Jim Goulart

Hopefully not a concern -- RHP Ariel Pena made his Dominican debut a week ago Friday on the 11th, four full innings his first time out (although efficient), but hasn't appeared since.

Venezuela Box Saturday 12/19 In a 4-1 loss, 3B Hernan Perez, playing in his 52nd game of the winter, was 0-for-4 (one K), while CF Ben Guez was 0-for-2 (HBP, two K's). Tonight's translated tweet should be familiar: That impatience of Hernán Pérez... Now with eight walks in 206 winter at-bats... *** Venezuela Box Saturday 12/19 In a 4-0 win, SS Orlando Arcia was 0-for-2 but walked twice to lift his OBP to .376 in 25 games. *** Dominican Box Saturday 12/19 In a 4-1 loss, RF Domingo Santana was 1-for-4 (one K), and following the single, this happened -- Licey Bottom of the 4th Domingo Santana singles on a line drive to center fielder Marcell Ozuna. Joey Terdoslavich pops out to first baseman Maikel Franco in foul territory. With Diory Hernandez batting, Domingo Santana picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher Rafael Perez to first baseman Maikel Franco to shortstop Richard Urena. Diory Hernandez grounds out, third baseman Hanser Alberto to first baseman Maikel Franco. *** Dominican Box Saturday 12/19 SS Jonathan Villar had an eventful game in his team's 1-0 win, his 33rd game of the winter. Villar was perfect at the plate (1-for-1 with three walks, now with 19 walks in 104 AB's, sweet), he stole his 11th base (in 12 tries), but also committed his 11th error, this one on a throw. *** Puerto Rico Box Saturday 12/19 Yadi, time for some rest! In a 7-5 loss, SS Yadiel Rivera, batting 9th, was 0-for-3 and was pinch-hit for in the 9th. Rivera is batting .148 (9-for-61, four walks) since rushing home after the Arizona Fall League season. *** Puerto Rico Box Saturday 12/19 Catcher Rene Garcia has a respectable .703 OPS after 28 games, he was 2-for-4 (double, RBI, run) in his team's 6-1 victory.

We'll let the longest-tenured Brewer (by far) make his own announcement for 2016.

First off, thanks Brewers, for making all those Jason Rogers winter league updates somewhat obsolete... *** Puerto Rico Box Friday 12/18 In a 6-3 loss, shortstop Yadiel Rivera was 0-for-4 (two K's) with a throwing error (3rd in 16 winter games). For the winning squad, RHP Hiram Burgos was brought in, in the 8th, to close out what was then a 5-0 game, but the final inning did not go as planned, and the go-ahead run actually stepped up to the plate -- Santurce Bottom of the 8th Pitching Change: Hiram Burgos replaces Hoby Milner. Yadiel Rivera strikes out swinging. Reymond Fuentes singles on a line drive to center fielder Isaac Ballou. Christian Vazquez strikes out swinging. Robert Andino pops out to second baseman Jesmuel Valentin. Santurce Bottom of the 9th Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Kevin Rivera replaces Javier Baez. Kevin Rivera strikes out swinging. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Ismael Salgado replaces Neftali Soto. Ismael Salgado doubles (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Danny Ortiz. Jose Lozada singles on a line drive to left fielder Danny Ortiz. Ismael Salgado to 3rd. Rene Rivera walks. Jose Lozada to 2nd. Ruben Sosa singles on a fly ball to center fielder Isaac Ballou. Ismael Salgado scores. Jose Lozada scores. Rene Rivera to 2nd. Yadiel Rivera flies out to right fielder Edwin Medina. Reymond Fuentes singles on a fly ball to center fielder Isaac Ballou. Rene Rivera scores. Ruben Sosa to 2nd. Pitching Change: Fernando Cabrera replaces Hiram Burgos. Christian Vazquez hit by pitch. Ruben Sosa to 3rd. Reymond Fuentes to 2nd. Robert Andino called out on strikes. Final line for Burgos: 1.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 3 K *** Puerto Rico Box Friday 12/18 Perfect game for catcher Rene Garcia in a 4-2 win (2-for-2, double, walk, HBP, run, RBI). *** Dominican Box Friday 12/18 SS Jonathan Villar was 0-for-3 (BB, K, RBI) in his team's 6-3 win *** Venezuela Box Friday 12/18 In a 4-3 home loss, 3B Hernan Perez had a rare quiet night (0-for-5, one K), while teammate CF Ben Guez fared better (1-for-2, two walks, outfield assist). *** No Brewers here -- unless you count former Brewers farmhand Rob Bryson (Sabathia trade) -- who surrendered the bomb, but just to show you what a walk-off extra-inning grand slam looks like in Venezuela --

