Results tagged ‘ Spring Training ’

Roenicke prepping for full squad

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke will get a much better feel for his club beginning Tuesday, when the full squad works out for the first time. Principal owner Mark Attanasio is among the guests scheduled to address the team in a long morning meeting, and Roenicke plans to set a tone for his first season at the helm. 
“I prepare a little bit, because there are certain things that are really important to me that I want them to know,” Roenicke said. “From there, it just kind of goes where I see it needs to go. I’ve been listening to Mike [Scioscia] for the last 11 years, and when I’m listening to him in his meetings, I always have an idea of what I would like to say.”
The workout will feature live batting practice for the first time, hitters’ first opportunity to see “real” pitching and 11 pitchers’ first opportunity to throw with somebody in the batter’s box. 
“They do ramp it up, and on the guys that are hard to see you see the ugly swings,” Roenicke said. “Although, this first day, most swings are kind of ugly.”
The Brewers begin Cactus League play on Feb. 28 with split-squad games against the Cubs and Giants. Roenicke intends to keep his starting pitchers away from National League Central opponents this spring, so whomever gets the nod for that first day will likely face the Giants. Roenicke and pitching coach Rick Kranitz are still formulating their exhibition rotation.
With Tuesday’s workout, things will start to look a whole lot more like Spring Training.
“Hopefully there won’t be too much confusion,” Roenicke said. “But it will be different, because there will be a lot more guys moving around.”
*
Follow Brew Beat on Twitter. 

Truck day at Miller Park

The Klement’s Racing Sausages earned their keep Tuesday by helping the Brewers load the final moving truck bound for Spring Training. It’s an annual rite of spring that marks a sort of symbolic start to the baseball season — just ask Craig Counsell, who happened to drop by Miller Park on Tuesday morning to use the batting cage.

Here are some photos courtesy of team photographer Scott Paulus.
Truck02.jpg
Truck03 copy.jpg
Truck04.jpg
Truck05.jpg
*
Follow Brew Beat on Twitter. 

Almonte invited to camp

The Brewers invited infielder Erick Almonte to Major League Spring Training today, bringing to 13 the number of non-roster invitees to camp.

Almonte, who turns 33 on Monday, spent each of the past two years with the Brewers’ Triple-A affiliate in Nashville and is coming off one of his best seasons. He batted a career-best .320 in 2010 with 21 doubles and 38 RBIs. 
Almonte has a bit of Major League experience, appearing in 39 games with the Yankees in 2001 and 2003.
Following is the camp roster as of Thursday. Players with asterisks are the non-roster invitees:
Pitchers (27)
59 John Axford……………………………………..RHP
21 Zach Braddock …………………………………LHP
45 Mark DiFelice* …………………………………RHP
48 Tim Dillard* ……………………………………..RHP
52 Pat Egan…………………………………………RHP
49 Yovani Gallardo ……………………………….RHP
54 Sean Green …………………………………….RHP
13 Zack Greinke …………………………………..RHP
32 LaTroy Hawkins ……………………………….RHP
64 Robert Hinton* …………………………………RHP
46 Justin James……………………………………RHP
61 Brandon Kintzler ………………………………RHP
50 Kameron Loe …………………………………..RHP
18 Shaun Marcum ………………………………..RHP
58 Mike McClendon………………………………RHP
66 Roque Mercedes ……………………………..RHP
65 Dan Merklinger …………………………………LHP
38 Chris Narveson…………………………………LHP
26 Manny Parra…………………………………….LHP
73 Wily Peralta……………………………………..RHP
47 Amaury Rivas ………………………………….RHP
37 Mark Rogers ……………………………………RHP
40 Takashi Saito …………………………………..RHP
72 Cody Scarpetta ………………………………..RHP
71 Zack Segovia*………………………………….RHP
57 Mitch Stetter …………………………………….LHP
43 Randy Wolf………………………………………LHP
Catchers (7)
76 Anderson De La Rosa*………………………….C
16 George Kottaras …………………………………..C
20 Jonathan Lucroy …………………………………..C
60 Martin Maldonado…………………………………C
33 Wil Nieves……………………………………………C
67 Shawn Riggans* …………………………………..C
11 Mike Rivera* ………………………………………..C
Infielders (11)
74 Erick Almonte* …………………………………..INF
3 Yuniesky Betancourt……………………………SS
30 Craig Counsell …………………………………..INF
9 Luis Cruz ………………………………………….INF
63 Eric Farris …………………………………………INF
28 Prince Fielder……………………………………..1B
24 Mat Gamel …………………………………………3B
68 Edwin Maysonet*……………………………….INF
14 Casey McGehee …………………………………3B
23 Rickie Weeks ……………………………………..2B
75 Zelous Wheeler* ………………………………..INF
Outfielders (8)
12 Brandon Boggs…………………………………..OF
8 Ryan Braun ……………………………………….OF
7 Chris Dickerson ………………………………….OF
77 Caleb Gindl* ………………………………………OF
27 Carlos Gomez ……………………………………OF
1 Corey Hart …………………………………………OF
62 Jeremy Reed*…………………………………….OF
70 Logan Schafer*…………………………………..OF
Major League Staff
10 Ron Roenicke…………………………….Manager
35 Garth Iorg ………………………………..1B Coach
39 Rick Kranitz………………………Pitching Coach
53 Stan Kyles…………………………Bullpen Coach
36 Jerry Narron………………………..Bench Coach
6 Ed Sedar …………………………………3B Coach
29 Dale Sveum ………………………..Hitting Coach
56 Joe Crawford ………………Coaching Assistant
55 Marcus Hanel ………………….Bullpen Catcher
31 John Shelby ………………….Outfield Instructor
*
Follow Brew Beat on Twitter. 

