Jim Goulart

'Big shoes to fill': New Timber Rattlers manager Joe Ayrault embraces replacing friend Matt Erickson Mike Sherry, Appleton Post-Crescent Quotes within...

2/10/22: Happy 30th Birthday, RHP Omar Narvaez! MLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting) December 5th, 2019: Brewers acquire Omar Narvaez from the Mariners in exchange for minor league right-hander Adam Hill and a Competitive Balance draft pick (64th overall). Hill, soon to be 25, has not developed as either Milwaukee or Seattle thought he might when acquired in trades. Stil not yet 21 years old, RHP Connor Phillips was the player taken by Seattle, and he struck out 13.1 per 9 in 76 innings last summer, so we'll see where his career goes (draft day analysis here). Regardless, despite Narvaez' dreadful 2020 Covid-season, the Brewers aren't second-guessing that deal. *** VIDEO: Here's Omar in the cage just a month ago, note the comments on the low-tee workout. *** Enjoy the well-balanced defense/offense review: *** You're in for a treat tomorrow (Friday the 11th). Be sure to come back.

2/10/22: Happy 29th Birthday, RHP Brandon Woodruff! MLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting) Unlike the minor leaguers where we do a deep career dive on their birthday posts, here's a tidbit or two. The Texas Rangers drafted Woody in 2011 as a high schooler, and this wasn't one of those 40th round "thanks for acknowledging me" picks, they used a 5th round pick, as briefly discussed here. Texas' LHP 1st round pick that year, noted in that post, never reached the big leagues. So, thank you, Mississippi State, for the development years and the lure away from the Rangers. Do you remember that even as an 11h round pick, Woodruff signed in 2014 with the Crew for $2.7 million? I didn't. These days, that wouldn't happen: "There is no bonus value assigned to draft slots after the 10th round, but if a club pays a signing bonus in excess of $125,000 to a player selected in the 11th round or later, the amount of that bonus in excess of $125,000 is deducted from the club’s Signing Bonus Pool." We'll let you bask in six minutes of mostly a ton of K's, but then of course there's also one video we are contractually obligated to conclude our post with:

2/10/22: Happy 30th Birthday, RHP Omar Narvaez! MLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting) December 5th, 2019: Brewers acquire Omar Narvaez from the Mariners in exchange for minor league right-hander Adam Hill and a Competitive Balance draft pick (64th overall). Hill, soon to be 25, has not developed as either Milwaukee or Seattle thought he might when acquired in trades. Stil not yet 21 years old, RHP Connor Phillips was the player taken by Seattle, and he struck out 13.1 per 9 in 76 innings last summer, so we'll see where his career goes (draft day analysis here). Regardless, despite Narvaez' dreadful 2020 Covid-season, the Brewers aren't second-guessing that deal. *** VIDEO: Here's Omar in the cage just a month ago, note the comments on the low-tee workout. *** Enjoy the well-balanced defense/offense review: *** You're in for a treat tomorrow (Friday the 11th). Be sure to come back.

2/10/22: Happy 29th Birthday, RHP Brandon Woodruff! MLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting) Unlike the minor leaguers where we do a deep career dive on their birthday posts, here's a tidbit or two. The Texas Rangers drafted Woody in 2011 as a high schooler, and this wasn't one of those 40th round "thanks for acknowledging me" picks, they used a 5th round pick, as briefly discussed here. Texas' LHP 1st round pick that year, noted in that post, never reached the big leagues. So, thank you, Mississippi State, for the development years and the lure away from the Rangers. Do you remember that even as an 11h round pick, Woodruff signed in 2014 with the Crew for $2.7 million? I didn't. These days, that wouldn't happen: "There is no bonus value assigned to draft slots after the 10th round, but if a club pays a signing bonus in excess of $125,000 to a player selected in the 11th round or later, the amount of that bonus in excess of $125,000 is deducted from the club’s Signing Bonus Pool." We'll let you bask in six minutes of mostly a ton of K's, but then of course there's also one video we are contractually obligated to conclude our post with:

