherr to 3rd. Jake Lowery out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Henry Urrutia. Aaron Altherr scores. Lane Adams singles on a ground ball to left fielder Henry Urrutia. Chris Taylor strikes out swinging. Just a blip on the radar, been a fine fall season for David...

And it went well, done after his 1.2 innings. Peoria Top of the 4th Cameron Perkins lines out to right fielder Dariel Alvarez. Cameron Rupp doubles (4) on a sharp line drive to left fielder Henry Urrutia. Japhet Amador pops out to first baseman Brett Nicholas. Aaron Altherr pops out to first baseman Brett Nicholas in foul territory. *** Surprise trails 4-2 after four innings, details on the final this evening. Guessing we may see RHP Kevin Shackelford before we're done.

Mitch Haniger, Jason Rogers, and Adam Weisenburger are all out of today's starting Fall League lineup, and it's not Tyler Cravy with the start as initially listed but Taylor Jungmann, back from a mild groin injury for just his 2nd AFL start/appearance (box score), and things didn't go all that well (Jungmann was charged with one run in the 2nd, and three more in the 3rd, the last of those scoring when Cravy walked in a run): Peoria Top of the 1st Cory Spangenberg grounds out, shortstop Derrik Gibson to first baseman Brett Nicholas. Cameron Perkins grounds out, third baseman Garin Cecchini to first baseman Brett Nicholas. Cameron Rupp walks. Japhet Amador grounds into a force out, shortstop Derrik Gibson to second baseman Mookie Betts. Cameron Rupp out at 2nd. Peoria Top of the 2nd Aaron Altherr hits a ground-rule double (2) on a fly ball to left-center field. Jonathan Meyer singles on a line drive to right fielder Dariel Alvarez. Aaron Altherr scores. Jake Lowery walks. Jonathan Meyer to 2nd. Lane Adams pops out to first baseman Brett Nicholas in foul territory. Chris Taylor lines out sharply to left fielder Henry Urrutia. Cory Spangenberg grounds into a force out, shortstop Derrik Gibson to second baseman Mookie Betts. Jake Lowery out at 2nd. Peoria Top of the 3rd Cameron Perkins hit by pitch. Cameron Rupp doubles (3) on a sharp line drive to left fielder Henry Urrutia. Cameron Perkins to 3rd. Japhet Amador strikes out swinging. Aaron Altherr singles on a line drive to right fielder Dariel Alvarez. Cameron Perkins scores. Cameron Rupp to 3rd. With Jonathan Meyer batting, Aaron Altherr steals (1) 2nd base. Jonathan Meyer singles on a ground ball to center fielder Tyler Naquin. Cameron Rupp scores. Aaron Altherr to 3rd. Pitching Change: Tyler Cravy replaces Taylor Jungmann. Jake Lowery walks. Jonathan Meyer to 2nd. Lane Adams walks. Aaron Altherr scores. Jonathan Meyer to 3rd. Jake Lowery to 2nd. Chris Taylor strikes out swinging. Cravy will remain in for the 4th inning.

Via Adam McCalvy's Twitter: Rewrite! Dave Clark has accepted an offer to be Tigers' third base coach. So the Double-A Huntsville job is open again. #Brewers

Via "Reviewing the Brew" - Q&A With Brewers Prospect Tyrone Taylor

Video via JSOnline -- LeRoy Butler sits down with Brewers GM Doug Melvin In his video series "LBTV," Packers hall of famer LeRoy Butler sits down with Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin to talk about Ryan Braun, Khris Davis, Scooter Gennett, Tyler Thornburg, Carlos Gomez, Corey Hart and others.

On October 28th, Hunter Morris celebrated his son's birthday and hinted he was off to play winter ball via Twitter, and we now know where. Venezuela Winter League Box Score Playing first base and batting cleanup in his first game for the Bravos de Margarita, Morris was 0-for-4 (groundout, strikeout, flyout, flyout). Two of his 2013 Nashville teammates, starter Chris Jakubauskas and Venezuelan native catcher Anderson De La Rosa, were in the opposing dugout. Be safe in Venezuela, Hunter, and in that competitive environment, it'd be wise to avoid a lot more 0-for-4's. They'll rotate unproductive American players out of lineups pretty quickly there.

There's a reason Baseball America's Ben Badler referred somewhat sarcastically to Juan Francisco in this open to a preview of true prospects to follow in winter league ball (Nine Key Players To Watch) -- The Arizona Fall League is a prospect watcher’s delight, but the league will never replicate the intense atmosphere of baseball in the Caribbean winter leagues. The leagues in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela—where most of the top talent is—prioritize winning, which is why the rosters are heavy on veterans and 4-A mashers (hey, look—Juan Francisco is off to a hot start again in the Dominican League). Well, Tuesday night, Juan Francisco raised his OBP well north of .400 by reaching base in all six plate appearances in his club's 7-3 12-inning win (box score). Francisco doubled, singled, walked three times, and was hit by a pitch. He played error-free third base as well. Teammate Sean Halton had a big two-run pinch-hit double in the four-run 12th. Although Eugenio Velez was 0-for-4 on the other side of the ledger, if it seems like Francisco, Halton, and Velez have all been really productive throughout this thread, it's because they have been -- all in the top eight of league OPS entering this game.

Folks seemed to like this concept for a thread last offseason, feel free to add on as you locate Brewers-related audio/video, WSSP via the Bill Michaels Show -- MLB.com Beat writer Adam McCalvy

Rogers, Sags fend off Desert Dogs Shaw, Rua go deep to power Surprise to AFL-best 15th win By Danny Wild / MiLB.com Read that story with a Jason Rogers focus, then review the box score here. Mitch Haniger, in RF, went 0-for-5. Catcher Adam Weisenburger singled twice in four AB's, had one passed ball, one stolen base against. No Brewers arms in this one. RHP Tyler Cravy makes his 2nd AFL start Wednesday afternoon, you'll find the box here.

Baseball America's Annual List This list doesn't include players who were eligible to declare free agancy last month, like Chris Narveson. Wish lists? Find a possible LOOGY, perhaps?