Jim Goulart

The initial post in this thread now reflects all 2016 trades.

That's from the post two days before Christmas in 2015 when the Brewers announced a slew of minor league releases (Happy Holidays!). So the Brewers had a pitcher named Caleb Smith in their system for two summers, as recently as 2015, and despite the fact that I posted Link Report updates for Maryvale's games both of these years, it didn't dawn on me to even think of "our" former Caleb Smith until today, that's how anonymous he was.

Bernie Pleskoff on Isan Diaz Diaz had a .696 OPS vs. LHP's in 107 plate appearances with the Rattlers, so those concerns expressed in the report may be overstated...

AUDIO via 105.7 FM WSSP's Hot Stove Weekly Sun. 12/11: The first full edition of the offseason includes an interview with Eric Thames AUDIO: The Thames interview as a stand-alone download

By the way, Zarraga is currently one of history's phantom Major Leaguers, in uniform for one game for the Dodgers last year, but did not appear, thus not formally in Baseball's Encyclopedia of players. Hopefully he finds his way to action with the Reds.

Providence Journal: How Tyler Thornburg's lower arm slot last season reflected his newfound comfort

Infielder Mitch Nilsson played in Saturday's game (OPS .930).

Saturday -- Venezuela box: Hernan Perez, leading off and at third base, 3-for-4, two R, caught stealing for first time in three attempts; Perez is just a few at-bats of qualifying for a batting title lead, but he would be ahead at .371. *** Venezuela box: SS Orlando Arcia was 1-for-4 with an HBP, one R, two RBI, one K *** Australia box: CF Malik Collymore on base three times (2-for-4, walk), second baseman Tucker Neuhaus 1-for-4. Through 16 games, Collymore has an incredible statistical achievement. His .987 OPS ranks 6th in the league, but that's not the incredible part. Collymore's OPS in 192 dreadful Brevard County at-bats was .435 (not a misprint). Thus, the 21-year-old has increased his OPS by .552, demonstrating not only how hot he's been Down Under, but how misplaced the youngster was for his age 21 season in the Florida State League. The 2016 Manatees will go down in Brewers lore as one that saw circumstances, experience gap, etc., totally sacrifice the team and expose it to the wolves.

All above invited to Reds' big league camp as well...

FANSIDED: Brewers Sign Mariners Pitcher, Life-Long Seattleite, Forrest Snow To Minors Deal Includes this epic 2010 video:

AZSnakepit.com: RHP Brooks Hall has signed with the Diamondbacks Figured the 26-year-old seven-year Brewer would be a popular target (Baseball Reference)...

UPDATE: Forrest Snow also has a big league camp invite, or so he posted on his Facebook page, as per Mariners blogger Michael Hering

UPDATE from this post on Minor League Forum: Forrest Snow also has a big league camp invite, or so he posted on his Facebook page as per Mariners blogger Michael Hering *** You know, one of these days we're going to get burned because an issue came up in a physical, or a supposed deal came apart for an unknown reason, but it's been a while, so let's continue to have fun with Brewers transactions before they are formally announced. It appears the Brewers are signing one of the great MiLB names, 27-year-old RHP Forrest Snow. Snow will be well-known to current Biloxi broadcaster Chris Harris, who had an extended run with the AA Jackson Generals, as Snow, a native of the Pacific Northwest, just completed his full seven-year minor league run with his hometown Mariners, the only organization he's ever known. Snow, who turns 28 on December 30th, has done well to maintain a pro career as a 36th round pick by the M's out of (yes, the University of Washington). He's listed at 6'6", 220, and as his Baseball Reference page shows, Snow has pretty extensive AAA and AA experience, he only made three starts in 2016, but made 20 starts as recently as 2015. It's been a career of solid, but not spectacular numbers thus far. Maybe it's been Snow's Dominican Winter League work that's caught the Brewers' eye, as he's made seven starts, and has a pretty spiffy line, as you'll find on his MiLB.com player page. Most of the video available online of Snow is from five or so years ago, Arizona Fall League action and even , but the best and most recent video sequence would be this one via MiLB.TV: Tacoma starter Forrest Snow strikes out Alex Castellanos swinging to end the first inning against Las Vegas Unfortunately, coming on the heels of the Phil Bickford suspension news Friday, one sidenote on Snow was that he, too, was suspended 50 games to begin the 2014 seasonbased on a second failed test for a drug of abuse. Hopefully that won't be a noteworthy discussion item, but since another suspension would cause a year-long layoff, it needs mentioning. It's been two-plus years, so that's good news. A valuable aspect of Snow is he has Pacific Coast League success and confidence, as he discusses in this recommended read from July 2015, where he also reflects on his drug suspension: Rainiers’ Forrest Snow is rewarded for his versatility on the mound By Jeffrey Giuliani, Tacoma News-Tribune Staff Writer Also, this is a must read -- a very, very informative September 2014 Q&A with Snow via USSMariner.com, more candid suspension talk, but basically a soup-to-nuts everything-you-need-to-know piece. Forrest Snow – Once and Future Prospect? I did reach out to Snow via Twitter, where he calls himself "a right-handed pitcher/belly itcher", to try and learn if he has a big league camp invite. Even if not, expect him to be in the AAA mix at Colorado Springs, awaiting reply. *** Source was a quick tweet from Michael Hering, a Mariners blogger, who notified Tacoma Rainiers broadcaster Mike Curto of the signing. Here in our little fan forum world, we can run with stuff like this. It's understandable that for the most part the Brewers beat guys have to wait until the Brewers officially release the news. The organization is likely frustrated with the process, but it simply comes as business as usual in this social media age.

