Jim Goulart

Dominican Box Tuesday 11/24 Elian Herrera, playing second base exclusively thus far this winter season, had his first multi-hit game in his 6th appearance thus far. In an 11-1 win, Herrera reached four times (three singles and a walk, one RBI). He was also picked off 2nd base and thrown out when he tried to advance to 3rd on that play. *** Dominican Box Tuesday 11/24 In a 6-4 win, 1B Jason Rogers was 2-for-5 including this -- run Jason, run! Licey Top of the 3rd Emilio Bonifacio strikes out swinging. Jason Rogers triples (1) on a line drive to right fielder Moises Sierra. Juan Francisco strikes out swinging. Diory Hernandez grounds out, third baseman Charlie Culberson to first baseman Cheslor Cuthbert. Teammate RF Domingo Santana, batting 6th, was 1-for-3 with two walks, two runs, one K, and his 4th error (this one throwing) in just ten games. Just one XBH thus far... *** Puerto Rico Box Tuesday 11/24 A combined 3.1 scoreless innings for veteran RHP Hiram Burgos and young RHP Joshua Torres in a 3-0 win; Burgos got the start -- Carolina Bottom of the 1st Irving Falu grounds out, second baseman Jesmuel Valentin to first baseman Kennys Vargas. Anthony Garcia grounds out, third baseman Ruben Gotay to first baseman Kennys Vargas. Dayron Varona strikes out swinging. Carolina Bottom of the 2nd Felipe Lopez grounds out, shortstop Jeremy Rivera to first baseman Kennys Vargas. Jonathan Rodriguez strikes out swinging. Jesus Feliciano doubles (4) on a line drive to center fielder Danny Ortiz. Jobduan Morales strikes out swinging. Carolina Bottom of the 3rd Pitching Change: Tomas Santiago replaces Hiram Burgos. Then later -- Carolina Bottom of the 4th Pitching Change: Joshua Torres replaces Tomas Santiago. Anthony Garcia strikes out swinging. Dayron Varona singles on a ground ball to center fielder Danny Ortiz. Felipe Lopez grounds into a double play, second baseman Jesmuel Valentin to shortstop Jeremy Rivera to first baseman Kennys Vargas. Dayron Varona out at 2nd. Carolina Bottom of the 5th Jonathan Rodriguez called out on strikes. Pitching Change: Luis Anthony Collazo replaces Joshua Torres. *** Similar to the Omar Garcia article we linked to elsewhere on the forum tonight, this Hiram Burgos article is a translated version -- Pitcher Hiram Burgos returned to Bethune-Cookman University to meet his educational goal http://rec-eph.gfrcdn.net/images/tnph3/615/304/1/1/615/304/2015/11/22/hiramburgos.jpg Nice job, Hiram, congrats -- making Mom proud! *** Puerto Rico Box Tuesday 11/24 Wow, pause to catch your breath, Yadiel Rivera! Full minor league season (including Biloxi's playoffs), then a couple of weeks on the big league roster, followed by an excellent Arizona Fall League stint, then jumps on a plane and immediately suits up for his Santurce club. Rivera was 1-for-4 in his winter debut in this game, playing shortstop and batting 2nd in the lineup. http://rec-end.gfrcdn.net/images/tn/0/44/2000/1040/900/447/2015/11/24/20151124_end_deportes_baseball_jlcc_01_1.jpg Yadiel Rivera joins Cangrejeros Shortstop debuted last night after visiting the Arizona Fall League Rivera's debut was big news in Puerto Rico, please bear with us as we throw more translated text your way -- On Saturday, infielder Yadiel Rivera started for the Surprise Saguaros in the championship game of the Arizona Fall League (AFL). On Sunday he got on a plane and debuted with the champions last night Santurce Crabbers in the winter league. The year has been so, so good for Rivera that have not winning the AFL Championship Game did not seem to bother him much. Rivera was honored with the Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award that the same players and coaches who participate in the AFL give the player that stands out for his generosity, leadership and hard work. "Really 2015 has been an incredible year. Santurce won the championship, I went to the Caribbean Series, I went to my first 'spring training', I debuted in the majors and then to the Arizona Fall League, Rivera said. "A lot of new things. Hopefully that keeps growing my resume. But for now I'm focused on helping Santurce out of its slump (5-12). " "I came to Puerto Rico on Sunday and said, 'I want to play right away." I'm fit and I'm not tired so there is no reason to take a break, "said Rivera. "Definitely, I want to repeat the championship again. After you get it, all you want is to repeat it, "said Rivera. So Rivera was placed immediately in the second spot of the lineup for last night's game against the Caguas Criollos at Hiram Bithorn. He said the Brewers' organization knew of his intentions to be polished in the winter in Puerto Rico and would not put obstacles to his participation. Rivera, 23, debuted in the majors last September 22 when he was called to the big team of Milwaukee, with whom he played seven games at the end of the campaign. "The team is really happy. They say that exceeds expectations, I had a good average (.315) in the AFL, ran the bases well and had good defense. In the winter I come to continue working on the running and hitting. I come to winter ball to be aggressive on the bases, to steal more, because they saw that I want to use speed and lose shyness, "he said. (Be aggressive, we imagine...) In the AFL Rivera scored 11 times, drove in 11 runs and stole seven bases. He added that what he has heard is that it is considered for the position of 'utility Brewers. "What I've heard is that I have a chance to sneak into the computer as 'utility' or in any position. It sounds a lot about the 'utility', but I think you have to get there and get the job, "he said. "I've been told that's in me. They asked me what is you get more robust, so that means these two months and will be working with weights to get well 'ready' to spring", concluded the shortstop born in Caguas. *** From another translated Rivera article -- Yadiel Rivera was sent to the Arizona Fall League with the task of working speed baserunning. Two days of returning to Puerto Rico, one could say that he exceeded expectations by far. "They asked me to go to work with my speed to run the bases. They wanted me a little more aggressive. They gave me this guideline and I quickly began to work hard at it, "said Rivera, who debuted in the majors Sept. 22 this year. Rivera stole seven bases in 21 games. However, even he shone with his bat. Now with the Santurce Crabbers in the League of Professional Baseball Roberto Clemente batted .315 with one home run, 11 runs scored and 11 RBIs in the Fall League. "I went to my game, but also left a good impression on my game. I went to do my job and exceeded expectations of what they had asked me, "Rivera said. "My defensive play has always been there and the offense began to flow. That caused was in the All-Star and later received the Stenson award. I know that the experience there helped me and brought so much to my development. Now it's a matter of keep working hard with the Crabbers, "said Rivera. *** Puerto Rico Box Tuesday 11/24 Catcher Rene Garcia was 2-for-3 and scored the only run in his team's 4-1 loss. Garcia 's hitting .297 in a still-small 37 at-bat sample size. *** Venezuela Box Tuesday 11/24 SS Orlando Arcia lifted his OBP through seven games to .500 as he singled and walked in four plate appearances in a 2-1 loss.

