Jim Goulart

Greg Hopkins went to high school about 20 miles from me, so you know I'm a fan. I've had fun sending all his big updates this season, including last night's, to the local sports editor. That said, this is his age 23 season repeating the league, and he's drawn all of three walks all season. Love the rakin', though...

With a game in hand, Huntsville once again just one game out in the loss column. *** Voice of the Stars Alex on Thornburg's departure. While Tyler was diplomatic...

Stars Beat Smokies in Heated Contest KODAK, Tenn. - Despite having manager Darnell Coles and starting pitcher Tyler Thornburg ejected from the game in the sixth inning, the Huntsville Stars edged out the Tennessee Smokies by a score of 6-4 on Wednesday night at Smokies Park. Fortunately for the Stars, they were able to get on the board for the first time this series thanks to a solid second inning. Following singles from catcher Anderson De La Rosa and Thornburg off of Smokies starter Dallas Beeler, three consecutive two-out, RBI singles by center fielder Josh Prince, shortstop Tommy Manzella and second baseman Scooter Gennett gave Huntsville a 3-0 lead. After Tennessee responded with a two-run home run by catcher Mike Brenly in the bottom half of the inning to cut the Stars lead to 3-2, the game would quiet down until the fifth inning. In the top half of the frame, an RBI groundout from right fielder Kentrail Davis and an RBI single by left fielder Lee Haydel put the lead back at three for the Stars. However, in the bottom half of the fifth, the Smokies gained a run back. On one swing of the bat, a solo home run from Tennessee shortstop Junior Lake off of Thornburg made the score 5-3. This was the first time this season the Stars’ righty gave up more than one home run in an outing. In the sixth inning, Coles was ejected arguing a runners interference call on Manzella after trying to break up a double play at second. Thornburg, continuing the argument from the dugout, was then tossed. Despite his early departure, the 23-year-old improved to 7-0 on the season after giving up three runs four hits in five innings of work. The Smokies continued to come back and cut the Stars lead in the seventh. Brenly scored from third on a wild pitch from Stars reliever Mitch Stetter, putting the score at 5-4. The Stars were able to get back that run in the eighth on another RBI single by Manzella, his second of the game. With a 6-4 lead, RHP Brandon Kintzler held the Smokies scoreless through the final two innings to notch his first save on the season. Kintzler has now not given up a run in his first five outings, spanning 5.2 innings. On offense for Huntsville, Manzella, Prince, Gennett and De La Rosa each had two hits. For Gennett, his 2-for-5 night at the plate increased his hitting streak to 13 games, the longest for a Stars player this year. The Stars offense amassed 12 hits, all singles, tying the record for most singles hit in a game this season. Game four of a five-game series will begin on Thursday as the Stars will send RHP Kyle Heckathorn (2-4, 4.99 ERA) to the mound to square off against LHP Eric Jockish (1-0, 3.60 ERA). First pitch is at 6:15 CT.

Catching up on Monday video from Tennessee: Huntsville's Hunter Morris delivers a run-scoring double in the Stars' 3-2 loss to the Smokies

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

Follow Thursday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Nashville Huntsville Brevard County Wisconsin

MiLB.TV note -- Reminder that in addition to the always-available Sounds feed, you're treated to Stars video for this series in Tennessee, so good time for friends and family of Huntsville players (and the rest of us) to invest in MiLB.TV if so inclined.

Thursday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP Mark Rogers at Oklahoma City (Astros), 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 Kyle Heckathorn at Tennessee (Cubs), 6:00 PM pre-game, 6:15 gametime 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 Daytona (Cubs), 6:05 PM gametime Free Live Audio Link -- Select the Daytona 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 Cedar Rapids (Angels), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 gametime; RHP Chad Pierce will tandem 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).

