Jim Goulart

RHP Tristan Archer, the recently-turned 27-year-old Rule 5-eligible RH reliever entering his 6th season in the Brewers system, debuted in the Dominican Republic Saturday (box score). He allowed an inherited runner to score taking over for former Milwaukee minor league free agent signee LHP Nick Additon, but then retired four in a row. The box indicated Archer threw just seven pitches against the five batters. Of course, everyone's favorite Tristan Archer stat is that he posted the same exact effective ERA (3.42) in each of the 2014, 2015, and 2016 seasons. The conditions at Colorado Springs altered that last season. Aguilas Bottom of the 3rd Wilmer Difo walks. Juan Perez singles on a line drive to center fielder Starling Marte. Wilmer Difo to 3rd. Juan Perez advances to 2nd, on a throwing error by center fielder Starling Marte. Zoilo Almonte grounds out, shortstop Erik Gonzalez to first baseman Alex Valdez. Wilmer Difo scores. Edwin Espinal grounds out, second baseman Pablo Reyes to first baseman Alex Valdez. Juan Perez to 3rd. Luis Jimenez reaches on a missed catch error by first baseman Alex Valdez, assist to second baseman Pablo Reyes. Juan Perez scores. Rey Fuentes singles on a ground ball to right fielder Xavier Batista. Luis Jimenez to 3rd. Pitching Change: Tristan Archer replaces Nick Additon. Francisco Pena singles on a ground ball to center fielder Starling Marte. Luis Jimenez scores. Rey Fuentes to 2nd. Danny Santana strikes out swinging. Aguilas Bottom of the 4th Ronny Rodriguez grounds out, third baseman Ryan Court to first baseman Alex Valdez. Wilmer Difo lines out to left fielder Franchy Cordero. Juan Perez lines out to left fielder Franchy Cordero. *** Venezuela Box - In his second game of the winter (and second productive game), first baseman Jesus Aguilar singled and walked, driving in two runs.

AUDIO via Fantrax Dynasty Baseball - Milwaukee Brewers Farm System

From Friday 11/24 in Venezuela -- Box Score -- Junior Guerra's latest start, he's limiting earned runs, but in 25.1 IP, he's walked 13 and struck out 16 *** Box Score -- Big league first baseman Jesus Aguilar made his debut, and was productive, driving in a run with a sacrifice fly and walking twice. Young second baseman Javier Betancourt made his first start in some time here, he's sporting a .310/.349/.345 line in 58 AB's.

As per @RosterRoundup, the Brewers have made their first signing of the minor league free agency period, inking 2017 Athletics big league right-handed starter/reliever Michael Brady (career stats and transactions). Brady made his big league debut at age 30 this past summer, making 16 relief appearances covering 31.2 innings (5.68 ERA, 1.23 WHIP). Brady had been outrighted from the A's 40-man roster on November 6th. This February 2017 article provides some background, as Brady was a 24th round pick of the Marlins, drafted as an infielder, had a brief catcher experiment, and then was converted to pitcher. Most of his career minor league appearances came as a reliever, but you'll see in Brady's stat line linked above that he's made many starts in recent seasons. Article upon learning of his call-up: Former Cal infielder makes it to The Show as an A’s reliever Via SBNation: Oakland A’s call up Michael Brady And finally, Brady discusses his repertoire in this San Jose Mercury News article -- “Usually the guys who convert are more power arms, at least among the guys I’ve met, the guys who can really bring the noise. I’m probably pretty unique in that way, there aren’t many who conversions that aren’t power pitchers or specialized lefties (Doolittle is both). You have to just find your way. If it’s not for you, you find out pretty quick.” Brady found it was for him. He throws in the low-to-mid 90s and has a pitch he calls a cutter that is more of a cutter/slider hybrid. His command of both pitches earns him multiple looks. He can throw either pitch on the corners and at the knees, meaning he doesn’t walk many. “My biggest asset is my location. I don’t walk a lot of guys,” Brady said. “I don’t throw 95-plus, but I don’t throw slow, either. My ball has late life and carry and it plays well.” *** Brady was added to the Marlins' 40-man roster in November 2013, but was designated for assignment four months later, and the Angels claimed him. Anaheim then outrighted him that June and retained his rights as he cleared waivers. In December 2015, this happened -- Washington Nationals traded cash and 3B Yunel Escobar to Los Angeles Angels for RHP Michael Brady and RHP Trevor Gott. Brady signed a minor league deal with the A's a year ago that included a big league camp invite. No word as of yet whether the Brewers' signing includes such an invite. If it does, the Brewers will announce that. So the former Marlin-Angel-National-Athletic Brady will be eligible to be taken in the December Rule 5 draft, unlikely, but noting that formality. http://www.milb.com/images/572728/t556/180x270/572728.jpg

