Jim Goulart

Scoop from WTMJ -- Harang "rumor" is completely false.

The Aussies only scored two runs in an abysmal three-game WBC performance, but Mike Walker (mom born in Australia), went 5-for-11 (all singles) to lead his squad. He played first base and batted 6th in each game. The 24-year-old will most likely be Huntsville's primary third baseman in 2013.

LHP Del Howell (career stats), the Brewers' 15th round 2009 pick out of the University of Alabama who was released during spring training and did not picth professionally in 2012, has signed with Lake Erie (Avon, OH) of the independent Frontier League. This will be his age 25 season.

Not too surprising that the infielders have the best chance to see action given Aramis Ramirez' absence, now expected to be 7-10 days, according to reports. Macias grounded out and Shaw (not surprisingly, ) drew a walk.

Davis 0-for-1 with action at third base, but WBC Canada-bound Tosoni with a leadoff center-field fly ball triple in the 9th as the Brewers won 4-3. *** SUNDAY: MINOR DETAILS: Joining the team today from minor-league camp: RHP Chris Jakubauskas (#98), LHP Zack Kroenke (#94), LHP Alan Williams (#95), INF Brandon Macias (#96), INF Yadiel Rivera (#90) and INF Nick Shaw (#70).

Saturday: MINOR DETAILS: Joining the team today from minor-league camp: INF Blake Davis (#28) and OF Rene Tosoni (#70). Just formally invite the veteran Davis to camp already. Davis saw defensive-only action Friday, and as Twitter noted, the game ended with three Davis' (no. not Dick, but Blake, Kentrail, and Khris), in the lineup.

Cool story this week, as Garvey (stats), who saw action with Maryvale, Helena, and Wisconsin in 2010-2011 after signing with the Brewers as an undrafted free agent out of the College of Southern Nevada, signed with the Dodgers out of an open tryout camp. Garvey, 24 in April, played independent ball last year. Good for him.

More on the potential new home for the Manatees. As I noted on Twitter, whether the home of the team remains in Viera (Melbourne) or shifts to Orlando, the Brewers would assuredly seek to maintain a long-term relationship and avoid any chance of being stuck with a California League High-A franchise. Link and Link

Friday: Joining the team today from minor-league camp: INF Blake Davis (#28) and INF/OF T.J. Mittelstaedt (#90). *** Nice to see the "flex"-y T.J. get some big league dugout time (at minimum).

Thurs. 2/28 -- WSSP: Adam McCalvy *** Also, Tom Haudricourt's daily visits on ESPN 540 began this week -- archives thus far

According to Thursday's Media Notes, no players from minor league camp today. If one "sneaks in", we'll point it out tonight.

Blake Davis saw action at SS (singled), and a non-mention above, 1B Nick Ramirez, entered in the 7th, and grounded out in his sole AB.

Casey Medlen did not see action on Tuesday. Wednesday at KC: MINOR DETAILS: Joining the team today from minor-league camp: RHP Jim Hoey (#98), INF Blake Davis (#94) and INF Brandon Macias (#96).

If I was the Rockies management, I'd be drooling over Mark Rogers. I just think since his fastball is so top of the zone, it would really play well in Coors. His breaking stuff would still be on a different plane, I just think he'd be less impacted by the Denver air than most. So I could see a late spring deal, not that I'd be rooting for one.

When you refer someone to this site, always refer them directly to the forum page: http://forum.brewerfan.net/ pogokat is pretty much correct regarding the home page. The 12-year-old coding served its purpose in 2001, but is now tired and certain site functions that I've tried to keep up-to-date are now corrupt or obsolete. Fortunately, I can still maintain most of the Player Index, although the column sorting ability within it has gone a bit haywire. Basically, what's needed, and I'll see if Brian will be able to get this on-line, is some creatively worded prominent home page banner that says in so many words: "Brewerfan.net, in its 2013 and future form, really exists solely as an outstanding, well-moderated forum discussing all things Brewers by some of the most dedicated and knowledgeable fans around. We'd love for you to join in the conversation, and here's how you can do so." - .etc,. etc, .etc. There are so many other Brewer web sites that are providing blogger content that is top-notch. Most of you diehards know several. I believe at some point, perhaps even soon, Brian my look to partner with another established site that has the content but not the forum ability. This would benefit both parties to take advantage of their best attributes. Should that happen, the Brewerfan home page and associated links would dry up to some extent, or would disappear all together. It's not ever going to be more than it is right now. Ideally, you'll see another Brewer website link/point here to our forums to provide a nice double-helping of Brewer yumminess. Hey, at least Shea Vucinich is still in the organization. His family loves us . Will try to keep you posted...

