Jim Goulart

Thursday's games -- Venezuela box: RHP Junior Rincon stumbled, but his team recovered to take game one in the league semi-final best-of-seven. Lara Bottom of the 7th Pitching Change: Junior Rincon replaces Esteban Haro. Jesus Montero singles on a ground ball to center fielder Alonzo Harris. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Yonathan Mendoza replaces Jesus Montero. With Jairo Perez batting, throwing error by Junior Rincon on the pickoff attempt, Yonathan Mendoza to 3rd. Jairo Perez walks. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Elvis Escobar replaces Jairo Perez. Carlos Rivero pops out to second baseman Heiker Meneses. Paulo Orlando doubles (1) on a ground ball to center fielder Alonzo Harris. Yonathan Mendoza scores. Elvis Escobar scores. Pitching Change: Andres Torres replaces Junior Rincon. Gustavo Molina flies out to left fielder Yonathan Daza. Ildemaro Vargas grounds out, pitcher Andres Torres to first baseman Henry Alejandro Rodriguez. *** Rincon's team is the same team that Junior Guerra would pitch for if the Brewers don't convince him otherwise. Adam McCalvy has the new details here.

Darn it, I had meticulously typed out time stamps and details on Thursday's Australia League game base on the game replay video below. One awkward click and all the work was lost. Here's the box score and game log for the Sydney 9-4 loss, you'll have to do your own searching now for the Malik Collymore and Tucker Neuhaus at bats. They each committed an error, and it was actually on the same play, tough circumstances for each. Just to show and keep this in mind all coming Link Report season, as Collymore's first two at-bats resulted in outs on fine plays on liners by the opposing outfielders. Neuhaus skied a ball to the deepest part of the park that was caught right at the wall. With an ode to my detailed work gone forever, here's the game replay should you go hunting and pecking vs. the game log. *** As for Friday's game, as of this early AM U.S.-time post, it's being live-streamed here: *** Included are these highlights as Neuhaus is raking so far, 3-for-4 with two doubles and five RBI:

Happy 92nd, Katherine!

AUDIO via WTMJ Brewers' Weekly Thursday 1/12 with Matt Pauley: 3B Travis Shaw

Meet 6'0", 170 lb., Wilmy De Jesus, just signed by the Brewers out of the Dominican Republic. Although this video, taken last spring, shows him working out as an outfielder, Milwaukee has signed him as a right-handed pitcher. By the way, he's currently 16 years old, he'll be 17 next month (February 26th), so he's the very first Brewers farmhand born in the 21st century. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh_XgDbI_5o *** The Brewers also posted the signing of a 17-year-old Dominican outfielder, Luis Valdez, a right-handed bat listed at a nice 6'3", 195. He'll turn 18 in September. Both De Jesus and Valdez will assuredly be assigned to the Dominican Summer League squad for 2017 for their pro debut seasons. Updated DSL Brewers page Both players officially signed on December 26th.

As per Venezuelan reports, Brewers have given Junior Guerra permission to pitch at least (at most?) two starts in the upcoming semi-final league series. 50-60 pitches in the first game, a bit more in the 2nd. Also some online indications Guerra wishes to represent Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. EDIT: You'll find Adam McCalvy's update on this situation below.

Here are the two most recent MLB podcasts with Adam McCalvy: January 5th: Do the Brewers have enough starting pitching to compete in 2017? MLB.com's Matt Waymire and Brewers reporter Adam McCalvy break down the options the team has at its disposal in the rotation as well as the opportunities that Eric Thames and Travis Shaw possess now that they are going to be playing every day. April 11th: Could Jonathan Villar be headed for an All-Star season in 2017? MLB.com's Matt Waymire and Brewers reporter Adam McCalvy break down why Villar should be an All Star after leading the league in steals last season and if the Brewers can finish the season with a winning record. This is the page where they are achived on the Brewers' site.