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

Media notes: Huntsville Wisconsin

Audio from OKC — “The Bake® Show” Jeff's note: Today’s interview from Bricktown is with Sounds right-hander Brian Baker. His Twitter handle, which he admittedly rarely uses, is @TheBakeShow14, and it’s a handle that he says he didn’t come up with. Nonetheless, or perhaps because of that, his teammates enjoy referring to him as The Bake Show. In this chat, Baker discusses his outing in last night’s rain-shortened Sounds loss, his seven years in the Tampa Bay organization and his illustrious career at Division-II Columbus State (GA) University, whose athletics Hall of Fame inducted Baker earlier this Spring.

Via Chris Mehring's Twitter account: Roster moves for the TimberRattlers before tonight's game: LHP Michael Strong to the DL. RHP Kevin Shackelford activated from DL.

Catcher Brent Dean has been activated from the DL at Brevard County, which fills the open roster spot there.

Rattler Radio Blog: Nine after 9

Nashville Media Notes

Hope you're enjoying the thread. Look for the 2006 draft year (not nearly as exciting as 2005) some time on Thursday.

The 2005 draft was not only historically strong nationally, but fruitful for the Brewers overall -- Ryan Braun, trade chips Will Inman, Steve Garrison, and Michael Brantley, plus Taylor Green, Zach Braddock, Brock Kjeldgaard and even Brendan Katin's mashing minor league contributions. As you'll see below, this draft could have been truly tremendous. 2005 Draft: Jemile Weeks, SS -- 8th round, subsequently drafted and signed by the Athletics in the 1st round, 2008 Rickie's little (and we do mean little) brother was indeed drafted as a shortstop, leading us to envision a Weeks-Weeks keystone combo. It's believed that Jemile's dad in particular was a very strong proponent of Jemile going to school (Miami), but word at the time was that the family would listen seriously to the Brewers' overtures. As you're likely aware, the A's have been thrilled with Weeks despite his slow start in 2012 (major league stats, including a pretty dynamic rookie 2011 campaign), FYI the link above is for his minor league numbers. OOPS! Not Brewerfan.net's finest moment *** Brent Allar, RHP -- 11th round, subsequently drafted and signed by the Orioles in the 14th round, 2006 Allar, a fireballing JUCO pitcher, who was compared to former Brewer reliever Mike DeJean at draft time, spurned the Brewers for TCU. Five minor league seasons in the O's system, spent mostly in the bullpen, produced more K's than innings, but lots of walks, too. Oddly, in his first three seasons, Allar appeared in 55 games, all in relief, and never earned a decision (0-0). In the never-ending injury nexus of these dodge-the-bullet Brewer non-signees, Allar underwent shoulder surgey in '07. He granted this detailed interview prior to his final season in 2010. Allar never reached AA. The Marlins selected Allar in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft, but released him prior to the 2011 season. *** Ryan Babineau, C -- 13th round, subsequently drafted and signed by the Diamondbacks in the 17th round, 2008 A high school catcher from California, Babineau went on to UCLA, where he was their starting catcher all three seasons. Injuries to both hips pretty much ruined his brief pro career, but you'll notice at his link above that after a 2011 away from the game, Babineau is now in independent ball. Still just 25, good luck to him going forward. *** Andrew Bailey, RHP -- 16th round, subsequently drafted and signed by the Athletics in the 6th round, 2006 Yes, that Andrew Bailey. Minor league stats above, major league here. At this point, I strongly suggest you visit my June 2010 article "Andrew Bailey So Close to Being A Brewer – and Other Tales from the 2005 Draft". Thanks! *** Tim Smith, OF -- 17th round, having been previously drafted by the Mets in the 21st round, 2004, and finally drafted and signed by the Rangers in the 7th round, 2007 Another unsigned Canadian (Ontario)! Tim Smith, a left-handed bat, posted ridiculous numbers in his freshman year at Midland College, a two-year school in Texas, as he set school records for batting average (.468) and on-base percentage. He also hit eight home runs and had 55 RBIs. Preliminary contract negotiations with the Brewers failed, and then his draft-and-follow chances with the Crew faded after offseason arm surgery. But then Smith raked again in his second juco season, setting school career marks in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and stolen bases. We all thought for sure he'd be signed prior to the 2006 draft as a DFE. The Brewers did add a last-minute DFE from the '05 class, but it wasn't Tim Smith. The DFE's name? Taylor Green. Smith is still plugging away in his 6th pro season, although he's with his