Jim Goulart

Mass, for what it matters, I like them on separate threads. Otherwise, it's too easy to lose track of them. Thanks. Here you go -- Baseball Prospect Nation - Brewers Top 15

So he never went on Skype or Facetime during a near three-year period? Everything was over the phone? Please...

Martin Maldonado's club had clinched a spot in the league final even before Wednesday night's 7-6 walkoff win. Maldonado, likely because the club had already clinched, played 1B (0-for-2, HBP). He did exit the game early, leaving after a groundout, not the HBP, so he's probably fine -- Mayaguez Bottom of the 5th Emmanuel Quiles remains in the game as the designated hitter. Angel Sanchez grounds out, third baseman Jonathan Rodriguez to first baseman Neftali Soto. Daniel Ortiz flies out to right fielder Luis Rivera. Martin Maldonado grounds out, third baseman Jonathan Rodriguez to first baseman Neftali Soto. Santurce Top of the 6th Defensive Substitution: Kennys Vargas replaces first baseman Martin Maldonado, batting 4th, playing first base. *** Maldonado's team will now face league foe Caguas to determine which Puerto Rico League team will represent in the Caribbean World Series, which begins February 1st in a brand new stadium in Mexico. Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Dominican League champions all take part. Will Maldy play there if his team moves on, and then also in the WBC, for which he is already committed? We'll see. In that same box score, SS Yadiel Rivera (2-for-4, 2B) and catcher Emmanuel Quiles (0-for-1, BB) wrapped up their postseasons.

VIDEO: Justin Hull speakes with Gord Ash in Appleton

Fuzzy details, but Adam refers to Tom's initial post about the dismissal of RHP Jairo Asencio from his Dominican team for apparent attitude reasons. Tweet *** Also, the folks at BrewCrewBall also do a fine job on their Latin updates, so in lieu of my availability today, here's Tuesday's summary from BCB. They also note that: Martin Maldonado went 1-for-3 with a walk but it was not enough as Mayaguez lost 10-3 to Santurce in the Puerto Rican playoffs last night. You can read about that and more in today's Winter League Recap. Mayaguez is now 7-4 with one game to play in the league's round-robin playoff round, and is tied for first place.

Brandon Macias is the next entrant into Chris' "Interrogation Room" Visual on the questioning -- (but without the captions)

Audio highlights included -- 2012 Nashville Sounds Honorable Mention Moments

WSSP Hot Stove Weekly -- Manager Ron Roenicke, talking lots of pitching Here's the full show, which includes the Roenicke interview

Q&A with reliever Seth Harvey, who had an under-the-radar fantastic 2012 (career stats).

Puerto Rico playoff box -- Martin Maldonado doubled twice, giving him six doubles in just ten postseason games, and drove in two in a 14-7 win. He threw out the only baserunner who dared run on him. *** Venezuela Playoff Box -- RHP Arcenio Leon just lost his 40-man roster spot, and he tossed two scoreless here, but allowed two inherited runners to score as his club lost 4-3. Magallanes Bottom of the 6th Endy Chavez doubles (3) on a fly ball to right fielder Alex Romero. Elvis Andrus walks. Pablo Sandoval singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jose Pirela. Endy Chavez scores. Elvis Andrus to 3rd. Pitching Change: Arcenio Leon replaces Tomas Solis. Eliezer Alfonzo doubles (2) on a fly ball to left fielder Jose Pirela. Elvis Andrus scores. Pablo Sandoval to 3rd. Ezequiel Carrera lines out to shortstop Freddy Galvis. With Ramon Hernandez batting, wild pitch by Arcenio Leon, Pablo Sandoval scores. Eliezer Alfonzo to 3rd. Ramon Hernandez walks. Jesus Flores grounds into a double play, second baseman Jose Flores to shortstop Freddy Galvis to first baseman Ernesto Mejia. Ramon Hernandez out at 2nd. Magallanes Bottom of the 7th Erold Andrus strikes out swinging. Renny Osuna strikes out swinging. Endy Chavez grounds out, shortstop Freddy Galvis to first baseman Ernesto Mejia.

