Jim Goulart

Thursday's Daily Menu: here we go, everybody! All times are Central Nashville: RHP Wily Peralta at New Orleans (Marlins), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:00 gametime Free Live Audio Link -- 102.1 The Light NOTE: Because of conflicts with Nashville Predators hockey for this game, adjusted the link for Nashville audio; scroll down at the link until you find 102.1 The Light Jeff Hem is the new play-by-play voice of the Sounds; follow him on Twitter @jeffhempbp; we'll link to his blog updates at On the Air…and Off MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; all Nashville games, home and away, will be available to watch via MiLB.TV's $39.99 season-long package ($9.99 to pay for a single month). We imagine the audio feed is from the home team. All MiLB.TV details available at the link. ********** Huntsville: LHP Dan Merklinger at Jacksonville (Marlins), 5:50 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link -- Select the Huntsville feed from the MiLB main audio page I-Phone friendly audio link Alex Cohen is the new play-by-play voice of the Stars; follow him on Twitter @alexmcohen; we'll link to blog updates at Star Power. It's fantastic that Huntsville is returning to what will be a traditional broadcast format this year. All games, home and away, are scheduled to be broadcast. Note: The only MiLB.TV Southern League feed is from the Tennessee Smokies, so ten Stars' road games will be available for viewing with the package. ********** Brevard County: RHP Taylor Jungmann at home vs. Daytona (Cubs), 5:35 PM gametime Free Live Audio Link -- It's the Daytona feed Once again this season, Brevard does not have its own audio coverage. It appears two teams in the Manatees North Division (within which the majority of games are played) have audio, and all six teams in the South Division have audio (at least for their home games), so there will be opportunities to listen to approx. 70% or Brevard's games this season, just all from the opponent's perspective. There are no Florida State League games on MiLB.TV this year. ********** Wisconsin: RHP Matt Miller at home vs. Cedar Rapids (Angels), 6:20 PM pre-game, 6:35 gametime Free Live Audio Link - 1280 AM WNAM Chris Mehring is back to do his customary fantastic work as the Voice of the Rattlers. Follow him on Twitter @CMehring; we'll link to Chris' infamous blog often -- Rattler Radio. MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; Wisconsin is one of only two (Great Lakes) Midwest League clubs that have all their home games available via MiLB.TV; Chris' call provides the audio. So for the $39.95 season-long package, fans in Brewer Nation can watch all Sounds games, all Timber Rattlers home games, and ten Stars' road games.

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Kyle of BrewCrewBall with a great job of chronicling things -- Quotes And Audio From Timber Rattlers Media Day

Fox 11 Online Video report - Timber Rattlers feature young pitchers Gagnon, Toledo Gagnon (pronounced GAHN-yo)

Brad Krause and his photos, as always, rock.

The Tennessean: Sounds see Corey Patterson as mentor

Post-Crescent photo gallery (at link) and feature article - Timber Rattlers notes: Pitcher Matt Miller takes positive view of return to Wisconsin GRAND CHUTE — The smile came rather easy, but it was rather wry. “It’s a push,’’ said Wisconsin Timber Rattlers pitcher Matt Miller, who got the nod as the team’s Opening Day starter Thursday but is back with the club for the second straight season. But as Miller saw last year, with pitchers Austin Ross and Tyler Thornburg, if you get off to a good start, there’s a good chance you’ll be moved up. So that’s his plan. “That’s the only way I can look at it,’’ he said. “You don’t really have any control over where you’re sent. So I am back, I’m ready to go. Something to prove, I guess. A little more motivation, if you will.’’ Miller went 6-8 with a 4.38 ERA last season with the Rattlers while also missing time with injury. While his first choice would not be to play in Grand Chute again, he knows how he shapes his attitude is just as important as how he shapes his pitches. “This game’s not easy,’’ he said. “You’re going to have a few bumps. You’re going to get injured. You’re going to get dealt bad hands sometimes. It’s what you do to fight through those little things and sometimes fight through adversity. “Everybody can say what they want when they’re not going through it. But when it’s you, whatever it is you’re going through, it’s how you’re going to approach it the next day, waking up and bringing what you have to the ballpark. There’s a lot of guys, a lot of talent around here and throughout the organization and you somehow have to differentiate yourself from everybody else.’’ The skinny Based on what he witnessed during spring training, second-year Rattlers manager Matt Erickson figures his team will have to excel at small ball this season. “Watching the spring training games I think we’re going to be a pretty good defensive ball club, at least that’s what I’m preaching,’’ he said. “Our pitchers need to be able to throw strikes for us to have success. We didn’t score a ton of runs in spring training but we did a real nice job of playing defense and keeping the ball in the strike zone. “We’re capable of being a pretty good team. We’ve seen that in instructional league. We don’t have the big names here, so to speak, but collectively we have a chance to be OK.’’ Big names missing This year’s Rattlers have three of Milwaukee’s top-30 prospects on the roster, according to Baseball America’s Prospects Handbook. But you’d have to be a pretty ardent Brewers fan to recognize the names of shortstop Yadiel Rivera and pitchers David Goforth and Drew Gagnon. The Brewers’ top two draft picks from last June, pitchers Taylor Jungmann and Jed Bradley, will start the season in high ‘A’ Brevard County. “I really think in our organization, the right guys are here right now,’’ said Erickson. “Seeing some guys in advanced instructional league last year and what we’ve had out on the field in spring training this year, I think our ‘A’ ball teams are set up talent wise at the right spots.’’

