Jim Goulart

Manager Rick Sweet's awesome 'stache is back for 2016 -- http://koaa.images.worldnow.com/images/10263917_G.jpg Sky Sox ready for 2016 By Matt Prichard, KOAA The sounds of baseball have returned to eastern Colorado Springs. The Sky Sox are gearing up for the 2016 season with a brand new lineup and a renewed sense of hope for Manager Rick Sweet. "We've got a very good group, the organization has done a great job going out and getting people who are very focused on the game and focused on their career," said Sweet. Top Brewers' prospects Orlando Arcia and Jorge Lopez headline the roster along with seasoned veteran Eric Young Jr. Three players that all have big goals for themselves in 2016. "Look for better pitches on the plate and I'm having better swings there so having a plan at the plate," said Arcia. "Just keep grinding every day, every time I can learn something and be a big leaguer as soon as I can," said Lopez. "Continue to build on my career that I've had so far and utilize my speed as best as possible," said Young Jr. But dark clouds shroud the new season as rumors swirl about the team potentially moving to San Antonio. An issue players and coaches say is well above their pay-grade. "I know that's a big deal here, but to the players, they don't even know what's going on," said Sweet. "What management wants to do that's their decision, but we're out there to try and win games for whoever we're playing in front of," said opening day starter, Zach Davies. So they'll focus on baseball and give all they've got for the Sky Sox faithful. "They're great. They appreciate those that give everything they got, they always made it easy for me to go out there and play the game that I love," said Young Jr. "Very loyal fans, see the same people out here all the time and they're fun! They have a good time at the ballpark, they do a very nice job," said Sweet. The Sky Sox open on Thursday against Memphis on the road and will open at home next Friday hosting Memphis.

Haudricourt: Another young #Brewers prospect, RHP Devin Williams, remained in extended camp to work thru minor shoulder issue. Not expected to go on DL.

Brad at Miller Park Prospects -- 2016 Preview: Biloxi Shuckers (AA)

Possible 4-man rotation until the 17th, which conveniently would be Davies' day to pitch.

AUDIO via WTMJ Tue. AM 4/5: Craig Counsell *** VIDEOS via Brewers site: Counsell, Peralta, Gennett *** AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show Tue. 4/5: Adam McCalvy *** AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show Tue. 4/5: Third base coach Ed Sedar

Tyler Cravy's 2nd career minor league option is now rescinded with his quick call-up today. Should he remain on the 25-man roster all season, he'll still have two minor league options remaining.

A reminder you can click on our Player Index and then use the dropdown to see player assignments by level (yes, we know the team names may not be correct, but otherwise the functionality is helpful). All those not on a current roster who are on some form of injury rehab, short or long-term, are listed on the Maryvale roster for now.

Cotto and Neda are the only two players who weren't listed as being in some portion of injury rehab based on other posts within this forum. It hasn't been unusual for newcomers (like Kohlscheen) to acclimate to the system in Maryvale for a bit, prior to an assignment, so we'll see there.

Others to skip over the low A level are RHP's Bubba Derby, Jon Olczak and Junior Rincon, LHP Brad Kuntz, and IF Jose Cuas. RHP Devin Williams among the missing now...

Here's the Manatees' roster via the Sea Cows' site.

