Jim Goulart

Chris Mehring live blogs the Midwest League All-Star Game Tuesday night at 7:00 PM. Any All-Star updates will be posted in the respective "team" thread as opposed to the Link Report.

The players that are listed in the portion of text in this post now appear on MiLB.com's Maryvale roster. The overall roster is now much more balanced in terms of actually having infielders and outfielders to suit up.

Brevard shows us how to leave the bases loaded in the top of the 1st, and Dunedin shows us how to clear the bases in the bottom of the frame -- not good: Brevard County Top of the 1st Scooter Gennett lines out to center fielder Chris Hopkins. Kentrail Davis pops out to third baseman Sean Ochinko in foul territory. Hunter Morris walks. With Khristopher Davis batting, Hunter Morris steals (3) 2nd base. Khristopher Davis walks. Brock Kjeldgaard walks. Hunter Morris to 3rd. Khristopher Davis to 2nd. Shea Vucinich flies out to left fielder Brian Van Kirk. Dunedin Bottom of the 1st Justin Jackson called out on strikes. Ryan Schimpf strikes out swinging. Sean Ochinko reaches on fielding error by shortstop Josh Prince. Brad Glenn walks. Sean Ochinko to 2nd. Jon Talley walks. Sean Ochinko to 3rd. Brad Glenn to 2nd. Brian Van Kirk hits a grand slam (3) to left center field. Sean Ochinko scores. Brad Glenn scores. Jon Talley scores. Kevin Ahrens strikes out swinging.

Not especially, no. But the fact the Brewers inserted him into a starting slot right away, and that he's pretty much hit in the 3-spot all season, bodes well. Kind of like sending 17-year-old Alcides Escobar to start at Helena. He's listed at 6'0", 165, so even projecting out, he should be able to stick at SS. He's only 3-for-6 thus far on the basepaths, but at least he's trying there. Not a single negative split to be found among all the small sample numbers listed in your link.

PCL American North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Omaha 38 33 .535 - - 21-15 17-18 4-6 L3 Memphis 37 33 .529 0.5 74 23-16 14-17 8-2 W1 Nashville 31 39 .443 6.5 68 19-15 12-24 4-6 L1 Iowa 31 40 .437 7.0 67 14-17 17-23 4-6 L1 FSL North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak * Daytona 46 22 .676 - - 25-10 21-12 4-6 L3 Clearwater 39 29 .574 7.0 E 20-13 19-16 2-8 L3 Dunedin 37 31 .544 9.0 E 16-18 21-13 6-4 L1 Tampa 36 32 .529 10.0 E 16-17 20-15 7-3 W4 Lakeland 35 33 .515 11.0 E 20-16 15-17 5-5 W1 Brevard County 27 41 .397 19.0 E 14-21 13-20 6-4 W3 PIO North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Great Falls 1 0 1.000 - - 0-0 1-0 1-0 W1 Helena 1 0 1.000 - - 1-0 0-0 1-0 W1 Billings 0 1 .000 1.0 37 0-1 0-0 0-1 L1 Missoula 0 1 .000 1.0 37 0-0 0-1 0-1 L1 AZL Central Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak AZL Indians 1 0 1.000 - - 1-0 0-0 1-0 W1 AZL Brewers 0 0 - 0.5 56 0-0 0-0 0-0 - AZL Dodgers 0 0 - 0.5 56 0-0 0-0 0-0 - AZL Reds 0 1 .000 1.0 55 0-0 0-1 0-1 L1 DSL S.D. North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak DSL Mariners 13 5 .722 - - 7-3 6-2 9-1 W9 DSL Brewers 13 6 .684 0.5 54 5-3 8-3 5-5 L1 DSL Athletics 7 12 .368 6.5 48 3-4 4-8 3-7 L1 DSL Cardinals 5 14 .263 8.5 46 4-8 1-6 4-6 W1

Talk about a gap in the system -- the only player of native Latin descent on the Helena roster is SS Yadiel Rivera, who was not a Dominican academy (DSL) player, but rather a fairly prominent draft pick (9th round) out of Puerto Rico. If nothing else, Rivera's english speaking skills should develop quickly this summer. Pitching Coach Elvin Nina is on-site if need be. Hopefully this niche within the talent gap is addressed starting next year. As for the current makeup of the AZL roster (Sessile's post in the transaction thread) -- can't wait to see how that on-the-surface dysfunctional lineup shakes out.

