Jim Goulart

This thread will detail which Brewer farmhands are in big league camp for game action. It doesn't include the players who may not be on the 40-man roster, but are in big league camp (the non-roster invitees like catcher Robinzon Diaz or pitcher Donovan Hand, among others). Here's the list of NRI's (although catcher Rafael Neda and injured INF Hector Gomez have already been sent to minor-league camp). None from Saturday, here's Sunday's: MINOR DETAILS: Joining the team today from minor-league camp is RHP Frankie De La Cruz (#97), RHP Jim Hoey (#99), RHP Chris Jakubauskas (#98), INF Blake Davis (#91), INF/OF T.J. Mittelstaedt (#90) and INF Yadiel Rivera (#94). We'll post, minimally, daily box score and/or Gameday recaps, with notable performances cited. Thanks to the Brewers Media Relations / Game Notes.

Link still works, maybe a browser issue, here's the text: DURHAM — After being shot in the face, hand and shoulder during a traffic stop on U.S. 70 in Durham on Feb. 18, state Trooper Michael Potts has been big news. But he had an earlier brush with fame. Back in 1992, Potts was a 22-year-old pitcher for the Durham Bulls looking to make the roster for the Atlanta Braves. On a Class-A team that boasted names like Carlos Reyes and a baby-faced Larry “Chipper” Jones, former Bulls manager Matt West remembers the power that the 5-foot-9 Potts possessed. “There’s an old adage that once you wear a uniform together you’re only a phone call away from being right back where you were,” West said of his relationship with Potts. “Mike was a very talented left-handed pitcher. Not a big guy, but had a strong arm.” With the Bulls in 1992, Potts pitched in 30 games, starting 21, and went 6-8 with a 4.02 earned run average. Four years after that season in Durham, the southpaw made it to the major leagues as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers. He made his big league debut on April 6, 1996, against the Seattle Mariners. Potts pitched in one inning, allowing two hits and no runs. His luck would quickly run out, though, as Potts appeared in 24 games, allowing 58 hits in 45 1/3 innings and finished with an ERA of 7.15 and a record of 1-2. He played his final big league game on July 15, 1996. Even at the height of his career as a pitcher, West remembers discussions he had with Potts about his future. “Even during that time, believe it or not, he would have conversations with me about his passion for law enforcement,” West said. “Here was a guy with his entire career ahead of him in his 20s, and he already knew what he wanted to do when it was over.” During the major league baseball strike in the 1994-95 season, Potts returned to Durham and took a part-time job as a security guard just a season before he would be called up to the big leagues. By 1998, Potts made the decision to end his baseball career and began his career in law enforcement. Now, 15 years after hanging up his cleats for the final time, the 42-year-old Potts was shot four times during a traffic stop. Authorities arrested a Vermont man with a long criminal record, wanted for escaping from a prison furlough program in that state, and charged him with Potts’ shooting. Though he has been released from Duke University Hospital, Potts is still recovering from his wounds. West said he has tried to reach out to Potts’ former teammates from the Bulls, and he plans to reconnect with him at his home. “He and I have reconnected a number of times over the past few years,” West said. “I couldn’t be more proud that not only had he achieved his goals, but that there is someone like Mike Potts out there protecting us.”

In 1996, "Mike" Potts, now Michael, appeared in 24 games in relief for the Brewers (stats). A state trooper in North Carolina, you will find many articles on his recent scare (shot four times at a traffic stop) here. But this article in particular details his Brewers connection. Thankfully he's expected to make a full recovery and is currently out of the hospital. So lucky.

VIDEO: Speed & Skills Training with Alfredo Rodriguez

In this article by ESPN's Jerry Crasnick about the disparity of WBC participation among MLB organizations, is this: "Growing up in Canada, the goal was to try to play Major League Baseball," Melvin said. "With the WBC, you feel like you're representing your team in an Olympic environment. Our guys are all excited. We have a kid named Shawn Zarraga who had an injury and can't go for the Netherlands, and he was heartbroken. His dream was to play in the Classic. Why wouldn't you want to get a chance to play against some of the top players in the game?" Zarraga's season ended May 25th last year, and we never did find out why. So there's carryover now into 2013, which will be Zarraga's 6th pro year. We'll know soon what happened when the new media guide is released.

WTMJ Brewers Weekly - 02/21/13 Doug Russell is joined by Brewers third base coach Ed Sedar, who talks about how they handled the snow in Maryvale yesterday, what his duties are during spring training, and how spring training has changed over the years. Fox Sports Wisconsin's Craig Coshun also joins the show to talk about Brewers spring training news, what's going on with first base, and an update on the Ryan Braun situation. Doug also talks with Brewers first baseman Hunter Morris, on what this week has been like for him, how he's handling the pressure, and if he's ready.

Unfortunately, MLB Network Radio doesn't archive fully, but here's their three-minute snippet with Doug Melvin today. Doug Melvin, Brewers GM, discuses the potential distraction surrounding Ryan Braun, the MIL off season and the 1B situation with Corey Hart injured.