Gindl, Schafer among non-roster invitees

The Brewers announced four more non-roster invitees to Major League Spring Training camp today:

OF Caleb Gindl
C Anderson Delarosa
OF Logan Schafer
INF Zelous Wheeler
The club now has 11 non-roster playrs invited to camp. The following seven players had previously received non-roster invitations as part of their minor-league contracts:
RHP  Mark DiFelice
RHP  Tim Dillard
RHP  Robert Hinton
INF Edwin Maysonet
C  Shawn Riggans
C  Mike Rivera
RHP  Zack Segovia
*
Follow Brew Beat on Twitter. 

Some spring schedule tweaks

Fans planning a trip to Phoenix for Spring Training games in March will want to note a trio of changes to the Brewers’ schedule:

  • The Brewers added a split-squad game to their schedule on Sunday, March 6, and will play both at Texas in Surprise and at Oakland in Phoenix at 1:05 p.m. local time that day. 
  • In place of the road game originally scheduled at Oakland on March 28, the Brewers will add a home game vs. San Diego at 1:05 p.m.  
  • The team’s final game in Arizona on March 29 was moved to a 12:05 p.m. local start.  

The Brewers will now play 32 exhibition games this season, including 17 games at Maryvale Baseball Park. 

All games at Maryvale Baseball Park are scheduled for 1:05 pm Arizona Time.  All road Spring Training games are also scheduled for 1:05 pm Arizona Time, except for Wednesday, March 16 at Seattle in Peoria (7:05 p.m.) and Tuesday, March 29 (12:05 p.m.).
Tickets for the Milwaukee Brewers home Spring Training games are on sale now in four seating areas: Field Box ($22), Infield Reserved ($16), Outfield Reserved ($13) and Lawn Seating ($8).  Information on Spring Training Season Tickets can be obtained by calling the  Brewers Ticket Office at 414-902-4000.  
The Brewers’ spring schedule is available in calendar form at Brewers.com.
*
Follow Brew Beat on Twitter. 

Spring schedule in calendar form

Those of you planning trips to Phoenix for Spring Training can get to work thanks to the schedule released by the Brewers on Tuesday. The team will play 31 exhibition games including 16 at Maryvale Baseball Park, starting Monday, Feb. 28 with split squad games vs. San Francisco and at Mesa against the Cubs. 