FYI -- Tonight's Midwest League All-Star Game is available via broadcast on Time Warner Cable Sports 32 TV.

Follow Tuesday's action as it happens: Nashville (Gameday also available) Southern League All-Star Game Brevard County Midwest League All-Star Game Helena Arizona Rookie (Maryvale) DSL Brewers

Tuesday's Daily Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: RHP Amaury Rivas at home vs. Omaha (Royals), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link iPad/iPhone: Listen MiLB.TV -- for subscribers Huntsville: Southern League All-Star game in Jackson, TN -- Stars' players Erik Komatsu and Steffan Wilson start, RHP's Wily Peralta and Michael Bowman should see action; 7:15 gametime Live Audio Link -- Select the Jackson feed from the MiLB main audio page Brevard County: RHP Maverick Lasker at Dunedin (Blue Jays), 11:00 AM gametime Live Audio Link -- Select the Dunedin feed from the MiLB main audio page Wisconsin: Midwest League All-Star game in Davenport, IA -- Timber Rattlers' RHP's Austin Ross and Tyler Thornburg, along with position players Chris Dennis and Mike Walker, will all likely take part; 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link -- Select the Quad Cities feed from the MiLB main audio page Helena: RHP Brandon Williamson at home vs. Missoula (Diamondbacks), 7:50 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime Live Audio Link -- Select the Helena feed from the MiLB main audio page Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): Opening Night at home vs. the mini-Dodgers; games begin at 7:00 local time in the desert; never audio for games in this league DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Athletics, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until late afternoon at the earliest

Huntsville's Steffan Wilson started his journey to All-Star Game with U-turn By Mark McCarter, The Huntsville Times HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- As Steffan Wilson drove along Monday morning, there came the unmistakable robotic voice of a GPS device, helping him plot his way toward Jackson, Tenn. He was navigating his way west toward tonight's Southern League All-Star Game. The GPS device was telling him to turn left. But the way Wilson got to the All-Star Game was with a U-turn, from an injury-wracked, statistically-anemic 2010 into a solid season with the Huntsville Stars and All-Star recognition. Wilson and Huntsville outfielder Erik Komatsu will start for the North squad in tonight's game, set for 7:15 (CDT) at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn. Starting pitchers Wily Peralta and Michael Bowman will also represent Huntsville. Reliever Dan Meadows was selected to the team as well, but was promoted to Class AAA Nashville a week ago. For both Wilson and Komatsu, in fact, U-turns were essential parts of their career journey. Komatsu had a concussion, broken wrist and torn hamstring during the 2009 season. His numbers were weak. But he responded in 2010 as a Florida State League All-Star, batting .323 while remaining healthy. As he has said, "My main focus last year was staying healthy and performing." Steffan Wilson is Erik Komatsu Version 2011. After beginning 2010 with a long and impressive spring training look-see with the major-league Brewers, he "started tinkering with my swing and messing with it and I didn't have a lot of confidence." Wilson had just begun to tunnel out of an abysmal start when he broke his hand diving for a ball. "When I came back, it was like the season started all over again," he said. But in mid-July, he dislocated his shoulder. He finished with a .201 average in 60 games, then had to spend much of last fall in rehab at the Brewers' year-round facility in Arizona. "Certainly a frustrating year," he said. Now, 66 games into this season, Wilson is batting .279. Nice new direction. Wilson earned almost instant immortality in Stars' lore in September 2009. Less than 24 hours after he was informed of a promotion to Huntsville from Class A Brevard County, he cranked a three-run homer to give the Stars a win in the first game of the Southern League playoffs. Interupting some cherished off days might be a nuisance for some, but to Wilson -- making his first pro ball All-Star appearance -- it was a pleasure to wind his way to Jackson on Monday. "It's probably one of the cooler things, playing with guys you wouldn't normally get to know and then track their careers," he said. "I'm happy and thrilled to be an All-Star," said Wilson. "And I'm extremely happy to be healthy." All-Star lineups: Jackson's Jarrett Grube will be the starting pitcher for the North squad, against Montgomery's Matt Moore. Appropriate decisions there, with Grube as the home-team pitcher and Moore having just thrown a no-hitter against Mobile in his last start. The North starting lineup will consist of Tennessee catcher Steve Clevenger (one of a record 12 Smokies picked), Chattanooga first baseman Scott Van Slyke, Jackson second baseman Kyle Seager, Tennessee shortstop Marwin Godwin, Wilson at third and an outfield of Komatsu, Jackson's Jake Shaffer, Tennessee's Matt Spencer with Tennessee's Rebel Ridling as DH. The South starting lineup will be Jacksonville catcher Luke Montz, Mobile first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, Birmingham second baseman Tyler Kuhn, Mississippi shortstop Tyler Pastronicky, Montgomery third baseman Daniel Mayora, outfielders A.J. Pollock of Mobile, Kevin Mattison of Jacksonville and Ollie Linton of Mobile, with Birmingham's Christian Marrero as the DH. Huntsville third baseman Steffan Wilson / Mobile Press-Register Photo http://media.al.com/sports_impact/photo/9720120-large.jpg

