Jim Goulart

Adam McCalvy provides more 2014 coaching news here, including a new skipper at Huntsville.

Dodgers are all set at 2B with the recent Cuban signing...

The Brewers have confirmed for us that LHP Brent Leach did sign for both 2013 and 2014 last July. He now appears on our list of Brewers who will need to be protected for Rule 5 purposes.

The Brewers have confirmed for us that LHP Brent Leach did sign for both 2013 and 2014 last July. He now appears on our list of Brewers who will need to be protected for Rule 5 purposes.

LHP Brent Leach The Brewers came out with their twitter list of names this AM, and the list matched our own compilation with the exception of Leach, who we listed above. We have an inquiry into the Brewers, as well as Brent himself -- Leach, like RHP Dustin Molleken, may have signed for both the 2013 and 2014 seasons when he was picked up early last July. Leach will turn 31 later this month. He appeared in 38 games (only 20.1 innings) for the Dodgers in 2009, and appeared in eight games (all starts) in Japan in 2011. In a small Nashville 2013 sample, LH batters hit .219 off of Leach.

LHP Brent Leach The Brewers came out with their twitter list of names this AM, and the list matched our own compilation with the exception of Leach, who we listed above. We have an inquiry into the Brewers, as well as Brent himself -- Leach, like RHP Dustin Molleken, may have signed for both the 2013 and 2014 seasons when he was picked up early last July. Leach will turn 31 later this month. He appeared in 38 games (only 20.1 innings) for the Dodgers in 2009, and appeared in eight games (all starts) in Japan in 2011. In a small Nashville 2013 sample, LH batters hit .219 off of Leach.

Arizona Fall League - Monday's Game (Box Score) Surprise continues to roll along, looking more likely we'll see the Saguaros in the AFL Championship Game Saturday the 16th, barring a big slump. Mitch Haniger, batting 4th and playing LF, hit his 3rd AFL HR, a three-run shot in a decisive five-run 8th inning, and also doubled. His OPS is at .958, good for 7th best in the league, sweet. Batting cleanup for a league-leading team, how about some MVP votes? RHP David Goforth is clearly the go-to closer for Surprise, his WHIP is at 1.27, so as usual as of late, the save had a bit of drama. Glendale Bottom of the 9th Take that, Byron Buxton! Pitching Change: David Goforth replaces Branden Kline. Brandon Jacobs strikes out swinging. Chris O'Brien singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Tyler Naquin. Jared Mitchell doubles (1) on a sharp line drive to center fielder Tyler Naquin. Chris O'Brien to 3rd. Byron Buxton pops out to first baseman Brett Nicholas in foul territory. Colin Moran grounds out softly, shortstop Derrik Gibson to first baseman Brett Nicholas.

Brewers related Winter League action on Monday all took place in the Dominican -- Box Juan Francisco and Sean Halton hit back-to-back aagin in the 4-5 spots, Francisco again at third base and Halton at first. Each had a single. Halton drove in a run, and Francisco drew a walk in his 1-for-4 day. Francisco did commit an error. Their teammates, pitchers Chris Narveson and Jairo Asencio, longtime and shorttime Brewer property, combined for the win and the save. *** Box Teammates LF Eugenio Velez and SS Hector Gomez combined to go 0-for-7 with three K's (Velez did score a run). *** Box Robinzon Diaz, playing a lot of first base lately, was 0-for-4 with a run scored.

So with the Brewers announcing today that Joey Paciorek had re-signed for 2014, we now know which minor league Brewers became free agents tonight. The original list remains posted at the top of this thread, and it breaks down as such -- first those that did re-sign (career stats at links): C/3B Robinzon Diaz - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014, also a big league camp invite IF Hector Gomez - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014, also a big league camp invite IF Taylor Green - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014, also a big league camp invite RHP Arcenio Leon - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014 C/3B Joey Paciorek - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014 IF/OF Hainley Statia - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014 IF/OF Eugenio Velez - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014, also a big league camp invite *** And as RHP/OF Micah Owings tweeted a short time ago -- -- Remain excited about the opportunities that may come up! Minor league free agents as of Monday evening 11/3 These four players had been lifelong Brewers: C Anderson De La Rosa (signed in August 2003, had already been "extended" three times) RHP Tim Dillard (well, whole career minus a brief indy league sojourn to begin 2013) OF Brock Kjeldgaard (already extended once last fall) RHP R.J. Seidel Other now-free agents: IF Ozzie Chavez IF Blake Davis RHP Frankie De La Cruz LHP Zach Kroenke LHP Aaron Laffey C/1B Blake Lalli - Elected early minor league free agency on 10/2, has since signed with D-Backs RHP Johnnie Lowe RHP Santo Manzanillo LHP Chris Narveson - Elected early minor league free agency on 10/2 RHP/OF Micah Owings IF/OF Eric Patterson - Released on 10/1 RHP Josh Ravin RHP Mark Rogers RHP Jesus Sanchez OF Rene Tosoni LHP Travis Webb This doesn't mean none of these players will return. We know via his agent that the Brewers extended an offer to LHP Zach Kroenke, but apparently he didn't bite on it yet. If you believe a player is listed in error or have an addition, let us know. We believe we're very close, but don't claim to be absolutely 100% accurate.