My tweet on Tuesday's sole minor league camp representative

Pitchers: RHP's Greg Holle, Casey Medlen, Andy Moye, and Jimmy Nelson, LHP's Zach Kroenke and Alan Williams. Position Players: INF Blake Davis, INF/OF T.J. Mittelstaedt, SS Yadiel Rivera, OF Michael Reed, and OF Rene Tosoni. At Cincinnati's park, while Greg Holle didn't see action, he did show off his assigned uniform number. Gameday Log and Box

Monday's Maryvale game vs. San Diego: MINOR DETAILS: Joining the team today from minor-league camp: RHP Frankie De La Cruz (#76), RHP Chris Jakubauskas (#98), RHP Kyle Heckathorn (#99), C Cameron Garfield (#69), OF Cole Garner (#96), INF Brandon Macias (#70), C Rafael Neda(#94), INF Angel Ortega (#28), INF Jason Rogers(#93), INF Nick Shaw (#91) and OF Max Walla (#95). Bench was almost emptied, you'll find everyone but Cameron Garfield in the Gameday Log and Box.

The legend grows -- inherited a bases loaded, one out situation today vs. Reds: K, groundout. Then another scoreless inning (one BB, one single).

Jeff Hem's blog: Opening Day ’12 vs. Opening Day ’13

I know we had debated this for some time, and a poster here, "torts" had argued otherwise, but apparently Adam McCalvy has verified: Aoki, who is represented by the same agency as Braun, CAA Sports, will earn $1.25 million this season in the second guaranteed season of his two-year deal. The Brewers hold a $1.5 million option for 2014 with a $250,000 buyout, but will own Aoki's rights for his first six years of Major League service, just like any other player. Assuming he plays this season and next in the Majors, Aoki would be arbitration eligible starting in the 2014-15 offseason. Awesome news.

Thanks to the awesome Mike Vassallo, here are the minor league campers for the Reds game: Pitchers: RHP's Greg Holle, Casey Medlen, Andy Moye, and Jimmy Nelson, LHP's Zach Kroenke and Alan Williams. Position Players: INF Blake Davis, INF/OF T.J. Mittelstaedt, SS Yadiel Rivera, OF Michael Reed, and OF Rene Tosoni. 2011 5th rounder Michael Reed is entering his age 20 season.

Monday's Maryvale game vs. San Diego: MINOR DETAILS: Joining the team today from minor-league camp: RHP Frankie De La Cruz (#76), RHP Chris Jakubauskas (#98), RHP Kyle Heckathorn (#99), C Cameron Garfield (#69), OF Cole Garner (#96), INF Brandon Macias (#70), C Rafael Neda (#94), INF Angel Ortega (#28), INF Jason Rogers (#93), INF Nick Shaw (#91) and OF Max Walla (#95). Jason Rogers is starting at DH. Nice invite for the 2012 rookie ball SS Angel Ortega. The 2012 6th round pick is entering his age 19 season. The Brewers have yet to release a list for the split squad road game vs. the Reds.

Gameday Link (better for following actual pitching performances, etc.) Italicized players saw action is how we'll do this...

Carlos Rodon Fans 14 In Combined No-Hitter Appalachian State handed Carlos Rodon his first loss as a collegian in N. C. State's season-opening 6-3 setback. Apparently it made him angry. La Salle did not like him when he was angry. The sophomore lefty improved to 10-1 in his Wolfpack career, setting a career high with 14 strikeouts and combining with Karl Keglovits to no hit the Privateers Saturday at Doak Field. The 2011 Draft History: “Rodon, a left-hander who was chosen MVP of the NCHSAA 4-A state championship series last week, was taken much later than projected, falling to the Milwaukee Brewers in the 16th round (491st overall). One of the major reasons Rodon, who was projected by most outlets as being a top-five-round selection, fell hundreds of picks later was what baseball pundits call “signability.” Rodon and his parents value the college experience and education, and MLB teams knew it would take a signing bonus in the range of supplemental round’s slotted range (about $750,000 to $800,000) to sign him away from his commitment to play at N.C. State next season. The Brewers called Rodon in the fourth round to ask if he would sign for that round’s slot money, which is estimated at about $250,000. He declined and was taken by the team 12 rounds later without a phone call beforehand. “It’s definitely a business. I’ve learned a lot about how people truly are,” Rodon said. “I got drafted a lot later than I expected, but it happens. Being drafted is pretty great, and especially on top of a state championship (last week).” Rodon struck out 135 batters this season, the most in the Triangle, with a 1.40 ERA. Over his past three seasons, he went 23-2 as a starter. During a complete-game two-hit shutout in the first game of the 4-A championship series, his fastball was clocked at 93 mph in the first inning and only trailed off to 90 mph by the seventh. *** Rodon is now a near-consensus as the top overall pick of the 2014 draft. He may become Houston's or Miami's David Price, depending on who gets the first pick two summers from now. It'll eventually be known as the worst extra $600,000 the Brewers never spent.