Post-Crescent video and article report: Fond du Lac graduate Chad Pierce finally reaches Fox Valley Stadium as member of Milwaukee Brewers' minor-league afffilate Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Great opportunity for the young man, discusses how he was a last-minute addition to the Rattlers' staff...

Catcher Patrick Arlis (career stats) was released by the Brewers this past week and has already subsequently signed with the El Paso (TX) Diablos of the independent American Association. Arlis, 31, was an independent league signee of the Brewers in April 2009. The first 5+ years of his pro career were in the Marlins' system. Arlis was fodder for us in a (hopefully) good-natured way, as he was always the AAA or AA catcher to be sloshed around the phantom DL list in order to make room for others. We had read previously that perhaps a coaching position will be in Arlis' future, but he's obviously not quite ready to end his playing days. As our goodbye and well-wish to him, we salute his Brewers' career transaction history.

Veteran catchers draw the assignment for Huntsville Stars By Mark McCarter, The Huntsville Times HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- When former Huntsville Star Jonathan Lucroy established himself as the Milwaukee Brewers' catcher last summer, he became the first pure catching prospect to come through the system and into a big-league role in a dozen years. This season, which opens Thursday at Jacksonville, the Huntsville catching will be in the hands of a former major leaguer and a player returning to the Stars for the fourth time. Jason Jaramillo, who played in 119 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates over the past three seasons, was a late acquisition by the Brewers this spring. Anderson de la Rosa, who caught 61 games for the Stars last season, will share the catching duties with Jaramillo. Looming behind them, being reassigned to Brevard County for a third year, is Shawn Zarraga, a native of Aruba who batted over .600 as a high school senior in Palm Beach, Fla., in 2007. A good start for him in Class A could put some pressure on the veterans by midseason. Jaramillo, a native of Racine, Wis., signed with the Cubs organization as free agent in the off-season but was released March 27. The Brewers signed him two days later. Though he batted .235 in his big-league career, he had a .988 fielding percentage. De la Rosa, who first came to Huntsville in 2008, batted .239 last season. Perhaps acknowledging the dearth of catching prospects, the Brewers picked seven in last spring's draft.