Only one affiliate per level per organization across all MLB from AAA - AA - HighA - A Ball, sir.

Friday's action: No time for details this AM because of the time invested in the Forrest Snow post, but let's just say Orlando Arcia had a huge night Click on a line of names and you'll see their box score and how they did Friday: Puerto Rico: Yadiel Rivera (nice, and the "Rivera" error wasn't his), Omar Garcia (ejected) Venezuela: Manny Pina (nobody dared run), David Goforth (perfect five batters) Venezuela: Hernan Perez (off the bench, no days off) Australia: Dynamic duo of Malik Collymore and Tucker Neuhaus on base five times combined, another SB for Malik, and they get to celebrate a teammate's walkoff home run in a wild 9-8 game

You know, one of these days we're going to get burned because an issue came up in a physical, or a supposed deal came apart for an unknown reason, but it's been a while, so let's continue to have fun with Brewers transactions before they are formally announced. It appears the Brewers are signing one of the great MiLB names, 27-year-old RHP Forrest Snow. Snow will be well-known to current Biloxi broadcaster Chris Harris, who had an extended run with the AA Jackson Generals, as Snow, a native of the Pacific Northwest, just completed his full seven-year minor league run with his hometown Mariners, the only organization he's ever known. Snow, who turns 28 on December 30th, has done well to maintain a pro career as a 36th round pick by the M's out of (yes, the University of Washington). He's listed at 6'6", 220, and as his Baseball Reference page shows, Snow has pretty extensive AAA and AA experience, he only made three starts in 2016, but made 20 starts as recently as 2015. It's been a career of solid, but not spectacular numbers thus far. Maybe it's been Snow's Dominican Winter League work that's caught the Brewers' eye, as he's made seven starts, and has a pretty spiffy line, as you'll find on his MiLB.com player page. Most of the video available online of Snow is from five or so years ago, Arizona Fall League action and even , but the best and most recent video sequence would be this one via MiLB.TV: Tacoma starter Forrest Snow strikes out Alex Castellanos swinging to end the first inning against Las Vegas Unfortunately, coming on the heels of the Phil Bickford suspension news Friday, one sidenote on Snow was that he, too, was suspended 50 games to begin the 2014 seasonbased on a second failed test for a drug of abuse. Hopefully that won't be a noteworthy discussion item, but since another suspension would cause a year-long layoff, it needs mentioning. It's been two-plus years, so that's good news. A valuable aspect of Snow is he has Pacific Coast League success and confidence, as he discusses in this recommended read from July 2015, where he also reflects on his drug suspension: Rainiers’ Forrest Snow is rewarded for his versatility on the mound By Jeffrey Giuliani, Tacoma News-Tribune Staff Writer Also, this is a must read -- a very, very informative September 2014 Q&A with Snow via USSMariner.com, more candid suspension talk, but basically a soup-to-nuts everything-you-need-to-know piece. Forrest Snow – Once and Future Prospect? I did reach out to Snow via Twitter, where he calls himself "a right-handed pitcher/belly itcher", to try and learn if he has a big league camp invite. Even if not, expect him to be in the AAA mix at Colorado Springs, awaiting reply. *** Source was a quick tweet from Michael Hering, a Mariners blogger, who notified Tacoma Rainiers broadcaster Mike Curto of the signing. Here in our little fan forum world, we can run with stuff like this. It's understandable that for the most part the Brewers beat guys have to wait until the Brewers officially release the news. The organization is likely frustrated with the process, but it simply comes as business as usual in this social media age.

100 games for third positive test of a drug of abuse. Actually, McCalvy with an update: Third offense for drug of abuse is a one-year suspension. After that, Commissioner's discretion, up to permanent suspension from MLB/MiLB.

