battlekow

Folk hero and sometime-shortstop Carlos George enters the game!

I'm pleasantly surprised.

McCalvy: Lorenzo Cain, Angel Salome, and Marco Estrada were optioned to AAA, and Zach Braddock and Kameron Loe were returned to minor league camp. Telling for the future assignments of Schafer and Lucroy?

Jack Zduriencik and the Lawries Larry Stone/Seattle Times I had a fun time writing the story that ran today on the relationship between Husky softball superstar Danielle Lawrie and her brother, Brett Lawrie of the Milwaukee Brewers organization. Brett was the Brewers' No. 1 pick in 2008 -- the final No. 1 pick chosen by Jack Zduriencik as Milwaukee's scouting director before he left to become the Mariner general manager. In that former capacity, he obviously spent a lot of time around the Lawrie family while scouting Brett and assessing the Brewers' chances of signing him. Brett, who was a senior in high school at the time, had accepted a scholarship to Arizona State University, but wound up signing for a reported $1.7 million bonus. Brett and Danielle both had very nice things to say about both Zduriencik and Tony Blengino, who was also active in the scouting of Brett Lawrie as Zduriencik's assistant scouting director in Milwaukee. Blengino was one of Zduriencik's first hires after getting the Seattle job, bringing him aboard as a special assistant. Here's Danielle Lawrie on Zduriencik: "I know him really, really well, actually. When Brett signed with the Brewers, they flew our family there. So I got to go and meet all those guys, watch Brett hit BP and all of that. Jack Zduriencik is the sweetest guy. And Tony, Mac (M's scouting director Tom McNamara, who also worked for the Brewers). "They're all such good guys. Its sounds funny, but I know if I needed something -- 'Hey, this little girl needs something signed by this player,' -- they'd say to me, give me a call, and I'll get it to you. When you have that connection with someone, you know they're respectful and good people." Here's Brett Lawrie on Zduriencik: "He's moved up and doing great things for the Seattle Mariners now. He followed me everywhere. He was at the world championships, followed me in my draft career, followed me in Dominican Republic. He also follows my sister as well. He always knows what she's doing. He paid very close attention to what my family was up to, which told me me what kind of guy he is. Tony Blengino followed me as well. "They kept a close eye on me, which was awesome, and they were very understanding through the whole process. It was a shame to see them go to Seattle, but it's a business. I'm very happy for them. I know he's going to do great things for that organization.'' Here's what Zduriencik had to say about the Lawries in an e-mail Tuesday: "We took Brett #16 so we liked him a lot. He can hit, he's athletic, physical, tough kid, wants to win, i.e. Danielle. Both are enormously competitive individuals. I love her career + achievements; extraordinary! He's a future ML player. Both will be and are successful and have that "not to be denied" mentality. I'm proud of both of them + their families."

Witrado reported that Salome was scratched from tomorrow's B game because of his ankle injury, but I guess it doesn't hinder his swing because he just pinch hit against the Reds. McCalvy also has a full-length article on Salome.