So with the Brewers announcing today that Joey Paciorek had re-signed for 2014, we now know which minor league Brewers became free agents tonight. The original list remains posted at the top of this thread, and it breaks down as such -- first those that did re-sign (career stats at links): C/3B Robinzon Diaz - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014, also a big league camp invite IF Hector Gomez - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014, also a big league camp invite IF Taylor Green - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014, also a big league camp invite RHP Arcenio Leon - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014 C/3B Joey Paciorek - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014 IF/OF Hainley Statia - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014 IF/OF Eugenio Velez - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014, also a big league camp invite *** And as RHP/OF Micah Owings tweeted a short time ago -- -- Remain excited about the opportunities that may come up! Minor league free agents as of Monday evening 11/3 These four players had been lifelong Brewers: C Anderson De La Rosa (signed in August 2003, had already been "extended" three times) RHP Tim Dillard (well, whole career minus a brief indy league sojourn to begin 2013) OF Brock Kjeldgaard (already extended once last fall) RHP R.J. Seidel Other now-free agents: IF Ozzie Chavez IF Blake Davis RHP Frankie De La Cruz LHP Zach Kroenke LHP Aaron Laffey C/1B Blake Lalli - Elected early minor league free agency on 10/2, has since signed with D-Backs RHP Johnnie Lowe RHP Santo Manzanillo LHP Chris Narveson - Elected early minor league free agency on 10/2 RHP/OF Micah Owings IF/OF Eric Patterson - Released on 10/1 RHP Josh Ravin RHP Mark Rogers RHP Jesus Sanchez OF Rene Tosoni LHP Travis Webb This doesn't mean none of these players will return. We know via his agent that the Brewers extended an offer to LHP Zach Kroenke, but apparently he didn't bite on it yet. If you believe a player is listed in error or have an addition, let us know. We believe we're very close, but don't claim to be absolutely 100% accurate.

C/3B Joey Paciorek - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014 Just updated the initial post in this thread, as the Brewers just announced the seven-year farmhand inked a new minor league deal for 2014 just before becoming eligible for free agency.

C/3B Joey Paciorek - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014 Just updated the initial post in this thread, as the Brewers just announced the seven-year farmhand inked a new minor league deal for 2014 just before becoming eligible for free agency.

I managed to carelessly paste over a more detailed and entertaining daily post with Sunday's details, so here are your quick links instead to two Dominican box scores for Juan Francisco and Sean Halton (box) and Eugenio Velez and Hector Gomez (box).

