Jim Goulart

Milwaukee's 2006 draft produced short-time Brewer, then trade-chip Jeremy Jeffress, more trade components (for Felipe Lopez and C.C. Sabathia, respectively) in OF Cole Gillespie and RHP Rob Bryson, RHP Mike McClendon in the 10th round, and a few players (RHP's Evan Anundsen and R.J. Seidel, OF Lee Haydel) who are still around. *** Seven unsigned players from that draft went on to play pro ball: Andrew Clark, 1B -- 18th round, subsequently drafted (but not signed) by the Cubs in the 31st round, 2009, and finally drafted and signed by the Rangers in the 13th round, 2010 The Brewers never came very close to pulling Clark away from his Ole' Miss commitment, although Clark would go to leave the school after his freshman year, transferring to Louisville, where he had a productive Big East career. The 24-year-old split last season between Single-A Hickory and High-A Myrtle Beach for Texas, where he posted a .310/.430/.477 slash line with 28 doubles, 14 home runs, 83 walks, and 73 strikeouts. Re-assigned to high-A to begin 2012, Clark voluntarily retired after two games. *** Scott Shuman, RHP -- 23rd round, subsequently drafted and signed by the Rays in the 19th round, 2009 The Tifton, GA high schooler basically indicated that he was going to visit Auburn University shortly after the draft, and if they were to offer him a scholarship, he would accept, and that's exactly what happened. Shuman, now 24, posted 14 Midwest League saves in 2010, but has shifted to a middle relief role since; he's struggling in his first taste of AA in 2012, his 4th pro season. *** Marc Lewis, LHP -- 26th round, subsequently drafted and signed by the Marlins in the 20th round, 2007 Lewis had a solid junior season at Creighton University, one-plus year removed from Tommy John surgery. He decided to return for his senior year on a potentially very talented squad. Lewis' lone year in pro ball is reviewable at his link above. *** Terrell Alliman, OF -- 28th round, subsequently drafted and signed by the Angels in the 43rd round, 2007 Only 17 when drafted, this Ontario, CN product was eligible to continue his secondary high school education in 2006-2007 and chose to do so. The Angels released Alliman early in the 2011 season, which was his 4th in their system. I'll always remember Alliman because the only photo we found for our draft thread at the time must have been from Little League. *** David Newmann, LHP -- 29th round, having been previously drafted by the Indians in the 25th round, 2004, and finally drafted and signed by the Rays in the 4th round, 2007 Newmann tore a knee ligament during 2008 Spring Training, sidelining him for the entire season, and didn't make his pro debut until 2009. High-A in '09, AA in 2010, Newmann voluntarily retired early in the 2011 season, so hopefully he invested his $250,000 signing bonus well. *** Clay Jones, C -- 36th round, subsequently drafted and signed by the Tigers in the 32nd round, 2009 Jones was a high school catcher (and football star) who was followed for a year by the Brewers through a juco season. Jones would eventually land at the University of Alabama. Staying at Tuscaloosa through his senior year, Jones had migrated to first base by the time the Tigers came calling. Jones saw Midwest League action each of the past two years, and although MiLB.com still lists him as "active", that doesn't appear to be the case. *** Alex Koronis, RHP -- 40th round, subsequently drafted and signed by the Rays in the 11th round, 2009 The third pitcher from the 2006 draft to go on to be a Tampa draft pick... Koronis was a Miami high schooler who chose to stay local and attend the "U", but didn't feel it was a perfect fit and he eventually moved to the University of Tampa. So many of these players highlighted in this thread have had Brewer opponent ties through the Midwest, Florida State, and Southern Leagues, and Koronis is no different. He's currently at AA Montgomery, working in middle relief. *** We'll take a look at the 2007 draft class non-signees in the next phase of this project.

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Huntsville Game Two Walkoff Highlight (and a pie-face interview)

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

Monday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP Seth McClung at home vs. New Orleans (Marlins), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link Jeff Hem is the new play-by-play voice of the Sounds; follow him on Twitter @jeffhempbp; we'll link to his blog updates at On the Air…and Off MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; all Nashville games, home and away, will be available to watch via MiLB.TV's $39.99 season-long package ($9.99 to pay for a single month). We imagine the audio feed is from the home team. All MiLB.TV details available at the link. ********** Huntsville: RHP Tyler Thornburg 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 Brandon Williamson at home vs. Bradenton (Pirates), 5:35 PM gametime Free Live Audio Link -- Select the Bradenton 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 Chad Thompson at Beloit (Twins), 6:40 PM pre-game, 7:00 gametime; expect RHP Mark Williams 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 the DSL Angels, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until late afternoon at the earliest

