Jim Goulart

Here's the audio of the play in which Caleb Gindl had to leave the game last night -- it's a brief clip with no mention of the injury, but since it was a diving attempt, we can assume pretty much anything -- hopefully just getting the wind knocked out, and not a wrist or such...

Chad interviews Huntsville OF Chuckie Caufield

Nice picture of 6'9" Marques Kyles here.

McCalvy: ANAHEIM -- Brewers reliever Todd Coffey departed for Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday afternoon and will throw a maximum of 25 pitches in Game 1 of a doubleheader on Thursday. He has not pitched since May 29 because of a bruised right thumb and could be activated from the 15-day disabled list this weekend in Colorado. If Coffey has any problems on Thursday, he could pitch for Nashville again Saturday.

As of early afternoon, MiLB.com had not updated any of their standings pages to include Wednesday's action, so we take a break from standings coverage for one day.

Follow Thursday's action as it happens: Here's what you do, right click on each of the links below and choose "Open in New Tab or New Window". Choose "Recap". While you're listening to your minor league game of choice (or watching/listening to the big league Crew when they are playing), simply refresh your game log browsers every so often. Nashville Game One (Gameday also available) Nashville Game Two (Gameday also available) Huntsville (Gameday also available) Brevard County Game One Brevard County Game Two Wisconsin DSL Brewers

Thursday's Daily Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: RHP Mike Jones and TBD in a doubleheader at home vs. Memphis (Cardinals), 5:50 PM pre-game; 6:05 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings Live Audio Link Huntsville: TBD (likely RHP Mark Rogers) at home vs. Montgomery (Rays), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime Live Audio Link Brevard County: TBD and RHP Wily Peralta in a doubleheader at Lakeland (Tigers), 4:00 PM gametime; each contest slated for seven innings Sorry, no audio for this series... Wisconsin: LHP Del Howell at Clinton (Mariners), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime Live Audio Link DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Mariners, 9:30 AM

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San Diego LHP Steve Garrison has begun his road back, having made three starts at High-A Lake Elsinore.

The major league press writing about Bryson, who is at high-A Kinston: Kinston reliever Rob Bryson’s strikeout rate has actually gone up in recent days. In 11 appearances Bryson is averaging 17 strikeouts per nine innings (34 strikeouts in 18 innings). He has only given up six hits and opposing batters are hitting .103 against him. 55 K's, 10 walks in 31.1 innings in his two stops combined in 2010...

Wright State University catcher signed as undrafted free agentLink while active, text follows: Michael Leonard, Sports Editor (Twinsburg, OH Bulletin) Two key members of the Twinsburg high school baseball team which made a historic run to the Division I state final four in 2006 are about to get another chance to make a big splash. And this time, it just might land them in a Major League Baseball uniform. Gerald Ogrinc signed a free-agent contract with the Milwaukee Brewers June 14, while Aaron Swenson was expected to sign a free-agent contract June 16 with the Baltimore Orioles. Both players were expected to be assigned to their teams' respective Rookie League affiliates -- Ogrinc will play for the Arizona League Brewers, while Swenson will play for the Gulf Coast League Orioles in Florida. Ogrinc spent the last four years catching at Wright State University, while Swenson was a pitcher at Youngstown State University. Twinsburg baseball coach Don Jones said he got the news June 15 about his two former protégés. He's ecstatic both will have a shot to prove their worth professionally. "They are just class young men," Jones said. "In 2006 when we made that run, we always said that good things happen to good people. They are two great young men and good things are happening." Swenson and Ogrinc were both seniors during the Tigers' state run in 2006, which saw the Tigers reach states in Division I for the first time. The Tigers bowed out in the state semifinal game to Olentangy Lewis Center. Swenson was Twinsburg's starting pitcher in the that game, while Ogrinc started at catcher. "They were two of our four senior leaders," Jones said. "Aaron was a workhorse for us. Gerald was the absolute best catcher I've seen in high school in 23 years." Jones said the only surprise he had with Ogrinc and Swenson making the pros was how long it took for them to get there. "I was a little surprised that they signed free-agent contracts," Jones said. "I thought they'd be drafted last week. As good as those two young men were in high school, we knew what they were capable of. We were waiting for it to happen and it finally happened." Ogrinc was not able to be reached for comment by press time. Ogrinc has had an excellent career at Wright State, as he was named first-team All-Horizon League each of the last two seasons. This season, Ogrinc hit .337 with four home runs and 31 RBIs in 52 starts and .978 fielding percentage. He helped the Raiders win the regular-season title in the Horizon League, before bowing out to Milwaukee in the Horizon League championship series. Wright State Site: Gerard Ogrinc Player Profile

