Jim Goulart

Image courtesy of © Wm. Glasheen/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images By mid-November (the afternoon of Tuesday November 11th, we believe), teams across MLB will have to set their 40-man rosters in order to identify which minor league players they wish to protect from exposure to the Rule 5 draft in December. Last November saw the Brewers add RHP's Logan Henderson and Chad Patrick while not adding RHP Shane Smith, subsequently claimed by the White Sox with the first pick in the draft. Clearly, each of those decisions had implications on the 2025 campaign. Unlike November 2023, the Brewers did not make any November 2024 trades for a Rule 5 eligible player, as they did then, giving up OF Hendry Mendez and INF Robert Moore for INF Oliver Dunn, who was immediately added to the team's 40-man at the time. Who is most likely to be added this November, if anyone at all? Quick primer thanks to MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince: What is the Rule 5 Draft? A draft that allows clubs that do not have a full 40-man roster to select certain non-40-man players from other organizations. Essentially, it is an avenue for teams to identify and give a Major League opportunity to players that they feel have been held back elsewhere. Players signed at age 18 or younger must be added to their club’s 40-man roster within five seasons or else become eligible for the Rule 5 Draft. Players signed at 19 or older must be protected within four seasons. Like the amateur Draft (officially known as the Rule 4 Draft), the Rule 5 Draft is held in reverse order of standings from the previous season. Unlike the amateur Draft, not every club will make a selection in the Rule 5. Those that do must pay $100,000 to the club from which the player was selected, and the player must remain on the new club’s 26-man roster (or injured list) for the entirety of the following season or else be placed on outright waivers. If the player clears waivers, he must be offered back to his original team for $50,000 and can be outrighted to the Minors only if his original team does not take him back. (This prevents teams from pilfering players from other teams and then stashing them in their Minor League system.) When is the Rule 5 Draft? This winter’s Rule 5 Draft will be held Wednesday Dec. 10th. There are 31 names on the eligible list this year, and it doesn't appear the Brewers will need to spend too much energy nor gnashing of teeth in the analysis (though certainly they'll be thorough). * = First Time as Rule 5 Eligible AAA Nashville: RHP JB Bukauskas RHP Will Childers* LHP Brian Fitzpatrick* RHP Blake Holub INF Eddys Leonard INF Ethan Murray LHP Thomas Pannone LHP Nate Peterson* RHP Garrett Stallings INF Freddy Zamora AA Biloxi: INF Eric Brown, Jr.* INF/OF Eduardo Garcia RHP Stiven Cruz RHP Nick Merkel* C Darrien Miller OF Hedbert Perez C Ramon Rodriguez LHP Russell Smith OF Garrett Spain UTIL Jheremy Vargas INF Zavier Warren C Matt Wood* High-A Wisconsin: RHP Patricio Aquino* OF Luis Castillo* C Blayberg Diaz C David Garcia INF Daniel Guilarte* 1B/OF Tayden Hall* RHP Edwin Jimenez C Andrick Nava OF/INF Kay-Lan Nicasia RHP Yerlin Rodriguez RHP Will Rudy* RHP Cameron Wagoner* A-Ball Carolina: RHP Quinton Low* C Edgardo Ordonez* LHP Anfernny Reyes* LHP Caden Vire* Rookie Maryvale: C Eric Martinez* OF Demetrio Nadal* Don't confuse the players on this list with the names here: "The Brewers Farmhands Set to Become Minor League Free Agents in October" - otherwise known as "The Coleman Crow will be added" article. NOTE: The Jadher Areinamo commentary below (and his photo for this article) clearly pre-date his July trade to the Rays' organization (for catcher Danny Jansen). Feel free to discuss and predict in the comments below, but I see the potentials as such: Lock: None Just Barely South of Lock: None Under Fairly Strong Consideration: INF Jadher Areinamo (turns 22 in November) Could Sneak In: INF/LF Ethan Murray (turned 25 this past May) RHP Will Childers (turns 25 in November) It says quite a bit about 2022 1st round INF Eric Brown, Jr., and his $2.15 million (under slot) bonus as the 27th overall pick that he's not a consideration at all. Brown last saw action on April 22nd with Biloxi, and had appeared in center field in one game, perhaps hinting at an alternative route to playing time. Brown's OPS in 126 games at the AA level is .528. Brown turns 25 in December, and for hope for himself and us all, can look no further than my comments on Ethan Murray below for a turnaround path next year. That overall 2022 MLB early draft class is not going to go down in history as a strong group. It was surprising to see Jadher Areinamo repeat High-A this year, though the Brewers have oft stated that the young man needed to work on his pitch selection / chase rates. Areinamo has already walked more often in 2025 (34 times) than he did in all of 2024 (33). His K rate is also up slightly but remains elite (was 11.1%, now 12.7%). The only step back Areinamo has taken is in his baserunning, just 9-for-16 in SB attempts this season (vs. 32-for-40 in 2024). He has played more games at shortstop (42) than at second base and third base combined (36). Given the other infield talent in the system, it's a possibility that the Venezuelan native is pitched in trade discussions this summer and fall. Even so, and yes, he's very young, but one would still have to sell a trade partner on the repeat of High-A. It's only a 42-game 2025 sample given early-season injury issues, but Ethan Murray's recent production and defensive versatility have placed a slightly brighter spotlight on the 2021 5th rounder out of Duke. Then again, whether he was slowed down by other injury issues or not, Murray is just one season removed from an 82-game mess of a .525 OPS in 2024. That'll take some of the shine off this season's performance to date (.880 OPS). Will Childers throws gas and is flashing a 1.01 WHIP in 2025, having just been bumped to Nashville this week. We certainly know that fireballing effective relievers can be targets in Rule 5, perhaps this undrafted free agent signing will be. The next few months will help determine that. It's clear that the cream of the crop in the Crew's system is extremely young and inexperienced in terms of time at the professional level. Nearly 100% don't qualify for Rule 5 consideration this year. Looking forward to everyone's thoughts. View full article