How Brett Phillips went from the AFL to Taiwan with Team USA -- (full article here, Phillips quotes below): *** "A couple days before I went out to the [Arizona] Fall League, I get a call from Paul Seiler, the CEO of USA Baseball," No. 2 Brewers prospect Brett Phillips echoed. USA Baseball, the governing body of national teams from youth to the professional level, quickly assembled a roster for this first edition of the Premier 12 shortly after the close of the Minor League season. The tournament's first round and quarterfinals took place at four ballparks in Taiwan before shifting to Japan for the semifinals and medal round, and on Saturday in Tokyo, that diverse team of young prospects, Minor League veterans and free agents brought home the competition's silver medal. The run to Japan was the culmination of a frenzied stretch that began in late summer. "I love to compete, man," Team USA manager Randolph said from Tianmu Stadium as a boisterous contingent of fans filed in for his team's group match against Korea. "I love working with young kids. I love to represent the USA, and so to me, it was a quick 'Yes.' Then it was all about trying to put the team together. I got excited, made sure I cleared some things in my schedule with the family and all that kind of stuff. I was just pumped up from the get-go." Randolph and USA Baseball assembled their club, which included top prospects like May, Phillips and No. 18 D-backs prospect Jake Barrett, last month. The team convened in Arizona, where it worked out for the first time on Oct. 29 and played a series of exhibition games against the Canadian national team. "When we got down there, I was able to look them in the eye, talk to them and get the chance to feel what they were all about, get to know them a little bit. I was very pleasantly surprised," Randolph said. "They're very competitive. I think everyone here wants to be here, and that's really a big part of why we're doing this, because it's about pride. It's playing baseball because you love the game, but really, ultimately, it's about wanting to represent and have pride in your country. There was no doubt from Day 1 that the commitment was there. I saw the guys, the way they worked at it." A large number of players on the American side had to quickly work back into game shape after a month or more off following the close of the Minor League season. A handful of players like Phillips were still in late-season form after taking part in the Arizona Fall League. "I was going to the Fall League, so I had my mind set and eyes set on the Fall League and performing there," Phillips told MiLB.com's Show Before the Show podcast. "[seiler] called and said the Milwaukee Brewers were OK with this opportunity for me to come over here to Taiwan and be in the Premier 12 tournament and it was up to me if I wanted to join. I was 100 percent in."

