Jim Goulart

In three Dominican Winter League postseason relief appearances thus far (surprisingly all starts), newcomer Eulogio (Frankie) De La Cruz has this line -- 0-2, 6.35 ERA, 11.1 IP, 11 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 7 BB, 7 K, 1.59 WHIP Prior to that, De La Cruz had made only one regular season winter ball appearance (in relief). MiLB.com now lists him at 5'10", 215, much sturdier than his initial size listed in the transaction thread (outdated material).

The Nashville site indicates that De La Cruz' innings in Japan were split between the major and minor leagues -- RHP Eulogio De La Cruz - De La Cruz, who will be 27 on Opening Day, is a nine-year professional who spent the entire 2010 season in Japan. He went 0-0 with a 7.84 ERA (9er/10.1ip) in nine relief outings for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of the Central League before being demoted to their minor league club in the Eastern League, where he went 2-3 with a team-best 10 saves and a 2.52 ERA (15er/53.2ip) in 39 appearances. The Dominican Republic native, whose given name is pronounced "ay oo low HEE oh," goes by the name Frankie and has posted a career 3.73 ERA in 286 minor league games (64 starts). He spent six seasons in the Tigers organization before moving to the Marlins system in 2008 then the Padres in 2009, making 15 Major League appearances (11.84 ERA) for Detroit, Florida, and San Diego along the way.

Brad Nelson to the Rangers on a minor league deal.

Mexico -- Luis Cruz singles in four trips with a run scored, and his team rolls on, now 6-0 in the postseason (box). Crruz even played a bit in LF after starting at shortstop. Puerto Rico -- San Juan rides a five-run 6th inning to a 5-4 victory, keyed by Edwin Maysonet (box): San Juan Bottom of the 6th Pitcher Change: Eddie De La Cruz replaces Matt DeSalvo. Defensive switch from center field to left field for Luis Matos. Defensive Substitution: Brad Coon replaces left fielder Geraldo Valentin, batting 7th, playing center field. Sergio Miranda walks. Nelson Teilon grounds out, catcher John Pachot to first baseman Pedro Valdes. Sergio Miranda to 2nd. Alex Fernandez grounds out, second baseman Wilberto Ortiz to first baseman Pedro Valdes. Sergio Miranda to 3rd. Jorge Padilla singles on a ground ball to shortstop Justin Sellers. Sergio Miranda scores. Ruben Gotay singles on a fly ball to right fielder Joe Borchard. Jorge Padilla to 3rd. Pitcher Change: Miguel Mejia replaces Eddie De La Cruz. Wil Nieves reaches on fielding error by third baseman Jerad Head. Jorge Padilla scores. Ruben Gotay to 2nd. Edwin Maysonet triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Brad Coon. Ruben Gotay scores. Wil Nieves scores. Henry Mateo triples (1) on a ground ball to right fielder Joe Borchard. Edwin Maysonet scores. Ivan De JesusJr. walks. Pitcher Change: Xavier Cedeno replaces Miguel Mejia. Sergio Miranda grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Justin Sellers. Ivan De JesusJr. out at 2nd.

As per Matt Eddy of Baseball America: Brewers have signed hard-throwing RHP Eulogio "Frankie" De La Cruz, a Dominican native who will turn 27 in March. Mixed results in AAA: 7.2 SO/9 but also 4.3 BB/9. Spent last year in Japan. 15 big league appearances (one start) split between Detroit, Florida, and San Diego. Was part of the big Miguel Cabrera deal to Detroit. Listed as 5'11", 160 on his Baseball Cube career stats page, but at 175 elsewhere. Should he be added to the 40-man at some point, he's out of options. De La Cruz, according to now-Diamondback general manager Kevin Towers, throws 96 mph and has hit 98 mph in the past (link). January 2009 Marlins blog write-up

WSSP -- Hot Stove Weekly 01/10/11 Jonathan Lucroy is very detailed, enthusiastic and well-spoken is his interview at the top of the show. Kid is impressive. Loved how in-depth he went regarding his offseason work.

