Jim Goulart

This link will be included in each daily report when the Nashville Sounds are scheduled to play. Normally it is updated several hours prior to gametime. Nashville Media Notes (Adobe .pdf format):

Follow Friday's action as it happens: Here's what you do, right click on each of the links below and choose "Open in New Window". Open the Nashville Gameday. For the others, choose "Log" or "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: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_04_rreaaa_nasaaa_1 Huntsville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_04_biraax_hunaax_1 Brevard County: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_04_dbcafa_breafa_1 West Virginia: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_04_hagafx_wvaafx_1 Helena: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_04_helrok_bilrok_1 Arizona: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_04_brrrok_giarok_1

Josh's latest includes a Patrick Ryan note...

Friday's Daily Menu: Welcome to another Link Report, your safe haven from Guillermo Mota... All times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Chris Narveson at home vs. Round Rock (Astros), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:00 PM gametime Audio link via WNSR, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link): http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/clubs/ip_index.jsp?sid=milb&cid=t556 Huntsville: LHP Troy Cate at home vs. Birmingham (White Sox), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Audio link via WUMP, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link): http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/multimedia/audio.jsp?sid=t559 Brevard County: RHP Jeremy Jeffress at home vs. Daytona (Cubs), 6:00 PM gametime Audio link via the Daytona feed (game will also archive at this link): http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/multimedia/audio.jsp?cid=503&sid=t503 West Virginia: 2008 supplemental 1st round LHP Evan Frederickson makes his Power debut at home vs. Hagerstown (Nationals), 2:50 PM pre-game, 3:05 gametime Audio link via WSWW, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link): http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/clubs/ip_index.jsp?sid=milb&cid=t525 Helena: RHP Michael Bowman at Billings (Reds), 4:50 PM pre-game, 5:05 gametime Audio link via KCAP, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link): http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/clubs/ip_index.jsp?sid=milb&cid=t433 Arizona: TBD at the Giants' complex in Scottsdale, 10:30 AM local Mountain Standard Time Never any audio for the Maryvale Crew...

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The Brewers have to be stunned at Fryer's line -- .337 / .397 / .548 (.945 OPS). We read quotes in May's Link Reports that they were going to ride Fryer's hot early-season bat for a while, well it hasn't cooled off (from .769 OPS in May to .988 in June, remember he didn't even get sent to Charleston from extended spring until May). He's only caught in five games, I believe, so for now, he's more of a corner outfielder. Would he maintain this pace if he were behind the plate? Regardless, here's colbyjack's 2007 scouting report from draft day (10th round out of THE Ohio State, Fryer will be 23 in August): Fryer is a very good overall athlete that could play any position on the field, but excels behind the plate with good lateral quickness, soft hands, a strong arm, and a heady approach to the game that makes him a natural leader calling games and handling a pitching staff. As good as his athleticism and versatility is, his bat is in question. He has the tools to succeed, with a solid approach, decent power potential and good bat speed, but so far he has not produced as much as scouts would like to see. If he finds his stroke at the pro level he could be a steal. Fryer posted a .612 OPS in 139 Helena AB's in 2007.

