Jim Goulart

FYI -- Didn't forget, MiLB.com hasn't updated DSL standings yet.

PCL American North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Omaha 27 23 .540 - - 14-10 13-13 4-6 L2 Memphis 22 27 .449 4.5 91 14-12 8-15 6-4 W2 Iowa 22 28 .440 5.0 90 11-12 11-16 4-6 L1 Nashville 21 28 .429 5.5 90 14-11 7-17 6-4 W4 SOU North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Tennessee 32 18 .640 - - 18-7 14-11 8-2 L1 Jackson 29 21 .580 3.0 18 13-10 16-11 5-5 W2 Huntsville 26 23 .531 5.5 16 13-6 13-17 7-3 W4 Chattanooga 24 26 .480 8.0 13 12-18 12-8 4-6 L4 Carolina 15 35 .300 17.0 4 11-19 4-16 4-6 W2 FSL North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Daytona 39 12 .765 - - 21-6 18-6 10-0 W12 Clearwater 32 19 .627 7.0 13 15-9 17-10 7-3 W1 Dunedin 28 23 .549 11.0 9 9-13 19-10 5-5 W2 Lakeland 26 25 .510 13.0 7 13-11 13-14 6-4 W1 Tampa 23 28 .451 16.0 4 12-16 11-12 6-4 W2 Brevard County 20 31 .392 19.0 1 12-18 8-13 5-5 W5 MID Western Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Burlington 36 14 .720 - - 18-3 18-11 7-3 W6 Peoria 28 22 .560 8.0 - 18-8 10-14 7-3 W1 Wisconsin 27 23 .540 9.0 20 17-12 10-11 5-5 W1 Quad Cities 25 24 .510 10.5 18 12-12 13-12 4-6 L4 Cedar Rapids 25 25 .500 11.0 18 14-11 11-14 4-6 L1 Beloit 22 27 .449 13.5 16 11-14 11-13 1-9 L1 Kane County 22 28 .440 14.0 14 11-14 11-14 7-3 L1 Clinton 14 36 .280 22.0 7 6-18 8-18 3-7 W1

Follow Monday's action as it happens: Nashville (Gameday also available) Huntsville (Gameday also available) Wisconsin DSL Brewers

Monday's Daily Menu: Here's to honoring our veterans, past and present -- thank you for your service! Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Sam Narron at home vs. Oklahoma City (Astros), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link iPad/iPhone: Listen MiLB.TV -- for subscribers Huntsville: RHP Wily Peralta at home vs. Tennessee (Cubs), 6:43 PM gametime Live Audio Link iPad/iPhone: Listen Traditional broadcast -- look for the Tennessee feed off the master MiLB.com audio list Brevard County: Idle Wisconsin: LHP Charly Bashara at Kane County (Royals), 12:40 PM pre-game, 1:00 gametime Live Audio Link DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Athletics, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until late afternoon at the earliest

It would not be a surprise to see the 6'2", 200 lb. southpaw Williams debut with Helena, and not with Brevard or Wisconsin, as the local article hinted at. Wow, he snubbed the Marlins three times. You see, to me, this acquisition is much more exciting than the Evan Frederickson signing ever was. As for the new Reds' lefty, Tom Cochran, that the Brewers will probably see in Cincinnati this week, well, , the guy's crazy. By the way, that song, so popular in advertisements and movies, nets the "real" Tom Cochrane approx. $300,000 - $400,000 a year in royalties.

