Jim Goulart

Looks like Adam Stern is a go for Canada, while Alex Periard and Brett Lawrie will not be (not surprising at all).

You have a right to your opinion, but c'mon, nobody who has posted regularly on the forums here has indicated a "pining" for Vinny Rottino to be the everyday catcher of the Milwaukee Brewers. You've probably read your share of articles linked here. Why? Because he's a good story. That doesn't qualify as "pining" or "love affair". No Brewer minor leaguer has ever driven in more runs in a single season than the undrafted Rottino -- Vinny's name will be in the record book in that regard for quite some time, you'd think. Here's another article for ya http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif Link while active, text follows: Numbers game pinches Rottino Racine native designated for assignment after Looper signing By Susan Shemanske Racine Journal Times sports editor Until he hears otherwise, Vinny Rottino will go about his business as usual in preparing for the 2009 baseball season. The former St. Catherine's High School and UW-La Crosse standout will report to the Milwaukee Brewers' spring training camp in the Maryvale neighborhood of Phoenix, Ariz., today to begin working out with the other pitchers and catchers. Rottino was removed from the Brewers' 40-man roster Thursday and designated for assignment when the team signed free-agent pitcher Braden Looper and added him to the 40-man roster. By designating the 28-year-old Rottino for assignment, the Brewers have 10 days to try to work out a trade for him, release him or put him on waivers. If another team claims Rottino off waivers and signs him, that would end Rottino's six-year run in the Brewers' minor-league organization. "I feel like it's actually a positive thing," Rottino said Thursday night in a telephone interview from Phoenix, where he's been for the last week and a half taking part in the Brewers' optional workouts. "Any of the other 29 teams has the option of picking me up. If another team wants to pick me up, then obviously they think I can help them somewhere in the big leagues so that would be a good opportunity for me." Rottino looks at it as a win-win situation. If he clears waivers, he'll stay in the Brewers' major-league camp and be given the same opportunity to compete for a spot on the Brewers. "Gord (Ash, the Brewers' assistant general manager) assured me that it doesn't make any difference if I'm on the 40-man roster or not," Rottino said. "I'm still in the same situation. It's not that the Brewers don't think I can help them. It just came down to a numbers thing. I'm still going to compete for a spot on the team." Since signing with the Brewers as a non-drafted free agent in February 2003, Rottino has progressed through the minor-league system while playing in the infield, outfield and most recently catching. He earned the Brewers' Minor League Player of the Year honors in 2004 when he hit .304 with 17 home runs and a team-record 124 RBIs in 140 games for the Class A Beloit Snappers and worked his way up to Class AAA Nashville by the end of the 2005 season. In six minor-league seasons, Rottino hit .295 with 51 home runs and 348 RBIs in 674 games. The versatile and always optimistic Rottino has been part of the Brewers' September callups the last three seasons. In 18 games, he has five hits and four RBIs and a .208 batting average. In recent years, Rottino has worked hard on developing his catching skills and has taken part in the Brewers' fall Arizona instructional league. "There's opportunities out there, so I'll just keep grinding it out as I've always done," Rottino said. "Sure I'm staying positive. Why would you not?"

It means that Scarpetta must be on the big league roster to stay after camp breaks in 2012. He's going to have to jump a level or split a season at some point, but a progression path of low-A in 2009, high-A / Double-A in 2010, and AAA in 2011 makes sense. Hopefully an introduction to big league ball late in mid-'11, and as noted, up to stay in '12. In particular, the Brewers were concerned Jack Z. would pluck Cody in Rule 5, but even with his insider knowlege of the situation, having Scarpetta stay on the big league roster all season with the Mariners seemed beyond comprehension, but the Brewers didn't chance it. Another part of the situation is that because Scarpetta's original deal was broken, he was essentially on a one-year minor league free agent contract last season, and could have made himself a minor league free agent if he so chose this past offseason. Unless there was especially bad blood between the organization and he at this point (unlikely), this would not have happened, but the Brewers took away that option by adding him to the 40-man. Final note -- when a player signs his first affiliated contract, the team owns that player for seven years if the contract remains unbroken by the player's release. But once it's broken, a player, if fortunate enough to interest another organization, will always be on a single year deal.