Biloxi Press Release: BILOXI, MS – The Biloxi Shuckers and Milwaukee Brewers have announced that RHP Nick Merkel has been reinstated from the 7-Day Injured List. The active roster now stands at 26 players. Merkel, who was placed on the 7-Day Injured List on May 27, threw 2.0 scoreless innings in two appearances with the Rookie-level ACL Brewers on a rehab assignment. With the Shuckers, Merkel held a 1.20 ERA across 15.0 innings prior to injury.

This thread will be utilized for any minor league news Saturday. Organizational Scoreboard Audio Links MiLB TV (Subscribers)

Image courtesy of BrewerFanatic Transactions: Nashville Sounds activated 3B Oliver Dunn from the temporarily inactive list. Nashville Sounds transferred LF Jimmy Herron to the Development List. RHP Griffin Tobias assigned to Carolina Mudcats from ACL Brewers. ACL Brewers activated RHP Ismael Yanez from the 7-day injured list. Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Nashville 6, Memphis (Cardinals) 1 Box Score and Game Log As of this report time, no game summary issued by the Sounds. Over his last four starts (23 innings), Tobias Myers has allowed only three runs, walking five and striking out 24. His progression topped out Friday night with his 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K effort. The stacked Brewers rotation (Brandon Woodruff back tomorrow, Nestor Cortes not far behind) is oozing depth. Myers has pitched better of late than Logan Henderson, but at best is the 7th totem pole option behind Chad Patrick (8th when Cortes returns). If Matt Arnold wants to be especially bold dealing from that depth this month, he has the ability to do so. If nothing else, a young, controllable and potentially very effective starting rotation is shaping up for 2026. Third catcher Nick Kahle (Jeferson Quero DH, Jorge Alfaro idle) doubled twice. There haven't been a lot of Tyler Black highlights in 2025, but we had a sighting Friday: Matt Childers AAA debut was uneven (1 IP, 1 R) as it included two walks and two wild pitches, but the damage was limited. Congrats to new daddy Oliver Dunn and his wife. Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Biloxi 10, Pensacola (Marlins) 4 Box Score and Game Log Catch up with the latest Biloxi pre-game audio interview archives Offense, Pitching Dominate in Shuckers Win in Front of Sellout Crowd - Kuehner strikes out 7, all nine in the lineup record at least one hit in front of 6,098 Piggy-back the game summary you just enjoyed reading with a whopping ten video highlight clips via the Biloxi "X" feed. That's how you do it before the fireworks crowd, provide in-game fireworks of your own. Kudos to this short-handed Shuckers club, currently with just 11 position players. Going 8-for-18 with RISP helps, heck, getting 18 AB's in such situations is key. Go to the 01:12:30 hour/minute mark for @Spencer Michaelis and his "Minor League Sandbox" portion of this week's podcast. Thoughts on Friday's winning starting pitcher Tate Kuehner included: Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes (download link) Final: Beloit (Marlins) 10, Wisconsin 7 Box Score and Game Log Missed Opportunities Haunt Rattlers - Beloit bounces back from rough start to beat Wisconsin The feel-good vibes of the Timber Rattlers being very competitive down the stretch in the first half despite little to no chance of qualifying for the division title are long gone. Not only is the team now 3-10 in the second half, but the mental blunders are building up. There were examples of egregious baserunning in this one, and not the kind attributed to being overly aggressive. 