Jim Goulart

You're not missing a thing, Closet. You're just doing a better than job than me. Palmisano was a blatant oversight -- heck, he was eligible last year and the Brewers chose to expose him to Rule 5. Will they this year? I've added Lou and Hinton to the list above. I don't think Hinton will be added, he's just too far away to make the jump to the bigs via Rule 5. As for Escobar, I'm going to stick to my corrected guns on that one (for now http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/wink.gif). He didn't play in 2003, and although he signed as a 16-year-old that July, it was most likely a contract for 2004. Many of the young Latin players signed in the summer do that. Thanks again for all your efforts on this, you're on the payroll, bro. This thread gives us headaches every year.

The Brewers are in fantastic 40-man roster shape, and if anything, should be watching the waiver wire closely because they'll be in fine position to make a claim or two. Just posted this on the Minor League Forum: Rather than teams being allowed three years (for players signed at age 19 or older) or four years (for players 18 and younger) before leaving them off the 40-man roster subjects them to the Rule 5 draft, those periods have been lengthened to four and five. Eligible for 40-man roster addition (not including potential minor league free agents): RHP Steve Bray 2B / OF Callix Crabbe RHP Tim Dillard LHP Jeff Housman C Carlos Corporan RHP Bo Hall 3B Adam Heether RHP Robert Hinton RHP Dave Johnson OF Steve Moss LHP Sam Narron C Lou Palmisano RHP Luis Pena INF Steve Sollmann C Nestor Corredor LHP Rafael Lluberes OF Freddy Parejo RHP Ben Stanczyk OF Charlie Fermaint RHP Josh Wahpepah RHP Luis Pena and his near 100 MPH heat will most likely be added to the 40-man shortly. Other than that, there is no "must stash" candidate for the 40-man roster among those eligibles listed above, although Bray would be a potential loss in Rule 5. Most of the players listed in the initial post in this thread don't need to be considered this year.

The age at which a player is signed determines whether they can be in an organization for four or five years before they need to be added to the 40-man to avoid Rule 5 vulnerability. So if you were 18 or younger when signed (like Escobar), it's five years in the system.

From Manatees GM Buck Rogers: Buck, what was your most memorable moment of this past season? I don't know if you're referring to baseball action or overall, but I'd say being in the clubhouse delivering some mail just before game time when Steve Garrison walked in from John Tamargo's office after being told he was traded to the San Diego Padres organization. That was very emotional. Forget all the wins and losses and champagne and t-shirts.the guys saying their goodbyes to Steve - some of them in tears while hugging him - was a pretty memorable scene. And showing how classy he was, he went to home plate a few moments later and accepted the Florida State League Pitcher of the Week honors and then told everybody he was proud to have been a member of the Brewers organization and would like to thank them for the opportunity. He wished the team good luck in the playoffs. He then went thru the stands and thanked fans for their support. That was my most memorable moment of the 2007 season. I wish I would've had it on video, but it was spur of the moment, totally unexpected. For every athlete out their that yanks your chain like Terrell Owens, Randy Moss, Barry Bonds, etc., there is a guy like Steve Garrison doing it right who'll never get recognized for it. That's something that the Brewers instill in their players and that mentality branches out throughout the organization. Thanks for sharing that, Buck -- Jim.

I am sorry I mis-spoke with a pretty big error earlier. Alcides Escobar, (signed younger than 19), has been with the system four years. Still one more to go before the 40-man is a necessity. Rather than teams being allowed three years (for players signed at age 19 or older) or four years (for players 18 and younger) before leaving them off the 40-man roster subjects them to the Rule 5 draft, those periods have been lengthened to four and five. Eligible for 40-man roster addition (not including potential minor league free agents): RHP Steve Bray 2B / OF Callix Crabbe RHP Tim Dillard LHP Jeff Housman C Carlos Corporan RHP Bo Hall 3B Adam Heether RHP Dave Johnson OF Steve Moss LHP Sam Narron RHP Luis Pena INF Steve Sollmann C Nestor Corredor LHP Rafael Lluberes OF Freddy Parejo RHP Ben Stanczyk OF Charlie Fermaint

Latest from the Nashville site (same link as above): Second baseman Hernan Iribarren, who spent the 2007 season with Double-A Huntsville and projects as a member of the Sounds' roster in 2008, is playing for Lara in the Venezuelan Winter League (one game, no plate appearances).

