Jim Goulart

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Via the Brewers -- Schaub released. Perez and Mendoza retired. Pena to the restricted list for failure to report.

Back on the 2nd DSL game of the season on June 2nd, we saw this: DSL Brewers Top of the 4th Carlos Belonis strikes out swinging. Juan Ortiz walks. Sthervin Matos pops out to first baseman Victor Ovalles in foul territory. Yunior Santana grounds into a force out, third baseman Francisco Contreras to second baseman Domingo Leyba. Juan Ortiz out at 2nd. DSL Tigers Bottom of the 4th Defensive Substitution: Yerald Martinez replaces center fielder Carlos Belonis, batting 1st, playing center field. The Brewers have confirmed for us that Belonis broke his thumb, and that he is likely out for the season. It's unclear whether the injury occurred on that strikeout, Belonis did handle a fly ball the prior inning. Quite the similarity to Orlando Arcia's broken ankle in the spring of 2012, in terms of prospectdom and scope. Belonis had just begun a transition from SS to CF.

Now that the Maryvale roster has been updated, there really aren't a lot of "missing" players from the system. But we'll ask Brewers Player Development to see if they can help us out. RHP Mike Schaub, 2010 38th round pick out of a California high school, pitched in Helena last season after two seasons in Maryvale. Schaub just turned 21. LHP Brandol Perez, who never did appear in a game for the Crew in 2012 after his free-agent signing (still a fascinating backstory) IF Alejandro Mendoza, a three-year DSL veteran, now 21 years old. Catcher Carlos Pena, another veteran of three DSL seasons. He'll be 21 in September.

Many of you saw this from Thursday's Link Report: We will update our transaction thread later this morning, but the overnight-updated roster for the Arizona Rookie League squad reveals some news: 30th round Miami high school SS Luis Aviles has signed. 19-year-old Venezuelan RHP Gian Rizzo has been moved to Maryvale after three 2013 Dominican Summer League appearances and a brilliant stat career line thus far. Sweet! 18-year-old OF Carlos Belonis, considered by many to be the Brewers' top Dominican League prospect, is listed on the 60-day Maryvale DL. Belonis was injured in the 2nd game of this DSL season. We'll work on learning the nature and severity of his injury. It obviously isn't good, a la Orlando Arcia, 2012. LHP Will West, who split 2012 between Wisconsin and Helena, is on the Maryvale 7-day DL. RHP Tyler Spurlin out of Rice is an undrafted free agent signee we hadn't mentioned on the board yet. Here's his bio from the Rice site. OF Yonki Hernandez is back in Maryvale after spending 2012 in Helena. *** Also, we never did get definitive word on the nature of RHP Chad Thompson's injury with the Timber Rattlers, but as noted above, he's on the Maryvale roster, so hopefully we'll see rehab appearances soon.

26th round: Ky Parrott - CF, Herndon HS (Herndon, VA) His tweet indicating he'll be signing on at James Madison. Good luck, young man. Maybe see you again in three years.

The Sounds have also noted it may be a few days before Narveson is officially on their minor league roster. When he is, another move needs to happen to free up a spot.

Dicent did appear in three DSL games, as recently as 6/14, but yes, thanks for the heads up, like RHP Gian Rizzo, who we're excited to see stateside, both seem to have received the rare early-season bump up from the DSL.

Thanks, splitter! *** And now we know, as RHP Damien Magnifico gets a deserving bump to Brevard County. No word quite yet on a backfill move for the Timber Rattlers.

Dassa full menu! My favorite day of the summer. An 0-8 organizational day! Favorite for sure!

We will update our transaction thread later this morning, but the overnight-updated roster for the Arizona Rookie League squad reveals some news: 30th round Miami high school SS Luis Aviles has signed. 19-year-old Venezuelan RHP Gian Rizzo has been moved to Maryvale after three 2013 Dominican Summer League appearances and a brilliant stat career line thus far. Sweet! 18-year-old OF Carlos Belonis, considered by many to be the Brewers' top Dominican League prospect, is listed on the 60-day Maryvale DL. Belonis was injured in the 2nd game of this DSL season. We'll work on learning the nature and severity of his injury. It obviously isn't good, a la Orlando Arcia, 2012. LHP Will West, who split 2012 between Wisconsin and Helena, is on the Maryvale 7-day DL. RHP Tyler Spurlin out of Rice is an undrafted free agent signee we hadn't mentioned on the board yet. Here's his bio from the Rice site. OF Yonki Hernandez is back in Maryvale after spending 2012 in Helena.

