Jim Goulart

RHP Arcenio Leon re-signed -- see our minor league free-agent thread

As per Matt Eddy of Baseball America, the Brewers have re-signed the first of their potential minor league free agents. We've updated the list within the post at the top of this thread to reflect that Huntsville RHP Arcenio Leon (career stats) has signed a minor league deal for 2014 with Milwaukee. *** The Brewers claimed the Venezuelan hurler off waivers from the Astros in November 2012. Milwaukee designated Leon for assignment last January in order to clear a 40-man roster space for LHP Mike Gonzalez (ugh). At least the club didn't lose a player after that signing. Leon subsequently cleared waivers, remained in the organization for 2013, and was utterly underwhelming. In 35 games (ten starts) covering 71.1 innings, Leon allowed only 60 hits, but walked 58 while striking out only 41. He finished 2013 with a 5.68 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP. Leon turns 27 this weekend (Sunday 9/22). As noted in the top of this thread, there won't be a lot of angst from Brewer diehards amongst the names on the list above. But Arcenio Leon sure seems like an uninspired retention choice. Here was the initial Brewerfan thread on this waiver claim from November 2012. Not much excitement back then, either. *** FYI - we've added recent 40-man removals Mark Rogers and Blake Lalli to the top of the thread list.

As per Matt Eddy of Baseball America, the Brewers have re-signed the first of their potential minor league free agents. We've updated the list within the post at the top of this thread to reflect that Huntsville RHP Arcenio Leon (career stats) has signed a minor league deal for 2014 with Milwaukee. *** The Brewers claimed the Venezuelan hurler off waivers from the Astros in November 2012. Milwaukee designated Leon for assignment last January in order to clear a 40-man roster space for LHP Mike Gonzalez (ugh). At least the club didn't lose a player after that signing. Leon subsequently cleared waivers, remained in the organization for 2013, and was utterly underwhelming. In 35 games (ten starts) covering 71.1 innings, Leon allowed only 60 hits, but walked 58 while striking out only 41. He finished 2013 with a 5.68 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP. Leon turns 27 this weekend (Sunday 9/22). As noted in the top of this thread, there won't be a lot of angst from Brewer diehards amongst the names on the list above. But Arcenio Leon sure seems like an uninspired retention choice. Here was the initial Brewerfan thread on this waiver claim from November 2012. Not much excitement back then, either. *** FYI - we've added recent 40-man removals Mark Rogers and Blake Lalli to the top of the thread list.

Despite all the losses, I would hardly qualify this year's organizational activity as a disaster. But winning would have been more fun for the locals and made for easier daily Link Reporting. 2013 Organization Standings & Minor League Champs 28 or 30 record-wise, but better than all of Ohio!

Via Jason Arndt at Brewers Farm Report: Wisconsin’s Tyler Wagner maintained high expectations

Here's the RHP Josh Ravin waiver claim (via Reds) thread in the major league forum.

Via MLB.com: The Brewers on Thursday claimed right-hander Josh Ravin off waivers from the Reds. To make room for Ravin, they designated catcher/first baseman Blake Lalli for assignment. Ravin, a fifth-round Draft pick of the Reds in 2006, had an ERA over 5.00 in each of the past three seasons, but he is a hard thrower in the Joe Nathan mold who touches triple digits at times. The Brewers view him as a change-of-scenery candidate, and have had success with more "advanced" pitchers in recent seasons (John Axford, Jim Henderson ). Ravin -- pronounced like the black bird -- will be 26 in January. *** Ravin, drafted out of high school, has eight seasons of pro ball under his belt. That's enough service time, so that should he be designated for assignment during the offseason or next spring training, that service time should allow him to choose free agency if he wishes. At that point, the Brewers would have already determined he wasn't in their plans, so not a big deal, or they could convince Ravin to stay in the system regardless. But that's getting ahead of things -- he's Joe Nathan!

AUDIO: Adam of the @BrewerNation Twitter account interviews Mitch Haniger.

