Jim Goulart

4. Outside of the (hopefully, as he hit .225 this year) aptly named Hitaniel Arias, the 20-year-old 6'6" DSL first baseman, there are only two other players currently with the organization with first names that begin with the letter "H". Name them. Rattlers fans probably identified Hunter Morris and Hiram Burgos pretty quickly.

3. There are three organizations who never matched up with a Brewer affiliate in any of the six U.S. leagues in 2010, and that will be the case again in 2011. Name these three organizations. Not once last Link Report season did the Brewers line up with the Orioles, Red Sox, or Nationals. Of course, two seasons ago, the Brewers shared a DSL team with the Orioles, so maybe we have some distant cousin matchups there, but those are the three organizations. When there was only one matchup, it involved a full-season team each time -- you were close but no cigar if you guessed Yankees, Braves, Mets, Phillies, Astros, or Pirates.

2. When we add the two rookie leagues (Pioneer, Arizona), the organization which is the answer to Question 1 jumps from four matchups with the Brewers to five. This allows one other organization to tie for the lead, however, by matching up with the Brewers in five of the six U.S. leagues. Name this organization. The easiest way to answer this one was to know that the team, by math, must share both rookie squad leagues with the Brewers. There are only seven other teams in the Pioneer League besides the Brewers, and they belong to the White Sox, Reds, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Angels, Rockies, and Royals. The correct answer is Dodgers. Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA) Chattanooga Lookouts (AA) Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (A Adv.) -- not them Great Lakes Loons (A) Ogden Raptors ® AZL Dodgers ® Some of you might have thought the Diamondbacks, but oddly, the D-Backs don't have an Arizona League squad, instead playing in the short-season Northwest League.

1. Each day the Link Report lists every opponent and their affiliation. Only one other organization matched up with the Brewers in all four full-season leagues in 2010, and that will be the case again in 2011 -- Pacific Coast, Southern, Florida State, and Midwest. Name this organization. Believe us, that's your easiest question. Yes, it's the dreaded Cubbies who face off against the Crew's full-season affiliates most often. Iowa Cubs (AAA) Tennessee Smokies (AA) Daytona Cubs (A Adv.) Peoria Chiefs (A) Not only are the Cubs' affiliates in the same four leagues, but they also share the same divisions with the Brewer squads, adding to the total number of matchups. Close calls with three: Rays, Blue Jays, Mariners, Marlins, Cardinals, Diamondbacks, and Dodgers.

Busy day at the plate Tuesday, including Carlos Gomez' return to action, quiet day for arms -- Alcides Escobar back home in Venezuela -- 0-for-5, now 1-for-10 Carlos Gomez -- 1-for-4, K, .224 after 58 AB's (.639 OPS) Luis Cruz -- 2-for-4, including a solo HR, now 6-for-35 Sergio Miranda -- hot streak snapped, 0-for-4, K Martin Malonado -- 0-for-2, K, now 3-for-25 Erick Almonte -- 1-for-3, double, .402 OBP in 65 AB's for the veteran

Brad's blog -- Rattlers Unsung Hero

Jeremy Jeffress lit up the radar gun again today, as you can see via the 6th inning pitch-by-pitch option with the gameday link in the prior post -- Mesa Top of the 6th Pitcher Change: Jeremy Jeffress replaces Brian Broderick. Josh Vitters grounds out, second baseman Johnny Giavotella to first baseman Davis Stoneburner. Andrew Lambo strikes out swinging. Joshua Satin walks. Kirk Nieuwenhuis called out on strikes. Caleb Gindl finished 0-for-3 in the shortened seven-inning Surprise 7-2 victoryHowever, Surprise was eliminated from consideration for Saturday's televised championship. No Brewers will be taking part in that game.

Caleb Gindl is in today's lineup, batting 5th in RF (Gameday).