Hot Stove Hot Takes: Jonathan Villar Written from a fantasy baseball perspective, but still valid...

VIDEO via CBS58: New Brewers GM David Stearns

40-man roster RHP Junior Guerra will be idle from his Venezuela team for a week as the club seeks to limit future pitching restrictions on him placed by the Brewers.

John Sickels' site and reader comments -- Milwaukee Brewers organization discussion Sickels will release more later this week...

MLB Pipeline's 2015 All-Arizona Fall League Team Lineup of year's most impressive Fall Leaguers highlighted by Yankees' Sanchez, Rangers' Profar By Mike Rosenbaum / MLB.com SP: Josh Hader, LHP (Brewers' No. 14 prospect) Hader paced the league with a stellar 0.56 ERA while tallying 19 strikeouts in 16 innings. He also posted a 0.94 WHIP and held opposing hitters to a .154 average while pitching seven games (two starts) for Surprise. The 21-year-old lefty was consistently 95-98 mph with his heater, with his crossfire delivery -- from the first-base side of the rubber -- creating a ton of natural deception. Hader, whom Milwaukee acquired at the Trade Deadline as part of the Carlos Gomez deal, also showed a vastly improved slider that he could both throw for a strike and then bury in the dirt (especially on the back foot of right-handed hitters) when ahead in the count. Yadiel Rivera, Brett Phillips, Damien Magnifico get mentions...

CF Omar Garcia -- hang in there, it's a translated feature article...

Slo-mo

Venezuela Box Monday 11/22 In the only Monday Brewers-related winter league game, an 11-3 loss for their club, Hernan Perez, playing shortstop, was 1-for-3 with an RBI, and teammate RF Ben Guez was 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBI, including this for the RH bat -- Aragua Top of the 7th O'Koyea Dickson flies out to right fielder Jose Martinez. Francisco Caraballo singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jose Martinez. Ben Guez homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Francisco Caraballo scores. Jose Zambrano grounds out, first baseman Carlos Colmenares to pitcher Juan Gonzalez. Teodoro Martinez flies out to right fielder Jose Martinez. Even in a lopsided loss, that had to feel good for Guez, he's allowed us through social media to follow along with his extensive torn hamstring rehab.

Nice play at second base, Elian Herrera

Made the first two signing updates -- Johnny Hellweg to San Diego, Logan Schafer to Washington

Crew's Arcia among those thriving in winter leagues By Mike Rosenbaum / MLB.com

10 breakout prospects from AFL season Jonathan Mayo, MLB Pipeline Hader and Rivera mentioned...

For the rest of Sunday's winter league updates, click the name, see the box score: Hernan Perez, 1-for-4, 6th stolen base in eight attempts Perez' teammate, Ben Guez, made his winter debut in LF, was 0-for-4 with two K's; coming off such a serious hamstring injury last May, Guez had worked some rust off in Matyvale in August. Keep pushing, Benny! Elian Herrera, playing second base, was 0-for-5 in the leadoff spot, but his club won despite that effort, 7-4 Newcomer catcher Rene Garcia was 0-for-3 but threw out a baserunner in his Puerto Rico League game.

Marlins Park Box Score Sunday 11/22 Championship Game As these two tweets will attest -- Brewers trade newcomer Jonathan Villar had himself one heck of two-game tournament. Please refresh your memory from Saturday's update if you missed that via Twitter Sunday AM. On Sunday afternoon, Villar led his team to a 4-3 victory (2-for-3, HR, two walks, three runs scored). Apparently this game was on MLB network (advertise that better next time, MLB!) *** Marlins Park Box Score Sunday 11/22 Consolation Game Jason Rogers was 1-for-4 (double, run scored) in his Dominican team's 4-2 win. Learned that Rogers will be wrapping up this Dominican stint around Thanksgiving.