Saturday's Caribbean League action -- The Puerto Rico League is underway (box), and new Brewers 40-man roster RH reliever (waiver claim via Boston) Jose De La Torre debuted as well. The 28-year-old 5'10" P.R. native tossed a scoreless inning - barely: Santurce Top of the 8th Pitching Change: Jose De La Torre replaces Ryan O'Rourke. Jonathan Singleton walks. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Dickie Thon replaces Jonathan Singleton. Neftali Soto grounds out, shortstop Luis Mateo to first baseman Carlos Rivera. Dickie Thon to 2nd. John Rodriguez flies out to center fielder Jorge Padilla. Christian Vazquez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Kristopher Negron. Dickie Thon out at home on the throw, left fielder Kristopher Negron to catcher Johnny Monell. *** Dominican box score Robinzon Diaz, batting 3rd and playing first base, doubled, singled, and was HBP. Diaz left the game for a pinch-runner late, but it was after the double, not the plunking. *** Dominican box score Juan Francisco and Sean Halton each committed a fielding error (at 3B and 1B, respectively). At the plate, Francisco singled on a line drive to left as part of a 1-for-4 day (two K's). Halton also had an opposite field line drive single, he walked as well. For the victors, LF Eugenio Velez was 1-for-4 (triple) and SS Hector Gomez singled twice in four AB's. *** Venezuelan Box Score RHP Arcenio Leon allowed all three runners he inherited to score - ugh, his photo says it all. Leon was done in by former batterymate Anderson De La Rosa, who will be among the several Brewers who become minor league free agents on Monday this week. Lara Top of the 8th Pitching Change: Geordy Parra replaces Elvis Araujo. Joc Pederson singles on a fly ball to right fielder Felix Perez. Paulo Orlando flies out to right fielder Felix Perez. Luis Jimenez walks. Joc Pederson to 2nd. Jesus Montero singles on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Lollis. Joc Pederson to 3rd. Luis Jimenez to 2nd. Pitching Change: Arcenio Leon replaces Geordy Parra. Nick Buss grounds into a force out, first baseman Ernesto Mejia to catcher Francisco Arcia. Joc Pederson out at home. Luis Jimenez to 3rd. Jesus Montero to 2nd. Nick Buss to 1st. With Oswaldo Navarro batting, wild pitch by Arcenio Leon, Luis Jimenez scores. Jesus Montero to 3rd. Nick Buss to 2nd. Oswaldo Navarro walks. Hernan Iribarren strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Arcenio Leon. Jesus Montero scores. Nick Buss to 3rd. Oswaldo Navarro to 2nd. Hernan Iribarren to 1st. Anderson De La Rosa doubles (4) on a fly ball to left fielder Ryan Lollis. Nick Buss scores. Oswaldo Navarro scores. Hernan Iribarren scores. Gabriel Noriega grounds out, second baseman Jose Flores to first baseman Ernesto Mejia. *** Nice first start for Whalen (box). Would be great to see him find his way back to affiliated ball off of this winter's stint.

Chris Mehring's tweet nicely describes David Goforth's positive evening -- Former @TimberRattlers Pitcher @DavidGoforth7 retires both batters he faces in 9th at "Fall Stars" game. 6 pitches/5 strikes. Top MPH = 96 See the Gameday for the 9th inning here for pitch details.

Friday's Winter League action -- Dominican Box Score Guessing that big Sean Halton is becoming a slugging cult hero for his Licey squad. Playing first base and batting 5th, Halton was 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI, now batting .343 (12-for-34), eight of those 12 knocks have gone for extra bases. Capable of manning all four corner positions in a pinch, there's plenty of MLB value in a RH power bench bat as your 12th/13th bat on a roster. Licey teammate Juan Francisco was 0-for-3 with an HBP as the cleanup DH (.304, 14-for-46, eight XBH's). Halton victimized former unsigned Brewers 50th round draft pick LHP Sean Nolin, now a top Blue Jay prospect. *** Dominican Box Score Big league camp invite Eugenio Velez, as the DH here, 1-for-5 with a double (two K's), hitting .350 after 40 AB's. Another big league camp invite, SS Hector Gomez, was 1-for-3 with a run scored (one K). With his team down in the 9th, Gomez was pinch-hit for by 2013 Brewers farmhand Ozzie Chavez, due to be a minor league free agent as of Monday. *** Venezuelan Box Score RHP Arcenio Leon struck out the lone man he faced, stranding two inherited runners, to close out his team's 8-2 win. Aragua Top of the 9th Pitching Change: Jesus Yepez replaces Edwin Quirarte. Juan Infante reaches on a throwing error by shortstop Freddy Galvis. With Jorge Cortes batting, wild pitch by Jesus Yepez, Juan Infante to 2nd. Jorge Cortes singles on a ground ball to right fielder Felix Perez. Juan Infante scores. Luis Maza reaches on a fielding error by shortstop Freddy Galvis. Jorge Cortes to 2nd. Alex Romero grounds into a double play, shortstop Freddy Galvis to second baseman Jose Pirela to first baseman Francisco Arcia. Jorge Cortes to 3rd. Luis Maza out at 2nd. Hector Gimenez hit by pitch. Pitching Change: Arcenio Leon replaces Jesus Yepez. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Alex Nunez replaces Jim Murphy. Alex Nunez strikes out swinging. *** One side-note on a Brewer alumnus, as LHP Connor Whalen, an undrafted two-year Milwaukee farmhand who split 2012 between Helena and Brevard County, is in the Sydney starting rotation in the Australian Baseball League after a year in independent ball (press release).