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

Notebook: 6/3/12 - TRatsBaseball.com

Minor league pitching duel a major treat Nelson matches No. 1 draft pick pitch-for-pitch John Torres, Florida Today VIERA — It wasn’t always pretty or easy but Sunday night’s pitching duel at Space Coast Stadium likely served as a preview for a rivalry coming soon to a major league ballpark near you. Brevard Manatees All-Star Jimmy Nelson not only stood toe-to-toe with last year’s No. 1 overall amateur draft pick, future star Geritt Cole, during a late afternoon Florida State League game, he actually out-pitched him. But neither pitcher figured in the 3-2 ninth-inning walkoff victory by the Manatees. Think Seaver vs. Carlton, Ryan vs. Gibson or Halladay vs. Verlander. OK, maybe I’m being optimistic but at least for one gorgeous evening these two hard-throwing righties chalked up K’s and posted lots of zeroes looking like prospects not long for this league. “It was definitely a battle,” Cole said after the game, acknowledging the fact that most teams appear more focused or aggressive in facing him, a top draft pick, a target. “Both sides pitched well. There was a lot of stuff that you just had to grind through out there.” That was the perfect word because while both pitchers looked in command, it felt labored, grinding. In the end, it was a great night at the stadium — well, except maybe for that awful “Fear the Sea Cow” song blaring from the speakers . Still, you kind of knew it was going to be the pitching duel it was billed to be when Nelson threw the game’s first pitch at 5:07 p.m. and recorded his first strikeout at 5:08. Three minutes later, at 5:11 he jogged off the field after having struck out the side. Nelson, recently named to the FSL All-Star Game, denied any extra incentive at facing Cole. “You really just have to treat it like any other game as a pitcher,” he said. “You just concentrate on the hitters, try to do as much homework on them as you can and play your game.” Nelson said once players are drafted and signed, the playing field levels out a bit. “Once you get in the minors, a lot of crazy stuff happens,” he said. “A lot of guys with good stuff do well and a lot of guys with good stuff struggle.” Cole didn’t fare well initially, yielding two line-drive singles to the two first batters he faced and then a soft RBI double to right by T.J. Mittelstaedt. Then Cole, the first overall pick of the 2011 MLB Draft, settled down, striking out Mike Walker and getting Shea Vucinich to ground out weakly to second before striking out Cody Hawn to escape the first with only two runs being pushed across. The 21-year-old — regularly hitting 98 mph on the radar gun and topping off at 99 — retired the next eight men he faced before the Manatees again threatened in the third when they loaded the bases. But Cole, who pitched collegiately at UCLA, caught the outside corner on a 96-mph fastball for his fifth strikeout in three innings. He allowed two runs while scattering six hits over six innings and fanning half a dozen. His last pitch of the night? A 99-mph fastball. “In a situation like that, when it’s your last inning, you’ve got to leave it all on the field,” he said. Nelson, selected by the Brewers in the second round (64th overall) of the 2010 MLB Draft out of the University of Alabama, allowed two runs on only three hits through seven innings. He topped out at 95 on the radar gun and struck out five. The only hard-hit ball seemed to be a second-inning solo home run to right by Stefan Welch. Nelson later described it as a good pitch that Welch was able to handle and pull to right. “Give him credit,” he said. It was the first time that Cole, ranked as the top prospect in the Pirates’ organization by Baseball America, faced Nelson, the Brewers’ 10th-ranked prospect. It’s hard to believe this is Cole’s first season of professional baseball. He smiled when I asked him what his timetable was for making it to the big leagues. “I’m just going day-to-day and right now focus on my next start and just let the guys who control that sort of thing control it,” he said. I’m sure it won’t be the last time these pitchers take the mound against each other. But I bet it’s the last time they do it at this level. Both seemed destined to move up to the next level sometime real soon. “I hope you’re right,” Nelson laughed.

