Jim Goulart

Meccage won't turn 20 until March, yet the J-S reports he's now married. Bryce had posted engagement photos/video on Instagram in September 2024. Congrats!

Via Curt Hogg / Todd Rosiak in the Journal-Sentinel (subscription based) - Journal Sentinel’s top 10 Brewers prospects: Who just missed the cut? Coming off breakout year, Tyson Hardin comes in as Brewers' No. 10 prospect

Steward Berroa's Dominican League line is growing more sizable at 35 games and 112 plate appearances - .284/.414/.455 (.869 OPS). Nice game Sunday (box) playing center field for just the 4th time (first start). Outfield assist to third base, 14th stolen base in 16 tries, single and walk. *** Unfortunately, things did not go well on the mound Sunday in Venezuela for RHP Stiven Cruz. Making his 8th appearance but first start, Cruz managed a scoreless first inning, allowed one run in the 2nd, and was lifted after each of the first three batters in the 3rd doubled. In fact, four of the five hits he allowed overall were doubles. His line is available here (box). Cruz' team did rally for a 9-8 win.

The Rays have given permission to Jadher Areinamo (Danny Jansen trade) to return to Venezuelan Winter League play, not only to assist his team, but also in a quest for the league's Triple Crown, which the recently turned 22-year-old is attempting to accomplish in his rookie winter season. *** Source: "The information about Areinamo was released by journalist Efraín Zavarce, during the IVC broadcast. The journalist quoted Wilfredo Polidor, the recruit's agent, who confirmed that the slugger will wear a uniform again this season. So far, Areinamo has an offensive line of .368/.420/.692, only surpassed by Gorkys Hernandez in the batting lead (.372). The return of the slugger, who has not played since November 30, is scheduled for next Tuesday against Caracas. At the time of saying goodbye to the tournament, the player had 17 consecutive games giving at least one hit, which speaks of his offensive capacity. His absence allowed Balbino Fuenmayor to surpass him in home runs 14 vs 13, and in RBIs he is second with 43 to Wilson García's 46."

Reports out of Venezuela: Source: Jackson Chourio will debut on Thursday, December 18, against the Leones del Caracas in Maracaibo. He will play as far as the team goes and can play defense but not every day. César Suárez commented on Venevisión. *** Source: Jackson Chourio will debut this Thursday, December 18, against the Caracas Lions at Luis Aparicio “El Grande”. He will play as the designated hitter for the first games, after that he will have no restrictions. *** Translated article via the official league website: Maracaibo - The star Jackson Chourio is ready for action and proudly wear the uniform of the Zulia Eagles, in a new season of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. The outfielder, who has just turned his second campaign in the Major Leagues with the Milwaukee Brewers, will begin his participation with the rapacious team starting this Thursday, December 18. "I'm very happy to play again in my country, and with my hometown team. I think that, at this time, it is a good opportunity to help my teammates achieve the goal of being champions," said Chourio. Chourio, who in 2025 became the youngest player to achieve multiple seasons with 20 or more home runs and 20 or more stolen bases in Major League history, will join the team during the tenth week of the championship, according to his agent César Suárez. For the 21-year-old, it will be his fifth harvest as an eaglet. Since his debut in the 2021-2022 season, he has a .293 average with 63 hits, including 16 extra-base hits, 33 runs scored and 18 RBIs. *** The LVBP regular season started on October 15 and will run to December 27, 2025. Playoffs are scheduled to begin on December 28th, with the final series is expected to begin on January 23rd, 2026. *** Chourio's Zulia Eagles are currently 24-23, in what appears to be a very balanced league (standings page). There is normally a "Round Robin" stage of the postseason, and then formal final playoff matchups. As such, the extent of a potential end date for Chourio is to be determined.

Pretty impressive trade tree! The Milwaukee Brewers acquired outfielder Gerardo Parra from the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 31, 2014, at the trade deadline, sending out minor league prospects outfielder Mitch Haniger and left-handed pitcher Anthony Banda. The Milwaukee Brewers traded outfielder Gerardo Parra to the Baltimore Orioles on July 31, 2015, for right-handed pitching prospect Zach Davies. The Milwaukee Brewers traded pitcher Zach Davies and outfielder Trent Grisham to the San Diego Padres on November 27, 2019, for infielder Luis Urías and left-handed pitcher Eric Lauer and cash The Milwaukee Brewers traded infielder Luis Urias to the Boston Red Sox on August 1, 2023, for minor league pitcher Bradley Blalock The Milwaukee Brewers acquired relief pitcher Nick Mears from the Colorado Rockies, sending pitching prospects Bradley Blalock and Yujanyer Herrera to Colorado on July 27, 2024 (Pending official announcement) - The Milwaukee Brewers traded outfielder Isaac Collins and right-hander Nick Mears to the Kansas City Royals for hard-throwing southpaw and ground ball specialist Angel Zerpa