19-year-old (best I can do to soften the blow, point out he's still a teenager) Luiyin Alastre was picked off first base by the catcher with the bases loaded to end what had been a two-run Wisconsin first. That's unacceptable at any level of play, and Manager Victor Estevez makes note of the deadening effect that had on his team within the podcast linked below. The Sky Carp were 5-for-5 on the basepaths, nothing unusual there as the entire Marlins' system has been hyper-focused on stealing bags this year. With Marco Dinges out, likely for at minimum a few more weeks, it's going to be a lot asking a lot of Blayberg Diaz and Victor Torres to guide this pitching staff from behind the dish. Agreed, DeBerry was one pitch away from six shutties - Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Carolina 5, Fayetteville (Astros) 2 Box Score and Game Log Mudcats Down Fayetteville Big night for CF Braylon Payne, HR, single and walk - We'll assume that Braylon's agent or his mom has access to Payne's "X" account, which reposted the above by the next half-inning. But if that wasn't the case, need to clean clubhouse phone access up, Manager Nick Stanley and staff. Teenagers and all... Speaking of teenagers, these games in which RHP's Ethan Dorchies (18) and Jayden Dubanewicz (19) are handling the bulk of the innings are becoming must-see, must-follow. The two combined for 8.1 innings in which only one earned run was allowed. It was hardly perfect, as the pair walked seven and Dorchies hit a batter. The numbers below for Fayetteville defines the duo "buckling down" - kudos also to RHP Dikember Sanchez who stranded two of Dorchies' baserunners, retiring the only batter he faced: Team RISP: 0-for-15. Team LOB: 13. Via the "Wisconsin Sports Daily Show" with Steve "Sparky" Fifer: "WNCN Sports Director Kevin Holden discusses the Carolina Mudcats" Final: ACL Brewers 7, ACL White Sox 4 Box Score and Game Log Wow, nice for the desert: Weather: 88 degrees, Sunny. Wind: 4 mph, R To L. The A-Crew trailed 1-0 through five innings before plating multiple runs in each of the 6th, 7th, and 8th frames. "Large Mammal" RHP Nick Merkel, rehabbing via Biloxi, has retired all six batters he's faced in his two rehab appearances as he prepares for an eventual return to full-season ball. Stellar work (again) from the tag-team of two 18-year-olds, LHP Enderson Mercado and RHP Ayendy Bravo - 7.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 7 K. Second baseman Josh Adamczewski drove in a run on a sacrifice fly as he works his way back to Carolina. He exited after seven innings, almost certainly planned. The $1.4 million allocated to infielder Kevin Ereu in January of 2023 has not proved to be money well spent thus far, but he'll get the shoutout for two singles, a walk, and a stolen base (his 5th in nine attempts). Final: DSL Guardians Goryl 6, DSL Brewers Gold 2, completion of June 16th's suspended game Box Score and Game Log Final: DSL Guardians Goryl 9, DSL Brewers Gold 4, seven innings as scheduled Box Score and Game Log Final: DSL Brewers Blue 9, DSL Guardians Mendoza 1 Box Score and Game Log You'll find a nice series of posts on these three Friday matinee games at our forum thread beginning here. Thanks to one of our regular contributors, @sveumrules in particular, for the insights. All seven Brewers affiliates play Saturday, but there's only six games as the two Dominican clubs face off. I'm particularly interested in seeing how the Shuckers fare against one of baseball's best pitching prospects, Marlins 20-year-old LHP Thomas White (shoutout to the Massachusetts native), the 35th overall pick in 2023, and making his third start at the AA level. Adding to that game's spotlight will be Biloxi starter Tyson Hardin, what a matchup! Continue to be safe and enjoy the holiday weekend, everyone! Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth View full article

