Jim Goulart

In order to prevent forum threads from becoming too unwieldy, we will freeze and retire certain theme threads. Should you wish to revisit, the "2025 Alumni" thread (now locked), it can be found here.

You served us well, 2025 Minor League Transaction Thread (now locked). We await 2026's moves within this new thread. When possible, we'd prefer this thread be limited on commentary/discussions and remain a repository of the moves themselves, though some posts will inevitably enter that way. Moderators have the ability to split and merge threads as needed to make sense of the flow on the forum.

Not official, but an update: "Jackson Chourio is already (back) in Maracaibo. He is likely to be available from the start of the Round Robin; let's hope for information soon from @aguilasdelzulia (formal team account)." .

To be honest, any Brewers mention in the entire pod are actually extremely minimal despite the Made talk tease.

In the D.R., Steward Berroa, leading off and seeing action in both corner outfield spots, was 1-for-4 with a walk and run scored, but his team fell to 1-3 in the postseason round-robin with an 8-5 loss (box). One impatient fan mused on 'X': "Wanted: someone who can pass this message on to Steward McFly... sorry, to Steward Berroa: "Unless your name is Albert Pujols or Manny Ramirez, home runs aren't something you go looking for; they just happen. Plus, short-armed guys don't hit home runs, they slap bunts." Rough crowd...Berroa's team continues round-robin play Friday against an 0-4 Gigantes club. *** It was a wild 13-12, 12-inning win for Andruw Monasterio's Venezuelan Caribes team, a walk-off win that moved the team onto the Round Robin round in January. Here's how it ended: Monasterio did his part, with a triple, single, two walks, two stolen bases, two runs scored, one RBI, while playing clean second base, including this dandy: Monasterio's steals came against former Brewers farmhand Jose Sibrian (who last played in the Detroit system in 2024), while you'll notice old friend Hernan Perez and another ex-Brewer minor leaguer, shortstop Antonio Pinero, are Andruw's teammates. Pinero, now 22, last played affiliated ball in 2022 with the Timber Rattlers. No winter league action until Friday, with the only Brewers connection being Berroa's club.

Jackson Chourio is doubtful for the start of the Round Robin (translated article) The Zulia Eagles are already guaranteed a ticket to play in the Round Robin, but there is a reason to be uneasy. It is possible that Jackson Chourio, their top figure, will not be in the lineup in the first days of the semifinals. The reason is that the outfielder traveled to Colombia to resolve visa procedures and it is not clear when he will be able to return, as reported by Movimiento Aguilucho on its account in X. It was a trip already notified to the team. This type of diligence can take from one to two weeks, according to other cases, as happened with Jadher Areinamo, who assured the Tiburones de La Guaira that it would take 15 days in Bogotá. If Jackson Chourio traveled at the beginning of the current week, he could be inactive with the Eagles until January 10 or 12. If so, Zulia would no longer have its main offensive weapon around 50% of the Round Robin schedule. It is necessary to remember that each team that advances to the semifinals of the LVBP will play 16 matches. In addition to his star hierarchy in the Major Leagues, Chourio was one of the main reasons why the Eagles advanced directly to the postseason. In the 30 at-bats he had in December, he left a .400 average with an OPS of 1.053 with 5 RBIs and a heroic home run that led the standings. For a team like the Eagles that struggled to produce recently, those numbers are vital to transcend in the Round Robin.

Monday 12/29: Latest Milwaukee Tailgate Podcast - "The regular pod is off for the holidays this week, but here is a one-hour excerpt of December's Minor League Extra where RD Topp and @Spencer Michaelistook some questions on player comps, pitch tipping and Orlando Arcia's career." Support the MKE Tailgate pod as indicated at the "top" of the pod by RD (pun intended). *** Via David Gasper's "Brewers Daily" YouTube page: "Should the Brewers Get Involved for Moncada?" Locked on Brewers with Chuck Freimund - "Brewers Icon Showdown – Who Should Be Crowned Best, Yount or Molitor or ?" Via WTMJ's Midday News (download link): "MMAC Senior Director of Communications Ryan Amundson talks about a new report outlining three scenarios for development at Am-Fam Field's parking lots"

So much audio content for us this week! Latest Milwaukee Tailgate Podcast - "The regular pod is off for the holidays this week, but here is a one-hour excerpt of December's Minor League Extra where RD Topp and @Spencer Michaelistook some questions on player comps, pitch tipping and Orlando Arcia's career." Support the MKE Tailgate pod as indicated at the "top" of the pod by RD (pun intended).