Brewers mentioned as interested

Here are the Brewer farmhands that do not appear on an Opening Day roster. There's a possibility that a couple of these players will see action in Helena, but for the most part, these are players who are older or have been in the system for some time. Where injury is know, it's listed. Some of these players appeared in spring boxes, others did not. It may be difficult to get full injury / rehab updates from the organization. Hopefully Adam, Tom, and/or Todd can get updates on some of the more prominent prospect names, particularly Nick Bucci and D'Vontrey Richardson. Should any of these players have been released, we'll learn that late this week. Our best to those players should they continue to pursue pro baseball opportunities, affiliated or independent. (Alphabetical) RHP Sean Albury -- rotator cuff surgery OF Kenny Allison -- 22-year-old entering 3rd year in system (Helena?) C Patrick Arlis -- 31-year-old RHP Michael Bowman -- 24-year-old AA mainstay RHP Nick Bucci -- rumored arm injury last week OF Chuckie Caufield -- 28-year-old vet, entering final year (7th) before minor league free agency RHP Mitch Conner -- 22-year-old 36th round pick last year; six games at Brevard (back to Helena?) RHP Tyler Cravy -- 22-yaer-old entering 4th year in system OF/DH Chris Dennis -- 23-year-old slugger entering 6th year in system (time flies) 3B Kyle Dhanani -- 24-year-old entering 4th year in system RHP Jameson Dunn -- missed much of last year with shoulder issues INF Gant Elmore -- very classy tweet saying goodbye to baseball this week C Cameron Garfield -- working his way back from left knee troubles, getting close OF Jay Gibbons 1B Travis Ishikawa RHP Andre Lamontagne -- need an injury update (right shoulder bursitis, missed all of 2011) RHP Maverick Lasker -- Just 22, entering 5th year in system 1B Mike Nemeth -- age 23, with Helena last year (Helena?) C Joey Paciorek -- switch to catcher seemed to go well last year, age 23 RHP Rolando Pascual -- finally the end of the line for the one-time bonus baby? C Tony Pechek -- 25-year-old 1B Nick Ramirez -- hamate bone wrist surgery, about six weeks away LHP Mike Ramlow OF D'Vontrey Richardson -- what's up with the big upside man? C Mike Roberts -- 24-year-old entering 5th year LHP Manuel Ruiz -- all signs pointed to a prominent placement LHP Mike Strong -- likely Helena for a 2nd year for the 23-year-old OF Max Walla -- finger injury on diving catch attempt this spring, see him in a month or so RHP Stosh Wawrzasek -- Need to find the Canadian moustache

NOTE: There are 27 players listed (not 25), so there may be some DL juggling before Opening Day.

Brevard County’s 2012 Opening Day roster announced 2011 first round picks Jungmann and Bradley highlight ‘Tees squad VIERA, Fla. – The Milwaukee Brewers announced on Monday the 2012 Opening Day roster for the 19th season of the Brevard County Manatees. The roster is highlighted by right-handed pitcher Taylor Jungmann and left-handed pitcher Jed Bradley who were the Brewers’ two first round picks in the 2011 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft at picks 12 and 15 respectively. Jungmann attended the University of Texas and won the Dick Howser Trophy for the nation’s best collegiate baseball player as awarded by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers’ Association. The 6-foot-6, 22 year old had a record of 32-9 with a 1.85 earned run average in his three seasons with the Longhorns. He is listed as Milwaukee’s second-best prospect heading into the 2012 season by Baseball America. Bradley attended Georgia Tech and went 7-3 with a 3.49 ERA in his final season with the Yellow Jackets in 2011. He earned Second-Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors in both 2010 and 2011. The 6-foot-4, 21 year old ranks third in the Brewers’ top 30 prospects list, according to Baseball America. Jungmann and Bradley will be the third and fourth players respectively to make their professional debuts with the Manatees after being drafted in the first round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft. Both right-handed pitcher Chad Cordero (drafted 20th overall in 2003) and left-handed pitcher Bill Bray (drafted third overall in 2004) made their pro debuts in a Manatees uniform. Another first round pick will be joining the Manatees this season as right-handed pitcher Eric Arnett, the 26th overall pick of the 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft, will join Brevard County in 2012. In the 19-year history of the Brevard County Manatees, 15 first round selections have taken the field for the ‘Tees. Right-handed pitchers Jimmy Nelson and Brooks Hall are the other two top 30 prospects will be joining the Manatees this season. Nelson ranks tenth and Hall ranks 25th. Both were starting pitchers at Class-A Wisconsin in 2011. Eight players are returning from last season’s Brevard County squad. Those players are Austin Ross, Hiram Burgos, Eric Marzec, Shawn Zarraga, Brent Dean, Shea Vucinich, Juan Sanchez and Scott Krieger. Manager Joe Ayrault will lead Brevard County for the first time on Thursday, April 5 at 6:35 p.m. (5:35 Central) as the Manatees host the 2011 Florida State League Champion Daytona Cubs. Admission is FREE for all and there will be a post-game fireworks show presented by Creative Pyrotechnics. It is also Thirsty Thursday™, so fans can enjoy 20 ounce Coca-Cola products and 18 ounce Budweiser products for just $2.00 all night long! The first 2,000 fans will also receive a 2012 Brevard County Manatees magnet schedule courtesy of Tyson® Any’tizers® snacks! For more information on the Brevard County Manatees, call (321) 633-9200 or go online to ManateesBaseball.com. You can also visit the Manatees at facebook.com/manateesbaseball or twitter.com/bcmanatees. Pitchers (14) ARNETT, Eric BRADLEY, Jed BURGOS, Hiram GARMAN, Brian HALL, Brooks HOLLE, Greg JUNGMANN, Taylor KEELING, Thomas MARZEC, Eric MEDLEN, Casey NELSON, Jimmy ROSS, Austin WHALEN, Connor WILLIAMS, Alan Catchers (3) DEAN, Brent WEISENBURGER, Adam ZARRAGA, Shawn Infielders (6) HAWN, Cody MITTELSTAEDT, T.J. SANCHEZ, Juan SHAW, Nick WALKER, Mike VUCINICH, Shea Outfielders (4) KEEN, Reggie KRIEGER, Scott ROMERO, Franklin VELAZQUEZ, Miguel