From the Clinton Herald's coverage of the Rattlers game: At the same time, the Kings’ bats struggled against four Wisconsin pitchers, each of whom seemed to bring a different weapon to the table. Starter Jake Odorizzi threw consistent strikes with a slower pace and delivery, and relievers Santo Manzanillo, Jeremy Jeffress and Andy Sauter all had live arms, leading to 12 LumberKing strikeouts, an all-too-familiar statistic. “Jeffress — he was in AA and shouldn’t really be here, but there’s a reason he’s here — he can throw 100 miles an hour,” Lumberkings' Manager John Tamargo (formerly the Manatees' manager) said of Milwaukee’s 2006 first-round draft pick who struck out five Clinton hitters in his two-inning stint.

21st round RHP Kevin Shackelford (Marshall University) is closing games for the West Virginia Miners of the Horizon League, a summer collegiate wood bat league with roots dating to 1963 that, just like the Cape Cod League, has teams comprised of some of college baseball’s best players.

The BrewCrewDaily blog spoke with reliever Brandon Kintzler -- good stuff...

Link while active, text follows: Holle going out with a bang Former CBA star heading to World Series, then pros By MARK SINGELAIS, Albany (NY) TimesUnion Staff writer As the bus carrying Loudonville's Greg Holle reached the Fort Worth, Texas, city limits late Sunday night, a police escort was there to meet him and the rest of the Texas Christian University baseball team. The Horned Frogs were led back to their stadium, where about 100 fans and the TCU marching band greeted them to celebrate the school's first appearance in the College World Series. "I really don't think it's set in," said Holle, who starred in baseball and basketball for CBA. "It probably won't for a while. What we're doing right now, it's something special." Holle, a junior right-handed pitcher, became one of the few Section II products to ever reach the World Series when TCU defeated powerhouse Texas 4-1 in Austin on Sunday in the third and deciding game of their super regional. That triumph sent the fourth-ranked Horned Frogs (51-12) to Omaha, Neb., where they'll open the World Series against Florida State on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Rosenblatt Stadium. "When it all comes to an end, a national championship would definitely be the icing on it," Holle said. The eight participating schools will play a double-elimination format with the two survivors meeting in a best-of-three championship that starts June 28. Other area players who have reached the College World Series include Delmar's John Stokoe, who pitched on Wake Forest's NCAA champion in 1955; Albany Academy's Rick Bernardo, a Maine first baseman who played in the 1986 Series; and Albany Academy's Chris Clark, an outfielder on Stanford's 1997 participant. Gary Holle, Greg's father, played three seasons at Siena before going on to a professional career that included a short stint with the Texas Rangers. He said he wondered what it would have been like to play in a World Series. "If you're a college baseball player, this is heaven," said Gary Holle, who will travel to Omaha this weekend. "The magnitude of what TCU has just done, if you're from Texas, having defeated the (Texas) Longhorns, that basically will turn the state of Texas upside down." It's likely Greg Holle's college career will end this month. He was chosen by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 11th round of the major-league draft last week and indicated he'll sign and forgo his senior year. "I think it's looking that way," said Holle, who can't negotiate with Milwaukee until TCU's season is over. Holle, moved to the bullpen this season, had a few bad outings early in the season, which contributed to his team-high 8.02 earned-run average. However, the 6-foot-8, 225-pound Holle has 37 strikeouts and only nine walks. He said his velocity has improved from the high-80s to low- to mid-90s since the TCU coaches got him to drop his arm in his delivery. He hopes to pitch in an important situation this weekend. "I'd be lying if I told you I knew exactly what type of role I'll get," he said. "In a tournament like this, it's all hands on deck. I'll do whatever I can."