Link while active, text follows: Green now a Brewer By Steve Carter/Tifton (GA) Gazette News Editor TIFTON - Thanks to Bobby Abreu, Tifton native Nick Green is on the move. Green spent Thursday en route to Arizona for spring training with the Los Angeles Angels. By the end of the day, he was in the right state, but instead of being with the Angels, he will now be with the Milwaukee Brewers. The change was Los Angeles' signing of Abreu, a free-agent outfielder that spent last season with the New York Yankees. Needing a space on the 40-man Major League roster for Abreu, the Angels moved Green off of the Major League roster. That resulted in the Tifton native being put on waivers. That led to Milwaukee immediately picking Green up and adding him to their 40-man roster. "It has been a crazy 48 hours," Green said in a telephone interview from his hotel room Thursday night. "I got a call from my agent around 8 Tuesday night, saying something could be up. I hadn't heard anything when I got on the plane this morning, but I found out when I got off. It was like a shock to me. I went from competing for a job (with the Angels) to being a Brewer." But, while he is still getting over the change, Green also realizes the move could be a good one for him. "I am excited. This is a fresh new start for me," said the Tifton native. While the Angels had a number of top pitching prospects, Milwaukee is lacking in top pitchers in the minor leagues. That means Green could be up in the big leagues relatively soon. Also, even if Green does not make the big league club after spring training, the Brewers' Triple-A farm team is in Nashville, which is much closer to Tifton than Salt Lake City, where Green played last season. There is also one other thing. Green will now get a chance to hit as he will be moving from the American League to the National League. "My granddaddy will be happy, because I will get a chance to hit," said Green. "He has always wanted to me to hit and get dirty." Spring training starts today for the Brewers.

http://www.rotoworld.com/images/headshots/MLB/5376.jpg There are so few starting pitchers who are African-American (relievers also, but to a lesser extent), so here's to rooting for the still-young Mr. Green to have a productive Brewer career (not that we aren't rooting for all the farmhands to impress, of course). Wow them in Nashville, and we'll see you down the road, Nick...

Baseball America reports that the Brewers have signed an outfielder named Juan Barrini. We'll learn more when the media guide is out in the spring. LHP Manuel Ruiz is the latest Latin American youngster to be signed, according to Baseball America. More info at press guide time in the spring, but any signing that begins with "LHP" gets an automatic approval bump just on potential alone http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif. Baseball America reports the Brewers have signed RHP Heri Olivo. Since the BA transaction note is the only mention of Heri Olivo anywhere on the world wide web, we're guessing it's a raw Latin talent signing his first pro contract. Olivo's signing may or may not sneak into the media guide when it's available next month. We may not learn more (peripherals, home country) until rookie leagues begin in June.

Corey Corey's dad

Crivitz, check your email....this post will be moved to the On Deck Event thread overnight. EDIT by 1992casey: It's now moved. You can find your post here.

Capuano hits a homer http://blog.masslive.com/criesandwhispers/2009/02/large_cry%20capuanos.jpg Major League Baseball pitcher Chris Capuano, formerly of West Springfield, and his bride, Sarah. The couple married on Nov. 29 in Maui, Hawaii Chris Capuano, a 2006 National League All-Star team pitcher with the Milwaukee Brewers, was unlucky in baseball last year, but he has been lucky in love. The 30-year-old left-hander from West Springfield and Cathedral High School, missed the entire season after reconstructive surgery on his left elbow, but the recovery time allowed him to focus on longtime girlfriend Sarah Clifford, 28. Chris and Sarah's romance began when both were students at Duke University in Durham, N.C., but their careers kept them apart. While Chris was busy with baseball, Sarah was in training to compete in the modern pentathlon, a sports contest that includes five events, pistol shooting, fencing, 200 meter freestyle swimming, show jumping and a 3K cross-country run. http://www.cmsrun.org/images_runners/sarah_clifford_1_13_03_1.jpg Chris popped the question in June on a sunset cliff overlooking La Jolla, Calif. The couple was married Nov. 29 in Maui, Hawaii, where family members joined them for a celebration that was part vacation and honeymoon. Friends from back home had an opportunity to help the couple celebrate over the Christmas holiday. The Capuanos had their marriage blessed Dec. 27 during a ceremony at St. Mary's Parish in Shrewsbury. A party followed at the Highfields Country Club in Grafton, Sarah's hometown. The couple is living in Scottsdale, Ariz., where Chris is beginning to throw the ball and where Sarah is considering a career in physical therapy or a related field.