Pretty well-written (and accurate): Let's let our Jewish athletes be Jewish, or not (Braun)

Mesa loses Thursday, 9-3 Adam Heether 0-for-4, sees some time at second base as well as third; Matt LaPorta two singles, now 3-for-12, no walks but only one K; Dave Johnson and Mitch Stetter see action, detailed below. Both were effective, Johnson gets charged with a run only because he exits with two outs and a man on first base, subsequent batter triples. Surprise Bottom 1st - Pitcher Change: Dave Johnson replaces Daniel Haigwood (two outs, five runs in, runners on 2nd and 3rd) - Trevor Crowe strikes out swinging, catcher Dusty Brown to first baseman Jon Still. Surprise Bottom 2nd - Chris Pettit strikes out swinging. - Dropped foul pop error by catcher Dusty Brown. - German Duran strikes out swinging. - John Mayberry flies out to center fielder Sam Fuld. Surprise Bottom 3rd - Kila Kaaihue walks. - Chris Gimenez strikes out swinging. - Ben Johnson grounds into a force out, shortstop Tom Manzella to second baseman Jarrett Hoffpauir. Kila Kaaihue out at 2nd. Ben Johnson to 1st. - Coaching visit to mound. - Pitcher Change: Jose Vaquedano replaces Dave Johnson. - Marc Maddox triples (1) on a sharp line drive to center fielder Sam Fuld. Ben Johnson scores. - Adam Rosales pops out to second baseman Jarrett Hoffpauir. Surprise Bottom 6th - Pitcher Change: Mitch Stetter replaces Hunter Jones. - German Duran strikes out swinging. - John Mayberry singles on a ground ball to left fielder Matt LaPorta. - Kila Kaaihue strikes out swinging. - Chris Gimenez flies out to left fielder Matt LaPorta.

Omar Aguilar with a fine relief stint, Steve Chapman singles, steals a base, and scores, but also K's three times -- he's 4-for-18 with nine K's thus far: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_11_waiwin_nshwin_1

Latest from Haudricourt in Arizona: http://blogs.jsonline.com/brewers/archive/2007/10/11/rogers-making-slow-steady-progress.aspx

Reds and Rockies added tonight, more to come...

Ah yes, but notice I said "relievers". As a CaneFire, Chamberlain compiled a 2-2 record in six starts, and notched a 2.63 ERA to go with 46 strikeouts.

Kevin Roberts stranded an inherited man at third base while getting two outs in the 4th inning this afternoon, then watched his Honu team score three runs to tie the game in the next half inning. Then, disaster: Waikiki Top 5th - Emmanuel Garcia singles on a line drive to center fielder Shintaro Yoshida. - Hector Pellot flies out to right fielder Jamie Romak. - Jeff Kindel singles on a line drive to center fielder Shintaro Yoshida. Emmanuel Garcia to 3rd. - Michael Wilson singles on a line drive to center fielder Shintaro Yoshida. Emmanuel Garcia scores. Jeff Kindel to 2nd. - Coaching visit to mound. - Michael McKenry walks. Jeff Kindel to 3rd. Michael Wilson to 2nd. - David Maroul strikes out swinging. - Josh Womack walks. Jeff Kindel scores. Michael Wilson to 3rd. Michael McKenry to 2nd. - Sean McCraw walks. Michael Wilson scores. Michael McKenry to 3rd. Josh Womack to 2nd. Roberts' ERA stands at 15.88 after five relief outings. Game still underway...This league is death to relievers.

Brad Hawpe 116 RBI? Who knew?

Thanks to the Nashville Site for letting us know that Steve Bray is pitching in Mexico: http://www.nashvillesounds.com/news/news.asp?newsId=2566

Not sure how we learned earlier, but LHP Josh Trejo (27th round) did not sign with the Brewers after all.

Edited to indicate that LHP Josh Trejo (27th round) did not sign with the Brewers as previously reported.

