Jim Goulart

Just wanted to let eastern Wisconsin locals know with enough time to set your DVR -- Thursday evening's Timber Rattlers game is a Time Warner Cable Sports32 broadcast. The big league Brewers play a matinee, so a nice treat for minor league diehards...

Brewers take Arbor View pitcher in third round of MLB draft By Tristan Aird, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL It's easy to see why Arbor View High School's Zach Quintana has a future in professional baseball. The senior right-hander consistently throws four pitches for strikes, including a 96 mph fastball, and was one of the state's most prolific hitters. But after being chosen by the Milwaukee Brewers in the third round of the Major League Baseball Draft on Tuesday, Quintana showed he takes nothing for granted. "It's a big privilege to be taken that high," he said. Quintana's mix of top-tier talent and old-school work ethic made him a coveted prize among major league scouts, and the Brewers added him to their plans with the No. 122 overall pick. Quintana said he plans to sign with Milwaukee as soon as possible, passing on a scholarship from San Diego State. "I'm going to sign as soon as I can, get out there and start my career already," said Quintana, the face of an Arbor View program that enjoyed its best season in 2012. He went 9-2 with a 2.82 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 67 innings on his way to first-team all-state honors as Arbor View (32-6) reached the Sunset Region finals. "I just showed (scouts) that I can pitch and be more than a hard thrower out there," Quintana said. Also a designated hitter, Quintana batted .445 with 13 home runs and 53 RBIs to be named Northwest League Player of the Year as a senior. Quintana has played shortstop in the past. But he cemented his draft stock as a pitcher his senior year, tossing complete games in victories over Bishop Gorman and Chatsworth (Calif.). "It was just a pleasure watching the kid play every single day, watching him take batting practice to the way he could carry a team on his shoulders to wanting to compete on a daily basis," Aggies coach Chris Martinez said. "Zach was one of those special kids. I'm going to miss the kid." Quintana wasn't the only player with local ties chosen by Milwaukee. The Brewers also picked Utah junior right-hander Tyler Wagner, a 2009 Gorman graduate, in the fourth round at No. 155 overall.