Lawrie siblings push each other, all the way to the top Larry Stone/Seattle Times CHANDLER, Ariz. — Let's start by answering the question everyone wants to know: No, Danielle Lawrie, the best college softball pitcher in the land, has never faced Brett Lawrie, the highest-drafted Canadian position player ever. Not on the sandlots of Langley, B.C., where the siblings grew up dominating the diamonds. Not on one of the Lawrie family camping trips, where their father, Russ, would invariably wake up the kids at 7 a.m., find a nearby ball field, and insist upon a workout to start the day. Not even in their backyard. For one thing, Brett said Tuesday, standing outside the Milwaukee Brewers' minor-league facility in Chandler, there was the risk of injury if one of Danielle's screaming fastballs went astray. But that wasn't all of it. "My dad is not really a fan of that. Not now, anyways," Danielle said last week while sitting in the dugout of the Husky Softball Stadium during a respite from her relentless dominance of college fastpitch. "He doesn't think it's necessary, because either way, it's going to be a lose-lose. I strike him out, and he's super-pissed, or he gets a hit off me, and I'm really upset. So we'll just leave it at a mystery until the day it comes about." Let's get serious. A brother and sister leaving that issue behind without a little friendly trash talking? Not going to happen. "I want to (face him), because I really don't think he would hit it," Danielle said. "I'd get in there and just hack it," countered Brett. "I know if I were to even relatively catch one, I'd take it out. I mean, it's only a 200-foot fence. But I don't think I'd be able to catch up to the first few, so we'd have to see happens." The truth is, Brett and Danielle Lawrie are fiercely loyal, extremely close, and each other's No. 1 fan. If one is searching for any bit of jealousy from Danielle, who is about to finish her senior season at the University of Washington as the Stephen Strasburg of her sport, yet with minimal professional outlets to continue her career, you can look from here to Oklahoma City and not find a drop. "I have no jealousy whatsoever," she said. "I mean, he's my brother. He was never, ever jealous of anything I got. As a female, I'm so thankful for what I've been recognized for, and what I still have the opportunity to be recognized for. But who wouldn't want a brother that has the opportunity to be one of the best? And I truly believe he has that quiet confidence. "People always say, your brother is getting to go pro. I say, in a heartbeat I would trade him, because I would. But I love my life, and I love the people that are in it. He's such a big part of my life, it's like I'm living it with him." There is a professional softball league in the United States still clinging to life, but the best opportunity, financial and otherwise, for stars of Lawrie's ilk is in Japan. "If I got that opportunity, I would jump all over it to do it," Danielle said. "I mean, why not? I'm turning 23 years old. For me to think, oh, it's time to go and start a family or anything, no. I've got a lot of time to keep playing and put back into this U-Dub team when I'm done, and more into the national program." Meanwhile, Brett Lawrie, barely a month past his 20th birthday, is at the advent of a professional career brimming with promise. The Brewers' No. 1 pick in 2008 (No. 16 overall, and the final first-round pick orchestrated by Jack Zduriencik before he left Milwaukee for Seattle), Lawrie is rated the 59th best prospect in baseball in the latest Baseball America rankings. Brett, who received a reported $1.7 million signing bonus, has moved from catcher (yes, he has caught his sister, and says, with a glint, "It's not as hard as you think") to second base. He is regarded as that rarest of commodities, a middle infielder with 20 homer, 20 stolen base potential. In his first full minor-league season last year, Lawrie hit .274 in 118 games between Class A and AA, with 13 homers, 65 runs batted in, and 19 stolen bases. "I'm there. I'm close," he said. "I'm still a young guy. Obviously, I want to be up there as soon as I can, but it's going to take a little bit of work. I'm working hard every day, trying to get better and trying to learn new things, respecting everyone, going about my work every day, just doing the daily grind." But as he moves up the minor-league ranks, Brett is paying rapt attention to the progress of the No. 1 ranked Huskies as they aim to defend last year's national crown. Last June, he was in the middle of a game for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers as Danielle was closing out the Huskies' title run with a tense 3-2 victory over Florida in Oklahoma City. "We were in a tie game, and it was the ninth inning for us," he recalled. "I said, 'You know what, I cannot miss it.' So I went upstairs to the clubhouse and turned it on. It was good." Brett says of sister Danielle, who this year has racked up a 14-0 record with a 0.99 ERA and 160 strikeouts in 92 innings (not to mention a .373 batting average and .806 slugging percentage): "Whether it was basketball, softball, soccer, she was always that dominant athlete. You could see. It was obvious she was going to grow up into something pretty big." Both agree that father Russ is the architect of their athletic success, forging the competitive spirit and work ethic that has driven both. "My dad said, since I first started competing, there was a pathway, and if you stay true to the path, and stick to what you do, you're going to get an opportunity to hopefully go somewhere and shine," said Danielle. "In my eyes, he's never been wrong. He's definitely the one that got me here, and my brother to where he is. He deserves more recognition with a lot of things than I think I deserve. He made me, him and my mom." Though he is in Brewers' minor-league camp, Brett Lawrie has been called up for a couple of spring games and has a triple to his credit. In a recent phone call, Danielle asked Brett what it was like to hang with Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun and the rest of the Brewers. "He said, 'To be honest, Bobe (the family nickname for Danielle), I just sit on the end of the dugout and do my own thing,' " Danielle reported. "I was like, 'Good, because you're usually a loud-mouth.' " Ah, brothers and sisters. Got to love them. But throw aside the bluster and understand that these siblings are kindred spirits. "I have so much belief my brother is going to make it," said Danielle of Brett. "He just makes me really proud. It's tough I can't watch him as much as I like." "She's been very successful, but it hasn't been easy," said Brett of Danielle. "She's worked hard for it. You can never take that away from her that she works harder than anyone I know. She probably even works harder than I do." We'll give Danielle, as the elder family member, the final word. "I brag about him all the time to my girlfriends. I say, 'Who wants to marry him?' I'd love to get a softball girl in there. I'm working on it."

