Jim Goulart

1/7/22: Happy 24th Birthday, 2B/3B Gabe Holt! MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting) A proud product of Texas Tech, Gabe Holt helped lead the Red Raiders to the College World Series in 2019 as a redshirt sophomore in what would be his final amateur action. Holt unfortunately did miss most of that CWS with an injured thumb. Drafted in the 7th round in 2019, here's our mega-post from the Official Draft Thread that year with all the pre-draft scouting reports and a video focusing on Holt's speed from his first college season. Holt signed for a $450,000 bonus, well more than double the $192,900 slot value. It was the 2nd largest bonus in that draft round. Shortly after the draft, Holt shared the story of how his signing came about in this Q&A feature with BrewCrewBall's Brad Ford. Holt would get his professional feet wet later that summer (two games in Maryvale, nine with the Rocky Mountain Vibes in Colorado Springs). The 2020 season wasn't completely lost as Holt was invited to the 60-man alternate site for the month of September. For 2021, Holt's outfield days, so prominently mentioned in those scouting reports, seem to have passed. With the Carolina Mudcats, he'd start 48 games at second base and 19 games at third. Bumped over High-A Wisconsin to AA Biloxi in mid-August, Holt started five games at the keystone and seven at the hot corner. But let's focus on Holt's 2021 batting line -- .283/.403/.341 (.744 OPS) between the two levels. Holt reached base by BB or HBP 75 times vs. just 52 strikeouts! He stole 17 bases in 19 attempts. VIDEO: This Labor Day weekend game in Biloxi exhibits three of the type of hits in Holt's arsenal pretty well. Given Holt's speed, the case could be made that with his 123 base hits, just 16 doubles and only one triple indicate that not enough balls reached the alleys (he hit one home run). Holt also was nearly two years older than the average of other position players in Carolina's League. Effectively "blocked" (for 2021, anyway) at second base at Wisconsin by a player a year younger (Hayden Cantrelle, who was effective reaching base but posted a rough .175 average with similar lacking slugging numbers), Holt's double-bump to Biloxi was certainly a welcome moment for him. The Mudcats put together a nice highlight reel which includes that lone home run, by the way -- It was nice to see Holt was just fine in the small 15-game Biloxi sample (.778 OPS), because the depth chart looks very viable for Holt to be prominently featured on the Shuckers' infield grass to start 2022. If a few more line drives find the deep outfield grass, and the incredible BB-to-K ratio is even close to maintained, it should be a sweet age 24 campaign for Gabe. *** On Saturday we pass along birthday wishes to another impressive 2021 Mudcat. Come on back to our thread then. *** EDIT: Sneaking in a birthday from the January 15th International Signing Class: Dominican RHP Jeral Vizcaino turned 20 on January 7th. He is the 2nd oldest of the 33 players announced as signed on Day One of the period.

- Extended chat with Jeff Levering

1/6/22: Happy 21st Birthday, OF Reidy Mercado! MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting) Was hoping we'd already have our third unique all-time first name, but there was one other "Reidy" in the history of pro baseball, a Braves farmhand earlier this century (2007-2009). Switch-hitting Reidy Mercado was signed in March of 2018 out of the Dominican Republic two months after his 17th birthday. He was eligible to be brought on board during the prior July 2nd international signing period, so this is an indication Mercado did not receive a significant bonus. That initial pro season did not go well, as Mercado posted only a .473 OPS in 50 games, although the speedster did swipe 18 bases in 25 attempts. But something clicked back on the island in 2019, as Mercado earned DSL Mid-Season All-Star Honors after a .329/.406/.432 line (.837 OPS) with 32 steals in 43 attempts. That netted him a bump stateside later that summer. In that 23 game Maryvale sample (.615 OPS), all four of Mercado's extra-base hits were triples and he managed to steal 11 more bases (14 tries). Just prior to Covid becoming a reality, Mercado was among those honored by the Crew for his educational efforts. After the lost 2020 season, Mercado was "OK" in 38 Maryvale games in 2021 - .248/.326/.341 (.668 OPS), while still maintaining his high thievery success (12-of-14). Unfortunately, you won't see a lot of productive swings (none, actually) in this four-minute sequence from Maryvale action this past summer. Wide stance for the young man. Just turning 21 years old but entering his 5th pro season (darn you, 2020), if Mercado avoids repeating Maryvale in 2022, he'd likely be expected to have a 4th/5th OF role in Carolina. Mercado has split his outfield duties, with 60 career starts in CF, 47 in LF, and 31 in RF. *** On Friday the 7th, come back as we check in on a college pick with sweet on-base skills.