FIVE STARS SELECTED TO SOUTHERN LEAGUE ALL-STAR TEAM Two Infielders and Three Pitchers Named to North Division Roster MARIETTA, Ga. – The Southern League of Professional Baseball has announced the Southern League North Division All-Star roster. The Huntsville Stars are represented by five players including first baseman and Huntsville native Hunter Morris, second baseman Scooter Gennett and pitchers Tyler Thornburg, Evan Anundsen and Jesus Sanchez. The 23-year-old Morris is currently hitting .292 with a Southern League-leading 21 doubles. He’s hit two triples and six home runs. In the last five games, Morris has hit three long balls and has seven RBIs while going 4-for-16 (.250) at the plate. The lefty ranks second in the league in hits (62) and extra-base hits (29) and third in total bases (105). Defensively, he leads the Southern League in fielding percentage at first base with a .998. He’s made just one error in 56 games. In 2011, he set a single-season franchise record with 19 home runs at Class-A Brevard County. The former Auburn Tiger is rated as the Best Power Hitter in the Brewers organization, according to Baseball America. Second baseman Gennett is batting .308 on the season with 12 doubles, two triples and three home runs. He’s also knocked in 19 runs. The 22-year-old is the only player on the Stars roster, and one of three in the Southern League, to have started every game this season. He leads the league in hits (73), in front of teammate Morris. Gennett currently ranks fourth in the league in batting average. He was named the Southern League Player of the Week for April 16-23. According to Baseball America, Gennett is ranked as the fifth-best prospect in the Brewers organization. In 2011, the second baseman set a single-season record for hits (167) at Brevard County. This is his third All-Star selection, having been selected to the Florida State League mid- and postseason rosters (2011) and the Midwest League mid- and postseason rosters (2010). RHP Thornburg is 8-0 with a 2.69 ERA (52er/70.1ip) in 12 starts with the Stars this season, good for sixth in the Southern League for pitching. He leads the league in wins (8) and is fourth in strikeouts (66) and innings pitched (70.1). He’s kept opponents to a .210 average, fourth best in the league. He’s also allowed the second fewest baserunners per nine innings in the league with a ratio of 9.60. On April 16, he took a perfect game into the eighth inning before giving up a single to Tennessee. He ended the night with 7.1ip, 1h, 1r, 1er and 11 strikeouts. Thornburg is currently ranked as the fourth-best prospect in the Brewers organization, according to Baseball America. This is his second All-Star honor, having been named to the Midwest League All-Star team in 2011. RHP Anundsen currently ranks third in the Southern League for pitching with a 4-2 record (11 starts) and a 2.32 ERA (14er/54.1ip). He’s allowed just 19 walks while striking out 28. The Colorado native threw a seven-inning complete game in his last start on June 3. He allowed just two hits in the shutout over Mississippi. That was the first shutout by an individual pitcher this season in the Southern League. He’s kept opponents to a .245 average, second lowest on the team for a starter. The 24-year-old went 5-2 with a 3.86 ERA in 32 games for Brevard County last season. This is the second time Anundsen has made an All-Star team. He was named a Florida State League All-Star in 2009. Reliever Jesus Sanchez is 3-0 with a 0.96 ERA (4er/37.1ip) in 23 appearances for Huntsville this season. He’s converted five of five save opportunities while holding opponents to a .175 batting average. The former catcher ranks fifth in the Southern League for relievers with fewest baserunners per nine innings pitched. He’s allowed just 36 batters to get on base in 37.1 innings (8.68). This is the first All-Star team for the 24-year-old. Sanchez went 4-7 with a 4.91 ERA in 30 games (14 starts) for the Stars last season. The rest of the North Division roster includes Damaso Espino (C – Birmingham Barons), Jesus Sucre (C – Jackson Generals), Pedro Baez (3B – Chattanooga Lookouts), Nick Franklin (SS – Jackson Generals), Jim Adduci (OF – Tennessee Smokies), Denny Almonte (OF – Jackson Generals), Jared Mitchell (OF – Birmingham Barons), Blake Smith (OF – Chattanooga Lookouts), Justin Bour (DH – Tennessee Smokies), J.T. Wise (Utility INF – Chattanooga Lookouts), Joe Dunigan (Utility OF – Jackson Generals), Frank Batista (P – Tennessee Smokies), Carter Capps (P – Jackson Generals), Pedro Hernandez (P – Birmingham Barons), Danny Hultzen (P – Jackson Generals), Matt Magill (P – Chattanooga Lookouts), Jose Quintana (P – Birmingham Barons), Kevin Rhoderick (P – Tennessee Smokies), and Taijuan Walker (P – Jackson Generals).

17th rd SS Alfredo Rodriguez out of U-Maryland was also taken by Crew in '11 (32nd rd). Now a senior, he'll sign this time around.

Huntsville Stars land five on Southern League North Division All-Star squad By Mark McCarter, The Huntsville Times HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Hunter Morris already had a tentative plan in place. During the three days of the Southern League All-Star break in two weeks, "I'm playing golf all three days." Cancel the tee times. Morris, the Huntsville native and Stars first baseman, along with four teammates, will be on the Southern League's North All-Star squad. The All-Star Game, against the South squad, will be June 19 in Kodak, Tenn., outside Knoxville. Second baseman Scooter Gennett, starting pitchers Tyler Thornburg and Evan Anundsen and reliever Jesus Sanchez were also selected to represent Huntsville.

FYI on the Stars' Khris Davis: Apparently he was removed because of calf "tightness", and he's day-to-day right now. Indications are it was very precautionary, just being careful kind of stuff. Don't be surprised if they err on the side of caution this evening.

To see tweets as to when the Link Report has been technically "completed" with available links, as well as to know when the new day's Report has been posted, please follow @Mass_Haas on Twitter.

STANDINGS: AAA - Pacific Coast League American Northern Division AA - Southern League North Division High-A - Florida State League North Division A - Midwest League Western Division DSL - Dominican Summer League San Pedro de Macoris

Follow Wednesday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Huntsville Brevard County Wisconsin DSL Brewers

