Jim Goulart

Erickson to return to manage Timber Rattlers by Mike Woods, Post-Crescent Media GRAND CHUTE — At some point Matt Erickson’s career path will force him to part ways with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. But at this stage in his life, the 38-year-old Appleton native is right where he wants to be. “I signed a two-year contract (in 2013), and I didn’t have to be here in Appleton the second year but I expressed my interest to (Brewers special assistant to the GM/Director of Player Development Reid Nichols) that this is a place that I want to be at this point in my life, with my young family,” Erickson said Tuesday. The Brewers announced that Erickson would return for a fourth season as manager of the Timber Rattlers. “Obviously, they have some input, but it’s more than just the family,” Erickson said. “I really enjoy coming out here. I still believe this is the best affiliate in the Brewers organization. Unless there’s a better opportunity or a better place to go to take me away from my family, I don’t see a reason for moving.” But one day that better opportunity will come knocking. “If a big-league opportunity came my way, I’m sure I’d have a hard time saying no, or at least discussing that opportunity,” said Erickson. “At this point, I think the Brewers like their situation with me here and I, obviously, like being here.” The relationship among Erickson, the Timber Rattlers and the Brewers has been a perfect fit on and off the field. Timber Rattlers president Rob Zerjav said when the Brewers’ Double-A managerial job became open this offseason he thought this might be the time for the Appleton West graduate to advance. “It was a pleasant surprise to hear he’s coming back again,” Zerjav said. Erickson’s situation is unique, but it’s one where all parties are prospering and happy. “I hope it never gets to a point where it deters him from being thought of as an option at different levels, and we’ve let the Brewers know that,” said Zerjav. “Obviously, they think very highly of him and rightfully so. “Obviously, we want to see Matt succeed and I know he has a dream to eventually make it up to the big leagues.” Erickson said he has not been contacted by any other organizations, which would first have to contact the Brewers and seek permission to talk with him. On the field, Erickson will welcome three new coaches next season. Hitting coach duties will be split this year. Chuckie Caufield, who played six years in the Brewers organization as a player and was the hitting coach at rookie ball Helena last season — where the team hit .279, third-best in the Pioneer League — will make up half the team. The other hitting coach will be Ken Dominguez, who has an array of experience at the pro and collegiate levels. “(Dominguez) is bilingual and the Brewers have put a little more investment into their Latin development over the last few years,” said Erickson, “and I fully expect to see more of our Latin players show up here in Appleton in the next couple of years.” The new pitching coach will be Elvin Nina, who pitched 10 years in the minors and will be entering his sixth season with the Brewers. Nina served as pitching coach at Helena last season and the pitching staff posted the third-best ERA in the league. “(Nina) is another bilingual coach,” said Erickson. “He was the pitching coach at Helena last year so he’ll be familiar with many of the pitchers who will be here this summer.” And at this stage, not even Erickson knows how many more summers he’ll spend managing the Timber Rattlers. “To me, it’s not like getting a player from low A, to high A, to Double-A to Triple-A,” he said. “And we’ve seen in the last few years, there are guys with big-league managerial jobs in the last couple of years that have no coaching experience whatsoever. They’ve had tremendous playing careers and a nice resume in that aspect, but I don’t think there’s much difference preparing and organizing a low A ball team or a Triple-A team. “Obviously, there are some differences. But I think the teaching of the game decreases as you get higher and it’s more about, I guess, controlling egos and just other things you have to deal with. Maybe, at some point, I’ll get a chance to figure out firsthand.” Matt Erickson has managed the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers for the past three seasons. / Dan Powers/Post-Crescent Media http://cmsimg.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20131029&Category=APC020602&ArtNo=310290350&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0&Erickson-return-manage-Timber-Rattlers