Link while active, text follows: Brewers demolish Osprey By CHAD DUNDAS - Missoulian The largest crowd in Missoula Osprey history came with the promise of Fourth of July fireworks at Ogren-Allegiance Park on Thursday and got a blowout of a ball game to boot. The only hitch was that the road team was putting on the pyrotechnic display. The Helena Brewers feasted on Missoula pitching early and often en route to a 15-6 win in front of 3,678 spectators at the riverfront stadium, putting an exclamation point on a three-game sweep of the skittering Osprey. Corey Kemp finished 3-for-4 while Chris Dennis and Michael Marseco each went 3-for-5 as the Brewers pounded out 18 hits, batted through their order in back-to-back innings and tacked nine runs on the scoreboard before Missoula had its first hit. Already owning a sizeable lead, the Brewers added late home runs by Dennis and Cutter Dykstra for good measure. Missoula starting pitcher Randy Rodriguez and reliever Keny Sosa were the chief targets of the Helena onslaught, combining on five walks and staking the Brewers to a huge early lead after conceding eight hits through the third inning. John Delaney and Derrick Alfonso smacked consecutive doubles off Rodriguez in the second to spark the attack. Delaney split the Osprey outfield with his drive to center, scoring Dennis and Kemp, and then Alfonso followed with a rip that kicked up chalk from the third baseline and brought Delaney home. Rodriguez left after loading the bases with no outs in the third. Sosa faced Delaney as his first batter and walked him, bringing home Brock Kjeldgaard to give the Brewers an 8-0 advantage. When Alfonso followed immediately with a sacrifice fly that again scored Dennis, the final six innings seemed academic. Playing his second game in the field since missing time last week with a foot injury, Kyle Greene led Missoula offensively, finishing 2-for-4 with a double and a run. The Osprey scored their first two runs in the bottom of the third as Jorge Corniel and Victor Estevez came home on a grounder up the middle by Alberto Diaz. Missoula also staged a mini-rally in the eighth, when Ryne White walked and Greene hit his two-bagger to the wall in right field. That set the stage for Bobby Stone to crush a three-run jack over the left-field fence. Justin Mace pitched admirably for the Osprey in the middle innings, striking out six over 3 1/3, allowing a pair of runs. Jesse Orosco Jr. fanned five in completing the final three frames, giving up four runs nn including the homers to Dennis in the seventh and Dykstra in the ninth. The win brings Helena to 9-8, as the Brewers head to Billings to face the Mustangs.

Helena's David Fonseca was called out while attempting to steal second base by Osprey shortstop Reynaldo Navarro during the first inning Thursday night at Ogren-Allegiance Park. The Brewers won, 15-6. Photo by MICHAEL GALLACHER/Missoulian http://www.missoulian.com/content/articles/2008/07/04/sports/sports01.jpg

Link Report Bonus: Pokey Reese is rehabbing with Hagerstown, back in Charleston where he once played minor league ball.

Link while active, text follows: Power edges Suns 3-2 Winning streak rises to six games By Tommy R. Atkinson Charleston Gazette Staff writer The West Virginia Power's Eric Fryer could get used to first place. The left fielder's run-scoring single in the bottom of the fourth inning provided the go-ahead run Thursday night and starter Dan Merklinger stymied the Hagerstown (Md.) Suns as the Power won its sixth straight with 3-2 victory. A paid crowd of 3,838 attended the battle for first place in the South Atlantic League's Northern Division at Appalachian Power Park. The Power finished the first half of the season sixth in the eight-team Northern Division, but has won 10 of its first 14 games to start the second half and climb atop the standings. West Virginia moved into first place for the first time Tuesday night after a 4-3 win over Greensboro. The Suns (8-6) were only one game out of first place entering Thursday's play. "It's definitely a loose clubhouse right now,'' said Fryer, who went 3-for-3 with a triple Thursday. "Everyone's joking around in there. It's really easy when you're winning games. Hopefully it continues to be that way because it's a lot more fun.'' Anderson De La Rosa cracked a leadoff solo home run down the right field line to give the Power a 1-0 lead in the third. Hagerstown knotted the game at 1-all in the top of the fourth, but West Virginia came through with some clutch at-bats to seize the momentum. After the first two Power batters fouled out, Steffan Wilson coaxed a full-count walk, then moved to second on a passed ball. Fryer hit a liner to right field to hand West Virginia the lead for good at 2-1. The Power extended its advantage with more big hits in the fifth. Matt Cline came up with a one-out double, hustling around first base to turn what appeared to be a bloop single to short left field into a two-base hit. After Eric Haydel struck out, Eric Farris punched an RBI single into left field for a 3-1 edge. Merklinger (3-5) shut down the Suns, surrendering just one earned run on four hits in six innings with nine strikeouts. Rob Bryson earned his fifth save, allowing one run on a hit in three innings. Bryson set down Hagerstown in order in the seventh then an error and passed ball helped the Suns close the deficit to 3-2 in the eighth. Bryson returned to form in the ninth, fanning the first two hitters before fielding a weak grounder to end the game. "Right now we're hitting the ball real well and our pitching is giving us a chance to stay in ballgames,'' said Fryer. "It's a good combination.'' The Power is giving every indication it is ready for a run at a second-half title. Fryer and most of the Power's roster played at Helena (Mont.) last season, capturing the first-half title in the rookie Pioneer League. "We know what it takes to get [in the playoffs],'' Fryer said. "I think it was just a matter of getting used to the [south Atlantic] League. There's a little better pitching here and the umpires [have] different zones. Everyone's getting more comfortable in the [batter's] box [and] in the field.'' Briefly: Merklinger is 3-0 in his last five starts.