Wednesday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: Idle ********** Huntsville: RHP Hiram Burgos at home vs. Mississippi (Braves), 6:28 PM pre-game, 6:43 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings Free Live Audio Link -- Select the Huntsville feed from the MiLB main audio page I-Phone friendly audio link Alex Cohen is the new play-by-play voice of the Stars; follow him on Twitter @alexmcohen. It's fantastic that Huntsville is returning to what will be a traditional broadcast format this year. All games, home and away, are scheduled to be broadcast. MiLB.TV subsciption note: Huntsville road games in four locales (Mississippi, Tennessee, Jacksonville and Pensacola) will be broadcast. ********** Brevard County: RHP Andy Moye at Jupiter (Marlins), 5:35 PM gametime Free Live Audio Link -- Select the Jupiter feed from the MiLB main audio page Once again this season, Brevard does not have its own audio coverage. It appears two teams in the Manatees North Division (within which the majority of games are played) have audio, and all six teams in the South Division have audio (at least for their home games), so there will be opportunities to listen to approx. 70% or Brevard's games this season, just all from the opponent's perspective. There are no Florida State League games on MiLB.TV this year. ********** Wisconsin: RHP David Goforth at home vs. Clinton (Mariners), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime; expect RHP Chad Pierce to appear in a tandem role Free Live Audio Link - 1280 AM 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. MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; Wisconsin is one of only two (Great Lakes) Midwest League clubs that have all their home games available via MiLB.TV; Chris' call provides the audio. So for the $39.95 season-long package, fans in Brewer Nation can watch all Sounds games, all Timber Rattlers home games, and 24 Stars' road games (one Helena series this summer, too). ********** DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Tigers, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until late afternoon at the earliest

Though Mississippi cools Stars' win streak, Hunter Morris has been on a hot streak of late By Mark McCarter, The Huntsville Times HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- The swing, as any baseball player will attest, is a delicate mechanism. It requires constant adjustment. It needs the same sort of painstaking maintenance of an expensive sports car. "When I'm going good," said the Stars' Hunter Morris, "it feels natural. "Other times," he continued, "you forget which end of the bat to hold and the ball looks like somebody is shooting a BB at you. And you go through stretches where it looks like a beach ball." It's hasn't quite been beach ball time for Morris lately, but it's been close. Over four-game span, he hit three homers, doubling his total from the first 51 games. Alas, a Mississippi pitcher named Sean Gilmartin threw BBs at the Stars Tuesday night as the Braves ended a four-game Huntsville win streak with a 5-1 victory. Gilmartin allowed only five hits and struck out six in his eight innings of work. The two teams meet tonight at 6:43 in the final game of this homestand. Former Jacksonville State star Todd Cunningham had his second consecutive 3-for-4 game for the Braves, driving in two runs. Coupled with Jackson's 5-4 win at Chattanooga, the Stars fell three games behind Jackson in the Southern League North with 11 games remaining in the first half. "The thing that's made (this half) most enjoyable is the success we've had as a team," Morris said. "We're going to come down to the end with a shot at it." This has been a half-season like none other for Morris, the 23-year-old first baseman who played at Grissom High and Auburn University. There have been demands on him felt by few Stars. Not only is he a husband and father, but as the first native of Huntsville to play for the Stars, he is surrounded by family and friends. "I'm enjoying it and embracing it," he said. "It doesn't take away from work. But there's a thin line how you do separate the two. And I think I'm doing pretty well with it." Morris, who should be announced today as a member of the Southern League North All-Star team, has been the face of this franchise. So much so that teammate Josh Prince teased a local TV reporter Tuesday for showing up and not interviewing Morris. He couldn't escape attention long. Which is why Morris found himself minutes later on a dugout bench, explaining the power surge and how he has subtly tweaked his swing. "I'm just making sure my hands and my lower half are both in a position to get a little more lift on the ball, start trying to get maximum bat-speed at contact," Morris said. "We have his home run swing in what I call the 'slot.' I want him to start hitting the ball in the air," said hitting coach Dwayne Hosey. "He always swings down. He has a chance to hit for power if he changes. All we did was make a swing-plane adjustment." In laymen's terms, he's trying add a bit more of an uppercut. Though Morris said this isn't a driving factor, it's pretty much a baseball prerequisite that the corner infielders, at first and third base, need to be power hitters, or at least capable of hitting 25 or so homers a year in the majors. Judging from past performance, Morris is capable of that. He hit 20 homers a year ago, going through much the same transition as this year. "We all know (the power) is there. I just had to make sure I got it out at the right time," he said. Early in the season, he was concentrating "on getting base hits, driving in runs, squaring the ball. Now I've gotten more comfortable with step one. Now I can move onto trying to drive the ball out of the park." "He works hard," said manager Darnell Coles. "He knows what the end of the rainbow entails, so he's putting in the work. He puts a lot of time and effort into every aspect of his game." "I'm going to try to continue to build," Morris said, "and get hot and stay as hot as I can." Former Grissom High and Auburn star Hunter Morris http://media.al.com/huntsville-times/photo/9602296-large.jpg