Mexico -- How about Luis Cruz? His 4th inning solo shot proved to be the gamewinner in a 3-2 victory for his Tomato Growers as they take a 1-0 series lead and are 5-0 in the postseason. Batted 5th, played both SS and 2B, also singled in three AB's (box). These will be brief, some blizzard shoveling awaits at this early hour -- D.R. -- Martin Maldonado 0-for-2 and threw out a baserunner (box). Erick Almonte 1-for-4, run, 2 K's (box). P.R. -- the triumverate of Miranda, Nieves, and Maysonet again all started in a 6-1 win, Maysonet had an RBI double early on, the only offense we sawa mong the three with only the recap log available, box not loading this AM.

Amaury Rivas, Josh Butler, Zack Braddock, and Jonathan Lucroy attended last winter. MLB.com article (and separate video report) on the orientation program. Video -- Jonathan Lucroy discusses the program

Latest update from the J-S, promising comments on Logan Schafer

Sounds site (includes audio in some cases): As Opening Day approaches on April 7th, we (the Sounds) will count down the top 10 moments from the 2010 season every Monday starting next week. Before the top 10 moments from the 2010 Nashville Sounds season are unveiled next Monday, here is a list of some "honorable mention" highlights that fell just short of the final list. Click the links below each picture for more information about that particular game and moment. You can also plug in a start date and view how we here at Brewerfan commented on a particular game in the Link Report Archive. You may have to refresh the archive page and type in the date a second time, or at least that's been my occasional experience with the feature.

Luis Cruz and his Tomato Growers finally begin their semifinal best-of-seven series in Mexico Tuesday evening.

In a wild 9-7 loss in the D.R. (box), RHP Roque Mercedes was brought on in early relief with poor reults. He allowed two inherited runners to score as well as one of his own: Toros Top of the 2nd Mauro Gomez doubles (1) on a ground ball to center fielder Freddy Guzman. Victor Mercedes grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Fernando Tatis. Martin Maldonado walks. Pitcher Change: Roque Mercedes replaces Pablo Ortega. Alejandro De Aza doubles (2) on a fly ball to center fielder Freddy Guzman. Mauro Gomez scores. Martin Maldonado to 3rd. Esteban German walks. Ricardo Nanita grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Fernando Tatis. Martin Maldonado scores. Alejandro De Aza to 3rd. Esteban German to 2nd. Andy Dirks flies out to right fielder Ben Guez. Toros Top of the 3rd Eduardo Nunez doubles (2) on a fly ball to center fielder Freddy Guzman. Danny Richar grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Fernando Tatis. Eduardo Nunez to 3rd. Mauro Gomez out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Freddy Guzman. Eduardo Nunez scores. Victor Mercedes singles on a ground ball to center fielder Freddy Guzman. Martin Maldonado strikes out swinging. As you can see, catcher Martin Maldonado was on the winning squad vs. Mercedes (0-for-4, walk, run scored).