So far in 2011, we have three players to add to our pre-season special feature : Dipping into the independent ranks -- the Brewers' history in the Melvin eraMilwaukee purchased two middle infielders, Angel "Andy" Gonzalez and Hainley Statia, in late April, when it became apparent that injuries and a lack of depth required action at the middle levels of the system. Now we can add one of our favorite types of indy league signings, the young kid who will make his affiliated debut with Milwaukee. WILD THING ALAN WILLIAMS SIGNED BY MILWAUKEE BREWERS Frontier League Press Release The Washington (PA) Wild Things, presented by Washington Financial, today announced that left-handed pitcher Alan Williams signed with the Milwaukee Brewers organization. He will report to Maryvale, Ariz., for a physical and will then be assigned to a Single-A club in the Brewers minor league system. Williams, a first-year rookie with the Wild Things, had appeared in three games this season, earning one save while allowing no runs, three hits and three walks and striking out eight batters in 7.2 innings pitched. In Saturday night’s game against Windy City, he threw four scoreless frames with one hit and four strikeouts. Darin Everson, director of baseball operations and field manager for the Wild Things, said, “We are very excited for Alan to move forward in his career and chase his dream to become a Major League player. There were a couple of teams interested in his services, and with his effectiveness this season, he has definitely warranted that interest.” “When we saw Alan for the first time in spring training, we knew he had a unique package with his age (Williams just turned 21 years old in March) and his power arm,” Everson continued. “We are thrilled that the Milwaukee Brewers picked up his contract today, and we wish him the best in the future.” A 2008 (41st round) and 2009 (49th round) draft pick of the Florida Marlins, Williams played two seasons of college baseball at Meridian Community College in Mississippi. In 2010, he struck out 25 batters in 24.1 innings pitched with a 5.55 ERA. In 2009, he collected 32 strikeouts in 28.1 innings pitched with 8.26 ERA in 20 games. The Rayville, La., native also played outfield, batting .367 with 11 RBIs, 11 hits and four homeruns in 2010. *** Wild Things enjoy major achievement By Chris Dugan, Sports Editor, Washington (PA) Observer-Reporter It seemed as if everyone in the Wild Things organization had a little extra bounce in their step Sunday afternoon. That's because it was a landmark day for the Frontier League team. Ten years to the day of their initial game, the Wild Things finally had one of their former players make the major leagues. The Cincinnati Reds announced early in the day that they added former Wild Things pitcher Tom Cochran to their 40-man roster. The Reds then placed Cochran on the major-league team prior to playing at Atlanta last night. Cochran is the first former Wild Things player to make the major leagues. He's also the fourth Reds pitcher to be called up in the last four days. A left-hander, Cochran spent the 2006 and 2007 seasons with Washington, posting records of 8-5 and 6-8. He played in the 2007 Frontier League All-Star game. One of Cochran's best outings came in Game 2 of the 2007 championship series at Windy City when he took a no-hitter into the seventh inning of a Washington victory. Since playing in Washington, Cochran spent one year in the independent Cam-Am League and part of the 2009 season in the independent Atlantic League, from which the Reds purchased his contract. Cochran moved his way up through the Reds' system and began this year at Class AAA Louisville. He won his first five decisions and had a 5-1 record in eight games (four starts) for the Bats at the time of his call-up. Cochran wasn't the only Wild Things left-hander to get a call from a major league organization Sunday. Relief pitcher Alan Williams, who threw four scoreless innings and earned a save in Washington's 5-0 victory Saturday night over Windy City, had his contract purchased by the Milwaukee Brewers. "This shows that if you perform and produce here, then you have a chance," Washington manager Darin Everson said. Williams, 21, appeared in three games with Washington, throwing 7 2/3 scoreless innings. He allowed three hits and three walks with eight strikeouts. Brewers scout Joe Kowal was at Consol Energy Park Saturday and liked what he saw of Williams, who also was receiving interest from the Florida Marlins, who twice drafted the lefty from Rayville, La., but did not sign him. "What scouts like about Alan is he's athletic, he's young, he's got at least an average major-league fastball in terms of velocity and a curveball that most would grade as major-league average right now," Washington pitching coach Mark Dewey said. According to Everson, Williams threw 15 fastballs of 91 mph Saturday and several others that hit 92 mph. Williams was the youngest player on the Wild Things. He was signed after spending only two years playing college ball, at Meridian (Miss.) Community College. "For Milwaukee, it's like getting a draft pick," Everson said. "Alan's a young guy who's not just a body filling a roster spot. He's going there as a prospect. He's a power-arm lefty and has a chance to be 93-94 mph when he gets to 23 years old, if not sooner." *** Williams' last indy league gameBy Chris Dugan, Sports Editor, Washington (PA) Observer-Reporter Throwing hard is what Alan Williams does best. The youngest player on the team at age 21, Williams has only junior college experience. He was often overpowering against Windy City, allowing only one infield hit and striking out four in earning a rare four-inning save. Washington stretched its lead to 3-0 in the second inning when Eric Stephens tripled down the right-field line and scored on Emilio Ontiveros' sacrifice fly. "When we got the two runs in the first inning, that helped me settle down," starting pitcher Casey Barnes admitted. "It was big relief seeing that go to 3-0 in the second and ... It's good knowing the team is going to hit." Kevyn Feiner hit his second double in the third inning and scored on a single by Sidick. Washington made it 5-0 in the fourth when Blake Ochoa doubled into the left-field corner and scored on Doug Perren's second double. The Wild Things hit five doubles. "The offense was good, but the key was the pitching," Everson said. "It always comes down to pitching and defense. I loved Barnes' tempo in his professional debut, and Williams was as good as he's ever been." *** http://washingtonwildthings.com.ismmedia.com/ISM3/thumbcache/d8b412b48f56885b267591ffd8465cfe.200.jpg