It doesn't look like he was ever on Cleveland's 40-man, and because the Brewers waived him, he'll pitch in the minors this year without using up an option, so he should have all three left. Sounds like Nashville is his likely destination.

Two for two! I did have to check, though.

Two for two! I did have to check, though.

Haudricourt with the news. No big surprise; they're probably releasing him early enough so that he has a chance to catch on with another team.

Per Haudricourt, the Brewers traded Omar Aguilar to Cleveland so that they could keep Lofgren, who will be sent to Nashville. McCalvy with a blog post.

I prefer the old Baseball Think Factory Roberto Alomar toast: http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/images/uploads/alomar.JPG

Mike Fiers sure looked good today, didn't he? Struck out the side, got his fastball up to 92, and showed a nice curve.

McCalvy reports that A.J. Murray and Martin Maldonado were also reassigned to minor league camp. Discussion on the Major League forum here on today's moves.

The JS:

I finally realized who/what Edmonds reminds me of: http://media.jsonline.com/images/660*453/jim31210.jpg (AP) http://thundafunda.com/33/underwater-animals-fish/Yipes!%20Great%20White%20Shark,%20South%20Australia%20pictures%20underwater%20photos.jpg

Photographic proof that Kentrail Davis is indeed a Brewer: http://cdn1.sbnation.com/photo_images/480142/160689_Brewers_Reds_Spring_Baseball.jpg (AP) Here's Mark Rogers: http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/31/fullj.4f218602889bd408139b38b65e62d930/4f218602889bd408139b38b65e62d930-getty-96869274lb006_milwaukee_bre.jpg (AP) ...and here's Mark Rogers doing his best Mike Adams impersonation: http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/4e/fullj.3485ebec4cfa4a6e034e5acda388e16a/3485ebec4cfa4a6e034e5acda388e16a-getty-96869274lb005_milwaukee_bre.jpg (AP)

I tried to follow up on this, and it doesn't seem like anyone's heard confirmation; who knows, maybe this will happen tomorrow. Either way, I'm going to unfeature and lock the thread for now, and if nothing happens, please accept my apologies for the erroneous information. EDIT: I've had it confirmed to my satisfaction that both Iribarren and Lofgren were indeed placed on waivers yesterday. We should hear something from the Brewers once they clear or are claimed, so sometime after today.

Yeah, what's the deal?

Cody Scarpetta was optioned to Brevard County. The Brewerfan 40-man roster page shows Cody with two options remaining now, as the Brewers believe a 4th option year is included for Scarpetta given the unique circumstances of his addition to the 40-man (initial contract redone after finger injury). So Scarpetta could be carried in 2011 and 2012 as well with availability in the minor leagues.

No link yet, but I'll update the thread when someone official confirms it.