Junior Rincon is the only Brewer player still active among the four Venezuelan teams in the league semi-finals. Manny Pina and Orlando Arcia's teams are alive, but the Brewers shut each player down for the winter. *** In Puerto Rico, young SS Angel Ortega's team is still alive in the league finals, but we haven't seen him in action in some time. Infielder Ivan De Jesus, Jr., however, will likely be a box score regular over the next week. *** In Mexico, RHP David Goforth's team is active in the league semi-finals. *** The Dominican playoff format is more difficult to decipher, we know Jonathan Villar's team is cruising in the round robin and has been a constant, we'll see if Wily Peralta sees additional action. It's possible we'll see the return of Domingo Santana, but his very limited action seemed to end a couple of weeks ago.

Junior Rincon is the only Brewer player still active among the four Venezuelan teams in the league semi-finals. Manny Pina and Orlando Arcia's teams are alive, but the Brewers shut each player down for the winter. *** In Puerto Rico, young SS Angel Ortega's team is still alive in the league finals, but we haven't seen him in action in some time. Infielder Ivan De Jesus, Jr., however, will likely be a box score regular over the next week. *** In Mexico, RHP David Goforth's team is active in the league semi-finals. *** The Dominican playoff format is more difficult to decipher, we know Jonathan Villar's team is cruising in the round robin and has been a constant, we'll see if Wily Peralta sees additional action. It's possible we'll see the return of Domingo Santana, but his very limited action seemed to end a couple of weeks ago.

Dominican box: Jonathan Villar 1-for-5, RBI, two K's in his team's 6-0 win. He played shortstop. *** Puerto Rico box: Season ends for several Brewers (RHP's Hiram Burgos and Jorge Lopez, LHP Andrew Barbosa and SS Yadiel Rivera after a 1-0 loss that saw Team Mayaguez fall in the league semi-final series, four games to two. Rivera was 0-for-2 with a sacrifice bunt in this game. Burgos got the start and took the loss, his line: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 2 K, you can follow his game log here. *** Venezuela box: Hernan Perez and his team had a special wild card game to see who would be the 4th team in the league semifinals. Perez' team lost 4-2, so Perez is now officially done for the winter. He was 2-for-5 with an RBI here, played second base. Moving on is RH reliever Junior Rincon, who appeared in this win. Aragua Bottom of the 5th Pitching Change: Junior Rincon replaces Kelvin De La Cruz. Carlos Penalver flies out to center fielder Alonzo Harris. Hernan Perez flies out to left fielder Jose Castillo. Endy Chavez grounds out, second baseman Heiker Meneses to first baseman Hector Sanchez. Aragua Bottom of the 6th Yadir Drake grounds out, third baseman Alberto Gonzalez to first baseman Hector Sanchez. Alex Cabrera singles on a line drive to center fielder Alonzo Harris. Pitching Change: Wander Perez replaces Junior Rincon. Alberto Callaspo strikes out swinging. Carlos Franco walks. Alex Cabrera to 2nd. Sandy Leon pops out to second baseman Heiker Meneses.

A reminder that the Brewers drafted Smith in the 13th round in 2011 (Baseball Reference)

If the related (translated) tweets are taken at face value, Manny Pina's Venezuelan team asked if he could play in 1st two games of upcoming semifinal series, but Brewers said no, you're done.

Wily Peralta made his winter debut in the Dominican Wednesday evening -- he faced five batters, and thanks to his 2nd inning teammate's bullpen work, escaped with a 0.00 ERA. Escogido Top of the 1st Rafael Bautista grounds out, third baseman Maikel Franco to first baseman Jason Krizan. Eury Perez grounds out, shortstop Wilmer Difo to first baseman Jason Krizan. Jorge Polanco grounds out, first baseman Jason Krizan to pitcher Wily Peralta. Escogido Top of the 2nd Ronny Paulino walks. Tommy Pham walks. Ronny Paulino to 2nd. Pitching Change: Sandy Rosario replaces Wily Peralta. Jimmy Paredes strikes out swinging. Chesny Young grounds into a force out, shortstop Wilmer Difo to second baseman Ketel Marte. Ronny Paulino to 3rd. Tommy Pham out at 2nd. Chesny Young to 1st. With Erik Gonzalez batting, Chesny Young steals (1) 2nd base. Erik Gonzalez strikes out swinging. Box score here, no other Brewers in this game. A full report on Wednesday's action when all results are in...