third organization (Rangers to Royals via trade, now with the Braves as a minor league free agent), and was recently promoted to AA Mississippi (Southern League). Tim Smith turns 26 in a couple of weeks, but has yet to see AAA despite solid numbers to this day. *** Jake Arrieta, RHP -- 26th round, subsequently drafted and signed by the Orioles in the 5th round, 2007 Yes, that Jake Arrieta. Looking back, Arrieta was not a big topic of discussion here in the summer of '05 in terms of whether the Brewers would sign him or not. Arrieta was tied at the hip, it seemed, to 11th round RHP Brent Allar, detailed above. They both attended two-year Weatherford College, both played for the McKinney Marshals in the Texas Collegiate Summer League (Arrieta posted sweet numbers), and then both went off to TCU. Here's Arrieta's major league numbers (minor league numbers are linked above). Arrieta flashes just enough occasional brilliance to make one wonder what could be if it all comes together consistently. Just on that oh-so-close potential alone, he should be considered "one that got away". *** Patrick Murray, 1B -- 31st round, subsequently drafted by the Phillies in the 45th round, 2006, and finally drafted and signed by the Phillies in the 34th round, 2010 When the Brewers drafted Murray out of a California high school, this was our own Patrick Ebert's note: At 6'2", 250 pounds, Murray offers an intimidating presence at the plate, and exciting power potential as a right-handed hitter. While he played third base and catcher at the high school level, his footspeed probably limits him to first base. Despite his limited speed, he does show good footwork around the bag and has a very strong arm. The Brewers chose to draft-and-follow Murray into juco ball, but a bout of mononucleosis sapped his power and likely soured the Brewers. As noted above, the Phillies did not sign him after his first junior college season, but did when he finished up at Lewis and Clark College (Oregon). Philadelphia released Murray after two middling seasons in the lower levels of their system, detailed at the link above. *** Chris Hopkins, OF -- 37th round, subsequently drafted (but not signed) by the Royals in the 44th round, 2007, and finally drafted and signed by the Blue Jays in the 24th round, 2008 Chris Hopkins was a very young (17 years old at the time) toolsy junior college selection for the Brewers, there was no chance he would be signed immediately, but he was followed into his second juco season. The Brewers (and/or Hopkins) passed, and he went on to Oregon State (not bad at all) for two seasons, signing as a senior with the Jays. Hopkins was released after four weak seasons (career .219/.329/.277) in Toronto's system, wrapping things up in 2011, where he faced the Brewers' Manatees club in High-A. *** Jordan Lennerton, 1B -- 41st round, having been previously drafted by the Blue Jays in the 50th round, 2004, and finally drafted and signed by the Tigers in the 33rd round, 2008 Jordan Lennerton was one of seven (!) Canadian draft-and-follows for the Brewers out of the '05 draft (have we mentioned how much we miss the draft-and-follow process? If you need a primer on what DFE was all about prior to its 2007 elimination, click here.) The Brewers followed Lennerton through his 2nd JUCO season in Texas (do all Canadian kids JUCO in Texas?), but Lennerton went on, like Chris Hopkins above, to Oregon State. Now in his 5th pro season and getting his first chance at AA, Lennerton has had an amazingly consistent (compare his line at each level) nice minor league career thus far, particularly for a 33rd round pick. Never a big power threat, his left-handed stick and on-base skills could sneak him a cup of big league coffee at some point, although he's now in his age 26 season. *** Kyle Eveland, 2B -- 43rd round, subsequently signed by the White Sox out of independent ball, 2011 Jemile Weeks wasn't the only organizational little brother drafted by the Crew in '05, as Dana's sibling Kyle was a junior college middle infielder (thus right-handed, and much less "hefty" than LHP Dana). When affiliated ball did not beckon, Kyle Eveland jumped into indy ball in 2009, and caught the eye of the White Sox. He spent all of 2011 in the ChiSox chain, but was released early this season, and immediately rejoined his former Traverse City (Michigan) independent squad. *** Fred Lewis, LHP -- 48th round, subsequently drafted and signed by the Yankees in the 47th round, 2010 Lewis was attending Daytona Beach Community College when the Brewers drafted him. He would eventually move on to Tennessee Wesleyan, a four-year school, and is in the midst of his 3rd pro season with the Yankees (now at low-A at age 25), working in middle relief. Loogy or not, Lewis has walked 52 in 73.3 pro innings, so his odds remain extra-long.

