Jim Goulart

Tuesday in Venezuela -- Box Score Catcher Manny Pina 1-for-4 in his team's 7-3 loss, he did throw out the only basestealing attempt; RHP David Goforth was taken deep in an otherwise clean inning. Margarita Bottom of the 8th Pitching Change: David Goforth replaces Richard Castillo. Junior Sosa pops out to shortstop Ildemaro Vargas. Carlos Garcia grounds out, second baseman Luis Nunez to first baseman Hector Gimenez. Jose Osuna homers (3) on a line drive to left field. Breyvic Valera flies out to center fielder Elvis Escobar. For the victors, SS Gabriel Noriega was 0-for-3 with a sacrifice bunt. *** Box Score Hernan Perez, playing third base, 0-for-4.

Nice scouting process insights via Kyle on the Rattlers' site -- Frosty Microbrews: Power Hitter Ronnie Gideon By Kyle Lobner / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

And Twitter tells us Espino's wife just had a baby - heck of an offseason thus far!

Monday -- Puerto Rico box score SS Yadiel Rivera 1-for-3; teammate RHP Jorge Lopez started and took the loss - 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 4 K, WP, just fine after a shaky first inning Santurce Top of the 1st Jacob Hannemann walks. With Christian Vazquez batting, Jacob Hannemann steals (5) 2nd base. Christian Vazquez walks. Ivan De Jesus Jr. singles on a fly ball to left fielder Danny Ortiz. Jacob Hannemann to 3rd. Christian Vazquez to 2nd. Neftali Soto grounds into a double play, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to second baseman Jesmuel Valentin to first baseman Jonathan Rodriguez. Jacob Hannemann scores. Christian Vazquez to 3rd. Ivan De Jesus Jr. out at 2nd. Hector Olivera singles on a fly ball to right fielder Luke Tendler. Christian Vazquez scores. Juan Silva walks. Hector Olivera to 2nd. A. J. Jimenez flies out to right fielder Luke Tendler. Santurce Top of the 2nd Robert Andino grounds out, third baseman Emmanuel Rivera to first baseman Jonathan Rodriguez. Kevin Rivera strikes out swinging. Jacob Hannemann flies out to center fielder Henry Ramos. Santurce Top of the 3rd Christian Vazquez grounds out, third baseman Emmanuel Rivera to first baseman Jonathan Rodriguez. Ivan De Jesus Jr. flies out to left fielder Danny Ortiz. Neftali Soto flies out to right fielder Luke Tendler. Santurce Top of the 4th Hector Olivera strikes out swinging. Juan Silva strikes out swinging. A. J. Jimenez flies out to center fielder Henry Ramos. Santurce Top of the 5th Robert Andino grounds out, pitcher Jorge Lopez to first baseman Jonathan Rodriguez. Kevin Rivera strikes out swinging. Jacob Hannemann singles on a fly ball to center fielder Henry Ramos. With Christian Vazquez batting, wild pitch by Jorge Lopez, Jacob Hannemann to 2nd. Christian Vazquez lines out to shortstop Yadiel Rivera.

Catcher Sebastian Valle (Baseball Reference), 26 years old, a longtime Phillies farmhand who played at the AA level in the Yankees system in 2016, is apparently being considered by the Crew, via this tweet out of his native Mexico. He last appeared in AAA in 2014, and his caught stealing percentage in his two most recent U.S.-based seasons (2014, 2016) is 44% (48-of-109). That defense provides value despite the pedestrian offensive numbers. Sebastián Valle negotiating his permanence in the USA. Yankees, Brewers and Blue Jays are interested.

As per this tweet from his Dominican Winter League team: Yesterday was the last game of Ryan Cordell in the country. You want the best with them #Brewers Newly added to the 40-man roster, the 24-year-old OF (25 in March) appeared in 13 games, struggled to a .488 OPS in the small sample (stats), but hopefully had a nice experience and is happy to be home for the holidays.

Via Baseball America: In 1988, the Braves drafted a player from themselves. They neglected to protect righthander Ben Rivera on the 40-man roster, had the first pick in the draft and took him.

