Jim Goulart

Andrew Wagner's Blog -- Three Brewers become free agents 40-man roster drops to 35. Additionally, pitchers Trevor Hoffman and Doug Davis and catcher Gregg Zaun will become free agents if the team declines the options on those players' contracts. Then it'll be at 32... Earlier minor league forum thread discussing possible additions to the 40-man roster.

Andrew Wagner's Blog -- Three Brewers become free agents 40-man roster drops to 35. Additionally, pitchers Trevor Hoffman and Doug Davis and catcher Gregg Zaun will become free agents if the team declines the options on those players' contracts. Then it'll be at 32... Earlier minor league forum thread discussing possible additions to the 40-man roster.

Good job, guys -- with 32% of the vote, you helped Helena garner its coveted MiLBY.

Game still going on as of 4:00 Central, Farris and Gindl in the lineup, Kintzler in relief thus far, but a wonderful hitless four innings from Michael Fiers (one unearned run), fastballs between 87 and 92, usually in the 89 range. Details on the others later, Fiers' day below -- Phoenix Top of the 1st Ivan De JesusJr. strikes out swinging. Trayvon Robinson flies out to left fielder Derrick Robinson. Brandon Laird flies out to right fielder Caleb Gindl. Phoenix Top of the 2nd Jerry Sands called out on strikes. Stephen Parker reaches on fielding error by shortstop Cale Iorg. Austin Romine strikes out swinging and Stephen Parker was picked off 1st, catcher Tony Cruz to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Phoenix Top of the 3rd Michael Taylor walks. Cory Harrilchak called out on strikes. Ryan Curry reaches on fielding error by left fielder Derrick Robinson. Michael Taylor to 3rd. Ryan Curry to 2nd. Ivan De JesusJr. grounds out, shortstop Cale Iorg to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Michael Taylor scores. Trayvon Robinson flies out to center fielder Adron Chambers. Phoenix Top of the 4th Brandon Laird grounds out, shortstop Cale Iorg to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Jerry Sands flies out to center fielder Adron Chambers. Stephen Parker lines out sharply to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

Carlos Gomez and Sergio Miranda participated in games both Saturday and Sunday. Their stat pages are at the links. Gomez tripled Sunday and will probably put up monster numbers this winter (.986 OPS for now with adventures on the basepaths).

Morris, Rafters hang on for victory Brewers prospect enjoying strong fall after rocky regular season By Ashley Marshall / Special to MLB.com Milwaukee prospect Hunter Morris continued his impressive Fall League showing with a clutch two-run single in Surprise's 8-7 victory over Peoria on Saturday. The 22-year-old first baseman is batting .325 over 10 games with the Rafters, but none of his hits have been as important as his seventh-inning knock that helped his side hold on to the top spot in the AFL West. Morris, who has seven hits over his last four starts, came to the plate with the bases loaded and Surprise (10-6) holding on to a one-run advantage over the second-place Javelinas, who are just half a game out of the division lead. The left-handed slugger wasted no time padding the league leaders' cushion to 7-4. He lined Travis Turek's first pitch -- an 81 MPH changeup outside -- back up the middle to plate a pair of runs and give the Rafters a lead they would not relinquish. Texas League All-Star Joey Butler (Rangers) slugged his first homer of the fall -- a two-run shot in the third inning -- and third baseman Zack Cox (Cardinals) extended his hitting streak to five games after going 2-for-4 with two RBIs. First-rounder Pete Kozma (Cardinals) had two hits and a pair of runs out of the No. 7 hole, but Royals prospect Eric Hosmer, the third overall pick in the 2008 Draft, went 0-for-4 with a walk and two runs one day after seeing his seven-game hit streak come to an end. Right-hander Patrick Keating (Royals) won his first game for the Rafters after allowing one unearned run over two innings in relief after starter Brooks Brown (Tigers) surrendered three runs -- two earned -- on four hits and two walks over three frames. Third baseman Cord Phelps (Indians) was 3-5 and Adam Loewen, a converted pitcher who slugged 13 homers for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in the Eastern League in 2010, went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, two runs and a walk for the Javelinas (9-6) in the loss. Hunter Morris hit .251 with nine homers and 44 RBIs in 71 Midwest League games. (Jordan Megenhardt/MLB.com) http://mlb.mlb.com/images/2010/10/30/T9Rt8Rqx.jpg

