Jim Goulart

Surprise's next nine games are all night affairs, 7:35 Central time. Here's a link for Thursday night's box score in Glendale. FYI, there are pitch-by-pitch Gameday links for most, if not all, AFL games, Wednesday's Gameday reveals Kevin Shackelford topped out at 93 MPH and David Goforth at an encouraging 96 MPH.

The first news regarding 2014's staffs: Darnell Coles Named Sounds Manager Remainder Of Nashville Coaching Staff Returns For 2014 Review more on Coles from our 2013 thread here and here.

From Wednesday's box score -- Surprise now 2-0 after a 9-5 win Seven RBI in two games? Say hi to your early AFL MVP, Mitch Haniger, 3-for-5, including a double. Jason Rogers doubled and singled in five trips. Fireballing RHP Kevin Shackelford debuted with an eventful inning -- Peoria Bottom of the 7th Pitching Change: Kevin Shackelford replaces Matt West. Jorge Bonifacio doubles (1) on a line drive to center fielder Mitch Haniger. With Lane Adams batting, wild pitch by Kevin Shackelford, Jorge Bonifacio to 3rd. Lane Adams strikes out swinging. Jonathan Meyer doubles (1) on a line drive to center fielder Mitch Haniger. Jorge Bonifacio scores. Jake Lowery grounds out, second baseman Mookie Betts to first baseman Travis Shaw. Jonathan Meyer to 3rd. Orlando Calixte reaches on a throwing error by shortstop Jonathan Schoop. Jonathan Meyer scores. With Delino DeShields batting, Orlando Calixte advances to 2nd on a balk. Delino DeShields strikes out swinging. RHP David Goforth closed out the win -- Peoria Bottom of the 9th Pitching Change: David Goforth replaces Ryan Harvey. Jorge Bonifacio flies out to center fielder Mitch Haniger. Lane Adams grounds out sharply, pitcher David Goforth to first baseman Travis Shaw. Jonathan Meyer flies out to center fielder Mitch Haniger. Jason Rogers had some base hits go his way, but recorded no putouts in LF.

Biloxi stadium next step: Acquiring loan, league approval “A couple of other things have to happen before we can move forward, and those things will happen before we actually borrow the money,” David Nichols, Biloxi’s chief administrative officer, said in the release. “First, the team must be purchased, and Minor League Baseball must approve of everything. We expect to see those things happen very shortly.”

Mitch Haniger in CF, batting 3rd Wednesday afternoon, Jason Rogers gets his first taste of the AFL, starting in LF, and batting 6th: Box Score for Wed. 10/9 Rogers appeared at first base in 130 games in 2013, playing LF only twice. He has played LF in 66 of 316 career pro games, however, almost evenly split between 2011 and 2012.

Top 5 2013 Home Games

Excellent 1.2 innings for RHP Tyler Cravy, who inherited a bases-loaded, one-out jam, allowing only one sacrifice fly -- Peoria Top of the 4th Pitching Change: Pete Ruiz replaces Miguel Pena. Cory Spangenberg doubles (1) on a sharp line drive to center fielder Tyler Naquin. Nolan Fontana walks. With Stefen Romero batting, Cory Spangenberg advances to 3rd on a balk. Nolan Fontana advances to 2nd on a balk. Stefen Romero hit by pitch. Japhet Amador pops out to second baseman Joe Wendle on the infield fly rule. Aaron Altherr walks. Cory Spangenberg scores. Nolan Fontana to 3rd. Stefen Romero to 2nd. Pitching Change: Tyler Cravy replaces Pete Ruiz. Jorge Bonifacio out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Tyler Naquin. Nolan Fontana scores. Cheslor Cuthbert lines out to right fielder Henry Urrutia. Peoria Top of the 5th Austin Hedges grounds out, third baseman Garin Cecchini to first baseman Brett Nicholas. Patrick Kivlehan singles on a line drive to center fielder Tyler Naquin. Cory Spangenberg grounds into a double play, second baseman Joe Wendle to shortstop Jonathan Schoop to first baseman Brett Nicholas. Patrick Kivlehan out at 2nd.