Steve Sollmann debuts at second base (0-for-2); Adam Heether walks in his lone plate appearance; Lou Palmisano 1-for-2; Matt Laporta 0-for-3; pitching ruled the day in Mesa's 1-0 loss. Tim Dillard's 9th inning was hectic, but scoreless: Phoenix Top 9th - Pitcher Change: Tim Dillard replaces Rocky Roquet. - Nyjer Morgan grounds out, second baseman Steve Sollmann to first baseman Jon Still. - Nolan Reimold walks. - Blake Davis singles on a ground ball to left fielder Matt LaPorta. Nolan Reimold to 2nd. - Jeffrey Baisley hit by pitch. Nolan Reimold to 3rd. Blake Davis to 2nd. - Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ryan Sweeney replaces Andrew McCutchen. - Ryan Sweeney strikes out on foul tip. - Jeff Fiorentino grounds out softly, pitcher Tim Dillard to first baseman Jon Still.

Mat Gamel 0-for-3 with a walk and run scored; Steve Chapman 1-for-4 with a throwing error while playing first base; Jon Lucroy 1-for-4 with an RBI while handling cartching duties. Gamel and Chapman each grounded into a DP as North Shore (now 6-3) falls 7-6, losing a 6-3 9th inning lead: http://www.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l405&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_10_waiwin_nshwin_1

While MiLB.com has had a few notes from fall instructional camps in Arizona, nothing out of Maryvale, and things are probably wrapping up soon, if they haven't already. So unless someone's been hanging out by camp, we won't hear a peep or much news beyond this post. However, here was your camp roster. There's a reason it's caled "instructional". Not a single camper was at age 23 or above as of the opening camp date in mid-September. Gord Ash has been quoted recently about Mark Rogers' work in camp, but Rogers was not listed on the camp's official roster. Ages as of camp participation in paretheses: RHP's: Evan Anundsen (19) Robert Bryson (19) Wes Etheridge (22) Jose Garcia (19) Luis Guerrero (16) Donovan Hand (21) Shane Hill (18) Jeremy Jeffress (19) Pedro Lambertus (19) Santo Manzanillo (18) Roque Mercedes (20) Joel Morales (18) Rolando Pascual (18) Alex Periard (19) Amaury Rivas (21) Chad Robinson (19) Adrian Rosario (17) R.J. Seidel (19) Nick Tyson (19) LHP's: Bobby Bramhall (21) Kristian Bueno (18) Dan Merklinger (21) Efrain Nieves (17) Luis Ramirez (19) Catchers: Andy Bouchie (21) Jesse D'Amico (19) Eric Fryer (21) Jonathan Lucroy (20) Martin Maldonado (20) Ulrich Snijders (20) Brett Whiteside (18) Shawn Zarraga (18) Infielders: Brent Brewer (19) Allixon Cequea (16) Alcides Escobar (20) Eric Farris (21) David Fonseca (20) Taylor Green (20) Hernan Iribarren (22) Joey Paciorek (18) Edgar Trejo (17) Miguel Vasquez (20) Zelous Wheeler (20) Outfielders: Hitaniel Arias (16) Chris Dennis (18) Cole Gillespie (22) Caleb Gindl (18) Lee Haydel (19) Scott Houin (22) Erik Miller (19) Jose Rangel (18) Arias is listed at 6'5" and 210 at age 16. Wow. As noted elsewhere, the organization is lean on left-handed bats, which add to the excitement over Taylor Green's season. All the catchers in camp are RH bats, and only Green, Iribarren, and Miguel Vasquez (switch-hitter) are LH bats among the infielders. Dennis, Gindl, and Haydel are LH batting OF's. International notes: Eight pitchers hail from the Dominican Republic, two from Puerto Rico, Periard is from Quebec, and Luis Ramirez is from Venezuela. Venezuela is better represented among position players -- five, including four infielders. Among position players, Green and Dennis are Canadians, Arias is from the D.R., Maldonado is from Puerto Rico, Snijders from Curacao, and Zarraga is a native of Aruba. Lucroy is the shortest catcher in camp (now in Hawaii), and even he's listed at 6'0". Rolando Pascual is now listed at 6'6", 245. The Brewers listed Pascual at 218 in their spring media guide. So now we know American food agrees with him, and how he spent a good part of the summer. Joey Paciorek, 18, is listed at 6'2", 220, and Edgar Trejo, 17, is 6'3", 200. Plenty of power potential there, and you had to love some of Paciorek's peripherals with the baby Brewers this summer. Speaking of power, here's a YouTube clip that includes Shawn Zarraga's winning performance in the 2006 International High School HR Derby Finals. The entire video is a 10:00 presentation, but you get some Motley Crue background music early on, and then beginning at the 6:00 minute mark and again later on, shots of Zarraga's power swing (OK, home run derby swing), and a brief interview with him at the 9:00 minute mark.