STARS WINNING STREAK SNAPPED BY GILMARTIN, BRAVES HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Fueled by a dazzling performance by Mississippi Braves starting pitcher Sean Gilmartin, the Huntsville Stars four-game winning streak was snapped with a 5-1 loss on Tuesday night at Joe Davis Stadium. The M-Braves got to Stars starting pitcher Kyle Heckathorn early in the game. Heckathorn walked center fielder Keenan Wiley to start the game. Second baseman Phil Gosselin reached base on an error and first baseman Joe Turdoslovich doubled both them home to make the score 2-0. Two batters later, center fielder Todd Cunningham knocked home Turdoslovich, giving the Braves a three-run lead. That lead would be plenty for Gilmartin. The 2011 first-round draft pick (28th overall selection) for the Braves improved to 4-5 on the season after giving up just one run on five hits through eight innings of work. The 22-year-old has now only given up one run in his last two starts against Huntsville this season, both wins. For Huntsville, their only run of the ballgame came in the eighth inning as shortstop Tommy Manzella drove home third baseman Matt Cline with a two-out, RBI single. Manzella was the only Stars player to have a multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 with a walk. Mississippi added on to their lead in the third inning on a RBI single by Cunningham and in the seventh inning as shortstop Greg Paiml was plated on a Stars error. On the pitching side, Heckathorn fell to 2-5 on the season with the loss. The Brewers 2009 supplemental first-round draft pick pitching six innings, giving up four runs (three earned) on five hits while striking out five. The conclusion of a six-game series between the two teams will wrap up on Wednesday as the Stars will send RHP Hiram Burgos (1-1, 4.03 ERA) to face off against Braves RHP David Hale (3-3, 4.96 ERA). First pitch is at 6:43 CST.

http://www.brewerfan.net/images/store/dailylinkreport.jpg

Just wanted to let eastern Wisconsin locals know with enough time to set your DVR -- Thursday evening's Timber Rattlers game is a Time Warner Cable Sports32 broadcast. The big league Brewers play a matinee, so a nice treat for minor league diehards...

Thunderbirds ace left-hander impresses Brewers By Steve Ewen, The Province The Milwaukee Brewers apparently liked David Otterman's test drive. Otterman, the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds ace hurler this past season, was selected by the Brewers in the seventh round (245th overall) of the Major League Baseball amateur draft on Tuesday. The Brewers were one of the two clubs that had the left-hander to town for a pre-draft work-out last week; the Seattle Mariners were the other. He was the second Canadian taken this year, behind Eric Wood, a third baseman from Pickering, Ont., who went in the sixth round to the Pittsburgh Pirates. "Doing the workout there, I thought I threw the ball well," said Otterman of his visit to Miller Park, the Brewers home field. "They obviously thought I threw the ball well, too. "I'm thrilled to get the opportunity to move on and play." The Brewers have long been one of big leagues' big believers in Canadian talent. Their general manager, Doug Melvin, and their assistant general manager, Gord Ash, are both from Ontario. Their scouting staff includes White Rock's Marty Lehn; their major league roster features Comox infielder Taylor Green. "They try to help out us northerners," said Otterman. Otterman actually thought he was going to go the Philadelphia Phillies, since he got a call from one of their brass earlier in the day, asking if he would sign if he was drafted by them between the seventh and 10th rounds. They had a pick three selections after Milwaukee grabbed him. Otterman, 21, meanwhile, throws a fastball consistently in the 90 m.p.h. range, along with a slider, a curve and a change. This past season with UBC, he went 5-3, with a 2.57 earned run average in 13 games, a dozen of which were starts. He allowed only 51 hits in 77 innings, while striking out 72 and walking 45. Depending on how quickly various signings take place, the 6-foot -3, 210-pound Coquitlam Reds product could go to the one of Milwaukee's Rookie League teams, either the Arizona Brewers of the Arizona League or the Helena Brewers of the Pioneer League, or he could go to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, a team in the Single A Midwest League.