Sunday's action -- In his sixth Dominican Winter League start, but first since signing as a minor league free agent with the Brewers (including an invite to big league camp), RHP Paolo Espino posted a wonderful line - 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 WP. He got the win in the 4-2 game (box score). In those six starts, the soon-to-be 30-year-old Espino has dazzled to a 1.91 ERA with a 31-to-3 K-to-BB ratio (stat page). Giddy-up! Nice work in the 4th inning, and by the way, ignore the pitch count listing in the box score. Escogido Bottom of the 1st Pablo Reyes lines out to left fielder Magneuris Sierra. Jimmy Paredes flies out to center fielder Manuel Margot. Pedro Ciriaco grounds out, third baseman Deibinson Romero to first baseman Jefry Marte. Escogido Bottom of the 2nd Alex Valdez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Manuel Margot. Daniel Palka flies out to center fielder Manuel Margot. Mark Thomas flies out to right fielder Teoscar Hernandez. Rafael Devers strikes out swinging. Escogido Bottom of the 3rd Rafael Bautista flies out to right fielder Teoscar Hernandez. Pedro Lopez grounds out, pitcher Paolo Espino to first baseman Jefry Marte. Pablo Reyes pops out to second baseman Angelys Nina in foul territory. Escogido Bottom of the 4th Jimmy Paredes homers (1) on a fly ball to right field. Pedro Ciriaco walks. Alex Valdez singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Manuel Margot. Pedro Ciriaco to 2nd. Daniel Palka strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Paolo Espino. Pedro Ciriaco to 3rd. Alex Valdez to 2nd. Mark Thomas grounds out, pitcher Paolo Espino to first baseman Jefry Marte. Rafael Devers grounds out, pitcher Paolo Espino to first baseman Jefry Marte. Escogido Bottom of the 5th Rafael Bautista strikes out swinging. Pedro Lopez singles on a line drive to right fielder Teoscar Hernandez. Pablo Reyes called out on strikes. Jimmy Paredes grounds out, second baseman Angelys Nina to first baseman Jefry Marte. Escogido Bottom of the 6th Pedro Ciriaco grounds out, third baseman Deibinson Romero to first baseman Jefry Marte. Alex Valdez strikes out swinging. Daniel Palka strikes out swinging. *** Venezuela Box Score Catcher Manny Pina was 2-for-5, R, RBI, K in his team's 11-9 win. Teammate David Goforth walked the only man he faced (he would eventually score). Goforth has walked four and fanned zero in 3.2 winter innings thus far. *** Also in Venezuela (box), 3B/2B Hernan Perez (2-for-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, K) and SS Orlando Arcia (2-for-5) were in opposite dugouts.

Puerto Rico Box Score - SS Yadiel Rivera, 1-for-4, 2B, R, RBI, K, batted 9th *** Venezuela Box Score - You'll find Hernan Perez (third base/second base) and SS Orlando Arcia on dueling sides of this box; each 1-for-4, Arcia with two RBI in his team's 4-2 loss

Australia -- three games to report Box Score - This was the Tucker Neuhaus HBP game (again, he's fine): Malik Collymore, playing CF, 0-for-5, Neuhaus 1-for-3, HBP; Sydney walks off an extra-inning winner, 3-2 Box Score - In a 2-0 seven-inning nightcap win, CF Collymore 0-for-2 with two walks and a run scored, 2B Neuhaus 2-for-3 and both of his team's RBI with this double: Sydney Bottom of the 4th Joshua Strong grounds out, third baseman Stefan Welch to first baseman Marcus Greene Jr. Shane Kelleher reaches on a fielding error by second baseman Mitch Lightbody. Trent D'Antonio grounds out, pitcher Steven Chambers to first baseman Marcus Greene Jr. Shane Kelleher to 2nd. Malik Collymore walks. Tucker Neuhaus doubles (3) on a fly ball to center fielder Mitch Dening. Shane Kelleher scores. Malik Collymore scores. Zac Shepherd grounds out, shortstop Jordan Cowan to first baseman Marcus Greene Jr. Box Score - Sydney drops its first game after starting off 3-0, a 7-3 loss Neuhaus, batting cleanup, 1-for-4, BB, R, K Collymore, batting 9th, 1-for-4, two SB's

Good points on Susac, at least we're not debating whether he has an option or not. He definitely does, but is it two? At minimum the media guide will tell us.

Neuhaus reports "I'm good!", the Aussie team indicated he was hit in the foot.

As I just tweeted -- Oh man @Tucker_Neuhaus, let us know you're OK, HBP in Australia & immediately pinch-run for, not the hand - or anything else serious, please

Added to the Cardinals' 40-man on Friday. I saw and spoke with Wick when he and fellow Brewers draft pick RHP Joel Pierce (7th round, Pierce signed, Wick did not) did a barnstorming visit to New England with the Canadian Junior National Team just after that draft. Wick played college ball at St. John's.

My mistake, it is a five-team league, and Aguadilla is listed next to play Saturday, we'll see if things are resolved. No current Brewers are on that roster regardless, if the league does have to re-shuffle things. Friday's action -- In Puerto Rico, Omar Garcia saw one AB as a sub and struck out. SS Yadiel Rivera made his winter debut (Puerto Rico box score) and was 1-for-3 with a sacrifice bunt and run scored (one K). *** In Venezuela, SS Gabriel Noriega was 1-for-4 with a run and a stolen base, his second of the winter -- Noriega has never reached double-digits in steals in a minor league season. Catcher Manny Pina was 1-for-3 before being pinch-hit for late. He threw out the only attempted basestealer. *** The Australia game is underway as of this post time - see how the Collymore / Neuhaus combo fared here (box score).

