Eye Black

Helena game postponed tonight due to rain. Make up date is scheduled to be part of a doubleheader on July 5th per this Helena Tweet.

I would feel even better about it if he spelled his name correctly, but it is certainly better than hearing Lara has agreed to a deal with someone else.

Mustangs Hammer Helena By Amber Kuehn / Independent Record Mustangs right fielder Aristides Aquino finished a triple shy of the cycle and Billings went on a hit parade Thursday night at Kindrick Legion Field, winning by a score more fitting of a football game. The Mustangs smashed four home runs in the Pioneer League contest, beating the Helena Brewers 16-7. With the win, Billings improved to 3-1 on the young season, a record good for first place in the North Division. It was the first time this season the Mustangs went deep multiple times in a game. Billings designated hitter Daniel Paula came in to the game batting 0 for 7. But he’d break out of the slump in a hurry, finishing with four hits — including a pair of long balls — and four RBIs for the visitors, who never trailed in the contest. The Mustangs also had nearly as many hits Thursday (20) as they did in the previous three games combined (22). “Any time you put up numbers like that it’s a good thing,” said Billings manager Dick Schofield. “Those first couple of games we struggled a bit, but we’ve got quite a few guys playing pro ball for the first time.” Mustangs starting pitcher Luke Moran went five innings for the victory, despite giving up five earned runs on six hits. He fanned five. “Moran did all right for five; he left a couple up there, but he did enough to get himself a victory,” Schofield said. “It was one of those days where it didn’t matter who you sent out there, somebody was going to come up with a hit.” Billings had six runs before the game was even two innings old, and took a 10-2 lead after four-and-a-half frames. But the Brewers would battle back with four unanswered runs, most of them courtesy of Elvis Rubio’s three-run bomb in the home half of the fifth. The two teams combined for six home runs, with Brandon Diaz also getting a homer for Helena. Billings had back-to-back balls leave the park in the eighth, with Aquino following up Paula’s two-run homer with a solo shot of his own. The deep shot sailed over the scoreboard in left-center field, arguably the hardest hit ball of the evening. Gregory Munoz and Luis Aviles extended their hitting streaks for Helena to four games. Munoz, the second baseman, went 1 for 4 with a double and a run scored, while the shortstop Aviles also went 1 for 4. Brewers starter Luis Ortega took the loss after giving up seven earned runs in just 2 2/3 innings. The Mustangs did the bulk of their late-game damage against Helena reliever Junior Rincon, who was peppered for four runs — including the back-to-back bombs — in just a third of an inning. The Mustangs’ 2-4 batters put on a clinic, going 11 for 18 in the contest, with Paula and Aquino combining for seven RBIs. Schofield said seeing the offense come alive was a promising way to start a road trip after opening the season 2-1 in a homestand against Great Falls. Billings had just a .237 batting average as a team through the first three games, the second lowest in the league, but surely got a confidence boost with Thursday’s performance. The Mustangs now have a three-game winning streak and will look to keep it rolling tonight in the series finale in Helena (1-3). The Brewers will send right-hander Josh Uhen to the mound. Wyatt Strahan will get the start for Billings, before giving way to Seth Varner. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. NOTES: Tonight is Bark at the Park night. Fans are encouraged to bring their dogs to the game. ... The Milwaukee Brewers’ top college prospect saw his first action as a pro on Thursday. Right-hander Cy Sneed, the third-round draft pick out of Dallas Baptist, came on in relief and pitched two scoreless innings, allowing just three hits. ... The announced attendance was 1,128, the largest crowd of the season. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/39/b39fd99a-f828-11e3-88d9-0019bb2963f4/53a3a6992da7a.preview-620.jpg Thom Bridge/ Independent Record- Tucker Neuhaus throws to first from third base against the Billings Mustangs Thursday.

