Jim Goulart

"Hidden" Gameday so you can catch up: mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/y...;brand=mlb

David Laurila has consistently done a nice job with his interviews -- I've been in touch with him recently, and hope to meet up with him at one of his regular New England haunts this year, likely in Pawtucket. We learned several new aspects of how the Brewers' operate within this one Q&A -- can't ask for much more than that when reading such a piece -- good stuff.

Thanks for the pics -- "Cerveceros" jerseys ("Brewers" in Spanish). These are by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images via Yahoo -- Ozzie Chavez and J.J. Hardy: http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/45/fullj.getty-73447736sd009_san_francisco_8_46_08_pm.jpg http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/1a/fullj.getty-73447736sd011_san_francisco_9_04_54_pm.jpg

An updated list from MLB.com includes the following: Catchers C.J. Medlin (Happy Birthday today, March 3rd -- 25 years old) and Anderson de la Rosa, a 22-year-old converted outfielder from Venezuela -- you always need catchers in camp, and Damian Miller's injury contributed to the need. Chris Barnwell, slugging Jeff Eure (who singled in his one at-bat Friday), Brad Nelson, and Guilder Rodriguez among the infielders, and 25-year-old offseason acquisition Ron Davenport (former Blue Jay farmhand) in the outfield. milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com...p?c_id=mil

RHP Robbie Wooley, the Brewers' 6th round draft pick in 2003 (and the first pitcher Milwaukee drafted that year), will try to work his way back to affiliated ball via the independent league route. Wooley has signed with the Southern Illinois Miners (Marion, IL) of the Frontier League.

Welcome aboard! I'm actually going to copy this thread to the Off-Topic Forum, so look for it there. It will have a wider audience, and to be honest, we try to steer the fantasy talk there whenever possible. (And no, there are no plans for a separate fantasy forum.)

This article provides background as to how the Brewers came to hire Jeff Isom -- interesting... Link while active, text follows: www.record-eagle.com/2007/feb/27bums.htm Isom takes a job in Brewers' organization He went 57-39 in lone season with the Bums By MARK URBAN murban@record-eagle.com TRAVERSE CITY (Michigan) ? Independent Frontier League players dream about signing with a team that has a Major League Baseball affiliation. The same is true for the managers. Jeff Isom, who managed the Traverse City Beach Bums in their inaugural season last summer, is leaving to become the skipper for Helena (Mont.) in the Pioneer League, a rookie league team for the Milwaukee Brewers. "When you get an opportunity like this, it's hard to pass up,? said the 34-year-old Isom, who has the best managerial winning percentage in the Frontier League (236-156, .602). "The main goal for Traverse City and Frontier League players is to go do their thing and send them on to the next level. "This has always been in the back of my mind ? that if I had a chance at affiliated baseball, I had to take it. I still have big league dreams and hopefully this is one more path to it.? "It's an amazing opportunity for him, it really is,? said Leslye Wuerfel, general manager and one of the Beach Bums' owners. "More power to him. We're hoping that our players work their way up to affiliated clubs and if our management staff does it to, it speaks to our choices.? Beach Bums shortstop Justin Holmes is happy that Isom will get a chance to prove his worth in organized baseball. "Of course, we're going to miss him, but how can you be angry that he's leaving?? Holmes said. "He's a talented guy and a great communicator. It's a great signing by the Milwaukee Brewers. I'm happy for him.? Isom reports to Phoenix on March 9 and will work with younger players in an extended spring training when the Brewers head north for the season. Helena begins a 76-game schedule on June 19. Ed Sedar, Helena's manager last season, was promoted to first base coach with the Brewers. Johnny Narron, one of the coaches at Helena who was promoted to the job, recently took the position of Major League video and administrative coach with the Cincinnati Reds where his older brother, Jerry, is the manager. To fill the opening, the Brewers asked some of their coaching and scouting personnel to submit possible replacements. Brad Del Barba, who scouts independent leagues for the Brewers, threw Isom's name into the mix. "He was impressed with how I handled my stuff,? Isom said. "He threw my name in and they gave me a call. I sat down for an interview and things went really well. Then I had a second interview and flew down to Phoenix. Then I had a phone interview.? While Isom's stay in Traverse City was brief, he said he'll always look back fondly on his time here. "I absolutely loved my year in Traverse City,? said Isom, who spent several seasons pitching in the minor leagues in the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres organizations. "This was my seventh season of managing and that's right there, probably at the top. "We had great players and a great team and we won a lot of games (57-39). But we also had some great individuals. I enjoyed everyone of those players.? It seems a lot of the players also enjoyed the manager, who has a career record of 319-265 in his seven seasons of professional baseball. Holmes, who was released by the Cleveland Indians organization in 2005, said he was contemplating retirement when Isom called and invited him to play for Traverse City last year. "(At that point) my whole feeling about professional baseball was a negative experience,? Holmes said from his home in Florida. "I felt I never really got to show Cleveland what I could do. "Ice called and said, 'Come up here and play. It's a great city. You'll love it.' It really renewed my faith in the game. "Now I'm really looking forward into coming back and playing this summer, and I have Ice to thank for that,? Holmes said. "To be honest, I'm not the only guy on the team who feels that way.? Who replaces Isom remains to be seen. Current Traverse City hitting coach Jonathan Cahill has expressed an interest in the job. Isom said "if my two cents with the Beach Bums are worth anything? the job should be Cahill's. Wuerfel said Cahill's knowledge of the team and the Frontier League make him the favorite, even though Traverse City will take its time. She said the Bums hope to name a new manager by the end of March. "We're not going to rush into it,? Wuerfel said. Staff writer Jeff Peek (jpeek@record-eagle.com) contributed to this report.