Thoroughly enjoyed The Impossible (trailer), the "psunami" movie for which Naomi Watts earned a Leading Actress nod. Very surprised it did not net any technical nominations. The Leading Actress category looks wide open, certainly offsetting what should be a Daniel Day Lewis coronation.

Puerto Rico Playoff Box -- Now 6-3, Martin Maldonado's club has the league's best postseason record and Maldy has been behind the plate for nearly every playoff inning. His lone hit here came within a quick four-run 7th inning rally that led to a 4-1 win. Mayaguez Bottom of the 7th Daniel Ortiz walks. Martin Maldonado singles on a ground ball to center fielder Miguel Abreu. Daniel Ortiz to 2nd. Eddie Rosario triples (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Henry Ramos. Daniel Ortiz scores. Martin Maldonado scores. Eddie Rosario scores. Throwing error by right fielder Henry Ramos. Randy Ruiz homers (1) on a fly ball to right field. Pitching Change: Sergio Espinosa replaces Michael Nix. Danny Gonzalez walks. Kennys Vargas singles on a ground ball to center fielder Miguel Abreu. Danny Gonzalez to 2nd. Felix Molina bunt pops into a double play, pitcher Sergio Espinosa to shortstop Luis Mateo. Danny Gonzalez out at 2nd. Pitching Change: Jose De La Torre replaces Sergio Espinosa. Yasiel Puig strikes out swinging. *** Only other appearance was by Anderson De La Rosa in Venezuela (pinch-runner).

Dominican Playoff Box -- RHP Frankie De La Cruz' team fell to 3-10 in pool play, and he tossed a scoreless 8th inning in a 7-2 loss. Escogido Bottom of the 8th Pitching Change: Frankie De La Cruz replaces Rafael Dolis. Defensive switch from left field to third base for Carlos Colmenares. Defensive Substitution: Christian Marrero replaces third baseman Alex Valdez, batting 7th, playing left field. Abraham Almonte grounds out, shortstop Ray Olmedo to first baseman Ed Rogers. Henry Blanco strikes out swinging. Alexi Casilla walks. Ramon Santiago called out on strikes. *** Puerto Rico playoff box -- SS Yadiel Rivera was 0-for-4 (three K's) as his team fell to 3-5 in the postseason, in a 5-1 loss. *** Puerto Rico playoff box -- His club now has a 5-3 record after this 5-3 loss, but catcher Martin Maldonado continues to catch nearly every inning of playoff action, and the season-long cleanup hitter went 2-for-4 with two doubles (one R, one RBI). He also was thrown out at third base and charged with a caught stealing -- Mayaguez Top of the 2nd Martin Maldonado doubles (3) on a fly ball to left fielder Miguel Abreu. Eddie Rosario strikes out swinging. With Randy Ruiz batting, Martin Maldonado caught stealing 3rd base, pitcher Kelvin Villa to third baseman Andy Gonzalez. Randy Ruiz walks. Danny Gonzalez strikes out swinging. One baserunner stole successfully with "Machete" behind the plate.

Holy drop a bomb on a Friday afternoon, TLB! Keep us posted (or you know how to reach me privately ). Let's see, Seattle has spring training in AZ...

AUDIO: Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy via WSSP ; jacked about World Baseball Classic opportunity

Fangraphs Q&A -- LHP Jed Bradley, Brewers Pitching Prospect Excellent read...

Fangraphs Brewers Top 15 Well, Jim Henderson at #4 is unique. Only Jimmy Nelson's parents can call him James. Encouraging quotes from scout contacts on several, particularly on the second half of the list. I've twice reached out to the two "hometown" journalists who wrote about Tyrone Taylor on draft day, asking them to pursue an offseason follow-up, ask about his hand injury, etc. Nary a reply. Perhaps the most frustrating thing about this prospect-following offseason... In the past, we've combined all these prospect lists in one thread, but we'll let each one stand on its own merits this winter.