After dazzling Brewer fans here all winter, RHP Zack Segovia suffered through a second consecutive disastrous postseason performance on Monday in the Dominican. His Estrellas club had just scored three runs in the top of the 11th to grap a 5-2 lead. Brought in for the seemingly easy save, Segovia walked the bases loaded while only retiring one batter. That "effort" illogically earned Segovia a hold when he was pulled (thank you, baseball's rules in that regard). Jesus Colome expectedly doused that situation with kerosene, and suddenly Segovia had set up his club's 6-5 walkoff loss (box). Gigantes Bottom of the 11th Defensive Substitution: Andres Rodriguez replaces Alfredo Marte, batting 4th, playing first base. Pitcher Change: Zack Segovia replaces Jordan Norberto. Oscar Robles walks. Jhonatan Solano walks. Oscar Robles to 2nd. Francisco Peguero strikes out swinging. Alexi Casilla walks. Oscar Robles to 3rd. Jhonatan Solano to 2nd. Pitcher Change: Jesus Colome replaces Zack Segovia. Wilson Valdez singles on a ground ball to first baseman Andres Rodriguez. Oscar Robles scores. Jhonatan Solano to 3rd. Alexi Casilla to 2nd. Chris Roberson walks. Jhonatan Solano scores. Alexi Casilla to 3rd. Wilson Valdez to 2nd. Wilson Betemit walks. Alexi Casilla scores. Wilson Valdez to 3rd. Chris Roberson to 2nd. Pitcher Change: Claudio Galva replaces Jesus Colome. Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Pedro Feliz replaces Jon Weber. Pedro Feliz out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Victor Mendez. Wilson Valdez scores. Erick Almonte was 1-for-4 with a walk and run scored in the game for the victors.

Thank you! That's the exact link and comment I had been searching for! Which, not surprisingly, make BA's comments on his option status blurrily incorrect, although technically they can make the point. It would be shocking if the 4th option weren't granted next fall, thus delaying Scarpetta's "must remain in the big leagues" date to 2013.

Right now he's on the Orioles' 40-man roster. If the Brewers take him back for the $25,000 fee (half of the Orioles' $50,000 cost initially), he'd be on their 40-man roster. Now the Brewers could immediately remove Rosario from the 40-man, but then he'd be on waivers at that point. Any club could claim him and then option him to the minor leagues without having to worry about making him a big leaguer for all of 2011. So, in effect, the answer is yes, he'd remain on the Brewers' 40-man roster, but he'd also end up down in Brevard County most likely. That's one reason being selected in Rule 5 is so nice for the player. Even if you don't stick on a 25-man roster, you've at least earned the 40-man spot you didn't have last October.

Right now he's on the Orioles' 40-man roster. If the Brewers take him back for the $25,000 fee (half of the Orioles' $50,000 cost initially), he'd be on their 40-man roster. Now the Brewers could immediately remove Rosario from the 40-man, but then he'd be on waivers at that point. Any club could claim him and then option him to the minor leagues without having to worry about making him a big leaguer for all of 2011. So, in effect, the answer is yes, he'd remain on the Brewers' 40-man roster, but he'd also end up down in Brevard County most likely. That's one reason being selected in Rule 5 is so nice for the player. Even if you don't stick on a 25-man roster, you've at least earned the 40-man spot you didn't have last October.

The J-S Cody Scarpetta, whose father Dan was a 1982 third-round pick by the Brewers, dropped in the 2007 draft because of a torn flexor tendon in his right index finger. He had surgery before the draft and signed for $325,000 as an 11th-rounder, but that deal was voided when he needed a second operation. He re-signed for $125,000, but to keep his rights Milwaukee had to place him on its 40-man roster. Scouting Report: Scarpetta's fastball ranges from 90-94 mph, at times with boring action, and he backs it up with the best curveball in the system. His improved changeup gives him a dependable third pitch. He has enough stuff to start, but his command is a work in progress. Scarpetta had a tendency to freeze his front hip and land too hard in his delivery, affecting his ability to locate his pitches. Brevard County pitching coach Fred Dabney worked with him last season to smooth out his lower half, and his mechanical improvements helped his command. The Future: Because Scarpetta went on the 40-man roster so early, the Brewers will use their final minor-league option on him in 2011. They'll try to advance him as far as possible, probably starting him in Double-A Huntsville and trying to get him to Triple-A by the end of the season. He's a potential No. 3 starter but not there yet. From this Adam McCalvy article, plus we seem to remember reading about it elsewhere -- After a player is on the 40-man roster, he still has three or four Minor League options, according to a formula that is confusing even to some front office officials. If Scarpetta needs to be in the big leagues to stay in 2012, that's going to be tough. In effect, he would need to be treated like a Rule 5 pick. Keep him on the 25-man or almost certainly lose him on waivers. We'll reach out to Adam and ask him to contact Gord Ash to learn if Scarpetta's situation has been clarified yet by MLB.