Venezuela Box Sunday 11/22 Yeah, the kid's good. One day after SS Orlando Arcia had a 3-for-5 walk-off game (which we documented here), he followed up by reaching base five times (double, three singles, and a walk) in his club's 12-7 rout win. Unfortunately, among Arcia's pitching "victims" was 2015 Timber Rattler RHP Gian Rizzo, who had a tough, brief outing -- Caribes Bottom of the 5th Jose Gil strikes out swinging. Cesar Valera singles on a fly ball to left fielder Jose Pirela. Niuman Romero singles on a line drive to right fielder Alex Romero. Cesar Valera to 2nd. Pitching Change: Gian Rizzo replaces Mark Lamm. With Gorkys Hernandez batting, wild pitch by Gian Rizzo, Cesar Valera to 3rd. Niuman Romero to 2nd. Gorkys Hernandez doubles (6) on a line drive to left fielder Jose Pirela. Cesar Valera scores. Niuman Romero scores. Orlando Arcia singles on a line drive to right fielder Alex Romero. Gorkys Hernandez scores. Orlando Arcia to 3rd. Fielding error by right fielder Alex Romero. Jose Castillo pops out to first baseman Mike Jacobs in foul territory. Jeremy Hazelbaker singles on a ground ball to right fielder Alex Romero. Orlando Arcia scores. Pitching Change: Marcos Tabata replaces Gian Rizzo. Oscar Salazar doubles (9) on a line drive to left fielder Jose Pirela. Jeremy Hazelbaker scores. Denis Phipps grounds out, second baseman Jose Flores to first baseman Mike Jacobs. *** Arcia's OPS is 1.000 after six winter league games.

OF Ben Guez getting ready to debut in Venezuela

Cy Sneed Q&A on Astros' Fansided site

Meanwhile, back on the island -- Dominican Box Saturday 11/21 2B Elian Herrera singled and walked in his team's extra-inning win. *** Puerto Rico Box Saturday 11/21 C Rene Garcia 0-for-2 as a mid-game replacement in a 10-6 loss *** Venezuela Box Saturday 11/21 SS Orlando Arcia had a huge 3-for-5 game, with a double, two RBI, and a run scored in his team's 3-2 walkoff win. And he walked them off -- Caribes Bottom of the 9th Franklin Barreto remains in the game as the designated hitter. Francisco Arcia remains in the game as the catcher. Pitching Change: Elvis Araujo replaces Tyler Sturdevant. Cesar Valera singles on a soft ground ball to shortstop Ray Olmedo. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Emerson Landoni replaces Jesus Flores. Emerson Landoni strikes out on a foul bunt. Niuman Romero walks. Cesar Valera to 2nd. Pitching Change: Yorman Bazardo replaces Elvis Araujo. With Gorkys Hernandez batting, wild pitch by Yorman Bazardo, Cesar Valera to 3rd. Niuman Romero to 2nd. Yorman Bazardo intentionally walks Gorkys Hernandez. Orlando Arcia singles on a fly ball to right fielder Alex Romero. Cesar Valera scores. Niuman Romero to 3rd. Gorkys Hernandez to 2nd. Disappointing, no video for the game-winner.... *** Venezuela Box Saturday 11/21 Hernan Perez, playing shortstop, singled in four trips and scored a run. Perez has already played in 33 winter games since the Brewers' season ended.

12,141 enthusiastic fans were on hand in Marlins Park (more than for many Miami games), and the Brewers were well-represented in this Dominican Winter League game. Learn more about the set-up -- Marlins Park set for Serie de las Americas Ballpark will host games featuring teams from DR, Venezuela this weekend by Joe Frisaro, MLB.com *** Villar has 3 hits, Rogers homers, as Aguilas advances in Serie de las Americas Associated Press MIAMI — Jonathan Villar got three hits and drove in two runs as Aguilas Cibaenas defeated Tigres de Licey 4-2 Saturday night in the inaugural Serie de las Americas. The first-ever meeting of Dominican Winter League teams off Dominican soil was played at Marlins Park. Villar was traded from the Houston Astros to Milwaukee this week. The 24-year-old infielder/outfielder hit .284 in 53 games during the season, then stole a base and scored a run in Houston’s win at Yankee Stadium in the AL wild-card game. Jose Adames pitched five shutout innings for the win. The two-day tournament matches a pair of Dominican and Venezuelan teams against each other before having them cross over in Sunday’s games. Aguilas will now face Cardenales de Lara at night. Aguilas won in front of a festive 12,141 fans who were dancing, sounding artificial noisemakers and waving Dominican flags. Unlike the earlier Venezuelan game Saturday between Cardenales de Lara and Navegantes del Magallanes, the Dominican matchup did not count toward the winter league standings. For Adames, a 22-year-old righty who pitches in the Miami Marlins farm system, it was a chance to play in the stadium in which he one day aspires to take the mound. “I was very happy to get to pitch here,” he said. “I wanted to give the best that I had in this opportunity that they gave me and prove that I’m capable.” Villar tripled home in the seventh and drove in another run in the ninth. “It’s something we’re very proud of to get to play in the United States,” he said. “Even in an exhibition, we wanted to put on the same show we would in Santo Domingo.” Angel Franco and Francisco Pena hit RBI singles for Aguilas, who led 3-0 in the seventh. Tigres starter Yunesky Maya, the Cuban-born pitcher who had relatives from Miami in the stands and has pitched for the Washington Nationals, exited after 4 2/3 due to discomfort in his hand. “I was happy to pitch in front of family and friends, but I just focused on my outing and helping the team, which is most important,” Maya said. Jason Rogers homered for Tigres and Emilio Bonifacio hit an RBI single to cut the Aguilas lead to 3-2 heading into the ninth. Said Tigres manager Lino Rivera of the atmosphere: “It really surprised me. It was quite a spectacle.” Box Score Shortstop Jonathan Villar was on base four times -- three hits including a triple and a HBP. He was 1-for-2 on the basepaths. Villar is on the right. Miguel Tejada (center) is his manager at this press conference. A taste of what Dominican baseball sounds like Jason Rogers had his podium moment as well -- What the horns sound like as Rogers rounds the bases The HR was Rogers' lone hit in four at-bats (one K). RF Domingo Santana was 0-for-2 with a walk and a K, but was lifted in the top of the 8th (no apparent reason, likely to give others a chance to play in this unique game). Not sure why, maybe it's the laid-back attitude, but night after night, Santana is vilified on Dominican twitter. Folks just see him as an under-performer who doesn't care. Voices of the very few, place no stock in it -- just an observation. Brewers' Villar sparks Aguilas Cibaenas' victory Infielder logs 3 hits to help set up Serie de las Americas title game by Joe Frisaro, MLB.com