Friday's Box Score -- more details after this article: Haniger, Naquin back Pena for Sags Brewers outfield prospect taking aim at AFL championship By Danny Wild / MiLB.com http://www.milb.com/assets/images/6/0/4/63621604/cuts/10336584033_52b83d8a49_b_1olvef6k_51tsbp42.jpg Mitch Haniger has nine hits in his last 10 games for Surprise. (Jason Wise photo/MLB.com) Mitch Haniger hasn't done it all by himself in the Arizona Fall League because he's found a secret weapon. "It's been great. If you're a guy like me who hits in the middle of the order, you always want to hit with runners on," he said. "I'm trying to get RBIs and he's there on base." "He" is Tyler Naquin, the Indians' No. 5 prospect who's batting .360 as Surprise's leadoff man. A .269 hitter during the regular season, Naquin owns a .425 on-base percentage this fall. Haniger ranks second in the league with 16 RBIs. "We're both working together toward the same goal," Haniger said. The slugging Brewers prospect went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs, Naquin collected three hits and two RBIs and Red Sox prospect Mickey Pena pitched five solid innings Friday afternoon as Surprise beat Scottsdale, 6-3. Haniger, Milwaukee's 12th-ranked prospect, singled home Naquin with the game's first run in the first inning, then doubled him in the second. Naquin singled home a pair in the second as Surprise built a four-run cushion for Pena. The Saguaros added two runs in the seventh when Joe Wendle (Indians) singled home Derrik Gibson (Red Sox) and Naquin raced home on a wild pitch by reliever Cody Satterwhite (Mets). "I want to become a better hitter in general. Every facet of the game. I just want to hit the ball hard every time and good things will come," Haniger said. "It's been good. I'm just trying to get better at everything, keep everything simple and just play and let my ability take over." Pena, a left-hander taken in the sixth round of the 2011 Draft, held Scottsdale to a run on three hits to win for the second time in five starts. He fanned five and walked three, throwing 47 of 77 pitches for strikes. The 23-year-old Texan has allowed eight earned runs while recording 13 strikeouts over 19 2/3 innings in five AFL appearances. He went 7-8 with a 4.29 ERA in 18 starts for Class A Advanced Salem and Double-A Portland. Haniger got off to a hot start in Arizona, hitting a grand slam to back Pena in the season opener and earning Player of the Week honors on Oct. 15. He's batting .308 as Surprise's No. 3 hitter and has hits in three of his last four games, totaling four RBIs and three runs scored in that span. "We're really close as a team," Haniger said of the Saguaros, who are composed of players from the Brewers, Cubs, Orioles, Rangers and Red Sox. "That's tough because we're only here for six weeks. But I think that plays a big part of it. We're all technically on separate organizations, but we're all pulling for each other." Naquin is helping everyone by getting on base -- he's hit safely in 17 of 18 starts and reached base in every game. In 75 at-bats, he's batting .400 against lefties, .345 against righties, .385 leading off and .406 with runners on. For Haniger and the first-place Sags, championship hopes are crystallizing in the six-team league. "[My goal is] just to keep playing hard. We're trying to win," he said. "Everyone here wants to win the AFL championship. We know it's not the regular season and people say it's not the same intensity, but we're treating it like it is." Scottsdale scored a pair of late runs but ran out of gas against Surprise closer Keone Kela (Rangers), who struck out one and recorded the final four outs. Mason Williams (Yankees) and Aderlin Rodriguez (Mets) had RBIs for Scottsdale, which fell to 7-14. Braves right-hander Aaron Northcraft (1-4) was charged with four runs on six hits and two walks over two innings. He struck out four as his ERA climbed to 7.62. *** Haniger's OPS at .895 with his 2-for-4 day (double, two RBI, first stolen base). Jason Rogers was 0-for-4 with two K's. RHP Kevin Shackelford squeezed a lot into 1.2 innings -- Scottsdale Top of the 6th Pitching Change: Kevin Shackelford replaces Miguel Pena. Tommy La Stella grounds out, third baseman Ryan Rua to first baseman Travis Shaw. Cam Maron singles on a line drive to center fielder Tyler Naquin. Angel Villalona hit by pitch. Cam Maron to 2nd. Robby Hefflinger called out on strikes. Jarrett Parker grounds out, shortstop Derrik Gibson to first baseman Travis Shaw. Scottsdale Top of the 7th Aderlin Rodriguez pops out to catcher Tony Wolters in foul territory. Addison Maruszak doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Jason Rogers. Mason Williams singles on a line drive to right fielder Mitch Haniger. Addison Maruszak to 3rd. With Elmer Reyes batting, Mason Williams steals (3) 2nd base. Wild pitch by pitcher Kevin Shackelford. Addison Maruszak scores. Elmer Reyes strikes out swinging. Pitching Change: Jason Gurka replaces Kevin Shackelford. Tommy La Stella strikes out swinging. Check out Shackelford's pitch selection and speed in the 6th and 7th innings via Gameday's pitch-by-pitch. *** Here's your box score link for Saturday evening's "Fall Stars Game" -- RHP David Goforth will hopefully see action for the West squad. Watch the game live at 7:00 PM Central on MLB Network. *** New replay plan will be tested in five AFL games -- None involve the Surprise team TV game -- Military Appreciation Game (Scottsdale Scorpions @ Surprise Saguaros) Saturday, November 10, 6 p.m. AZ (7 p.m. CT) Surprise Stadium