Sunday, D.R.: RHP Roque Mercedes with a quick appearance (box) -- Estrellas Top of the 6th Pitcher Change: Roque Mercedes replaces Bartolo Colon. Ed Rogers pops out to second baseman Ramon Santiago. Corey Smith flies out to right fielder Brad Snyder. Edwin Bellorin hit by pitch. Argenis Reyes reaches on fielding error by shortstop Joaquin Arias. Edwin Bellorin to 3rd. Argenis Reyes to 2nd. Pitcher Change: Luke Sommer replaces Roque Mercedes. Michael Martinez flies out to center fielder Freddy Guzman. Erick Almonte 1-for-4 as the DH (box). *** In Puerto Rico, catcher Wil Nieves hit a three-run HR with two out in the bottom of the 9th, but that only brought his San Juan club to within 4-3 in a game they would lose one batter later when Edwin Maysonet was called out on strikes. Sergio Miranda led off, here's the box for your full report on all three teammates.

Saturday in Puerto Rico (box): Teammates Miranda, Nieves, and Maysonet play and combine to reach base five times, but San Juan falls, 7-3 Saturday in the D.R.: Ouch, RHP Zack Segovia entered a scoreless game in the 9th inning (box), an error didn't help, but boy, did the floodgates ever open -- final score, 8-0. Toros Top of the 9th Defensive Substitution: Mike Nickeas replaces Jovanny Rosario, batting 8th, playing catcher. Pitcher Change: Zack Segovia replaces Jesus Colome. Ricardo Nanita singles on a fly ball to center fielder Eugenio Velez. Defensive Substitution: Denis Phipps replaces left fielder Victor Mendez, batting 2nd, playing left field. With Andy Dirks batting, Ricardo Nanita steals (1) 2nd base. Andy Dirks strikes out swinging. Eduardo Nunez singles on a fly ball to center fielder Eugenio Velez. Ricardo Nanita scores. With Danny Richar batting, Eduardo Nunez steals (1) 2nd base, . Eduardo Nunez advances to 3rd, on throwing error by catcher Mike Nickeas. Zack Segovia intentionally walks Danny Richar. With Mauro Gomez batting, Danny Richar steals (3) 2nd base. Mauro Gomez strikes out swinging. Zack Segovia intentionally walks Victor Mercedes. Alberto Rosario reaches on fielding error by second baseman Argenis Reyes. Eduardo Nunez scores. Danny Richar scores. Victor Mercedes to 3rd. Pitcher Change: Victor Marte replaces Zack Segovia. Alejandro De Aza doubles (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Eugenio Velez. Victor Mercedes scores. Alberto Rosario scores. Esteban German reaches on fielding error by first baseman Corey Smith. Alejandro De Aza to 3rd. Ricardo Nanita doubles (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Paul McAnulty. Alejandro De Aza scores. Esteban German scores. Andy Dirks singles on a fly ball to right fielder Paul McAnulty. Ricardo Nanita scores. Eduardo Nunez flies out to center fielder Eugenio Velez. Finally, Erick Almonte continues to contribute, on base twice more in a victory (box).