Leadoff CF Steward Berroa singled and stole a base as his team dropped to 1-2 in postseason play with a 7-6 loss. Berroa stranded five on base in the 2nd and 4th innings combined. Since these are no longer regular season games, Berroa's B-Ref page reflects his final .843 OPS in Dominican play this winter. In his team's 10-6 win on Saturday, Berroa fared better - single, two walks, run scored, and an outfield assist from right field, direct throw. *** Back in Venezuela, it's unclear when their five-team round-robin schedule begins, but Jackson Chourio's Zulia team has nothing scheduled for several days. Per reports: "Jackson Chourio traveled to Bogotá to resolve the issue of his visa, (Manager) César Suárez had already informed about this pending trip of Jackson. We hope he can be there from the start of the RR with the team."

Of Monasterio's eight MLB HR's, two went to center field, the rest have been pulled. 2025 Spray Chart at Savant With the loss, Monasterio's Caribes team faces an apparent must-win situation Tuesday evening in order to advance to the Venezuela round robin portion of the postseason.

Let’s be real up front - discussion pales to the in-depth discussions of Spencer and Joseph, but obviously they all do. You’ll see the Top 20 List discussed within a few moments of the start: Audio version - Apple PodcastsApple Podcasts

Via our Minor League Forum:

Wednesday 12/24: Via David Gasper's "Brewers Daily" YouTube page: "How Much Do Brewers Need to Keep Pace?" *** Thursday 12/25: Locked on Brewers with Chuck Freimund - "Run It Back: Can Brewers Repeat Success?" *** Saturday 12/26:

Saturday 12/27: In Game One of the Dominican League Semi-Finals, OF Steward Berroa was 1-for-3 (double, run scored). His team was thumped however, 12-2. *** Venezuela Matchup: Jackson Chourio's Aguilas club defeated Andruw Monasterio's Caribes squad, 14-7. Monasterio walked, stole a base and scored a run. Chourio, playing center field and batting third, was 3-for-5 (all singles).

Box: Jackson Chourio single and walk, Andruw Monasterio walk Familiar spots in CF and 2B, respectively

The associated podcast: Dynasty Podcast Episode #100 - Brewers and Tigers Dynasty Outlooks - Go to the 21:00 minute mark for the Brewers discussion - exact minute mark may vary slightly Brewers players discussed: William Contreras, Brice Turang, Jackson Chourio, Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, Christian Yelich, Caleb Durbin, Brandon Woodruff, Abner Uribe, Marcos Dinges, Jeferson Quero, Andrew Fischer, Cooper Pratt, Jesus Made, Luis Pena, Jacob Misiorowski, Quinn Priester, Logan Henderson, Robert Gasser, Tyson Hardin, Chad Patrick, Craig Yoho, Aaron Ashby, Manuel Rodriguez

The “free” portion at this link will surely please fans of Manuel Rodriguez, Andrew Fischer, Logan Henderson and Jesus Made.

Tuesday 12/23: Via David Gasper's "Brewers Daily" YouTube page: "What is on Matt Arnold's Christmas List?" Locked on Brewers with Chuck Freimund - "Will the Brewers Make More Moves in the Coming Weeks?" *** Wednesday 12/24: Via the "View from Bernie's Chalet" Podcast: "Jason & Hyatt chat FanGraphs Brewers 26' Zips projections, what's on our 26' Brewers bingo cards, and answer listener questions"

OF Steward Berroa doubled in his first at-bat after a few days off, then exited after grounding out in the 3rd. Don't read too much into that, as the box score shows his team using liberal substitutions. Berroa's team has been successful at 32-17 and has a postseason spot well-secured.