Jim Goulart

Dominican Box Wednesday 1/6 RHP Ariel Pena has now made four winter appearances (three starts), covering 12.2 innings, and has allowed only one earned run. He made a postseason round-robin start Wednesday -- 4.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, GB:FB 5:5 In the game (still underway as of this post), his batterymate was Rene Garcia, who will be in big league camp with the Crew on a minor league deal. *** The rest of the Brewer winter league updates will be posted by the early AM.

Robert, does Stallone get a Supporting nod for Creed?

So we'll see what comes of this... Kieran Powell, Major League baseballer? West Indies cricket: Kieran Powell worked out for MLB team the Milwaukee Brewers Be sure to scroll all the way down on the article -- the placement of photos may lend you to think the article finishes early on... http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2016/01/06/1227699/221196-c7e5c29a-b413-11e5-8950-280d9b0d7866.jpg http://www.espncricinfo.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/181700/181757.jpg "Privileged to be in the presence of my top mentors from the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers" Powell's Wikipedia page

Venezuelan Box Tuesday 1/5 In a wild 12-11 walkoff loss, Hernan Perez did his part, 3-for-6 (triple, two RBI, one K); Perez played third base in this one. His team trails two games to one in the first round best-of-seven. *** In other games in Venezuela, young 2B Javier Betancourt saw action as a late defensive replacement, and a sidelined (by the Brewers) Orlando Arcia is missed, his team is down three games to none in their series. *** Puerto Rico Box Tuesday 1/5 SS Yadiel Rivera was 0-for-2 in his team's 2-0 loss. Rivera reached on a force out and was subsequently caught stealing on a strike 'em out, throw 'em out double play. He was pinch hit for in the 9th. His team falls to 1-2 in the round robin.

This article will have special meaning this time of year for the 2015-2016 Brewers minor league free agents listed below who have yet to find new homes -- In Minors, free agency can be risky business No guarantees for Barfield, others trying to find jobs on open market By Josh Jackson / MiLB.com C Nevin Ashley RHP Manny Barreda 1B/OF Matt Clark C/3B/LF Robinzon Diaz OF Josh Fellhauer IF Taylor Green LHP Jeremy Horst OF Matt Long LHP Jarret Martin C Sandy Martinez IF Pete Orr RHP Josh Roenicke UT Hainley Statia RHP Rob Wooten

Puerto Rico Box Monday 1/4 SS Yadiel Rivera was 2-for-4 (double, one K) in a 7-4 loss. Omar Garcia scored as a pinch-runner for the winning club.

For the Brewers -- Click on the "Options" column, as the page is also sortable.

Written from a fantasy perspective, but an excellent analysis of Davis can be found here.

Dominican Box Sunday 1/3 In a 2-1 win, Domingo Santana was 1-for-2 with a walk as the designated hitter (one K). He was pinch-hit for with a LH bat in the 9th, something that's occurred several times as of late. Santana's Licey team is off to a strong 5-1 start in the round-robin postseason. *** Venezuela Box Sunday 1/3 Hernan Perez, batting 5th and playing shortstop, was 0-for-4 but his team won 4-3 to tie up the best-of-seven series at one apiece. *** No longer Brewers' property, but Mariners infielder Luis Sardinas made big news in Venezuela Sunday with a 6-for-6 effort.

Puerto Rico Box Sunday 1/3 SS Yadiel Rivera's team won their opening postseason game by a 1-0 score. Rivera remains mired in a tough slump, 0-for-3 in this one. While the Brewers have seemingly put the hammer down on Orlando Arcia's offseason playing time, they have yet to do that with Rivera. Consider this -- if Rivera's Santurce team takes the Puerto Rico League championship and advances to the Caribbean World Series to be played in the Dominican Republic this February, Rivera could do the nearly unthinkable. He could report to big league camp with the Brewers having effectively gone a full year without any significantly measurable time off. - Spring Training 2015 - Full AA / AAA season in Biloxi and Colorado Springs - Postseason with the Shuckers - A productive Arizona Fall League - An immediate switchover to the Puerto Rico Winter League - (Potentially) Caribbean World Series - Directly to Spring Training 2016 *** Details later tonight on the Sunday efforts of Domingo Santana and Hernan Perez, possibly others...

Orlando Arcia's Caribes Venezuelan team has released its roster of 36 available players for their first-round best-of-seven, and Arcia is on it. The weekly roster of the Caribbean, presented on Saturday before the start of the series against the Sharks, has shortstop Orlando Arcia, although still not received permission to see action in the playoffs LVBP. Arcia's team lost game one 9-1, and Arcia is not in the starting lineup for Game Two.