Tuesday's games -- Dominican box: Jonathan Villar 0-for-3, one K, he exited after flying out in the 5th, not going to read anything into that at all *** Puerto Rico box: 1.21 ERA in 44.2 IP this winter, that's the combined total of regular season and postseason numbers for RHP Jorge Lopez. He has not allowed an earned run (one unearned) in ten postseason innings (two starts). In this game -- 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HBP, his own throwing error led to the run His team lost 2-1 though, and is now down three games to two in the best-of-seven league semi-final. Teammate SS Yadiel Rivera was 1-for-2, HBP. Caguas Top of the 1st Jorge Padilla hit by pitch. Rico Noel singles on a ground ball to third baseman Benji Gonzalez. Jorge Padilla to 2nd. Rey Navarro strikes out swinging. Rusney Castillo grounds out, second baseman Jesmuel Valentin to first baseman Jonathan Rodriguez. Jorge Padilla to 3rd. Rico Noel to 2nd. Randy Ruiz strikes out swinging. Caguas Top of the 2nd Ruben Gotay called out on strikes. David Vidal grounds out, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to first baseman Jonathan Rodriguez. Jonathan Morales pops out to second baseman Jesmuel Valentin. Caguas Top of the 3rd Jack Lopez grounds out, second baseman Jesmuel Valentin to first baseman Jonathan Rodriguez. Jorge Padilla strikes out swinging. Rico Noel grounds out, third baseman Benji Gonzalez to first baseman Jonathan Rodriguez. Caguas Top of the 4th Rey Navarro singles on a ground ball to center fielder Eddie Rosario. Rusney Castillo reaches on a throwing error by pitcher Jorge Lopez. Rey Navarro to 3rd. Rusney Castillo to 2nd. Randy Ruiz reaches on a fielder's choice out, pitcher Jorge Lopez to third baseman Benji Gonzalez to catcher Carlos Corporan. Rey Navarro out at home. Rusney Castillo to 3rd. Ruben Gotay singles on a line drive to left fielder Danny Ortiz. Rusney Castillo scores. Randy Ruiz to 2nd. David Vidal grounds into a double play, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to first baseman Jonathan Rodriguez. Ruben Gotay out at 2nd. Caguas Top of the 5th Jonathan Morales grounds out, third baseman Benji Gonzalez to first baseman Jonathan Rodriguez. Jack Lopez walks. Jorge Padilla singles on a ground ball to shortstop Yadiel Rivera. Jack Lopez to 3rd. Rico Noel grounds into a double play, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to second baseman Jesmuel Valentin to first baseman Jonathan Rodriguez. Jorge Padilla out at 2nd *** Puerto Rico box: Season ends for catcher Rene Garcia, 1-for-3 here in a 2-1 loss. Moving on is SS Ivan De Jesus, Jr., who hit the two-run 3rd inning home run that led to his team's semi-final series win. *** Venezuela box: Season ends for SS Gabriel Noriega despite a 2-for-4 game, SB (one K). Manny Pina's team moves on in the playoffs, he was 0-for-2 with a sacrifice bunt here, but as the prior post shows, the Brewers are asking him to call it a winter and rest. *** On a light note from Australia, Malik Collymore and Tucker Neuhaus had a zoo day with koalas (Collymore lower left with the beard, Neuhaus at bottom of photo), snakes, and wombats.

TWEET: Brewers ready to put the brakes on catcher Manny Pina's winter ball stint.

