Jim Goulart

As I indicated in my morning tweets from Fri. 4/13, the Link Report appears to be alive and well. We appreciate the efforts that other Brewer sites make in regard to minor league coverage, but the niche this forum and the Link Report carved out eleven years ago remains unique to this location and unparalled in detail. Our current game summary contributors, along with expected future game summary contributors as the schedule expands, is allowing this to happen. We thank you for your efforts this season. Link Report extinction was avoided. Players, front office staffs, and Brewer fans, please refer folks to us if you think they'd benefit from the info. We especially would think friends and families of all farmhands would benefit by following this forum, and if the front office affiliate staffs can help spread the word among the players, thanks so much!

Nashville Sounds get good pitching, but little offense by Greg Sullivan, The Tennessean There is plenty of excitement about Nashville Sounds pitching prospects Wily Peralta and Mike Fiers, considered one of the best tandems in the minor leagues. But as the Sounds play New Orleans in their home opener tonight, there hasn’t been much run support for the duo or any other Nashville pitcher in the first week of the season. Nashville (2-5) was 15th out of 16 Pacific Coast League teams in batting average (.217) and runs (16) heading into Thursday’s games. The Sounds are fourth in ERA (3.59). “We’ve got a good pitching staff. We’ve got good young arms and we’ve got experience, too,” said Peralta, who is listed by Baseball America as the Brewers’ top prospect. He was signed by the Brewers when he was 16 out of the Dominican Republic. Peralta, 22, is 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA and 10 strikeouts in 11 innings. He throws in the mid-90s and last pitched in Tuesday’s 5-1 loss at Oklahoma City. “Wily doesn’t look like he’s throwing as hard as he can every time. It’s easy for him,” said veteran Sounds starter Josh Butler. “He really seems older than his age, pitching-wise.” Peralta went 11-7 with a 3.17 ERA last season in 26 starts between Double-A Huntsville and Nashville. “This ‘No. 1 prospect,’ it’s not going in my head,” Peralta said. Fiers is 0-0 with a 3.60 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 10 innings. He started the Sounds’ 7-6 10-inning win over Oklahoma City on Wednesday. Fiers, 26, was named Milwaukee’s minor league pitcher of the year last season after leading the Brewers system with a 1.86 ERA in 34 appearances. He went 8-0 with a 1.11 ERA in 10 starts with the Sounds last season before earning a call-up to Milwaukee where he pitched two scoreless innings. “Yeah, it’s always different when you move up a level. You see different hitters, different guys,” said Fiers, who was drafted in the 22nd round in 2009 by the Brewers. “But coming back this year, I do feel a little bit more confident and I’m playing with some of the guys I played with last year here. I’m staying with these guys and building confidence with them, as well, as a team.” Fiers is more about deception than power. “He throws an invisible ball,” Butler said. “He’s straight over the top, a real downward angle. It’s just hard for guys to see.”

Cream City Cables: Getting to Know Timber Rattlers First Baseman Jason Rogers

Huntsville site game wrap-up Hunter Morris was already leading the league in doubles before his big night...

Make sure you read this post in our Rattlers' thread -- so who has the most explosive swing in the entire Brewers' organization?

Study says Stang has most explosive bat in Brewers' minor league system by MikeWoods, PostCrescent.com Had an interesting conversation with Rattlers manager Matt Erickson after last night's game about leadoff hitter Chadwin Stang. Stang hit a towering leadoff homer in the sixth inning, showing surprising pop for someone in that spot in the lineup. But Erickson said following a study the Brewers did in spring training involving all players in their minor league system, it comes as no surprise. "They did a study down at spring training and of all of our players, he had the fastest velocity off the bat of any player in our (minor league) organization," said Erickson. "There was actually some big leaguers involved but Charlie Greene, our field coordinator, said they did it early in the morning and not many of them were going all out. Regardless, there were about 75 hitters, and he had the best speed off the bat of 75 hitters in our organization.’’ "He’s got a little bit of juice. He's an explosive kid. He's had a lot of injuries. I don’t think he’s played a full season yet in professional baseball. If he can stay healthy, keep his body up and get a lot of at-bats out of that one hole, I think people will be surprised at the kind of power numbers he might be able to put up. It’s that dreaded word, the potential word, but the ball really comes off his bat.''