Haniger backs Pena with Surprise slam Brewers prospect hits go-ahead homer in AFL season opener By Danny Wild / MiLB.com Mitch Haniger watched Mickey Pena make a pretty good first impression in the Arizona Fall League on Tuesday. By the sixth inning, he added one of his own. "It's definitely what you want, a good situation, bases loaded, I was looking for a pitch to drive and I got a good pitch to hit," said Haniger. The Brewers outfield prospect hit a go-ahead grand slam and Red Sox lefty Mickey Pena pitched three perfect innings as Surprise held on to edge Peoria, 7-6, on Opening Day in the AFL. Haniger, Milwaukee's supplemental first-round pick last year, gave Surprise the lead in the sixth inning when he knocked home Garin Cecchini (Red Sox), Ryan Rua (Rangers) and Joe Wendle (Indians) with his first career slam to left off Peoria reliever and No. 8 Padres prospect Adys Portillo. The left fielder, the Brewers' No. 12 prospect, finished 2-for-4 and scored a pair of runs. "It was a 3-1 fastball, middle-in. I'd never faced him before," Haniger said. "I'm just trying to keep everything simple, play the game I've played all year. Just trying to hit the ball hard each at-bat and keep it simple." Pena, who went 7-8 with a 4.29 ERA in 18 starts between two levels this past season, held the Javelinas off base in his AFL debut, striking out one while throwing 19 of his 28 pitches for strikes. The former South Atlantic League All-Star retired Padres' No. 14 prospect Cory Spangenberg to begin a perfect first, struck out slugging cleanup man Japhet Amador (Astros) to start a 1-2-3 second and retired the side in the third, getting Cheslor Cuthbert (Royals), Padres' No. 2 farmhand Austin Hedges and Pat Kivlehan (Mariners) to end his day. Pena, though, wasn't too familiar with his new competition, not even the more heralded names on Peoria's lineup card. "Before the game, my pitching coach [steve Karsay] gave me a list of all the players. I don't really try to focus on that too much, because at the end of the day, I'm still going to attack hitters the way I'd attack them," he said. "Hedges, I didn't even know he was a top prospect for the Padres, so I treated him like any other hitter, attacking the zone." Pena did get a tip on Amador, a first baseman who joined Houston after shellacking Mexican League pitchers with a .368 average, 36 homers and 121 RBIs in 104 games. He appeared in just 10 contests with Triple-A Oklahoma City before heading to Arizona. "He had 36 homers in the Mexican League, so that stood out for me," Pena said. "I treated it the same, pounded the zone, elevated the ball and it worked to my advantage." Both Pena and Haniger are in a new environment with new teammates, cities, hotels and coaches. It can be overwhelming for younger players and exciting at the same time. "It's always great meeting new players, especially this great competition, it's been a lot of fun," Pena said. "It definitely gets you going before the game, it pumps you up and it's something I've looked forward to. Opening Day in the Fall League, it's a great feeling." "It's pretty cool. I'm becoming more talkative and started to become friends with some guys," Haniger said. "And it's nice to know a few of the Brewers players before I came out here, I'm living with two of them, so it's been real fun. It's definitely different, but I'm really enjoying it." Haniger, who doubled in Surprise's two-run first, was impressed with the Red Sox southpaw from his spot in left. "He's real impressive. You can tell how he mixes pitches, he knows how to pitch," he said. "He goes inside, outside, keeps the hitters off balance and that helps him." Pena said he used the same stuff that brought him success this past season with Class A Advanced Salem and Double-A Portland. "I just go back to this season and really not trying to do too much, especially with the butterflies I had like in my Double-A debut," Pena said. "I was really pumped up, but I'm staying within myself and that helped me. Attacking hitters, keeping it as simple as possible -- it's no different from any other league. It's the same mound distance, just different hitters and better competition. Going into that first start, I was telling myself, 'Don't do too much, just go out and compete.'" He said the talent level in Arizona is noticeably better than what he saw back on the East Coast. "Just their caliber, you can tell they're a notch above everyone else, a lot stronger and smarter at the plate," he said. "They're really attacking the ball, so I was keeping it low and that's something that was part of my game plan going into today. Some of these guys have Major League time, that's what stood out the most for me." Pena and Haniger professed to have similar goals in Arizona -- stay healthy and consistent. "I think just having quality starts every game and staying within myself. At the end of the day, it's a game of failure. Staying consistent is key to me, as long as I keep attacking hitters, everything will turn out well," Pena said. "Definitely keep working hard and hopefully have a good outing every fifth day. And staying healthy, most importantly." "Just to have good at-bats, swing at good pitches, hit the ball hard every time, help my team win," Haniger said. "There's a lot of good players out here, I think we can be a real good team." Jason Adam, the Royals' fifth-round pick in 2010, started for Peoria and allowed three runs on six hits and a walk over three innings. Portillo (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing four runs on one hit and a pair of walks in one inning. Cuthbert homered for Peoria, while Aaron Altherr (Phillies) and Jorge Bonifacio (Royals) each drove in two runs. Mitch Haniger hit .264 with 11 homers and 68 RBI in the Minors in 2013. (Photo by Tom Hagerty) http://www.milb.com/assets/images/8/4/6/62707846/cuts/Haniger_wz43k2kr_wogv0mys.jpg

Surprise Bottom of the 6th Pitching Change: Adys Portillo replaces Kyle Hunter. Garin Cecchini hit by pitch. With Ryan Rua batting, Garin Cecchini steals (1) 2nd base. Ryan Rua walks. Brett Nicholas lines out to center fielder Aaron Altherr. Joe Wendle walks. Garin Cecchini to 3rd. Ryan Rua to 2nd. Tyler Naquin pops out to shortstop Nolan Fontana on the infield fly rule. Mitch Haniger hits a grand slam (1) to left center field. Garin Cecchini scores. Ryan Rua scores. Joe Wendle scores. Jonathan Schoop grounds out, shortstop Nolan Fontana to first baseman Japhet Amador. *** Yeah, that'll do. Doubled in the first inning, too...