Every comment from the player development staff on Eric Fryer this past summer was one that included some level of amzement at what he accomplished at the plate. Remember, Fryer couldn't even make a squad out of spring training with Jonathan Lucroy at West Virginia and made his way to the Power because they needed corner outfield help. Granted, Fryer made the best of his situation, but I liked this trade. Milwaukee Scouts Rail Over Fryer Trade By Frank Russo Many scouts within the Milwaukee organization are furious over the Eric Fryer for Chase Wright trade. In fact, one of the top scouts in the organization feels that he is going to become a true star. This evening at 5:30, I received a call from Tampa. It was from my main Yankees source. He had some interesting insight into the Wright for Fryer deal from a high level Brewers scout with whom he is friends with. He was told the following: "A lot of us really loved the kid. I know I did. When we heard about the trade we were like, 'What the Hell is Melvin doing." I talked to his coach at Ohio State, who raves about him." If he stays healthy, it's a huge deal for the Yankees. He's a natural hitter, and that's something you can't teach. I think he has a chance to become a star. "He's going to need a few seasons in the minors, but I think this kid is the real deal. "I don't like the deal from our end, but you have to give Cashman credit. "I think the Yankees might have found their catcher of the future." So what does this all mean? Well, let's just remember, prospects are just that, prospects. There are no guarantees. Fryer, who can also play outfield, might very well turn out to be a steal. If the Milwaukee scout happens to be right, and there are many others who agree with him, then this was a great move by Brian Cashman. Only time will tell. Here's some info on Frank Russo: After a fifteen year career as a radio announcer, I decided to change careers and I am now a webdesigner and developer. I am also the proud owner of the largest independent baseball website on the world wide web called "The Deadball Era", the only website dedicated to deceased major league players located at http://www.thedeadballera.com/ . I am also a Nationally Recognized baseball researcher and baseball necrologist and a member of The Society For American Baseball Research (SABR) I worked as a researcher for a TV project for ESPN on the 1919 World Series scandal. My baseball site has been featured in the January 4th, 2002 issue of Sports Illustrated along with many periodicals nationwide. I have authored a new book on deceased major leaguers called 'Bury My Heart at Cooperstown: Sad, Salacious, and Surreal Deaths in the History of Baseball". *** The "many scouts" line is silly, as if several were polled or have already spoken amogst themselves. But, take it all for what it's worth -- web chatter. For a zero degree day here where I am, it's fun bluster...

Trot Nixon's loss could be Brewers' gain

Again? What am I missing. When was the last time the Brewers traded away a hitter that actually produced. Nelson Cruz is the closest but he hasn't even done it for a full season. Unless you are talking about LaPorta and that move got us into the playoffs so was probably worth it. The Brewers have not traded a minor league position player who has produced post-trade in the Melvin era outside of Nelson Cruz' mind-numbing 2008 AAA numbers. What's unique about the trade of Fryer is that for the second consecutive season, the Brewers have dealt the South Atlantic League's leading hitter. Andrew Lefave (Ray King deal) put up very pedestrian numbers in his age 24 season split between high-A and AA for the Nationals.

This Baseball America article from January, which includes former Brewer farmhand Steve Palazzolo, discusses how tough all the non-bonus babies have had it this offseason, and their financial situations for the upcoming spring training.