Cecchini feature via Adam McCalvy

Ferrone is joining the Tigers, where he was from 2003-07 (link). December 3rd update -- Longtime upper-level amateur scouts/crosscheckers Doug Reynolds and Corey Rodriguez have been named the National Supervisor and Regional Supervisor, respectively, of the professional scouting staff, as per the latest front office roster on the Brewers' site. Mike Serbalink, formerly with the Astros, Reds and Diamondbacks (January 2015 article), has an amateur scouting background in the Northeast and Canada, joins Rodriguez as a Regional Supervisor on the pro side of things. Former big league RHP Bryan Corey is just now listed as a "Junior Scout" on the amateur scouting staff, although he's been with the organization since last February. *** Formerly "Director of Video Scouting and Baseball Research", Karl Mueller is now "Director, Baseball Operations". Oh, and Doug Melvin's title is now officially posted as "Senior Advisor". January 3rd updates -- First of all, the Brewers have updated what was a big error in their online posting last month. Reynolds, Rodriguez, and Serbalink all received their new titles and/or positions, but they remain on the amateur side of the scouting tree, not the professional side, which makes so much more sense now. *** Despite losing his job as the big league first base coach, Mike Guerrero's lengthy (since 1996) association with the Brewers will continue. He has been named one of Milwaukee's minor league roving coordinators, with the title of "Special Field Instructor". *** It appears pro scout (and former MLB LHP Andy Pratt) is no longer with the Brewers. Pratt was actually included in Milwaukee's last trade with the Chicago Cubs, over 11 years ago: (08/31/04) -- Acquired a player to be named (LHP Andy Pratt) and cash in exchange for OF Ben Grieve *** Congratulations for promotions to two of Milwaukee's amateur scouts. Former Southern California and Hawaii area scout Josh Belovsky is now a regional supervisor, as is South Texas and South Louisiana area scout Brian Sankey. Belovsky's key Southern Cal area goes to newcomer Michael Rouse -- the former Athletics and Indians big league infielder, now 35 years old. So who scooped up the prime Hawaii gig? Look at area scout Shawn Whalen's unique coverage territory: Area Scout (AK, HI, ID, MT, OR, WA, Western Canada) *** Another new name on the amateur scouting staff is Joe Graham, who takes over in Northern California (formerly Justin McCray's area). Graham is a former Indians and Astros scout who was named Houston's Scout of the Year in 2010. *** Gone from the Brewers' amateur scouting ranks is former NY, NJ, PA & New England Area Scout Steffan Wilson, the 2007-2011 Milwaukee farmhand out of Harvard. But don't feel bad for Wilson, his nice new gig is National Crosschecker for the L.A. Angels. Sidenote: I still have a Brevard County Manatee cap signed by Wilson a few years back when I stopped by his prior offseason duties at a Massachusetts baseball facility. Taking Wilson's Northeast responsibilities will be the afore-mentioned Michael Serbalik, as part of his regional supervisor duties. Hopefully I can cross paths with Serbalink at a future Cape Cod League game, New England Collegiate League game, or the like in the future. *** Added to the amateur scouting ranks as "Junior Scouts" (they need to beef up that title to sound less Cub Scout-ish) are 29-year-old former Padres and Orioles' farmhand RHP Wynn Pelzer, who looks to be based in San Diego but with a coaching and training background in Georgia, and Taylor Frederick, who appears to be based in the Ottawa, Canada area. Frederick has an amateur playing and coaching background but did not play affiliated minor league ball. *** Earlier this month the Brewers beat guys mentioned in various posts/tweets that longtime Director of Minor League Business Operations Scott Martens was no longer with the club. McCalvy Haudricourt It may just be an oversight, but Martens is still listed on the January organizational roster linked above. Same goes for Special Assistant to the G.M./Baseball Operations Dan O'Brien, still listed despite this: Haudricourt *** New hire on the analytics side: Developer - Baseball Systems: Matthew Culhane

Morosi: Expect the Milwaukee Brewers to trade Khris Davis at the non-waiver trade deadline