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Manatee Press Release: Kjeldgaard ties ‘Tees single-season homer mark VIERA, Fla. – Brevard County Manatees slugger Brock Kjeldgaard tied the franchise’s single-season home run mark with his 18th homer of the season in Monday night’s 10-8 win on the road against the Dunedin Blue Jays. Jose Santos also hit 18 home runs in 2001 for the Manatees. Kjeldgaard’s 18 homers are tops in both the Florida State League and the entire Brewers minor league system. He also leads the FSL with a .596 slugging percentage and is tied for third in the Brewers minor league system in both RBI (47) and stolen bases (12). The 25-year-old Edmonton, Alberta native also leads the Florida State League with one home run per every 11.83 at-bats. He’s also hit an astounding .467 with runners in scoring position with two outs. Kjeldgaard was named the FSL Player of the Week for three weeks in a row from May 23 – June 13. During that 20 game span, he hit .414 with a .494 on-base percentage and a .986 slugging percentage. He collected 16 extra base hits, 12 home runs, 23 RBI and stole seven bases. Kjeldgaard has a chance to break the record before the first half of the season ends, with two games remaining. He will have a chance to do it in a matinee game on Tuesday at 11:00 AM at Dunedin (10:00 Central). The Manatees will return home on Wednesday to begin a seven-game homestand. Of Kjeldgaard’s 18 home runs this season, 11 have come on the road and seven have been at Space Coast Stadium.

It would have been nice if Brevard had kicked off the 2nd half standings with last night's win, especially after their first half struggles, but it turns out the 2nd half won't begin for the Sea Cows until after Wednesday's game.