Josh Seligman, 35, replaces Chris Joyner. He spent the last four years as Minor League strength and conditioning coordinator with the Marlins. He earned his bachelor's degree in sports medicine from Willamette University in 1998, and his master's degree in nutritional sciences from the University of Hawaii in 2004. Just pointing out that the Brewers went outside of the organization with their new major league hire. The Brewers' current Strength & Conditioning Coordinator is Jeff Mester, you hear the interviews we linked to in this thread, and of course, those folks hope for internal hires and the subsequent chain of command promotions. The new guy

Switch-hitting Sergio Miranda (hint, trivia fans) had another productive day -- it appears he was the only winter league participant Monday, as Carlos Gomez and Luis Cruz remain idle since leaving games in early innings recently.

Surprise kept its faint championship hopes alive (elimination # is one) with a 2-1 victory. RHP Brandon Kintzler allowed a run but held on for the save -- four batters, nine pitches, one left the park. Gameday link with the 9th inning pitch-by-pitch details Peo Javelinas Top of the 9th Pitcher Change: Brandon Kintzler replaces Patrick Keating. Cord Phelps homers (2) on a fly ball to right field. Jose Iglesias singles on a ground ball to second baseman Eric Farris. Dustin Ackley flies into double play, center fielder Derrick Robinson to second baseman Eric Farris. Jose Iglesias out at 2nd on the throw. Ryan Lavarnway grounds out, second baseman Eric Farris to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Eric Farris 0-for-3, BB, run scored -- 8th SB in as many tries Caleb Gindl doubled in four trips, fanned twice

Oakland lefty Carlos Hernandez helped LHP Dan Merklinger's line with a relief effort in the 4th -- Merklinger: 3.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 71 pitches (only 35 strikes), 6-to-2 GB / FO Mesa Bottom of the 1st Andrew Romine flies out to left fielder Brandon Laird. Ryan Flaherty singles on a ground ball to center fielder Michael Taylor. John Tolisano strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Dan Merklinger. Ryan Flaherty to 2nd. Matt Rizzotti singles on a ground ball to center fielder Michael Taylor. Ryan Flaherty scores. With Josh Vitters batting, passed ball by Kyle Skipworth, Matt Rizzotti to 2nd. Josh Vitters grounds out, shortstop Grant Green to first baseman Stephen Parker. Mesa Bottom of the 2nd Andrew Lambo grounds out, shortstop Grant Green to first baseman Stephen Parker. Kirk Nieuwenhuis walks. Tony Sanchez called out on strikes. Jordy Mercer flies out to right fielder Jerry Sands. Mesa Bottom of the 3rd Andrew Romine grounds out sharply, pitcher Dan Merklinger to shortstop Grant Green to first baseman Stephen Parker. Ryan Flaherty grounds out to first baseman Stephen Parker. John Tolisano grounds out, second baseman Jose Pirela to first baseman Stephen Parker. Mesa Bottom of the 4th Matt Rizzotti grounds out, second baseman Jose Pirela to first baseman Stephen Parker. Josh Vitters doubles (6) on a line drive to left fielder Brandon Laird. Andrew Lambo doubles (8) on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Jerry Sands. Josh Vitters scores. Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit by pitch. Pitcher Change: Carlos Hernandez replaces Dan Merklinger. Tony Sanchez grounds out, third baseman Ryan Curry to second baseman Jose Pirela to first baseman Stephen Parker. Andrew Lambo to 3rd. Kirk Nieuwenhuis to 2nd. Jordy Mercer strikes out swinging. But RHP Justin James couldn't protect a two-run lead in the 9th, and the game ended in a 5-5 tie. Mesa Bottom of the 9th Pitcher Change: Justin James replaces Steve Cishek. Jordy Mercer singles on a line drive to center fielder Michael Taylor. Andrew Romine walks. Jordy Mercer to 2nd. Ryan Flaherty out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Justin James to first baseman Stephen Parker. Jordy Mercer to 3rd. Andrew Romine to 2nd. John Tolisano grounds out, second baseman Jose Pirela to first baseman Stephen Parker. Jordy Mercer scores. Andrew Romine to 3rd. With Matt Rizzotti batting, wild pitch by Justin James, Andrew Romine scores. Matt Rizzotti strikes out swinging.