Photos at link -- Huntsville, Mobile minor league baseball teams possible targets to relocate to Biloxi after stadium deal approved by Paul Gattis, al.com With a vote of the Biloxi city council this morning approving $21 million bond issue to build a minor league baseball stadium, did the Huntsville Stars just take their first step out of the Rocket City? Or could it possibly be the Mobile BayBears that will be relocating to Biloxi or the Jackson, Tenn., Generals? The intrigue in the Southern League just got ramped up when Biloxi approved a stadium deal. The total package is $36 million for the project, including $15 million from the BP settlement pledged by Gov. Phil Bryant. The Stars and the Generals have reportedly been mentioned as the most likely targets of the Biloxi ownership group. There is also a growing sentiment that the BayBears could be vulnerable to a sale and move down Interstate 10 to Biloxi, though team officials have repeatedly said the team is secure. Biloxi officials have not identified the Southern League team it will bring to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Tim Bennett, who is part of the ownership group to bring a team to Biloxi, told GulfLive.com that luring a Southern League team to town "is a done deal." Huntsville (1,877 per game), Jackson (1,954) and Mobile (2,339) were the worst in average attendance in the 10-team Southern League in 2013. In Joe Davis Stadium, the Huntsville Stars play in the league's oldest stadium. The Biloxi city council voted 5-2 to approve the $21 million bond issue, which will help finance construction of the stadium at the interchange of U.S. 90 and I-110. The stadium will be built on land being leased to the city by the Beau Rivage casino for $1 a year.

Mitch Haniger in LF, batting 2nd today: Box Score for Tue. 10/8

Only Jimmy Nelson, at #18, makes the Southern League Top 20 (you're seeing the trend with these lists, right?). BrewCrewBall has the details.

Biloxi City Council says 'Play ball' By a 5-2 vote, it's a "GO!" in Biloxi. New stadium in 2015. No word yet on when the new ownership group will announce which existing Southern League franchise is expected to be sold to them. If you read through this thread, many indications point strongly to that being the Huntsville Stars, but it's important to note it still could be another team, perhaps the Jackson (TN) Generals. 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. The best situation for the Brewers and their farmhands would be to be playing in a spanking new facility in front of an enthused base beginning in April 2015 via a renewed affiliation agreement through at least 2016 (player development contracts are renewed in either two- or four-year intervals. We'll see...

Season starts this afternoon, Tue. 10/8. Team schedule Team Roster - Surprise Saguaros One of a few writeups on the web previewing the Brewers' squad - Grading on The Curve.com

Looks like lively discussion will accompany the Biloxi vote this AM.

Prospect361.com - Top 10 Brewers

Via BrewCrewBall -- No Manatees on Baseball America's list of the Top 20 Florida State League prospects

A big part of my 2013 wrestling enjoyment was narrowing down all my internet wrestling info to the folks at Cageside Seats. It's an SB nation site in the BrewCrewBall family of format, gives me all I need on a daily basis so I can live a somewhat-normal life elsewhere, here's their predictions for tonight.

i'm reading reports that green can elect free agency if not claimed. is it due to minor league service time? he's never been outrighted off the 40-man before . . . isn't he forced to accept the minor league assignment? Yes, pro career began in 2006.

Taylor Green has been added to the list of players kicking off this thread. "Green, who missed all of 2013 after left hip surgery, has the right to refuse the outright. He could choose to become a free agent five days after the end of the World Series, but general manager Doug Melvin indicated the club would attempt to re-sign Green to a Minor League contract." - McCalvy *** Green's pro career began in 2006, so he has enough service time to qualify for minor league free agency.

Taylor Green has been added to the list of players kicking off this thread. "Green, who missed all of 2013 after left hip surgery, has the right to refuse the outright. He could choose to become a free agent five days after the end of the World Series, but general manager Doug Melvin indicated the club would attempt to re-sign Green to a Minor League contract." - McCalvy *** Green's pro career began in 2006, so he has enough service time to qualify for minor league free agency.

Quote from a June 2012 post -- 2013 update -- Matt Eddy indicates that Johnson recently signed with the Yankees, which will be his first pro activity since 2010. Johnson won't turn 22 until next March. Good for him. Interestingly, Johnson's own Twitter profile indicates he's an infielder now. This 2010 article reminds us that the Brewers possibly hoped to get him some action as a two-way player, that never happened. Listed at 6'3", 185 when drafted, Johnson is likely an infielder of the corner variety. Based on Johnson's own tweets, looks like he actually signed with the Yankees early this summer. His Yankee debut will be in 2014, however.

Notes from Rattler Radio Blog

We've added Nick Bucci and Josh Prince to the Rule 5 eligible list that kicks off this thread. Shouldn't be anything to be concerned about -- if teams didn't want to claim them this week with no Rule 5 strings attached, they're not going to pluck them at the winter meetings.

We've added Nick Bucci and Josh Prince to the Rule 5 eligible list that kicks off this thread. Shouldn't be anything to be concerned about -- if teams didn't want to claim them this week with no Rule 5 strings attached, they're not going to pluck them at the winter meetings.