Manatees catcher Sean McCraw has experiences to share Frustration is part of game by Mark DeCotis, Florida Today VIERA -- Brevard County Manatees catcher Sean McCraw is 25 years old and yet playing for his seventh minor league baseball team in seven seasons. He's played in almost 400 games from Brooklyn to Brevard. But he's got the love of the game -- especially for catching -- that's kept the fire burning for so long. He's also got an intensity that smolders just below the surface but sometimes also burns hot and bright. It's no surprise teammates and his manager Jeff Isom compare him to Crash Davis, the fictional minor-league lifer around whom the classic baseball movie "Bull Durham" evolved. A native Texan, McCraw was selected by the Manatees parent club the Milwaukee Brewers in the 37th round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft and the New York Mets in the eighth round in 2005. He signed with the Mets and began his odyssey in Kingsport, Tenn. later that summer. Now, 378 games later, he is sharing catching duties for the Manatees as he continues his return from a broken finger he suffered while working in a metal shop just before spring training. And he thinks it's that injury -- which is healed enough to allow him to play but not enough that the finger on his right and throwing hand is still not swollen and misshapen -- has set him back in his quest to move up the organizational ladder. But that's baseball, and that's life and that's one of the hard lessons McCraw has learned in the bus leagues. Baseball above all is a game of setbacks and failure and if a player can't deal with that, he might as well pack up and look for a real job. That truly is not what McCraw is planning to do even though this is his free agent year, meaning the Brewers could cut him loose if they choose. Should that happen, he could fall back on his skill as a welder and his interest in firefighting, but he's got too much baseball left in him to just walk away. "I found a way to get back on the field," he said. "I'm just trying to be out there on the field as much as possible and try and get as many reps in to where next year might be something to look forward to." McCraw is a married man -- a year and a half to Rebekah with whom he has been with since high school and who has been a pillar of support. "Ever since I've been doing this gig, she's been there right beside me," he said. "Couldn't ask for a better person to be there. She's come and lived with or been a part of the season year in and year out." That's what it takes. Trying to scratch out a living in minor league ball can stress even the stiffest spine and sometimes the frustration and disappointment and yes anger that are as much a part of the game as bats and balls, boils up. That's OK. "Sometimes you've got to let it out," McCraw said. "I used to let it out every time that I failed, but once I figured out that this game is mostly about failure, I learned how to cope with it." There also are times when a player must deliver and failure is not an option. "I'm not supposed to fail," McCraw said. "If I want to keep playing this game, I can't fail in those situations." Isom acknowledged as much. "I think every player should have to do that," Isom said. "Obviously frustrated, and that's OK. It's part of the whole learning sequence here. Guys are going to get frustrated. He's no different. He's been around. He knows what he has to get done," Isom brought up a crucial late-inning bunt that McCraw recently failed to execute. "He didn't accomplish what he wanted to get done. He's a guy who takes pride in what he does on the field. If he doesn't do something right or properly he's going to be upset." McCraw has done enough correctly to be in a valuable position as a catcher with a good track record and experience who can relate to young pitchers, get the most out of pitchers and shut down a running game. And much like the fictional Crash Davis, who also was a catcher, McCraw's talents could propel him up the ladder or keep him in the minors where the organization believes he could help shape future stars. Sort of like Crash. "Without the home runs," McCraw said, smiling about the reference. "I wish I could hit more home runs, I could be more like him." He already is. "I love catching," he said. "I love when my pitchers do well. I like being part of the game every play. I can throw runners out pretty well. "I'm not big into video games. That's my video game. When I'm catching, I'm in control." That's fine with Manatees pitching coach Fred Dabney. "It's crucial, it's a very important for these guys developing," Dabney said of McCraw. "Guys who can call a good game, have some leadership skills behind the plate. That's why guys like that stay in baseball and in the organizations a long time. "He's a great teammate, he's a tremendous asset to our organization. Guys like that you can't say enough about." Sean McCraw talks with a coach before a recent game at Space Coast Stadium. McCraw has done enough correctly to be in a valuable position as a catcher with a good track record and experience who can relate to young pitchers. / Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY http://cmsimg.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A9&Date=20110621&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=106210315&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0