Yes, the Rattlers first-place lead is down to two, but because 3rd place Kane County lost to 2nd place Beloit, Wisconsin's wild card lead is still at six. Of course, we're all rooting for a first-half division crown with 18 games remaining.

Catching up with video -- this from the Stars Tuesday: Huntsville's Scooter Gennett plates two runs with a double in the Stars' 8-4 win over Tennessee

'Rocky Top' sounds good to former Vol Kentrail Davis By Adam Greene, GoVolsExtra.com SEVIERVILLE — When Kentrail Davis made his Smokies Park debut Monday night for the Huntsville Stars, it was almost like coming home. Behind the Stars' dugout, University of Tennessee fans cheered him on and, on the Tennessee Smokies bench, he shared a fun moment with an old friend when a familiar song came over the stadium speakers. "It felt good to hear 'Rocky Top,' " Davis said Tuesday before the Smokies beat the Stars 3-2. "I looked over at (Smokies reliever) Ty'Relle (Harris) and he was tapping (his foot), so I started tapping my glove. I got excited. It was good to see orange. I had a couple of buddies in the stands, too." It was the first time that Davis had played in East Tennessee since leaving the Vols after two seasons. He was drafted in the supplemental first round with the 39th pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2009. Now Davis is back, this time wearing the Huntsville colors for the series against the Smokies that ends Friday. Davis went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a double in Monday's game. Davis, by his own admission, has had to catch up to the pitchers in Class AA. He is hitting .252 with no home runs and 15 RBIs in 37 games. "The biggest change (in Class AA) is how smart the pitchers are," Davis said. "They're always changing their approach to hitters. At the lower levels, they mostly come at you with their fastball, but here guys are throwing change-ups and throw fastballs when they're behind in the count or early in the count." Coming into the season eyes were already on the Mobile, Ala., native. Davis opened the year as the ninth-ranked prospect in the Brewers organization. The attention and the ranking are something Davis tries to keep out of his mind. "I wouldn't say I feel pressure," Davis said. "Most guys at this level have the talent. I think the difference is their mental approach in Double-A. Physically, guys here are ready. This is what I do. I just go out and play baseball. I don't look at it as a prospect thing. I'm just like everybody else on the field. I'm just trying to make it to the show." Though they're on opposing teams, Harris was happy to see his old UT teammate. The Tennessee reliever has just now made his return to Class AA for his third stint with Smokies after a season-ending injury last year when he was the victim of a hit-and-run accident in Knoxville. Harris suffered a compound fracture in his lower right leg and a broken left foot. Harris has yet to fully heal, but his spirits were high as he joked around with his old college friend. "The whole time yesterday I was trying to get him (Davis) off his game, jawing at him in the outfield," Harris said. "I was hoping his bat was going to be cold this series." Harris, who started the season with the High-A Daytona Cubs has been experiencing UT reunions in other cities, playing against Cody Hawn (Brevard County Manatees) and Blake Forsythe (St. Lucie Mets) while with Daytona. "It's good when you can see these guys," Harris said. "I also have the inside information. I can kind of give the scouting report." Davis is hoping to get the chance to swing the bat against Harris in this series. "I know he (Harris) is a competitor and so am I," Davis said. "Hopefully I'll hit a home run off of him. If I do, he'll never hear the end of it." Photo by ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL Huntsville right fielder Kentrail Davis, a former University of Tennessee star, throws the ball back after catching a fly out from Tennessee Smokies' Logan Watkins in the first inning on Tuesday at Smokies Park. The Smokies won, 3-2. http://media.govolsxtra.com/media/img/photos/2012/05/29/601572_t607.JPG