Tuesday 2/8 AUDIO ONLY: Locked on Brewers: OF Sal Frelick, Brewers 2021 1st Round Draft Pick, is the interview guest

Tuesday 2/8 AUDIO ONLY: Locked on Brewers: OF Sal Frelick, Brewers 2021 1st Round Draft Pick, is the interview guest

2/9/22: Happy 26th Birthday, RHP Arnaldo Hernandez! MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting) Listed as formally signing with the Brewers on a minor league deal on December 15th (no big league camp invite), word got out a bit earlier and this was posted here on the 9th: Prior to making his full-season debut in the South Atlantic League in 2017, Hernandez, then a 20-year-old, had to serve a 50-game suspension (amphetamines). This is the most thorough write-up on Hernandez, from February 2019: Kansas City Royals: New Season Prospect Watch, Arnaldo Hernandez Frustrating when vitals (height / weight) never get updated, you'll see from the various highlight videos, Hernandez is no longer rocking at 6'0", 175. From his own Instagram, summer 2021 August 2018 - Career Highpoint (Complete Game Victory) October 2018 Arizona Fall League via Baseball America March 2019 - Six seconds highlighting fastball/offspeed/breaking stuff May 2019 - Glove work! May 2020 - Triple digits in "the cage" December 2021 - Closing out a Venezuelan Winter League game There's also a couple of extended video from Hernandez' Fall League stint, but keep in mind that these are now 3.5 years old: Despite more AAA than AA experience, one could picture Hernandez opening 2022 in Biloxi's bullpen in his relatively new relief role. *** Come back tomorrow (Thursday the 10th) for a "battery-powered" combo celebration.

Monday 2/7: Audio Via Chris Rose's Jomboy "Rotation" Podcast: Christian Yelich (go to the 17:00 minute mark)

Thursday 2/4: ESPN's Jesse Rogers on WTMJ's Brewers Weekly Locked on Brewers Podcast Mini-Episode: A Brief Outline of the Core Economics in CBA Negotiations *** Sunday 2/6: Via Matt Pauley's Brewers Extra Innings Podcast: This week's show features a conversation with "Locked on Brewers" co-host and Bally Sports/Turner Sports statistician Dominic Cotroneo Latest Milwaukee Tailgate Podcast Milwaukee Tailgate Podcast Mini-Episode: On the owners' offer to bring in a mediator *** Monday 2/7: Locked on Brewers: Mailbag episode

2/9/22: Happy 26th Birthday, RHP Arnaldo Hernandez! MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting) Listed as formally signing with the Brewers on a minor league deal on December 15th (no big league camp invite), word got out a bit earlier and this was posted here on the 9th: Prior to making his full-season debut in the South Atlantic League in 2017, Hernandez, then a 20-year-old, had to serve a 50-game suspension (amphetamines). This is the most thorough write-up on Hernandez, from February 2019: Kansas City Royals: New Season Prospect Watch, Arnaldo Hernandez Frustrating when vitals (height / weight) never get updated, you'll see from the various highlight videos, Hernandez is no longer rocking at 6'0", 175. From his own Instagram, summer 2021 August 2018 - Career Highpoint (Complete Game Victory) October 2018 Arizona Fall League via Baseball America March 2019 - Six seconds highlighting fastball/offspeed/breaking stuff May 2019 - Glove work! May 2020 - Triple digits in "the cage" December 2021 - Closing out a Venezuelan Winter League game There's also a couple of extended video from Hernandez' Fall League stint, but keep in mind that these are now 3.5 years old: Despite more AAA than AA experience, one could picture Hernandez opening 2022 in Biloxi's bullpen in his relatively new relief role. *** Come back tomorrow (Thursday the 10th) for a "battery-powered" combo celebration.