Ex-St. John's Prep pitching ace Peterson signs contract with Brewers By Jean DePlacido, Salem (MA) News.com correspondent Former St. John's Prep pitcher Stephen Peterson has overcome many obstacles in his quest to one day become a major league baseball player. So after an outstanding season on the mound for the University of Rhode Island this spring, Peterson has signed a free agent contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound southpaw reported to the Brewers minor league team in the Arizona Rookie League last week and had a few days to prepare for the season, which starts tonight. "It's fantastic, a dream come true," said the 23-year-old Peterson. "I flew to Phoenix last Monday, signed all the papers and passed my physical. We had a few days of practice, and once the league starts we play just about every night, with a day off every fifth day. "I missed two full seasons (because of injuries), but now my arm feels great. I've wanted to do this my entire life — and I have to make the most of my chance." A 2006 St. John's Prep graduate, Peterson spoke with several major league teams leading up to the draft before Milwaukee called him two days after it had ended (when Peterson, who hadn't been drafted, was free to sign with any team). "They asked me how I'd like to be a Brewer. When I told them I'd talked to some other clubs, they said not to return any phone calls because they wanted me," he said. "It was such an incredible feeling that I wanted to jump through the phone and say 'Yes!'. They sent the contract out the next morning." Peterson was a perfect 6-0 in the Atlantic-10 Conference for URI this season with two complete game shutouts. He was 6-4 overall after getting off to a rocky start in February with three losses, including one to top-rated Florida. After that Peterson heated up and was the only unbeaten pitcher in the conference. He had a team-leading 3.06 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 85 1/3 innings pitched. Opposing batters hit .231 against him. Peterson is the seventh Ram to sign a major league contract. He received All-Conference and All-New England honors and was named Pitcher of the Game at the New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association all-star game at LeLacheur Park in Lowell earlier this month. Peterson started and pitched two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while fanning two. Things didn't always go so smoothly for the big lefty, who is originally from Wilmington but has lived in Danvers since he was 8 years old. He attended Austin Prep for middle school and then had a great career with the Eagles. Highly recruited out of high school, Peterson accepted a scholarship to Marist but decided to transfer to URI after his freshman year. He knew he would have to sit out the 2009 season after transferring, but before that could happen he suffered a serious injury playing summer ball after leading the Newport Gulls to the semifinals of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. After working hard to improve his game, he learned he needed Tommy John arm surgery. "I knew it was serious right away, and an MRI taken a couple of weeks confirmed that I tore it," said Peterson. "I was devastated at the time and knew surgery was my only option. I went down to Alabama to have Dr. James Andrews do it because he's the best and has worked with so many major leaguers. "From the beginning I knew it was going to be a long road back, but it was a challenge I was ready to face." Peterson faced a 10-to-12 month rehabilitation period, but as soon as possible he started working hard to get back in shape. He figured by having the operation immediately he could be back in time for his senior year of fall ball. "That's why this opportunity is so important," said Peterson, who is a member of the Arizona League Brewers, one of four teams in the Central League division. "I have to control what I can to put myself in the best position to move up. All the Rookie games are in Arizona, but if I have a good year I'll go to Helena (Montana) to Advanced Rookie Ball, and then have a shot at A Ball. I feel great, the best I have felt in a long time and can't wait to get going."

Helena's site with their own recap reminds us that RHP Alex Jones is a "6-foot-6 sidewinder".

Behind the scenes with Helena Brewers' support staff

Paciorek’s walk-off home run lifts Brewers By Amber Kuehn, Helena Independent Record Joey Paciorek came around third base and into a pile of Helena Brewers who mauled him at home plate. The defending Pioneer League champion Brewers provided yet another dramatic opening-night victory, as Paciorek’s walk-off blast over the scoreboard in left-center field gave Helena a come-from-behind, 6-5 win against the Missoula Osprey late Monday night at Kindrick Legion Field in the 12th inning. A year after rallying to beat the Osprey, the Brewers erased a 4-0 deficit to win the season opener for the third consecutive season. Alex Jones worked three effective innings in extras, fanning five to earn the win. Missoula reliever Frank Santana, who faced just five batters, took the loss. Helena first baseman Parker Berberet assured extra innings with the second hit of his professional career. Berberet’s three-run shot struck the light pole in left-center field in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game at 5-all. The Oregon State product had a double in the sixth. But Paciorek, the infielder-turned-catcher playing in his first game behind the plate, had the heroics. Paciorek was 3 for 5 with a double and two home runs, and showed off his arm by picking off a runner at second on his first attempt. Paciorek, a 2007 draft pick, is down from Class A Wisconsin on injury assignment. Missoula, which was looking for its first season-opening victory since 2002, jumped out to a 4-0 lead after touching up Helena starter Eric Arnett for three runs in the fourth and tacking on another in the fifth inning. Arnett, the 2009 first-rounder making his first appearance in Helena since August of 2009, pitched effectively for three innings. He would finish giving up eight hits, walking one and striking out five through six. Osprey starter Robby Rowland was stellar, and was in line for the win before Berberet’s homer sent things in a different direction. Rowland went 5 1/3, fanning five, giving up two runs and eight hits with no walks. Roidany Aguila was the hot hitter at the plate for Missoula. Aguila hit a bullet beyond the centerfield wall to give the Osprey a 3-0 lead in the fourth. Helena third baseman Kyle Dhanani had the web gem of the night, leap-frogging a broken bat to make a spectacular throw to first in time to get Ryan Court out and save a baserunner in the top of the 12th. Jones did the rest, striking out the next two batters on a breaking ball and fastball. Seven different Brewers recorded hits, with second baseman Gant Elmore, shortstop Yadiel Rivera, Paciorek and Berberet with multi-hit games. Rivera was 3 for 6 with a run scored. The Osprey finished the game just 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position, stranding nine on base. The Brewers face the Osprey again tonight, aiming for the sweep in the short two-game set. Right-hander Enrique Burgos gets the start on the bump for Missoula, while Helena right-hander Brandon Williamson makes his pro debut on the mound. First pitch is slated for 7:05 PM (8:05 Central). Six photos in the gallery from the I-R FYI -- The MiLB.com game log incorrectly listed Kyle Dhanani's 12th inning "web gem" as a 6-3 assist from Yadiel Rivera.