Via Flagler College's (St. Augustine, FL) student newspaper -- Since 1985, Flagler College has had 16 players drafted by major league teams. In the 2012 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, three former Saints — Garrett Bush, Jonathon Armold, and John Sgromolo — were drafted by the Angels, Brewers, and Dodgers respectively. Armold, a right-handed pitcher, was drafted in the 30th round by the Milwaukee Brewers. He pitched a combined 15 games (33 innings) between the Helena Brewers of the Pioneer League, and the Brewers in the Arizona League. He had 33 strikeouts to only 14 walks and a 3.27 ERA. Armold cited his transition from being a starter in college to a reliever in the pros as his biggest challenge thus far, saying, “In my four years at Flagler, I might have only relieved a whopping two or three games. So going from having a set routine to not knowing when or if I was going to throw on a particular day was a bit of a transition.” When asked what the best part of the transition to the professional level was, Armold said, “Honestly, the best part has just been being able to continue playing. I’m far too competitive, and baseball has always been my primary outlet for that. So it’s nice being able to say I actually do it professionally.” During this off-season he has been serving as a volunteer assistant for the Flagler pitching staff. The only Flagler College Saint to make it all of the way to the major league level was infielder Chris Barnwell. A 2001 graduate, Barnwell appeared in 13 games for the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2006 season (.163 OPS, 2-for-30, 1 BB). *** Last fall, we linked to a similar article with brief quotes from Armold, who is now 24 and needs a quick-impress season to reach a more age-appropriate league.

2/18/13 -- Todd Rosiak on WTMJ *** 2/20/13 -- WSSP Former Brewer OF Darryl Hamilton joins Chuck and Wickett

WSSP 02/18/13: Brewers GM Doug Melvin on Rupena's Hot Stove Weekly Brewers GM Doug Melvin discusses Mat Gamel's season-ending ACL injury. Who could take his spot? Also, what's the latest on Corey Hart? How does Doug feel about the WBC? What does the pitching core look like going forward? Here's the full show, including the Melvin interview

2/18 WSSP appearance #2 today for Adam McCalvy

From 2/12 - WSSP Brian Anderson From 2/18 (before the Mat Gamel news broke) -- WSSP Adam McCalvy From 2/18 (after the Mat Gamel news broke) -- ESPN 540 Tom Haudricourt

LaCrosse Tribune on hometown RHP R.J. Seidel

Four MLB teams have placed a player on the 60-day DL since camps opened, including the Yankees (A-Rod). Initially I thought teams had to wait until ten days before the regular season, as I believe 15-day DL stints can be backdated to that point, with injured players able to return after the first week of action. Had the Alex Gonzalez signing been announced about ten days later, the Brewers could have placed LHP Miguel De Los Santos (out at least until July with a shoulder injury) on the 60-day DL. Then, they would not have had to DFA RHP Fautino De Los Santos (acquired in the George Kottaras trade), and lose him to the Padres on waivers. Regardless, if the Brewers want to add a waiver claim in the next week or two, it appears the 60-day DL option is available so as to avoid losing another of their own players.

WisSportsBlog -- Jimmy Nelson

Baseball America's updated list of where free agent Brewer farmhands landed this past winter Thought RHP's Tim Dillard and Josh Butler might have landed minor league deals elsewhere; RHP Evan Anundsen, a seven-year farmhand drafted out of high school, is still just 24 -- if his velocity had dropped as much as we'd heard, his vacancy sign might be understood; infielder and longtime Cardinals property Domnit Bolivar won't be 24 until May; Erick Almonte played winter ball but talked of retirement last season; RHP's Brian Baker and Vinnie Chulk have not found new homes, Chulk had tweeted in December about hoping to land with the Marlins, but apparently not. Utility man Juan Sanchez, listed as unsigned at the link, did find independent league work.

Baseball America's updated list of where free agent Brewer farmhands landed this past winter Thought RHP's Tim Dillard and Josh Butler might have landed minor league deals elsewhere; RHP Evan Anundsen, a seven-year farmhand drafted out of high school, is still just 24 -- if his velocity had dropped as much as we'd heard, his vacancy sign might be understood; infielder and longtime Cardinals property Domnit Bolivar won't be 24 until May; Erick Almonte played winter ball but talked of retirement last season; RHP's Brian Baker and Vinnie Chulk have not found new homes, Chulk had tweeted in December about hoping to land with the Marlins, but apparently not. Utility man Juan Sanchez, listed as unsigned at the link, did find independent league work.

Baseball America's updated list of where free agent Brewer farmhands landed this past winter Thought RHP's Tim Dillard and Josh Butler might have landed minor league deals elsewhere; RHP Evan Anundsen, a seven-year farmhand drafted out of high school, is still just 24 -- if his velocity had dropped as much as we'd heard, his vacancy sign might be understood; infielder and longtime Cardinals property Domnit Bolivar won't be 24 until May; Erick Almonte played winter ball but talked of retirement last season; RHP's Brian Baker and Vinnie Chulk have not found new homes, Chulk had tweeted in December about hoping to land with the Marlins, but apparently not. Utility man Juan Sanchez, listed as unsigned at the link, did find independent league work.

Chad Pierce twitterview

Not Brewer-related , but incredible audio from Carl Pavano describing his near-death ruptured spleen adventure - six minutes if you dare.

Q&A with OF Tyrone Taylor via wissportsblog So apparently a shoulder (not a hand) injury, all seems well now...

Brewers Weekly - 02/07/13 Doug Russell talks with Brewers hitting instructor Johnny Narron about his preparation for spring training, how he handles the different types of hitters the Brewers have, and his friendship with Josh Hamilton. Brewers beat writer for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Tom Haudricourt, joins Doug to give an update on the new Ryan Braun situation with the Miami lab, if there are any other player moves to expect, and who he sees playing first base. Doug is also joined by INF Taylor Green, who talks about all of his off-season activities, what kind of an adjustment it takes from being a starting in the minors to sitting on the bench in the majors, and his thoughts on the World Baseball Classic.

Another 40-man roster player, RHP Nick Bucci, added to Team Canada.

ESPN 540 -- Bill Schroeder

More with Jimmy Nelson via "Reviewing the Brew"