Good background article on Thurman from last spring: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...;fext=.jsp Almost all the Brewer minor league free agents who were brought back were given the incentive of a major league camp non-roster invite to re-sign, including Thurman. I'm not so sure his velocity ever returned to low-90's levels, look for him to be a starter candidate in Nashville, and a posible middle reliever in Milwaukee later in 2007 should injuries wreak bullpen havoc again.

I have the feeling we'll be bombarding you with audio and (some) video feeds from all the affiliates this year. Buck Rogers, Manatees GM: Those fans that wish to stay up to date on Manatees happenings we have some exciting news for you! Manatees Director of Media and Broadcasting, Scott Pinner, and WMEL-AM 960 have agreed to feature a Monday morning Manatee Insanity Radio Program. Beginning later this spring, the show will feature interviews with players and coaches, call-ins, things going on in the stadium, the Manatees in community events, and much, much more. Make sure you're dialed in to WMEL on Monday mornings this season to get your dose of Manatee Insanity. This radio station does stream, so when we get confirmed broadcast times, that will be available. Hopefully Scott will archive these "shows" as well. Just give the quotable Will Inman his own show each week http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif !

Adam McCalvy of MLB.com gives you a good summary today: brewers.mlb.com/news/arti...p;c_id=mil

Helena site now updated with their own press release: www.helenabrewers.net/html2/index.php