More details from the team:
The Brewers will play NL Central Division rivals Chicago (Wednesday, March 2) and Cincinnati (Sunday, March 20), who each make one visit to Maryvale this year.  The Brewers celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Maryvale Baseball Park against Chicago-AL and will be wearing Green Caps to commemorate the day.  On Tuesday, March 22, when the Brewers play the Padres, they will host their annual “Cerveceros Day” at Maryvale Baseball Park and don their white Cerveceros uniforms.
The Annual Brewers – Oakland Charity game is scheduled for Thursday March 3rd at Maryvale this year.  All ticket, parking and concession net proceeds are donated to the City of Phoenix Kool Kids Program, providing free swimming to at-risk youth under age 17 within the City of Phoenix.  
The Brewers play four consecutive games at home from Thursday, March 10 through Sunday, March 13, marking the longest homestand of Spring Training.
The final home game at Maryvale Baseball Park for the Brewers is set for Sunday, March 27.  The Brewers will close out the Spring season on Tuesday, March 29 at San Diego in Peoria.
All games at Maryvale Baseball Park are scheduled for 1:05 pm Arizona Time.  All road Spring Training games are also scheduled for 1:05 pm Arizona Time, except for Wednesday, March 16 at Seattle in Peoria (7:05 p.m.)
Tickets for the Milwaukee Brewers home Spring Training games will go on sale at 10 am CT on Monday, Dec. 6 via the internet at brewers.com and by phone at 1-800-933-7890.  Normal business hours are from 9am – 5pm CST.  Sales at the Maryvale Baseball Park Box Office will begin on Monday, February 7, 2011.  Tickets are available in four seating areas: Field Box ($22), Infield Reserved ($16), Outfield Reserved ($13) and Lawn Seating ($8).  All Thursday home games will feature the Thirsty Thursday promotion sponsored by Miller Lite –  for $20.00 Brewers fans receive an outfield reserve ticket, T-shirt and beer voucher.   Information on Spring Training Season Tickets can be obtained by calling the Milwaukee Brewers Ticket Office at 414-902-4000.
For a look at the full Spring Training schedule in calendar form, click over to Brewers.com.
*
Follow Brew Beat on Twitter. 

Intrasquad!

We just had our morning briefing with manager Ken Macha and some notes follow, but first, the lineups for today’s Intrasquad action:

BLUE TEAM
Trent Oeltjen  LF
Craig Counsell  SS
Jody Gerut  RF
Steffan Wilson  1B
Jim Edmonds  CF
George Kottaras  C
Mat Gamel  3B
Luis Cruz  SS
Adam Stern  DH
RHP Dave Bush
WHITE TEAM
Rickie Weeks  2B
Carlos Gomez  CF
Ryan Braun  LF
Prince Fielder  1B
Casey McGehee  3B
Corey Hart  RF
Gregg Zaun  C
Alcides Escobar  SS
Joe Inglett  DH
LHP Manny Parra
Do the lineups look a bit lopsided? The reason is that the Brewers’ marketing department needs some fresh action shots of the regulars in their home whites, so camp coordinator Brad Fischer played along. 
_______________
Braun’s agent, Nez Balelo, reported this morning that all contingencies have been met and Ryan Braun’s Waterfront Grill is a go. The new upscale venture will replace Fratellos Waterfront Restaurant, and the aggressive schedule is to open with a private party on April 3 and then a public open soon thereafter. Whether that’s Opening Day on April 5 or a few days thereafter depends on how remodeling goes.
_______________
Macha has dinner plans on Wednesday night with advance scout Chris Bosio, advance scouting and baseball research manager Karl Mueller and digital media coordinator Joe Crawford to discuss how the team’s enhanced advanced scouting program will work this season. Bosio, who was the pitching coach last season at Triple-A Nashville and then in Milwaukee, is taking on a new role this year as the Brewers attempt to enhance their video-based scouting system. 
“Chris has done it before with [former Mariners manager Lou] Pineilla, which is good,” Macha said. “Chris has been here, so he’s seen some stuff that I work from, which is another positive. Bob Johnson was our advance scout with the A’s, so I’ll let [Bosio] know what he gave us, what was pertinent to me and what wasn’t.”
The men will also map out a travel plan for Bosio. For example, the Brewers would like to see Rockies pitcher Jeff Francis, who missed last season with an injury. The Brewers play the Rockies in the season-opening series. They will also take a longer look at some division newcomers, like Brad Penny of the Cardinals. 
_______________
Alcides Escobar will miss the Brewers’ Cactus League opener on Thursday against the Giants because he has what promises to be an unpleasant appointment at the dentist. He’ll need a few more such visits during the spring, Macha said. Ouch. But Macha said this fits the plan anyway, because the Brewers planned to break Escobar in slowly considering he played extensively the Venezuelan Winter League.
Braun is to get Thursday afternoon off as the Brewers travel to Scottsdale to face the Giants. 
*
Follow Brew Beat on Twitter. 

Spring broadcast schedule set

The Brewers today finalized their 2010 Spring Training broadcast schedule on Friday and announced that all 30 spring game dates will include a broadcast on at least one of three platforms: Webcast via Brewers.com, radio via WTMJ-AM and television via FOX Sports Wisconsin.
A total of 16 games will be broadcast on Newsradio 620 WTMJ with Hall of Fame announcer Bob Uecker and Cory Provus calling the action on the Brewers Radio Network. The TV schedule includes Monday, March 8 vs. Seattle; Monday, March 15 vs. Cleveland and Saturday, March 27 vs. Texas.  Brewers television play-by-play announcer Brian Anderson and Brewers television analyst Bill Schroeder will team up for their fourth year in the broadcast booth in 2010.   
Twelve other games will be webcast on Brewers.com. Anderson will once again handle the bulk of that duty.
Here’s the full schedule in PDF form: 2010 Spring Training Broadcast Schedule (calendar).pdf
*
Follow Brew Beat on Twitter. 