When you add in what will be the 2016 draft class, the number of arms is indeed "nuts" for the rookie levels. I expect Helena to have its best staff ever when you consider the top 16 of this inflated batch should land there. The odd thing is the Brewers went heavy on some older non-drafted free agents last summer, and at least from a statistical standpoint, most did very well. There will be a bunch of young pitchers diligently going through workouts this winter and all of extended spring training who will unfortunately lose jobs, guys who would have stuck most years. It's just the sheer volume -- at least three of the Lind/Rogers acquisition arms should be in Helena next June.

It's complicated: Brewers in tough spot with possible trade of Lucroy By Jeff Sullivan, FanGraphs

Over in the Major League Forum, the discussion thread on the Jason Rogers for OF Keon Broxton and RHP Trey Supak trade; this post may have additional value to you. *** Also in the Major League Forum, LHP Nick Hagadone gets a big league camp invite.

Baseball America's Trade Central take

From September: Who is Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Keon Broxton? *** Via MiLB.TV: Video highlights galore (and a couple of lowlights) of Keon Broxton *** J.P. Breen of BPMilwaukee is getting a lot of praise for his post-trade write-up, and rightly so. *** Fangraphs posted this video of Trey Supak last March --

MLB does a pretty good job. Or click on our Transactions Database as part of the old Brewerfan Index, and sort by date, by type, etc., click on a player to see acquisition info as well (but not "who" they were traded for).

Speaking of young-ish OF's capable of playing all three spots, Michael Reed's arms say hello - wow.

Let's this be the last thought on this topic so as not to hijack the thread -- from Brett himself: "Maverick is actually my middle name. A little story for you. My dad's middle name is James. Brett James Phillips. When he was younger his dad and his friends would always call my dad Maverick. So when he got older he wanted to name his first son Maverick, or at least his middle name. So it is not from Top Gun, it is actually from the old James Garner cowboy movie Maverick." *** Brett has indicated in other interviews he would actually like to be called Maverick, but it hasn't seemed to take momentum on the web.

Venezuela Box Thursday 12/17 That was the 8th HR this winter for Hernan Perez in 197 AB's. That matches a professional career high set in 2011 in the Midwest League in 503 AB's. Teammate CF Ben Guez was 0-for-4 (run, two K's) in a 4-0 win. *** Leagues in Puerto Rico and the Dominican were idle Thursday.

A double-shot of RHP Zach Davies Thursday night -- AUDIO via WTMJ AUDIO via JewellOnSports

Released on July 15th, 2009 2nd round catcher Cameron Garfield tweets his next stop (Rockies' organization).

If you haven't had a chance to follow the site Disciples of Uecker as of late, you can catch up with the first four links in their Top Prospects Series on this page.