Ferrone is joining the Tigers, where he was from 2003-07 (link). December 3rd update -- Longtime upper-level amateur scouts/crosscheckers Doug Reynolds and Corey Rodriguez have been named the National Supervisor and Regional Supervisor, respectively, of the professional scouting staff, as per the latest front office roster on the Brewers' site. Mike Serbalink, formerly with the Astros, Reds and Diamondbacks (January 2015 article), has an amateur scouting background in the Northeast and Canada, joins Rodriguez as a Regional Supervisor on the pro side of things. Former big league RHP Bryan Corey is just now listed as a "Junior Scout" on the amateur scouting staff, although he's been with the organization since last February. *** Formerly "Director of Video Scouting and Baseball Research", Karl Mueller is now "Director, Baseball Operations". Oh, and Doug Melvin's title is now officially posted as "Senior Advisor". January 3rd updates -- First of all, the Brewers have updated what was a big error in their online posting last month. Reynolds, Rodriguez, and Serbalink all received their new titles and/or positions, but they remain on the amateur side of the scouting tree, not the professional side, which makes so much more sense now. Despite losing his job as the big league first base coach, Mike Guerrero's lengthy (since 1996) association with the Brewers will continue. He has been named one of Milwaukee's minor league roving coordinators, with the title of "Special Field Instructor". Added to the amateur scouting ranks as "Junior Scouts" (they need to beef up that title to sound less Cub Scout-ish) are 29-year-old former Padres and Orioles' farmhand RHP Wynn Pelzer, who looks to be based in San Diego but with a coaching and training background in Georgia, and Taylor Frederick, who appears to be based in the Ottawa, Canada area. Frederick has an amateur playing and coaching background but did not play affiliated minor league ball.

How about this from a Brewers' perspective? As you know, we've been following catcher Rene Garcia's winter in Puerto Rico, as the minor league free agent signee received a big league camp invite with the Crew. Garcia had a really solid winter in Puerto Rico (.708 OPS in 32 games), and was spectacular in throwing out baserunners. We were just about to tell you that Garcia's winter was over, as his Puerto Rico club was the only one in the four-team league not to qualify for the round-robin postseason. And now, out of nowhere, he appears in the Dominican Republic as a teammate of Licey's Domingo Santana. Dominican Box Saturday 1/2 In a 16-5 win, Santana was 1-for-5 with a walk (run scored) as the designated hitter. Garcia flied out as a 7th inning pinch-hitter and remained in the game behind the plate. *** Puerto Rico Box Saturday 1/2 In the postseason tournament opener, Omar Garcia scored the winning run as a pinch-runner in a 2-1 ten-inning win. Much earlier in the game for the losing club, RHP Hiram Burgos had a rough night with the strike zone, allowed a run, and was fortunate to have three of his baserunners stranded -- Caguas Top of the 6th Pitching Change: Hiram Burgos replaces Jonathan Sanchez. Bryce Brentz walks. Johnny Monell singles on a line drive to left fielder Anthony Garcia. Bryce Brentz to 2nd. David Vidal out on a sacrifice bunt, first baseman Kennys Vargas to second baseman Jesmuel Valentin. Bryce Brentz to 3rd. Johnny Monell to 2nd. Hiram Burgos intentionally walks Jeff Dominguez. Angel Sanchez out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Danny Ortiz. Bryce Brentz scores. Benji Gonzalez walks. Johnny Monell to 3rd. Jeff Dominguez to 2nd. Pitching Change: Hoby Milner replaces Hiram Burgos. Henry Ramos lines out to second baseman Jesmuel Valentin. *** Quick Venezuela note -- The team of young RHP Gian Rizzo, who last pitched on November 22nd, did not qualify for the postseason, which in that country, is a more traditional seven-game playoff series format.

Wayne Rogers, Trapper John McIntyre on 'M*A*S*H*,' dies at 82 Rogers was on "M.A.S.H." from 1972 to 1975, becoming one of many original cast members to leave the wildly popular show that went on until 1983. He was initially considered for Alda's character, but he preferred Trapper's sunnier disposition to Hawkeye's darkly acerbic personality. The characters were essentially equals when the show began, but it increasingly focused on Alda, which was a factor in Rogers' departure.

Venezuela Box Wednesday 12/30 SS Orlando Arcia sneaks in one last game, and of course, it's a 2-for-4 (sacrifice bunt) effort that puts his team into the postseason tournament. We imagine Arcia's camp will make a final push for playing time in January, we'll see if the Brewers recant their earlier stance. Here's the final inning celebration -- *** Puerto Rico Box Wednesday 12/30 RHP Hiram Burgos earned a "hold" with a brief relief appearance -- in eight mound efforts this winter (all but one in relief), Burgos has fanned 19 and walked just three in 15.1 innings. He allowed three runs in one sour effort earlier this month, otherwise no earned runs allowed. Caguas Bottom of the 6th Rey Navarro lines out to shortstop Elmer Reyes. Pitching Change: Hiram Burgos replaces Hoby Milner. Bryce Brentz walks. With Johnny Monell batting, wild pitch by Hiram Burgos, Bryce Brentz to 2nd. Johnny Monell grounds out, second baseman Jesmuel Valentin to first baseman Kennys Vargas. Bryce Brentz to 3rd. Trever Adams strikes out swinging.