Yet another Top 50 - via prospects1500.com

Monday's game -- Venezuela box: Their postseason series is now tied at three games apiece -- catcher Manny Pina (0-for-3 in a 3-0 win) and SS Gabriel Noriega on the other side (0-for-4)

Missed listing RHP David Goforth's weekend outings: Saturday -- Hermosillo Bottom of the 7th O'Koyea Dickson strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Daniel Rodriguez. O'Koyea Dickson to 1st. Dustin Martin homers (1) on a fly ball to right field. O'Koyea Dickson scores. Pitching Change: David Goforth replaces Daniel Rodriguez. Luis Alfonso Garcia flies out to center fielder Maxwell Leon. Tim Torres strikes out swinging. Mario Ivan Santana grounds out, third baseman Ramiro Pena to first baseman Issmael Salas. Hermosillo Bottom of the 8th Sebastian Elizalde remains in the game as the designated hitter. Jorge Flores grounds out, shortstop Jose Guadalupe Chavez to first baseman Issmael Salas. Jason Bourgeois singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jose Guadalupe Chavez. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Fernando Perez replaces Carlos Alberto Gastelum. Culiacan challenged (play at 1st), call on the field was upheld: Fernando Perez singles on a ground ball to third baseman Ramiro Pena. Jason Bourgeois to 2nd. Pitching Change: Oliver Perez replaces David Goforth. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Jose Amador replaces Efren Navarro. Efren Navarro flies out to left fielder Ryan Lollis. Pitching Change: Derrick Loop replaces Oliver Perez. O'Koyea Dickson called out on strikes. *** Sunday -- Hermosillo Top of the 7th Pitching Change: David Goforth replaces Juan Ramon Noriega. Jorge Flores singles on a fly ball to left fielder Ryan Lollis. Jason Bourgeois pops out to second baseman Jose Manuel Rodriguez. Carlos Alberto Gastelum walks. Jorge Flores to 2nd. Efren Navarro reaches on a fielding error by shortstop Ramiro Pena. Jorge Flores scores. Carlos Alberto Gastelum to 3rd. O'Koyea Dickson out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Maxwell Leon. Carlos Alberto Gastelum scores. Pitching Change: Oliver Perez replaces David Goforth. Dustin Martin pops out to second baseman Jose Manuel Rodriguez in foul territory.

UPDATE: I've since been told that Jeremy Reed was hired by the Angels. Not sure if they've announced that formally or not, guess we just did .

For those wondering, no word yet on 2017 Brewers affiliate coaching staffs and/or changes. The 2016 staffs were announced last Jan. 13th. *** I tweeted that a week or so ago, but we have learned of one change. We can't say that Jeremy Reed, the minor league hitting coordinator in 2016 and with the Brewers in a coaching capacity since 2013, is no longer with the Brewers, because we don't know that. He may be a part of one of the yet-to-be announced affiliate coaching staffs. But the Brewers have removed his name from their front office roster, and replaced it with "Minor League Roving Hitting Coordinator, Kenneth Graham". Well, he's Kenny Graham, and he's pretty unique in that Graham never played affiliated pro ball, or even independent league ball. Here's a helpful 2009 press release when Graham first joined the coaching ranks of an affiliated club (Blue Jays), after a successful independent league coaching stint. Then there's a career overview via Graham's own LinkedIn summary page. But the most interesting article is this piece by Arden Zwelling at sportsnet.ca -- Meet the Blue Jays minor-league coordinators who turn the potential of prospects like Dalton Pompey into big-league stars Graham is featured in the first few paragraphs, but stick with the story as it returns to Graham later on. Graham is 41, and seems like a nice hire. Of course, the coordinators' jobs are pretty unique, review this excellent Kyle Lobner piece from last May he put together for the Timber Rattlers site. Reminder for those coming to this post via my Twitter link, this thread kicked off the discussion we'll use all season to post any fan comments as well as published features on any of the minor league coaches, new or returning. Scroll up to read the fan comments posted thus far if you wish.