Have a night, Juan Francisco! Francisco was 3-for-3 with a walk, finishing a double shy of a cycle, in his team's 7-3 win (box). In small sample land, that lifts his average 58 points from .250 to .308 (now 12-for-39, four BB, eight K's). Half of Francisco's 12 hits have gone for extra bases. Licey Bottom of the 2nd Juan Francisco singles on a line drive to center fielder Juan Lagares. Licey Bottom of the 4th Yamaico Navarro walks. Juan Francisco homers (2) on a fly ball to right field. Yamaico Navarro scores. Licey Bottom of the 7th Pitching Change: James Leverton replaces Luis Perdomo. Anderson Hernandez flies out to center fielder Juan Lagares. Jurickson Profar flies out to right fielder Juan Perez. Yamaico Navarro walks. Juan Francisco triples (1) on a line drive to right fielder Juan Perez. Yamaico Navarro scores. Teammate Sean Halton was 0-for-3 with a walk after a couple of games off. He was the DH here, .333 (9-for-27, four BB's, nine K's). Former Brewer LHP Chris Narveson had a nice five-inning start in that game for the win. *** Box Switch-hitting veteran Eugenio Velez, leading off in LF, continues his hot ways -- 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored (now at .419 - 13-for-31, four BB's, five K's).

In front of 303 fans in Glendale, Surprise played to a 5-5 tie (AFL games do not go past 11 innings). Box Mitch Haniger had the day off, but Jason Rogers (1.077 after 34 AB's) played LF and batted 5th, he was 1-for-4 with a walk and run scored (one K). Catcher Adam Weisenburger was 2-for-5 with an RBI (one K), and was 1-for-3 on throwing out baserunners. His RBI tied the game in the 8th. RHP Kevin Shackelford preserved the tie perfectly -- after allowing a single earned run in each of his first three AFL appearances, Shackelford has four scoreless games (4 IP) under his belt: Glendale Bottom of the 11th Pitching Change: Kevin Shackelford replaces Keone Kela. Travis Mattair grounds out, third baseman Garin Cecchini to first baseman Brett Nicholas. Chris O'Brien grounds out, third baseman Garin Cecchini to first baseman Brett Nicholas. Danny Black lines out to left fielder Jason Rogers. *** It's another 1:35 Central start on Wednesday, hosting Salt River. You'll find a box score here.