Link while active, text follows: www.adaeveningnews.com/lo...d=topstory Technology ruins my plans Jeff Cali Ada (Oklahoma) Evening News The wonders of modern technology are great when they work. But when they fail you ... They failed me this week. Two or three years ago, I broke down and purchased a digital recorder. No tape needed. Compact. It made my old tape recorder obsolete. There were a few kinks to work out when I first began to use it, but she has served me well through hundreds of interviews. Heck, she?s even bleeped out Ada head coach Sharon Dean a time or too. But I came into work one morning last week to find my digital recorder as dead as the proverbial door knob. I had never had it completely go out on me, but saved messages had survived numerous battery changes so I had no fears. After I had inserted a pair of fresh AAA?s, it seemed to be working fine. But upon further inspection, every single interview I had saved on it ? including a 20-minute session with former Ada High star and current professional baseball player Chuckie Caufield ? was gone. So instead of that feature story on Caufield I was going to prepare for today?s edition, I?m forced to share the bits of information I can pull from my ever-fading memory. Caufield is headed to Arizona for spring training on Tuesday and is hopeful that he will be part of an elite mini camp that includes 30 of the top prospects in the Milwaukee Brewers organization from AAA down to the rookie leagues. Last fall, from the middle of September through the middle of October, Caufield ? along with former Latta standout Brad Miller ? competed in 12-16 games in another rookie league and hit four home runs and stole more bases than any other player in that short season. Needless to say, the Brewers organization was impressed. ?I?ve had several coaches use me as an example to others. They like how hard I work not only in games but in practice,? Caufield said. Last summer, after tearing it up in rookie league play in Arizona for a week and a half, Caufield was shipped to Helena, Montana to compete in an advanced rookie league there. During that stay, Caufield strung together a 17-game hitting streak. Although he may get to rub shoulders with some Major Leaguers during spring training, he hasn?t had the chance to meet or play with many big name Brewers. Caufield did get to meet J.J. Hardy while the shortstop was send down during a rehab stint. Caufield hopes to be playing with an A-level Brewers club after spring training. ?I think I had a good first year,? Caufield said. ?I still have a few things to work on, but the Brewers think I?ll have a bright future.? Where's my old ? yet reliable ? tape recorder when I need it?!

The Brewers have made a unique hire, grabbing 34-year-old Jeff Isom (pronounced "eye-som") to manage the 2007 edition of the Helena Brewers. Isom has six years of managing in the independent leagues under his belt (Northern League, more extensively and more recently in the Frontier League). www.traversecitybeachbums.com/ Traverse City (Michigan) Beach Bums Field Manager Jeff Isom has accepted a job with the Milwaukee Brewers as the manager of the Helena Brewers in the Pioneer League. The move is only the third time in the Frontier League's thirteen year history a manager has moved from managing an independent team to managing an affiliated team (Theron Todd (Canton) with the Rockies and Chad Epperson (Windy City) with the Red Sox). Isom, who led the Beach Bums to a 57-39 mark in his one season at the helm, will report to the Brewers? spring training complex in Maryvale, Arizona, immediately. Isom?s promotion marks the second time a member of the Beach Bums has been picked up by a Major League Baseball team this off-season, joining LHP Ryan Ariail, who will be in camp with the Baltimore Orioles this spring. Isom has had several successful years managing in professional baseball including several stints in the Frontier and Northern Leagues. Most notably, Isom managed the Washington Wild Things of the Frontier League to back-to-back 50-win seasons in 2002 and 2003 including a then league record with 57 wins in the team?s inaugural season. Overall, Isom has a career record of 319-265 managing in parts of seven seasons in professional baseball. After finishing his collegiate career at Purdue University, Isom was a 13th round draft pick in the 1993 draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. A pitcher during his six-year professional career, he spent time in the Pirates and San Diego Padres organizations. His teams have taken on the mold of their manager as no Frontier League team he has ever guided for a full season has finished worse than second in the league in ERA. This article provides some insights -- it came out when Traverse City hired him last spring: www.record-eagle.com/2006...sports.htm No doubt he'll need to immerse himself once again to familiarize himself with Brewer farmhands. Nice he's a pitching guy first... www.record-eagle.com/2006...s-isom.htm What are the keys to winning in the Frontier League? Fundamental baseball. If you can make the plays, get good pitching and have adequate hitting, you're going to win a lot of games. Describe your managerial style? Wait for the home run (laughs). That's what I would like to do ... Look for us to hit and run and sacrifice guys into scoring position. What will you tell your team before tonight's opener? Go out there, put on a show, and give the fans a reason to come back. Just go out and play good baseball ? that's what they (fans) want to see. http://www.traversecitybeachbums.com/images/players/Jeff%20Isom.jpg