STARS SWEEP DOUBLEHEADER AGAINST M-BRAVES HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - With a 4-0 shutout in game one and a 6-5 walkoff win in game two, the Huntsville Stars swept a doubleheader from the Mississippi Braves on Sunday at Joe Davis Stadium. For the Stars, the story of game one was starting pitcher Evan Anundsen. The 24-year-old righty absolutely silenced the Braves bats, pitching a complete-game, two-hit shutout to improve to 4-2 on the season. The complete game from a starting pitcher and the shutout of an opposing team were both firsts for the Stars this season. On offense, the Stars got all of the run support Anundsen needed in the first two innings of the ballgame. In the first inning, a two-run double by Tommy Manzella gave Huntsville an initial 2-0 lead. In the second inning, following a solo home run by catcher Anderson De La Rosa to begin the frame, centerfielder Josh Prince virtually manufactured a run all by himself. After reaching base on a fielder’s choice, Prince stole second. Then, while attempting to steal third, a throwing error by catcher Christian Bethancourt helped plate Prince to give the Stars a 4-0 lead that they would not relinquish. In game two, down 5-4 in the bottom of the seventh, the Stars came through with their third walk-off win of the year in the most dramatic of fashions. After two singles from pinch-hitter Lee Haydel and Prince, a throwing error by Braves pitcher Mark Lamm on a Manzella bunt allowed both runs to score. Aside from the seventh inning, both Manzella and first baseman Hunter Morris contributed with two-run home runs in the fourth inning for the only other scoring for the Stars. On the pitching side, RHP Darren Byrd improved to 1-2 on the season by earning the win in 1.2 innings of work in relief duty. Starting pitcher Dan Merklinger earned a no-decision after giving up three runs on four hits in three innings pitched. The sweep helped Huntsville improve to 4-2 on the season during doubleheaders. The two wins also give the Stars a three-game winning streak. Game four of a six-game series will begin on Monday as the Stars will send RHP Tyler Thornburg (7-0, 2.52 ERA) to the mound to face off against LHP Luis Avilan (1-4, 3.06 ERA). First pitch is at 6:43 PM.

Interview from Nashville — “Audio from Claudio (Vargas)” Jeff Hem's note - Today’s interview is with Sounds right-hander Claudio Vargas, who pitched five shutout innings last night in the Sounds’ dominant 8-0 victory over New Orleans to earn just the sixth win this year by a Sounds starting pitcher. Vargas also chipped in an RBI double to help his own cause, and his incremental pitch count totals (51, 62, 76, and 87) have reached the point where he’s now on par with the rest of the rotation. He is in his third stint with the Brewers (’07, ’09-’10) and has logged more major league time (217 appearances) than minor league time (183) in his career.

Stars' manager Darnell Coles celebrates 50th birthday with something of an off day By Mark McCarter, The Huntsville Times HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Having birthdays off is not one of the employee perks. And, I suppose, Darnell Coles really didn't get the day off. Even if he wasn't on the field as the Huntsville Stars manager and where somebody - blush - suggested all his No. 11 jerseys should be hidden and he'd have to wear an appropriate big five-oh on his back. Not that some merry pranksters didn't do enough to mark the occasion. Black and white crepe streamers dangled from the ceiling in his office. An inflatable walker sat on the floor, surrounded by balloons with "50" printed on them. The cinder-block walls were covered with signs. "If they tease you about your age, beat them with your cane," one urged. All in all, it looked what would happen if delivery trucks from Dick's Sporting Goods and Spencer Gifts had a head-on collision. Coles had his "off night" necessitated because of a minor incident Wednesday night in Kodak, Tenn. In the sixth inning of the game against the Tennessee Smokies, he had a difference of opinion with umpire Thomas Newsom. Coles may be one of the nicest, most accommodating people you'll ever meet. But don't mess with his players. He's going to protect them. "I don't condone arguing with umpires," Coles quickly said before Saturday's win over Mississippi. He respects everyone has his job to do. No one is perfect. Etc etc etc. Still, the ump may have blown the call. Coles pleaded his case. With umpires as judges, managers remain winless since the dawn of history. As Coles was tossed from the game, he swept his helmet off his head. It took a wacky bounce. It hit Newsom in the leg. Automatic three-game suspension. Which, as it happened, coincided with his 50th birthday on Saturday. Now, Coles certainly was on the clock. Heck, he was on the bus when the birthday arrived, traveling back from Tennessee. He led the Stars through their pregame workouts. Then, once the game started, he settled into skybox No. 6, just another spectator. The box was decorated as well, with an array of cupcakes on the side. He felt more than a little awkward when, in the eighth inning, the Stars' Jill Cacic announced the birthday and the crowd turned around to face him and sing "Happy Birthday." How many, in a crowd of 7,360, had to wonder if it was customary for a baseball manager to be in a skybox, not in a dugout? Coles was joined by wife Shari and a couple of visitors. Their son D.J., just graduated from law school, is in town. So, too, is a terrific lady named Jan Hartzell, all the way here from Arizona. "My adopted second mother," Coles called her. She was the first person Coles met when he arrived for his first spring training as a professional ballplayer, in Tempe, Ariz., back in 1980. She worked for the Seattle Mariners front office. They "forged a great relationship," he said. She's been to graduations, weddings and other red-letter events for the Coles family. Naturally, she couldn't miss Darnell's big five-oh. Back down in the clubhouse after the win, the Stars chowed down on lasagna that Shari cooked, along with garlic bread and salad. She had a birthday cake. Another was waiting at home. In the office adjacent to Coles, pitching coach Chris Hook was finishing his paper-plate full of lasagna. As I asked Hook a question, perhaps a little flippantly, Coles overheard. "See, most nights those are the questions I have to answer," he said in mock frustration. Happy birthday, D.C. You got the night off after all. http://media.al.com/sports_impact/photo/10840239-large.jpg