Link while active, text follows: Boys of summer find winter wonderland Centrefield Sports, the brainchild of Adam Stern, offers London and area pros and minor and high school players an indoor facility By Steve Green The London (Ontario, CN) Free-Press In the middle of a cold Canadian winter, step inside a nondescript warehouse in east London and you'll hear an unmistakable sound of summer -- the crack of a bat hitting a baseball. You're at Centrefield Sports, an indoor training centre on King Street, just east of the Kellogg's plant, set up by Londoner Adam Stern, an Aquinas grad who has played in the majors with the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles. Born out of a necessity for an indoor training centre, the facility opened in November and is already drawing a number of London-area pros to train and instruct local minor and high school players. "It serves two purposes," Stern said. "Guys who played pro ball from this area didn't have a place to work out. We'd have to throw at one place, then go somewhere else to hit. We'd be driving to Toronto and back. "Second, there was a need for the kids in the area to have a place to train in the offseason. They can get the basics of the game; when they come here they don't know that much about baseball and they get to hear from some pro guys who came up the ranks, letting them know how it's done so hopefully the kids can get better." The centre has batting cages and pitching machines (including one for fastball), pitching mounds, artificial turf bought from Delaware State -- basically, you can do anything baseball-related there except shag fly balls. On this particular day, two other area pros are at the centre -- catcher Chris Robinson of Dorchester, who's in the Chicago Cubs organization, and Pittsburgh Pirates minor-league infielder Jamie Romak of London. "We've got no excuses now," Romak said. "We can run a full program here, do whatever we need, take as many swings as we need." Originally drafted by Atlanta, Romak, 23, expects to start the season at Class AA Altoona, Pa., but hopes to move up quickly. "The plan is to hit, hit, hit," he said. "In AA, you pave your own way to the majors. If you do well, you'll get your shot; if you don't, you won't. I got my opportunities with Atlanta and I'll get them with Pittsburgh." The fact the Pirates are struggling doesn't necessarily mean an easier route to the majors, Romak said. "The thing about a team like that is they need to bring up impact players who can produce right away, whereas a successful team like Boston can still afford to bring a guy up who might struggle at first. So I need to get myself ready to go right away." Robinson, 24, hopes to begin the 2009 season with the Cubs' AAA affiliate in Iowa. "If it is, great; if it's (Class AA) Knoxville, I'll just go and work had and try to improve," said Robinson, like Stern a Olympic team member last summer. "It's just a matter of performing. Whether I get to play every day is going to be a matter of what I do on the field, so this spring training will be huge." Robinson said the work of previous and current Canadian major leaguers are helping the next generation. "Guys like Justin Morneau and Jason Bay are paving the way. Is there still a bit of a label? Yeah, but people quickly develop the idea that Canadians play the game the right way." Stern, less than two weeks away from his 29th birthday, signed a minor-league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers last month. "I'm looking forward to getting back out there and getting another crack at the bigs," he said. "They just came off a playoff spot and it would be something I'd be excited to be a part of. Once you've been there and get sent back down, it's a little tough to take. "You want to get back there that much more, so you put added pressure on yourself." And while he still has time left in his playing days, Stern may have already started the post-playing part of his baseball career with the centre, which also has Mike Lumley, Jess Bechard, Brewer farmhand Brock Kjeldgaard, Will Stewardson, Geoff McCallum and Brad McElroy as instructors. "The question was would I like it enough, but with this you stay in the game and keep your finger on the pulse of baseball in this area," Stern said. "It's a good chance to hopefully affect it in a positive manner and to be able to give back to baseball here would be great."

Scranton Newspaper Blog Entry with various quotes today, including from Wright

There are many mentions of Eric Fryer on our Minor League Forum from 2008, most tucked away in Link Reports and such (no one speific thread). This article from last May will provide some insight. As you likely know by now, Fryer was dealt to the Yankees today for RHP Chase Wright. You can discuss the deal in this thread on the Major League Forum. Here's wishing Eric well; we'll be able to get some insights from Brevard County coverage this season if Fryer plays for Tampa as expected.

You're ticking me off, because I just scrolled through a "Where are they now?" type photo album this past week, and I think this picture was included. Of course, my mind is mush...

According to Baseball America transactions page, the Brewers are offering a "second chance" to a talented athlete, former two-sport baseball/football recruit Derrick McPhearson, an outfielder who ran afoul of the law while at the University of Illinois. August 2007 Pre-Trial Article from the Washington, DC area where McPhearson grew up From February 2008 -- a change in plea: URBANA, Ill. (AP) - Former University of Illinois football player Derrick McPhearson pleaded guilty Friday to stealing a laptop computer from another student's apartment. McPhearson pleaded guilty to felony theft, and a Champaign County judge sentenced him to 180 days in jail and 30 months of probation. Four counts of residential burglary and another theft charge were dismissed. McPhearson will be 23 in May, and it appears he hasn't played organized baseball since high school, so he has some catching up to do. It'd be interesting to find out how the Brewers came about to learn of his current talents, perhaps an open tryout signee. Here's wishing the young man well with the Crew. Of course, it there's another outfielder Derrick McPhearson out there, then disregard the history above.