This more encouraging report offsets the way that the initial rankings here were classified. The Brewers had productive rookie value in 2013, certainly circumstances warranted more playing time than most contending teams, but the fact is the 2013 crop came through, and you can imagine what the value would have been if Jean Segura didn't just miss rookie status.

Gomez audio interview with ESPN 540 at the 20:00 minute mark of the podcast.

Arizona Box A rare rout loss (10-0) for the Surprise boys, and since they were shut out, just as well that Mitch Haniger and Jason Rogers were idle. Adam Weisenburger 0-for-3 with two K's as the DH. Weisenburger now 3-for-22, all singles, three BB's, seven K's. RHP Tyler Cravy's day documented above. *** Next game is Friday afternoon (1:35 Central), home to Scottsdale. You can find a box here. *** No Brewers in Winter League action Thursday, Dominican League off day on the schedule.

Cravy gave up his first earned runs today -- Salt River Bottom of the 1st James Ramsey strikes out on a foul tip. Ryan Brett pops out to first baseman Brett Nicholas. Andy Burns flies out to right fielder Dariel Alvarez. Salt River Bottom of the 2nd Stephen Piscotty called out on strikes. Kyle Parker singles on a line drive to center fielder Tyler Naquin. Tim Wheeler singles on a ground ball to third baseman Garin Cecchini. Kyle Parker to 2nd. Nick Ahmed strikes out swinging. Jacob Wilson homers (1) on a fly ball to left center field. Kyle Parker scores. Tim Wheeler scores. Derrick Chung strikes out on a foul tip. Salt River Bottom of the 3rd James Ramsey walks. Ryan Brett grounds out, shortstop Derrik Gibson to first baseman Brett Nicholas. James Ramsey to 2nd. Andy Burns walks. Stephen Piscotty singles on a line drive to left fielder Henry Urrutia. James Ramsey scores. Andy Burns to 2nd. Pitching Change: Nick McBride replaces Tyler Cravy. Kyle Parker flies out to right fielder Dariel Alvarez. Tim Wheeler singles on a line drive to center fielder Tyler Naquin. Andy Burns scores. Stephen Piscotty to 3rd. Nick Ahmed lines out to center fielder Tyler Naquin. *** The highlighted play in red was initially ruled an error in Gameday. Once switched, the three runs that inning shifted from unearned to earned, although it still wasn't a stellar outing for Tyler. He'll bounce back... *** Mitch Haniger and Jason Rogers not in the starting lineup, Adam Weisenburger is, at DH.

Dominican Box Score from Wed. 10/30 As noted on Twitter last night, Juan Francisco with two doubles and a nice night. Played third base, started two double plays. Teammate Sean Halton 0-for-4, one K, error on a pickoff attempt while playing first base. Robinzon Diaz, playing first base, had an interesting line, RBI single and two sacrifice flies. *** Dominican Box LF Eugenio Velez - 0-for-4 with an RBI SS Hector Gomez - 1-for-3, one K, one error.

Surprise wins, scoring 12 runs in their final three innings at the plate -- crooked numbers, but not necessarily from Brewers Box Mitch Haniger, batting 3rd in RF, went 0-for-4 with a walk, run scored, and and RBI on a groundout (one K). Jason Rogers, batting 5th in LF, was 1-for-4 with a walk (two K's). RHP David Goforth closed out the 12-6 win with a scoreless but hardly perfect 9th -- Salt River Top of the 9th Pitching Change: David Goforth replaces Tyler Sturdevant. Ryan Brett pops out to first baseman Travis Shaw. James Ramsey grounds out, second baseman Jonathan Schoop to first baseman Travis Shaw. Kyle Parker doubles (5) on a line drive to center fielder Tyler Naquin. Tim Wheeler walks. Richie Shaffer strikes out swinging. Check out pitch-by-pitch Gameday for speed and pitch types. *** Rematch Halloween afternoon on the road.

Scout Bernie Pleskoff's detailed scouting report on Mitch Haniger (text and video interview)