Link while active, text follows: www.azcentral.com/sports/...s0226.html Even-keeled approach aids D-Backs' Eveland Nick Piecoro The Arizona Republic TUCSON - The tattoo stretches from shoulder to shoulder across Diamondbacks pitcher Dana Eveland's chest, a colorful rendering of an angel on one side and a devil on the other. It's a yin-yang type representation of Eveland's ability to keep his emotions in check, a character trait that comes in handy on a pitching mound. "Not a lot of things bother him," Doug Davis says. He would know. Davis, a fellow left-hander who came over from Milwaukee with Eveland in an off-season trade, seems to throw a lot of things Eveland's way for the sole purpose of seeing if anything will bother him. Take, for instance, Davis' eagerness to share Eveland's nickname - "The Big Sweat" - and the story behind it. Apparently, after a game with the Brewers two years ago, Eveland got finished working out, put on a light green shirt and a blazer before going out to the bus. "He takes the blazer off," Davis said, "and he's got the shape of his blazer in sweat just everywhere. All dark green everywhere. "Then the next time, he wore a white shirt and you could see his tattoos coming out through his shirt. Now he wears an undershirt. "That's how he got the name 'The Big Sweat.' " When told that Davis had shared the story, Eveland just shrugged as if to say: No big deal. "We can give him grief like that and it just bounces right off him," Davis said. Eveland is trying to bounce back from an up-and-down 2006 season, and he's hoping a fresh start in Arizona, where he's in the running for a rotation spot, will help. Last season began with a miserable spring training in which he "tried to be something that I wasn't." "I was trying to light up the radar guns and everything," he said. "That's not my style. I throw a little sinker and try to get ground balls." He wound up starting in the minors and was terrific in Triple-A Nashville, earning a promotion. But he struggled badly, again trying to do too much, he says, and was sent back down. It's been a trend throughout his career - strong in the minor leagues (2.69 career ERA), not so much in the majors (6.98). "Every time I went to the big leagues I was scared to death I was going to be sent back down," he said. "So I went there and tried to throw like the best pitcher in the world. I know I'm not that. I just need to go out there and be myself." Davis said he did the same thing for three years. "It's just something that you get over," Davis said. "You finally say to yourself, 'What's the worst that could happen?' " Eveland has impressed teammates and coaches so far in spring training, including in a live batting practice session on Sunday, during which pitching coach Bryan Price mentioned that Eveland's fastball "jumps." He throws a low-90s fastball, a slider, curve and change-up. His repertoire, live arm and track record make him a strong candidate to start the season in the majors, in either the rotation or the bullpen. "I just want to be out there on the mound," he said. "I don't really care what situation it's in." Yet another thing that doesn't seem to bother him. Photo by David Wallace/The Arizona Republic http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/pics/0225evelandbig.jpg

Journal-Sentinel Photographer Photographer Rick Scuteri with the first shot of Perez: www.jsonline.com/site/pho...geNumber=0 http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/photographer/54/5436_large.jpg