Someone finally got to Jeremy Jeffress in the AFL -- he was asked to pitch both the 8th and 9th innings with an 8-4 lead in Saturday's game, but after a scoreless 8th inning (one walk, 17 pitches, all but one a fastball, four at 97 MPH), the first three batters reached in the 9th and he was pulled from the game. Peo Javelinas Top of the 8th Pitcher Change: Jeremy Jeffress replaces Patrick Keating. Defensive Substitution: Francisco Martinez replaces third baseman Zack Cox, batting 8th, playing third base. Adam Abraham pops out to first baseman Hunter Morris in foul territory. Nate Tenbrink walks. Jay Austin called out on strikes. Cord Phelps grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Pete Kozma. Nate Tenbrink out at 2nd. Peo Javelinas Top of the 9th Juan Carlos Linares singles on a ground ball to third baseman Francisco Martinez. Ryan Lavarnway singles on a fly ball to right fielder Joey Butler. Juan Carlos Linares to 2nd. Adam Loewen singles on a line drive to left fielder Ben Guez. Juan Carlos Linares scores. Ryan Lavarnway to 2nd. Pitcher Change: Matt Hoffman replaces Jeremy Jeffress. Logan Schafer played CF, led off, and reached three times on two singles and a walk. Hunter Morris played first base, singled twice in a 2-for-4 day in which he drove in two. Fantastic experience for the late roster addition (Caleb Gindl and Eric Farris were idle. Gindl, too, was a late addition, you'll remember.) Surprise hung on to win the game, 8-7. Boxscore / Game Log / Gameday available here. Jeffress allowed three runs as both his remaining runners came around to score, but only one of the runs was earned, and his ERA is now 1.23. The AFL lists RHP Michael Fiers, who hasn't pitched since October 20th, as Monday's starter. Day off Sunday.

Each and every Brewer affiliate is assigned both a season-long athletic trainer and season-long strength & conditioning coach, with organizational coordinators in both areas as well. Not sure if that's the norm across baseball, but that's still fairly impressive. I would imagine that both the Maryvale site and Brevard's Space Coast (Nationals' spring training) have fully-functional and close to if not state-of-the-art weight training facilities available. Perhaps Wisconsin's is more than adequate (to be honest, don't know), and it's hard to imagine proper facilities in Nashville, Huntsville, and Helena, although their coaches do mention "the gym". The trainers and coaches prepare off-seaon individualized plans for the players and check in during the off-season via phone as well. Obviously, the players need to have self-discipline in the off-season. For the life of me, I just can't imagine why the Brewers (and they're not alone in baseball) do not work with their affiliate partners, and yes, even visiting stadiums on the road (this could all be coordinated and costs shared with other organizations) to provide at least two of the players' meals each and every day. Proper meals -- not the PB&J spreads we read about, but lean meats, salad bars, fruit-based desserts, etc. Does the team bus pull into McDonald's off the freeway more often than not, or places where there are a variety of proper choices? Maybe the Brewers do a better job than we give them credit for, it would be nice to hear even more about the whole process than has been made available thus far. But we do get some insights -- Here's a previously-linked audio interview with the Huntsville training and strength staff, worth your while. Also, this: July 9 - Nashville Audio Chat with Strength and Conditioning Coach Andrew Emmick -- Subway, Quiznos, supplement shakes mentioned... So while I can understand some of the frustrations that TC07 expresses, I think we just need to be careful that these aspects are not just black holes in the organization. They are addressed to some degree, but obviously not ideally.

The only other Friday winter ball participant was Carlos Gomez, 2-for-3 with a HBP at the plate, 1-for-3 on the basepaths (CS once, picked off once) in his team's 4-3 win. His stats after five games here.

Impressive four-inning start for RHP Darren Byrd in Puerto Rico Friday in his team's 6-0 win -- no runs, three hits, 1 BB, 2 K's, 6-to-3 GB/FO: Caguas Top of the 1st Luis Figueroa flies out to center fielder Bobby Kielty. Andy Gonzalez grounds out, second baseman Irving Falu to first baseman Edwards Guzman. Ramon Vazquez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Bobby Kielty. Aaron Bates lines out to third baseman Jorge Jimenez. Caguas Top of the 2nd Gregory Porter grounds out, second baseman Irving Falu to first baseman Edwards Guzman. Edgardo Baez walks. Brahiam Maldonado called out on strikes. Jose Castro grounds out to first baseman Edwards Guzman. Caguas Top of the 3rd Antonio Jimenez singles on a ground ball to shortstop Felix Molina. Luis Figueroa flies out to right fielder Michael Hernandez. Andy Gonzalez flies out to center fielder Bobby Kielty. Ramon Vazquez grounds out, second baseman Irving Falu to first baseman Edwards Guzman. Caguas Top of the 4th Aaron Bates strikes out swinging. Gregory Porter singles on a ground ball to right fielder Michael Hernandez. Edgardo Baez grounds into double play, shortstop Felix Molina to second baseman Irving Falu to first baseman Edwards Guzman. Gregory Porter out at 2nd.