Dominican Playoff Box -- 40-man roster RHP Fautino "no options remaining" De Los Santos' club fell to 7-5 in round robin play after this 12-6 loss. Just how long do these playoffs go on, anyway? De Los Santos' club was down 7-6 entering the 9th, but the gap became 12-6 after this: Aguilas Top of the 9th Pitching Change: Nelson Payano replaces Jose Cobos. Freddy Guzman remains in the game as the designated hitter. Leury Garcia triples (1) on a line drive to right fielder Jordany Valdespin. Elian Herrera walks. Omar Luna walks. Elian Herrera to 2nd. Pitching Change: Fautino De Los Santos replaces Nelson Payano. Hector Luna reaches on a fielding error by shortstop Ramon Santiago. Leury Garcia scores. Elian Herrera to 3rd. Omar Luna to 2nd. Manny Ramirez hit by pitch. Elian Herrera scores. Omar Luna to 3rd. Hector Luna to 2nd. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Gilberto Mejia replaces Manny Ramirez. Miguel Tejada singles on a line drive to center fielder Javier Herrera. Omar Luna scores. Hector Luna to 3rd. Gilberto Mejia to 2nd. Juan Carlos Perez walks. Hector Luna scores. Gilberto Mejia to 3rd. Miguel Tejada to 2nd. Joaquin Arias grounds out, second baseman Alexi Casilla to first baseman Mauro Gomez. Gilberto Mejia scores. Miguel Tejada to 3rd. Juan Carlos Perez to 2nd. Francisco Pena flies out to left fielder Abraham Almonte. Leury Garcia strikes out swinging.

WTMJ Brewers Weekly - 01/10/13 Doug Russell talks with Brewers General Manager Doug Melvin about his decade with the team and what goes on during the off-season in the Brewers front office. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and jsonline.com Brewers beat writer Tom Haudricourt joins Doug to break down yesterdays Baseball Hall of Fame voting and share who he voted for and why they got his vote. Brewers RHP Taylor Jungmann joins Doug to talk about how he's preparing for the upcoming season, what it's like to spend the off-season in Texas, and why he isn't on social media.

An Alfredo Figaro update from the Dominican *** Dominican Playoff Box -- RHP Frankie De La Cruz finished up a blowout loss with a scoreless but eventful inning. Aguilas Top of the 9th Nelson Perez remains in the game as the right fielder. Pitching Change: Frankie De La Cruz replaces Miguel Fermin. Defensive Substitution: Alberto Rosario replaces catcher Drew Butera, batting 9th, playing catcher. Elian Herrera grounds out, second baseman Carlos Colmenares to first baseman Christian Marrero. Leury Garcia grounds out, pitcher Frankie De La Cruz to first baseman Christian Marrero. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Delvi Cid replaces Hector Luna. Delvi Cid doubles (2) on a fly ball to center fielder Eliezer Mesa. With Omar Luna batting, wild pitch by Frankie De La Cruz, Delvi Cid to 3rd. Omar Luna walks. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Rafael Ynoa replaces Miguel Tejada. Rafael Ynoa pops out to shortstop Ray Olmedo. *** Puerto Rico playoff box -- SS Yadiel Rivera (0-for-3 for the game) was among those who struggled against Javier Vazquez. *** Daily Martin Maldonado update includes a link to the box score. *** Venezuela playoff box -- Catcher Anderson De La Rosa 0-for-4, threw out one of two baserunners. RHP Arcenio Leon stranded two inherited runners and escaped a bases loaded, no out, jam. Lara Top of the 8th Defensive Substitution: Jose Flores replaces first baseman Ernesto Mejia, batting 4th, playing first base. Yangervis Solarte walks. Luis Jimenez singles on a fly ball to center fielder Ender Inciarte. Yangervis Solarte to 2nd. Pitching Change: Arcenio Leon replaces Neil Schenk. C. J. Retherford singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Henry Rodriguez. Yangervis Solarte to 3rd. Luis Jimenez to 2nd. Luis Valbuena strikes out swinging. Paulo Orlando lines into an unassisted double play, first baseman Jose Flores. C. Retherford doubled off 1st.