6. You would think this would be a layup, but it's not. Name the only two current position players in the organization above rookie ball who are switch-hitters. There's actually three, but if you end up naming two, good for you... EDIT: Darn, I botched this one but good. There are four. MiLB lists one as a non-switch-hitter, but we had determined on this forum earlier that was in error. I actually knew about that one, and just learned of the 4th. So if you could only name one or two, you actually did worse on this question than you should have http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif. By the way, I'm pretty comfortable in the responses to the other questions.

There are two Gamedays for you to follow beginning at 1:35 Central today -- 2B Eric Farris is hitting 2nd and the returning Caleb Gindl, in RF, bats 6th, for Surprise. In the other game, LHP Dan Merklinger is starting for Phoenix today.

Erick Almonte, playing third base (1-for-4, R, K); Luis Cruz 0-for-2, also played third base -- that wraps up Sunday's updates.

In his 5th Puerto Rico League appearance, RHP Hiram Burgos was asked to go for an extended stretch for the 1st time, and he threw 4.1 stellar innings of relief, stranding one inherited runner 4.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 1 HBP Ponce Top of the 2nd Miguel Abreu grounds out, third baseman Jorge Jimenez to first baseman Johan Limonta. Danny Espinosa hit by pitch. With Fernando Cortez batting, missed catch error by Johan Limonta on the pickoff attempt, Danny Espinosa to 2nd. Fernando Cortez pops out to third baseman Jorge Jimenez in foul territory. Pitcher Change: Hiram Burgos replaces Bobby Lanigan. Chris Marrero strikes out swinging. Ponce Top of the 3rd Carlos Rivera flies out to center fielder Miguel Negron. Hiram Bocachica doubles (4) on a fly ball to left fielder Doug Deeds. Felix Perez grounds out, second baseman Irving Falu to first baseman Johan Limonta. Hiram Bocachica to 3rd. Robinson Cancel strikes out swinging. Ponce Top of the 4th Gabriel Martinez called out on strikes. Miguel Abreu lines out to center fielder Miguel Negron. Danny Espinosa strikes out swinging. Ponce Top of the 5th Fernando Cortez pops out to second baseman Irving Falu. Chris Marrero flies out to left fielder Doug Deeds. Carlos Rivera grounds out, pitcher Hiram Burgos to first baseman Johan Limonta. Ponce Top of the 6th Edwards Guzman remains in the game as the first baseman. Hiram Bocachica hit by pitch. Felix Perez grounds out, first baseman Edwards Guzman to pitcher Hiram Burgos. Hiram Bocachica to 2nd. Robinson Cancel grounds out, third baseman Jorge Jimenez to first baseman Edwards Guzman. Gabriel Martinez lines out to left fielder Doug Deeds.

Alcides Escobar made his 2010 winter league debut in Venezuela (stats) -- 1-for-5, double

6. You would think this would be a layup, but it's not. Name the only two current position players in the organization above rookie ball who are switch-hitters. There's actually three, but if you end up naming two, good for you...

Carlos Gomez' team did play, but he did not -- continue to follow based on the last report on him.Erick Almonte played third base in the Domincan, singled twice in four trips, and scored a run. Catcher Martin Maldonado saw his first action in a week in Puerto Rico -- 1-for-2, BB, HBP, RBI; his first walk in the ten games he's played (3-for-23, seven K's). Luis Cruz (now 4-for-29 in seven games) was 0-for-4 in Mexico but did have a sacrifice fly. Remember when the Brewers thought they had something in RHP Francisco Campos (stats), who was on the 40-man back in 2003? The Brewers would always loan him to a Mexican League team each summer so he could pitch at home. Still going and soon to be 38, he got the win in Cruz's game. Of course, many of these games are littered with past Brewer remnants, that one just seemed to stick out for the moment. Sergio Miranda was 1-for-6 in his team's 13-inning Puerto Rican League 2-1 loss.