From bobbledude25 on 3/30: I hear Nick Bucci hurt his arm today and C. Pierce had to take his place. Any news on Bucci? Anyone else hear this Not seeing Bucci on the AA roster is troubling for now until we know more... *** RHP Michael Bowman hasn't appeared in a box score this spring -- he's another missing AA name.

Huntsville native Hunter Morris on Stars' 2012 roster By Mark McCarter, The Huntsville Times HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- The Hunter Morris Homecoming Parade can now be officially scheduled. Morris, who played at Grissom High before an All-SEC career at Auburn, will begin this season as the Stars' first baseman. He made a brief midseason appearance with the Stars last year, becoming the first Huntsville native to play for them. In four games, he batted .353, with one homer and two RBIs in 17 at-bats. He was then returned to Class A Brevard County, where he batted .299 with 19 homers and 67 RBIs in 126 games. The Stars roster was set today and the team breaks camp Wednesday to fly to Jacksonville for the season opener Thursday. The Huntsville home opener is April 15. The right side of the infield will feature two of the Brewers' top prospects, according to mlb.com's Prospect Watch ratings. Alongside Morris (ranked No. 10), Scooter Gennett will start at second. The 5-foot-9 Gennett -- Ryan is his given name -- is ranked No. 6 among Milwaukee prospects. Speaking to Adam McCalvy of mlb.com of his size, Gennett said, "If you're an infielder, the shorter you are, the closer you are to the ground to field the ball, right?" Gennett batted .300 last season at Brevard County with an on-base percentage of .334. In a major league spring training game on March 25, Gennett hit for the cycle against Kansas City. On the left side, the Stars could especially use some stability at shortstop, where seven different players saw action in 2011. Among those was Matt Cline, who split time between second and shortstop and returns this season. Elsewhere, the Brewers' lack of depth in the infield at this level shows up. The other infielders are Domnit Bolivar, obtained from the St. Louis organization, Jeff Bianchi, obtained from the Kansas City organization, and Andy Gonzalez, who had been in the Washington organization. Though some last-minute changes could take place, here's the roster as released by Milwaukee today: Catchers - Jason Jaramillo, Anderson De La Rosa Infield - Hunter Morris, Scooter Gennett, Domnit Bolivar, Jeff Bianchi, Matt Cline, Angel Gonzalez Outfield - Kentrail Davis, Khris Davis, Josh Prince, Brock Kjeldgaard, Lee Haydel Pitchers - Evan Anundsen, Bradley Blanks, Darren Byrd, Kyle Heckathorn, Jim Henderson, Santo Manzanillo, Roque Mercedes, Dan Merklinger, Jesus Sanchez, Cody Scarpetta, RJ Seidel, Tyler Thornburg, Rob Wooten

Looks like Jay Gibbons must be hurt or released, and that AAA roster will likely need to squeeze Travis Ishikawa on to it soon. Wouldn't like it if that impacted Halton's placement.