Link while active, text follows: Morris signs Brewers deal; Milwaukee GM Melvin watches Stars stumble Former Grissom standout Hunter Morris signs Brewers deal Mark McCarter, The Huntsville Times HUNTSVILLE, AL -- On his way to Huntsville, Brewers general manager Doug Melvin bumped into a Huntsville resident arriving in Milwaukee. Hunter Morris, the former Grissom High star and the 2010 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year for Auburn, has signed his contract with the Brewers, according to Melvin. "He looks like a ballplayer," Melvin said after a quick meeting in the lobby of Miller Park, where Morris was undergoing a physical. Morris, a first baseman, will report to the Single-A Wisconsin Rapids Timber Rattlers in Appleton and work out a few days before being activated some time this weekend. The fourth-round draft pick received a reported $218,700 signing bonus, less than what he'd have received from the Boston Red Sox, who made him a second-round pick in 2007 out of Grissom. Melvin would not rule out the possibility that Morris could make a season-ending cameo appearance for his hometown Huntsville Stars, but said that "we need to let him get his feet on the ground before we'd ever bring that up. It depends. We've had guys, being a college player, if he goes in there and swings the bat well, it'd be something we'd consider." Melvin is making his second visit of the season to watch the Stars, who began a five-game homestand with the Montgomery Biscuits Wednesday night in a game delayed by more than an hour by rain - and with the stadium scoreboard not in operation until the fourth inning despite an 11-day break since the previous home game. The Stars dropped a 9-4 decision to Montgomery, Huntsville's fourth straight loss and the 10th in 15 games in June. "It's been a rough year because of injury," Melvin said of the Stars, who entered the evening at 29-36 and a three-game losing streak. "Throughout our whole system it's been a big problem. We've had them all over the place, from the big league team on down." Melvin called the injuries "an opportunity" for other players. Melvin said he "is not here looking at anybody in particular," but said that outfielder Lorenzo Cain, "once he got healthy, he looks like he's doing well" and is pleased with the development of 20-year-old second baseman Brett Lawrie "making the big jump (from low Single-A). He got off to a slower start but he's performing very well." The injury bug hit the Stars even before the season began, losing outfielder Logan Schafer, last year's organization player of the year to a groin injury. He has recently fractured a bone in his foot and will be out for the season. Pitcher Jeremy Jeffress, a No. 1 pick, has returned from a 100-day suspension for violation of baseball's drug policy, his second such suspension. He's in the bullpen at Appleton and Melvin expects him to remain there "for a long period since he hasn't pitched in so long." Catcher Angel Salome, who led the Southern League in batting in 2008, is at Class A Brevard. Once on the cusp of the majors, he has asked the Brewers to let him play other positions, having seen Jonathan Lucroy leapfrog him on the organization ladder. Salome is playing outfield though Melvin said "he still needs to continue to catch some, too. He knows that he controls (his future). We give them the opportunity to perform at certain levels and a player's performance will help us make a decision on them. Sometimes they're easier than others."

Just awful news -- the Huntsville Times is reporting that 2009 Organizational Player of the Year CF Logan Schafer, currently with Brevard County, fractured a bone in his foot and will be out for the season. He left Monday's game after grounding into a double play. What a lost season -- surely for Logan, and in many ways, for the organization. Schafer hasn't even been placed officially on the Brevard DL yet -- look for that soon, obviously. For discussion purposes, please comment here. Of course, we'll have to await news on Caleb Gindl, who left last night's game after being injured while in right field. It just keeps getting better and better, huh?

Rattler Radio: Digging the long ball

Link while active, text follows: Stars fall to Biscuits as Brewers' GM Melvin watches Mark McCarter, The Huntsville Times HUNTSVILLE, AL. -- The Huntsville Stars dropped their fourth consecutive game Wednesday night, losing to the Montgomery Biscuits 9-4 as Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin watched from the stands. The Stars, now 29-37 and eliminated from the first-half Southern League North race, host Montgomery again tonight and Friday at 7 p.m., with a 6 p.m. game Saturday at 1 p.m. start on Monday. The Stars have lost 10 of 15 games in the month of June. The start of the game was delayed by more than an hour because of early-evening rain and the announced crowd was only 724. Despite the 11-day gap since the Stars' last home game, the scoreboard was out of operation for the first four innings. When it was finally turned on, fans were greeted to a 8-1 Montgomery lead, based on a six-run fourth inning against starter Michael Bowman, who was charged with seven runs after giving up six hits and five walks. He faced five men in the fourth without getting an out, then reliever Mark Willinsky gave up two more runs on five hits in his three innings' work. Andy Machado drove in the Stars' first run with a second-inning single and Taylor Green had a two-run homer in the three-run eighth. The Stars roster continues to shift, with pitcher Casey Baron being activated Wednesday. Outfielder Drew Anderson is on the disabled list. (In an interesting name twist, the Biscuits have an outfielder named Drew Anderson as well. And their broadcaster is named Joe Davis, same as Huntsville's stadium name.) According to Stars' PR director Jill Casic, of 24 players on the current active roster, only 15 were active during at least one game during the last homestand. The Stars are expected to have another roster move on Thursday, with the Class AAA Nashville Sounds playing a doubleheader and needing an extra pitcher. Chris Cody is the likely candidate to make the fill-in appearance. Robin Conn/Huntsville Times Brewers' general manager Doug Melvin http://media.al.com/huntsville-times-sports/photo/doug-melvinjpg-f92d41ed103477b2_large.jpg