Nashville Audio Archive -- June 20 - Chat with LHP Chase Wright

Based on what we've read in published reports, technically C Joey Paciorek and RHP's Seth Lintz and Skyler Crawford are on rehab assignments with Helena. Not sure why the team needs to make that designation at this time (and yes, we understand they are coming back from various injuries), just not sure what roster benefits are gained via that designation. If they are going to play, just activate them on Helena's roster, which is well under the 35-man limit at this time. For now, our Brewerfan Player Index for Helena will show them as being on Helena's DL, but know that they will see action (we believe). As for players not on Helena's roster that we thought may have been based on age and/or experience, we don't see C Gerard Ogrinc or RHP Jose Oviedo. Nor our Canadian rugby player, 24-year-old RHP Morgan Brinson.

Nashville Media Notes

Change has been good for Gamel BRAD MILNER / Walton County (FL) Sun NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The love affair between Mat Gamel and third base ended in baseball’s equivalent of divorce court. Then along came a pretty spot across the diamond and it was love at first sight. Gamel, 25, is currently at the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, the team he has been involved with for the majority of the last three seasons. The Jacksonville native and former Chipola College star is biding his time at the highest level in the Milwaukee Brewers’ minor-league organization. A potential move at the big league level could prove fruitful for Gamel or he may find himself playing in the majors in a different uniform. No matter the team, he will likely be playing at first base, where he has been slotted in the Sounds’ lineup for each of his 66 games this season. He started his career as the Brewers’ third baseman of the future, but the relationship didn’t work out. Gamel committed 172 errors in 558 games at third base in the minors. He appeared in 61 games with the Brewers in 2009, with 27 of those at third base. He made seven errors in 61 chances for a fielding percentage of .885. “The problems there weren’t as much mental as it was footwork issues that I had,” Gamel said on Thursday. “I like it better over there (at first); it’s a lot less stressful.” Rather than dump its former top prospect to another team, the Brewers felt a new position would suit Gamel better. First base also happens to be where Prince Fielder currently plays for the Brewers. He will be a free agent after this season and is expected to fetch a lot of money to expand his wallet. Major League Baseball insiders believe the Brewers are likely to part ways with Fielder rather than give more than what a richer club can and will offer. That leaves Gamel as the one swooping in on Fielder’s position next season. At least that is the prevailing theory. “That kinda thing just shows me that they like me and want to keep me around,” Gamel said. “But in the same breath, a lot of it is out of my hands. All I can control is what I do on the field.” Gamel also claimed he wasn’t peeking at news reports regarding Fielder’s future with the club. He’s more concerned with continuing to play well for the Sounds and showing the Brewers they have a quality player that can help the team win. “I can’t worry about Prince and what will happen to Prince,” Gamel said. “I can’t worry about those kinds of things.” The 6-foot, 215-pound Gamel has proved to be a steady force not only in the field this season, with a career-high .987 fielding percentage in more than 550 tries, but also at the plate. He is batting .312 and has an OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) of .923 in 263 at-bats this season at Nashville, with 14 home runs and 47 RBI. He also has remained relatively healthy, though he suffered two injuries last season. The first kept him out for the early part of 2010 with a torn back muscle and his call-up with the Brewers lasted 12 games before a toe injury ended the year. He still managed 96 games and 359 minor-league at-bats in 2010 despite the injury. It was his fewest appearances since his first year in 2005, when he signed as a fourth-round draft choice and played 58 games on the Rookie Level. He hasn’t appeared in fewer than 120 games at any other minor-league level since. His time in Nashville has encompassed more than 200 games and he’s made three stops in the majors, also briefly appearing in 2008. But playing in Nashville can only satisfy a player for so long. They get itchy for something new, like a love grown stale. “No one wants to be stuck in the minor leagues, but it is what it is,” Gamel said. “I’d like to be playing for the Brewers, but at this point I’m out of options, it’s not anything I can control.” Gamel knows that things change quickly in baseball. Proof of that came in 2005 when he transferred to Chipola after a rough year at Daytona State College. He learned new opportunities are abundant if you open your eyes to see them. “I’m very fortunate to have been able to play at Chipola,” Gamel said. “A family friend helped me get over to Chipola and that was the best move that ever happened to me.” He hopes that turns out to be the first of two great moves in his career. The second, of course, could be the switch to first base, which has so far erased the lingering memories of his rocky relationship at third base. And Gamel knows that there aren’t only pairs of eyes from his own team looking down on him. There will undoubtedly be suitors for his services, especially if Fielder returns to Milwaukee and the Brewers and Gamel decide to eventually split up. “Who’s to say that I won’t get traded?” Gamel asked. “If I’m not in the big leagues next year maybe someone else will pick me up. Again, that’s not anything I can control.”