2/8/22: Happy 25th Birthday, RHP Moises Gomez! MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting) Signed by the Brewers on December 15th, Gomez already has seven seasons in the Twins' system - technically six with the lost 2020 campaign - along with the 2021 season playing at the AA and AAA levels for the Mariners. His first three teenage seasons were in complex leagues, one in the Dominican Republic, two in Florida. Despite this tweet from the Brewers indicating Gomez will be in big league camp this coming season (when it eventually opens), he is not listed on the club's non-roster invite page, but rather the Biloxi roster. However, the Brewers have not kept that page up-to-date. Also missing are catcher Jakson Reetz, OF Garrett Whitley, and 1B Tyler White, perhaps others. From the time of his Crew signing: It's likely the Twins would have loved seeing what Gomez could have done in 2020. Gomez earned a spot in the Arizona Fall League after that 2019 season, but struggled with control there (9 BB, 15K in 11 IP). This is from TwinsDaily.com where they voted on the Twins Daily’s 2019 Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Year Award -- #3 – Moises Gomez, Cedar Rapids Kernels/Fort Myers Miracle: 32 Games, 1-4, 10 Saves, 3.59 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 52.2 IP, 28 H, 21 BB, 78 K (13.3/9IP) "Surprised Gomez didn’t appear on more ballots from our voters, but of those where he did, I wasn’t the only one who ranked him #1. What stood out for me is that he maintained a sub-1.00 WHIP while having a K-rate north of 13/9 innings on the season and allowing just a .155 batting average and .507 OPS to opposing hitters. He was even more oppressive to same-sided hitters, holding righties to a .464 OPS and striking out 40.8% of them. He did not throw his first pitch until the calendar turned to May, but from then on, he was a model of consistency along with periods of dominance. In no single month did hitters post a batting average higher than .184 while in the month of June he had a 0.51 WHIP in 15 2/3 innings, and followed that up in July by posting a 1.93 ERA. It’s no coincidence those were the months he appeared on the award lists at #2 and #4 respectively." - Steve Lein Gomez was a big league camp invite for Seattle last spring, but was reassigned rather early (March 16th). Gomez also participated in Olympic qualifying for Venezuela last summer, as did a few Brewer farmhands. He also has seen action in that country's winter leagues in prior seasons, but not '21-'22. *** Instagram Page (he's donned the Brewers uniform already) FYI - There is a longtime Rays' prospect OF currently a minor league free agent, also named Moises Gomez, and yes, they have faced each other. *** Put together by his agency team, this video notes Gomez' repertoire: *** Tomorrow (Wednesday the 9th), we'll profile another Brewers' "young but veteran" newcomer.

2/8/22: Happy 25th Birthday, RHP Moises Gomez! MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting) Signed by the Brewers on December 15th, Gomez already has seven seasons in the Twins' system - technically six with the lost 2020 campaign - along with the 2021 season playing at the AA and AAA levels for the Mariners. His first three teenage seasons were in complex leagues, one in the Dominican Republic, two in Florida. Despite this tweet from the Brewers indicating Gomez will be in big league camp this coming season (when it eventually opens), he is not listed on the club's non-roster invite page, but rather the Biloxi roster. However, the Brewers have not kept that page up-to-date. Also missing are catcher Jakson Reetz, OF Garrett Whitley, and 1B Tyler White, perhaps others. From the time of his Crew signing: It's likely the Twins would have loved seeing what Gomez could have done in 2020. Gomez earned a spot in the Arizona Fall League after that 2019 season, but struggled with control there (9 BB, 15K in 11 IP). This is from TwinsDaily.com where they voted on the Twins Daily’s 2019 Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Year Award -- #3 – Moises Gomez, Cedar Rapids Kernels/Fort Myers Miracle: 32 Games, 1-4, 10 Saves, 3.59 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 52.2 IP, 28 H, 21 BB, 78 K (13.3/9IP) "Surprised Gomez didn’t appear on more ballots from our voters, but of those where he did, I wasn’t the only one who ranked him #1. What stood out for me is that he maintained a sub-1.00 WHIP while having a K-rate north of 13/9 innings on the season and allowing just a .155 batting average and .507 OPS to opposing hitters. He was even more oppressive to same-sided hitters, holding righties to a .464 OPS and striking out 40.8% of them. He did not throw his first pitch until the calendar turned to May, but from then on, he was a model of consistency along with periods of dominance. In no single month did hitters post a batting average higher than .184 while in the month of June he had a 0.51 WHIP in 15 2/3 innings, and followed that up in July by posting a 1.93 ERA. It’s no coincidence those were the months he appeared on the award lists at #2 and #4 respectively." - Steve Lein Gomez was a big league camp invite for Seattle last spring, but was reassigned rather early (March 16th). Gomez also participated in Olympic qualifying for Venezuela last summer, as did a few Brewer farmhands. He also has seen action in that country's winter leagues in prior seasons, but not '21-'22. *** Instagram Page (he's donned the Brewers uniform already) FYI - There is a longtime Rays' prospect OF currently a minor league free agent, also named Moises Gomez, and yes, they have faced each other. *** Put together by his agency team, this video notes Gomez' repertoire: *** Tomorrow (Wednesday the 9th), we'll profile another Brewers' "young but veteran" newcomer.