The Brewers announced these releases via their Player Development Twitter account. Alphabetically -- 24-year-old RHP Sean Albury, 31st round, 2011 - Darn, was rooting so hard for this young man, missed all of 2012 after rotator cuff surgery. Unlike Tommy John, that is such a death sentence for pitchers' careers. The Nassau native (the "Mad "Bahamian") was interviewed by Steve Wendt in July (audio). Albury managed a few two-inning relief stints in 2013, 18 innings overall. *** 23-year-old C Joe Andrade, a July 2012 undrafted free agent -- the LH bat didn't get much playing time, so tough for the undrafted catchers who are often brought in just because of the sheer number of arms in Maryvale / Helena. Andrade was interviewed in August 2012 by Steve (audio). *** 22-year-old RHP Joel Dicent was a four-year pro, signed out of the Dominican in September 2009. After a full season in Maryvale in 2012, his time was limited to only six appearances split evenly between the Arizona and the Dominican Summer Leagues this past season. We actually had some Bruce Seid quotes excited about Dicent's future back in May 2010. *** Soon-to-be 24-year-old RHP Ryan Fasano was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Rutgers after the 2012 draft. He reached Wisconsin at the back end of this past season. Steve Wendt interviewed Fasano both in 2012 and 2013. *** This one comes as a surprise. 25-year-old LHP Brian Garman, the Brewers' 17th round 2010 pick out of the University of Cincinnati, ended his 2013 Huntsville season rehabbing a torn labrum (ouch) in Maryvale. Garman is the latest in a long line of "let's develop a LOOGY since Mitch Stetter" that didn't quite work out (unless you count Lucas Luetge, lost in 2011's Rule 5 to Seattle, who did stick in that system). In fact, the LH reliever now in the system who's the furthest up the affiliate chain is Brevard's soon-to-be 26-year-old Stephen Peterson, who was invited to instructionals this fall. Here's a July 2013 hometown article with Garman discussing his injury and rehab. *** Soon-to-be 24-year-old RHP Ryan Gibbard was the Brewers 14th round pick out of Lynn (FL) University in 2012. He was actually a Midwest League All-Star this past season based on a hot first half, but slumped badly in June and August. Steve interviewed Gibbard while he was in Helena in July 2012. *** The only "Yonki" in the entire history of professional baseball is a Brewer no more. Just-turned 23-year-old switch-hitting OF Yonki Hernandez (a second baseman back in his DSL rookie season in 2010) was limited to a backup role in Maryvale this past summer (25 games, 47 AB's) after spending all of 2012 in Helena. *** By far the highest drafted player in this group, 21-year-old RHP Danny Keller was the Brewers' 6th round draft pick in 2011 out of a California high school, spurning Cal-State Northridge for a $150,000 signing bonus. After posting two very hittable seasons in Maryvale, Keller was given an opportunity to be a big part of 2013's Helena rotation, but as the linked numbers show, it didn't work out. Steve Wendt spoke in August with Keller. *** They don't even have a 49th round in the draft anymore, so 2008 JUCO LHP Daniel Meadows reaching AAA Nashville in both 2011 and 2012 was quite an accomplishment in itself. Meadows, 26 next week, was asked to become an extreme sidewinder in April, and worked on his craft in Maryvale before AA and High-A stints saw him walk 47 in 42 innings this season. Meadows was an Arizona Fall League particpant after the 2011 season. Here's a 2012 audio interview with Nashville's Jeff Hem. *** 23-year-old 6'6" LHP Chris Matulis, an undrafted 2013 free agent out of the University of Central Florida, only got to experience the Maryvale heat in his short time as a pro, hardly the glamorous experience to relay down the road. Here is our posting on his background from when he first signed this summer. *** 22-year-old OF Ruben Ozuna spent part of 2011 and all of 2012 and 2013 with Helena. This past August, Ozuna showed off his English skills in an interview with Steve Wendt. Ozuna enticed in the Dominican Summer League in his first taste of pro ball, but the Brewers' track record there remains weak (with recent glimmers in stateside additions the past two seasons). *** Like Chris Matulis, 22-year-old RHP Sean Wardour's taste of pro ball with the Brewers was limited to his 2013 Maryvale season. The undrafted free agent and Los Angeles-area native was all smiles on his signing day with the Crew. *** 22-year-old utilityman and supersub Adrian Williams was a 45th round pick (again, only 40 rounds now) out of UCLA in 2011. He was a Brevard County interviewee in May of this past season. Williams' season-high for at-bats was 206 with Helena in his rookie season. *** Not released, but retiring, is four-year pro, 21-year-old Juan De Leon, who holds a record of sorts, we can't remember another Brewer farmhand to spend four full seasons at the Dominican Academy without making it stateside (EDIT: one is identified in the next post in this thread). *** We wish all these young men well in their future endeavors, hopefully with other organizations in affiliated ball down the road. We may see some go the independent route in 2014, and if so, we'll let you know. Hopefully for those whom it applies, all will make good use of any college money the Brewers guaranteed as part of their original deals.

Here's the Press Release from Chris Elvin Nina and Chuckie Caufield move up from Helena. Ken Dominguez, listed simply as a "coach", is down from Huntsville's Hitting Coach position. We'll have to see if Dusty Rhodes and Dave Chavarria have been reassigned. A bit unusual, in that normally the Brewers announce staffs at all levels on the same day.

Matt Erickson to return as Wisconsin Manager (press release will be down the road)

All three active leagues (Venezuela, Dominican, and Mexico -- no Brewers participating in Mexico, at least not yet), were idle on Monday. The Puerto Rican League, which often sees quite a bit of Brewer activity, opens Friday 11/1.

Looks like someone's off to winter ball.