Manatee Beach Jersey Auction Reminder

Catching up on video: Nashville pitcher Wily Peralta doubles in the Sounds' 5-3 loss in Oklahoma City Nashville's Wily Peralta fans Fernando Martinez Huntsville's Kentrail Davis steals second base in the Stars' 2-1 loss to the Tennessee Smokies

Look for Nashville and Wisconsin media notes at the links just prior to thier game times. If Huntsville posts theirs today, we'll link later this evening. Everybody enjoy your Sunday!

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 Sunday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Nashville Huntsville Game One Huntsville Game One Brevard County Wisconsin

Sunday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP Brian Baker at home vs. New Orleans (Marlins), 1:50 PM pre-game, 2:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link Jeff Hem is the new play-by-play voice of the Sounds; follow him on Twitter @jeffhempbp; we'll link to his blog updates at On the Air…and Off MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; all Nashville games, home and away, will be available to watch via MiLB.TV's $39.99 season-long package ($9.99 to pay for a single month). We imagine the audio feed is from the home team. All MiLB.TV details available at the link. ********** Huntsville: RHP Evan Anundsen and TBD in a doubleheader at home vs. Mississippi (Braves), 1:48 PM pre-game, 2:03 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 Jimmy Nelson at home vs. Bradenton (Pirates), 4:05 PM gametime Free Live Audio Link -- Select the Bradenton 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 Drew Gagnon at Beloit (Twins), 1:40 PM pre-game, 2:00 gametime 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: Idle

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

Don't lose sight over the fact that the Rattlers playoff chances (five game wild card lead, 14 games remaining) are still strong. It would be more fun to have bragging rights with a division title, so Let's Go, Wisconsin! You'll be back home very soon.

Sounds End Skid With 8-0 Shutout Of Z's Vargas, Two Relievers Combine On Six-Hitter Nashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds snapped a six-game skid with an 8-0 victory over the New Orleans Zephyrs in front of a season-high 10,044 fans on Saturday evening at Greer Stadium. Right-hander Claudio Vargas (1-0) scattered three hits and struck out six batters over five scoreless innings to pick up his first win for the Sounds. Vinnie Chulk followed with a pair of scoreless frames before Donovan Hand closed out the contest with two scoreless innings of his own. The 8-0 win, Nashville's fourth shutout triumph of the year, marked the Sounds' largest margin of victory this season. Nashville pitchers combined to strike out 10 batters and did not issue a walk in the contest for only the second time this season; it previously occurred on April 12 at Oklahoma City. First baseman Jordan Brown paced the 10-hit offensive attack with a 4-for-5 night, Nashville's third four-hit effort this season (Sean Halton, Edwin Maysonet). Andy Gonzalez, Corey Patterson, and Jeff Bianchi each drove in two runs for the Sounds. Nashville (21-34) jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning when they batted around and erupted for a five-spot against New Orleans right-hander Alex Sanabia. Brown opened the inning with a double before Gonzalez and Jay Gibbons drew walks to load the bases. Hainley Statia put Nashville on the board with a run-scoring single to right to plate Brown (audio). After Sanabia recovered to retire the next two hitters, Patterson (audio) and Bianchi (audio) delivered back-to-back two-run singles to up the home team's advantage to five. Gonzalez made it a 7-0 game an inning later when he belted his second homer in the last two days, a two-run shot to left-center off Sanabia (audio). Brown also scored on the big fly after preceding Gonzalez with a single. Vargas helped his own cause in the fifth when he lifted a two-out RBI double into the left-center gap off Z's reliever Robert Ray to plate Statia to up the Nashville lead to 8-0 (audio). Sanabia (3-4), who was activated from a stint on the disabled list prior to the game, was saddled with the loss after being tagged for seven runs on six hits in just 2 1/3 innings of work. The teams continue the series with a 2:05 p.m. matinee on Sunday afternoon. Right-hander Brian Baker (1-3, 6.89) will make the start for the Sounds to face New Orleans left-hander Brad Hand (4-3, 3.43). Claudio Vargas (Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds) http://www.milb.com/images/2012/06/02/bdYo8zoV.jpg