Nashville announces roster -- link

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Announce 2012 Roster By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI - On Thursday, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers play their first game of the 2012 season against the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Today, the players who will be on the field against the Kernels are known. The 2012 Timber Rattlers roster has been unveiled by the Midwest League affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. This year's opening day roster includes three top prospects in the Brewers organization, ten members of Milwaukee's 2011 draft class, ten players who played with the Timber Rattlers in 2011, and one native of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Baseball America's Prospect Handbook rates the top 30 prospects in each Major League organization. In their 2012 edition, they placed shortstop Yadiel Rivera (#15), pitcher David Goforth (#17), and pitcher Drew Gagnon (#23) on the Brewers Top 30 List. Rivera, who turns 20 on May 1, was the unanimous choice of Pioneer League managers as the best defensive shortstop in 2011. He also hit eight homers with 38 RBI for the Helena Brewers after he played 32 games for Wisconsin last season. The Handbook mentions that Goforth, who also played in Helena after being drafted out of the University of Mississippi, has a fastball that ranges between 94mph and 99mph. He appeared in 19 games as a reliever with Helena in 2011. Gagnon was a college teammate of TJ Mittelstaedt, a Rattlers outfielder last year, when both played at Long Beach State University. He saw action in Helena last season - appearing in eight games and making seven starts - with 27 strikeouts in nineteen innings pitched. Players from the 2011 draft: Pitchers Gagnon (3rd round), Goforth (7th), Tommy Toledo (11th), Jacob Barnes (14th), Andy Moye (15th), Brandon Williamson (20th), and Chad Pierce (38th); catcher Parker Berberet (25th); infielder Adrian Williams (45th); and outfielder Ben McMahan (23rd). Rivera is one of the returning players for 2012. Fellow infielders Carlos George, Greg Hopkins, Brandon Macias, and Jason Rogers played for the Timber Rattlers in 2011. Also returning are: Pitchers Seth Lintz, and Matt Miller; catchers Rafael Neda and Tyler Roberts; and outfielder Chad Stang. Chad Pierce played high school baseball for Fond du Lac and earned Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association All-State honors three times with the Fox Valley Association school. He played two seasons at Arkansas before transferring to play two seasons at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where he would become the Horizon League Pitcher of the Year in 2011. Other players on the team include: Pitchers Seth Harvey, Stephen Peterson, Kevin Shackelford, and Mark Williams and outfielder John Dishon. Fans will get a chance to see the 2012 Timber Rattlers in action at Time Warner Cable Field on Tuesday during Fan Fest from Noon until 5:30pm. The team will practice and play an intrasquad game during the day. Plus, there will be plenty of opportunities for autographs. The Timber Rattlers begin the 2012 season with a three game series against the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Time Warner Cable Field from Thursday through Saturday. Opening Night is April 5 at 6:35pm with an All Fan Bobblehead Giveaway. Friday night's game also is scheduled to start at 6:35pm. The opening series concludes with a 1:05pm game on Saturday afternoon. Tickets for all Timber Rattlers home games are available on timberrattlers.com, by calling 800-WI-TIMBER or by stopping at the Time Warner Cable Field ticket office from 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday and Saturdays between 10am and 3pm.

INF Brandon Macias - Wisconsin (protected Twitter account) C Adam Weisenburger - Brevard County (protected Twitter account)

Rivas not only was taken off the 40-man, but shorter spring training stints indicate a move to the pen is in store for early this year. Scarpetta, yes, Huntsville was noted when he was optioned. Rogers will be starting, so one of Butler, Baker, McClung will need to step aside from the rotation at that time.

Tennessean: Nashville Sounds will rely on strong pitching staff

RHP Tommy Toledo - Wisconsin 2B Eric Farris - Nashville RHP Rob Wooten - Huntsville OF Reggie Keen - Brevard County C Martin Maldonado - Nashville

IF/OF/DH Erick Almonte - Nashville

Close is Jerry Hairston's agent -- other than Sheets, don't see other prior Brewer connections, although there may have been a few.