Not so much a transaction as it an update on an arm that saw a bunch of time with the Mudcats last summer. Posted on September 1st, 2021: *** 2/4/22: Five minor leaguers suspended for violating drug program Belzer, who remains a free agent, is the only one (thankfully) with Brewers ties.

Thursday 2/3: "Reviewing the Brew's" Cold Brew Podcast Latest Episode

Updated article on how the 2020 lost MiLB season aided Josh Maurer's career, additional quotes via Jeff Levering and yes, about the final interview, which was a two-hour breakfast with Ueck

Over in our Minor League Thread, new interviews with LHP Nick Bennett, LHP Ethan Small, and RHP Justin Jarvis.

AUDIO: Via the Walkin' Off Podcast: RHP Justin Jarvis "Justin Jarvis was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 5th round of the 2018 draft. We talk about throwing a no-hitter in high school, getting drafted by Milwaukee at 18 years old, life in the minors, his time in the Arizona Fall League and more"

Thursday 2/3: Locked on Brewers Games of the Year Countdown -- #6 and #5

VIDEO Report via WFRV: How the Brewers are providing housing for Minor League Players in Appleton

Biloxi's Garrett Greene killing it with his Shuckin' Around interview series -- LHP Ethan Small (Baseball Reference) Apple Link Spotify Link ***

If the two-and-a-half hour mega-podcast with Nick Bennett posted above wasn't enough for you, you can follow-up with him here -- Posted 1/28/22: AUDIO: Via the Walkin' Off Podcast: LHP Nick Bennett "Nick Bennett, Brewers' left-handed pitching prospect, joins the show. We discuss playing on a loaded Louisville squad, getting drafted in the 5th round by the Brewers, life in the minors, and more"