Great article from Adam McCalvy on the Brewers' Dominican presence and what they've learned from failed prospects like Rolando Pascual:

Garfield, Pounders gearing up for first spring training Becky Radliff/The Californian Last March, Cameron Garfield and Brooks Pounders were gearing up for their season-opening high school baseball games at Murrieta Valley and Temecula Valley, respectively. A year later, both Garfield and Pounders are still on the diamond, and still prepping for the beginning of something special. This spring, it's for minor league baseball. "It's been nothing but amazing," said Garfield, whose been training within the Brewers' winter program since January. "It's the same sport, but it's completely different than high school. As far as competition goes and how you prepare yourself, it's a completely different mindset." The jump from prep baseball to pro baseball was a quick one for both Garfield and Pounders. Last summer, right after the high school season ended for Murrieta and Temecula in mid-May, they were picked up in June's amateur draft. Pounders got the call in the second round from the Pirates, and Garfield was taken (also in the second round) by Milwaukee. Soon after, both packed up and went east to play rookie ball ---- Pounders to the Pirates' Gulf Coast League team and Garfield to Montana, to play with the Brewers' affiliate in Helena. "Coming out here to Florida was tough at first," Pounders said of the move. "You definitely have to grow up fast, but I feel like I've settled in now. I couldn't ask for a better coaching staff, and I'm learning a lot." This spring, Garfield and Pounders are getting their first look at spring training. "It's going well so far, but it's a lot of work," Pounders said. "It's a grind, but there's nothing else I'd rather be doing." Pounders ---- whose being groomed as a pitcher and hopes to become a starter in the near future ---- said there's a lot of pressure each day to perform his best. And each day begins early. At 7:30 a.m., Pounders and the rest of the 200 or so players in the Pirates' organization, are up for meetings and breakfast. Then it's on to the field by 8:30 or 9 a.m. for throwing, fielding and pitching practice. After lunch, there's more conditioning and training. In a couple weeks, games will begin each afternoon. "I had an idea what spring training was going to be like, because my Dad went through it," said Pounders, whose father Brad played in the minors from 1984-1988. "There's 200 guys out here, and everybody's fighting for a job, so every day you have to go out there and compete. There's pressure involved, but I' m having fun in the process." For Garfield, training began in January, because the Brewers have a winter program, and his daily schedule ---- with four to five hours each day on the field ---- has been similar to Pounders'. "You have to learn how to deal with your body," Garfield said. Perhaps even more trying than the physical exertion, is the mental pressure to succeed each day. "I'm fighting to get to the big leagues," Garfield said. "But, to my left and my right, everyone is trying to get my job." Garfield added that any worry about his future career disappears once he's on the field. "The fun blocks out the pressure," he said. "Once I'm warmed up and stretched, the pressure goes away." Likewise, Pounders can't imagine spending his spring anywhere else. "There's nothing else I'd rather be doing and I'm thankful for the opportunity." he said. Pounders expects to either begin the year in Single-A in Charleston, WV ---- with the West Virginia Power ---- or in short-season ball in State College, Penn. Last season, playing for the Pirates' Gulf Coast League squad, Pounders pitched in nine games, and started in four. He finished 2-2 with a 3.04 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings. Garfield is also hoping to start out in the Single-A ranks, for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, but says he'll go wherever the Brewers' send him. Last summer, he played in 59 games for the Brewers' Rookie team in Helena and hit .299 with 21 RBIs and four home runs. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/nctimes.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/c/fc/53c/cfc53c21-9ffb-5b65-908e-fbeb8d2bd087.image.jpg?_dc=1268110869 (Andrew Foulk/The Californian)

Haudricourt notes that Lorenzo Cain homered and Brett Lawrie got two hits in the B-game this morning; Eric Arnett, Zach Braddock, and Mike Jones each pitched an inning, along with four other so-far anonymous young pitchers. EDIT: Witrado says that Tim Dillard and John Axford also pitched, with Axford striking out the side on just 13 pitches; he also relays that Mat Gamel's shoulder is still bothering him.

Per Adam McCalvy, Eric Arnett and Kyle Heckathorn were returned to Minor League camp, and Alex Periard will accompany them, having been optioned to Huntsville.