From the J-S: Brewers say farm system not depleted by trades We see what the new BA Top 10 looks like prior to the site's release Seid said to "keep an eye on" athletic shortstop Yadiel Rivera, a ninth-round pick in 2010 out of high school in Puerto Rico. Yes, Victoria, there is a shortstop in the system...http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

Friday: Erick Almonte's Dominican Gigantes team moved to 4-6 in round robin postseason play with a 7-5 win (box), and Almonte again contributed with a 2-for-4 day, two RBI, one run scored -- batted cleanup and played left field, now at .375 in ten postseason games. Martin Maldonado made a cameo appearance for the losing squad. In Puerto Rico, San Juan lost, 5-2 (box), and is tied for the top round robin pool play record thus far at 3-2. San Juan is the club which Sergio Miranda, Wil Nieves, and Edwin Maysonet all start for. Nieves has been just about an every-inning catcher in the postseason to this point. Miranda, batting 3rd and playing third base, was 2-for-3 with a double and a walk and a caught stealing; Nieves was 0-for-3; Maysonet singled in three at-bats and scored a run. Luis Cruz' Mexican League club continues to wait for other first-round playoff series to wrap up as that league uses a more traditional playoff format.

Ayrault keeps the game going By Doug Fernandes, Sarasota (FL) Herald-Tribune Nice guys don't always finish last. Sometimes they finish first. And sometimes, they win the whole darn thing. But before the former Sarasota High star could turn upside down the words of Leo the Lip, he had to get himself right-side up. Ayrault had to get a job. Whatever it was, a bat and ball would be at its epicenter. "Baseball has been in my blood," he said, "since I played for Dick Lee at Coast Federal at 12th Street Little League." It's still in there, coursing through his veins in not one capacity, but two. The economy didn't outsource or downsize Ayrault's aspirations. He's managed. And continues to. "It worked out perfectly." Some background. For three seasons, Ayrault served as manager of the FSL's Sarasota Reds. His teams lost more than they won, but minor league skippers aren't typically evaluated by wins and losses. By every other accepted metric, Ayrault succeeded. He performed the necessary baby-sitting and hand-holding that comes with being a player's mentor, friend, father, disciplinarian. In each role Ayrault assumed, the Reds were sold. Right up until they were. "I was real disappointed when the Reds left here," he said. "I was considering getting out of the game just because I wanted to be close to home and be with my wife and kids." He wouldn't have to. Jeff Howard, owner of Extra Innings Sarasota, an indoor baseball and softball training facility, offered him a job. Ayrault could stay at home. He could teach baseball. He could impact lives. Hadn't he spent the prior three years doing exactly that? "It was a perfect fit. I was real fired up." Ayrault had his job. In baseball. The Brewers called with another. They needed a manager for their rookie-league team in the Pioneer League. Three months in Helena, Mont., a little longer if the team reached the playoffs. Longer still if they won the title. Ayrault will get his ring in spring training. The Helena Brewers, 2010 champions of the Pioneer League, must have followed directions pretty well. "From Day 1," Ayrault said, "I stressed to those guys team chemistry and a family atmosphere. And these guys really ran with it. It was one of those teams that was special." As was his experiences off the diamond. An avid outdoorsman, Ayrault bagged a 250-pound, 11- point white-tail deer in Indiana using a bow and arrow. "To have this job, win a championship and get the biggest deer of my life, 2010 was a pretty awesome year for me." Before long, Ayrault will leave for spring training in Arizona. He'll return to Sarasota, then head back to Helena in June for the 2011 season. Of course, the Brewers wanted him back. His pupils at Extra Innings probably don't want him to leave. "I get rewarded here seeing it click for the kids," he said. "Seeing the kids smile and seeing the kids get better." The sign outside the Cattlemen Road facility summarizes perfectly Joe Ayrault's perfect life. "Where the Game Never Ends." "That's my lifestyle," he said. "The game never ends for me." PHOTO / DYLAN BROWN (HELENA, MONT.) INDEPENDENT RECORD Joe Ayrault, manager of the Helena Brewers addresses players during a practice early in the season for the Pioneer League. In his first season, Ayrault led the Brewers to a 41-34 regular season record and their first league title since 1996. http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=SH&Date=20110107&Category=COLUMNIST&ArtNo=101071049&Ref=AR&Profile=2055&MaxW=600&border=0

In their most recent Puerto Rico League game Wednesday, teammates Sergio Miranda, Wil Nieves, and Edwin Maysonet saw their San Juan team win 6-5 in a walkoff (game log) that saw their club move to 3-1, the best in round robin competition thus far. Miranda was on base four times (two singles, two walks), Nieves homered as part of a 2-for-4 day, and Maysonet singled in four trips. No action to report from Thursday...