Friday 7/4: Via the "Brew Crew Scoop" Podcast: "Brandon Woodruff is set to return in the same ballpark he last pitched in almost two years ago. The Brewers stayed hot and are well over .500 and still in the thick of the playoff race. Jacob Misiorowski won NL Rookie of June but had his first bad start in July." Postgame Shows after the 6-5 win in Miami: WTMJ with Dom Cotroneo - Craig Coshun is Dom's guest 97.3 The Game with Tim Allen and crew

I sure hope somebody is running Braylon Payne’s “X” account for him and reposted this in-game.

Jeff Hem confirms why Oliver Dunn was on the Temp Inactive List. Congrats!

ACL Brewers activated RHP Ismael Yanez from the 7-day injured list. *** Yanez spent a bit under a month on the IL.

Nashville Press Release: The Milwaukee Brewers have announced the following moves that impact the Nashville Sounds Roster: ADD: RHP Will Childers transferred to Nashville from Double-A Biloxi INF Oliver Dunn reinstated from the Temporary Inactive List REMOVE: OF Jimmy Herron placed on the Development List The Nashville Sounds roster currently sits at 28 active + 2 MLB Rehab + 1 Injured List + 2 Development List *** Congrats, Will! First taste of AAA.

“I feel like in the past years I wasn’t super, super focused on the training room and taking care of my body,” Garcia said through interpreter Hedbert Perez. Excuse me, but this is Year Seven in the system for Eduardo (we'll call it six due to 2020). Maybe we could have seen that dedication earlier? I'm sure the strength and training departments tried to emphasize. Garcia turns 23 years old in six days and is scheduled to be a minor league free agent this October.

Carolina Press Release: Roster Update: Tobias added from ACL Brewers ZEBULON, N.C. – The Milwaukee Brewers announced a roster transaction affecting the Carolina Mudcats active roster. The announced move is the addition of RHP Griffin Tobias from the Arizona Complex League Brewers to the Mudcats. The Carolina Mudcats roster is currently at 29 active players and 5 players on the injured list. Tobias will wear #24. The most recent roster is linked here. *** Tobias, the 2024 9th round pick out an Indiana high school, turns 20 years old on the 20th of this month. He has a 29-to-1 K-to-BB ratio in 36.2 innings in Arizona, other stats available at the linked name above.

Latest with Jack & Spencer -

Thursday 7/3: Via WTMJ's Morning News (download link): Matt Arnold Via the Fan Milwaukee's "Mason Crosby Show": Andrew Wagner of Forbes Sports Via the "Wisconsin Sports Daily Show" with Steve "Sparky" Fifer: "Tim Dillard discusses Jacob Misiorowski's first rough start of his career vs. the Mets. Tim explains why Brewers fans shouldn't be too concerned over Miz's struggles. From our Minor League Forum: Via the "Wisconsin Sports Daily Show" with Steve "Sparky" Fifer: "WNCN Sports Director Kevin Holden discusses the Carolina Mudcats" Postgame Shows after the 3-2 loss to the Mets: WTMJ with Dom Cotroneo - Jerry Augustine is Dom's guest 97.3 The Game with Tim Allen and crew Locked on Brewers with Chuck Freimund - "Coming Off a Tough Series Loss - Brewers Take on a Red-Hot Team This Weekend" Locked on Postcast with Brandon Sneide - "Missed Chances Doom Brewers in Rubber Match vs. Mets"