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My apologies to Khris Davis, who has driven in 39.

Bet you didn't know -- Only Wisconsin's Mike Walker (38) has more RBI among all Brewer minor leaguers than... ...Huntsville's Steffan Wilson (32). Rock on, Harvard!

Chattanoogan Photo by Tim Evearitt Cody Scarpetta earned the win for the Stars. In 6 1/3 innings, he surrendered two runs on six hits and two walks, while striking out five. http://images.chattanoogan.com/article_images/article_202384_large.jpg

DiFelice has earned another big-league shot Dennis Deitch, Delaware County Daily Times Mark DiFelice has been here before — doubted, passed over for promotion. The right-hander spent 11 years pitching for a dozen different minor-league teams, the Camden Riversharks among them, before he became a 31-year-old big-league rookie with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2008. So when his impressive 2009 season was hampered in the final months by a shoulder problem that eventually required surgery to repair both his labrum and rotator cuff and cost him all of 2010, there couldn’t be another 11-year wait for that next shot in the majors. That’s why Wednesday DiFelice will have to make a decision — stay, or roam free. The Haverford High product has a clause in his contract that requires the Brewers call him to the majors by June 1, or he has the option of being released and signing with another organization. DiFelice has spent the first two months of this season pitching for Triple-A Nashville, where he has been effective as usual — 1-1 with six saves and a 2.30 ERA in 14 appearances. He has struck out 18 in 15 2/3 innings and walked just four. Succeeding in the minors never has been a problem for DiFelice. He’s 83-59 with a 3.50 ERA in 277 minor-league games. His 1.149 WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched) in the minors barely diverts at any level; his numbers in 74 big-league games (5-1, 3.44 ERA, 68 Ks, 19 BBs, 1.203 WHIP) offer no reason to believe he would be any less effective in the majors than in Triple-A. However, things changed in Milwaukee during the year DiFelice missed while on the mend. Ken Macha was the manager when he was called up in 2008 and kept on the roster out of spring training the next year. Macha, however, was fired after last season and Ron Roenicke — who spent a decade on Mike Scioscia’s Angels coaching staff — replaced him. Sometimes who you know matters, and DiFelice was in spring training trying to impress a new manager and staff. Put it this way: A 34-year-old right-hander with a fastball in the mid-80s who didn’t pitch in the majors until he was 31 and is coming off shoulder surgery … that isn’t the type of résumé that catches the eye. That’s too bad, because DiFelice showed during the first four months of 2009 how dominating a guy without overpowering stuff can be when he commits to going after hitters. His ERA stayed below two runs until July 27 of that season, and in his first 39 games he had a 1.64 ERA, had walked just nine batters in 381/3 innings (and five of those were intentional), and opposing hitters were batting just .187 against him. His cut fastball was becoming a mild sensation in Milwaukee. But his shoulder started to bark, and with it the magic faded as he tried to work through it. Unless you’re making eight-figures or featured in Baseball America’s Top 100 prospects, all it takes is a year on the mend for you to become an afterthought. The Brewers have had 12 different pitchers work in relief this year, so it isn’t as if they have been enjoying healthy, effective work out there. Veterans Takashi Saito and LaTroy Hawkins have had injury issues, and when Brandon Kintzler went on the disabled list two weeks ago, the Brewers brought up Tim Dillard — a 26-year-old who didn’t do much to impress during cups of coffee in 2008 and 2009, and got knocked around in his only appearance with Milwaukee six days ago. So DiFelice has some factors to weigh. The Brewers were the organization that brought him back from independent-league oblivion and offered him the big-league shot he didn’t get while pitching effectively in the minors for the Rockies and Orioles. Milwaukee is the place where his persistence was rewarded. On the other hand, there’s a new regime in charge, and the early signs indicate that it doesn’t appreciate his abilities the way Macha’s staff did. It’s a tough choice. But there are bound to be people in other organizations who saw his 2009 success, respect his ability to change speeds and stay around the plate. There are baseball guys who want that pitcher they know will go in relief who won’t screw around and will challenge hitters to earn their way on base. It would be nice if the Phillies — who continue to put up with guys like Kyle Kendrick, David Herndon and J.C. Romero, and their addiction to walking guys — would give DiFelice a job in Lehigh Valley and put Kendrick and Herndon on notice. Some team will give DiFelice at least that much. And he ought to get another chance to show that his shoulder woes are behind him, that his performance in the first half of 2009 can happen again.