Sunday's games -- Dominican box: Jonathan Villar 0-for-4, BB, R, two K's in his team's round-robin win. Safe to say his club will be moving on to the league finals, 9-1 record, other three clubs all under .500. *** Puerto Rico box: Can't wait to see what 6'8" LHP Andrew Barbosa does in Colorado Springs, because he is crushing Puerto Rico. In this start: 5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K Barbosa's effort wasn't enough in a 2-1 loss, though, and his team is now tied two games apiece in its best of-seven league semifinal series. SS Yadiel Rivera was 0-for-4, one K Caguas Bottom of the 1st Jorge Padilla singles on a line drive to center fielder Eddie Rosario. Omar Garcia strikes out swinging. Rey Navarro grounds out to first baseman Kennys Vargas. Jorge Padilla to 2nd. Rusney Castillo strikes out swinging. Caguas Bottom of the 2nd Randy Ruiz pops out to first baseman Kennys Vargas. Ruben Gotay called out on strikes. David Vidal flies out to center fielder Eddie Rosario. Caguas Bottom of the 3rd Jan Vazquez walks. Jack Lopez lines into a double play, right fielder Henry Ramos to first baseman Kennys Vargas. Jan Vazquez doubled off 1st. Jorge Padilla strikes out swinging. Caguas Bottom of the 4th Omar Garcia singles on a ground ball to second baseman Benji Gonzalez. Rey Navarro lines into a double play, pitcher Andrew Barbosa to first baseman Kennys Vargas. Omar Garcia out at 1st. Rusney Castillo singles on a line drive to center fielder Eddie Rosario. Randy Ruiz singles on a line drive to center fielder Eddie Rosario. Rusney Castillo to 2nd. Ruben Gotay grounds out, second baseman Benji Gonzalez to first baseman Kennys Vargas. Caguas Bottom of the 5th David Vidal flies out to left fielder Danny Ortiz. Jan Vazquez pops out to third baseman Jonathan Rodriguez in foul territory. Jack Lopez grounds out, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to first baseman Kennys Vargas. Caguas Bottom of the 6th Jorge Padilla singles on a line drive to left fielder Danny Ortiz. Omar Garcia out on a sacrifice bunt, first baseman Kennys Vargas to second baseman Benji Gonzalez. Jorge Padilla to 2nd. Pitching Change: Connor Little replaces Andrew Barbosa. *** Puerto Rico box: With a 2-0 win (my, offense is suppressed in this league), the club of Ivan De Jesus, Jr. takes a three games to one lead in the other league semifinal. De Jesus was 1-for-4, double, BB, one K. For the other club, catcher Rene Garcia was 2-for-4 and saw two stolen bases against.

From the Australia game referenced in the prior post (our Saturday, their Sunday): Malik Collymore infield single, top of the 5th (at-bat begins at 01:37:40 mark) Tucker Neuhaus doubles on a line drive to right field, top of the 6th (at-bat begins at 01:55:55 mark) Collymore singles on fly ball to right, top of the 9th, to keep the game alive, and teammate homers on next at-bat to tie things up (at-bat begins at 03:06:20 mark)

Fun John Sickels tweet on underrated Tristan Archer -- do you like consistency? Milwaukee Brewers farmhand Tristan Archer posed a 3.42 ERA in 2014, a 3.42 ERA in 2015, and a 3.42 ERA in 2016. Baseball Reference -- Look at the spectacular K-to-BB ratios the last two years!

AUDIO via WSSP 105.7 FM Sunday 1/8: Hot Stove Weekly with Tim & Sparky returns and the 42-minute podcast includes 18 minutes with Adam McCalvy *** AUDIO: Here's the McCalvy interview as a stand-alone

Via Matt Huddleston, at his "The Unbiased MLB Fan" blog, a Q and A With Brewers' prospect, Jacob Gatewood Thanks for posting this, Matt. Included: 6.) As with many power hitters, your strikeout numbers have remained very high, with you whiffing more total times than number of games played in each of your first three seasons. What are some of the things you continue to work on to improve your overall approach at the plate? For me it’s always been pitch selection, so I’ve been working on my vision and really focusing on the mental game of hitting rather than mechanics. I recently visited an eye doctor and realized I needed glasses so that could help a bit as well. *** Be sure to click the link above for the full Q&A. I've never found out, but one would think that each and every organizational player, top to bottom, would undergo a club-sponsored eye exam each offseason. But I doubt that's the case, which amazes me. Also on Gatewood, many of us had heard about his MLB All-Star Game HR Derby success, but perhaps like me, I had somehow never seen a video of it. This is embedded within the Q&A interview linked above.