Monday's Arizona Fall League Game (box) Surprise wins 8-7. Mitch Haniger, batting 3rd and playing RF, reached base three times, via double, walk and HBP. He sports a .316/.412/.509 line over 57 AB's. RHP David Goforth was given an "easy" save situation, asked to preserve a three-run lead. He did, but the numbers took a hit: Glendale Top of the 9th Pitching Change: David Goforth replaces Keith Couch. Brian Cavazos-Galvez flies out to left fielder Henry Urrutia. Tucker Barnhart singles on a line drive to right fielder Mitch Haniger. Byron Buxton strikes out swinging. Marcus Semien homers (2) on a fly ball to left center field. Tucker Barnhart scores. Colin Moran strikes out on a foul tip. Gameday tells us it was a 95 MPH fastball on the home run. Goforth would feature the fastball, touching 96, to begin each AB. Should be fun to see him on MLB Network Saturday (6:00 PM Central). On Tuesday, it's a 1:35 Central rematch, this time in Glendale. You'll find that box here.

Via Mr. Haudricourt: RHP David Goforth will represent #Brewers in Arizona Fall League "Stars Game" Saturday at Surprise. MLB Network will televise game.

Sunday's action - Dominican Box Score Robinzon Diaz, 0-for-3 with an HBP, batted 3rd, played first base *** Dominican Box Score Juan Francisco, batting cleanup as the DH, managed to drive in two runs on groundouts despite an 0-for-5 night (one K), now 9-for-36 (.250, three walks, eight K's). Sean Halton idle a second night, but could appreciate Big Papi's performance. Eugenio Velez, LF and batting 3rd, 1-for-4 (one K) SS Hector Gomez returned to action, 1-for-3 (one K)

When ESPN shows "30 on 30", wonder if this Baseball America list is what they have in mind, Brewers fans. 30. BREWERS Little in the way of impact talent or prospects close to the majors anchor Milwaukee to the bottom of the heap. They did just graduate a fairly robust 2013 rookie class that included Wily Peralta, Logan Schafer, Scooter Gennett and Khris Davis.

Via thedynastyguru.com on October 16th, interesting -- Tyler Cravy, RHP, MIL. This may be the longest shot I’ve yet written about, but hear me out. Cravy was a 17th round JuCo pick in 2009, and has spent his career to date shuttling back and forth between the rotation and bullpen. 2011 saw him move from Rk ball to full season A ball in the Midwest League, and while his surface stats of a 4.98 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over 90 1/3 innings looked like nothing worth shaking even a store-bought stick at, those numbers were fueled by a horrifying .373 BABIP and there was some legitimate intrigue if you looked under the hood. He whiffed 11.0-per-9, posted a walk rate under 3-per-9, and induced groundballs at a robust 44% clip. Moved to fulltime relief duty for a full season return engagement in the Midwest League in 2012 he was solid if unspectacular. His BABIP regressed to a more normal range, bringing his ERA and WHIP with it, but his K rate dropped and he was now a middle reliever in A ball. So for fantasy baseball purposes…yeah, whatever. But after kicking off 2013 in the bullpen once again he was given another crack at starting in the season’s second half. Beginning with a spot start at the end of June, he started 9 of his final 11 games of the season and flat-out dominated to the tune of a 1.28 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 8.8 K/9, 4.36 K:BB, and 41% GB% over 49 innings. He unfortunately appears ticketed for relief work in Surprise, but it’s hard to believe the Brewers won’t give him a shot at their AA rotation next spring. He’s one to watch this fall, but even moreso next spring as a potential late-bloomer.