Dominican Playoff Box -- RHP Jairo Asencio earned his second save of the playoffs for his 5-5 squad. He had a three-run lead. Estrellas Bottom of the 9th Pitching Change: Jairo Asencio replaces Fabio Castillo. Ray Olmedo walks. Carlos Colmenares strikes out swinging. Junior Lake grounds into a double play, shortstop Miguel Rojas to second baseman Manny Mayorson to first baseman Angel Villalona. Ray Olmedo out at 2nd. *** Catcher Dayton Buller entered a Dominican game, but did not have a plate appearance. *** Venezuela playoff box -- RHP Arcenio Leon, waiting to see if he clears waivers, stranded two inherited runners, then pitched a scoreless inning, although he walked two. Lara Top of the 6th Paulo Orlando singles on a fly ball to center fielder Ender Inciarte. Luis Jimenez grounds into a force out, second baseman Jose Flores to shortstop Freddy Galvis. Paulo Orlando out at 2nd. Luis Jimenez to 1st. C. J. Retherford singles on a ground ball to right fielder Alex Romero. Luis Jimenez to 2nd. Luis Valbuena flies out to left fielder Felix Perez. Pitching Change: Arcenio Leon replaces Tomas Solis. Robert Perez grounds into a force out, shortstop Freddy Galvis to second baseman Jose Flores. C. Retherford out at 2nd. Lara Top of the 7th Joe Thurston walks. Jose Yepez called out on strikes. Gabriel Noriega flies out to right fielder Alex Romero in foul territory. Yangervis Solarte walks. Joe Thurston to 2nd. Paulo Orlando grounds out, second baseman Jose Flores to first baseman Alex Cabrera. *** Puerto Rico playoff box -- SS Yadiel Rivera 1-for-6 with a sacrifice fly, run scored, two RBI, stolen base, three K's. Rivera's club won in 14 innings, 11-7. *** Puerto Rico playoff box -- Catcher Martin Maldonado 0-for-3 (HBP, K) as his team lost 6-0. He did throw out former Brewer farmhand Andy Gonzalez twice on the basepaths.

Party pooper. But, as Roderick notes above, a trade could still happen, it just means that the competitive balance draft pick is off the books.

Nationals Discussing Morse With Several Teams Do we agree this will tell us a lot about Hart's value? Pretty good comparison.

Olney says teams have already internally discussed a modified sign-and-trade scenario, and he uses the Indians as an example. Since Cleveland has a protected first round pick and forfeited their second rounder to sign Nick Swisher, the next compensation free agent they sign will cause them to lose just a third rounder. They could sign a compensation free agent, then trade that player to another club in a pre-arranged deal, preumably for something deemed a bit more valuable than a third round pick. Remember that the Brewers have the Supplemental Second Round (Competitive-Balance Lottery Pick) that is the rare type of tradeable pick under the new CBA. Currently that pick is #72 overall, which is, I believe, only six picks ahead of Cleveland's third round pick they would have to surrender if they signed, let's say, Kyle Lohse. So the Brewers could conceivably give up the 72nd pick instead of the 17th (first round pick) if they were to work out a sign-and-trade with Cleveland. Would Cleveland do so just to "be nice" and move up just six-to-eight picks (approximate)? Can't imagine it would take much more to sweeten the pot, perhaps a low-level "Raul Mondesi, Jr.-type" prospect. Now I know that the general sentiment here is no to Kyle Lohse, regardless of salary, draft pick loss, etc. Just tossing out a scenario that you know Scott Boras has already looked into brokering.

Ryan Braun on WSSP The full Hot Stove show, which includes the Braun interview