What We Learned: Pitchers and catchers report today

Links from BCB

• It's down to 45 days to Opening Day, and pitchers and catchers officially report today. One of those pitchers is Tyler Cravy, who is the subject of today's countdown post.
• With Spring Training about to start, how familiar are you with the Brewers roster? That was the subject of yesterday's Thursday Thinker, asking you to name all 58 players set to report to camp.
• There's still a few hours to vote for the #15 prospects in the BCB Community Top Prospects list. Currently, Demi Orimoloye is holding a massive lead over the rest of the field for the spot.

Other News and Notes

• The Brewers are down one player before spring training begins. LHP Pat Misch was granted his release to seek an opportunity in Japan.
• Several questions surround the Brewers entering spring training. Adam McCalvy of Brewers.com looks at the three biggest questions the Brewers have to answer at the start of camp.
• With plenty of new players in camp this year, the Brewers will have a much different look as spring training begins. Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel looks at how the Brewers roster looks as pitchers and catchers report. He also has a list of facts for spring training.
• Jonathan Villar has put together a respectable career so far despite some weaknesses with the glove and bat. Ryan Romano of BP Milwaukee analyzes how Villar has been able to make up for his plate and defensive problems with good baserunning.
• The View from Bernie's Chalet is starting back up, and their first post is a look at their top ten prospects in the organization.
• The Brewers don't get as much coverage as other teams on major sites, but not many admit the favoritism. However, Jeff Sullivan of FanGraphs is willing to admit it, noting that they are the fifth-least covered team on FanGraphs.
• The Brewer Nation continued their Brewers by the Jersey Numbers series with profiles of #47 Adrian Houser and #46 Corey Knebel.
• The Timber Rattlers are joining the list of teams extending their protective netting for 2016. They will have new nets in place over the dugouts by Opening Day.
• Chris Collins of Miller Park Prospects takes a look back at Greg Vaughn's career.
• Several theme nights are set for Miller Park this season. Cait Covers the Bases has the list of theme nights for 2016, along with how to get tickets starting today.

Around Baseball

• The Nationals signed pitchers Matt Belisle and Burke Badenhop to minor-league deals.
• The Pirates signed outfielder Matt Joyce to a minor-league deal.
• The Rays signed RHP Ryan Webb to a one-year, $1 million contract.
• The Rockies claimed utility player Tony Wolters off waivers from the Indians.
• The Royals signed Clint Barmes, Brian Duensing, and Ross Ohlendorf to minor-league deals. They also signed manager Ned Yost and GM Dayton Moore to contract extensions.
• The Tigers signed reliever Bobby Parnell to a minor-league contract.