So I compiled all last night's post-game updates and links thinking "no way is the organization going 0-for-8 for the day". But, in this mostly sad 2013 Link Report season, we should know better. *** Final: AZL Dodgers 9, AZL Brewers 8, ten innings The Maryvale boys took an 8-5 lead into the bottom of the 9th, then this happened: AZL Dodgers Bottom of the 9th Pitching Change: Alex Moore replaces Tanner Poppe. Josh Henderson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Brandon Diaz. James McDonald singles on a line drive to left fielder Elvis Rubio. Josh Henderson to 2nd. Melvin Santana grounds into a force out, fielded by third baseman Eric Williams. Josh Henderson out at 3rd. James McDonald to 2nd. Melvin Santana to 1st. Adam Law grounds out, first baseman Alan Sharkey to pitcher Alex Moore. James McDonald to 3rd. Melvin Santana to 2nd. Justin Chigbogu singles on a ground ball to right fielder D' Vontrey Richardson. James McDonald scores. Melvin Santana scores. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Jaylen Harris replaces Justin Chigbogu. Josmar Cordero doubles (1) on a ground ball to left fielder Elvis Rubio. Jaylen Harris scores. Michael Ahmed grounds out, second baseman Francisco Castillo to first baseman Alan Sharkey. Then, in the 10th, the A-Crew doesn't capitalize on a one-out triple and the Dodgers walk off: AZL Brewers Top of the 10th Defensive Substitution: Cody Bellinger replaces Jaylen Harris, batting 4th, playing first base. Pitching Change: Lenix Osuna replaces Bryan Munoz. Brandon Diaz flies out to center fielder Adam Law. Francisco Castillo triples (1) on a ground ball to right fielder James McDonald. Eric Williams grounds out, pitcher Lenix Osuna to first baseman Cody Bellinger. Tucker Neuhaus walks. D' Vontrey Richardson grounds out to first baseman Cody Bellinger. AZL Dodgers Bottom of the 10th Jeffry Rojas grounds out, second baseman Francisco Castillo to first baseman Alan Sharkey. Cristian Gomez reaches on a fielding error by third baseman Eric Williams. Josh Henderson singles on a line drive to center fielder Brandon Diaz. Cristian Gomez to 2nd. James McDonald singles on a ground ball to center fielder Brandon Diaz. Cristian Gomez scores. Josh Henderson to 2nd. That's not to pick on 28th round Lee University RHP Alex Moore, better days to come, young man. Yes, if you've been reading the board lately, that's THE D'Vontrey Richardson. Welcome back. *** Many positives, though. Leadoff man second baseman Francisco Castillo made a wonderful stateside debut after two DSL seasons, 4-for-6 with a triple. 2nd round competitive balance pick SS (yes, SS as he was promised a chance at, rather than 3B) Tucker Neuhaus was 0-for-3 but walked three times. (By the way, we immediately seek permission to simply call Neuhaus a 2nd round pick going forward...) Still just 18 (19 next month), LF Elvis Rubio made his stateside debut (two singles, walk). 13th round Kentucky high school catcher Tanner Norton was the DH in this one and also reached base three times with the same line as Rubio. 23rd round Texas high schooler Eric Williams, listed as a CF on draft day, singled as part of a 1-for-6 day, but started at third base. 8th round Florida high school CF Brandon Diaz singled and drove in a run as part of his 1-for-5 pro debut. Welcome aboard, guys! Four Brewers reached base at least three times and all did at least once. On the mound, rehabbing Nick Bucci (shoulder strain) had a rough start: AZL Dodgers Bottom of the 1st James McDonald walks. Melvin Santana hit by pitch. James McDonald to 2nd. Adam Law reaches on a fielding error by pitcher Nick Bucci. James McDonald to 3rd. Melvin Santana to 2nd. Justin Chigbogu called out on strikes. Julian Leon hits a sacrifice fly. Fielding error by right fielder D' Vontrey Richardson. James McDonald scores. Melvin Santana to 3rd. Julian Leon to 1st. Adam Law out at 2nd, right fielder D' Vontrey Richardson to shortstop Tucker Neuhaus. Michael Ahmed walks. Julian Leon to 2nd. Jeffry Rojas hits a ground-rule double (1) on a fly ball to left-center field. Melvin Santana scores. Julian Leon scores. Michael Ahmed to 3rd. Pitching Change: Jorge Ortega replaces Nick Bucci. Cristian Gomez flies out to left fielder Elvis Rubio. Fantastic work by Venezuelan RHP Jorge Ortega, who celebrated his 20th birthday while on the mound in his stateside debut (stranded two of Bucci's runners, then two runs, only one earned, in 4.1 innings). Wonderful pro debut for 31st round University of Kansas 6'6" RHP Tanner Poppe, as he allowed only one lonely single in three scoreless frames, fanning five. Arizona Brewers Box Score Arizona Brewers Game Log As usual, rookie league game logs can shorten your lifespan. The Dodger pitchers threw five wild pitches (Brewers none!). Six Brewer errors, though, including two by "new" 3B Eric Williams. Those led to five unearned runs, but three of those runs came in the 1st with the errors by the two veterans, Bucci and Richardson.

