Jim Goulart

AUDIO via WTMJ Fri. 2/26: New Brewers radio broadcaster Lane Grindle *** Tweet --

The Brewers will be announcing that Lane Grindle is the new radio broadcast team member late this afternoon. Congrats to Lane!

Miller Park Prospects -- 2016 Organizational Depth: First Base *** Order Brad and Marcus' book as well -- The Miller Park Prospects 2016 Prospect Preview

The Brewers have signed one of the veteran scouts jettisoned by the Scouting Bureau, Gary Robinson, to the pro scouting side of things. http://www.smwwscout.com/scouts/338 http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=11756

AUDIO via 105.7FM WSSP Thurs. 2/25: MLB Network's Dan Plesac

Invited to Minor League "Early Camp" which starts today 2/25, as per @BrewersPD: C Parker Berberet, 1B Garrett Cooper, OF Ben Guez, C Carlos Leal, IF Nate Orf, OF Victor Roache, OF Tyrone Taylor P's Jaye Chapman, Drew Gagnon, Brooks Hall, Hobbs Johnson (L), Jim Miller, Jorge Ortega, Austin Ross, Brent Suter (L), Wei-Chung Wang (L)

AUDIO via WSSP 105.7FM's Chuck and Wickett Show: Todd Rosiak *** VIDEO via CBS58's Kevin Holden: The Brewers Medical Staff is the All-Star Team Behind the Brew Crew *** AUDIO via WTMJ's Sports Central with Greg Matzek Wed. 2/24: Tom Haudricourt

BrewCrewBall: Catching Up With Milwaukee Brewers' Prospect Gentry Fortuno

AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show Tue. 2/23: Adam McCalvy *** AUDIO via WSSP Tue. 2/23: Brett Phillips joins Tim and Sparky to kick off the Hot Stove Weekly Show (this is the full show link); he's such a great listen *** AUDIO via MLB.com Tue. 2/23: "Brewers reporter Adam McCalvy catches up with Jacob Nottingham to find out what fans need to know about the aspiring catcher, what it was like when he found out the A's traded him and why he chose baseball over football. Why was Jonathan Lucroy so impressed with Nottingham?"

UPDATE: Grindle gets job, to be introduced Friday afternoon 2/26 Monday, on Twitter, I indicated that, with some certainty, I had learned (or thought I had learned, anyway) who would be named the "new Jeff Levering", in other words, the 3rd man in the Brewers radio rotation behind Ueck and Jeff, after Joe Block's departure for the lead job in Pittsburgh. Since I didn't have a full confirmation, I felt it best to do one last check with the Brewers before posting the actual name, and they politely thanked me for the double-check with them. At that point I learned from the organization (and I fully believe every word, this wasn't semantics or such), that the position has not been formally offered to anyone and it’s not just a technicality. The Brewers are still within an exhaustive evaluation process. Now could a final decision be made soon? Of course, it could be, and I don't know how quickly the team would turn around to make any news official. But I think we all suspect someone will be named in a formal announcement relatively soon. That being said, I did notice Tuesday morning that a Midwest-based sports blogger (Lincoln, NE) had posted news about this potential new hire (the same one I had hinted at). He cited generic sources out of Lincoln, but also closed his blog post by typing "if the report proves accurate". Since the blogger, Kurt Allen (@Kacsports), has made his post, it may take a few hours, but I imagine his blog entry will make the rounds in the University of Nebraska community and eventually find a wider audience, so I felt it was appropriate to link to it here. You can read more about Kurt in this entry from his newly re-invented blog. I've since learned from another (sorry, unnamed) confirmed source that Lane Grindle (great name!) is on the very short list of candidates that the Brewers are considering within the final cut. I had prepared an introductory post yesterday, so I'll toss that below now for the potential (make sure you've got that, POTENTIAL) new hire. *** We may have learned that Lane Grindle, from the Nebraska Huskers Sports Network, will be Jeff Levering's replacement (with Jeff moving to Joe Block's spot) on the Brewers Radio Network. Grindle has 11 years of experience as part of the Huskers' baseball broadcast team, along with other responsibilities for their network. A quick review of the most recent Twitter accounts Lane has followed include all the regular Brewer ones you'd imagine (Adam McCalvy, Tom Haudricourt, Caitlin Moyer, FSN Wisconsin -- c'mon Lane, not me yet?). Of course, I'd follow those accounts, too, if I were preparing for a formal interview for this great gig. Brewers farmhand LHP Zach Hirsch (Brevard County '15) will be psyched, he knows Grindle from their University of Nebraska connection. Grindle became the PA announcer for Nebraska football this past fall, as detailed in this article. You'll see Grindle in studio show clips here. You can hear his voice from the game broadcast of just this past weekend via this link of archives. On the 2/21 broadcast, for instance, Grindle starts his pre-game work just after the 2:05 minute:second mark. Congratulations to Lane on even being considered, I'm sure he (and from his Twitter home page, his young family) must be thrilled, but also so very nervous, at the possibility of being named. Now I admit, it would be a bummer for Lane and his loved ones to come so close and not get the final nod. But even if he does not, it couldn't hurt his future employment chances elsewhere if his name was in the public view as a final candidate, much like a potential new big league manager. So in that sense, I hope this post not only finds Lane well both before this final decision, but afterwards, especially if he is named the new Milwaukee broadcast team member.