AUDIO via Brewers.com Fri. 11/17: "It's official, Maryvale Baseball Park will be the Spring Training home of the Milwaukee Brewers for the next 25 years. MLB.com's Matt Waymire and Brewers reporter Adam McCalvy discuss the details that went into this deal and how prospect Monte Harrison is progressing in the Arizona Fall League." *** AUDIO via Matt Pauley's Brewers Extra Innings Podcast Sun. 11/19: "The baseball off-season rolls on and we continue to break down what we expect the Brewers to do over the next few months. Matt is joined by Brew Crew Ball's Brad Ford to continue the off-season discussion and look back at how Brewers prospects did in the Arizona Fall League." *** AUDIO via the Milwaukee Tailgate Podcast Mon. 11/20: "Ryan gives some names of under the radar player acquisitions that he thinks would make for a successful offseason. We discuss at which prospects included in a package for Chris Archer may be too expensive. J.P. has a trivia question for Steve and Ryan." *** AUDIO via WTMJ's Sports Central Tue. 11/21: Matt Snyder of CBS Sports

RHP Andrew Vernon opens up about his recent Tommy John surgery and his about-to-begin weight loss journey on his new blog.

This link also includes remaining minor league options info.

If there's one place we know Junior Guerra is comfortable, it's in his native Venezuela. I've been meaning to tweet/post how I think Guerra will begin the season in the Brewers' rotation. Would have looked even better if I had posted prior to today's stellar game . Click Guerra's name above to see his stat lines from the four appearances he's made thus far. Sunday's performance - 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K, 8/6 GB/FO, 89 pitches, 57 strikes (box score) Aragua Top of the 1st Carlos Arroyo strikes out swinging. Leandro Castro grounds out, third baseman Jose Castillo to first baseman Jose Martinez. Alberto Callaspo flies out to left fielder Alonzo Harris. Aragua Top of the 2nd Jose Vargas flies out to left fielder Alonzo Harris. Rey Navarro grounds out, shortstop Jose Gomez to first baseman Jose Martinez. Luis Villegas grounds out, pitcher Junior Guerra to first baseman Jose Martinez. Aragua Top of the 3rd Alberti Chavez grounds out, third baseman Jose Castillo to first baseman Jose Martinez. Osniel Madera pops out to first baseman Jose Martinez. Engelb Vielma grounds out, first baseman Jose Martinez to pitcher Junior Guerra. Aragua Top of the 4th Carlos Arroyo grounds out, first baseman Jose Martinez to pitcher Junior Guerra. Leandro Castro singles on a ground ball to third baseman Jose Castillo. Alberto Callaspo flies out to right fielder Teodoro Martinez. With Jose Vargas batting, Leandro Castro steals (2) 2nd base. Jose Vargas walks. With Rey Navarro batting, passed ball by Miguel Gonzalez, Leandro Castro to 3rd. Jose Vargas to 2nd. Rey Navarro walks. Luis Villegas flies out to center fielder Omar Carrizales. Aragua Top of the 5th Alberti Chavez flies out to right fielder Teodoro Martinez. Osniel Madera grounds out, shortstop Jose Gomez to first baseman Jose Martinez. Engelb Vielma bunt pops out to third baseman Jose Castillo in foul territory. Aragua Top of the 6th Carlos Arroyo strikes out swinging. Leandro Castro pops out to shortstop Jose Gomez. Alberto Callaspo flies out to center fielder Omar Carrizales. Aragua Top of the 7th Jose Vargas strikes out swinging. Rey Navarro walks. Luis Villegas singles on a ground ball to left fielder Alonzo Harris. Rey Navarro to 2nd. Alberti Chavez flies out to center fielder Omar Carrizales. Osniel Madera grounds into a force out, second baseman Heiker Meneses to shortstop Jose Gomez. Luis Villegas out at 2nd.

Audio via the "Titletown Takes" podcast of 11/6: Jimmy Nelson (go the 6:25 minute mark) Nice job by the guys for a fan-based podcast -- had some fun, didn't immediately address Nelson's injury, allowing Jimmy to settle in to the discussion, a good listen.

AUDIO via WTMJ's Brewers Weekly Thurs. 11/16: "Matt Pauley talks about the Maryvale deal, Brewers at the Winter Meetings and more." That's the full show, here's a specific interview within: "Phoenix City Hall reporter Jessica Boehm joins Matt to talk about the Brewers recent deal to renovate their Spring Training facilities at Maryvale."