Nashville's Mat Gamel hit a three-run homer, his first of two longballs, during the Sounds' 8-3 win over the RedHawks. VIDEO LINK In pink, and off a lefty, too

Nashville Audio Archive -- May 29 - Chat with utilityman Erick Almonte

The video highlights will probably stagger by a day -- Mat Gamel's home run (he'd hit two more the next day)

Look for the Nashville and Wisconsin media notes here and here later on, respectively. If Huntsville posts theirs, it will be found by placing your cursor over the "roster" banner at the Stars' home page. They last updated there on the 25th.

Zach Braddock will also appear in back-to-back games for Nashville on Tuesday and Wednesday in what will hopefully be a final test. Looks like an activation for the tough Marlins' series in Miami starting Friday is a real possibility.

PCL American North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Omaha 27 22 .551 - - 14-10 13-12 4-6 L1 Iowa 22 27 .449 5.0 91 11-12 11-15 5-5 W1 Memphis 21 27 .438 5.5 91 13-12 8-15 6-4 W1 Nashville 20 28 .417 6.5 90 13-11 7-17 6-4 W3 SOU North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Tennessee 32 18 .640 - - 18-7 14-11 8-2 L1 Jackson 28 21 .571 3.5 18 13-10 15-11 4-6 W1 Huntsville 25 23 .521 6.0 16 13-6 12-17 6-4 W3 Chattanooga 24 25 .490 7.5 14 12-17 12-8 4-6 L3 Carolina 14 35 .286 17.5 4 10-19 4-16 3-7 W1 FSL North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Daytona 38 12 .760 - - 20-6 18-6 10-0 W11 Clearwater 31 18 .633 6.5 15 15-9 16-9 6-4 W3 Dunedin 27 23 .540 11.0 10 9-13 18-10 5-5 W1 Lakeland 25 25 .500 13.0 8 13-11 12-14 5-5 L1 Tampa 22 28 .440 16.0 5 12-16 10-12 6-4 W1 Brevard County 19 31 .380 19.0 2 11-18 8-13 4-6 W4 MID Western Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Burlington 36 14 .720 - - 18-3 18-11 7-3 W6 Peoria 27 22 .551 8.5 - 18-8 9-14 7-3 L2 Wisconsin 26 23 .531 9.5 21 17-12 9-11 5-5 L4 Cedar Rapids 25 24 .510 10.5 20 14-10 11-14 5-5 W2 Quad Cities 25 24 .510 10.5 19 12-12 13-12 4-6 L4 Beloit 22 27 .449 13.5 17 11-14 11-13 1-9 L1 Kane County 22 27 .449 13.5 16 11-13 11-14 8-2 W3 Clinton 14 36 .280 22.0 8 6-18 8-18 3-7 W1

