Jim Goulart

Adam McCalvy podcasts from Monday, as well as 12/1 and 11/20

Hate waiver losses. Want Mike Strong to excel, but then you live with the pain; Melvin lost 20 guys & never regretted it - list here

Via "Clubhouse Corner",a Damien Magnifico story/interview

Tweet via Adam McCalvy -- After promoting Carlos Subero to big league staff, Brewers taking a fresh look at their MiLB assignments. Managers uncertain at AAA & AA.

Includes video interview -- Brewers' Denson receives MiLB citation Milwaukee prospect honored after coming out as gay during season By Sam Dykstra / MiLB.com

BrewCrewBall with a nice summary and comparison of all the recent rankings by the established traditional sites (BA, BP, etc.)

Congrats to 2015 Biloxi Manager Carlos Subero on being named the big league first base coach! We also learn that Jason Dubois, rookie level hitting coach, won't be back (tweet).

Industry Keeps Eye On Minor League Lawsuit Josh Leventhal, Baseball America Read the entire piece, this was the final section -- Time To Raise The Bar? Those interviewed were divided on whether players really needed a raise. “They don’t have that many responsibilities,” another GM said. “They don’t have a whole lot of expenses. They pretty much live and breathe baseball while they are here. Sometimes you’ve got to make the sacrifice for it to pay off down the road.” A team owner likened ballplayers to tennis players or musicians trying to reach the top of their profession. He suggested that if they are victorious in their lawsuit, then ballplayers should be charged to train with coaches in the same fashion those other professions do. “It is a very strange situation,” the owner said. “I understand labor law and this sort of thing and minimum wage. But when a guy is out there practicing baseball, is that his job or is he doing it because he wants to get from Single A to Double-A to the majors? The same thing is true if you think of musicians or ballerinas out there practicing all of the time. No one is compensating them for that. They are doing it to try and improve in what is a very competitive field.” Others hoped a way could be found to benefit both sides. “These guys are dreamers. There’s no guarantees they are going to make it, but there has got to be more than 1,200 bucks a month for a low-A guy,” another GM said. “The only thing I go back to is that none of these guys are forced to do it. But at the same time, our franchise does well. It seems like there has got to be some way to find some middle ground so that it doesn’t hurt everybody . . . “We’re in a different climate. Legally if they should get more, then I get it. But it stinks if it comes off of our dime.” Added the first GM, who has worked at several levels of the game: “I’m torn by the whole thing. Some of the stuff they say in the lawsuit about the hours they work isn’t true. They’re just fooling around in the clubhouse a lot of the time. On the other hand, my gosh, the amount of money that is being brought into this game . . . You just have the feeling that we should be doing better for our employees.”

Dominican Box Sunday 12/6 Jason Rogers, back at first base, went 2-for-5 (double, run, RBI) in a 10-5 loss. Teammate RF Domingo Santana's bat finally showed signs of life, 2-for-4 (double, run, two RBI, also two K's), but committed a fielding error, his 5th in just 17 winter games, yikes. Watch Santana's double here *** Dominican Box Sunday 12/6 SS Jonathan Villar (now with ten stolen bases in as many attempts) was 1-for-4 (run, K) in a 10-4 loss. *** Puerto Rico Box Sunday 12/6 SS Yadiel Rivera, batting 9th, 0-for-4 with two K's (now just 5-for-45, oh my), but has been strong defensively, as the error he committed was only his 1st in eleven winter games. Omar Garcia pinch-ran again.

Updated to include news from this tweet -- LHP Cesar Jimenez to play in Italy in 2016

Several hours later, it seems it's quite possibly a really bad hoax...

If you're reading this Sunday morning or have the full archive package, then this with Trent Clark (Clark live at approx. 8:20 Central time).