Colin Walsh Gets Another Second Chance John Manuel, Baseball America

Puerto Rico Box Wednesday 12/16 SS Yadiel Rivera heard our rumblings and responded with a 3-for-3 game (double, run scored, sacrifice bunt) in a 5-0 win. On the other side of the box score, catcher Rene Garcia was 0-for-3 and threw out one of two baserunners on steal attempts (threw out Javier Baez). *** Puerto Rico Box Wednesday 12/16 CF Omar Garcia got a rare start in his team's 2-1 win. He was 0-for-2 with a walk (caught stealing for the first time in four attempts this winter). Garcia has switched teams, and this was his first game action with Caguas; although he had appeared in 12 games prior, he had only worked four AB's in those games. Perhaps now he'll see more regular playing time, although he was pinch-hit for late in this one. *** Venezuela Box Wednesday 12/16 Second baseman Javier Betancourt (K-Rod trade) was 0-for-3 batting 9th in his team's 6-2 home win. *** Venezuela Box Wednesday 12/16 In a 12-1 drubbing, SS Orlando Arcia was 0-for-3 (walk, fielding error). *** Venezuela Box Wednesday 12/16 In a 15-1 win, despite an early run of strikeouts during his Latin stint, Ben Guez, again in CF, is now winning over fans (tweet), and was 3-for-4 with a walk here, falling a triple shy of a cycle (two runs, two RBI, one K). Guez now sports a fine .913 OPS after 15 games. Here's his home run, crushed to center -- Teammate Hernan Perez was 1-for-6 (RBI, caught stealing) in the romp. *** Dominican Box Wednesday 12/16 Domingo Santana was 0-for-4 as the DH (walk, K, caught stealing -- gee, rough night on the basepaths overall for the Brewers' guys), but Santana's team managed a 6-5 win. Santana has had an awful 75-at bat stint, just 14 hits (.187), only two of those for extra bases. He has struck out in 34.6% of his at-bats. Today's translated Dominican fan Domingo Santana tweet-- The manager of the #Licey seems to have an affair with Domingo Santana because I do not understand how gets it to bat knowing as it is...

Venezuela Box Tuesday 12/15 in a 7-4 victory, SS Orlando Arcia, bumped up to 3rd in the order, was 2-for-4 (double, run). He did commit an error, only his 3rd in 23 winter games. *** Venezuela Box Tuesday 12/15 40-man roster RHP Junior Guerra likely could have done without the four walks, but five K's helped him through another 4.1 scoreless innings in his start as his team would win 6-1 -- Check out the 3rd inning Houdini job by Guerra, who was pulled when he reached 75 pitches in the 5th: Magallanes Top of the 1st Ezequiel Carrera lines out to left fielder Brian Burgamy. Luis Antonio Rodriguez singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Jose Martinez. Ronny Cedeno strikes out swinging. Adonis Garcia singles on a fly ball to left fielder Brian Burgamy. Luis Antonio Rodriguez to 2nd. Adron Chambers grounds out sharply, first baseman Cesar Suarez to pitcher Junior Guerra. Magallanes Top of the 2nd Jose Martinez walks. Mario Lisson walks. Jose Martinez to 2nd. Lew Ford strikes out swinging. Jesus Sucre grounds into a double play, shortstop Heiker Meneses to second baseman Carlos Sanchez to first baseman Cesar Suarez. Mario Lisson out at 2nd. Magallanes Top of the 3rd Ezequiel Carrera walks. With Luis Antonio Rodriguez batting, throwing error by Junior Guerra on the pickoff attempt, Ezequiel Carrera to 2nd. Luis Antonio Rodriguez singles on a line drive to center fielder Carlos Colmenares. Ezequiel Carrera to 3rd. Ronny Cedeno grounds out, third baseman Alberto Gonzalez to first baseman Cesar Suarez. Luis Antonio Rodriguez to 2nd. Adonis Garcia walks. Adron Chambers called out on strikes. Jose Martinez flies out to center fielder Carlos Colmenares. Magallanes Top of the 4th Mario Lisson called out on strikes. Lew Ford singles on a line drive to left fielder Brian Burgamy. Lew Ford advances to 2nd, on a fielding error by left fielder Brian Burgamy. Navegantes challenged (tag play), call on the field was upheld: Jesus Sucre reaches on a fielder's choice out, shortstop Heiker Meneses to third baseman Alberto Gonzalez. Lew Ford out at 3rd. Ezequiel Carrera grounds out to first baseman Cesar Suarez. Magallanes Top of the 5th Luis Antonio Rodriguez called out on strikes. Pitching Change: Ramon A. Ramirez replaces Junior Guerra. Ronny Cedeno strikes out swinging. Adonis Garcia reaches on a throwing error by third baseman Alberto Gonzalez. Adonis Garcia to 2nd. Pitching Change: Jose Alvarado replaces Ramon A. Ramirez. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Abel Nieves replaces Adron Chambers. With Abel Nieves batting, Adonis Garcia steals (4) 3rd base. Abel Nieves called out on strikes. *** Venezuela Box Tuesday 12/15 In a 9-1 win, 3B Hernan Perez was 2-for-5 (run), while it was a big game for Ben Guez, playing CF, 2-for-3 (walk, two RBI, CS, one K). *** Puerto Rico Box Tuesday 12/15 Shortstop Yadiel Rivera was 0-for-3 (RBI groundout, one K), in a 7-4 win. Rivera's 14-game winter stint (6-for-51) has dropped his stellar Arizona Fall League stint to a combined fall/winter .234 (29-for-124). *** Puerto Rico Box Tuesday 12/15 Catcher and big league camp invite Rene Garcia went 1-for-4 (two RBI, one K) in a 6-4 loss. No baserunners took a chance on his arm. On the winning side, RHP Hiram Burgos (another big league camp invite) netted a hold with a scoreless inning -- Carolina Top of the 7th Pitching Change: Hiram Burgos replaces Randy Fontanez. Ozzie Martinez walks. Irving Falu grounds into a double play, shortstop Elmer Reyes to second baseman Jesmuel Valentin to first baseman Kennys Vargas. Ozzie Martinez out at 2nd. Jesus Feliciano singles on a line drive to right fielder Dylan Cozens. Jeff Dominguez called out on strikes.