RHP Jose Sanchez the latest Brewer latin signee. Perhpas colbyjack will find a note on him for us, or, like OF Nelson Montes, a more discreet signing...

Matt LaPorta (1-for-5) homers on a fly to left, Lou Palmisano is 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored (on LaPorta's home run), Adam Heether has an RBI groundout, and Steve Hammond allows one run in two innings in his Opening Day start as Mesa wins, 7-3. http://www.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_09_msswin_pddwin_1

Link, text follows: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071008&content_id=309381&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp A 2005 sixth-round pick by Milwaukee out of Long Beach State, Steve Hammond posted sub-3.00 ERAs in five different stops over his first two seasons in the Brewers farm system. The 25-year-old southpaw went 7-9 with a 4.69 at Double-A Huntsville in 2007, helping the Stars reach the Southern League Championship Series. Hammond is a member of the Mesa Solar Sox. Send Steve an email Baseball is a funny game. Sometimes the ball just seems to bounce your way and sometimes you feel like you can't do anything right. The best part about it is that it can all happen in the same game. And that's why we play. Anything can happen at any given time. You can score 13 runs in one inning and you can go without a single hit in an entire game. Both of those things happened at different times to my team this year and no one could have guessed it on the way to the field that day. You never know how things will turn out. http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2007/10/01/9G3dmCN5.jpg The team I played for this year was the Huntsville Stars, the Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. I'm a left-handed pitcher from Martinez, California, and I was drafted out of Long Beach State in 2005 as the Brewers' sixth-round pick. I've just concluded my second full Minor League season, one with more than its share of ups and downs, and I am looking forward to putting myself in position to have the opportunity to play in the Major Leagues. Now that's no small task. With the amount of talent and competition in this game, I have to be prepared every chance I get. My team had one of those chances this year; just a couple weeks ago, actually. I was the starting pitcher of the deciding Game 5 of the Southern League Championship Series. I pitched one of my best games of the year and was taken out after seven innings with a 3-1 lead. What looked like a sure thing soon turned into a lost cause. My mood went from an indescribable joy after striking out the side in the seventh inning to complete disbelief after the ball cleared the fence to put us down, 4-3, in a matter of minutes. That's the game, though. I can only give my best effort to do everything I can and learn from every mistake I make. That's what I try to do every time I step onto that mound, and what I'll be trying to do for the next five weeks in the Arizona Fall League. It's a new beginning now. I see a bunch of unfamiliar faces in an unfamiliar clubhouse. A few workouts and practices have passed and I'm slowly trying to figure out who's who. I hope we'll all be pretty good friends by the time we leave, but for now I'll just keep trying to match the name on the top of the lockers to the face of the person sitting below it. As I get to know them, I hope you'll get to know me through this journal. With that in mind, please email any questions to me at shammondafl@gmail.com. I'll try to answer some of your questions in future journal entries. http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2007/10/08/VzczJj4p.jpg

One thing about this Hawaiian League is that simply don't have enough pitchers on the respective staffs. 13 pitchers on Honu. I think there's seven MLB organizations that don't participate in the league. Mesa has 20 pitchers on staff in the Arizona Fall League. Last year the Hawaiian League ended up shortening games at the end of the season. The Brewers should be monitoring the workload of Aguilar and Roberts very closely. Fred Dabney, Brevard's pitching coach, is with them at Honu.

Mat Gamel 2-for-5 (only a double and a grand slam, OPS 1.533, wow) and Jonathan Lucroy (designated hitter) now 6-for-11, .545 as North Shore wins, 7-3. Omar Aguilar a perfect 9th inning on 12 pitches. Gamel did commit his 2nd error in five games. http://www.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l405&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_04_nshwin_honwin_1