1/7/22: Happy 24th Birthday, 2B/3B Gabe Holt! MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting) A proud product of Texas Tech, Gabe Holt helped lead the Red Raiders to the College World Series in 2019 as a redshirt sophomore in what would be his final amateur action. Holt unfortunately did miss most of that CWS with an injured thumb. Drafted in the 7th round in 2019, here's our mega-post from the Official Draft Thread that year with all the pre-draft scouting reports and a video focusing on Holt's speed from his first college season. Holt signed for a $450,000 bonus, well more than double the $192,900 slot value. It was the 2nd largest bonus in that draft round. Shortly after the draft, Holt shared the story of how his signing came about in this Q&A feature with BrewCrewBall's Brad Ford. Holt would get his professional feet wet later that summer (two games in Maryvale, nine with the Rocky Mountain Vibes in Colorado Springs). The 2020 season wasn't completely lost as Holt was invited to the 60-man alternate site for the month of September. For 2021, Holt's outfield days, so prominently mentioned in those scouting reports, seem to have passed. With the Carolina Mudcats, he'd start 48 games at second base and 19 games at third. Bumped over High-A Wisconsin to AA Biloxi in mid-August, Holt started five games at the keystone and seven at the hot corner. But let's focus on Holt's 2021 batting line -- .283/.403/.341 (.744 OPS) between the two levels. Holt reached base by BB or HBP 75 times vs. just 52 strikeouts. He stole 17 bases in 19 attempts. VIDEO: This Labor Day weekend game in Biloxi exhibits three of the type of hits in Holt's arsenal pretty well. Given Holt's speed, the case could be made that with his 123 base hits, just 16 doubles and only one triple indicate that not enough balls reached the alleys (he hit one home run). Holt also was nearly two years older than the average of other players in Carolina's League. Effectively "blocked" (for 2021, anyway) at second base at Wisconsin by a player a year younger (Hayden Cantrelle, who was effective reaching base but posted a rough .175 average with similar lacking slugging numbers), Holt's double-bump to Biloxi was certainly a welcome moment for him. The Mudcats put together a nice highlight reel which includes that lone home run, by the way -- It was nice to see Holt was just fine in the small 15-game Biloxi sample (.778 OPS), because the depth chart looks very viable for Holt to be prominently featured on the Shuckers' infield grass to start 2022. If a few more line drives find the deep outfield grass, and the incredible BB-to-K ratio is even close to maintained, it should be a sweet age 24 campaign for Gabe. *** On Saturday we pass along birthday wishes to another impressive 2021 Mudcat. Come on back to our thread then.

Sunday 1/2: Latest Milwaukee Tailgate Podcast *** Monday 1/3: Locked on Brewers: Mailbag episode *** Wednesday 1/5: Locked on Brewers: Jimmy "Jomboy" O'Brien, the founder of Jomboy Media, is the interview guest *** Wednesday 1/5: Journal-Sentinel podcast with Tom Haudricourt and JR Radcliffe