So tonight's DSL game is for first place. Anyway, the other standings are all at 0-0, but we'll post the final first half standings here for posterity's sake -- SOU North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak * Tennessee 43 27 .614 - - 22-13 21-14 6-4 L2 Jackson 38 32 .543 5.0 E 18-15 20-17 2-8 L2 Huntsville 37 33 .529 6.0 E 23-12 14-21 7-3 L1 Chattanooga 35 35 .500 8.0 E 15-20 20-15 7-3 W2 Carolina 23 47 .329 20.0 E 12-23 11-24 5-5 W2 FSL North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak * Daytona 46 21 .687 - - 25-10 21-11 5-5 L2 Clearwater 39 28 .582 7.0 E 20-12 19-16 3-7 L2 Dunedin 37 30 .552 9.0 E 16-17 21-13 6-4 W2 Tampa 35 32 .522 11.0 E 16-17 19-15 7-3 W3 Lakeland 34 33 .507 12.0 E 19-16 15-17 4-6 L3 Brevard County 26 41 .388 20.0 E 14-21 12-20 5-5 W2 MID Western Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak * Burlington 45 25 .643 - - 24-11 21-14 4-6 L2 @ Quad Cities 40 29 .580 4.5 - 19-14 21-15 7-3 W3 Beloit 38 32 .543 7.0 E 19-16 19-16 8-2 W2 Wisconsin 38 32 .543 7.0 E 20-15 18-17 6-4 W1 Peoria 33 37 .471 12.0 E 21-15 12-22 3-7 L7 Cedar Rapids 32 38 .457 13.0 E 19-16 13-22 4-6 L1 Kane County 28 41 .406 16.5 E 15-20 13-21 2-8 L2 Clinton 24 46 .343 21.0 E 9-26 15-20 4-6 W2

PCL American North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Omaha 38 32 .543 - - 21-15 17-17 5-5 L2 Memphis 36 33 .522 1.5 74 22-16 14-17 8-2 L1 Nashville 31 38 .449 6.5 69 19-15 12-23 4-6 W1 Iowa 31 39 .443 7.0 68 14-17 17-22 4-6 W1 DSL S.D. North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak DSL Brewers 13 5 .722 - - 5-3 8-2 6-4 W3 DSL Mariners 12 5 .706 0.5 55 6-3 6-2 9-1 W8 DSL Athletics 6 11 .353 6.5 49 3-4 3-7 2-8 L1 DSL Cardinals 4 13 .235 8.5 47 3-7 1-6 4-6 L2

Follow Monday's action as it happens: Nashville (Gameday also available) Brevard County Helena DSL Brewers