Venezuela Box Saturday 12/5 40-man roster and possible 2016 big league 5th starter or swing man RHP Junior Guerra made his 10th appearance (first since November 20th) and his 8th start (first since November 11th). Guerra, who apparently was limited to just 45 pitches in this game, was saddled with the loss despite giving up only one run in three innings -- notice the challenge system alive and well in Venezuela... Magallanes Bottom of the 1st Ezequiel Carrera pops out to second baseman Reegie Corona. Luis Antonio Rodriguez singles on a fly ball to right fielder Jose Martinez. Ronny Cedeno singles on a pop up to second baseman Reegie Corona. Luis Antonio Rodriguez to 2nd. Adonis Garcia singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jose Martinez. Luis Antonio Rodriguez scores. Ronny Cedeno out at 3rd on the throw, right fielder Jose Martinez to shortstop Luis Sardinas to third baseman Alberto Gonzalez. Frank Diaz strikes out swinging, catcher Jorge Alfaro to first baseman Cesar Suarez. Magallanes Bottom of the 2nd Jose Martinez pops out to shortstop Luis Sardinas. Luis Domoromo pops out to catcher Jorge Alfaro in foul territory. Lew Ford walks. Tomas Telis grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Luis Sardinas. Lew Ford out at 2nd. Magallanes Bottom of the 3rd Ezequiel Carrera grounds out, shortstop Luis Sardinas to first baseman Cesar Suarez. Luis Antonio Rodriguez walks. Navegantes challenged (play at 1st), call on the field was overturned: Ronny Cedeno flies out to center fielder Yonathan Daza. Adonis Garcia grounds out, second baseman Reegie Corona to first baseman Cesar Suarez. *** Venezuela Box Saturday 12/5 In an 8-3 first game of a doubleheader seven-inning loss, SS Orlando Arcia, batting 8th, was 0-for-1 (BB, drove in a run with a sacrifice fly). He did commit a throwing error, his second error in 17 games. *** Venezuela Box Saturday 12/5 Rough night for his club (a 2-0 game two loss), as Arcia, batting 9th, was 0-for-2. Arcia's OPS still an impressive .864 after those 17 winter games. And smooth... *** Venezuela Box Saturday 12/5 Teammates 3B Hernan Perez and RF Ben Guez were in the lineup for a 9-5 loss. Perez was 1-for-4 with an RBI and is now up to 41 games and 156 AB's this winter (.276/.319/.462 - .781 OPS). Guez was 1-for-5, but fanned four times -- that's 16 K's in 31 AB's as Guez works his way back into action (patience for us is easy, may be tougher for those rabid Venezuelan fans and team management). Guez committed his first fielding error. *** Puerto Rico Box Saturday 12/5 In a 6-5 loss, SS Yadiel Rivera was 0-for-3 (two K's) but did walk twice. *** Puerto Rico Box Saturday 12/5 Catcher Rene Garcia was 2-for-4 (double, run, RBI) and again threw out the lone baserunner who dare challenged him. He exited after flying out in the 8th inning of a 15-6 loss. *** Dominican Box Saturday 12/5 Jonathan Villar has been impressive since his acquisition from the Astros, at the plate at least. Here, in an 8-3 win, Villar, playing shortstop, was 2-for-3 (double, walk, two runs, RBI, one K). He stole his 9th base in as many attempts and that part of his game should be fun to watch in Miller Park this season. Watch the double here. *** Dominican Box Saturday 12/5 Teammates Jason Rogers (a rare start in left field this winter, we believe his first) and RF Domingo Santana were in the lineup for a 4-3 ten-inning win. Rogers doubled and scored a run in four at-bats, and Santana's truly brutal 16-game winter continued as he was 0-for-4 with two more K's (22 K's in 61 AB's, batting .197 with only one extra-base hit and just three RBI.