1/5/22: Happy 20th Birthday, RHP Waldin Rodriguez! MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting) Rodriguez is the only "Waldin" in the history of professional baseball. A native of the Dominican Republic, Rodriguez was signed January 15, 2021. Remember, the traditional July 2nd international signing period was pushed from the summer of 2020 to that date due to Covid. The Brewers have traditionally tossed all their large-dollar international signing bonuses to position players. As is the case for nearly every international pitcher they sign, no signing bonus info is available on Rodriguez, and it likely did not reach six figures. Listed at 6'3, 176 heading into his age 19 rookie season in 2021, Rodriguez posted a WHIP of 2.05 in his 19 relief innings in the Dominican Summer League, so there is work to do. Rodriguez did not allow an earned run over his first five pro appearances (spanning six innings). Remarkably, he walked ten in those six innings! That string of no earned runs to open his career was broken when he struggled in consecutive outings against the Brewers' other Dominican Summer League squad. There would be four outings in which Rodriguez allowed multiple earned runs. Twice he allowed five ER in an appearance, including his season-ender. Based on his impressive frame, it's probable Rodriguez will get another chance in 2022, and that his age 20 season will probably be back in the DSL, at least to start. *** On Thursday, we check in on a gifted basestealer, who, like several others, seemed to lose momentum after the lost 2020 season.

1/6/22: Happy 21st Birthday, OF Reidy Mercado! MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting) Was hoping we'd already have our third unique all-time first name, but there was one other "Reidy" in the history of pro baseball, a Braves farmhand earlier this century (2007-2009). Switch-hitting Reidy Mercado was signed in March of 2018 out of the Dominican Republic two months after his 17th birthday. He was eligible to be brought on board during the prior July 2nd international signing period, so this is an indication Mercado did not receive a significant bonus. That initial pro season did not go well, as Mercado posted only a .473 OPS in 50 games, although the speedster did swipe 18 bases in 25 attempts. But something clicked back on the island in 2019, as Mercado earned DSL Mid-Season All-Star Honors after a .329/.406/.432 line (.837 OPS) with 32 steals in 43 attempts. That netted him a bump stateside later that summer. In that 23 game Maryvale sample (.615 OPS), all four of Mercado's extra-base hits were triples and he managed to steal 11 more bases (14 tries). Just prior to Covid becoming a reality, Mercado was among those honored by the Crew for his educational efforts. After the lost 2020 season, Mercado was "OK" in 38 Maryvale games in 2021 - .248/.326/.341 (.668 OPS), while still maintaining his high thievery success (12-of-14). Unfortunately, you won't see a lot of productive swings (none, actually) in this four-minute sequence from Maryvale action this past summer. Wide stance for the young man. Just turning 21 years old but entering his 5th pro season (darn you, 2020), if Mercado avoids repeating Maryvale in 2022, he'd likely be expected to have a 4th/5th OF role in Carolina. Mercado has split his outfield duties, with 60 career starts in CF, 47 in LF, and 31 in RF. *** On Friday the 7th, come back as we check in on a college pick with nice on-base skills.