Final: DSL Brewers 4, DSL Blue Jays 2 Box Score The roster in terms of position players is rather lean -- there are only 12 position players in a league that always uses the DH, so get used to seeing these same names in the box score for a while. Two players, each listed as catcher, Natanael Mejia and Kevin Martinez, have yet to debut for 2012. At 5'11", 160, and batting 9th, 22-year-old 3rd year pro Alejandro Mendoza doesn't profile as a first baseman, but he singled, walked three times, and scored a run. Mendoza also stole a base, as the Cerveceritos swiped six in six attempts. 17-year-old newcomer Juan Ortiz remains the most productive Brewer in the tiny three-game sample of his career, he singled, walked, and scored a run. The left fielder added an outfield assist. 19-year-old 3rd year catcher Carlos Pena had a rough day -- three throwing errors, a passed ball, and an 0-for-4. 21-year-old LHP Juan Santiago, in his 3rd season, got the start, and went five scoreless. But it was another pitcher, converted OF Hitaniel Arias, who catches our attention with a "don't blink or you'll miss it" professional pitching debut. DSL Blue Jays Bottom of the 8th Pitcher Change: Hitaniel Arias replaces Milton Gomez. Cesar Barazarte singles on a fly ball to center fielder Francisco Castillo. Pitcher Change: Doni Arias replaces Hitaniel Arias. Wow, that was quick! Game Log Scoreless after six innings, but that didn't make it boring. Seriously, there were baserunners throughout the game, and I invite you to take two minutes to go to San Pedro de Macoris and see how this one unfolded. You can actually picture being quite entertained throughout the tight contest. Crazy game in some ways... *** By the way, folks, this box score was available around 5:00 PM Central. We'll have to figure out the DSL volunteer Link Report schedule, thanks. Remember, I'm retired from box score breakdowns -- really!

Brewers select Torrance High two-sport standout Taylor in MLB draft Speedy center fielder taken with 92nd pick and must now weigh Cal State Fullerton opportunity vs. signing with Milwaukee By Dave Thorpe Staff Writer, DailyBreeze.com (Los Angeles) When Torrance High's Tyrone Taylor played for the Milwaukee Brewers Area Code team last summer, it was a sign he should probably get used to that uniform. Taylor was selected in the second round - 92nd overall - in the Major League Baseball draft by the Brewers on Tuesday morning. Taylor, the Daily Breeze Player of the Year in baseball last season as a junior, returned and had a big senior year in both football and baseball for Torrance. Taylor, a speedy center fielder, hit .488 with four home runs, 29 RBIs and 28 runs scored this season while often being pitched around. He also led the Torrance football team to a CIF Southern Section semifinal, rushing for 1,521 yards and 20 touchdowns and tallying 425 yards receiving with 11 additional scores. The 6-foot, 185-pound two-sport star was on the radar of several professional teams, but the Brewers snatched him up. "I played for the Brewers for Area Code - I don't want to say it was meant to be - but I'm just excited," Taylor said. "It's a good club and it's going to be a fun time. I'm kind of at a loss for words." Taylor found out while he was at home with family and friends on Tuesday morning. "We were watching the draft online, that's where I found out," Taylor said. "The Brewers called me before the draft started and the area scout (Dan Houston) said he was trying to push me for the second round." Apparently, Houston has some pull in the organization. But Taylor was growing impatient waiting to see his name. "Seeing all those names go by, I was getting antsy and nervous," Taylor said. "I was so excited when I was picked. The Brewers scout called me right after I was chosen. It was emotional for sure." Taylor will have to make a big decision soon. He has a scholarship to Cal State Fullerton if he chooses to go to college. But the second-round money he might be offered surely will be difficult to turn down. "It's going to be a tough decision," Taylor said. "I'm sure whatever I come up with I'll feel 100 percent about it, the real deal, no regrets." Taylor said the Brewers were planning to contact him after the draft to talk about the future. In the meantime he'll weigh two great options with his family. "I'm very excited for him and his family," Torrance coach Ollie Turner said. "I know he has a tough but fortunate decision to make in the next 40 days." Torrance High's Tyrone Taylor was the 2011 Daily Breeze Player of the Year after a terrific season in which he hit .472 with six home runs and 26 RBIs from the leadoff spot. He also shines on the football field. (Brad Graverson, Staff Photographer) http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site513/2011/0609/20110609_125542_TS00-TAYLORRRRRR_GALLERY.jpg

Getting tougher -- I'm really aching for AA playoffs this fall, but with their win tonight, Jack Z.'s Jackson Generals now lead the Stars by three games with 11 to play. The two squads do not meet over that upcoming stretch.