Hell in a Cell Predictions via Cageside

Saturday's Winter League action -- Dominican Republic - Box LF Eugenio Velez 0-for-4 with a run scored (one K; one run, reached on error) to see his early average "tumble" to .417. Velez' teammate, light-hitting SS Hector Gomez, was idle for a second consecutive night. Robinzon Diaz, playing first base for just the 2nd time in all of 2013, was 2-for-5 with an RBI and run scored. *** Box Juan Francisco's nice winter season continued, he now has a seven-game hitting streak and is hitting .323. Batting cleanup and playing third base, Francisco was 2-for-4 with a double and run scored. Night off for Sean Halton. *** Venezuela - Box RHP Arcenio Leon made his 7th appearance and, despite decent numbers, was charged with his third blown save in a game which his team eventually won 11-10 in ten innings. Caracas Bottom of the 8th Jesus Aguilar singles on a ground ball to center fielder Ender Inciarte. Pitching Change: Jesus Yepez replaces Yorman Mayora. Danny Dorn hit by pitch. Jesus Aguilar to 2nd. Luis Rodriguez walks. Jesus Aguilar to 3rd. Danny Dorn to 2nd. Pitching Change: Arcenio Leon replaces Jesus Yepez. Casper Wells doubles (1) on a line drive to right fielder Felix Perez. Jesus Aguilar scores. Danny Dorn scores. Luis Rodriguez to 3rd. Carlos Rivero grounds out, shortstop Freddy Galvis to first baseman Ernesto Mejia. Luis Rodriguez scores. Casper Wells to 3rd. Ramon Cabrera singles on a line drive to right fielder Felix Perez. Casper Wells scores. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Raul Padron replaces Rico Noel. Pitching Change: Daryl Maday replaces Arcenio Leon. Raul Padron strikes out swinging. Bobby Abreu walks. Ramon Cabrera to 2nd. Daniel Mayora strikes out swinging.

Here are some Brewers photo galleries of the Fall Instructional League from the good folks at Four Seam Images. For many of these young men, it's the first time we've seen them in action photos with a Brewers uniform on. For instance, nice to see infielder Carlos Belonis, the young Dominican shortstop who missed the vast majority of the regular season with a broken themb. Each player will be identified when you rest the pointer on the photo. Even for the minor league diehards among you, the process of visiting and reviewing all the photos is a bit daunting. You'll want to pace yourself over multiple visits . 10.01.2013 - Instrux Colorado vs Milwaukee 10.10.2013 - Instrux Oakland vs Milwaukee 10.11.2013 - Instrux Milwaukee vs Los Angeles (AL) Here are their other Brewers galleries from 2013. Over the course of the season, we're treated to great shots from Wisconsin and Helena. For Nashville, Huntsville, Brevard County, and Maryvale, not so much, so these are nice to access. 07.12.2013 - AZL Brewers vs AZL Padres *** 07.20.2013 - Helena vs Ogden 07.21.2013 - Helena vs Ogden 07.23.2013 - Helena vs Ogden *** 05.04.2013 - Wisconsin vs Great Lakes 05.24.2013 - Wisconsin vs Quad Cities 05.25.2013 - Wisconsin vs Peoria *** 04.05.2013 - Daytona vs Brevard County 04.10.2013 - Brevard County vs Lakeland *** 04.16.2013 - Tennessee vs Huntsville 07.08.2013 - Huntsville vs Tennessee *** 05.04.2013 - Nashville vs Round Rock 05.05.2013 - Nashville vs Round Rock