Post-Crescent Timber Rattlers Photo Gallery - nice

Click the link for the video quotes from Michael Reed as well *** Reed continues hot streak but Timber Rattlers lose to Cedar Rapids by Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent Media GRAND CHUTE — Michael Reed has become a persistent pest for pitchers in the Midwest League. That’s because they can’t keep him off the basepaths. The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers’ productive left fielder has pushed his batting average to a team-high .301 and extended his on-base streak to 37 consecutive games Thursday night in a 3-1 loss to the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Reed’s on-base streak is the longest in the Midwest League and third-longest in the minor leagues this season. “It’s an honor, but I’m not trying to read too much into it,” said Reed. “I’m just trying to put together good at bats and successful days. If anything gets me to the big leagues, it will be that.” Reed, a right-handed hitter with speed, leads the Timber Rattlers in walks (30), steals (16) and on-base percentage (.383). He is second behind fellow outfielder Tyrone Taylor in hits (68) and total bases (94). “Pitch selection has been big for me,” Reed said. “I’m taking my time and getting good pitches to hit, but I’ve been aggressive, too. You have to be patiently aggressive in baseball, if that makes any sense.” Reed started his on-base streak May 6 and has hit close to .320 in that span with 22 walks and 23 runs scored. “He’s been good,” said Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson. “We’ve used him in a bunch of different roles. We had him near the bottom of the lineup early and then he showed he could get on base consistently, so then we threw him near the top of the order. He puts the ball in play and he has some speed, so he can put pressure on the defense. We’re going to try and give him as many at-bats as possible.” Reed, 20, was a fifth-round pick out of high school by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2011 major league draft. His father, Benton Reed, was a former NFL football player who was a standout defensive lineman at the University of Mississippi. Benton Reed played three seasons in the league and started three games at defensive end for the New England Patriots in 1987. Benton and the Reed family has visited Grand Chute to watch Michael play pro ball. “When I was growing up, he’d talk to me a lot about mental toughness and I think he was the one who really gave me that competitive drive that you need to have for baseball,” Reed. “He doesn’t talk too much about his playing days. To be honest, he’s more of a college football fan than an NFL fan. But he says the players today are so much bigger and faster than when he was playing.” Reed had one of just six hits Thursday for the Rattlers in their first game of the second half of the season. Wisconsin went 29-36 in the first half and finished seventh in the eight-team Western Division of the Midwest League. Cedar Rapids starting pitcher Christian Powell limited the Rattlers to four hits over seven innings before getting relief help from Caleb Brewer. The Kernels, who went 40-28 during the first half of the season, are coached by Jake Mauer, brother of Minnesota Twins’ slugger Joe Mauer. “We hit some balls good, but we’re still looking for that extra-base hit and trying to get some big innings going,” said Erickson. “Their starter (Powell) did a nice job. He was a sinker guy and got a bunch of ground balls.” Wisconsin received a strong start from right-hander Eric Semmelhack, who gave up all three runs on six hits in six innings. Semmelhack’s biggest mistake came in the bottom of the second inning when he surrendered a long two-run homer to left by third baseman Travis Harrison. A two-out walk preceded Harrison’s bomb. “Semmelhack did a nice job, too,” said Erickson. “He gives up a two-out walk and the next guy pops one. That’s kind of the way it’s been going for us. We make one mistake and they get us.”