Updated Brewers 40-man roster, now again complete with sortable remaining option info Michael Blazek still has an option because his 2016 option was less than 20 days. However, Corey Knebel is out of options as his 2016 option was greater than 20 days. Rob Scahill is out of options, and even with that lack of roster flexibility, Brewers saw fit to maintain his 40-man roster spot. Along with Knebel and Scahill, only Jhan Marinez is among the potential bubble players without remaining options. The Brewers Media Guide provides remaining option info, but on players acquired mid-season the best resource is the player's MiLB.com page. For instance, if you scroll down to the bottom of Andrew Susac's page, you'll see he was never optioned once called up in 2014. So he has one option remaining, having been optioned in 2015 and 2016. Bookmark the page linked above, it's the only way to reach it directly. Don't place a lot of faith in MLB Trade Rumors' Roster Resource page acquisition when it comes to option info, they have a few errors, such as listing Orlando Arcia with just two, not three. We'll double-check the info when the new media guide comes out in the spring, but we're about 98% sure our page is accurate.

Miscellaneous alumni updates -- Rangers claimed RHP Tyler Wagner (Isan Diaz trade) from D-Backs. RHP Zach Quintana (Kyle Wren trade) retired at age 22. RHP Barrett Astin (Reds, Jonathan Broxton trade) and LHP Anthony Banda (D-Backs, Gerardo Parra acquisition) were added to the respective 40-man rosters.

VIDEOS via MiLB.com: Adam Brett Walker, mostly from 2015 (one blast vs. Timber Rattlers in 2013)

Tom H. must be surprised, this was his take prior to the MiLBTracker tweet, and nice work by Toby here on the initial note that fetched Tom's response.

So when we strip away the players now on the 40-man, we're left with this pool of players (pending subsequent moves) who could be lost in Rule 5 -- would most consider RHP David Goforth the 39th man of the 39 on the roster right now? If the Brewers lose Wei-Chung Wang, for instance, you could point to the decision to continue to goforth on Goforth. Current AAA Players -- RHP Yhonathan Barrios 1B Garrett Cooper RHP Paolo Espino RHP Drew Gagnon IF Gabriel Noriega UT Nate Orf LHP Stephen Peterson LHP Wei-Chung Wang C Adam Weisenburger OF Kyle Wren Current AA Players -- RHP Tristan Archer IF Javier Betancourt RHP Parker Berberet OF Clint Coulter OF Johnny Davis RHP Preston Gainey OF Omar Garcia RHP Stephen Kohlscheen LHP Mitch Lambson 2B Chris McFarland SS Angel Ortega RHP Jorge Ortega LHP Nick Ramirez RHP Junior Rincon OF Victor Roache RHP Tayler Scott RHP Tyler Spurlin OF Tyrone Taylor RHP Josh Uhen RHP Angel Ventura Current A-Level (or below) players -- OF Carlos Belonis RHP Rodrigo Benoit LHP Joan De La Cruz RHP Miguel Diaz RHP Victor Diaz RHP Junior Flores RHP Milton Gomez C Dustin Houle RHP Yosmer Leal C Natanael Mejia LHP Boanerges Nova 1B Juan Ortiz RHP Alberto Paulino C/UT Fidel Pena IF Wendell Rijo OF Elvis Rubio 1B Alan Sharkey LHP Clint Terry

Via BP Milwaukee - Nice summary write-up as the AFL season ends

Australian League Opener - Wow, go Brewers! Sydney romps, 13-4 CF Malik Collymore, batting 9th, goes 3-for-4 with six RBI, a triple shy of a cycle, including this grand slam (VIDEO). 2B Tucker Neuhaus, batting 5th, doubled twice in four AB's, drove in three and scored a run. Each player had a miscue on the basepaths and Neuhaus was charged with an error, but otherwise what an Aussie debut for both!

AUDIO via Brewers.com 11/16: Lane Grindle's latest "Brewers on Tap" has a focus on interviews from the Arizona Fall League (Brett Phillips, Jacob Nottingham)

AUDIO via MLB.com 11/16, latest podcast: Text from site - Can Milwaukee find another breakout performer over the age of 30? MLB.com's Matt Waymire and Brewers reporter Adam McCalvy discuss the Paulo Espino signing and if he can become the next Junior Guerra of the 2017 season. The conversation opens with a bit of World Series talk; discussion also covers Brewers' starting pitcher options and the Craig Counsell extension. *** AUDIO via Brewers.com 11/16: Lane Grindle's latest "Brewers on Tap" has a focus on interviews from the Arizona Fall League (Brett Phillips, Jacob Nottingham, Isan Diaz)

Thursday, all in Venezuela -- Box Score: SS Gabriel Noriega 1-for-4, 2B, K (.752 OPS in 114 AB's) Same game, catcher Manny Pina 0-for-4, K; but threw out two of three baserunners, one of them via a throw to first (2-3-6 play) *** Box Score: SS Orlando Arcia, in the same lineup as brother Oswaldo, 1-for-4, R, 2 RBI, SB (third base), 2 K