Surprise hangs on, 4-3. Logan Schafer 1-for-4 with an RBI. Another nice outing for Michael Fiers and his new cutter -- 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 BB, 5 K, 78 pitches (48 strikes), 4/4 GB/FB Scottsdale Top of the 1st Steve Lombardozzi singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Logan Schafer. With Greg Miclat batting, Steve Lombardozzi caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Tony Cruz to second baseman Johnny Giavotella. Greg Miclat called out on strikes. Conor Gillaspie homers (4) on a fly ball to right field. Jordan Pacheco called out on strikes. Scottsdale Top of the 2nd Bryce Harper pops out to shortstop Cale Iorg. A. J. Pollock strikes out swinging. Caleb Joseph grounds out, third baseman Francisco Martinez to first baseman Davis Stoneburner. Scottsdale Top of the 3rd Thomas Field flies out to center fielder Logan Schafer. Xavier Avery flies out to center fielder Logan Schafer. Steve Lombardozzi grounds out to first baseman Davis Stoneburner. Scottsdale Top of the 4th Greg Miclat strikes out swinging. Conor Gillaspie singles on a sharp line drive to left fielder Jared Bolden. Jordan Pacheco strikes out swinging. Conor Gillaspie steals (1) 2nd base. Bryce Harper walks. A. J. Pollock grounds out softly, pitcher Michael Fiers to first baseman Davis Stoneburner. Scottsdale Top of the 5th Caleb Joseph flies out to center fielder Logan Schafer. Thomas Field lines out to left fielder Jared Bolden. Xavier Avery grounds out softly to first baseman Davis Stoneburner. RHP Mike McClendon was 5th in the league in WHIP (0.93) and 4th in opponent average (.196) coming into this game. he allowed one run here -- Scottsdale Top of the 8th Pitcher Change: Mike McClendon replaces Brandon Sisk. Xavier Avery flies out to center fielder Logan Schafer. Steve Lombardozzi walks. Greg Miclat doubles (3) on a sharp line drive to left fielder Jared Bolden. Steve Lombardozzi to 3rd. Conor Gillaspie singles on a ground ball to right fielder Ben Guez. Steve Lombardozzi scores. Greg Miclat out at home on the throw, right fielder Ben Guez to catcher Tony Cruz. Jordan Pacheco flies out to right fielder Ben Guez.

RHP Michael Fiers gets the start (Gameday link) this afternoon, allowed a solo home run through two innings thus far. Logan Schafer in CF, leading off for the Raptors. Still no Caleb Gindl.

At the plate Friday, Sergio Miranda tried to support his starter, Efrain Nieves in Puerto Rico, with two singles in four trips. Miranda, playing second base in this one, had his 4th straight multi-hit game and 5th such game in his last seven. Carlos Gomez, playing RF in the Dominican in this game, reached on an error and grounded out. Then, he made a catch to end the 4th inning but was pinch-hit for in the top of the 5th. Gomez is hitting .118 in his last ten games (.456 OPS in that span). It will be interesting to see if he's back in action soon -- if he tweaked something or is more seriously injured, you wonder what and how it gets communicated back to the Brewers. Perhaps some in the organization will first learn about it here, although it remains to be seen if the reason he was lifted was for injury, but it was an odd spot to leave the game. Veteran Erick Almonte, at 32 (33 in February) the 5th oldest player in the organization (Latroy Hawkins, Randy Wolf, Mark Rivera, Mike DeFelice), had a much-needed big day in the Dominican (box), falling just a triple short of the cycle. It was his 2nd consecutive game with a home run. 3-for-3 with a walk, run, 2 RBI