Noticed that Missoula's Chuck Taylor took the golden sombrero (four K's) in his season debut -- had to be the sneakers/cleats.

The Helena Independent Record compiled this Brewers-centric summary even though it was a road game for the H-Crew *** Brewers fall just short of Osprey in season opener Missoula ended a string of season-opening bad luck against Helena, beating the Brewers 8-7 Thursday at Ogren Park at Allegiance Field. Helena was 6-0 in season openers against the Osprey dating back to 2005, but came up just short in this one. Taylor Brennan homered on a fly ball to center field in the eighth inning to bring the Brewers within a run, but the visitors left the potential tying run stranded at third in the ninth. It was a less-than-perfect game by the home team, which had six errors in the contest. Missoula also had to overcome a magnificent night by Helena first baseman Garrett Cooper, who crushed a pair of home runs in his professional debut. The sixth-round draft pick out of Auburn was 2 for 5 on the evening. Brewers left fielder Jose Pena turned in a 3-for-5 performance to lead his team at the plate, and right fielder Charlie Markson also had a multi-hit game in his first game as a pro, going 2 for 4 with a run scored. Brewers starting pitcher Zach Quintana struggled in the early going, allowing five earned runs through the first two innings of his debut in a Helena uniform. But the 19-year-old settled down after that, retiring seven straight at one point and striking out the side in the fourth frame. Quintana finished with seven strikeouts through four innings. Right-hander Ryan Fasano was tagged with the loss after giving up three runs — one earned — on two hits through just one inning of relief. Osprey starter Felipe Perez picked up the win despite giving up six runs on seven hits through six innings of work. Jose Jose earned the save. The Brewers (0-1) began the 2013 season on a positive note when Cooper went yard on the first swing of his career to give Helena a 1-0 lead in the first. But the Osprey responded with a pair of runs in the home half of the inning, then answered another Brewers’ run in the second with three of their own. Cooper’s second home run of the game knotted things up in the fifth, and Dustin Houle’s RBI single later in the frame gave the Brewers the lead. But the advantage didn’t last long, with Missoula (1-0) lighting up Fasano for three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Helena relievers Estevenson Encarnacion and Sean Albury — in his first game back from rotator cuff surgery — kept the Osprey off the board the rest of the way. Missoula right fielder Yorman Garcia led the hosts at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a pair of doubles and three RBIs. Helena outhit the Osprey 11-8. The two squads close out the short, two-game set tonight in the Garden City. First pitch is slated for 7:05 PM (8:05 Central), with southpaw Anthony Banda scheduled to start for Helena. Righty Blayne Weller takes the mound for Missoula. Helena’s Taylor Brennan slides into third on a steal in the top of the second inning Thursday at Ogren-Alliance Park in Missoula. Arthur Mouratidis photo For the Independent Record http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/37/e3754286-da38-11e2-8e19-001a4bcf887a/51c3ede665e6b.preview-620.jpg

