Jim Goulart

Rattler Radio Blog: 1-0 games

Busy Tuesday night -- Puerto Rico box: In the postseason opener, the combo of RHP Jorge Lopez and LHP Andrew Barbosa again dazzled with a combined eight shutout one-hit innings -- naturally, Lopez' work is of more importance from a pure prospect standpoint, but Barbosa's efforts shouldn't be overlooked (detailed reminder of Barbosa's background can be found here). Despite those efforts, because of a teammate's blown save in the 9th, this game went 14 innings before Lopez' and Barbosa's team won 4-3. Here's the game log so you can see just how dominant the combined 8 IP, I H, 2 BB, 8 K effort was. In that game, SS Yadiel Rivera was 2-for-6, RBI, SB, one K and enjoyed the win. On the other side, SS Angel Ortega was 1-for-3, R, one K, before a top of the 9th exit. *** Puerto Rico box: Again Brewers on both sides of the box score, as SS Ivan De Jesus, Jr.'s team defeated catcher Rene Garcia's squad 2-1 in another postseason opener. De Jesus was 1-for-5, RBI, one K. Garcia went 1-for-4. De Jesus' hit was a walkoff single, watch it here (50 second mark). *** Venezuela box: Catcher Manny Pina guided his pitchers in an 8-1 win. One baserunner was successful stealing a base. At the plate, Pina was 0-for-3, one K, but did drive in a run on a groundout. *** Venezuela box: Hernan Perez' club lost 6-5 in walkoff fashion. Perez played third base again, was 1-for-5, run scored. *** Dominican box: Jonathan Villar's team is rolling. Villar was 1-for-4, BB, R, again playing second base. *** Mexico box: It was the Mexican League debut of RHP David Goforth after his pre-holiday stint in Venezuela. Goforth's club lost 6-4, but he retired all five men he faced. Hermosillo Top of the 7th Pitching Change: David Goforth replaces Victor Marte. Carlos Alberto Gastelum grounds out, third baseman Issmael Salas to first baseman Joey Meneses. Efren Navarro grounds out, second baseman Jose Manuel Rodriguez to first baseman Joey Meneses. Jose Amador strikes out swinging. Hermosillo Top of the 8th Dustin Martin pops out to second baseman Jose Manuel Rodriguez. O'Koyea Dickson flies out to right fielder Jose Manuel Orozco. Pitching Change: Gerardo Sanchez replaces David Goforth. Tim Torres doubles (2) on a fly ball to center fielder Maxwell Leon. Mario Ivan Santana grounds out, first baseman Joey Meneses to pitcher Gerardo Sanchez.

New article from the same site that brought you that darn solid podcast.

Four of Josh's clients are relievers who already had past ties with the Brewers -- Jim Miller, Jaye Chapman, David Herndon, and Phillippe Valiquette. Doesn't mean one could be coming back. Then there's catcher Steve Clevenger, who had an incredibly awkward departure from his Mariners tenure (and perhaps career) last season. Not sure if Josh is still officially with these clients, his list is under "Double Diamond Sports Management" over at the MLB Trade Rumors agency database, and the list there is likely incomplete.

RHP Junior Rincon, the 25-year-old hard thrower who split 2016 between Brevard County and Biloxi (40 relief appearances), has joined Tiburones de La Guairá in the Venezuelan League. He made two October appearances for his Dominican League club. Rincon is a Dominican native.

Monday's games -- Dominican box: Jonathan Villar's club moves to a 4-1 postseason round-robin record with a 2-1 win, although Villar was 0-for-4, one K here *** Venezuela box: Catcher Manny Pina was 2-for-4, R, K, but his team dropped the first game of its best-of-seven by a 6-4 score. Pina threw out the lone attempting basestealer. *** Venezuela box: Hernan Perez' team is also down one game to none after a 6-3 loss. Perez, playing third base, was 1-for-5 (double).

William Christopher, Father Mulcahy on 'M*A*S*H,' dies at 84 http://www.nndb.com/people/645/000023576/mulcahy3-sized.jpg

Originally posted on November 17th -- Only bumping this post because the Brewers finally added Barker's player page to MiLB, and when they submitted the addition, they did so to the Carolina High-A roster. That doesn't mean that's where he'll be assigned in April, but it gives us an idea what the organization has in mind.

Milwaukee Brewers Top 15 Prospects in 2017 Jesse Burkhart, FanragSports.com About Jesse First of all, I swore I would never link to the dreaded "click page-by-page" format articles, but this one is well-done, most appreciated are the insights from instructional league that were either gathered first-hand or from someone with first-hand knowledge

