Jim Goulart

Tuesday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Colorado Springs: RHP Taylor Jungmann at home vs. Round Rock (Rangers), 7:05 PM pre-game, 7:35 gametime Free Live Audio Link We welcome Dan Karcher, who is the longtime play-by-play voice of the Sky Sox; follow him on Twitter @SkySoxKarch MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; all Colorado Springs games, home and away, will be available to watch via MiLB.TV's $49.99 season-long package ($12.99 to pay for a single month). The audio feed is from the home team. The video of each game is archived online, which is a nice feature. All MiLB.TV details available at the link. NOTE: Notice that on MiLB.TV's page, you can click on "Filter", then "Milwaukee Brewers", and you'll see just the Crew's organizational TV lineup. ********** Biloxi: Idle ********** Brevard County: RHP Hiram Burgos at home vs. St. Lucie (Mets), 5:05 PM pre-game, 5:35 gametime Free Live Audio Link Dave Walkovic returns as the play-by-play voice of the 'Tees; follow the Brevard broadcast booth staff on Twitter @BCManateesRadio, as all games are scheduled to be broadcast in 2015. No Florida State League games are available via MiLB.TV. ********** Wisconsin: RHP Orlando Torrez at home vs. Peoria (Cardinals), 11:45 AM pre-game, 12:05 PM gametime; RHP Victor Diaz will pitch in a tandem role Free Live Audio Link - WNAM Chris Mehring is back to do his customary fantastic work as the Voice of the Rattlers. Follow him on Twitter @CMehring; we'll link to Chris' infamous blog often -- Rattler Radio. NOTE: Forty-two (!) of the Rattlers' 70 home games will be broadcast on TV this season. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel (9) and WACY-TV My NEW32 (34) will split duties. We'll let you know when and who, and remember to refer to the Rattlers' full TV schedule so you can coordinate your DVR activity. *** So, for the $49.95 season-long package, fans in Brewer Nation can watch all Sky Sox games, most Shuckers games, and all Timber Rattlers home games and some road games.

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Remember to enjoy lunch with the Timber Rattlers matinee Tuesday!

VIDEO: A different look at Timber Rattlers high (and lowlights), via MyNew32's broadcast

Strong outing from Ortega lifts Manatees past Mets Michael Parsons, FLORIDA TODAY VIERA – The Brevard County Manatees evened their record behind a strong pitching performance from Jose Ortega Monday night at Space Coast Stadium. Ortega, making his Manatees debut, allowed just one run on three hits in six innings of work to pick up the win as Brevard County defeated St. Lucie 2-1. The right-hander struck out three and retired the final 12 batters he faced. “Ortega did a heck of a job,” Brevard County manager Joe Ayrault said. “He was very aggressive. It was an outstanding debut.” St. Lucie’s lone run came in the top of the first when Jeff McNeil walked and later scored on Matt Oberste’s triple. Champ Stuart and Michael Conforto were each held hitless for the first time this season for the Mets. A rough night on the bases kept the Manatees off the scoreboard as Johnny Davis was caught stealing twice and picked off once. Chris McFarland was also caught stealing and picked off once. “The guys were just overly aggressive. It is early in the season and it is something we will be talking to the guys about,” Ayrault said. “Trusting it and not trying to do too much.” But the Manatees broke through in the fourth as McFarland reached on a perfect bunt single and scored on a Victor Roache fielder’s choice. Catcher Rafael Neda scored the other run, leading off with a double and scoring when Omar Garcia hit into a double play. “Even though Garcia doesn’t get the RBI, he did a good job of getting the run home,“ Ayrault said of his left fielder. That was all the Manatees needed as Kaleb Earls pitched two perfect innings and Casey Medlen pitched the ninth for his first save. The Manatees and St. Lucie will meet again tonight at Space Coast Stadium for a 6:35 PM start (5:35 Central). Hiram Burgos will take the mound for Brevard County against Miller Diaz for the Mets.

WV Brew (Tim) has kindly offered to be the Brevard County link reporter, the updated Manatee post is above. Thanks WV Brew! http://www.milb.com/assets/images/6/7/8/74367678/cuts/Roache_5.4_5_640x360_ksd5cpss_0jnfws7d.jpg Victor Roache photo by Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography

Two trades in the past year jarring for young Sky Sox reliever Corey Knebel By Brent Briggeman, Colorado Springs Gazette Corey Knebel went to the Detroit Tigers with the 39th pick in the 2013 draft. He was pitching in Comerica Park 11 months later. Two months after that, he was traded. "I kind of felt like, 'Man, the Tigers don't want me. What is that? What's going on?'" said the 23-year-old right-hander, now pitching out of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox bullpen. If major league teams are looking for short-term rentals, like Detroit was when it shipped Knebel to Texas as part of a deal for veteran Joakim Soria, the most commonly accepted form of payment is a prospect. For one of those prospects on the move, however, it can be a scary proposition to leave the team that scouted you, drafted you and, in the case of Knebel, set you on a quick path to the major leagues. It was veteran second baseman Ian Kinsler who pulled Knebel aside on his way out of Detroit to offer some assurance that would prove valuable again a few months later when he was dealt again as part of a prospect package sent to Milwaukee from Texas in exchange for Yovani Gallardo. "I remember he said, 'Don't think of this as they don't want you, think of it as the team that got you does want you. So you're still wanted,'" Knebel said. "Ever since then I've kept that in mind." He's not alone in his situation. Luis Sardinas, the Sky Sox infielder who was among the youngest players in the majors last year when he debuted at age 20, came over from Texas with Knebel in the Gallardo deal. Catcher Juan Centeno was among the New York Mets top prospects through last season and appeared in the majors in 2013 and '14, yet he was left available on waivers and acquired by Milwaukee. Nearly half the Sky Sox roster played for other franchises last year, but there's a distinct difference when comparing the paths of prospects under club control and veterans who can - at least to some degree - pick and choose their best path. But in the case of Knebel, Centeno and Sardinas - they are still considered prospects and they are on the Brewers' 40-man roster. In short, they are with an organization that clearly wants them.

Final: Colorado Springs 9, Round Rock 2 Cravy, Offense Carry Sky Sox To 9-2 Win Over Round Rock Brewers' 24th Ranked Prospect Earns Win in Triple-A Debut By Ed Pearsall / Colorado Springs Sky Sox http://www.milb.com/assets/images/2/8/8/117588288/cuts/04_09_035_pk_d6wt810o_fzmwc17h.jpg Elian Herrera picked up three more hits on Monday to extend his hitting streak to five games. (Photo by Paat Kelly) COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The Sky Sox rebounded in a big way on Monday night as each Sox starter reached base at least once in a 9-2 victory over the visiting Round Rock Express before a crowd of 1,526 at Security Service Field. Starter Tyler Cravy (1-0, 3.00) shook off some early rust before turning in six solid innings of work, allowing two runs on six hits while walking one and striking out three along the way. After giving up a run on a double, single and two wild pitches to his first two batters, Cravy settled in, retiring seven consecutive batters before giving up another hit. The Colorado Springs offense enjoyed similar success as the team pounded out 16 hits on their way to scoring nine runs. Singles by Matt Long and Elian Herrera and a hard line out by Matt Clark to start the home half of the first set up cleanup man Jason Rogers for a prime RBI spot. Rogers didn't waste the opportunity, slapping a slicing line drive down the right field line to plate the two runners. Shane Peterson added an RBI single to score Rogers, completing the first inning scoring off of Express starter Ross Wolf (0-1,18.00). Wolf would never find his groove, giving up another four earned runs in the third inning as each batter got a turn at the plate. A quick flyout by Clark to start the inning led to four consecutive singles by Rogers, Peterson, Bryan Petersen, and Luis Sardinas. The inning's big blow came off the bat of backup catcher Nevin Ashley whose booming triple to the right center field gap plated two runs, giving him his first RBIs of the season. After giving up an additional run in the fifth inning on the strength of a bloop triple hit into the Bermuda triangle in shallow left field by Round Rock centerfielder Jared Hoying, Cravy finished strong with a 1-2-3 sixth inning. Left-hander Jimmy Reyes replaced the struggling Wolf in the fourth inning and gave the Express three strong scoreless innings of relief work before handing the ball over to Cody Kendall. The righty would walk two of his first three batters en route to a two-run inning for the Sky Sox. If not for a run-scoring double play groundout by Ashley, Kendall may have been in for some serious trouble as the damage was kept under control. Elian Herrera continued his torrid start to 2015 with an RBI single for the Sox final run of the game. In a starkly different performance to Sunday's slugfest, the Colorado Springs bullpen was lights out on Monday night. Right-handers Ariel Peńa and Corey Knebel combined for three innings of scoreless relief, allowing three hits and striking out five total batters. Things are looking up for the Sox as Cravy's start was the longest by a Colorado Springs starter in the season's early goings and the trio of Herrera, Rogers and Sardinas have all hit safely in the first five games of 2015. The Sky Sox will look to build on tonight's win on Tuesday night at Security Service Field as 2011 first round pick Taylor Jungmann (0-0, 2.25) takes the hill for his second start of 2015 against Round Rock right-hander Anthony Renaudo (1-0, 0.00). First pitch is slated for 6:35 PM (7:35 Central). Colorado Springs Box Score Some much-needed sanity to the proceedings here. Hopefully the veteran relievers will excuse the fact that the names Knebel and Pena are much more exciting than Perez, Wooten, Kintzler, etc. right now. Jason Rogers needs to be penciled (no, inked) in to the third base spot every game, we know he can play first if needed. We can choose not to over-analyze the team's offensive lines each night, but that doesn't mean we can't ignore them, that would be denying ourselves pleasure. Through five mountain-air games, Elian Herrera's OPS is 1.446, Rogers' 1.228. Stay healthy, Tyler Cravy, as Brian Anderson repeated on a broadcast this week, Brewers brass really really likes you. Three wild pitches an odd number in this one, though. Colorado Springs Game Log