In the other Puerto Rican League game played on Friday, recently-turned 24-year-old RHP Darren Byrd (stats page), pitching on six days' rest, continued his strong winter season, and had a quality start but took the loss as his team fell, 5-2. Byrd's line -- 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 HR, 1 BB, 6 K, surviving a two-run 1st in which he allowed five hits As is often the case with these winter league boxes, can't seem to get the box score to load, but the recap for this one is loading -- Ponce Top of the 1st Danny Espinosa doubles (5) on a fly ball to left fielder Doug Deeds. Hiram Bocachica grounds out, shortstop Angel Sanchez to first baseman Johan Limonta. Danny Espinosa to 3rd. Carlos Rivera singles on a fly ball to right fielder Bobby Kielty. Danny Espinosa scores. With Chris Marrero batting, throwing error by Raul Casanova on the pickoff attempt, Carlos Rivera to 2nd. Chris Marrero singles on a line drive to right fielder Bobby Kielty. Carlos Rivera scores. Fernando Cortez singles on a fly ball to left fielder Doug Deeds. Chris Marrero to 2nd. Alex Cintron singles on a line drive to center fielder Miguel Negron. Chris Marrero to 3rd. Fernando Cortez to 2nd. Felix Perez grounds into double play, second baseman Irving Falu to shortstop Angel Sanchez to first baseman Johan Limonta. Alex Cintron out at 2nd. Ponce Top of the 2nd Carlos Corporan flies out to right fielder Bobby Kielty. Henry Ramos homers (1) on a fly ball to right field. Danny Espinosa grounds out, shortstop Angel Sanchez to first baseman Johan Limonta. Hiram Bocachica lines out to center fielder Miguel Negron. Ponce Top of the 3rd Carlos Rivera grounds out, third baseman Jorge Jimenez to first baseman Johan Limonta. Chris Marrero grounds out, shortstop Angel Sanchez to first baseman Johan Limonta. Fernando Cortez called out on strikes. Ponce Top of the 4th Alex Cintron strikes out swinging. Felix Perez grounds out, shortstop Angel Sanchez to first baseman Johan Limonta. Carlos Corporan called out on strikes. Ponce Top of the 5th Henry Ramos strikes out swinging. Danny Espinosa strikes out swinging. Hiram Bocachica walks. Carlos Rivera pops out to first baseman Johan Limonta in foul territory. Ponce Top of the 6th Chris Marrero called out on strikes. Fernando Cortez singles on a fly ball to left fielder Doug Deeds. Alex Cintron grounds out, second baseman Irving Falu to first baseman Johan Limonta. Fernando Cortez to 2nd. Felix Perez flies out to right fielder Bobby Kielty. Brewer RHP Hiram Burgos (stat page) made his 4th relief appearance, relieving Byrd. This was Burgos' first game in 11 days. He worked a scoreless inning, fanning two. Ponce Top of the 7th Pitcher Change: Hiram Burgos replaces Darren Byrd. Carlos Corporan singles on a line drive to left fielder Doug Deeds. Henry Ramos lines out to center fielder Miguel Negron. Danny Espinosa called out on strikes. Hiram Bocachica strikes out swinging, catcher Raul Casanova to first baseman Johan Limonta.