Billings trounces Helena 16-7 in opener By Dustin Daniel / Helena Brewers The Billings Mustangs (3-1) put on an offensive clinic in a 16-7 win over the Helena Brewers (1-3) on Thursday, posting 20 hits on five Helena pitchers. Luis Ortega (0-1) struggled in his first outing in the Brewers' organization, giving up seven runs on seven hits in just two and two thirds innings of work. Ortega was traded from the Red Sox late in 2013 for Burke Badenhop. The Mustangs struck first, posting three runs in the first inning on Ortega on the power of four hits. With two outs, Daniel Paula singled to right and would be brought in two batters later on a two-RBI double off the bat of Brian O'Grady. Paula would finish the game 4-for-6 with two homeruns, four runs scored and four RBI. The Brewers would put up a fight, slapping in three runs of their own in the fifth when Elvis Rubio went yard for a three-run blast off of Luke Moran (1-0). Moran would leave after the fifth, giving up five runs on six hits, walking three and striking out five. Billings put the game to bed with six runs in the final two frames. Paula's second homerun would score Cory Thompson and bring the tally to 13-7 in favor of the visitors. He would later finish the game's scoring with an RBI single in the ninth. Brennan Bernadino came in to shut the ballgame down in the ninth, striking out two batters and forcing Dustin DeMuth into a fielder's choice to end the game. The Brewers and Mustangs will meet for the finale of their two-game series Friday at Kindrick Legion Field. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. Helena Box Score Not a pretty game on the pitching side of things as Billings scored in all but the two innings pitched by Cy Sneed. Offensively, three Helena players had two hits a piece: Brandon Diaz (HR and 2B), Greg McCall, Dustin Demuth (2 - 2B). Tucker Neuhaus went 0-5, with 4 strikeouts. Helena Play-By-Play

Brewers rally late to top Osprey 9-2 By Dustin Daniel / Helena Brewers The Helena Brewers (1-1) picked up their first win of the 2014 campaign Tuesday with a dominating 9-2 victory over the Missoula Osprey (1-1). Devin Williams threw six innings of quality baseball in the start, giving up just one run on three hits, while striking out five batters. The Brewers pitching staff would strike out nine batters as a team, bringing their season tally to 20 strikeouts. Missoula would strike first, posting a run in the top of the third inning. Trevor Mitsui led off the frame with a double off of Williams. He would be brought in by the sacrifice of Matt Railey on a hard grounder to short. Osprey starter Brad Keller would pitch five solid innings of his own, not allowing a run until the fifth when Dionis Hinijosa came in on a throwing error by catcher B.J. Lopez. Hinijosa would go 1-for-3 in the game with two runs scored and an RBI. The wheels came off for the visitors in the bottom of the eighth, as three Missoula pitchers combined to give up eight runs in the inning. Wagner Mateo would give up four walks in the eighth while allowing six runs and not recording an out. Tyler Linehan (1-0) finished off the game pitching for Helena, shutting out Missoula in the final two frames. The Osprey and Brewers will go at it again at Kindrick Field on Wednesday in the finale of their three-game series. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. Helena Box Score Starting Pitcher Devin Williams with a very solid debut, final line: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K. The hits allowed were a double and two singles. The only earned run allowed scored on a double play ball in the 3rd inning. All eight Helena hits were singles. Helena also drew 6 walks. 3B Tucker Neuhaus was one of two starters without a hit (0-3 with two K's and a walk). RF Elvis Rubio had one hit (1-4), a walk, and a run scored. In his organizational debut, Dustin Demuth manned 1B and had one hit (1-3), a walk and a run scored. The only multi-hit of the night came from Catcher Greg McCall who was 2-4 with a run scored. Other hits came from CF Brandon Diaz (1-5), DH Mitch Meyer(1-3), SS Luis Aviles (1-3), and 2B Gregory Munoz (1-4) Helena Play-By-Play