One day late on a happy 87th birthday to Dena Dietrich

More on Josh Hader

Venezuela Box Friday 12/4 Maybe his team believes that if they continue to bat him 9th, the Brewers will let SS Orlando Arcia play past December. The kid continues to dazzle -- now with a .904 OPS through 15 winter games, Arcia was 2-for-4 (double, run, RBI, two K's) in a 7-0 victory. *** Venezuela Box Friday 12/4 Teammates (3B Hernan Perez and RF Ben Guez) enjoyed a 5-1 road win. Perez was 1-for-4 and drove in a run (one K), while Guez had a big night, 2-for-4, two doubles, two runs (one K). For the losing club, LHP Cesar Jimenez was the starter. The 2015 big league Brewer has signed on with an Italian League team for 2016. *** Venezuela Box Friday 12/4 RHP Jim Miller was saddled with the loss in relief, retiring only two of six batters -- actually retired three, but a wild pitch on a strikeout really hurt... Zulia Bottom of the 6th Pitching Change: Jim Miller replaces Kyler Newby. Mark Minicozzi lines out to right fielder Jose Martinez. Tyler Austin strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Jim Miller. Tyler Austin to 1st. Tiburones challenged (force play), call on the field was upheld: David Adams singles on a ground ball to third baseman Sean Burroughs. Tyler Austin to 2nd. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Ray Olmedo replaces David Adams. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Francisco Arcia replaces Juan Graterol. Francisco Arcia pops out to second baseman Reegie Corona. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Jose Flores replaces Freddy Parejo. Jose Flores singles on a line drive to center fielder Yonathan Daza. Tyler Austin scores. Ray Olmedo to 3rd. Jose Flores to 2nd on the throw. Levi Michael walks. Pitching Change: Rafael Cova replaces Jim Miller. Ali Castillo walks. Ray Olmedo scores. Jose Flores to 3rd. Levi Michael to 2nd. Franklin Barreto called out on strikes. *** Puerto Rico Box Friday 12/4 In a 5-3 loss, SS Yadiel Rivera, batting 7th, was 0-for-3 with a walk (one K), a rough nine-game mini-start to his winter season after posting an .829 OPS in 21 fall games. Teammate Omar Garcia was again utilized as a pinch-runner. On the other side of the box score, catcher Rene Garcia was 0-for-4 (one K), and lived up to his defensive reputation, throwing out the lone attempted basestealer. *** Dominican Box Friday 12/4 First baseman Jason Rogers was 1-for-4, scoring a run (one K) in his team's 2-0 win. NOTE: It was announced that Rogers will play in the Dominican until December 11th. *** Dominican Box Friday 12/4 Jonathan Villar, again playing shortstop, was 1-for-4 with an RBI (one K), in his team's 4-3 loss

Scout Bernie Pleskoff's Top 10 Prospects in all of baseball

From November 5th -- 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".

Venezuela Box Thursday 12/3 On the winning side of a 5-0 game, SS Orlando Arcia had another big game (3-for-4, double, two runs, two RBI). Second baseman Javier Betancourt was 0-for-3 (one K) on the other side of the ledger. *** Dominican Box Thursday 12/3 SS Jonathan Villar (0-for-2, one K) walked twice in an 11-4 loss, once with the bases loaded. E: Villar 2 (8, fielding, throw). Really rough time in the field as of late...

Maybe or Not

Updated the prior post as RHP Jim Henderson gets a big league camp invite on a minor league deal with the Mets

12/2 AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show on WSSP -- Sophia Minnaert *** 12/2 AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show on WSSP -- Adam McCalvy *** 12/2 AUDIO via WSSP's "Big Show" -- Jerry Augustine *** 12/3 AUDIO via WSSP's "Chuck and Wickett" -- Craig Counsell *** 12/3 AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show on WSSP -- Andrew Wagner (Brewers' talk begins at the 12:00 minute mark)

Josh Hader and the Durability of Impressions by Michael Schwarz, BPMilwaukee

Via J.P. Breen at BPMilwaukee -- Milwaukee Brewers Top Prospects: #11-20

Via BrewCrewBall and Kyle Lobner -- The Thursday Thinker: Top Prospects Past and Present Wow, don't know when I'm going to commit to this, will need to really find my quiet place. I think it'd be much easier if you didn't have to also get the year exactly right, but yikes...