Follow Sunday's action as it happens: Nashville (Gameday also available) Huntsville (Gameday also available) Brevard County Wisconsin

Sunday's Daily Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Zach Braddock at home vs. Oklahoma City (Astros), 1:50 PM pre-game, 2:05 gametime; LHP Chase Wright will follow Live Audio Link iPad/iPhone: Listen MiLB.TV -- for subscribers Huntsville: RHP Cody Scarpetta at Chattanooga (Dodgers), 5:15 PM gametime Live Audio Link -- Lookouts' feed Brevard County: RHP Hiram Burgos at home vs. Jupiter (Marlins), 4:05 PM gametime Live Audio Link -- look for the Jupiter feed off the master MiLB.com audio list Wisconsin: RHP Tyler Thornburg at Kane County (Royals), 5:40 PM pre-game, 6:00 gametime Live Audio Link DSL Brewers: Idle; league takes Sundays off

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Timber Rattlers Profile: No. 21 Franklin Romero, outfielder compiled by Mike Woods, Appleton Post-Crescent Quick hits - Age: 22. - Position: Right field. - Height, weight: 5-foot-8, 180. - Bats/throws: Right/right. - Hometown: New York City. - Notes: Selected by the Brewers in the 20th round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft. … Last year split time between Helena (rookie), Wisconsin (low A) and Brevard County (high A). … His godfather is Tony Pena, an 18-year major league veteran and current New York Yankees bench coach. Favorites - MLB team growing up: "New York Yankees. I was born and raised in New York City and, as a kid, it was one of the best things for me, going to a game at Yankee Stadium. My dad would say we're going to a Yankees game and I'd be pumped for two days before the game. It was a big thing for me." - MLB player growing up: "Roberto Clemente. He has always been one of my all-time favorite players." - Sport other than baseball: "Formula One Racing. My dad and me have actually gone to Barcelona for a race. We're really into it." - Favorite thing about New York: "Summer. We'd play baseball all day in the middle of the streets." - TV show: "That 70's Show." - Musical artist. "Don Omar. He's a Spanish reggaeton singer, but he's just not reggaeton. He'll do any kind of music." - NFL team: "Not really. I'm not really into the NFL. I'm more into basketball and I like the Miami Heat." Q&A Q: How big an influence has Tony Pena been on you? A: "He's taught me a lot about the game, not just physically but mentally. The experience that he has. He's been with so many teams and knows so much about the game it's incredible. To me, he's taught me what I need to do when I have a rough time or when I'm going good. Any time I need something, I just give him a call. He's always there to tell me the words I need to hear." Q: So growing up in New York, did you play stickball? A: "Oh yeah. Nothing has changed there. You've got a square box and then you've got the blue ball and the broomstick. That's big time. We still actually play when I go back to New York." Q: How did you end up at Cerro Coso Community College in California? A: "I went to high school in the Dominican Republic and there was a program called the RBI (Reviving Baseball in the Inner Cities). I played for the RBI in the Dominican for three years and, my senior year, our RBI team won the Caribbean series. So we went out to California for the RBI World Series. I was recruited by the Cerro Coso coach, and soon as I got done with high school, I went out to California." Q: How do you rate your experience there? A: "For me is was different. The West (Coast) is really different. It's not the same as Florida (where he lives in Miami) or New York but I had a good experience. I learned a lot from the coach, I learned a lot from the league. I had fun." Q: I think I know, but what is the significance to No. 21? A: "That's for Roberto Clemente. I always really try to get that number. It means a lot to me, carrying his number. For the player he was, and not only the player but the person he was. Helping the needy and everything. To me, it's not just because I like the number 21. It means a lot to me." Q: Who has been your biggest influence? A: "I would say my father, Franklin Romero. My father came from a very poor family and, at the age of 16, he came here to the United States and started working. He's taught me that from having nothing you can have a lot. He's now a record producer. He's accomplished so much and I'm so proud of him. I look at him as my hero, my idol, everything. He's taught me all that I need to know." Q: How did you end up playing high school ball in the Dominican? A: "I would say it was actually a plan between my mom and my dad. When I was in middle school, I used to live in Florida and, when I was done, my parents saw my talent as a baseball player. So they decided for us to move to the Dominican. My dad wanted me to experience Dominican baseball." Q: So what was that experience like? A: "Dominican baseball is way harder. Over there, it's not by age, like Little League. If you fit in the category and you're able to be at the same level as other players, you're staying in that league. It's based on skill level. I was always the youngest one (on the team) when I went to the Dominican to play. It was a good experience and I think that is one of the best things (my parents) have done, take me out there to have that experience. I learned so much." Q: What is your most prized sports possession? A: "I actually have my first baseball cleats. My mom saved those for me and I have them hanging up in my room." Q: What is your favorite sports moment? A: "I would say, last year, our Helena team won the championship. There've been guys who've been playing professionally who played in the minor league and got to the major leagues and never won a ring. To me that was something special, and something I'll always have the rest of my life. Having that championship ring and being a part of that." Q: Was being assigned again to Appleton to start this season a disappointment to you? A: "Not really. As long as I'm playing baseball I'll be fine. The most important thing is just learning and I have much to learn still. This game is about learning and getting better each day." The Tool Box Timber Rattlers manager Matt Erickson breaks down right fielder Franklin Romero: "Frankie has some physical tools. He's lightning in a bottle. He's a weapon on the bases. He can really run. He's got a great arm. Those are, I guess, his plus tools. Offensively, the more contact he can make, the more pressure he can put on the defense, the better he's going to become. He's struggled over the past couple of years with recognition of breaking balls and off-speed pitches and going out of the zone. So if we can get his plate discipline better to where he's putting more balls in play, he's just going to continue to improve. But he has got to buy into that and I think he understands that. It's just a matter of taking the information from up here (the indoor batting cage) and what we work on down there during competition. Our outfield, in general, throws the baseball pretty good. They have a number of assists and he probably has the best arm out there of the group." Timber Rattlers right fielder Franklin Romero wears the number (21) of his boyhood baseball hero, Roberto Clemente. / Post-Crescent photo by Ron Page http://cmsimg.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20110529&Category=APC020602&ArtNo=105290566&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0