Thursday 12/11: Via the Brew Crew Review Podcast: "Xmas Episode 2025" Via David Gasper's "Brewers Daily" YouTube page: "Winter Meetings Day 3 Wrap Up" Via WTMJ's Midday News (download link): "Former Brewers broadcaster Pat Hughes talks about a new CD with some of Bob Uecker's best calls." (go to the 13:15 minute mark) Via the "Wisconsin Sports Daily Show" with Steve "Sparky" Fifer: "Legendary Brewers & Cubs Play-By-Play Announcer Pat Hughes discusses his close relationship with the late Bob Uecker. Pat gives his insight on the off seasons for both the Cubs & Brewers." NOTE: Apparently the Uecker CD is only available in that format, and not yet as a streaming download. *** Friday 12/12: Via the "Brew Crew Scoop" Podcast: "Brandon Woodruff accepted the qualifying offer for 2026. This likely means the Brewers will be shopping their pitching surplus around the league, including expiring Freddy Peralta. We talked about some potential trade candidates and what it would take to get the Brewers to make a move. Additionally, we talked other offseason predictions, Brice Turang to team USA, the new powder blue uniforms (and lack of blue pants), the news around the league from the Winter Meetings, and the signing of Akil Baddoo." Locked on Brewers with Chuck Freimund - "Elite: The Brewers Starting Rotation is Still Mighty Even if They Lose Peralta" Via David Gasper's "Brewers Daily" YouTube page: "Brewers Make First Signing of Offseason!"

Wow, Rotten Tomatoes critics adore it. Good week for me to have just started a staycation.

Jack Seppings

From Santo Domingo to Milwaukee

Guessing the Brewers would like to announce their coaching staff news in one fell swoop (for instance, will another hitting coach be brought on board after Connor Dawson's departure to the Royals), but word of this internal promotion came out just over a week ago and now we have confirmation from Juan Sandoval himself. Back on December 4th, we highlighted Mike Rodriguez' report - be sure to also read the Baseball Reference biography linked here and within: *** Sandoval confirmed the news in a Dominican interview Thursday, translated from the tweet below: The pitching coach of the Gigantes del Cibao (of the Dominican Winter League), Juan Sandoval, expressed his satisfaction at having been named assistant pitching coach for the Milwaukee Brewers in Major League Baseball, a promotion he described as a significant step in his career and an achievement he shares with his family and his organization. Sandoval explained that the appointment came after an internal interview process with Milwaukee, and that he received the news directly from manager Pat Murphy. He noted that the opportunity represents the result of years of work, preparation, and adaptation to the new demands of modern baseball. During his meeting with the press, he highlighted that his experience in the Dominican League has been key to his development as a coach, assuring that the competitive structure and daily demands of the league serve as a true steppingstone to the Major League level. He indicated that his return to the Gigantes del Cibao this year holds special value, as the franchise was the first to open its doors to him in his transition from the field to the coaching staff in 2022. Congratulations, Juan!

2026 Dynasty Baseball Prospects: Daily Write-Up Series - Eric Bitonti

The Brewers released RHP Johan Zapata, who had made 29 relief appearances in the Dominican Summer League the past two seasons. The Dominican native just turned 20 years old a month ago but will not reach stateside ball with the organization after struggling to a career 8.02 ERA and 1.734 WHIP.

Dude raked in 32 games for Nashville in ‘21. A what-could-have-been career but for the injuries. Good article here.

Tuesday 12/9: Via David Gasper's "Brewers Daily" YouTube page: "Winter Meetings Day 1 Wrap Up" *** Wednesday 12/10: VIDEO via MLB Network: "Pat Murphy reflects on the Brewers' 2025 season, discusses Brandon Woodruff accepting his qualifying offer to return to the team and more" Via WTMJ's Midday News (download link): Adam McCalvy from the Winter Meetings in Orlando Via WTMJ's Afternoon News (download link): "Dale Kooyenga from the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce joins the program to discuss a stadium development study" Via "The Bill Michaels Show" (Hour Two): Chuck Freimund (go to the 30:30 minute mark) Via David Gasper's "Brewers Daily" YouTube page: "Winter Meetings Day 2 Wrap Up" Locked on Brewers with Chuck Freimund - "Other MLB Teams Hunt Brewers’ Best—Why Can’t they Add Elite Offense Now?" Via the "View from Bernie's Chalet" Podcast: "Jason & Hyatt chat Crew being named Baseball America Organization of The Year, Turang named to Team USA for WBC, Rule 5 Draft results, Megill & Peralta trade rumors, BP prospect list, Cooper Pratt trade thoughts, listener questions, card corner & HOF talk."

Confirming what we saw hinted at earlier, RHP Stiven Cruz, who has pitched well over ten Venezuelan League innings (2.70 ERA), gets the start for his club this Sunday.

Monasterio returned on Thursday - playing second base, singling twice in five at-bats.

Combining that game and Tuesday's: After missing a few days with the flu virus (as did some of his Dominican League teammates), 40-man roster OF Steward Berroa returned the last two days (played RF in each) and was 3-for-6 including a double, sacrifice fly, 2 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB, SB (his 12th in 14 tries). His recent efforts netted him his team's "Player of the Week" award.

Nice for the Rookie Complex Hitting Coach, 2024-2025 (and still with the organization)