MTBrew

TheCrew07, Guess I would beg to differ with you about Helena "sucks". Have you been to the ballpark here? If not, what you won't find is a cookie cutter concrete slab, corporate excesses, whiz bang electronics or security issues. What is here is a historical era wooden stadium in a small town setting. The seats are close to the action, there is shade, the players are accessible and you can park for free! The ownership and the city (it's city owned) have done a pretty darn good job in making improvements, including lighting, rebuilding the infield and clubhouses. Can they do more? Sure. Now, having said that, I would welcome Brewer organization ownership. The front office here is old and stale and doesn't understand what they have or the fan base. I do know that the organization likes Helena, in large part because it is a small town. It is safe for the players, there is excellent support from the booster club and the players can concentrate on the game. Maybe it's a demographic thing, as I grew up going to Wrigley, old Comiskey and Tiger stadium but going to a game here is pure baseball joy. But as "they" say YMMV, however I would think most fans of the game would enjoy the atmosphere in Helena.

Having watched both of Demuth's stints in Helena, I would have to say that he was right about where one would expect a 4 year college senior to be. He more than held his own but I cannot say that he "shined" or was too advanced for the league. He can play adequate 3B and has a nice swing but very little power was shown. Having watched Cirillo when he came thru Helena, no comparison. Cirillo was a man among boys at this level and I was not surprised to see the success he had. Having also watched Brennan here, I would say that he has much more an upside. Better athlete, stronger arm, much more power potential than Demuth. It is a matter of Brennan putting it together, time will tell. Not to say either that Demuth won't make it, nice ball player, but I would be surprised if he did.

Always a sad day, especially having seen these young men come through Helena. I understand Hinojosa was old for this level. However he has been one of the few latin players here with a real handle on all facets of the game. I think he could be a terrific coach and hope the organization sees that as well. I am a little surprised with the Williams release, he being only 19. Very good outfielder with a strong accurate arm. Perhaps the power just wasn't there, still another year couldn't have cost much. Hillis is really a mystery, he was lights out while in Helena.

Demuth got yanked. He stood in the box, watched his ball slice down the 3B line and didn't start running until the ball landed in fair territory. He did tho, turn it into a double. To be fair, I am not sure why Diggs took this time to make a statement. Neuhaus did something similar in the first game and Demuth always pretty much dogs it to 1B on infield outs. That being said, the team seemed to respond and hustled and played hard all game long.

Been an abysmal season in Helena. May be the worst team in at least a decade. Diaz is the bright spot. Has pop in his bat, and can really run down ball in CF. Matos has been a pleasant surprise as well. He has a long way to go if 3B is to be his position, he is adequate at 1B. I don't see Aviles sticking at SS, lack of range and very average glove. Worth a try at 3B? I like Castillo and Munoz too, but they are probably a little old for this league and to be considered prospects. Same for Cleary and McCall. I have never understood the Brewer's minor league philosophy. The kids that can play are obvious and need to be moved up and challenged early in their career (ala Denson). The ones that can't or are organization fodder need to be cut loose. I know that sounds harsh but I have seen very little developmental success at this level. Too many on this years Helena squad did nothing to be excited about while in the AZL or DSL.

The Helena kids deserved better in this one. They battled back and played pretty good ball, only to see it slip away due to poor bullpen management. Talk about "development", the 9th would have been an excellent time to bring in a closer. Instead Diggs threw Moore out there to start his third inning and left him in there when he had obviously lost his stuff. Discouraging.

Great story!! Couldn't have happened for a better cat, the ever humble Zelous. Thanks for posting Mass

Diggs ran Helena out of this game. I don't know if stealing bases is now a front office philosophy or if Diggs thinks he has a team of speedsters (which he doesn't) but the second inning was bad game calling. Neither Sharkey nor Munoz had a chance against the left-handed Freudenberg, neither could get a decent lead off of 1B and neither were even close to being safe at 2B. I have seen some improvement of Diggs with his in-game management but stealing bases isn't one of them. In 16 games Helena has 15 CS vs 19 SB. Props to Zelous for the call up ... never should have been released.

I am excited seeing Neuhaus in Helena. Despite a poor box score last night, he did not look over-matched at the plate and is a very good athlete. Good frame, with a build that he can add muscle to as he matures. Definitely a lot of upside. Looking forward to D Williams tonight too.

Mass, the Helena game was broadcast on KBLL-AM 1240 tonight. Caught me off guard too. Dustin Daniels claimed on-air that the games were being aired on both KCAP and KBLL (they are sister stations), apparently not? I sure hope the internet feed isn't lost for you folks from out of the area. There are a lot of loose ends floating around the Helena front office, not just the radio side of things. I am very surprised that they even started this game, it has been raining almost none stop in Helena for the past 24 hours. It rained continually throughout the game, abet lightly at the start. The infield was playable but the pitchers mound and batters box were awful. But in true baseball fashion, Play Ball! It was opening night so all was good.

Not sure if the MiLB roster is accurate, or maybe there have been some moves but Alan Sharkey has been in Helena this week. Munoz has also been taking some infield at 2B.

LouisEly, interesting observations about the international players. I would say the problem goes beyond scouting and signing. The skill level of the "prospects" that reach Helena is far below that of even the average Pioneer League player. These players may have a "tool" but are far over matched in the rest of the game and are quickly left behind. I really question the training and coaching they are receiving, almost all of these young men have come up thru Arizona and their respective countries academies. They need to be better prepared and skilled in basic fundamentals. And someone in the front office needs to be more realistic about the skills these players have. But, maybe that is the way of the international program - sign a bunch of players for cheap, throw them into the fire and hope somebody makes it. Seems to me a waste of money and is a lousy way to treat these kids.

Tough day indeed for these kids, all played in Helena at one time. I am most surprised to see Harris on this list. Terrific athlete, clutch hitter, I thought he might have a shot with a move to 2B.

A questionable line-up card and un-creative game calling by T Diggs cost the Brewers. Highlight of the night for Helena was Elvin Nina getting ejected. Good pitching by the Chukars - 16 K's!

Helena wins 7 - 5, to stay alive for deciding game tomorrow. Big first inning, 6 runs, and Taylor Williams, with the start, pitches 6 innings giving up 1 run. T Diggs really mixed up the line up and it paid off. Box - http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2013_09_16_idarok_helrok_1&t=g_box&did=milb&sid=t433