Link while active, text follows: www.mlive.com/sports/grpr...amp;coll=6 Ex-Jenison pitcher reports to camp By Brian Vanochten The Grand Rapids (Michigan) Press JENISON -- Brandon Harmsen is keeping the faith. Entering his sixth season of professional baseball, the 25-year-old relief pitcher and former prep standout at Jenison High School remains steadfast in the belief that he still has the right stuff to graduate to the major leagues. "I know I just need a chance," he said before leaving for spring training this week. Harmsen, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound right-hander, isn't required to report to the Milwaukee Brewers minor-league camp in Maryvale, Ariz., until next month, but he departed Wednesday to get a head start on earning a spot in the bullpen for the Double-A Huntsville (Ala.) Stars or Triple-A Nashville (Tenn.) Sounds. He doesn't want go through a repeat of last season. The path to the big leagues for Harmsen, a 2002 sixth-round draft pick of the New York Yankees, stalled when the Yankees released him a week before Christmas in 2005. He spent much of last season searching for a new organization, first pitching in the independent Northern League before finally attracting the interest of the Brewers. He signed with Milwaukee midway through the summer, finishing the season with the Class A Brevard County (Fla.) Manatees, where he went 1-0 with a 5.51 ERA and one save in 10 relief appearances. "I grew up fast from that stuff," Harmsen said of his release. "I'm pretty much committed (to reaching the majors). It scared me that I might never play on a field again when I got released by the Yankees," he said. "There's a lot of guys like me that need opportunities. "I'm knocking on the door, I just hope somebody answers." Phil Regan, a former major-league manager and pitching coach, thinks Harmsen still has the right stuff. They're both members of the teaching staff at Diamonds Sports Training Academy, 5770 Clay SW, in Wyoming. Harmsen first caught his attention in the summer of 2003. It was Regan's second season as manager of the West Michigan Whitecaps and Harmsen was splitting time on spot-starter duty and throwing in middle relief for the Battle Creek Yankees of the Midwest League. "I don't know how he ever got released," Regan said. "He's throwing the ball really well. He's hitting 90-92 (mph) right now. He's got three quality pitches -- a plus fastball, a hard slider and a changeup. He's a good athlete." He liked him so much, in fact, he recommended Harmsen to the Detroit Tigers. In spite of that referral, the Tigers passed on Harmsen after he auditioned for them last spring. Harmsen threw hardest among the three finalists in the open workout, but the Tigers chose another pitcher. "I thought he would've been a great addition to the Whitecaps," Regan said. "He might be in the right spot with Milwaukee. If he comes in and has a good year, he could bounce right up through their system. All it takes is a little break here or there. I think he's got a chance," he added. "I like his attitude." Harmsen is reporting to spring training two weeks ahead of schedule. He insists he's more focused than ever about his baseball career since turning 25 on Dec. 13 and getting engaged during the offseason. "I'm in great shape and ready to go," he said. "I want this to be the best possible situation." RHP Brandon Harmsen Brewerfan Player Index Page: www.brewerfan.net/ViewPla...ayerId=998

Recently released infielder Lenny Leclercq (Arizona Rookie League '04-'06) has signed with the independent Frontier League's Rockford (Ill.) Riverhawks.