VIDEO via MLB.com: Michael Blazek and Jeremy Jeffress Just a reminder that the Brewers' site is going to contain several of these shorter vide interview clips throughout spring training. Make the site a regular check-in for these (there are several more there now), as we won't be linking to these daily.

AUDIO via WSSP's Chuck & Wickett Morning Show Mon. 2/22: Adam McCalvy

Now remember, along with the eight signed this fall and winter, the Brewers announced seven signings last summer -- SS Luis Avila, Venezuela RF Bryan Connell, Panama SS Aaron Familia, Dominican Republic CF Jesus Lujano, Venezuela SS Luis Manon, Dominican Republic C Moises Perez, Venezuela C Jose Sibrian, Venezuela Sibrian netted an invite to Fall Instructional League as he was the No. 29 international prospect for July 2. His bonus was $550,000. Lujano's bonus was $450,000. So there should be at least 15 new players on the DSL squad this summer, perhaps Sibrian will begin in Maryvale. We did find some video and photos on these players last summer and linked to them in four posts beginning here. Add yet another -- 22-year-old 6'3", 190 lb. Dominican RHP Miguel Sanchez, as per the Brewers. Turned 22 on New Years' Eve, decidedly late to be making a pro debut -- if he does debut in the Dominican Summer League as expected, he'll be about three years older than the average teammate and/or competitor.

Via the3rdmanin.com: Q&A with MLB.com’s Jim Callis Good stuff...

In case you missed it on the Major League Forum -- I was on the road quite a bit today, which allowed me to really listen in a focused manner on the one hour, 12 minute podcast. If you're daunted by the length a bit, you may want to begin at the 20:00 minute mark (approximately), because at that point the discussion turns to philosophies and activities more specific to minor league and major league baseball, rather than youth leagues and young amateurs. But do try and give it a full listen if you can. Johnson manages to make PFP's (pitcher fielding practices), bullpen sessions, catcher/pitcher dugout conversations, mound discussions during coaching visits, and much more, interesting and relatable to his upcoming important role with the Crew. One of the most interesting parts was listening about his duties as Cubs' minor league pitching coordinator, and how long it may take to get all the affiliate pitching coaches on the same page, and how an organization goes about making that consistency happen. Johnson ("DJ" as his interviewing friend refers to him) speaks very well, no pauses or "umm's". It's not a laugh-fest, it's mostly all business and may seem dry at times, and one can sense why he must have come across so well with the Brewers, whether based on his work experience or ability to communicate. Oh, and he grew up as and has always been a Cubs fan...

I was on the road quite a bit today, which allowed me to really listen in a focused manner on the one hour, 12 minute podcast. If you're daunted by the length a bit, you may want to begin at the 20:00 minute mark (approximately), because at that point the discussion turns to philosophies and activities more specific to minor league and major league baseball, rather than youth leagues and young amateurs. But do try and give it a full listen if you can. Johnson manages to make PFP's (pitcher fielding practices), bullpen sessions, catcher/pitcher dugout conversations, mound discussions during coaching visits, and much more, interesting and relatable to his upcoming important role with the Crew. One of the most interesting parts was listening about his duties as Cubs' minor league pitching coordinator, and how long it may take to get all the affiliate pitching coaches on the same page, and how an organization goes about making that consistency happen. Johnson ("DJ" as his interviewing friend refers to him) speaks very well, no pauses or "umm's". It's not a laugh-fest, it's mostly all business and may seem dry at times, and one can sense why he must have come across so well with the Brewers, whether based on his work experience or ability to communicate. Oh, and he grew up as and has always been a Cubs fan...

AUDIO Podcast via InsidePitchPodcast.com: Guest Derek Johnson discusses the mental aspects of pitching & being a pitching coach at the college & Major League levels This lengthy interview with the Brewers' new pitching coach was recorded just this week. It focuses on philosophies both at the youth and pro levels, but naturally doesn't include insights on specific Brewer pitchers Johnson will only be meeting face-to-face for the first time at spring training. http://www.insidepitchpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2016/02/Derek-Johnson-book.jpg

AUDIO via the Mike Heller Show: Adam Rygg (@BrewerNation) - 27:40 minute mark

Here's more from FSN's Brewers On Tap video package -- Mark Attanasio David Stearns Jeremy Jeffress - really hopes to be named closer Will Smith Taylor Jungmann

AUDIO via WSSP's "Big Show" Fri. 2/19: What does Adam McCalvy from MLB.com think of Jonathan Lucroy's comments? He gives his thoughts on that and where to put Matt Garza in the rotation.

VIDEO Interviews from Brewers On Deck via the Fox Sports Wisconsin site: Domingo Santana Craig Counsell Brett Phillips Chris Carter Ryan Braun

AUDIO via WTMJ's Brewers Weekly Thursday 2/19: Jeff Levering Newly acquired catcher Jacob Nottingham

Misch put up respectable AAA numbers last year. He's from just down the road a bit in Northbrook, IL. You never know. He's a lefty and Brewer's aren't exactly overloaded with them. Released in order to allow him to pursue an opportunity in Japan. We'll Misch him very much...

Update, Guilty Plea on Lesser Charge: Former Cleveland Indian Russell Branyan convicted of trespassing misdemeanor at ex-wife's Tennessee home No word on if the thermostat was ever returned to a normal temperature...

AUDIO via WTMJ's Morning Show Thurs. 2/18: Tom Haudricourt *** AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show Thurs. 2/18: How improved is the Brewers' farm system? Jim Callis, Senior Writer for MLB.com, joins the show. What is the most difficult part of the rebuilding process?