John Sickels on Jimmy Nelson

Huge thanks to our Link Reporters, wish you had more wins to write about in 2013, but hopefully individual players will create future legacies in Milwaukee. Thanks to all our daily followers, at times I wish the number was greater, but admittedly, it's a unique level of fan that we cater to, the organizational and minor league diehard. I tweet daily to over 1,240 Brewer fans, but it appears our daily in-season unique Link Report visits when all the affiliates are in action, averages around 300-400. We'll take that. Stay here for all the offseason updates, Arizona Fall League news, Rule 5, etc. Thanks everyone.

Helena Pre-Game Audio Interview with Manager Tony Diggs *** Helena Site Game Story *** MiLB.com Game Story

Monday's Pre-Game Audio: Helena Brewers shortstop Angel Ortega talks about the series with Idaho Falls, preparation for Game 2 and his amazing play earlier this year.

Happy 22nd birthday, Wisconsin OF Victor Roache!

New this season: Helena has media notes; it's a unique link each day, but look for it just prior to game time each day within the "Stats and Scores" banner here.

Did you click that weather link? Iffy for no interruptions (and chilly)...

Helena: RHP Barrett Astin at home vs. Idaho Falls (Royals), 7:50 PM Central pre-game, 8:05 gametime; best-of-three tied at one game apiece, this is it! Free Live Audio Link Voice of the Helena Brewers Steve Wendt is back on board, and this year he's added Twitter to the mix @steve_wendt. We've been treated to Steve's work for many years now (ten!); he is among the very best at the art of the pre-game interview, especially considering how at ease he makes all these first-time professional ballplayers. *** Follow Tuesday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Helena Box Score / Game Log *** Weather.com: Helena, MT

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So as MLB Trade Rumors notes, RH power-hitting corner OF's are in great demand. So does that mean prime pitching or corner infield talent in a prospect swap? Get healthy, Khris, and keep slugging.

James Ridle photo, Blackfoot Media Group Omar Garcia singles to start off an explosive first inning for the Helena Brewers. The Brewers would go on to score six runs in the frame. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/95/e95d1f82-1f5e-11e3-bdee-0019bb2963f4/5237f139b0f2c.preview-620.jpg

Ratterree, Brewers even Pioneer Finals Circuit MVP helps Helena force Game 3 for the championship By Josh Jackson / MiLB.com The Helena Brewers didn't waste any time returning to form Monday. "To come out and score six in the first inning really set the tone," said Pioneer League MVP Michael Ratterree. Ratterree was a key part of the opening-frame rally and he finished the game 2-for-3 with a walk, two RBIs and a run scored to help the Rookie-level Brewers beat the Idaho Falls Chukars, 7-5, at Helena's Kindrick Legion Field. The victory evened the best-of-3 Finals. In the No. 3 hitter's first at-bat, he faced Patrick Conroy, who was 6-2 with a 3.30 ERA during the regular season. The Brewers had runners on first and second. "I was thinking, 'Drive the ball into the outfield. Hit a line drive,'" Ratterree said. He got a second consecutive changeup from Conroy on a 1-1 count. "This one was kind of high and I was able to connect and send it over the left fielder's head." Ratterree, this year's 10th-round pick by the Brewers, came around to score on Clint Coulter's groundout. Two batters later, Angel Ortega doubled in two more runs and Nathan Orf singled in Ortega. Helena scored 24 runs over two games in its semifinals sweep of Great Falls, but the Brewers had only four hits in Saturday's 2-1 series-opening loss at Idaho Falls. "I thought [scoring early] was really important," Ratterree said. "[in Game 1], we didn't hit the ball well at all." The Brewers held a 7-1 lead headed into the eighth inning when the Chukars rebounded for four runs -- three of them coming on a Cody Stubbs home run that sailed over Ratterree's head in right field. He didn't have much of a chance to catch it. "I went after it like I could," he said, "but it was a pretty far one." The Rice University product admitted Idaho Falls had the Helena team nervous late in the game. "They're a great team. We knew they're not going to go down easy. They can hit," he said. "Fortunately, we were able to buckle down and finish the game." Brewers starter Taylor Williams improved to 2-0 in the playoffs by limiting Idaho Falls to one run on six hits and a walk while striking out four over six innings. Andy Hillis snuffed out the Chukars' rally in the eighth and worked around a ninth-inning single to earn the save. No. 7 Royals prospect Hunter Dozier was 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored for Idaho Falls. The Brewers host the decisive third game of the series at 9:05 PM (8:05 Central) on Tuesday. Ratterree and his teammates hadn't yet talked much about a gameplan. "Not right at this moment, but once we get home and have a good rest tonight, we'll have our heads ready for tomorrow," he said. Michael Ratterree hit .318 wtih 12 homers and 58 RBIs in his first pro season. (Helena Brewers photo) http://www.milb.com/assets/images/9/2/8/60831928/cuts/Ratterree480_fckpulbc_y70wvtv8.jpg