We should have a formal roster for you on Friday or Saturday -- Link while active, text follows: Rainy weather wreaks havoc on Brewers By AMBER KUEHN, Helena Independent Record Mother Nature doesn’t appear to be much of a baseball fan. Just five days before the Pioneer League’s Opening Day, the Helena Brewers were forced inside due to rain showers. The inclement weather has meant the players, which have continued to filter in throughout the week, haven’t seen as much time on the field as they would like. “We were rained out today but made good use of our time covering fundamentals and what we expect out of them this season,” said new Brewers manager Joe Ayrault on Wednesday. “Weather permitting we’ll be on the field tomorrow.” Michael Melillo was the most recent addition to arrive, flying into the Capital City on Wednesday evening. Melillo, drafted in the 31st round of the First-Year Player Draft last week, comes to the Brewers after playing catcher last season at Elon University. With Melillo, Helena now has 25 guys in town for minicamp, a dozen of which were Milwaukee Brewers’ picks this month. “The new draftees had to wait on physicals so they haven’t been able to do much,” said Steve Wendt, director of broadcasting and media relations for the Helena team. Wendt anticipates more players will arrive in Helena toward the end of the week, so the Opening Day roster for Monday, June 21, is not yet finalized. Typically, the Brewers start with about five more players than they currently have. The Brewers aren’t the only team to be affected by the gloomy conditions. The spring storms have also taken their toll on the Legion baseball teams, as the Helena Senators saw a 45-minute rain delay in their Tuesday night contest, and the Reps’ Class A game against the Billings Cardinals slated for Wednesday was canceled. Still, it hasn’t been a total lost cause for the Pioneer League squad. Ayrault said the players who were in extended spring training in Arizona have had two workouts at Kindrick Field consisting of bullpen sessions, pitcher fielding practice and batting practice. Infielders have also worked on fielding ground balls. That doesn’t change the fact that opportunities for working out have been few and far between. “It has been sparse,” Wendt said. “Missoula, Billings, Great Falls, my guess is all of those guys are in the same boat. “And Opening Day is coming whether we like it or not.” First pitch is slated for 7:05 PM Monday (8:05 Central), when the Brewers host the Missoula Osprey. The 10-day forecast is calling for a high of 70 degrees and a 30 percent chance of isolated thunderstorms.

Final, Game Two: DSL Cardinals 3, DSL Brewers 2, 12 innings (scheduled for seven) DSL Brewers Game Two Box Score Ah yes, defense. The DSL boys committed five errors, as none of the three Cardinal runs were earned over 12 innings; Brewer pitchers allowed only two singles as just the Cardinal leadoff man had any base knocks at all; however, Crew pitchers did walk ten (and fanned ten); starter Rolando Pascual walked six in his four innings plus; 20-year-old RHP Jose Cepeda was strong again (six hits, five walks, and only one run allowed in 16 innings this season), as he went the next five hitless innings (an inherited runner from Pascual scored in the 5th, on a sacrifice fly); Brewer batters stranded ten and were 0-for-8 with RISP; Jose Garcia homered in the 6th (he also doubled), and Jose Pena doubled twice and drove in the other run in his six AB's... DSL Brewers Game Two Game Log Tough way to lose -- be sure to review the log, the Milwaukee kids had big chances in the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th to take the lead, just ridiculous, really... DSL Cardinals Bottom 12th Domingo Diaz reaches on fielding error by second baseman Yonki Hernandez. Daniel Barbuena grounds out to first baseman Hitaniel Arias. Domingo Diaz to 2nd. Robelys Reyes reaches on fielding error by shortstop Andres Martinez. Domingo Diaz scores.

RHP Michael Bowman (not LHP Chris Cody) is your Huntsville starter tonight. *** Scoreless through six in Clearwater, it's a real fly ball-fest thus far, a light L-to-R cross wind (and presumably heavy air) making things tough for the bats -- yay, Dan Merklinger...