Surprise moves to 9-6 with a 12-5 rout victory (it was 12-1 after four innings) -- now granted, it's an offensive league, but team stats show it's not as obscene as you may think, so the success of the Brewer kids thus far (three more multi-hit games today) is legit, albeit in a small sample. Despite playing in only nine games (much fewer than most in the league), Eric Farris leads the league in runs scored. Caleb Gindl is 4th in OPS (5th in SLG, tied with Farris for 7th in OBP). Game story includes this -- Caleb Gindl extended his hitting streak to a team-best nine games and he raised his average to .361 with a pair of doubles, his fifth and sixth extra-base hits of the Fall League. He shares that hitting streak with none other than Eric Farris, who was 2-for-6 with two RBIs to bump his average to .429. The streaks are the highest for any pair of teammates in the AFL, while individually they rank third in the AFL behind Mesa's Jeremy Moore (Angels), who saw his 11-game streak snapped in Scottsdale on Friday. *** Farris (has only played second base, boy is he locked into that position) was 2-for-6 with a run scored and two RBI. Gindl, in right field, doubled twice on a 2-for-4 day, walked, and scored twice. DH Hunter Morris is hitting .306 after 36 AB's (.838 OPS) -- he was 2-for-4 with a walk, an RBI, and two runs scored. Day off for the Brewer pitchers...

Add 23-year-old Brevard County utilityman Sergio Miranda to the list of those participating. He's in Puerto Rico, 1-for-3 with a walk in his first game.

Updated comments from Brent Brewer this week NOTE: This article led to a new take on the discussion from the original thread, so it's been split here, with the conversation continuing below.

Josh Murray, the 2002 2nd round shortstop, is on the University of Georgia football team as a backup safety and special teams player, joined as a walk-on in 2010. He's 26 years old now. His brother Aaron is the young stud redshirt freshman starting quarterback for the 'Dawgs. Here are two 2009 links, and a 2010 link with Murray's World Series pick. Interesting tidbits along the way...

Surprise wins again, 5-3. Manager Mike Guerrero felt guilty about featuring four Brewers in Wednesday's lineup so he went Brewerless at the plate Thursday. Brandon Kintzler and Mike McClendon combined for three scoreless innings (four K's, no walks). That's 6.1 scoreless innings in Kintzler's last four appearances, and 7.1 scoreless innings over his last five appearances for McClendon. Yee-hah! Scottsdale Bottom of the 5th Pitcher Change: Brandon Kintzler replaces Brian Broderick. Greg Miclat grounds out, third baseman Francisco Martinez to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Marc Krauss strikes out swinging. Jordan Pacheco singles on a ground ball to right fielder Ben Guez. Charles Blackmon flies out to right fielder Ben Guez. Scottsdale Bottom of the 6th Derek Norris grounds out softly, third baseman Francisco Martinez to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Conor Gillaspie singles on a ground ball to center fielder Engel Beltre. Michael Burgess strikes out swinging. Xavier Avery strikes out swinging. Scottsdale Bottom of the 7th Pitcher Change: Mike McClendon replaces Brandon Kintzler. Steve Lombardozzi flies out to right fielder Ben Guez. Greg Miclat strikes out swinging. Marc Krauss flies out to center fielder Engel Beltre.

Carlos Gomez' season-to-date can be viewed here.

RHP Hiram Burgos made his 2nd PRWL appearance in three days, stranding a baserunner of Bill Pulsipher, of all people, in his squad's 3-2 win -- San Juan Bottom of the 6th Jesus Feliciano hit by pitch. Josh Fields flies out to right fielder Bobby Kielty. Pitcher Change: Hiram Burgos replaces Bill Pulsipher. With Jorge Padilla batting, wild pitch by Hiram Burgos, Jesus Feliciano to 3rd. Jorge Padilla walks. Phillip Cuadrado strikes out swinging. Paulo Orlando grounds into a force out, third baseman Jorge Jimenez to second baseman Irving Falu. Jorge Padilla out at 2nd.