We'll likely see several "hometown" newspaper stories in the coming weeks prior to minor league training camp. Because it's a bit early for us to start the "Your 2007 Nashville Sounds", "Your 2007 Huntsville Stars", etc., threads, we'll accumulate them in this thread for now. We also continue to place all columns and articles on the minor leaguers in our home page "Article Crawler", and links to articles are included on each player's Brewerfan Player Index Page. Hopefully the links remain active an extended time -- every so often we'll review the Index Page links and try to remove "dead" ones. Link while active, text follows: www.mariettatimes.com/spo...780927.asp Former Pioneer hurler hopes to win roster spot in Nashville By Ron Johnston Marietta (Ohio) Times At 29, Dave Bradley is a young man with his whole life ahead of him. But the sands of time are running out on his dream to pitch in the major leagues ? and he knows it. Ah, but if only he could throw a 95 mph fastball. On March 9, the two-time All-American pitcher who played his college ball at Marietta College will be reporting to the Milwaukee Brewers? minor league spring training complex in Maryvale, Ariz., just outside of Phoenix. This will be Bradley?s second tour of duty in the Brewers' organization. In 2004, the 6-foot-1, 170-pound right-hander threw for their Class A-plus affiliate High Desert Mavs in the California League. ?After last season, my agent and I put together a list of teams and made some contacts, and Milwaukee responded almost immediately,? Bradley said. ?When I go to spring training, Triple-A (with the Nashville Sounds) will be my goal.? In eight previous seasons in the minors, Bradley has not pitched above Double-A ball. So, if the lanky right-hander does get an opportunity to throw for the Sounds, he?ll be at the Big League doorstep. And, if he performs well in Nashville ... well, you just never know. First things first, though ? make the Nashville Sounds team. This winter, Bradley has been working out and lifting weights at Marietta College, where he still remains one of the school?s career leaders in strikeouts (262) and wins (36). He?s also been employed at Sears in the Grand Central Mall in Vienna, W.Va., and has been helping his wife, Julia, raise their two small children ? Isabelle and Roman ? a full-time job in itself. Anyone playing professional baseball will more than likely tell you that it?s a dream job. But it has its shortcomings, too, and one of them, especially if the player is married with a family, is being away from your loved ones for months on end. Another shortcoming, particularly at the minor league level, is all the travel and long bus rides. Since being drafted in the 14th round by the Cincinnati Reds in 1999, Bradley has seen quite a bit of the country. First, he pitched for Billings, Mont., in the Pioneer Rookie League. From there, he went to Class A affiliates Clinton, Iowa, Dayton and Mudville, Calif. After being released by the Reds, Bradley could have hung it up. But instead, he stayed in uniform, and threw for the Washington (Pa.) Wild Things in the independent Frontier League. From there, he was first signed to a Brewers' contract, and then earned a promotion the following summer, hurling for the Class AA Huntsville (Ala.) Stars in the Southern League in 2005. Last season, because Bradley wasn?t protected by Milwaukee, he was acquired by the Oakland Athletics via the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft at baseball's winter meetings. Under Rule 5, minor leaguers get the right to become free agents after seven seasons. Those left unprotected (and not on a major league team 40-man roster) are available to other teams as Rule 5 selections. The idea behind the rule is to prevent major league teams from stockpiling talent in their minor league system. So, during the summer of 2006, Bradley, under contract for one season, threw for Oakland's Double-A Midland RockHounds in the Texas League. It would turn out to be a season to forget, because there, he was 6-11 with a 5.41 ERA. In 131.1 innings of work, he struck out 81 and walked 58. "Yes, I was healthy, and I had no arm problem," Bradley said. "But my performance was poor. It was a career-worst season for me. "I wasn't consistent and my velocity on the average was down. I tried to develop a split-finger pitch, but ... it was just a tough year." Is Bradley, who will be turning 30 in late August, at a crossroads in his pro baseball career? Maybe. Maybe not. His dream of one day pitching in the majors is still alive, but ... "The one thing I've learned in this business is that none of it's ever certain," Bradley said. David Bradley Brewerfan Player Index Page: www.brewerfan.net/ViewPla...ayerId=615