Photos and video at link -- Shuckers should bring plenty of pop to plate in 2016 By Patrick Magee, Biloxi Sun-Herald BILOXI -- The Biloxi Shuckers gained a minor national following in 2015 thanks to a 54-game road trip that inspired ESPN and several national publications to tell their tale. On Thursday, the 2016 Shuckers will begin to write their own story. A year after coming up one win short of the Southern League title, the Shuckers open their season at MGM Park at 6:40 p.m. on Thursday against the Chattanooga Lookouts. While top prospects like shortstop Orlando Arcia and right-hander Jorge Lopez have moved up to Triple-A, there's no lack of talent on this year's squad. Center fielder Brett Phillips is ranked No. 57 on Baseball America's list of the top 100 prospects in Minor League Baseball and newly-acquired catcher Jacob Nottingham seems likely to join him soon on that list. Phillips and Nottingham both hit homers in Saturday's exhibition contest against the Brewers at MGM Park. That likely won't be the last time both men go deep in the same game. "I think we've got a really deep team again offensively," Shuckers infielder Nathan Orf said. "We've got some young guys. Nottingham is a young guy and the sky is the limit for him. We'll have Phillips for a while year this year. It's an exciting time for fans. I think playing in this ballpark will also help us put up a few more runs." Phillips batted .309 with 16 homers and 77 RBIs between Single-A and Double-A last season. He was traded from Houston to Milwaukee on July 30. After hitting .250 in 80 at-bats at Biloxi last season, his numbers should see a big bounce this season. Nottingham, who was acquired by the Brewers from Oakland in February, batted .316 with 17 homers and 82 RBIs at Class A last season. Nottingham, who turned 21 Sunday, has built a reputation as a solid power hitter, but he's no slouch behind the plate either. Daniel Tillman, who will share closing duties with Jaye Chapman early in the season, had the chance to throw to Nottingham a couple of times in the spring. "To be honest, I was really surprised at how good he was," Tillman said. "Most young catchers stink. That's just the way it is. They're just immature behind the plate. He is a big kid. He sucks it up real well and keeps the ball inside of his body when he blocks it. I haven't seen anything he does bad yet." Corner infielder Garrett Cooper, who batted .552 in 29 at-bats at Biloxi last season, also adds some pop to the Biloxi lineup. Victor Roache hit 18 homers total while splitting last season between Single-A and Double-A and will again be inserted into the middle of the lineup. When the Shuckers were at their best early in the season in 2015, Kyle Wren was the man at the top of the batting order. He's back at Biloxi this year after hitting .300 in 227 at-bats with 20 stolen bases for the Shuckers last year. Orf also proved a good run producer near the top of the lineup last season, batting .274 with 65 runs scored. In the pitching rotation, left-handed ace Josh Hader and right-hander Adrian Houser both had sub-3.00 ERAs last season in seven starts a piece at Biloxi. Six-foot-4 right-hander Javier Salas, who went 8-8 with a 4.13 ERA in 24 games at Class A Brevard County (Fla.) last season, will also likely be near the top of the rotation. Biloxi replaces its top two starting pitchers from 2015 in Lopez and Tyler Wagner, who was traded to Arizona, but the Shuckers staff is confident it has the pitching depth necessary to compete in the Southern League. "With Hader and myself returning and the three guys we've got with us, I think we can be pretty good," Houser said. "We're all trying to do the same thing and help the team win. I think we've got a chance at being really good, maybe even matching what we did last year."

Here's the roster -- two taxi squad moves to be made prior to Opening Night.

Biloxi Shuckers ready to make another run at Southern League Championship BILOXI, MS (WLOX) - On Monday the Biloxi Shuckers held media day at MGM Park. New manager Mike Guerrero believes the 2016 Shuckers have the talent to make plenty of noise in the Southern League. The Shuckers open the new season with a seven game home series at MGM Park with a rematch with Chattanooga beginning 6:40 Thursday night. The Shuckers will play five games against the Lookouts, the defending Southern League Champs who beat Biloxi in the league championship. Those games will be played Thursday through Monday. Next Tuesday and Wednesday the Shuckers will entertain the Mobile BayBears. Guerrero said, "I think we have the ability to go out there and win a championship. I believe there's a lot of talent on this club. What I'm saying is the will of a person is bigger than your talent. So, the will of the team will be bigger to pave the task." To get the top of the mountain pitching will be key. "The starting pitching is pretty good, "stated Guerrero. "There's a lot of experience to this level coming in. I would say we're going to face adversity, but I believe during the course of the season, they're going to come out successful." Shuckers pitching coach Chris Hook did an outstanding job last season and while a number of the key pitchers have been called up, Hook feels like he has a lot of talent to work with this season. Josh Hader and Adrian Houser didn't join the team until late following a trade with the Houston Astros and Milwaukee Brewers. Pitcher Jaye Chapman started the season with the Shuckers last season and posted 4 wins and 2 losses with a 0.82 earned run average before he made his way to Triple A. He's back. "My immediate goal right now, just go execute my pitches, "said Chapman. "I want to find my place on this team and help them win. Like I said, winning is what it's all about. In 2012 Chapman pitched with the Chicago Cubs before two hip surgeries curtailed his major league career. He's hoping to use the Shuckers as a launching pad to make his way back to the Majors. The addition of new manager Mike Guerrero gives the Shuckers two Guerrero's on the Biloxi roster. Shuckers hitting coach Sandy Guerrero is back for his second season with the Shuckers. Mike Guerreo said, "I think it's going to be fun. There is not an excuse that I don't know my hitting coach. He's been in baseball for a long time. I've been in baseball a little longer than he has as a coach and as a manager. It's the first time that two Dominican Republic guys come to be coaches on the same team in the states. I'm looking forward to it." Center fielder Brett Phillips who was included in the Brewers-Astros trade is a young man loaded with talent. He believes the 2016 Shuckers could be a better overall team compared to the 2015 Shuckers. On Monday night the Shuckers entertained the Jackson State Tigers in an exhibition game and as expected Biloxi dominated JSU 17-0. Get ready for Biloxi Shuckers baseball beginning 6:40 Thursday night at MGM Park.