Life as a Baseball Bride - Cy's wife checks in

Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline on seven players who shined in the title game (one literally) SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- No pitcher boosted his stock during this Arizona Fall League season more than Brewers left-hander Josh Hader. Acquired in a trade with the Astros in July as the third-best prospect in the Carlos Gomez for Mike Fiers deal, Hader led the AFL with a 0.56 ERA and emerged as the top left-handed pitching prospect in the league. He left one final positive impression on Saturday in the championship game, which his Surprise Saguaros lost 6-4 to the Scottsdale Scorpions. Working the ninth inning in an attempt to keep the game close, he fanned Clint Frazier (Indians) on a sweeping upper-70s slider and Mike Gerber (Tigers) on a 96-mph fastball on the outside corner. A la Madison Bumgarner and Chris Sale, Hader employs a slinging delivery that keeps hitters off-balance and adds life to his pitches, and his fastball has climbed as high as 98 mph this fall. Scouts who cover the league believe Hader has a better chance to make it as big league starter than more famous AFL southpaws Kyle Freeland (Rockies) and Sean Manaea (Athletics).

Hope many of you got to see Saturday's AFL Championship Game (Surprise lost, 6-4). MLB.com write-up Baseball America Write-Up Three Brewer pitchers saw action (Josh Hader is ridiculous, which the announcers and twitterverse noted). and SS Yadiel Rivera led off, was 1-for-5 (but had a killer GIDP in a bases-loaded, no out situation), and committed one of the seven combined errors in the game. Scottsdale Top of the 5th Pitching Change: Adrian Houser replaces Luke Weaver. Clint Frazier bunt grounds out to catcher Gary Sanchez. Mike Gerber grounds out, first baseman Patrick Wisdom to pitcher Adrian Houser. Christian Arroyo singles on a ground ball to right fielder Bubba Starling. Mac Williamson triples (1) on a line drive to center fielder Dustin Fowler. Christian Arroyo scores. Sam Travis flies out to center fielder Dustin Fowler. Scottsdale Top of the 8th Pitching Change: Jacob Barnes replaces Dean Kiekhefer. Christian Arroyo lines out to left fielder Tyler Austin. Mac Williamson singles on a ground ball to left fielder Tyler Austin. Sam Travis pops out to shortstop Yadiel Rivera. Dominic Ficociello singles on a ground ball to third baseman Aledmys Diaz. Mac Williamson to 3rd. Adam Walker II doubles (1) on a sharp line drive to left fielder Tyler Austin. Mac Williamson scores. Dominic Ficociello scores. Jacob Barnes intentionally walks Carlos Asuaje. Stuart Turner flies out to left fielder Tyler Austin. Scottsdale Top of the 9th Pitching Change: Josh Hader replaces Jacob Barnes. Clint Frazier strikes out swinging. Mike Gerber strikes out swinging. Christian Arroyo singles on a ground ball to left fielder Tyler Austin. Mac Williamson pops out to first baseman Patrick Wisdom in foul territory.