Dude, you've set the bar way too high with that analysis. Eric (Sessile) and I welcome Conor (TooLiveBrew) to our Link Report family. Especially once the rookie seasons begin, it's difficult for one and sometimes even two LR's (Link Reporters http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif) to give the nightly thread justice, although we look forward to the inevitable evening when TooLive has to detail all seven (or more) contests, as we've both had to do in the past. We'll be easing TLB in over the next couple of weeks, and then you can expect to see him pick up a couple of games nightly for sure once the Helena and Maryvale kids are in action. We'll spread the wealth. Eric and I had been commenting behind the scenes all spring how difficult it was to make the AAA Sounds interesting. Nice maiden voyage, sir. Thanks.

Rather than clutter up a worn-out Alumni thread, let's just say it's going to be fun to watch as Brett Lawrie will be called up any day now. In this age of incredible parity, the AL wild card race is there for anyone's taking, and Toronto (and its fans) should be energized big-time as Lawrie will fill a huge non-productive gap in the Jays' lineup. Another incredible night for Lawrie And yes, thank you Doug, and thank you, Shaun. It's OK for both sides to "win" a trade.

From the Chattanoogan: The Lookouts offense made some noise in the bottom of the eighth by having runners on first and second with one out. Scott Van Slyke then grounded out to first to advance both runners into scoring position. Huntsville relief pitcher Lucas Luetge then threw a ball that bounced off of catcher Anderson De La Rosa. The speedy Elian Herrera on third base then attempted to take advantage of the situation but was thrown out at home to quell the potential rally.

Nashville Audio Archive -- May 28 - Chat with Manager Don Money