Via a translation of this Venezuelan article -- Nate Orf played with Tiburones until November 15, because he must leave for the United States, but management did not rule out the return of the American infielder, who belongs to the Milwaukee Brewers. "The level of this league is very good, I also like the atmosphere and the treatment of the fans. I would like to go back", said Orf. Also, Cristóbal Colón, sports manager of La Guaira, reported that: "We are negotiating, we talked to him (Orf) and he left us good feelings and it is possible that he will return in mid-December." Orf fulfilled since he arrived, not in vain he had the fourth best average of Sharks (.337). "I'm leaving Venezuela being a better player, of course this experience will help me to have more opportunity to reach the Major Leagues. It's also an honor to play for a manager like 'Ozzie' Guillen, "said Orf.

Frosty Microbrews: Successful season for Timber Rattlers in AFL By Kyle Lobner / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

AUDIO via Brewers.com: "An Arizona Fall League edition of Brewers on Tap as we chat with Monte Harrison, Lucas Erceg and Corey Ray."

TWEET: Looks like it may be an ankle injury that has either cut short or delayed catcher Tyler Heineman's Dominican season

Fangraphs --David Stearns and justified respect for RHP Jordan Yamamoto

AUDIO via the Milwaukee Tailgate Podcast Mon. 11/13: "It's prospect list time! J.P. and Ryan discuss their lists and which minor league players they expect to have the most immediate impact, who is underrated on other lists, and who may need the most time to make become major league players." Read their full lists at disciplesofuecker.com.

MLB.com includes video quotes - Brewers' Harrison continues to impress in Fall League *swoon*

AUDIO via Matt Pauley's Brewers Extra Innings Podcast Sun. 11/12: "Another off-season edition of "Brewers Extra Innings, The Podcast" is here. This week, Matt tells you why Brewers manager Craig Counsell should have been one of the three finalists for the NL Manager of the Year award but also probably would not have won it. He also updates a situation with the Brewers spring training home moving forward. In a conversation with BP Milwaukee Editor Nicholas Zettel, the two discuss the dynamics of rebuilding and if MLB teams are treating fans correctly when they tank seasons when there are no expectations. Nicholas will also break down the off-season Baseball Prospectus Brewers top-10 prospect list."

FanGraphs -- Sunday Notes: Jon Perrin Wants to Show David Stearns Who’s Boss

REMINDER: Over on the Minor League Forum, we maintain a similar offseason archived media thread on the farmhands.

AUDIO via the Milwaukee Tailgate Podcast Tue. 11/7: "How much stock should you put into Arizona Fall League performances? Ryan, J.P. and Steve talk about what the AFL performances of Corey Ray and Lucas Erceg mean going into 2018, and Steve talks to Baseball Prospectus writer and DRA co-creator Jonathan Judge about how the statistics views Brewers pitchers Chase Anderson and Josh Hader (45:25 minute mark)."

AUDIO via the Milwaukee Tailgate Podcast Mon. 10/30: "Steve, J.P. and Ryan discuss Chase Anderson's new contract, what resigning Eric Sogard means for the rest of the Brewers' offseason plans at second base, and why the former players need to stop whining about short starts in the postseason." *** AUDIO via the Milwaukee Tailgate Podcast Tue. 11/7: "How much stock should you put into Arizona Fall League performances? Ryan, J.P. and Steve talk about what the AFL performances of Corey Ray and Lucas Erceg mean going into 2018, and Steve talks to Baseball Prospectus writer and DRA co-creator Jonathan Judge about how the statistics views Brewers pitchers Chase Anderson and Josh Hader (45:25 minute mark)."

AUDIO via the Milwaukee Tailgate Podcast Mon. 10/23: "Steve, Ryan and J.P. discuss Keith Law's recent write-up of Corey Ray in the Arizona Fall League and issues with scouting reports that draw conclusions from watching a limited number of games."

AUDIO via Brewers.com Fri. 10/27: "The Brewers came to an agreement with Chase Anderson on a new two-year extension with two club option years. MLB.com's Matt Waymire and Brewers reporter Adam McCalvy talk about the new deals given to Anderson and infielder Eric Sogard." *** AUDIO via Brewers.com Wed. 11/1: "For the Brewers to contend in 2018 they will need to address their starting rotation. MLB.com's Matt Waymire and Brewers reporter Adam McCalvy discuss the options the team has to build their rotation through free agency or by calling up pieces from their farm system. They also break down the chances Brett Phillips is the everyday center fielder next season in Milwaukee." *** AUDIO via Brewers.com Fri. 11/10: "The Milwaukee Brewers appear to have settled on a Spring Training site for the next 25 seasons. MLB.com's Matt Waymire and Brewers reporter Adam McCalvy discuss the plan to renovate their Maryvale Baseball Park in Arizona and why Craig Counsell was not among the finalist for NL Manager of the Year."