Nashville Pre-Game Audio with switch-hitting infielder Hainley Statia *** OKC Photos from Jeff Hem

Wisconsin Media Notes *** VIDEO! Timber Rattlers Highlights – April 12, 2012, including the exciting game-ender *** More outstanding work from the Post-Crescent, all via one link -- Parker Bereberet video interview, Yadiel Rivera photos, and a game-story with detailed quotes from starter Drew Gagnon among others. Click away. *** Grounds crew fun

Eric Farris started for Nashville at shortstop Thursday. A bit disappointed to see that Baseball Reference's defensive stats list him as an outfielder, not shortstop, for games in 2012.

Additional details not already mentioned from Florida Today, see full article -- Mike Walker and Reggie Keen with big defensive plays, pouring rain hampered at-bats late in the game, tonight's hurler gets his first start of the season.

Manatees' Bradley wards off illness By Jonathan Raymond / Special to MLB.com (Photo at link from Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-eye Sports Photography) Jed Bradley came to Space Coast Stadium sick to his stomach Thursday, which was particularly unfortunate because it was also his day to start. The 15th overall pick by the Brewers in the 2011 Draft persevered, though, to throw 6 2/3 innings while allowing just one unearned run in Class A Advanced Brevard County's 2-0 hard-luck loss to Dunedin. Bradley (1-1) scattered three hits, striking out four and walking one. The Georgia Tech product wound up throwing 88 pitches and nearly completed seven of the rain-shortened game's eight innings, despite being affected by an illness which kept him from even eating during the day. The native of Huntsville, Ala., said he had no doubt that he'd get on the mound and give it what he had. "There was never a time where I didn't think I was going to throw," Bradley said. "I knew I was going to go out there and give it my best shot. I didn't know if that would be for two innings, or for 6 2/3 like I wound up going. "I did everything I could to feel good before I did go out. I'm thankful for the good fortune I had tonight and to be able to get through it. There were a couple middle innings in there where I wasn't feeling too good, but I just had to talk myself into going back out." The 21-year-old said he mostly relied on his two-seam fastball and changeup against the Blue Jays lineup. He was able to work through the first five innings flawlessly, before losing his perfect-game bid in the sixth. "Ironically my first five innings were my best five innings while I felt the worst," MLB.com's No. 96 prospect said. "I just had to keep telling myself, 'Get to the fifth, get to the fifth.' Once I got past that, there were some guys on base in the sixth and the adrenaline kicked in, which helped [how I felt]." Bradley's shot at the win was undone by an unearned run he allowed in the sixth. Jon Talley singled and Ivan Contreras reached on a fielding error by second baseman Shea Vucinich. After a wild pitch moved the runners over, Jack Murphy's sacrifice fly plated Talley. Brevard County's lineup proved unable to crack Bradley's opponent, Dunedin starter Sean Nolin (2-0). Toronto's sixth-round selection in the 2010 Draft struck out 11, walked none and allowed just three hits in 5 2/3 innings for the win. Nolin hasn't allowed a run in either of his first two starts. "The challenge [of a pitching duel] is good, but obviously you'd never say no to blowing a team out though," Bradley joked. "But it is what it is. That's baseball - some things even out, some things don't. There were some great defensive plays made behind me to make my outing easier, so I was thankful for that." Bradley, for his part, has yet to allow an earned run after Thursday's start. In two games this season the left-hander has thrown 13 innings, struck out 11 and walked two while maintaining a 0.00 ERA. As impressive as Bradley's start was given what he was battling, Milwaukee's No. 2 prospect didn't want to make too big a deal of his outing. "I came to the field, felt [terrible], tried to feel a little better and just went out there and did what I needed to do."

Adam McCalvy: The Brewers placed a pair of prospects on the Double-A Huntsville disabled list, effective Wednesday. Outfielder Kentrail Davis with a left hamstring strain and right-handed reliever Santo Manzanillo with right shoulder tightness. Manzanillo injured his shoulder in a serious auto accident in November, but was a healthy participant in Spring Training and his current ailment is not considered serious. Another pitching prospect originally ticketed for Double-A, Cody Scarpetta, has been working in extended Spring Training camp to get past right elbow discomfort.