As per mlb.com, the Brewers have signed minor league free-agent catcher Jason Lopez. Lopez, 23 years old (24 this March), was signed out of Venezuela by the Yankees as part of their July 2nd, 2014 international class. The then-16-year-old reportedly received a relatively modest $100,000 bonus. Lopez became a free agent after spending a full seven seasons in the Yankees system. He only reached the AA level (49 games) and AAA level (three games) for the first time this past 2021 season. Lopez did play winter ball in his native country for the first time in '21-'22. His career line is .232/.311/.349 (.660 OPS). In the timeline below, which reads from most recent to oldest, you will note outside of a productive three-quarters of a season at Low A in 2018, offense has been an issue, despite the one video clip to start things off. Baseball Reference Page MiLB.com Player Page Lopez, in terms of paper assignment, has been placed on the AA Biloxi roster. Of note and perhaps of interest is that the AAA rosters of all teams remain frozen until the Rule 5 draft. So even veteran 1B and recent signing 1B Tyler White is listed on Biloxi's paper roster for the time being. Lopez will join fellow catchers Thomas Dillard, Brent Diaz, Jakson Reetz, perhaps Alex Hall and Nick Kahle among AA options behind the plate at points in time in 2022. *** VIDEO 7/22/21: Yankees' catching prospect Jason Lopez had one homer coming into the Double-A Patriots game, and he left with three for the year. *** SB Nation prior to the 2020 season: Jason Lopez was a well regarded catcher when he signed with the Yankees as an international free agent in 2014. As recently as 2018 he put up a solid .285/.330/.453 line through 72 games with Low-A Charleston, but that success has not translated to High-A Tampa where he has only produced a .590 OPS in 84 games. *** Fangraphs prior to the 2019 season: Potential Reserves/Platoon Types Lopez is a prototypical potential backup catcher who converted from the infield, and it looks like he’s going stick back there, but probably not have much offensive impact. *** Prospects1500 prior to the 2019 season: Not in the Top 50 Yankees prospects, but listed under “The Fringe-stripes” Jason Lopez, C Age: 20 Highest Level: A+ 2018: 324 PA, .272/.313/.430, 8 HR, 7:3 SB:CS, 5.2% BB%, 21.0% K%, 111 wRC+ Can show patience at the plate, despite having a raw approach overall. Displayed power and speed in the SAL last season with some promise for the future projections of his bat. He is athletically built with a potential to stick behind the plate long-term. Still, a long way to go on the development path to make that call. The profile is exciting if he does stay behind the plate. *** MiLB.com after a productive 2018 age 20 season: Yankees Organization All-Stars Catcher -- Jason Lopez, Charleston (72 games), Tampa (13 games): Signed out of Venezuela in 2014, Lopez participated in his first full professional season this year and seemed to have little trouble with the adjustment. After appearing in 67 total games over the previous two years, the 20-year-old played in 85 games between Class A Charleston and Class A Advanced Tampa and sparkled. Lopez hit .272/.313/.430 while sporting a .743 OPS with 31 extra-base hits and 35 RBIs. Behind the plate, Lopez finished with a .994 fielding percentage and committed just four errors in 716 total chances. "Jason really put himself on the map this year," said Yankees director of Minor League operations Hadi Raad. "He's made himself one of our higher catching prospects. He was splitting time in the beginning, but the more he played the more he improved. We always knew he could catch and throw, but now the hitting has come around, too. He really put it all together and he looks good for us right now, and we're happy with how far he's come." *** August 2018 article on Lopez' mid-season promotion to High-A (so this would be at the peak of his career productivity) *** April 2017 via pinstripedprospects.com - A 19-year old out of Valencia, Venezuela, Jason Lopez is a catcher that could be a guy to watch this season. He signed an international free agent on July 2, 2014, for $100,000 a small sum compared to others in that class. He has been highly touted for his defensive skill set behind the plate, and Lopez showed it off in his first season with the Dominican Summer League Yankees where Lopez threw out 45.6% of runners attempting to steal a base in 40 games behind the plate. He hit .240/.337/.301 in 146 at bats that year with one home run and 19 RBI. Last season Lopez only played in 11 games for the Gulf Coast League Yankees, hitting .192/.267/.346 in 26 at bats and throwing out 7 out of 15 runners attempting to steal. This season he could return to the GCL or move up to Pulaski.

2/3/22: Happy 19th Birthday, RHP Yorman Galindez! Just signed on January 15th out of Venezuela, Galindez is listed at 6'1", 160. As per MLB.com, his signing bonus was $10,000. Instagram Photos, including his signing Heartfelt Facebook post on signing day *** This thread goes idle for the next four days and returns on Tuesday February 8th.

2/3/22: Happy 19th Birthday, RHP Yorman Galindez! Just signed on January 15th out of Venezuela, Galindez is listed at 6'1", 160. As per MLB.com, his signing bonus was $10,000. Instagram Photos, including his signing Heartfelt Facebook post on signing day *** This thread goes idle for the next four days and returns on Tuesday February 8th.