Helena was trailing 2-1 entering the 8th inning of tonight's game, and then this happened (they produced 8 runs on 3 hits). Helena Bottom of the 8th - Pitching Change: Lawrence Pardo replaces Will Landsheft. - Brandon Diaz singles on a ground ball to third baseman Tyler Humphreys. - Tucker Neuhaus out on a sacrifice bunt, third baseman Tyler Humphreys to first baseman Jake Mayers. Brandon Diaz to 2nd. - With Elvis Rubio batting, wild pitch by Lawrence Pardo, Brandon Diaz to 3rd. - Missoula Osprey pitcher Lawrence Pardo left the game due to an injured arm. - Pitching Change: Wagner Mateo replaces Lawrence Pardo. - Elvis Rubio walks. - Greg McCall singles on a line drive to center fielder Matt Railey. Brandon Diaz scores. Elvis Rubio to 2nd. - Dustin DeMuth walks. Elvis Rubio to 3rd. Greg McCall to 2nd. - With Mitch Meyer batting, wild pitch by Wagner Mateo, Elvis Rubio scores. Greg McCall to 3rd. Dustin DeMuth to 2nd. - With Mitch Meyer batting, wild pitch by Wagner Mateo, Greg McCall scores. Dustin DeMuth to 3rd. - Mitch Meyer walks. - With Dionis Hinojosa batting, Mitch Meyer steals (1) 2nd base. - Dionis Hinojosa reaches on a fielder's choice, fielded by first baseman Jake Mayers. Dustin DeMuth scores. Mitch Meyer to 3rd. - Luis Aviles walks. Dionis Hinojosa to 2nd. - Pitching Change: Holden Helmink replaces Wagner Mateo. - Gregory Munoz singles on a ground ball to shortstop Sergio Alcantara, deflected by third baseman Tyler Humphreys. Mitch Meyer scores. Dionis Hinojosa to 3rd. Luis Aviles to 2nd. - With Brandon Diaz batting, wild pitch by Holden Helmink, Dionis Hinojosa scores. Luis Aviles to 3rd. Gregory Munoz to 2nd. - With Brandon Diaz batting, wild pitch by Holden Helmink, Luis Aviles scores. Gregory Munoz scores. - Brandon Diaz called out on strikes. - Tucker Neuhaus walks. Wild pitch by pitcher Holden Helmink. Tucker Neuhaus to 2nd. - Elvis Rubio flies out to center fielder Matt Railey.

Final (Rain Shortened in 9th Inn.): Missoula 8, Helena 5 The Helena game was stopped in the 9th inning and after an approximately 25 minute stoppage the game was called. I will add the game story here in the early AM. Below is where they stood through 8 complete. EDIT: Game Story Added... Osprey take season opener 8-5 Helena Brewers The Missoula Osprey (1-0) stormed into Kindrick Field and took game one of the 2014 Pioneer League season, hitting their way to a victory in the opener 8-5 over the Brewers (0-1) in a rain-shortened 8-inning contest. The visitors jumped out to a lead early, blasting two homeruns in the top of the first. Fernery Ozuna led off the scoring by screaming a two-run homer over the right field wall. He was immediately followed up by an opposite field solo shot by Justin Williams. Williams would go 3-for-4 in the game with two RBI and two runs scored. Chad Thompson (0-1) was roughed up early by the Osprey offense, but found his groove in his final two innings of work, tossing six strikeouts in his first start since 2012. Thompson sat out the 2013 season following shoulder surgery. The Brewers would respond with a late rally of their own, posting three runs in the seventh to draw the score to 8-5. Greg McCall pounded a two-run homerun to right-center off of Derek Cape for his first hit of his professional career. McCall's homer would be the only extra-base hit for the Brew Crew in the contest. Gabriel Moya (1-0) picked up the win on five innings of four-hit baseball. He would strike out seven batters and walk just two. The two teams will face off again Tuesday in game two of their three-game series at 7:05 p.m. Helena Box Score 3B Tucker Neuhaus was hitless (0-4) with 3 K's and a groundout. RF Elvis Rubio and SS Luis Aviles each with two singles. The only extra base hit for the Brewers was a HR that came off the bat of DH Greg McCall. Starting Pitcher Chad Thompson gave up 4 earned runs in 4.0 IP, and Brandon Moore came on for the next 3.0 IP giving up 3 earned runs. Helena Play-By-Play

Helena's Greg McCall goes deep for the Brewers in his organizational debut to cut the Osprey lead to 8-5 in the bottom of the 7th. Helena has turned what appeared to be a blowout in the top of the 7th back into a ballgame. Helena Bottom of the 7th - Gregory Munoz walks. - With Brandon Diaz batting, Gregory Munoz steals (1) 2nd base, . Gregory Munoz advances to 2nd, on a missed catch error by second baseman Fernery Ozuna. - Brandon Diaz walks. - Tucker Neuhaus strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Derek Cape. Gregory Munoz to 3rd. Brandon Diaz to 2nd. - With Elvis Rubio batting, wild pitch by Derek Cape, Gregory Munoz scores. Brandon Diaz to 3rd. - Elvis Rubio strikes out swinging. - Greg McCall homers (1) on a fly ball to center field. Brandon Diaz scores. - Jack Cleary singles on a ground ball to left fielder Justin Williams. - Alan Sharkey flies out to right fielder Dane McFarland.