Brewers return needing some Kindrick magic By Zac Vierra for the Independent Record After losing to Idaho Falls 2-1 in the first game of the Pioneer League Championship Series on Saturday night, the Brewers returned home needing a win to continue their season. They will go after that win today at Kindrick Legion Field. First pitch is set for 7:05 PM (8:05 Central). Helena was limited to just four hits on Saturday and the road will not get any easier for the offense. Pioneer League All-Star Patrick Conroy will get the start for the Chukars in tonight’s game. He posted an impressive 6-2 record with a 3.30 ERA during the regular season. Conroy’s record aside, Helena has had success against some of the better pitchers in the league — including when the Brewers knocked around the Pioneer League Pitcher of the Year Jake Sanchez for six runs on nine hits in a first-round playoff game against Great Falls. In Conroy’s only start against Helena this season he allowed four runs (although none were earned) on six hits in five innings on July 9 at Kindrick Legion Field. The Brewers will counter with Taylor Williams, who outdueled Sanchez in the first game of the playoffs. Williams earned the win in that contest after allowing three runs on four hits in five innings. In his lone outing against the Chukars, on July 10, Williams allowed three runs on five hits in four innings. Although the Brewer pitching staff limited Idaho Falls to just two runs in Game 1, shutting down the Chukars’ offense will not be an easy task the rest of the series. Idaho Falls led the Pioneer League this season with a .298 batting average. The Chukars averaged 6.7 runs per game. Helena hit .279 as a team and averaged 6.2 runs per game in 2013. Helena does have the advantage of being at home for the final two games of the series, but the Brewers will have to win both games if they want to be champions of the Pioneer League. The Brewers did beat Idaho Falls in back-to-back games at Kindrick Legion Field in early July. But the Chukars also beat Helena twice at home this season. Along with this, Idaho Falls was actually better on the road during the regular season, going 24-14 in away games. Helena was 23-15 at Kindrick this season.

2nd year pro Patrick Conroy, another lefty who has had a fine season, looks to give the Chukars the crown. Learn all about Taylor Williams and more in tonight's Media Notes.

Helena: RHP Taylor Williams at home vs. Idaho Falls (Royals), 7:50 PM Central pre-game, 8:05 gametime; Idaho Falls leads the best-of-three series one game to none; game three in Helena, if necessary (hopefully), Tuesday Free Live Audio Link Voice of the Helena Brewers Steve Wendt is back on board, and this year he's added Twitter to the mix @steve_wendt. We've been treated to Steve's work for many years now (ten!); he is among the very best at the art of the pre-game interview, especially considering how at ease he makes all these first-time professional ballplayers. *** Follow Monday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Helena Box Score / Game Log *** Weather.com: Helena, MT

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That's a fair question. It's purely a matter of player aesthetics, both physical and mental. Top-notch training facilities, cages, weight rooms, etc., plus playing for a full or nearly-full packed house night after night. Having brand new facilities the last five years in Nashville or Huntsville would not have made much difference in the Brewers' system ranking with Baseball America and others, probably around that 25-28 range. You still have to have the talent. But for all those other reasons, yes, there's an intrinsic benefit to player development.