LHP Jon Pokorny, a surprising cut in spring training, found a new independent league home

Nashville Media Notes

The 2012 Timber Rattlers Intro Video

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Catching up from Wednesday: Top prospect Thornburg has tough-luck day as Stars fall to Barons By Mark McCarter, The Huntsville Times al.com HOOVER -- Tyler Thornburg slowly walked down the steps at the far end of the Huntsville Stars' dugout at the end of the sixth inning, fresh from retiring eight of the last nine batters. Chris Hook, the Huntsville pitching coach, greeted him with a handshake and praises. Said Thornburg, the top pitching prospect on the Stars' roster, "Whenever he sticks his hand out and says 'Good job,' you know you're done.'" Thornburg's day may have been done but the drama -- and frustration -- of the game was just beginning, everything from absent sunglasses to a continuing saga for the Stars, who lost to Birmingham 4-2 Wednesday afternoon. The Stars, now 2-5, have three more games here before their 4:03 p.m. home opener Sunday against Tennessee. This loss was a familiar plot. For the third time in four days, the bullpen blew a save opportunity. And again the Stars came up lacking when a key hit was needed. They left seven on base, going 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position. The Stars are hitting an impressive .272 as a team. Alas, they are tied for sixth in runs driven in. They have mustered only 17 hits in 74 opportunities with runners in scoring position. They got one when Anderson de la Rosa plopped a game-tying RBI single into left field in the seventh that followed a leadoff double by Khris Davis. A Birmingham error let the Stars take a 2-1 lead. It was short-lived. Davis lost a fly ball in the sun for a double in the eighth. He wasn't wearing sunglasses. Said manager Darnell Coles sternly, "That's been addressed, so it won't happen again." Reliever Darren Byrd gave up two more hits, good for two runs, then reliever Jesus Sanchez hit a batter with the bases loaded. Thornburg, a 23-year-old Atlanta-raised righthander, deserved better. He allowed just four hits in six innings, striking out six before being removed because of his pitch count. The only run he allowed was unearned, after a first-inning Drew Garcia triple. "He's one of those guys, once he starts sweating, he's better," Hook said. "His velocity was very good, his location was good, he changed speeds." Baseball's romance with the subjective rankings of prospects has put Thornburg under a microscope. Depending upon the list, he's somewhere from the top to at least the top four pitching prospects in the Milwaukee chain. "It means you better do good," Thornburg said. "There's a lot of pressure on you, to be honest. I kind of like it, though. I wouldn't have it any other way. Being labeled a prospect, there's more pressure to perform." It also opens more doors. He had five major-league spring training appearances. And he was selected for the prestigious Futures Game last year. "I was expecting to go in and it'd be a nice experience. But I got there, and everything was awesome," he said. He came home with a suitcase full of apparel and accessories. Said Thornburg, "Every time I put something on or maybe wear some sunglasses I got from there, it makes you think about it." Ironic quote, on a day when not thinking about sunglasses was so critical for the Stars.

STANDINGS: AAA - Pacific Coast League American Northern Division AA - Southern League North Division Florida State League North Division Midwest League Western Division

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

These were reported by various sources earlier today, I'm borrowing Todd Rosiak's text to summarize: OF Kentrail Davis and RHP Santo Manzanillo have been placed on the Huntsville DL, effective 4/11. NOTE: Adam McCalvy indicated he'd be updating us in his notebook today on their status. RHP Eric Marzec has been transferred from Brevard County to Huntsville. RHP Brandon Williamson has been transferred from Wisconsin to Huntsville. RHP Tyler Cravy has been transferred from extended spring training (Helena roster) to Wisconsin. Marzec, Williamson and Cravy will be active for their new teams on Thursday (4/12). *** Huntsville goes to 13 pitchers with the move, and Brevard is one body short for now. Also, Adam noted that once Mitch Stetter is ready for action, he'd be reporting to Huntsville. That would conceivably allow a pitcher to drop down a spot to fill the Manatee opening, but we'll wait and see...

Thursday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP Josh Butler 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 Evan Anundsen at Birmingham (White Sox), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 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: A total of 24 Stars' games (in Jacksonville and Tennessee) will be broadcast. ********** Brevard County: LHP Jed Bradley at home vs. Dunedin (Blue Jays), 5:35 PM gametime Free Live Audio Link -- Select the Dunedin 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 home vs. Peoria (Cubs), 6:20 PM pre-game, 6:35 gametime TV! As we prepped you for yesterday, tonight's Rattlers game can be viewed on Time Warner Cable Sports 32. 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).

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Jimmy Nelson congratulates RH reliever Eric Marzec on his promotion to Huntsville from Brevard (Nelson via Twitter) There will need to be corresponding moves, those will be announced later today.

Lakeland Ledger quickly points out how fortunate the Manatees were Thursday

Quite the story about former Brewer catcher Carlos Corporan, his wife and young son -- Corporan's Redhawks squad faced Nashville this week