Headline matchup on Sunday! Manatees-Marauders have All-Star pitching matchup set today Bradenton's Cole will oppose 'Tees' Nelson Florida Today With both the Brevard County Manatees and Bradenton Marauders solidly under .500, today’s matchup between the two teams at Space Coast Stadium at 5:05 PM (4:05 Central) might not seem like a marquee matchup on the surface. Nothing could be further from the truth. Two of the best pitchers in the Florida State League will match up as Brevard’s Jimmy Nelson goes up against the first overall pick of the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft in Bradenton’s Gerrit Cole. Nelson, a Florida State League All-Star and second-round pick in the same draft from the University of Alabama, has arguably out-pitched his more highly-touted opposition. Though he only has a record of 4-4, Nelson has been superb this season for the Manatees, sporting a 2.08 ERA to go along with a 3.7-to-1 strikeout to-walk ratio. He has also allowed just two home runs. Nelson, rated as the 10th-best prospect in the Brewers’ organization by Baseball America, has given up more than two earned runs only twice in his 10 starts. Cole also has pitched well for the Marauders, who are an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. The right-hander from UCLA has a 4-1 record with a 2.47 ERA and over a 3.3-to-1 strikeout to-walk ratio. He has yet to give up more than three earned runs in a game, but Cole, who is ranked as the top prospect in the Pirates’ organization by Baseball America, has had some issues going deep into games as he has pitched just 17 innings in his past four starts. He has not pitched longer than six innings in any game this season. Cole was also named an All-Star earlier this week.

Manatees top Marauders 4-1 to sweep twin bill Hall allows one run in 5 2/3 innings to earn first win By Frank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees VIERA, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees swept their second doubleheader in the last five days as they completed a sweep of the Bradenton Marauders with a 4-1 win in game two of Saturday night's twin bill at Space Coast Stadium. Manatees (23-31) starting pitcher Brooks Hall (1-2, 4.40) allowed just one run on four hits in 5 2/3 innings of work against the Marauders (24-31), to earn his first win of the season. Eric Marzec threw 1 1/3 innings of perfect relief to earn his first save of the season. Brevard scored one run in each of the first four innings as T.J. Mittelstaedt, Joey Paciorek, Mike Walker and Scott Krieger all drove in runs for the Manatees. Krieger and Cody Hawn had two hits each in the second game and were both 3-for-5 overall for the doubleheader. The Manatees and Marauders will play the third game of their four-game set on Sunday evening at 5:05 PM (4:05 Central) as two newly-named Florida State League All-Stars will face off against each other on the mound. Jimmy Nelson will toe the rubber for Brevard County and will look to improve to 3-1 at Space Coast Stadium. Nelson now leads the Florida State League in earned run average and has a 1.55 ERA in his last four starts. Taking the hill for Bradenton will be the number one overall pick of the 2011 draft, Gerrit Cole. Cole is 4-0 with a 1.32 ERA in his last six starts. Taylor Jungmann and Brooks Hall both earned wins. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography) http://www.milb.com/images/2012/06/02/sQe8DxVe.jpg

Stars knock off Mississippi as Hunter Morris homers By Mark McCarter, The Huntsville Times HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- With Huntsville native Hunter Morris punctuating things with a two-run homer and the season's largest crowd watching, the Huntsville Stars knocked off the Mississippi Braves 6-2 Saturday night to begin a six-game homestand. Scooter Gennett had a pair of hits, newcomer Adam Weisenburger started a rally with a third-inning double -- his first hit in Class AA ball -- and drove in another with a sacrifice fly and the Stars took advantage of four Mississippi errors. "The guys were ready to play. They had a lot of energy going into it," said Dwayne Hosey, the Stars' coach who was pinch-hitting for manager Darnell Coles, completing the last of a three-game suspension. The announced crowd of 7,360 "had a lot to do with the energy," Hosey said. The Stars, who remain 3 1/2 games behind Jackson in the Southern League North, with 15 games left in the first half, host the Braves again today at 2:03 in a doubleheader. Starting pitcher Josh Stinson began inauspiciously by hitting the first two men he faced. As pitching coach Chris Hook explained, there were some hiccups in his mechanics. "But he's an athletic guy. He can make adjustments on the fly," Hook said. "I never panicked because he's a competitor and athletic." The Braves managed only one run that inning, then another unearned run in the fifth as Stinson allowed only four hits in six innings before Huntsville relievers Jesus Sanchez and Brandon Kintzler closed things out with three innings of one-hit relief.