Our friend David Weiser has a thorough summary of Huntsville news, on and off the field, from this offseason -- tidbits galore, many of them gleaned from our updates, but others as well, and as always, we appreciate his efforts....

Not Brewer-related directly save for brief Prince Fielder and Craig Breslow mentions, but with Joe Torre's book getting all the attention these days, it's interesting to note what comes out when a former Pioneer League player reviews his journal and finds a book deal. Not that we're suggesting any Brewer farmhand get any ideas... He throws a strike at Angels Matt McCarthy's stats, Provo, 2002

Link while active, text follows: In this case, you want to go to the link while available, rather than read the text below, which matches that spoken in a video news report from Scarpetta's Rockford, Ill. area hometown station. Scarpetta Optimistic Reported by: Scott Leber Baseball players will soon be reporting to Arizona and Florida for spring training. Rockford resident Cody Scarpetta will be one of them. He plans to get a jump by leaving Monday for the Brewers' training complex in Arizona. Scarpetta has been taking this offseason very seriously. He's been working out four times a week at Tim Bailey's Top Performer's Sports Performance Training Center in Loves Park. "He comes in here and he busts his butt," said Bailey to WTVO. He goes through workouts that you might expect to see a football player do, not a pitcher. "Pitchers have to have stength in their lower extremeties as well as their upper body, and they definitely have to have endurance," said Bailey. Scarpetta has always been serious about baseball. But some adversity early in his professional career has made him even more determined to succeed. His senior season at Guilford two years ago was cut short by a torn tendon in the middle finger of his pitching hand. That caused him to fall in the draft from a likely early-round pick to an 11th round pick by the Brewers. Later that summer the tendon ruptured again, and Scarpetta underwent a second opertion. The scars are still visible from where surgeons removed a tendon in his forearm and inserted it into his hand. Scarpetta says he has fully recovered. "It feels good. I feel like I'm ready to go," said Scarpetta to WTVO. Scarpetta pitched the second half of last season for two of the Brewers' rookie league teams. His fastball was clocked as high as 97 miles per hour. In 36 innings he struck out 58 batters, an amazing ratio of 15.5 strikeouts per nine innings. "My goal is just to get somebody out," said Scarpetta. "When I get two strikes I just have the mentality to put a batter away." Young, power pitchers are coveted by major league organizations. Scarpetta is rated in some Brewers' blogs as one of the top 13 prospects in their entire organization. Since November he has been listed on the Brewers' 40-man major league roster right there with Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun and all of the other big-leaguers. He's there because the Brewers needed to protect him from the rule-five draft this winter. Most players have to have five years of minor league service before they're eligible for the rule-five draft. A rare clause made Scarpetta eligible. Any player who has his contract voided within a year of playing time is also eligible. The Brewers had voided Scarpetta's original contract after his finger tendon ruptured the second time. Now that Scarpetta is healthy, the Brewers couldn't risk having another major league team grab him based on his power and his potential. "I guess they thought enough of me to put me on the roster, and I'm real thankful for that," said Scarpetta. Scarpetta is realistic enough to know he's still a few years away from having a shot at playing in Milwaukee. Although last weekend he was included in the Brewers' Fan-fest. "Everyone was there. They had Prince Fielder and J.J. Hardy...all the big guys," said Scarpetta. "You kind of realize I'm not too far away from there just being with them." This season Scarpetta will most likely wind up with the Brewers' high class A team Brevard County in Viera, Florida. Or he could wind up pitching for their Class A Midwest League affiliate in Appleton the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. That would mean he would be pitching close to home. "It would be great to pitch in front of everybody."

John Sickels with his 2009 book excerpt on Will Inman.

Torontonian RHP Mark James was still only 17 years old when he was drafted by the Brewers in the 14th round in 2005. The Brewers cut him after two Maryvale seasons. But he's on the alumni list as the youngest (since we've been tracking) to pitch in independent ball and make it back to the affiliated ranks, as he's been signed by the Reds.

More interview with Angel Salome, this time on video -- even Angel's earlobes work out (you'll see)

From '07, this is why we archive here....