These are so great, here is another good one... http://i.imgur.com/xJFHFfl.gif

I've been wondering if Law has NPD. I haven't gone in depth about what he said so far, and I'm not psychiatric expert, but it's a hunch. Well that would seem to explain this TWEET then.

I am actually a BP subscriber, but have only recently begun paying more attention to Doug Thorburn's articles. I will definitely add the TINSTAAPP podcast to my commute rotation. Ironically Thorburn broke down Kodi Medeiros' mechanics in a BP article today. It is a subscriber piece, but it is quite glowing in terms of his overall mechanics. He mentioned that Medeiros has vertical balance that is better than an average MLB pitcher right now. I won't post it all, but here are some other great lines from the piece:

That is nothing, if you really want to get riled up over Law's draft commentary regarding the Brewers, go listen to the 7:00 minute mark of the June 6th ESPN Tonight Podcast with Buster Olney. I typically never listen to this podcast because it really isn't very good from past experience, but I couldn't help myself after the first day of the draft with knowing they would have Law on discussing the draft. After he applauded the Indians for having the best first day of the draft, he listed Milwaukee as the "most interesting" first day (and he didn't mean interesting in a good way). He went on about how they reached for Medeiros at #12, but then he actually continued to say near the end of his statement that, "they reached and I felt that they did the same thing with their later picks as well". I was so baffled when I heard him say this I had to go back and listen to it a few times. Remember, this podcast was recorded after the first day, so that statement is directed at the Gatewood and Harrison picks. Okay if you want to say the Brewers reached for Medeiros, I get it, but to say they reached for Gatewood and Harrison is just crazy. These are the same players that I believe he had ranked in his own top 20. For the life of me I can't figure out how either of those picks is considered a reach?

Thundercat- Your posts on pitching mechanics are phenomenal. I am with TLB, please keep them coming! They probably even warrant a separate Brewers pitching mechanics thread altogether. You may call yourself an amateur, but I would certainly nominate you as our resident pitch mechanics expert.

Colbyjack, is it safe to assume HS teammates Tate Blackman and Carl Chester are both going to be near impossible signings?

I know the new draft system is not exactly loved across the industry, but one corollary of the draft slotting system I like is that we don't have to wait very long for guys to sign. Looks like the Astros even signed Brady Aiken already ($6.5 million).

$1.8 million is also the exact middle between his slot value and his reported asking price. [sarcasm]Also, he doesn't have to deal with Bo Pelini for the next 4 years, so that has to be worth something[/sarcasm].

Great news on Harrison, that pretty much eliminates any concern I had about signing the top three draftees. I am really looking forward to following the development of these high ceiling prospects. Regardless of how it all works out in the long run, I am really happy the team was willing to take on the risk for an opportunity to potentially add impact talent to the system.

Very happy for him, must be a surreal feeling right now. I look forward to hearing many updates as he goes through his indoctrination into professional baseball. I have to add I was selfishly rooting for him to get drafted by a team with a Midwest League affiliate for a possible future BF.net road-trip. Good luck to him!

So as the euphoria of yesterday's first day of the MLB draft finally wore off I started to become worried about signing all three guys. I am fairly confident that Medeiros and Gatewood will be signed for somewhere in the ball park of a combined $4 million. My concern is signing Harrison who reportedly was asking for the $2.5 million range going into the draft. Hopefully that was a bluff and he can be signed for significantly less. I don't think the Brewers will be in a position to offer him $2 million or more, but I hope I am wrong and they get a deal done with Harrison in the near future.

I am getting cautiously giddy right now. We may all of a sudden have lots of talent to "dream on" in the system.

If that is the case, then I am all for Greg Vaughn becoming the new scouting director.

Pending signing all three of these guys, this really looks like an outstanding infusion of talent into the system.

Thank you Greg Vaughn!

Some available names to note with three picks to go before the Brewers pick here: Sean Reid-Foley A.J. Reed Jacob Gatewood Jacob Bukauskas (possibly unsignable?) Monte Harrison Matt Imhoff

It seems like the last few years I always end up liking Texas' drafts. Ortiz could be one of those guys that in a couple years we are asking, "why did he last that long again?"