Osprey catch a break in opener By AJ Mazzolini, The Missoulian The Missoula Osprey got the best of Helena to open the Pioneer League season Thursday – despite the best efforts of the Brewers’ sluggers. And their own defense. The Osprey survived a near-crippling six errors on defense and a trio of home runs from Helena’s corner infielders to earn the opening day win 8-7 at Ogren-Allegiance Park. The vaunted Osprey (1-0) offense looked as good as advertised, racking up five runs before the season was two innings old. But for every fastball punished and breaking ball yanked beyond the infield dirt, there was an Osprey fielder giving it back on the other end. Some of that comes from the setting, Missoula first-year manager Robby Hammock said. Game 1 of the season under rainy conditions with a handful of players trying to acclimate to new positions? There’ll be some errors, he said. “Well I know what we’ve got to work on,” Hammock said, though the game’s outcome helped maintain the smile on his face. “You have that many errors and you’re able to pull out a victory, I hope it shows them how good they can be if they catch the ball and throw the ball.” Yet it was a Helena (0-1) error that helped set up Missoula’s game-winning rally. The Brewers, fresh off a two-run top half of the fifth inning that earned them the 6-5 advantage, allowed Yorman Garcia to reach base on a bobbled grounder to shortstop Angel Ortega to start the bottom half. A walk followed before cleanup hitter Jake Mayers smacked Missoula’s third double of the evening, scoring both runs to take back the lead for the final time. “He started off with a curveball and it was a ball, so I figured he was going to come back with a fastball,” said Mayers of duel with pitcher Ryan Fasano. “And actually it was right down the middle. I got a bat head on it and it got over the center fielder’s head luckily.” Joe Queliz singled later in the inning to extend the lead to two runs, insurance the Osprey would need. Helena came within a run in the top of the eighth when third baseman Taylor Brennan blasted a solo home run, the visitors’ third such big swing of the night. Osprey closer Jose Jose shut the door with a scoreless ninth inning to preserve the win and earn the save – but even that didn’t come without some excitement. Jose put down the first batter with a strikeout before Ortega doubled and moved to third base on a passed ball. Jose buckled down, striking out Garrett Cooper for out No. 2 and getting a line out to right field for the final out of the game. The Brewers got on the board first with a towering home run from Cooper, their first baseman, in the first inning on a ball that caromed off the foul pole near the lazily hanging windsock. A fly out in most parks, the shot left the yard in Missoula, just surpassing the short porch in right that’s 287 feet from home plate. Cooper charged out of the box, expecting a ball off the outfield wall. He was a quarter of the way around the diamond before settling into his home run trot. “Hitting it I was like, ‘That ball’s got a chance because the park’s so short out there in right field,’ ” he said. “It just kept carrying and hit the foul pole. It’s nice to come out from the college season and come up to your first at-bat and hit a home run. Can’t ask for much more than that.” But the Osprey offense came running to their defense. Garcia hit run-scoring doubles in each of the first two innings, part of a 2-for-4 day in which he scored three runs. Colin Bray led off for the Osprey in Missoula’s first at-bat of 2013 with a single before Garcia blasted a ball deep that sent Bray turning the final two corners of the diamond for a score. Garcia came around to give Missoula its first lead three batters later, advancing on a groundout to the left side and a wild pitch that wasn’t so wild. A ball in the dirt from Helena starting pitcher Zach Quintana bounced only a few feet up the line from catcher Dustin Houle. Garcia never hesitated. He sprung for home, scoring easily when he caught even the covering pitcher off guard. “That’s my play, aggressive all the time,” said Garcia, a Venezuelan, through an interpreter in his native Spanish. “I just tried to help the team.” Garcia got to play the hero again in the second. With two runners on and two outs, he doubled to right to score a pair. His second double didn’t have the zip of the first, plopping over the first baseman’s head down the line. It was speed that got Garcia to second this time on “el bloop.” He’d score later in the inning on highly touted catching prospect Stryker Trahan’s first hit of his Missoula career. In between those big Osprey innings came the start of a very rough day in the field for the home team. The Brewers scored a run in the top of the second, though there could have been many more. Missoula committed three of its half dozen errors on the night in that half inning before a pair of groundouts stranded two potential runs in scoring position. Helena went for two runs each in the fourth and fifth innings to seize the lead back 6-5. Missoula committed errors in each inning, though only one of the four scores there was unearned. In the mix was another home run from the Auburn University product Cooper, his second of the game to right field. This one – in the fifth inning – had no trouble clearing the fence. Osprey starter Felipe Perez tossed six innings with four strikeouts and gave up the first six runs in the win. Only three were earned, though. Helena’s Quintana pitched just the first four innings, striking out seven and allowing five earned runs. Fasano gave up the three runs in the fifth and was saddled with the loss as the Osprey won on opening day for the second time in two seasons, but just the third time in the club’s history dating back to 1999. ARTHUR MOURATIDIS Photo for the Missoulian Missoula Osprey 1B Daniel Palka prepares to tag Helena's Jose Pena during a pick-off in the first inning on Thursday evening at Ogren-Allegiance Park. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/missoulian.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/7/a2/7a221fee-da23-11e2-96ee-001a4bcf887a/51c3c9fb3e35c.preview-620.jpg More photos, including a nice broken bat image, and an unfortunately injured fan, at the lead link...