Helena Pre-Game Audio Interview with manager Rene Gonzales Click on the KCAP archive of July 3rd, then browse to the 12:00 minute mark...

Link while active, text follows: Brevard's graveyard Winds make Space Coast Stadium a tough place to hit home runs BY JIM CAWLEY FLORIDA TODAY It's been called a graveyard; a place where baseballs go to die. Hitters hate it. Pitchers love it. And the wind dominates it. The place is Space Coast Stadium, Viera's breezy ballpark and home of the Florida State League's Brevard County Manatees. And on most nights, it's a power hitter's nightmare. "This is by far the toughest field I've ever played on for a hitter," said Manatees outfielder Lorenzo Cain, who is third on the team with seven home runs. "The wind mostly blows in. You just try to hit groundballs, hit line drives -- just keep the ball out of the air because left field, left-center, it's not going anywhere." Brevard County second baseman Kenny Holmberg hit 15 home runs for the South Atlantic League's West Virginia Power last season, but has yet to go deep in 47 games with the Manatees in 2008. "You gotta show up and work, and try to get better on the things that can happen (at Space Coast Stadium), which is hitting groundballs and line drives," Holmberg said. "If you get one, you're gonna get one, but man, you gotta run into it. "It's definitely a graveyard, but what can you do?" Space Coast Stadium has a reputation around the league as being one of the toughest parks to hit home runs. Opposing players not only know this, but talk about it on road trips to Viera, according to Dunedin Blue Jays first baseman Brian Dopirak. Reputation turned to reality for the 6-foot-4, 235-pound slugging Dopirak in the FSL All-Star Game's Home Run Derby at Space Coast Stadium on June 14. "The wind was blowing in really good that day," said Dopirak, who hit 39 home runs for the Class A Lansing Lugnuts in 2004, and belted a combined 34 homers in two seasons for the FSL's Daytona Cubs and Class AA Tennessee Smokies. "I hit some balls -- they didn't go anywhere. And that was everything I had in me." Pitching perspective What often times results in frustration and disbelief for hitters at Space Coast Stadium produces the opposite reaction for the guy standing about 60 feet away. Simply put, pitchers love taking the mound in Viera. "It's fun, especially when the wind blows in," Manatees reliever Casey Baron said with a smile. "Sometimes you just kind of go, 'Well, here you go, hit it as far as you can -- see if you can get it outta here.' If they're able to hit it out of here with the wind blowing in, then it will pretty much go out anywhere." Of the Manatees starters, hard-throwing righty Jeremy Jeffress has the most dramatic difference between games pitched at home and on the road. In five starts at Space Coast Stadium, Jeffress has a 1.88 earned-run average. In his four starts away from Viera, his ERA is 8.05. Two-time FSL All-Star reliever Josh Wahpepah has an 0.87 ERA in 10 appearances at home for the Manatees this season, while posting a 3.50 ERA in nine road games. Reliever Travis Wendte has comparable numbers -- 2.08 ERA in seven games at home, 6.00 ERA in seven road games. "We should have success pitching in this park. It's a pitcher's park; it's always been a pitcher's park," Manatees pitching coach Fred Dabney said. "You get a ball out over the plate, a guy gets a good hack on it, maybe the ball would have gone out most places, but it stays in here. It's a great pitcher's park, and we should take advantage of that." Forces of nature Featuring dimensions similar to other FSL ballparks (340 feet to left and right field, 404 to center field) Space Coast Stadium likely has the wind to blame as its main power outage culprit. According to Manatees general manager Kyle Smith, the wind is blowing in from left field and/or