Apparently the Brewers liked this Oakland 4th round OF pick, so stick the name B.J. Boyd in your craw for years down the road.

Wagner open to closing or starting By Tony Jones, The Salt Lake Tribune University of Utah closer Tyler Wagner was drafted in the fourth round by the Milwaukee Brewers. Wagner is the fourth Ute in the past five years to be taken in the first five rounds. He holds the single-season school record with 17 saves, and has a career 2.72 ERA. "I kept hearing that I was going to go somewhere in the first three to five rounds," Wagner said. "It’s been a stressful few days. I’m glad that it’s over, and that now I can move on to the next phase." That next phase would be deciding on being a starter or a closer. Wagner prefers life as a reliever, but would also welcome the challenge of being a starter. Either way, Wagner is looked upon as one of the better pitching talents in the draft. Milwaukee selecting him isn’t a shock, considering that the Brewers had continuous dialogue with him. Now that the draft process is over, Wagner says that he’s eager to sign and to start playing. "Their area scout is the guy who has been watching me the longest, so I have a good relationship with the organization," Wagner said. "This is just a very good fit for me, and I’m glad everything has worked out."

I knew I should have made note of these during this draft for future reference, but I know I missed others, please add on to my list below, thanks. 2012 draft RHP Brady Rodgers from ASU went to the Astros with the first pick in the 3rd round. The Brewers drafted him in the 39th round in 2009. LHP Steven Okert of the University of Oklahoma was picked by the Giants in the 4th round. He had been drafted twice previously by the Brewers, in the 43rd round in 2010 and 33rd round in 2011. 2009 26th round LHP Lex Rutledge was drafted this year in the 6th round by the Orioles out of Samford University. 2010 19th round C/OF Rowan Wick, a Canadian product out of Cypress College after a stint at St. John's, was drafted this year in the 9th round by the Cardinals.

University of British Columbia pitcher David Otterman drafted by Brewers, expects to sign By Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun VANCOUVER — David Otterman was keeping his fingers crossed Tuesday. Or maybe he was just preparing to throw a two-seam fastball. In any case, the 6-3 lefthander from Coquitlam and the UBC Thunderbirds baseball program was tickled pink when he received the news he had been taken in the seventh round – 245th overall – by the Milwaukee Brewers in the Major League Baseball draft. “I was really hopeful that today would be the day,” a thrilled Otterman said over the phone. “You hear things but it's tough because you never really know. I've heard horror stories of guys getting told they were going to go somewhere and then they don't go at all. I had a feeling I would be picked somewhere from round 6-10. I had a few people tell me that, too, and that's what I was hoping for.” Otterman is an English major at UBC and has two full years left to complete his degree. However, he indicated he is ready to turn pro immediately and finish his studies somewhere down the line. “I plan to sign with the Brewers and get started as soon as possible,” he said. “Where I might end up going in their system will be something that will be determined in the next few weeks, I think. I talked to two scouts for the Brewers after they picked me, their area guy from around here and their Canadian supervisor, and they were both saying ‘congratulations and we'll try and sort it out in the next couple of days.’ “I think it should be pretty quick. Then I have to get my work visa to go down to the United States because this is work, which is strange to say.” Otterman, 215 pounds, played for the Coquitlam Reds of the Premier Baseball League before moving on to Terry McKaig's T-Bird program. He just completed his third season with UBC, posting a 5-4 record in 13 appearances, all starts. He struck out 69 batters and walked 44. His earned run average was 2.96 while his opponents' batting average was .196. He laughed when asked if he was somewhat comparable to North Delta native Jeff Francis, another lanky lefty from UBC who went ninth overall in 2002 and pitched in the majors for Colorado and Kansas City. “Ha,” Otterman responded. “Jeff played in the big leagues so I have a ways to go before I'm Jeff Francis. I throw in the low 90s, which I don't think was much different in that respect from him, but I'd say he was a little more polished than I am.” Recently named to the All-NAIA West team, left-hander David Otterman from the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds — and a graduate of the BCPBL Coquitlam Reds — attracted numerous major league scouts this season and was the top-ranked British Columbian in the Canadian Baseball Network’s draft prospects. http://www.windsorstar.com/sports/6680474.bin