Surprise rolls, 6-1 (box), and the Brewers farmhands continue to play especially well -- Jason Rogers, batting 3rd and playing LF, two singles followed by a solo HR, finished 3-for-5. Rogers is rocking a 1.133 OPS after his first ten AFL games. Mitch Haniger played CF and batted cleanup, a unique and valuable combination. Haniger was 2-for-5 with a double, RBI, and two runs scored. On the mound, RHP Tyler Cravy, interviewed a few posts above, tossed two scoreless innings and now has 9.1 AFL relief innings under his belt and an ERA of 0.00. Remember that Cravy's first few outings he minimized inherited rallies or snuffed them out all together, so he's had a fantastic run thus far in this offense-friendly environment. You may remember that Cravy was the last man added to the Brevard County roster in April, as he was originally set to repeat at Wisconsin. Fewer farmhands made bigger runs this season than Cravy (take another peek at those Manatee numbers via the link above). Mesa Bottom of the 5th Pitching Change: Tyler Cravy replaces Miguel Pena. Wes Darvill lines out to right fielder Dariel Alvarez. Jett Bandy lines out to left fielder Jason Rogers. Brian Goodwin singles on a ground ball to second baseman Mookie Betts. Addison Russell strikes out swinging. Mesa Bottom of the 6th Albert Almora strikes out swinging. Taylor Lindsey strikes out on a foul tip. Jorge Soler pops out to second baseman Mookie Betts. RHP Kevin Shackelford finished up with another strong outing, fanning two in a perfect 9th -- Mesa Bottom of the 9th Pitching Change: Kevin Shackelford replaces Shawn Armstrong. Albert Almora grounds out to first baseman Brett Nicholas. Taylor Lindsey strikes out swinging, catcher Jorge Alfaro to first baseman Brett Nicholas. Jorge Soler strikes out swinging. Saturday's "Gameday" did not include pitch type and pitch speed info. *** Rogers, Cravy, and Shackelford all have to be added to the 40-man roster by November 20th or be exposed in December's Rule 5 draft, as discussed in this thread. Haniger does not need to be added this fall. *** AFL off on Sunday, back at it again Monday afternoon.

Tom H. followed up with Gord Ash on our behalf (as did Adam McCalvy). Tom sent these tweets: Taylor Jungmann only pitched once in AFL, he has groin strain and team being very cautious. Asst. GM Gord Ash said Jungmann might not pitch again in AFL but it is not considered a serious issue. *** FYI - Good first inning for Rogers / Haniger: Surprise Top of the 1st Mookie Betts strikes out on a foul tip. Garin Cecchini singles on a ground ball to center fielder Albert Almora. Jason Rogers singles on a fly ball to left fielder Steven Souza Jr. Garin Cecchini to 2nd. Mitch Haniger doubles (4) on a ground ball to left fielder Steven Souza Jr. Garin Cecchini scores. Jason Rogers to 3rd. Jorge Alfaro singles on a ground ball to center fielder Albert Almora. Jason Rogers scores. Mitch Haniger scores. Jorge Alfaro to 2nd on the throw. Michael Ohlman walks. Brett Nicholas grounds into a double play, second baseman Taylor Lindsey to first baseman Matt Skole. Michael Ohlman out at 2nd.

Friday Winter League action in the Dominican for Brewers' farmhands under contract for 2014 -- Box Licey lost, 4-1, so it was a relatively light day for cleanup 3B Juan Francisco and 5th spot 1B Sean Halton. Francisco did double in four AB's, fanning twice. He's 8-for-27 (.296) with three XBH's, three walks, and seven K's. Halton was 0-for-3 with two K's (and another HBP - he played a full game), and is now 9-for-24 (.375) with six XBH's and sporting an OBP just shy of .500. *** Box Veteran Eugenio Velez is versatile, but all his DWL action has been in left field. In this game, 2-for-4 with a triple, run scored, and his 4th stolen base (one K). He's still batting .500 (10-for-20, three XBH's, three BB's, three K's). *** Box Robinzon Diaz was back at DH after a night behind the plate, went 0-for-4, now 7-for-27 (.259, three XBH's, three K's, and in true Robinzon Diaz tradition, zero BB's).