Busy couple of days here, this one from the Sounds' site: LHP Lindsay Gulin (pronounced Goo-leen) - The 30-year-old southpaw attended Seattle Mariners spring training as a non-roster player last year before being released, then enjoyed an outstanding campaign with the Lincoln Saltdogs in the independent American Association. Gulin (13-2) finished first in the league with a 2.10 earned run average (28 ER / 120.0 IP), second with 13 wins, and third in strikeouts with 104, and was named to Baseball America?s All-Independent League First Team and recognized as the AA Player-of-the-Year by Sportsticker. The left-hander spent the 2004 & 2005 seasons in Japan after opening his career with stints in the Mets, Mariners, Cubs, and Dodgers organizations. He holds a 3.35 career ERA in 237 games (186 starts) over his 12 pro seasons and has tossed two no-hitters, including a nine-inning no-no for Triple-A Las Vegas in 2003. Very easy guy to root for, the 92-44 career winning percentage state-side is nice as well. Link from March 2006 in Mariners' camp, text follows: seattletimes.nwsource.com...ari10.html Pitcher Lindsay Gulin's long, winding road By Scott Hanson Seattle Times staff PEORIA, Ariz. ? Left-handed pitcher Lindsay Gulin has chased his big-league dream to places he had never ever heard of. From small outposts in Florida and California. From Massachusetts to South Carolina. From Tennessee to Minnesota, and from Wisconsin to Nevada. Then, after playing for 10 different teams and for five different organizations in nine seasons, the 1995 Issaquah (Washington) High School graduate took his act to Japan for two seasons beginning in 2004. "I've been to a lot of places," Gulin said. "Now, going to Japan, that was an experience. The language barrier was sometimes tough, but the people there were just crazy about baseball. They treated us [he and wife Traci] very well." But Gulin has never stopped for long on his 11-year journey, and now he is here, at spring training with the Mariners, the team he rooted for while growing up in the Seattle area. The 29-year-old's passion is still strong, and he hopes to fulfill his dream with an organization he previously played for in 1998. "Being here in big-league camp, with this team, is just really special," Gulin said. "I am enjoying every minute of it." Gulin has had success throughout his minor-league career, with a record of 79-42 and an earned-run average of 3.48. Being left-handed didn't hurt him, either, but he has lacked the velocity that catches teams' attention. "He tops out around 83 miles per hour, at least that's what we had him at [last week in an intrasquad game]," said Mariners pitching coach Rafael Chaves. "What I see in him is a skillful veteran who knows how to pitch and keep hitters off-balance. For him to get a spot [on the major-league roster], he will have to perform, just like anyone else trying to get one." Gulin is a longshot to win a spot in the bullpen, but he's ready to keep going, no matter the outcome this spring, and wants to stay in the Mariners' organization. "I am nowhere near ready to stop doing this," he said. "I love pitching, and it's not like I have been getting ripped. I have had success, and I want to keep on going. If I was getting ripped out there, then I guess it would be different and I would have to start thinking about doing something else." Gulin doesn't have to look far for some inspiration. He has been learning by listening and talking to Jamie Moyer, another soft-tossing lefty, whose best years have come in his 30s and 40s. At age 29, Moyer was released by the Chicago Cubs and spent the season in Class AAA in the Detroit Tigers' system. "I've learned a lot from him, whether it is listening to him, or talking to him about throwing the cutter," Gulin said of Moyer. "He is a very nice guy and very approachable." Chaves said Moyer and Gulin have similar velocity. "Jamie leads by example and Lindsay can look at Jamie and say, 'If he can do it, then maybe I can, too,' " Chaves said. Gulin has pitched in two Cactus League games, allowing four hits and walking eight (but allowing no earned runs) in four innings. His vagabond adventure began in 1995, when he was taken by the New York Mets in the 16th round of the June draft. He played for 10 different teams in his first six seasons, including a stint with St. Paul (Minn.) in an independent league, almost entirely in Class A. He played in the South, North, West and East, and he said he enjoyed every place he went. In 2000, he found himself in the center of the country, with West Tennessee in Jackson. "I had never heard of it, but I had a great time there," he said. "Great bass fishing." Gulin began 2001 in Class AA with the Cubs' organization and reached AAA the next year with Las Vegas in the Dodgers' organization. He was 10-10 in Las Vegas in 2003, including a 7-0 no-hitter against the Tacoma Rainiers "that was definitely one of the highlights of my career," he said. Link to game story on no-hitter: www.issaquahpress.com/mai...30&S=1 But while trying to wrap up a deal for the 2004 season, he was offered a contract with Fukuoka of Japan that was worth more than six times what he had been making. That was too much to turn down for someone who had previously spent a couple offseasons working construction and several years living with his parents. Gulin decided to take the offer and moved to Japan with his high-school sweetheart, Traci, whom he married two years ago. He was having a strong season for Fukuoka in 2004, when he suffered a bad break ? literally. "I was 8-3, but I missed the end of the season when a line drive up the middle hit me in the hand and broke my thumb," Gulin said. Gulin was demoted to Fukuoka's minor-league club in 2005, and was without a team when he met Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi by chance at a Sonics game. Gulin knew Bavasi from his time in the Dodgers' organization. "We chatted for a little and about a week later I received an invitation to camp," Gulin said. A familiar face at camp for Gulin is new Mariner Kenji Johjima, who caught for Gulin when the two were Fukuoka teammates in 2004. "He's a great catcher," Gulin said. "First of all, he is ultra-competitive. That's probably a big part of why he is here now. He could have made millions over there and been comfortable, but he wanted the challenge. "He calls a great game, is great defensively and he can hit." If only Gulin could be pitching to Johjima again when April rolls around. Gulin said reaching the major leagues might mean more to him because of his long journey trying. "I try not to let myself think about, but I think I would just bust if that happened," Gulin said. *** There are at least three videos of Lindsay Gulin pitching in the Dominican Winter League recently, including in the championship series. He makes Tony Batista look silly in one at-bat. These were posted by a Japanese fan: www.youtube.com/watch?v=U...mp;search= Little-known fact: Gulin was a local badminton hero in Washington who once went to an Olympic team training camp. Lindsay Gulin Career Statistics: www.thebaseballcube.com/p...ulin.shtml http://saltdogs.com.ismmedia.com/ISM2/PlayerManager/209.jpeg.300.jpeg