Final, Game One: DSL Cardinals 4, DSL Brewers 0 DSL Brewers Game One Box Score Apparently this is how you follow-up a 25-run barrage; the Brewers managed two singles and no walks against an 18-year-old Cardinal right-hander who will no doubt torment big league Brewers in five years; Jose Garcia was HBP in both of his plate appearances; 19-year-old RHP Eduard Reyes was coming off seven stellar shutout innings last time out -- but four runs in four innings here (seven hits, four walks); SS Andres Martinez committed his 6th error in 13 games, not an unheard of pace for this league... DSL Brewers Game One Game Log Cardinals scored all their runs in the 3rd; Brewers had 1st and 2nd with one out in the 5th, but a GIDP squelched that -- is it true you can squelch a rumor or a rally, but nothing else?

Rattler Radio: June 16, 2010: Game Notes HE’S A MENACE AGAIN: Chris Dennis snapped an 0-for-16 slump with a two-run single in the sixth inning of game two of a doubleheader against Dayton on June 12. Since that hit, Dennis is 5-for-8 with eight RBI. He has taken over the team lead in the RBI category with 39. June 16, 2010: Tonight's starting pitcher *** KHRIS DAVIS IN MIDWEST LEAGUE HOME RUN DERBY Scooter Gennett participating in Skills competition GRAND CHUTE, WI - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers All-Stars Khris Davis and Scooter Gennett are going to be busy on the day before the 2010 Midwest League All-Star Game. Davis will participate in the Home Run Derby at Parkview Field in Fort Wayne, Indiana on June 21. Gennett will take part in the infield throwing portion of the skills competition. Davis has eight homers this season and leads the Timber Rattlers in that category. Davis is up against seven other sluggers from around the Midwest League and a high school hitter from the Fort Wayne area. This is the second consecutive year there will be a Timber Rattler participating in the Midwest League Home Run Derby during All-Star festivities. Brett Lawrie finished as the runner-up in Home Run Derby at Clinton in 2009. Gennett will participate in an infield accuracy throwing competition against three other Midwest League All-Star infielders. The contest is set up with each participant fielding a grounder to the left side of the infield. Then, the infielder will throw the ball at a designated target. A hit on the target is good for one point. A bullseye is good for three points. Davis and Gennett are in the starting lineup for the Western Division in the All-Star Game on Tuesday, June 22 at Parkview Field. Timber Rattlers pitchers Nick Bucci and Jake Odorizzi are also on the Western Division squad. Game time for the All-Star Game is 6:05pm CDT.

Manatees' Miranda benefiting from offseason weight loss By Lee Diekemper / Special to MLB.com CLEARWATER, Fla. -- After batting .209 through 36 games in 2008 with Winston-Salem of the Carolina League in the Chicago White Sox organization, infielder Sergio Miranda had to do some soul searching. It was one of the few times he'd ever struggled as a ballplayer, clearly his worst stretch dating back to before his days at Virginia Commonwealth. "I needed to do something if I wanted to continue to play this game," said Miranda, now with the Brevard County Manatees. So Miranda, who last year played infield, outfield and even caught one game, looked in the mirror and noticed he could lose some weight. "I was a little bit overweight," he confessed. "I had a belly." Miranda also was exhausted after the season. So he went to work. Most players will say they work hard; Miranda has proof. He hit the weight room in the offseason, and included with his pushups were pushoffs -- he pushed away from the dinner table. Miranda not only dropped 25 pounds, he built up his frame. Instead of being a flabby 205, he's a chiseled 180 -- stronger, leaner and better conditioned. "We're halfway through the season and it feels like we just got started," Miranda said. He's also quicker, a significant reason Miranda is one of the better hitters in the Florida State League. Through Tuesday, he's tied for second with 73 hits and tied for fifth with 40 RBIs. "It's my first step," Miranda said. "Your first step [out of the box] is so important. Losing all that weight, my first step is now so much quicker. I have more bounce." Not only is he quicker coming out of the batter's box, he's quicker in many other elements of his game. "I haven't lost any of my bat speed," Miranda said. "If anything, my bat speed is quicker. That's because of my weight training. I'm stronger now." That newfound strength has enabled Miranda to set a career high for RBIs. And he's only four hits from matching the total from his best season. Sergio Miranda is eighth in the league with a .312 batting average. (Scott Jontes/MiLB.com)http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2010/06/16/MHMPVu4T.jpg Manatees' Miranda benefiting from offseason weight loss