When Scarpetta is optioned this spring, it will indeed be his third option executed. However, the Brewers have indicated in the past that they fully expect Scarpetta to be granted a 4th option based on his unique hand injury situation upon signing his first contract. Now whether MLB has officially awarded that 4th option year yet is unknown. We have chosen to show it as part of our 40-man roster page, where we list Scarpetta with two options remaining. That being said, even having Scarpetta up for good as of April 2013 will be cutting it close.

Link while active, text follows (link also includes comments from the newspaper site's readers re: "the neighborhood") Phoenix looks to extend Milwaukee Brewers' spring-training facility lease by Craig Harris, The Arizona Republic Phoenix is working on a long-term deal to keep the Milwaukee Brewers at their spring-training facility at Maryvale Baseball Park. The Brewers have the option to leave Maryvale after the 2012 spring-training season. However, there have not been any public threats to leave, despite the fact that new ballparks and stadium renovations have been afforded other Cactus League teams. The Brewers have the option of signing as many as three two-year lease extensions, a city official said. "We basically want to do everything we can to keep the Brewers in Maryvale - within reason, of course," said Rick Naimark, the city's deputy city manager involved in the negotiations. "They understand our interest to get this deal done in the next few months." Naimark declined to provide specific details on what the Brewers want, other than to say they want enhancements to their training facilities and to some of the buildings at the west Phoenix park. Naimark said the city would not build the team a new stadium. No price tag for incentives has been disclosed, but the city is in line to get about $12 million from the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority, which funds construction of and improvements to Cactus League stadiums. Funding is provided through Maricopa County hotel and rental-car taxes earmarked for spring training. Because the recession has curtailed revenue, money for Phoenix will not be available until 2020, according to the sports authority. Phoenix could pay for improvements now and get reimbursed later, a practice common among other Valley cities that host Cactus League teams and have built or renovated their parks. Naimark said the city would be able to finance "some minor improvements" and use authority money to cover the cost. While the Brewers want a nicer spring-training home, authority Chief Executive Tom Sadler said he had heard from no one in the Brewers organization that they want to move. Tyler Barnes, a Brewers spokesman, said the club was "not offering any comments on our negotiations related to spring training." The city owns Maryvale Baseball Park, and reached a 15-year lease agreement with the Brewers in 1998, when the facility opened. The stadium, near Indian School Road and 51st Avenue, seats up to 10,000 people. The complex includes practice fields, clubhouses and an administration building. Phoenix developer John F. Long, who helped create the Maryvale community, donated 56 acres to accommodate the park. While Major League Baseball has called the stadium "state of the art," the Brewers have seen Surprise, Glendale and Goodyear build new facilities for other teams. Mesa is working on building the Chicago Cubs a new ballpark, while this year the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies are moving from Tucson to a new 140-acre site on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community just west of Loop 101 and north of Indian Bend Road. The Brewers, a Cactus League mainstay with a loyal following, have been one of the more nomadic teams to play in the Valley. Since the Brewers started training in 1969, when the franchise for one season was the Seattle Pilots, the Brewers have trained in Tempe, Sun City and Chandler. The club moved to Maryvale in 1998. Photo by Nick Oza / The Arizona Republic R.J. Seidel, a Milwaukee Brewers minor-league pitcher, gets in some practice at Maryvale Baseball Park in Phoenix. The Brewers, who have been at the Maryvale facility since 1998, have the option of leaving after the 2012 spring-training season. http://i.azcentral.com/i/sized/C/4/9/e298/j350/PHP4D26A6412E94C.jpg