Brewers 24-year-old RHP and Arizona Fall League participant Tyler Cravy, with 7.1 scoreless innings thus far, is being watched closely by his local Napa, California newspaper staff. They interviewed him as part of an Arizona Fall League story, read the full article here. Here's the interview portion with writer Harrell Miller: *** Meanwhile, back at the Arizona Fall League, make no mistake about it — players who have been selected to play in this league know how important it is. For example, last week I had a chance to talk with 2009 Napa Valley College pitching phenom Tyler Cravy. He is in Arizona this fall pitching for the Surprise Saguaros. Tyler is in the Milwaukee Brewers organization. He just finished his fifth year in professional baseball and has yet to pitch in a major league game. I asked if he was perhaps just a tad discouraged. He said that he had been, but, his invitation to fall ball in Arizona was a real morale booster. “I feel really good about being invited here,” he explained. “Things are looking on the up side. This is definitely a big step.” The Saguaros were getting ready to play their 10th game of the season when Tyler and I talked. “So far,” he said, “I’ve pitched in four games for a total of five or six innings. I usually get in a game for an inning or two every couple of days. I don’t want to jinx myself,” he said with a laugh, “but so far I haven’t allowed a run.” He went on to explain that that was good for a pitcher down here and that he was very pleased with the way things have gone so far. I asked about whether he had been invited to big league spring training next year (that’s usually the next really big step). He told me that if that happens, it will not be until after the first of the year. For now he simply plans to go home to Vallejo when he’s done here. He’ll relax, play a little golf — he lives with his dad on Mare Island, where golf can be a bit foggy at times — stay in shape and let his arm get a good rest. Tyler Cravy is one of more than 200 excellent players who are deadly serious about their afternoons — and sometimes, evenings — in the somewhat coolish ballparks in the Valley of the Sun. Time has shown that 60 percent of them will have a big league number on their backs before they hang it up, and nobody wants to be in the 40 percent that got “this close” but didn’t make it. For that reason, when you go to an AFL game, you’re going to see excellent baseball played by young men who want nothing more than to be the best that they can be.

Surprise moved to 9-6 and continues to lead their West Division after a 3-1 win (box). RHP David Goforth allowed his first run in six appearances but earned the save -- Scottsdale Bottom of the 9th Pitching Change: David Goforth replaces Jason Gurka. Andrew Susac walks. Jarrett Parker lines out to left fielder Henry Urrutia. With Angel Villalona batting, passed ball by Jorge Alfaro, Andrew Susac to 2nd. Angel Villalona singles on a ground ball to left fielder Henry Urrutia. Andrew Susac scores. Peter O'Brien singles on a line drive to left fielder Henry Urrutia. Angel Villalona to 2nd. Gift Ngoepe grounds into a force out, shortstop Jonathan Schoop to second baseman Mookie Betts. Angel Villalona to 3rd. Peter O'Brien out at 2nd. Gift Ngoepe to 1st. Mason Williams strikes out swinging. This early in the AFL season, a cold stretch can knock a gaudy start down real quick -- Mitch Haniger is 0-for-his-last-10 to see his average fall to .306 (still sporting a nice .886 OPS in 49 AB's). It's a Saturday afternoon start (1:35 Central) for the Saguaros, at the other division leader, Mesa. Here's a box link you can check.

From earlier in this thread, it's been stated a few ways, but -- And as we've indicated before, if the Huntsville franchise does get sold and relocates, the Brewers' affiliation with the Stars currently only extends through 2014. The new ownership group could choose to test free agent waters, so to speak, to lure a different major league franchise affiliation beginning in 2015.

Taylor Jungmann made only one Arizona Fall League appearance, a three-inning outing 11 days ago. Originally listed as tonight's starter for his Surprise squad, that honor now goes to lefty Tim Berry of the Orioles. Jungmann might pitch in relief tonight, but if he doesn't, we'll need the beat guys to go to the Gord Ash text-o-meter to get us an answer. EDIT: Jungmann did not pitch at all. Mitch Haniger is starting tonight in right field (box).

Nice... http://ballparkbiz.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/nashville-sounds-ballpark-rendering.jpg?w=500&h=286

You may have missed my post earlier in this thread. If Sanchez doesn't re-sign a minor league deal for 2014 shortly with Milwaukee, he's a minor league free agent five days after the World Series. The ball is in Sanchez' court, with quite a bit of leverage, too. He'll find a nice AAA deal elsewhere unless the Brewers can entice him.