Full statement released Monday -- This is a long process and any decision or potential moves will be years in the future. As for a rookie team move to Colorado Springs (likely Helena) -- So while the process of exploring a potential move of our Triple-A franchise is ongoing, we will also be exploring the possibility of moving a Short-season-A team to Colorado Springs. Any relocation of any team at any level is a complicated process that can take seasons to accomplish and involve approvals at many levels.

Via the Shuckers -- BILOXI, MS - The Biloxi Shuckers finished off their series of tune-up games before the start of the 2016 regular season with a 17-0 victory over the Jackson State Tigers at MGM Park on Monday night. Adrian Houser (2 IP, H 2 SO) started the game for Biloxi and worked effectively, using 22 pitches (14 strikes) to get in shape for the opening series. Javi Salas made his first appearance as a Shucker and had just an inning of work, but did strike out a batter. Former Rule 5 pick Wei-Chung Wang had the most work out of the bullpen, tossing three innings while giving up a hit, walking a batter and punching out four. Martin Viramontes finished the game with a perfect seventh, striking out Tony Holton to end the game. Biloxi opened the scoring in the first after Kyle Wren (2x3, 4 R, 2 RBI) started things out with a hustle double and moved over to third after Nathan Orf (4x5, HR, 3 R, 4 RBI) grounded out to short. Brett Phillips (2x3, R, 2 RBI, BB) plated the first run with a single to right, bringing home Wren to make the score 1-0. The Shuckers opened it up in the second with a four-spot as Brandon Macias (3x4, 2 R) singled to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a two-out double by Rene Garcia (2x4, 2 R). Wren singled home both runners with a single to second, leading to Orf's two-run blast onto Caillavet to give Biloxi a five-run cushion. The Shuckers would bat around in the third and fourth innings', scoring 11 runs over the two frames and open up an even larger cushion. The Shuckers will take the next two days off before returning to action on Thursday, April 7 against the Chattanooga Lookouts to open up the 2016 regular season. LHP Josh Hader (4-7, 3.03) will get the call for Biloxi, while it has yet to be determined who will be on the mound for the Lookouts. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 pm, with coverage starting at 6:25 on WGCM 1240 AM and WPMO 1580 AM, and the TuneIn radio app.

Sky Sox Announce Preliminary 2016 Opening Day Roster "The preliminary 28-man roster contains 14 pitchers, three catchers, six infielders and five outfielders. The roster will be cut down to 25 prior to Thursday's season opener."

Via Chris Mehring -- The Timber Rattlers rotation to start 2016: THU: Drossner FRI: Diplan/Peralta SAT: Perrin SUN: Burkhalter/Yamamoto MON: Diaz/Owenby

Brief VIDEO via FSN Wisconsin: Stearns, Counsell, Lucroy

A reminder that at 6:40 tonight you can get Shuckers' insights while listening to the Biloxi broadcast crew call their exhibition contest against Jackson State.

Brad's Sky Sox preview at Miller Park Prospects

Via WTMJ's early coverage: Jeff Levering

AUDIO via WSSP 105.7 FM's morning "Chuck and Wickett Show": Ed Sedar Adam McCalvy Tim Allen

More from WTMJ: Opening Day Live: Bob Uecker and Mark Attanasio New broadcaster Lane Grindle Third base coach Ed Sedar Bill Schroeder

Opening Day AUDIO via ESPN 540: Tom Haudricourt Bill Schroeder

All AUDIO via WTMJ: The Miller Park Experience (Sat. 4/2) Aleta Mercer of the Brewers discusses Brewers opening day preview with Jeff Wagner Sun. 4/3 All from Mon. 4/4 -- Former Brewers closer Ken Sanders reflects on first Brewers Opening Day Keeping up with the Miller Park grass Brewers legend Gorman Thomas Tom Haudricourt Taylor Jungmann Scooter Gennett Craig Counsell Keon Broxton