[BirdWatcher]

Two former Brewers prospects, Jordan Gallardo and Chris Martin, had wonderful seasons in the Shoeless Joe League this past season.

Gallardo, who was signed by the Brewers out of the Dominican Republic way back in 1965, was a consistent star with the bat during his 5 seasons working his way up the Brewers farm system. The hard working and intelligent outfielder was a favorite of Brewers management but with the crowded and talented outfield crop of the Brewers he was pretty much blocked from promotion above AAA Chester. Therefore he was traded to the Pittsburgh Roadrunners (appropriate for a player with his great speed) in a deal that brought the Brewers thirdbase prospect Mike Foster, last winter. Gallardo was given plenty of starts between centerfield and rightfield for the Roadrunners this past season, providing excellent defense and solid enough hitting, and came in 2nd in the Rookie of the Year voting for the SJL. The Brewers are happy to see Gallardo thriving but also happy to see him doing it in the other league.

Chris Martin was chosen by the Brewers as a youngster in the inaugural draft in 1965 and though he was far from being big league ready at that time it was felt that he had great potential. Unfortunately, he struggled a good deal in his few years as a Brewer prospect and was traded away back in the summer of 1966 (a trade that brought the Brewers Josh McEwen, who had a key role in the bullpen for a few years, and then highly rated prospect Rob Ibarra, who has made the big leagues but has experienced serious injury issues which have dulled his talents). It took quite a few years, but Martin has certainly come into his own the past few years and put together a great season for the Milwaukee Cadets in 1971 at the age of 24, finishing 3rd in the SJL Pitcher of the Year voting. The Brewers have to consider him one who got away.