LHP Efrain Nieves (hard to believe he's still only 20 years old, almost 21) made his debut start for San Juan in Puerto Rico, and it was a nice one. In fact, the only run he allowed in his 4.1 innings crossed the plate after his departure in his team's 2-1 loss. 4.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 WP, 6-to-3 GB/FO Caguas Bottom of the 1st Luis Figueroa doubles (3) on a line drive to right fielder Jorge Padilla. Andy Gonzalez flies out to center fielder Jarrod Dyson. Ramon Vazquez called out on strikes. Aaron Bates walks. With Gregory Porter batting, wild pitch by Efrain Nieves, Luis Figueroa to 3rd. Aaron Bates to 2nd. Gregory Porter grounds out, third baseman Phillip Cuadrado to first baseman Clint Robinson. Caguas Bottom of the 2nd Edgardo Baez flies out to center fielder Jarrod Dyson. Brahiam Maldonado called out on strikes. Omir Santos grounds out, third baseman Phillip Cuadrado to first baseman Clint Robinson. Caguas Bottom of the 3rd Antonio Jimenez singles on a line drive to left fielder Jesus Feliciano. Luis Figueroa grounds into double play, third baseman Phillip Cuadrado to second baseman Hector Pellot to first baseman Clint Robinson. Antonio Jimenez out at 2nd. Andy Gonzalez called out on strikes. Caguas Bottom of the 4th Ramon Vazquez flies out to left fielder Jesus Feliciano. Aaron Bates grounds out, third baseman Phillip Cuadrado to first baseman Clint Robinson. Gregory Porter grounds out to first baseman Clint Robinson. Caguas Bottom of the 5th Edgardo Baez called out on strikes. Brahiam Maldonado walks. Omir Santos singles on a fly ball to center fielder Jarrod Dyson. Brahiam Maldonado to 2nd. Pitcher Change: Brett Harker replaces Efrain Nieves. Antonio Jimenez strikes out swinging. Luis Figueroa singles on a ground ball to second baseman Hector Pellot. Brahiam Maldonado scores. Omir Santos to 2nd. Andy Gonzalez flies out to center fielder Jarrod Dyson. Nieves' struggles with the Timber Rattlers the past two seasons sure have been frustrating to fans, and probably himself.

Surprise rolls with a rare AFL shutout, 7-0 LHP Lucas Luetge survived two-out trouble to post a scoreless inning -- Peo Saguaros Top of the 8th Pitcher Change: Lucas Luetge replaces Brandon Sisk. Chris Parmelee flies out to left fielder Caleb Gindl. Kris Negron strikes out swinging. Jared Mitchell singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Logan Schafer. Andrew Parrino doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder Caleb Gindl. Jared Mitchell to 3rd. Ben Revere grounds out, shortstop Cale Iorg to first baseman Eric Hosmer. As noted in that log, Caleb Gindl played left field with buddy Logan Schafer in center. The Brewer contingent continues to have a wonderful fall season., as Gindl, Schafer, Eric Farris and Hunter Morris combined to go 6-for-15 with four walks.

I think this thread, as entertaining as it is, has taken a bit too much of an inside joke bent, but the next time Helena updates their logo again, we'll re-open it http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif.

Fixed, thanks...

Following up the prior post, Chris makes sense to us.

Vote for Helena (scroll to bottom of the linked page) in the team's quest for a MiLBY Award.

In case you're wondering, Brendan Katin has been idle for a week now in Mexico, likely back home, maybe to return? The comings and goings make for a lot of the unknown in winter ball, that's for sure...

Surprise wins, 5-3, in ten innings Hunter Morris 1-for-4, solo HR to center field in the 5th. Lefty Dan Merklinger (Toby's tweet) went three innings, faltered just at the end, still impressive in three AFL appearances -- Phoenix Bottom of the 1st Tyler Pastornicky strikes out swinging. Trayvon Robinson reaches on fielding error by third baseman Zack Cox. Brandon Laird flies out to center fielder Engel Beltre. Jerry Sands walks. Trayvon Robinson to 2nd. Cory Harrilchak called out on strikes. Phoenix Bottom of the 2nd Michael Taylor pops out to second baseman Johnny Giavotella. Kyle Skipworth singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Engel Beltre. Jose Pirela lines into double play, shortstop Pete Kozma to first baseman Hunter Morris. Kyle Skipworth doubled off 1st. Phoenix Bottom of the 3rd Ryan Curry grounds out, pitcher Dan Merklinger to first baseman Hunter Morris. Tyler Pastornicky flies out to center fielder Engel Beltre. Trayvon Robinson walks. With Brandon Laird batting, Trayvon Robinson advances to 2nd on a balk. Brandon Laird doubles (6) on a fly ball to center fielder Engel Beltre. Trayvon Robinson scores. Jerry Sands singles on a ground ball to center fielder Engel Beltre. Brandon Laird scores. Cory Harrilchak grounds out, second baseman Johnny Giavotella to first baseman Hunter Morris. Jeremy Jeffress has walked six in 6.1 innings, but has allowed only two hits and maintains a 0.00 ERA -- he even went two innings behind Merklinger (no Gameday pitch speed data) -- Phoenix Bottom of the 4th Pitcher Change: Jeremy Jeffress replaces Dan Merklinger. Michael Taylor flies out to center fielder Engel Beltre. Kyle Skipworth walks. Jose Pirela walks. Kyle Skipworth to 2nd. Ryan Curry pops out to third baseman Zack Cox on the infield fly rule. Tyler Pastornicky grounds into a force out, fielded by second baseman Johnny Giavotella. Jose Pirela out at 2nd. Phoenix Bottom of the 5th Trayvon Robinson called out on strikes. Brandon Laird walks. Jerry Sands strikes out swinging. Cory Harrilchak grounds out, second baseman Johnny Giavotella to first baseman Hunter Morris. Toby's other game-related Tweets