VIDEO Report via WLOX -- Days of rain impacting Biloxi baseball stadium construction

The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Sunday, April 26th beginning at 2:00 PM.

The locals have nixed any thoughts of a downtown Melbourne stadium - future still unclear... Report Report 2

Linked to this Post-Crescent Jake Gatewood feature from Mike Sherry in our Timber Rattlers thread.

Gatewood hones his craft with Timber Rattlers Mike Sherry, Post-Crescent Media http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/e5631a428b7f8c3655c09e74ba9df8d81adfaf13/c=22-0-3229-2405&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/Appleton/2015/04/14/B9316962759Z.1_20150414005729_000_GNCAGB2IR.1-0.jpg The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers' Jake Gatewood throws to first base during FanFest at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute. (Photo: Dan Powers/Post-Crescent Media) GRAND CHUTE – A precious few baseball players are able to make a rapid rise from draft pick to major league star. For every Mike Trout or Albert Pujols, there’s minor league rosters filled with talented but raw players struggling day after day trying to figure out what it takes to play the game at the highest level. Wisconsin Timber Rattlers shortstop Jake Gatewood thought he had it all figured out, but he quickly learned that being a first-round draft pick only gets your foot in the door. “It’s extremely tough,” said Gatewood, who was drafted with the 41st overall pick in last June’s amateur draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. “Coming from high school, you never really struggle at all. You may have one bad game all year. Going into it where pitchers every day are coming at you throwing like mid-90s, it’s really tough because it’s hard to go out and fail when you’ve never failed in your entire life before.” Gatewood, a Clovis, Calif., native who gave up a scholarship to the University of Southern California to sign with the Brewers for $1.83 million, spent last summer playing for the Arizona Brewers rookie team. He showed flashes of the talent that some scouts projected could make him a top-10 draft pick, hitting three home runs and driving in 32 runs in 50 games, but he also batted just .206 and struck out 71 times during his first taste of pro ball. “My first rookie ball year, I didn’t understand any of that,” Gatewood said. “When I went in, I was like it’s going to be easy again. But I struggled a little bit. It was tough but at the same time, I feel like it made me an even better person and definitely a better baseball player. It made me a way better baseball player and I’m glad I experienced it in rookie ball because then it can help me earlier in my career.” Fortunately for Gatewood, he had a great support system at home to help him deal with his frustration. His dad, Henry, was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers and spent seven seasons in the minor leagues with three organizations, advancing to Double-A with the Minnesota Twins in 1987. His mom, Debbie, is a therapist. Between the two of them, they had the tools and experience to help their son cope with his first struggles on the baseball field. But they also let him figure out a lot of it by himself. “My dad, when I first got drafted, he told me that it’s not going to be easy,” Gatewood said. “It’s not high school ball where you go out and you’re mad at yourself when you went 3-for-4 because you didn’t get a hit that fourth time. He just told me to trust in the process. My mom, she’s a therapist, so the mental side she kind of helps me out a little bit. She’s just telling me that mentally it’s going to be pretty insane to deal with all the ups and the downs, so just try and stay as even as possible.” There was certainly a lot of frustration last summer, but Gatewood can joke about it now. “I was swinging at everything. I was swinging at the warm-up pitches in between innings,” he said with a smile. Gatewood is off to a slow start with the Timber Rattlers, going 1-for-10 in his first three games with a triple, an RBI and six strikeouts. Gatewood has plenty of power, having won the junior portion of the All-Star Game Home Run Derby at Citi Field and the Under Armour All-America Game Home Run Derby at Wrigley Field in 2013. Timber Rattlers manager Matt Erickson said Gatewood’s talents are immense, but like most 19-year-olds he needs a great deal of refinement. “The ball comes off his bat, no doubt about it, in batting practice,” Erickson said. “But there’s been a lot of good batting practice hitters. And, obviously, we’ve got to get him in the situation to where he can recognize off-speed pitches and be able to lay off some breaking balls out of the zone. “That’s been his challenge, obviously, coming into professional baseball last summer and again this spring. We’re asking him to attack fastball and be able to recognize and take off-speed for a while until he gets two strikes. It will be up to him to be able to do that.” There has also been some question about where Gatewood will play in the field as he matures. At 6-foot-5 and 190 pounds, some scouts believe he eventually will grow out of the shortstop position and wind up at third base or even a corner outfield spot. “He’s a big kid and I don’t think he’s going to get any smaller,” Erickson joked. “But, yeah, I see him as a shortstop as of right now. He’s got nice hands. He’s not tremendously quick with his feet, but he’s very agile, especially for a big man. He‘s shown great body control and you definitely need body control to play that position as you’re going to make plays and throws off-balance and from all different angles. He’s shown quite a bit of athleticism and body control.” Two of Gatewood’s favorite baseball players are Troy Tulowitzki and Manny Machado. Tulowitzki, at 6-3, has played shortstop for the Colorado Rockies for 10 years. Machado, also 6-3, came up with the Baltimore Orioles as a shortstop but now is playing third base. Gatewood wants to be a shortstop, but he knows there are no guarantees. “I love playing shortstop,” he said. “I grew up playing it. Dad tried to make me a catcher. It didn’t work out. I love shortstop so much. I’ve always been a big shortstop, so I’ve always dealt with the rumors. I understand that it’s definitely a possibility if I fill out a little more, but for me I just got to keep working hard.”