1/4/22: Happy 25th Birthday, LHP Clayton Andrews! MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting) Andrews (17th round, 2017) signed for $75,000 out of Long Beach State. We were first introduced to his 5'6" frame in our Draft Pick Selection thread post that day. On December 23rd, Will Sammon of the Athletic ranked the Brewers’ top pitching prospects (subscription-based, but that's a must for Brewer fans, Will's work is tremendous). Will's note in that piece broke the news which had not been made public since last summer - we were aware of elbow issues, but not that surgery had indeed been performed. Andrews threw only 9 1/3 innings for the Sounds before Tommy John surgery ended his season. He was a candidate for a call-up from the alternate site in 2020, and it wouldn’t have been surprising to see him make his major-league debut in 2021. He could be useful as a lefty reliever but he isn’t expected to be available until at least June. He’s well-liked for his fastball/changeup combination. Prior to his elbow trouble, Andrews had been set to be on the U.S. Olympic team that netted a silver medal last summer. You'll find Andrews at #36 on the recently-published Fangraphs list of top Brewers prospects, with additional notes there. It doesn't appear Andrews will receive position-player opportunities moving forward, but his 2019 line of .333/.391/.381 (.772 OPS in 63 AB's - six BB, 7 K) sure was fun. Andrews earned an Arizona Fall League spot that year. Looking back, Kyle Lobner profiled Andrews in the back half of this 2018 Frosty MicroBrew. (By the way reliever J.T. Hintzen, also featured, is growing in prominence in the organization and was an Arizona Fall league participant in 2021.) Also from 2018, video feature report from Fox11Online. Very thorough Baseball America feature article from November 2019: 'Ultra-competitive' Clayton Andrews Intent On Proving Himself At Every Stop May 2020 AUDIO Interview via the "Bernie's Bums" podcast: go the 05:50 minute mark June 2020 AUDIO Interview via Voice of the Mudcats Greg Young's podcast August 2020: By the way, back in 2000, for eight big league appearances, there was another "Clayton Andrews", also a LHP, for the Blue Jays. *** Come back Wednesday the 5th for what will be the first of many brief looks at a Dominican Summer League farmhand.

1/5/22: Happy 20th Birthday, RHP Waldin Rodriguez! MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting) Rodriguez is the only "Waldin" in the history of professional baseball. A native of the Dominican Republic, Rodriguez was signed January 15, 2021. Remember, the traditional July 2nd international signing period was pushed from the summer of 2020 to that date due to Covid. The Brewers have traditionally tossed all their large-dollar international signing bonuses to position players. As is the case for nearly every international pitcher they sign, no signing bonus info is available on Rodriguez, and it likely did not reach six figures. Listed at 6'3, 176 heading into his age 19 rookie season in 2021, Rodriguez posted a WHIP of 2.05 in his 19 relief innings, so there is work to do. Rodriguez did not allow an earned run over his first five pro appearances (spanning six innings). Remarkably, he walked ten in those six innings! That string of no earned runs to open his career was broken when he struggled in consecutive outings against the Brewers' other Dominican Summer League squad. There would be four outings in which Rodriguez allowed multiple earned runs. Twice he allowed five ER in an appearance, including his season-ender. Based on his impressive frame, it's probable Rodriguez will get another chance in 2022, and that his age 20 season will probably be back in the DSL, at least to start. *** On Thursday, we check in on a gifted basestealer, who, like several others, seemed to lose momentum after the lost 2020 season.

1/3/22: Happy 26th Birthday, catcher Jakson Reetz! MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting) Yes, newly-signed last month (and importantly, offered a big-league camp invite), Reetz is the only "Jakson" in the history of professional baseball. Reetz was signed to an $800,000 bonus out of a Nebraska high school when the Nationals picked him in the 3rd round of the 2014 draft. He was taken eight picks after the Brewers selected future big league Astro RHP Cy Sneed (traded for Jonathan Villar). Reetz has only played defensively behind the plate. VIDEO: Double in his 1st MLB at-bat this past July Given a pinch hit appearance in the ninth inning of Saturday’s game, Reetz lined a slider from reliever John Brebbia to right-center field for a two-base hit, and he scored a run in what ended up a 10-4 loss to the Giants. “It’s awesome for him,” Nationals Manager Davey Martinez said after the game. “He gets on a plane, we didn’t get him until the game started, he came out to the dugout, saw him, and it was the perfect opportunity just to give him an at bat, and hit a rocket into right field, which was awesome, a double, so congratulations to him and his family, but that’s the start for him.” Reetz has only appeared in 77 games above A-Ball, 64 at AA and 13 at AAA. The most games he has appeared in within a single season is 96 with High-A Potomac in 2019. Reetz was in the Nationals' 60-man player pool during the summer of 2020. As for that 2019 season, he posted an .812 OPS but struggled in 2021 (.613). Look for Reetz to be part of the Biloxi catching depth to start 2022, and likely to see action in Nashville as well. *** Come back Tuesday as we focus on an athletic player working his way back from major surgery.