If Fields clears waivers, the Dodgers can just outright him to AAA. He doesn't have enough service time to decline.

Puerto Rico Box Tuesday 12/29 In a 5-3 win, year-round non-stop SS Yadiel Rivera was 1-for-3, two runs scored. *** Puerto Rico Box Tuesday 12/29 Making his 5th appearance overall and first since December 1st, 21-year-old RHP Joshua Torres tossed a spotless inning wrapping up a 6-1 win -- Carolina Bottom of the 9th Pitching Change: Joshua Torres replaces Tyler Herron. Johneshwy Fargas pops out to catcher Kevin Torres in foul territory. Jesus Feliciano strikes out swinging. Irving Falu flies out to left fielder Danny Ortiz. *** Venezuela Box Tuesday 12/29 In a 10-6 win, SS Orlando Arcia 2-for-5 with two RBI (one K). If this was Arcia's last game (as per the Brewers' apparent wishes), he finishes with a fantastic .305/.392/.429 line (.821 OPS) in 30 games (14 BB, 15 K). Oddly, he only attempted one stolen base this winter, and was caught. On the other side of the box score, Hernan Perez, playing shortstop and hitting cleanup, had a mammoth game, 4-for-5 (double, three RBI). Remember, Perez was 5-for-5 in his prior game on the 26th. His OPS is now .804 through a whopping 57 games. *** Dominican Box Tuesday 12/29 In a 4-3 ten-inning win, Domingo Santana, as the DH, was 0-for-2 (two BB's, two K's). He was pinch-hit for in the 9th. Working in relief, Santana's teammate, RHP Ariel Pena, netted a hold, was aided by his bullpen buddies -- Estrellas Bottom of the 6th Pitching Change: Ariel Pena replaces Wandy Rodriguez. Alberto Rosario grounds out, shortstop Marco Hernandez to first baseman Joey Terdoslavich. Jordany Valdespin walks. With Hanser Alberto batting, Jordany Valdespin caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Yermin Mercedes to second baseman Anderson Hernandez. Hanser Alberto lines out to third baseman Diory Hernandez. Estrellas Bottom of the 7th Garabez Rosa walks. Wilin Rosario pops out to third baseman Diory Hernandez in foul territory. Pitching Change: Chase Huchingson replaces Ariel Pena. Felix Pie grounds into a force out, second baseman Anderson Hernandez to shortstop Marco Hernandez. Garabez Rosa out at 2nd. Felix Pie to 1st. Pitching Change: Luis Vasquez replaces Chase Huchingson. Audy Ciriaco strikes out swinging. *** NOTE: Have linked prior player names to their stat pages, but once postseason round robin begins, as with the Domincan game above, these statistics no longer update and won't be linked.

Tweets on improvement: Callis/Mayo Top 5

As a young teenager in the 70's, his Wide World of Sports appearances with the Globetrotters were must-see TV: Harlem Globetrotters legend Meadowlark Lemon, 83, dies My goodness, the life and sights that man got to live and experience through basketball.

Deal still pending, my tweet today: Sorry for lack of formal source, but have learned #Brewers/#Twins Neal Cotts PTBNL/cash deal is not final. $$ option still likely. By 2/21.

Good fanpost write-up here via BrewCrewBall on Pinto

Venezuela Box Monday 12/28 SS Orlando Arcia was 2-for-5 (double, run, RBI) in his team's 10-8 win. From previous reports, it's believed Arcia's winter season will end Tuesday, per the Brewers' request. His team has hopes he'll get an extension still. *** Dominican Box Monday 12/28 The postseason has begun in the Dominican in the form of a lengthy four-team round robin tournament. Domingo Santana's team qualified, and as the designated hitter Monday, Santana helped his club even its record with a 1-for-3 effort (double, two RBI, run, BB, one K) in a 7-1 win. Saw a tweet or two indicating Santana may be stepping aside soon, replaced on the roster by Hanley Ramirez of all people; we'll see...