AUDIO 4/13: Adam McCalvy via 105.7FM WSSP's Chuck & Wickett Morning Show *** AUDIO 4/13: Ed Sedar, also via WSSP *** AUDIO 4/13: Tom Haudricourt via WTMJ *** AUDIO 4/13: C.J. Nitkowski of Fox Sports 1 and MLB Network Radio via the Bill Michaels Show *** AUDIO 4/13: Kevin Wheeler of 101 ESPN Radio in St. Louis via the Bill Michaels Show *** AUDIO 4/13: Adam Rygg of @BrewerNation via the Mike Heller Show (go to the 8:30 minute mark)

Rattler Radio Blog - Postgame entry AUDIO with Matt Erickson and Carlos Leal, and these game highlights with Chris Mehring's call:

Via Miller Park Prospects -- Brewers Got Something In Knebel, Sardinas Nice write-up from Colorado Springs (with quotes)...

The Shuckers have announced that Monday's series finale has been rained out, no word on makeup info yet.

22-year-old Matt Martin, drafted in the 27th round last June out of Wake Forest, is listed as an outfielder, not a catcher, on the Brewers' Extended Spring roster. Martin posted a sweet .311/.427/.446 line in the Maryvale heat last summer (.873 OPS, 89 plate appearances). With good fortune, perhaps he can develop into a corner OF prospect with some pop, seemingly always a need in the system over the years.

Neuhaus has tweeted that some sort of goggles are in his immediate future. Tweet Tweet

The Brewers Player Development Staff released their Maryvale extended spring roster. This link should provide you a nice webpage that prints on one full sheet. Eleven pitchers, five catchers, eight infielders, six outfielders, and 14 players in various stages of rehab. We will use this thread to post updates until the formal Helena / Maryvale team thread begins after the draft in June.

Posted from Sunday's action -- VIDEO: Colorado Springs' Elian Herrera hits his second home run of the game in the ninth inning of a 16-11 loss to visiting Nashville *** VIDEO: Biloxi's Nathan Orf hits a double before the Shuckers fall, 4-0 to Pensacola. *** VIDEO - FULL AT-BAT: Wisconsin's Kodi Medeiros notches his seventh strikeout as part of six hitless frames.

Look for these just prior to the respective game times -- Colorado Springs Media Notes - It's a unique link each day, but look for it under the "Multimedia" banner on the Sky Sox' site. Biloxi Media Notes - Linked on the Shuck Dynasty blog Brevard County Media Notes - It's a unique link each day, but look for it under the "Multimedia" banner on the Manatees' site. Wisconsin Media Notes - Linked on the Rattler Radio blog *** STANDINGS: AAA - Pacific Coast League American Northern Division AA - Southern League South Division High-A - Florida State League North Division A - Midwest League Western Division *** Sortable individual stat pages: Colorado Springs Biloxi Brevard County Wisconsin *** Weather.com: Colorado Springs, CO Pensacola, FL Viera, FL Grand Chute, WI

Follow Monday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Colorado Springs Biloxi Brevard County Wisconsin MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

DVR ALERT! Click that link above and you'll see that five Wisconsin games are on local TV this week, Monday through Friday, four night games on My NEW32 and the Tuesday matinee on TWC. Plan accordingly.