1/4/22: Happy 25th Birthday, LHP Clayton Andrews! MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting) Andrews (17th round, 2017) signed for $75,000 out of Long Beach State. We were first introduced to his 5'6" frame in our Draft Pick Selection thread post that day. On December 23rd, Will Sammon of the Athletic ranked the Brewers’ top pitching prospects (subscription-based, but that's a must for Brewer fans, Will's work is tremendous). Will's note in that piece broke the news which had not been made public since last summer - Andrews threw only 9 1/3 innings for the Sounds before Tommy John surgery ended his season. He was a candidate for a call-up from the alternate site in 2020, and it wouldn’t have been surprising to see him make his major-league debut in 2021. He could be useful as a lefty reliever but he isn’t expected to be available until at least June. He’s well-liked for his fastball/changeup combination. Prior to his elbow trouble, Andrews had been set to be on the U.S. Olympic team that netted a silver medal last summer. You'll find Andrews at #36 on the recently-published Fangraphs list of top Brewers prospects, with additional notes there. It doesn't appear Andrews will receive position-player opportunities moving forward, but his 2019 line of .333/.391/.381 (.772 OPS in 63 AB's - six BB, 7 K) sure was fun. Andrews earned an Arizona Fall League spot that year. Looking back, Kyle Lobner profiled Andrews in the back half of this 2018 Frosty MicroBrew. (By the way reliever J.T. Hintzen, also featured, is growing in prominence in the organization and was aa Arizona Fall league participant in 2021.) Also from 2018, video feature report from Fox11Online. Very thorough Baseball America feature article from November 2019: 'Ultra-competitive' Clayton Andrews Intent On Proving Himself At Every Stop May 2020 AUDIO Interview via the "Bernie's Bums" podcast: go the 05:50 minute mark June 2020 AUDIO Interview via Voice of the Mudcats Greg Young's podcast August 2020: By the way, back in 2000, for eight big league appearances, there was another "Clayton Andrews", also a LHP, for the Blue Jays. *** Come back Wednesday the 5th for what will be the first of many brief looks at a Dominican Summer League farmhand.

1/1/22 - No New Year's babies! *** 1/2/22 Happy 23rd Birthday, LHP Brendan Murphy! MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference always linked in the birthday greeting) 4th round 2017 out of Mundelein (ILL) HS, $500,000 (slot $468,000), signed away from an Arizona State commitment - Read an excellent first-hand draft day account here 2018 — Missed the entire season with left biceps tendinitis.....underwent left shoulder surgery on 9/7 2019 — Missed the entire season as he recovered from left shoulder surgery 2020 - Covid shuts down MiLB Here are Murphy's 2021 splits with the Mudcats, notice he pitched well in his re-entry month of May, three years after debuting in rookie ball May 6th Video Thread More May 6th Video Sunday May 30h masterpiece -- "Murphy (2-0, 2.05) took the game one victory after turning in a career high seven scoreless innings and totaling a career best nine strikeouts. He ended up scattering five hits, including two in the seventh, and walked one while earning his second career win. He earned the first win of his career earlier in the series versus Kannapolis. The complete game shutout was also the first in Low-A East this season." Box Score As a high school signee, despite the three lost years, Murphy still has a chance to open 2022 at age-appropriate High-A Wisconsin. *** Come back Monday for an introduction to a newcomer to the organization.