Audio from Nashville — Talking Baseball with Kevin Goldstein Tonight’s pregame interview is with Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus, arguably the best in the business in covering the minor leagues, prospects, amateurs and the annual MLB first-year player draft. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Kevin for several years and have shared a Press Box with him quite often. What impresses me most about Kevin is how he manages to remember details about hundreds of players. You can name almost any amateur or professional baseball player, and Kevin not only has heard of him but also can give you a detailed scouting report, regardless of how obscure you think the player might be. In this interview, I ask Kevin about the changes in the draft process with baseball’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA); the three Brewers 1st-round picks from Day 1 of the annual MLB draft; his thoughts about the Brewers’ minor league system as a whole; if the Brewers can hang in the NL Central race despite their rash of injuries and which players in the Brewers system Sounds fans should be most excited to see come to Nashville later this season or next year. When Kevin attends games in person, he usually sits near the scouts behind home plate. You’ll be able to find him — just look for a fedora, which he almost always sports (as you can see at the bottom of the linked page above)!

DSL posted from last night

Final: DSL Braves 2, DSL Cerveceritos 0 DSL Brewers Box Score Venezuelan RHP Jorge Ortega, soon to be 19 years old, was your starting pitcher. In his 2nd year in the system (polished numbers in 2011 for such a young pitcher), Ortega picked up where he left off last year in terms of ground ball ratio (7-to-1 in this game). Behind Ortega for three scoreless innings was 4th year (!) DSL LHP Eliezer Montano, the 6'7" Venezuelan native, 20 years old. Last year's DSL squad was surprisingly solid in mound poise stats and defense, and this was a clean game in that regard as well. The only position player who debuted yesterday was 2nd year player Leudi Otano, listed as a catcher but who saw action in RF. Last year he played one game in RF, one at 2B, and nine behind the plate. Otano tripled in the 3rd, but it came with two outs and he was stranded. Otherwise, every other player in the lineup has played each of the two games thus far. 17-year-old LF Juan Ortiz, a LH bat, is off to a nice start (3-for-7), he doubled here. Another 17-year-old, SS Carlos Belonis, again hit in the 3-hole, but is now 0-for-8 with three K's. We can't call him "heralded" until he gets a base knock. DSL Brewers Game Log Best chances -- DSL Brewers Top of the 4th Raphachel Colatosti singles on a ground ball to center fielder Ayendy Perez. With Carlos Belonis batting, Raphachel Colatosti steals (1) 2nd base. Carlos Belonis pops out to catcher Enyelber Vivas in foul territory. Sthervin Matos flies out to right fielder Ranyelmy Alberto. Elvis Rubio strikes out swinging. DSL Brewers Top of the 5th Yunior Santana grounds out, shortstop Erick Salcedo to first baseman Gabriel Villavicencio. Juan Ortiz doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder Luis Tovar. With Carlos Pena batting, wild pitch by Angel Guerra, Juan Ortiz to 3rd. Carlos Pena pops out to second baseman Angel Almao. Leudi Otano walks. Francisco Castillo grounds out, first baseman Gabriel Villavicencio to pitcher Angel Guerra. Game's only runs -- DSL Angels Bottom of the 3rd Erick Salcedo doubles (1) on a line drive to center fielder Francisco Castillo. Ayendy Perez grounds out, second baseman Raphachel Colatosti to first baseman Elvis Rubio. Erick Salcedo to 3rd. Angel Almao singles on a ground ball to left fielder Juan Ortiz. Erick Salcedo scores. Ranyelmy Alberto singles on a ground ball to center fielder Francisco Castillo. Angel Almao to 2nd. Gabriel Villavicencio flies out to right fielder Leudi Otano. Angel Almao to 3rd. Gabriel Santana singles on a line drive to center fielder Francisco Castillo. Angel Almao scores. Ranyelmy Alberto to 2nd. Luis Tovar strikes out swinging.