Just hours after the world's most spectacular New Year's fireworks display, they played baseball in Sydney, Australia. Unfortunately for our two Brewers, the Blue Sox lost for the 8th time in nine games, by a 4-1 score, to fall to 10-14, 5th place among the six teams. The game was televised, and below you'll find the time stamp for each Malik Collymore and Tucker Neuhaus at-bat, a Collymore pickoff , and one nice Neuhaus defensive play . Sydney Bottom of the 1st Trent D'Antonio flies out to center fielder Cody Jones. Malik Collymore bunt grounds out, catcher Allan de San Miguel to first baseman Wigberto Nevarez. 00:08:30 Stone Garrett strikes out swinging. Sydney Bottom of the 2nd Tucker Neuhaus doubles (8) on a fly ball to left fielder Mike Walker. 00:19:40 Michael Campbell grounds out, pitcher Jon Kennedy to first baseman Wigberto Nevarez. With Jacob Younis batting, wild pitch by Jon Kennedy, Tucker Neuhaus to 3rd. Jacob Younis reaches on a throwing error by third baseman Liam Bedford. Tucker Neuhaus scores. Sydney Bottom of the 3rd Shane Kelleher strikes out swinging. Trent D'Antonio grounds out, shortstop Jarryd Dale to first baseman Wigberto Nevarez. Malik Collymore strikes out swinging, catcher Allan de San Miguel to first baseman Wigberto Nevarez. 00:41:30 Sydney Bottom of the 4th Stone Garrett grounds out, pitcher Jon Kennedy to first baseman Wigberto Nevarez. Tucker Neuhaus strikes out swinging. 00:53:30 Michael Campbell flies out to left fielder Mike Walker. Sydney Bottom of the 6th Pitching Change: Brandon Stenhouse replaces Jon Kennedy. Malik Collymore singles on a line drive to left fielder Mike Walker. SMOKED! - 01:35:45 With Stone Garrett batting, Malik Collymore picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher Brandon Stenhouse to first baseman Wigberto Nevarez to shortstop Jarryd Dale. 01:37:45 Stone Garrett strikes out swinging. Tucker Neuhaus walks. 01:40:00 Michael Campbell strikes out swinging. Sydney Bottom of the 8th Trent D'Antonio lines out to first baseman Wigberto Nevarez. Malik Collymore singles on a pop up to shortstop Jarryd Dale. 02:16:20 Stone Garrett singles on a line drive to left fielder Mike Walker. Malik Collymore to 2nd. Tucker Neuhaus pops out to shortstop Jarryd Dale in foul territory. 02:18:00 Michael Campbell grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Jarryd Dale. Stone Garrett out at 2nd. Melbourne Top of the 9th Pitching Change: Todd Van Steensel replaces Josh Guyer. Liam Bedford grounds out, third baseman Tucker Neuhaus to first baseman Shane Kelleher. 02:28:00 *** No winter league games now until Monday.

This tweet's for you, Briggs. New client @SeanHalton11 has agreed to terms with an American League team. Stay tuned for details. #Brewers #FreeAgency #JMG

RHP David Goforth re-tweeted his new Mexican League club's announcement that he would be joining them. Goforth came home from Venezuela for the holidays, but is now willing to get more work in during Mexican Winter League play. Among the Brewers who have seen action with his new club during the fall/winter are 25-year-old LHP Tyler Alexander, who has pitched in indy ball since his Brewers release shortly after his drug of abuse MiLB suspension following his 2014 Timber Rattlers / Maryvale season. RHP Derek Eitel appeared briefly in Biloxi as a minor league free agent in 2015. And finally, 44-year-old RHP Francisco Campos is a Mexican legend, both summer and winter seasons. His only foray into affiliated pro ball was from 2002-2004, when he spent his age 29-31 seasons at AAA, first with the Brewers, then with the White Sox.

While this Travis Shaw podcast remains available, Friday's Shaw MLB Network Radio interview with Jim Bowden and Mike Ferrin is only available to subscribers who also pay for the Sirius/XM app archive coverage. Much of what was discussed in the WEEI interview was also touched on here. Shaw has never been to Milwaukee, knows nothing of the town, but will be at FanFest. The most interesting aspect of the interview was Shaw indicating that he feels like "a true first baseman playing third base". As his defensive stat lines show (Baseball Reference), Shaw certainly has more time at first. Fortunately, he's shown well at the hot corner. Shaw talked about focusing more on quickness workouts now that he knows he'll be a fixture at third. There was additional discussion about how his dad, former big leaguer (nice career) Jeff Shaw, helps him make adjustments by studying what the pitchers are trying to do to him. Yes, they discussed "the Mayor of Ding Dong City" phenomenon, and Shaw is a big Ohio State fan for New Year's Eve (he went to Kent State). The free archive above is still recommended if you missed it earlier.

Via the Minor League Forum: AUDIO via Razzball Friday 12/30: A full hour-plus podcast discussing Brewers prospects, the real discussion begins at the 07:00 minute mark Razzball is a Fantasy Advice site, but the discussion certainly carries from a traditional baseball perspective as well.

AUDIO via Razzball Friday 12/30: A full hour-plus podcast discussing Brewers prospects, the real discussion begins at the 07:00 minute mark Razzball is a Fantasy Advice site, but the discussion certainly carries from a traditional baseball perspective as well.