Left-handed pitcher Brent Suter joins Dave Walkovic on the Manatees' Pregame Show Interesting chat, always take advantage of the audio interview links we provide...

Season debut for the 3rd year LHP, who won't be 20 until January. Good size at 6'2", but yet to put it together (career stats, only 8.2 IP in 2012).

Michael Pineda 'feeling great' after rehab start vs. Manatees

Rattler Radio Blog - As always for home games, highlights to watch *** I'll chime in with praise for 23-year-old Rice LHP Taylor Wall's fine work here (3 scoreless) and continued nice season.

The Nashville game story has been updated with audio highlights: Sean Halton's RBI-Triple Hainley Statia's RBI-Single *** Wouldn't blame you if you hadn't clicked on the Pacific Coast League standings link we provide in a while, considering the Sounds' miserable 25-48 season-to-date. Iowa, with their win over Nashville Thursday, moved into first place in the division at 36-38. So it's a shame the Sounds can't compete even in a very weak four-team race. The big league club, AAA Nashville, and AA Huntsville are a combined 83-131, playing .388 ball. Putrid.

Via Jeff Hem's blog -- Audio from Iowa — Tyler (Thornburg) Talks Here is tonight’s interview with Sounds right-hander Tyler Thornburg, who discusses his second straight quality start from Wednesday night in Iowa, his season to this point, his first major league victory (which included a post-game baby powder shower) and some differences between facing hitters at Triple-A and facing hitters in the big leagues.

Stars Shutout By Descalfani, Suns Alex Cohen, Huntsville Stars After dropping their second half opener on Thursday, the Huntsville Stars were shut out by the Jacksonville Suns by a score of 2-0 on Friday night at Bragan Field. For the second consecutive start, Stars starting pitcher Ariel Pena took the loss when he came through with a quality start. The 24-year-old righty fell to 5-6 on the year after giving up five hits and two runs through six innings. Pena put himself in line for the loss when he gave up a solo homer to Suns third baseman Ryan Fisher with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning. The homer for Fisher marked the first hit of the night for Jacksonville against Pena. Two innings later, the Suns struck again with the longball off of Pena as shortstop Danny Black left the yard with a solo shot to put Jacksonville up 2-0. The two home runs given up by Pena puts him at nine for the season, a total that leads the Stars pitching staff. Unfortunately for Huntsville, that run support was plenty for the Jacksonville pitching staff. In his Double-A debut, Jacksonville righty Anthony Descalfani dazzled in his first start in a Suns uniform. The Miami Beach, Florida native gave up just two hits in six innings while striking out five batters to improve to 1-0 on the year. To ensure Descalfani a victory in his Double-A debut, righty Arquimedes Caminero threw two scoreless innings and southpaw Grant Dayton struck out the side and stranded a runner in the ninth inning for his first save of the season. On offense, first baseman Jason Rogers had three of the Stars four hits on the night. The only other hit on the night came on a double from third baseman Mike Walker. Aside from Pena, Jacksonville-native Casey Medlen pitched two scoreless innings in relief in his return to his hometown. The loss for the Stars marked the eighth time this year that they have been shut out offensively. It was also their shortest nine-inning game (2:16) this season. The Stars and Suns will play game three of a five-game series at Bragan Field on Friday. Huntsville will send RHP Taylor Jungmann (7-6, 4.13 ERA) to the bump as Jacksonville will counter with RHP Jay Jackson (2-4, 2.91 ERA). First pitch is at 7:05 PM (6:05 Central).

Be sure to check this out from our Huntsville feature thread -- VIDEO: Nick Shaw’s Unusual Approach To The Batter’s Box