Not to get misty-eyed or anything, but it was just fantastic transfixing fun watching Mike Fiers and Martin Maldonado last night, even on East Coast time. It's the main reason we're here posting / reading, we feel so invested in these guys, and seeing things come to fruition. Here was Patrick's write-up on draft day 2009 on Mike Fiers -- the fun began. Here's our February 2007 post on the Brewers signing of Maldonado, who had been unceremoniously released by Anaheim.

Chris indicates "Nine after 9" (Nine after 14) will be out later today.

The opposite of Wisconsin home video -- you'll find Peoria home video highlights here in the News-Journal game story. Game's final play at the plate -- so close!

Stars Rally Falls Short, Fall to Smokies 3-2 KODAK, Tenn.- After letting a late-inning comeback fall short, the Huntsville Stars (28-23) fell to the Tennessee Smokies (22-30) 3-2 Tuesday night at Smokies Park. The Smokies got on board in the first inning thanks to a pair of singles from shortstop Junior Lake and center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha. Justin Bour drew a walk to advance the runners and set the stage for Rebel Ridling. The left fielder grounded into a force out to score Lake. The next batter flew out to center to end the inning. Bats stayed quite on both sides until the bottom of the fifth when Tennessee would score its final two runs. Lake started off this offensive burst again, hitting a lead-off double. Second baseman Logan Watkins singled to advance Lake to third. Stars starting pitcher Evan Anundsen committed his first error of the season, a failed pickoff attempt, to allow Lake to cross the plate. Bour singled to center to put up the Smokies third and final run of the game. In the seventh, the Stars offense woke up. After Smokies starter Nicholas Struck was replaced by reliever Alberto Cabrera, Kentrail Davis doubled down the left-field line to get a runner in scoring position. Catcher Anderson De La Rosa ground out to advance Davis. A strikeout by Lee Haydel scored Davis to get the Stars their first run. In the eighth inning, Huntsville was on the offensive attack again. Center fielder Josh Prince got on base by a throwing error, eventually advancing to second on the play. After shortstop Tommy Manzella drew a walk, second baseman Scooter Gennett ground out to put Prince on third. Southern League double-leader Hunter Morris knocked his 20th double to bring home Prince and put the Stars within one of the Smokies. With runners on second and third, Domnit Bolivar ground out setting the stage for Davis once again. He was intentionally walked by reliever Kevin Rhoderick to load the bases. Unfortunately, the threat didn’t last for the Stars as the next batter, De La Rosa, ground out to end the inning. For the Stars, Anundsen threw five innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits. He picked up his third loss of the season. Relievers Mitch Stetter and R.J. Seidel each threw one scoreless inning of relief, giving up just one hit and striking out one each. Reliever Santo Manzanillo closed out the game, striking out two in one inning of work. He didn’t allow a hit. Offensively, Huntsville managed just six hits and went just 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position. Gennett extended his hitting streak to 12 games with his 3-4 offensive performance tonight. The Stars and Smokies continue the series tomorrow night with RHP Tyler Thornburg (6-0, 2.28 ERA) looking to continue his dominance for the Stars. He’ll face RHP Dallas Beeler (1-4, 3.93 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. CST.