The Brewers have released 22-year-old OF-turned-RHP Yunior Santana, who struggled to a .495 OPS with the Maryvale Rookie Brewers in 2014. That came after two less than scintillating seasons in the Dominican Summer League. Dominican Summer League Transactions Page For his three-year pro career (as a position player), Santana was successful on 39 of 53 stolen base attempts, including a pretty 16-for-19 effort in Maryvale in 2014, but when the 6'3, 210 lb. Santana was signed in November of 2011 for a $110,000 bonus, power was supposed to be the projectable tool. Baseball America's Ben Badler stated at the time, "raw RH power, athletic, likely a corner OF". So for 2015, Santana was converted to pitcher and returned to the Dominican Summer League, where in his age 21 season, he was now two years older than most of his competition. But that conversion did not go well, as Santana made 12 relief appearances totaling only ten innings, posting a 10.80 ERA, walking 19 while throwing ten wild pitches. It should also be noted that according to a roster provided by the Brewers last spring, Santana was listed at 6'4", 241, for the start of 2015 season. Other members of that international class include OF Carlos Belonis ($550,000), who should reach full-season ball for the first time with the Timber Rattlers in 2015, first baseman Juan Ortiz ($375,000), who has yet to see Helena after four pro seasons but was promising in Maryvale last summer, and the hopeful prize of the group, RHP Miguel Diaz, signed then as a 17-year-old, and now in the Brewers' Pipeline Top 30.

AUDIO via WSSP 12-15: David Stearns joins The Bill Michaels Show

Tweet - Middlebrooks a Brewer Tweet - Ironic combo mention here Thread continues on Major League Forum...

Tweet - Middlebrooks a Brewer (Minor League Deal with a Big League Camp Invite) Tweet - Ironic combo mention here

Tweet - Middlebrooks a Brewer (Minor League Deal with a Big League Camp Invite) Tweet - Ironic combo mention here

Via 2080baseball -- AFL Team Review: A Thorough Josh Hader scouting report