Jim Goulart

Mike Strong was optioned by the Twins today, the 2nd of his three option years. You can read about his spring here.

This pre-dates us here at Brewerfan (established 2001), but -- West Man Sentenced In Waco Court Jay Warren Arnold, 39, of West was convicted Thursday, March 17, in the 2012 strangulation assault of his wife and sentenced to 60 years in prison. Jurors in Waco’s 54th State District Court deliberated nearly 30 minutes before handing down a conviction for aggravated assault and aggravated kidnapping. Arnold, a former minor league baseball pitcher drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers, faced up to life in prison on each of the two counts. The jury sentenced him to 60 years in prison for each count, to be served concurrently, plus a $10,000 fine on each count. During a week of emotional testimony, his estranged wife and the mother of their three children testified that Arnold assaulted her and dragged her in a headlock to the garage, where he wrapped insulated copper wiring around an exposed wooden stud and then looped it tightly around her neck. She reportedly told jurors that she thought he was going to kill her. “He put it around my neck and twisted it and then went around my neck again and twisted it like a bread tie, around and around,” the victim said. During the sentencing phase, prosecutors called the crime horrendous and said that the suspect’s estranged wife and children would never be safe if Arnold is allowed to be released on probation. Prosecutors Gabrielle Massey and Robert Moody told the jury about how the fear would not end for the victim unless the suspect was sentenced to life in prison. Defense attorney Michelle Tuegel told jurors to think of Arnold as a human who was seeking mercy. “Look at him not just as a monster that the state is calling him, but as a human being that can still love,” Tuegel said. “He is a broken man…A prison sentence is a death sentence.” Arnold testified that he could not remember the night of the attack, but said that he would never do something like what he was accused of. He did not testify for the sentencing phase. *** Arnold, a RHP drafted in the 20th round in 1996 at age 19 out of a California community college, appeared at Helena (one game) and Ogden (six games) that year. He did not play for the organization after that season (if he was released, these days, that would be pretty rare for a 20th round pick that young after only seven appearances). Maybe he wasn't exactly a quality individual back then, either. Looks like he made a brief comeback attempt three years later in indy ball (Baseball Reference page).

Via Voice of the Sky Sox Dan Karcher -- Sunday's game: ST gm #3 goes to @skysox 5-4 over @CLBClippers. Nick Ramirez, 2B, RBI Michael Reed 2B, 2 RBI.

Sunday's lineups --

More from Saturday via @BrewersPD: Charlotte downed Colorado Springs, 8-2. Wilkins hit a solo homer, while Nick Ramirez picked up 3 hits, incl 2 doubles Biloxi topped Birmingham, 6-2. Coulter hit a three-run HR Jose Pena had 3 hits, incl a 3B. Farina & Johnson both w/two IP of shutout relief. Brevard stormed past Winston-Salem, 8-5. Troy Stokes went 2x3 w/3B, 2 R, 2 RBI. Segovia 2 hits, Sibrian scored 2x, & Demuth had 2 RBI. Wisconsin edged Lake County, 9-8. Juan Ortiz went deep twice & drove in 4. Isan Diaz HR, 2B. Harrison solo HR. Drossner had 3 perfect IP w/3 ks

From Baseball America's Josh Norris (Saturday's action) -- On the other side of the Camelback Ranch complex, the White Sox’s and Brewers’ lower-level teams played a pair of games. On the low Class A field, new Milwaukee shortstop Isan Diaz (acquired from Arizona in the trade that sent righthander Tyler Wagner to the desert) showed off that power that helped him lead the Pioneer League in slugging. He socked a double and a long home run, both pulled to the right side, during the middle portion of the game. He slotted in as Arizona’s No. 9 prospect before the trade, and would likely rank among Milwaukee’s Nos. 11-15 prospects. With Milwaukee, he joins a pair of talented shortstop prospects in Orlando Arcia (No. 1 in the system and No. 8 in this year’s Top 100) and Gilbert Lara (No. 5 in the system). Yadiel Rivera (No. 21) is in the mix for a big league utility spot this year as well. Milwaukee righthander Marcos Diplan (No. 18 in the system) also pitched in this game, and showed a fastball between 92-94 with excellent bore in on righthanded hitters, though his control was lacking. Against Milwaukee starter Devin Williams, White Sox first base prospect Corey Zangari—the team’s No. 13 prospect and its sixth-round pick in last year’s draft—clubbed a long home run just left of center field. Known for his power, Zangari swatted six home run in the Rookie-level Arizona League last summer, good for fourth-most on the circuit.