Spring Training begins

pitchers.jpgMother Nature provided just enough of a window on Monday morning for the Brewers to get down to business at Maryvale Baseball Park. 

The team’s pitchers, catchers and early-reporting position players took to the rain-soaked fields in Phoenix for the first official workout of the team’s 40th-anniversary season in Milwaukee. The rest of the position players will formally join the fold on Saturday, and Spring Training will be officially under way.

“You always feel like it’s going to be a long time, but then all of a sudden the offseason is over and it’s time for Spring Training,” said righty Yovani Gallardo, who threw a 40-pitch session along with about a dozen other pitchers on a covered bullpen mound. “It’s always fun to have an opportunity to come back, step on that mound and throw to your catcher. I’m feeling really excited about this upcoming year.” 

Manager Ken Macha gathered his coaches and players for the first time at 10:15 a.m. CT sharp for some opening remarks. Fifteen minutes later, everybody was out on the field to stretch in a routine that will repeat itself daily in the six weeks leading to the team’s April 5 season opener.

The wet conditions did force Macha to alter slightly his Day 1 agenda, but a number of pitchers including starters Gallardo, Doug Davis, Dave Bush and Manny Parra were able to throw bullpen sessions under the watchful gaze of new pitching coach Rick Peterson, and hitting coach Dale Sveum led the hitters to covered batting cages for some work. 

“I’m excited about our pitching staff because we’ve really made some upgrades,” Macha said. “But, that said, if you look at it we’ve still got a pretty young ballclub, so there’s still a lot of work to do. The only guy with some grey hairs is the catcher. 

“On the other hand, we’ve got great talent. I’ve got a lot of confidence that we’re going to be able to get it done.” 

All of the team’s pitchers and catchers were present and accounted for on Monday including closer Trevor Hoffman, who was reserving his enthusiasm for Saturday’s full-squad debut. 

“It’s exciting, but until you get the whole team together, it doesn’t feel quite right,” Hoffman said. “In these first few days you find coaches saying, ‘When everybody is here we’ll address this or that.’ So I’m going to wait until everybody is here before I get too excited.” 

*

Follow Brew Beat on Twitter.

Key Spring Training dates

maryvale.jpg

By this time next week, Maryvale Baseball Park will be officially open for business.
Brewers pitchers and catchers are already trickling in for the start of the team’s 40th-anniversary season in Milwaukee and will begin in earnest with the year’s first formal workout on Feb. 22. Less than a week after that, position players will join the fold, and Spring Training will be under way.
As usual, MLB.com will have it all covered on Brewers.com, the “Brew Beat” blog and on Twitter. Here’s a rundown of some key dates between now and the start of the season:
  • Feb. 22: Pitchers and catchers first workout.
  • Feb. 27: First full-squad workout. 
  • March 2: Start of a 10-day window during which teams can renew contracts of unsigned players. As of the start of this week, 15 members of the 40-man roster are still unsigned.
  • March 4: First Spring Training game at Giants in Scottsdale. 
  • March 6: First Spring Training home game at Maryvale Baseball Park, vs. Giants.
  • March 17: Deadline, at 1 p.m. CT, for clubs to request release waivers on players and owe only 30 days’ termination pay. But remember that players on multiyear contracts are guaranteed their salaries. 
  • March 19: Last date to assign certain injured players to Minor League clubs. To qualify, players must have less than three years of Major League service time and have not appeared in the Majors the previous season.
  • March 26: Earliest date a club may backdate a placement on the 15-day disabled list. 
  • March 31: Last date to request release waivers on players and owe only 45 days’ termination pay. After 1 p.m. CT on this date, contracts become guaranteed. This could potentially come into play for someone like Dave Bush, who is vying for a spot in the rotation. His $4.215 million salary doesn’t become guaranteed until Opening Day, so it’s possible the Brewers could cut him loose to restore some payroll flexibility. 
  • April 2-3: Exhibition games vs. Tigers at Miller Park.
  • April 4: Clubs must submit 25-man rosters. 
  • April 5: Opening Day at Miller Park against the Rockies.
Let the season begin!
*
Follow Brew Beat on Twitter. 
« older posts | back to blog home |
Theme: MLB “pro” | Get a free blog at WordPress.com
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 70 other followers