Continuing to document the conclusion of action for Brewers -- The Puerto Rico League heads into postseason play, and team Aguadilla is the one team of the five in the league not to qualify. The only Brewer affected is youngster catcher Mario Feliciano, who was 1-for-12, three K's in his limited action. He saw action behind the plate for a full game on Thursday, completing a comeback from a fractured hand in fall instructional league play. *** Six of the eight Venezuelan League teams qualified for the postseason, and two Brewers won't see additional action, unless somehow they land on a different team, even a different league, as catcher Rene Garcia did in 2014 (Puerto Rico, Dominican). Those two Brewers are 21-year-old infielder Javier Betancourt (.703 OPS in 46 AB's), and unfortunately after just one recent appearance, 23-year-old RHP Angel Ventura, who was discussed the day after his start in this post.

Friday's games (and Saturday's in Australia) -- Australia box: Sydney loses 6-4, surrendering three runs in the top of the 9th Cleanup man Tucker Neuhaus, again playing third base, had his third consecutive multi-hit game; his OPS over 23 games is still just .612, so this recent stretch is promising. He was 2-for-5, double, R, RBI here. LF Malik Collymore also reached base twice, his stat line is still shiny at .299/.402/.471. In this one, 1-for-4, BB, 2 R, K. *** Dominican box: Jonathan Villar's team got the best of Domingo Santana's club, 6-1. Villar, leading off and playing second base, was a terror -- on base four times, 3-for-4, BB, two R, RBI, SB. Santana was 0-for-2, pinch-hit for in the 7th, he did have an outfield assist at second base. Dominican Twitter just lives for bashing him. *** Puerto Rico box: It's the end of the Puerto Rico regular season -- in this game, 18-year-old Mario Feliciano played first base, 0-for-4. SS Yadiel Rivera, 1-for-2, double, BB, R, pinch-hit for in the 8th - .587 OPS in 26 games, just about the same as his Colorado Springs OPS (83 games). Not encouraging progress... *** Puerto Rico box: SS Angel Ortega 2-for-4, two RBI

I was asked who the other player was in the Hernan Perez Gold Glove photo above. Edgar Duran, will be 26 in Feb., former Phillie farmhand, did not play affiliated ball in 2016

Notice the one Jason Lane mention, a good indication of what helped Lane net a big league coaching job last year with no prior coaching experience.

In a 9-2 win, Malik Collymore, playing LF, 1-for-4, BB, two RBI, 9th SB in 12 attempts. Tucker Neuhaus is heating up. He played third base here, 3-for-4, two doubles, two R, RBI.

Thursday's games -- Dominican box: Jonathan Villar 1-for-4, BB, R, two RBI, two K, two SB VIDEO: Watch the base knock -- those uniforms! And the Coca-Cola mentions in the highlight... *** Elsewhere in the Dominican, fans wondering where Domingo Santana is, on a postseason roster, but not seeing action as of late. *** Puerto Rico box: Rene Garcia was the catcher in a 4-1 win, 1-for-4 at the plate, threw out the only attempting basestealer *** Puerto Rico box: A night of firsts for just-turned 18-year-old catcher Mario Feliciano: first base hit (now 1-for-8 on the season, 1-for-4 here, two K's), and first action behind the plate, caught the whole game (a 4-2 loss), two baserunners stole bases. One of those baserunners was SS Angel Ortega, 1-for-3, sacrifice bunt. *** Venezuela box: 21-year-old IF Javier Betancourt has a respectable .703 OPS in his 46 limited action winter at-bats, he was 1-for-3 with a stolen base here *** Venezuela box: Was this truly SS Orlando Arcia's final winter game, as planned? Seems so. He batted 2nd, was 2-for-4 in a 4-1 win (R, RBI, SB, one K). Arcia was 1-for-2 vs. King Felix. *** Venezuela box: In a 10-7 win for his club, catcher Manny Pina concluded a fine regular winter season by going 2-for-4 (double, walk, run, one K). The larger story here was on the losing club, as Hernan Perez took the Venezuelan batting title, capping his regular season with a 3-for-4 night (R, RBI). Perez batted .373 in 40 games (.895 OPS). He'll hit his prime as a 26-year-old this coming March. Perez managed to play all four infield positions in this game, plus both left field and center field. Perez was pinch-hit for in the 8th, with two on, one out, and his team down 8-5. Looks like they were protecting his batting title (.373 to .371). Regardless, his squad will begin postseason play on January 2nd. Perez was also honored for his defensive work -- *** Details on "Friday's" Australian game later, still in progress as of this post - nice games for the Collymore/Neuhaus duo thus far.

So sweet, thanks. My 18-year-old then self thanks you, too. Roy Howell with the toy no-flap helmet. Everyone with the stirrups. If I were commissioner, my first duty would be to abandon the full-season wild card and go to the split-season division format. Down the stretch in late June, down the stretch in September. Great fun, and yes, good point on the lack of merchandise sales back then.

From Australia: Weather: 33 degrees, partly cloudy. That's actually 105, folks., as Tucker Neuhaus retweeted that.

Australia box: Sydney drops another, 4-3. Malik Collymore played LF, 1-for-5, R, two K. Tucker Neuhaus, batting cleanup, was 2-for-4, R, K, E.

Except you're going to break up the two LH bats in Thames and Shaw...