1/3/22: Happy 26th Birthday, catcher Jakson Reetz! MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference page always linked above in the birthday greeting) Yes, newly-signed last month, Reetz is the only "Jakson" in the history of professional baseball. Reetz was signed to an $800,000 bonus out of a Nebraska high school when the Nationals picked him in the 3rd round of the 2014 draft. He was taken eight picks after the Brewers selected future big league Astro RHP Cy Sneed. Reetz has only played defensively behind the plate. VIDEO: Double in his 1st MLB at-bat this past July Given a pinch hit appearance in the ninth inning of Saturday’s game, Reetz lined a slider from reliever John Brebbia to right-center field for a two-base hit, and he scored a run in what ended up a 10-4 loss to the Giants. “It’s awesome for him,” Nationals Manager Davey Martinez said after the game. “He gets on a plane, we didn’t get him until the game started, he came out to the dugout, saw him, and it was the perfect opportunity just to give him an at bat, and hit a rocket into right field, which was awesome, a double, so congratulations to him and his family, but that’s the start for him.” Reetz has only appeared in 77 games above A-Ball, 64 at AA and 13 at AAA. The most games he has appeared in within a single season is 96 with High-A Potomac in 2019. Reetz was in the Nationals' 60-man player pool during the summer of 2020. As for that 2019 season, he posted an .812 OPS but struggled in 2021 (.613). Look for Reetz to be part of the Biloxi catching depth to start 2022. *** Yes, come back Tuesday as we focus on an athletic player working his way back from major surgery.

Monday 12/27: Locked on Brewers: Mailbag episode *** Tuesday 12/28: Locked on Brewers: Jeff Cirillo is the interview guest *** Thursday 12/30: Locked on Brewers Games of the Year Countdown #16 and #15

1/1/22 - No New Year's babies! *** 1/2/22 Happy 23rd Birthday, LHP Brendan Murphy! MiLB Player Page (Baseball Reference always linked in the birthday greeting) 4th round 2017 out of Mundelein (ILL) HS, $500,000 (slot $468,000), signed away from an Arizona State commitment - Read an excellent first-hand draft day account here 2018 — Missed the entire season with left biceps tendinitis.....underwent left shoulder surgery on 9/7 2019 — Missed the entire season as he recovered from left shoulder surgery 2020 - Covid shuts down MiLB Here are Murphy's 2021 splits with the Mudcats, notice he pitched well in his re-entry month of May, three years after debuting in rookie ball May 6th Video Thread More May 6th Sunday May 30h masterpiece -- "Murphy (2-0, 2.05) took the game one victory after turning in a career high seven scoreless innings and totaling a career best nine strikeouts. He ended up scattering five hits, including two in the seventh, and walked one while earning his second career win. He earned the first win of his career earlier in the series versus Kannapolis. The complete game shutout was also the first in Low-A East this season." Box Score As a high school signee, Murphy still has a chance to open 2022 at age-appropriate High-A Wisconsin. *** Come back Monday for a newcomer to the organization.

Fangraphs: Conversation with Joey Wiemer

***

FanGraphs posted extended video of Joe Gray, Jr. and Hedbert Perez today ***

MiLB.com's Sam Dykstra, then David Fry and Voice of the Mudcats Greg Young Apple Links Spotify Links *** ***

Feature on 25-year-old RH reliever Zach Vennaro

Thursday 12/23: Cold Brew Podcast Episode 68: Throwing Smoke With Erik Kratz *** Thursday 12/16 & Thursday 12/23: Locked on Brewers Games of the Year Countdown #20 and #19 #18 and #17

Friday 12/17: Via ESPN Milwaukee: Jonathan Lucroy recalls classic stories from his time with the Crew *** Sunday 12/19: Via Matt Pauley's Brewers Extra Innings Podcast: BrewCrewBall's Tim Muma is this week's featured guest Latest Milwaukee Tailgate Podcast *** Monday 12/20: Locked on Brewers: Mailbag episode *** Tuesday 12/21: Locked on Brewers: Tom Haudricourt is the interview guest

Thursday 12/16: Brewers Weekly with Matt Pauley: Maury Brown of Forbes Sports is a guest within, with a stand-alone of that chat available here Cold Brew Podcast via Reviewing the Brew *** Friday 12/17: Locked on Brewers: Jackson Chourio and Ethan Small discussion

Sadly, Melendez passed away Thursday.