Pitching on normal four days' rest, LHP Efrain Nieves (stat page) made his 4th start in Puerto Rico, and after a 1-2-3 first inning, he couldn't get out of the 2nd, surrendering five runs -- final line in the game which his team lost, 9-3 (box): 1.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 1 K. Nieves turns 21 this Monday. Caguas Top of the 1st Alex Cora grounds out, first baseman Phillip Cuadrado to pitcher Efrain Nieves. Luis Figueroa pops out to shortstop Edwin Maysonet. Edgardo Baez called out on strikes. Caguas Top of the 2nd Gregory Porter singles on a fly ball to left fielder Alex Fernandez. Aaron Bates walks. Gregory Porter to 2nd. Omir Santos singles on a line drive to center fielder Jarrod Dyson. Gregory Porter to 3rd. Aaron Bates to 2nd. Andy Gonzalez walks. Gregory Porter scores. Aaron Bates to 3rd. Omir Santos to 2nd. Helder Velazquez doubles (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Alex Fernandez. Aaron Bates scores. Omir Santos scores. Andy Gonzalez to 3rd. Julio Rivera lines out to right fielder Jorge Padilla. Alex Cora grounds out, second baseman Sergio Miranda to first baseman Phillip Cuadrado. Andy Gonzalez scores. Helder Velazquez to 3rd. Luis Figueroa singles on a fly ball to left fielder Alex Fernandez. Helder Velazquez scores. Pitcher Change: Raymar Diaz replaces Efrain Nieves. Edgardo Baez called out on strikes.

While we await news of any sort in Brewer-land, we'll toss some minor league trivia your way -- we try and do this a couple of times each offseason when updates are few. So you are a faithful Link Report reader? If you're a casual, you may wish to pass. But if you're an absorb-all-you-can daily diehard, test yourself, and write down your answers. We'll lock this thread and post answers by end-of-day on Tuesday the 16th, so that both weekend and weekday Minor League Forum readers have a chance to play along. This is admittedly a non-numeric version of our series. No statistical folly here, just asking you to scroll through your rolodex of teams and players. We'll mess with numbers next time out. Basically, if you migrate off this page, you've cheated. So keep track and write down your responses before you wander elsewhere, and then again after you've wandered elsewhere, admitting your brain has exploded. And we're not including anything related to the Dominican Summer League teams or players in the answers you need to provide. You're welcome. Here we go... 1. Each day the Link Report lists every opponent and their affiliation. Only one other organization matched up with the Brewers in all four full-season leagues in 2010, and that will be the case again in 2011 -- Pacific Coast, Southern, Florida State, and Midwest. Name this organization. Believe us, that's your easiest question. 2. When we add the two rookie leagues (Pioneer, Arizona), the organization which is the answer to Question 1 jumps from four matchups with the Brewers to five. This allows one other organization to tie for the lead, however, by matching up with the Brewers in five of the six U.S. leagues. Name this organization. 3. There are three organizations who never matched up with a Brewer affiliate in any of the six U.S. leagues in 2010, and that will be the case again in 2011. Name these three organizations. Does your head hurt yet? Let's move on to players. 4. Outside of the (hopefully, as he hit .225 this year) aptly named Hitaniel Arias, the 20-year-old 6'6" DSL first baseman, there are only two other players currently with the organization with first names that begin with the letter "H". Name them. 5. If you didn't like Question 4, feel free to skip this question, no punishment. Only two players with first names beginning with "N", and only two with "F". Remember, only current players, so no Norris Hopper. Unlike Question 4, you'll need to be familiar with the rookie squads to some extent. "N" isn't too hard (hardly easy, though), "F" is extremely tough. 6. You would think this would be a layup, but it's not. Name the only two current position players in the organization above rookie ball who are switch-hitters. 7. There are currently 13 "sets" of players who share the same last name in the organization, very top (majors) to the very bottom (DSL). We're giving you three of those because they involve only DSL players -- the Pena's, the Mejia's, and the Garcia's. But that still leaves ten other sets of Brewer "brothers". How many of these sets can you name? Bonus to you if you get the one set of "triplets" among the ten sets, because it involves one DSL player joining two statesiders. Huge hint -- Wawrzasek is not one of the sets. 8. Outside of the PED-suspended Allixon Cequea, only one current Brewer has the letter "q" as part of his first or last name. Name him. "Q" is also for quit, which we'll do now, and what most of you have probably already done. As always, we reserve the right to be wrong by a tweak when we give out the answers. Hopefully that won't happen. We're sure you'll let us know about it if so...