Outfielder Noochie Varner signs with the Astros' organization. Varner recently turned 26.

According to Baseball America, the Brewers have also signed RHP Juan Sepulveda. This appears to be a pitcher who will be making his pro debut this year, and we won't know more about him until the Brewer media guide (always a highlight of the spring!) is available mid-March or so.

Last month, the Los Angeles Angels released 20-year-old catcher Martin Maldonado, who they had drafted in the 27th round in 2004 out of a Puerto Rico high school. The Brewers have now signed the smallish (6'1", 180) catcher to a contract. All of Maldonado's games have been in the Arizona Rookie League (except for nine Pioneer League games in 2005), so the Brewers would have seen him quite a bit. Of his 57 career hits, 51 are singles. He doesn't strike out or walk, but he's hit only a light .237. If he sticks, he'll likely get a chance with Helena. Not sure if he's a relative of longtime major leaguer, fellow Puerto Rican (and former Brewer), Candy Maldonado. Martin Maldonado Career Statistics: www.thebaseballcube.com/p...nado.shtml http://www.asgbaseball.com/images/martin_maldonado3.gif

The Brewers have signed 26-year-old OF Mel Stocker, who played in the independent Atlantic League for the Long Island Ducks in 2006, stealing 56 bases in 64 attempts. His season included a 25-game hitting streak. The switch-hitter spent five years in the Royals organization prior to 2006, having been drafted in the 16th round in 2001 out of Arizona State. After the 2004 season, Baseball America named Stocker the Royals' organization's fastest baserunner and best defensive outfielder. Unfortunately, Stocker also posted only a .615 OPS at high-A as a 23/24 year old that year. If he sticks, Stocker could be a helpful speed and defense 4th outfield guy for Don Money at Huntsville in 2007. Mel Stocker's Career Statistics: www.thebaseballcube.com/p...cker.shtml We'll add Stocker to the Brewerfan Player Index later this week. http://www.liducks.com/images/categories/roster/MEL%20STOCKER%20WEB.jpg

Jim Callis ranks the top ten "prospect duo's": 1. RHP Homer Bailey, OF Jay Bruce (Reds) 2. OF Delmon Young, 3B Evan Longoria (Devil Rays) 3. OF Cameron Maybin, LHP Andrew Miller (Tigers) 4. 3B Alex Gordon, OF Billy Butler (Royals) 5. OF Justin Upton, OF Chris Young (Diamondbacks) 6. RHP Philip Hughes, OF Jose Tabata (Yankees) 7. RHP Yovani Gallardo, 3B Ryan Braun (Brewers) 8. SS Brandon Wood, RHP Nick Adenhart (Angels) 9. RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka, OF Jacoby Ellsbury (Red Sox) 10. SS Troy Tulowitzki, 3B Ian Stewart (Rockies) Full column: www.baseballamerica.com/t...63368.html

We've pretty much updated you on all the coaching staff names via earlier links and articles (Helena's manager's still pending), but here's the official Manatee press release, as we've been told the Brewers are now making what we had told you earlier "official": web.minorleaguebaseball.c...p;sid=t503 The Power released their update earlier this week (scroll down on their home page): www.wvpower.com/