And that is before the 2017 draft in June! Really insane! It's one thing to collect talent, but it's another to string pitchers along all winter on training programs and such (surely they don't mind, for the time being, all are part of an affiliated organization, awesome). Several (read: many) pitchers will be let go this April simply to make things manageable. And many of these kids are considered the later arrivals to spring training, giving some of the fringe older guys "maybe" two weeks to impress. There are two short-season leagues (the 14-team New York-Penn League and the eight-team Northwest) that are considered in-between Rookie Level (Helena) and A-Ball (Wisconsin). So 22 of baseball's 30 organizations field an affiliate in one of these leagues - keep in mind some don't field a team in the Pioneer or Appalachian Leagues, it does get confusing. This would have been an ideal year for the Brewers to take part, they'd have some work to do on the position player side to get bodies, though. You can see which organizations are in each league by clicking on their respective standings links here and here. Of course, you don't just jump in. Some organization would need to drop out and the Brewers slide into their spot, unless somehow two teams were added in a league, the Brewers affiliating with one. Twelve teams in all -- the White Sox, Indians, Angels, Twins, Mariners, Braves, Rockies, Marlins, Nationals, Padres, Pirates, and Giants field just seven affiliates like the Brewers. Heck, the Yankees have ten, the Astros and Rays nine, here's the complete breakdown across MLB, keep in mind also some of the extra teams are additional Dominican League squads. But the point being, it's going to be an interesting camp on the pitching side.

This Nate Griep bobblehead for 2017 is simply epic! *** Rattlers Announce Bobbleheads for 2017 Order a ticket package to guarantee collecting all 11 By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers *** The Timber Rattlers Twitter timeline currently displays all of the identified images.

Newcomer 1B Art Charles wrapped up 27 games of Mexican Winter League play on 11/26. As his .204/.336/.419 line shows (stat page), plenty of walks, K's, and XBH's in the 93 at-bat sample.

Fantastic job by Kyle Lesniewski in this feature article at BP Milwaukee - learn about the two players picked up in the Minor League phase of the Rule 5 draft, 1B Art Charles and RHP Matt Ramsey, towards latter end of the feature

Translated (via Google Chrome) version of this Q&A with Mauricio Dubon, photos at the link as well: Turns out the site will not allow for a copy and paste of any kind, but if you open the link in Chrome, and choose the "translate page" option in upper-right, you'll see it. Xander Bogaerts a big friend and influence...

AUDIO via WTMJ's Brewers Weekly Thurs. 12/8: Chris Cotillo talks Brewers-related MLB Winter Meetings

Thursday's games -- Australia box: Sydney was shut out 2-0, but Malik Collymore (1-for-4, three K's) and Tucker Neuhaus (1-for-4, double) managed to avoid oh-fers. This happened, though -- Sydney Bottom of the 1st Trent D'Antonio called out on strikes. Malik Collymore singles on a line drive to left fielder Connor MacDonald. With Joshua Dean batting, Justin Erasmus picks off Malik Collymore at 1st on throw to Donald Lutz. *** Puerto Rico box: In a 2-1 win, Martin Maldonado was 1-for-3, run scored, and threw out the lone attempting basestealer. SS Yadiel Rivera was 0-for-2 with a sacrifice bunt. *** Venezuela box: SS Orlando Arcia 1-for-4 (one K). Arcia's team lost 6-2 to Manny Pina's squad, and Pina reached base three times, 2-for-3, double, walk, K. Pina has an .842 OPS through 24 winter games, nice. *** Venezuela box: Infielder Javier Betancourt grounded out in his lone at-bat as he continues to see limited action; SS Gabriel Noriega's slow spell continues (0-for-4, three K's, error). *** Venezuela box: Hernan Perez, playing third base and leading off (!), was 2-for-4 with a triple, sacrifice bunt and run scored. Perez' line is a shiny .357/.373/.520 (.893 OPS).

As per this tweet via Tampa Bay Times writer Greg Auman: Brewers OF Keon Broxton, arrested in Tampa on trespass charge last month, pleaded no contest Monday. Adjudication withheld, pre-trial deal. Definition of adjudication withheld, via administrative.laws.com "Adjudication withheld typically refers to a decision by a judge to put an individual on probation, as opposed to incarceration or other forms of criminal punishment. As a result, adjudication withheld generates a legally binding ruling of not guilty by the court system. If the person receiving the adjudication withheld ruling adheres to the stipulations of their probation and has no subsequent offenses, no further action will be taken on the case. In essence, the adjudication withheld ruling is offered to those individuals as a plea bargain; typically a withheld adjudication is granted to individuals who are first–time offenders."