We've been informed the Brewers won't be distributing spring minor league boxes going forward. To be honest, was kind of surprised they did in the past, jobs on the line, placements on the line, may as well simply accentuate the positives. So we'll enjoy those, and thank them for past information.

@BrewersPD from Game One's: Col Springs & Louisville played to 6-6 draw. Orf & Ramirez both went deep. Jorge Lopez posted 3 scoreless frames. Biloxi downed Pensacola, 7-4. Nottingham 2 2Bs, 2 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB. Cooper, Coulter, McFarland 2 hits each. Archer w/5 strikeouts in 2 IP Brevard outslugged Daytona, 10-9. Gatewood w/2 3Bs. Orimoloye 2x5, 4 RBI. Stokes 2x2 w/2B. Ponce 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO. Wis walked-off Dayton, 8-7. Belonis 3x4, Mallen 2x2 w/2B, McDowell 2x2, 2 R. Lindell and Peralta tossed two shutout innings each. *** Day Two via Voice of the Sky Sox Dan Karcher: - More Nick Ramirez ST gm.2 for @skysox went to @KnightsBaseball 8-2. Fmr @BaseballTitans @N_ram33 3 more hits @Brewers @XTRASports1300

Brewers announced the option of RHP Zach Davies, RHP Junior Guerra, INF Garin Cecchini and 1B Andy Wilkins This is Davies' 1st option (can be again as needed in 2017 and 2018), Guerra and Wilkins can be optioned again in 2017, while Cecchini would need to stay in the big leagues come 2017 to avoid exposure to waivers.

Saturday's Lineups and Sunday's projected pitchers --

Via the Minor League Forum -- AUDIO 3/18 via MiLB.com's Podcast -- Discussion begins at the 23:00 minute mark, the David Denson interview begins at 31:30 (plenty of baseball talk along with discussion of the social aspect of Denson's status). *** Reminder - Several of the Journal-Sentinel's Peanuts and Cracker Jack reports are in video form.

AUDIO 3/18 via MiLB.com's Podcast -- Discussion begins at the 23:00 minute mark, the David Denson interview begins at 31:30 (plenty of baseball talk along with discussion of the social aspect of Denson's status).

You'll find a minimum of nine video clips (as of this post time) from the minor league workout fields here, courtesy of Baseball Prospectus' Adam McInturff.

Thank you, @BrewersPD, for those images and any other info you provide this spring camp.

Friday's Opening Lineups

Minor League Spring Training Games Schedule

AUDIO via WSSP 105.7 FM: Craig Counsell interviewed by Tim Allen

Well, understandable since games don't start until Friday 3/18.

AUDIO via "Brewers on Tap" podcast: Lane Grindle talks with outfielder Keon Broxton, pitcher Jorge Lopez and catching instructor Charlie Greene.

From the Minor League Forum -- AUDIO via the Rattler Radio Blog -- "The main topic this week is the latest Frosty Microbrew on the main website, which is about Trey Supak, David Denson, & the changes in the Brewers organization." *** AUDIO via WSSP 105.7 FM Wed. 3/16: Tim Allen joins the morning show *** AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show Wed. 3/16: Tim Allen of WSSP

AUDIO via the Rattler Radio Blog -- "The main topic this week is the latest Frosty Microbrew on the main website, which is about Trey Supak, David Denson, & the changes in the Brewers organization."

Brewers' Denson shifts focus to defense After historic 2015 season, Milwaukee slugger moving to the outfield By Tyler Maun / MiLB.com

One recently-retired Cardinals farmhand now commenting -- Cardinals taking allegations of anti-gay comments 'very seriously'

Somerset (N.J.) Patriots Sign Major League Pitcher Jeremy Horst Mid-season 2015 Sky Sox pickup finds a home in the independent Atlantic League

Frosty Microbrews: Different Perspectives By Kyle Lobner / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers RHP Trey Supak (Jason Rogers trade) and OF/1B David Denson featured -- "I've been doing a lot more weight training, a lot more cardio training, a lot of things I didn't really do before, I would say," Denson said. "I would say that it's definitely different in terms of workouts. It was a lot more…how can I say…all I can think about is it was a lot more hardworking." And why weren't you, David? Is that on him, the training staff, or former director Reid Nichols?