blowing from left to right about 75 percent of the time during home games. That makes hitting home runs particularly tough for right-handers. "Typically, it comes right in from the scoreboard," Smith said. "It's like a seabreeze that's constant." Smith recalled a three-game home series in early May when the wind actually was blowing out. "We hit a couple of home runs each game -- now we hit one out a homestand," Smith said. "The ball just doesn't fly here. It's almost like it's a weighted ball." Matt Volkmer, a forecaster/meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne, offers an explanation that supports the wind's negative effect on hitters. During this time of year, a seabreeze develops on the coast in mid-afternoon and pushes inland at about 5 or 6 p.m., Volkmer said. It normally comes from an easterly or southeasterly direction, averaging 15-20 mph, but sometimes stronger, he added. Most Manatees home games start at 7 p.m., which is prime time for the seabreeze winds. "If there is a southeast wind, it would pretty much be blowing in. And if it was easterly, it would be blowing from left to right, like a crosswind," Volkmer said. "The seabreeze winds aren't ideal for your power hitters looking for the home run." Since 2005, only William H. Hammond Stadium -- home of the Fort Myers Miracle -- has allowed fewer home runs than Space Coast Stadium. During that period, 209 homers have been recorded at Hammond Stadium, while 251 have left the yard at Space Coast Stadium. To put the numbers in perspective, 504 home runs have been hit at Vero Beach's Holman Stadium in the same timeframe. Six other stadiums have allowed at least 340 homers during that span. This season, the Mantees are second-to-last in homers, and last in hits. Stephen Chapman and Taylor Green lead the team with 10 home runs apiece. Chapman has hit six of his ten at Space Coast, Green four of ten. Past experiences Dabney recalled one current major-league star's lack of affection for Space Coast Stadium: "I know Ryan Braun wasn't a big fan of hitting in this park," he said. Braun, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, played in 59 games for the Manatees in 2006, batting .274 with seven home runs. He was promoted to the Class AA Huntsville Stars halfway through the year and had noticeably better results. Playing in the same number of games, Braun hit almost 30 points higher (.303) and had more than twice as many homers (15). Braun went on to hit 10 home runs in just 34 games with the Class AAA Nashville Sounds the next season, and hasn't stopped sending them out of major-league ballparks since. Then there's Mat Gamel. Playing the entire season in Brevard County in 2007, the third baseman batted .300 with nine homers. That was in 128 games. In 47 fewer games this season in Huntsville, he has 15 homers to go along with a .384 average. Stars GM Buck Rogers is quite familiar with the power struggles at Space Coast Stadium. Rogers was the Manatees GM for four seasons before taking over in Huntsville during the offseason. "That's a really crazy ballpark. With all the breezes . . . The wind was always kickin'," Rogers said. "You never, ever look up and see the American flag limp -- it's always blowing. For a hitter to hit a bunch of home runs out of Space Coast Stadium, it would be a miracle." The record for home runs in a season by a Brevard County Manatee is 18 by Jose Santos of the Expos system in 2001. That's the lowest output for a single-season leader in FSL history. According to Milwaukee Brewers scout Doug Reynolds, who covers Georgia, South Carolina and parts of Florida, Space Coast Stadium's lack of power production is something taken into consideration when evaluating players' offensive numbers. "I've seen balls absolutely crushed that don't even get to the warning track," Reynolds said. "As a hitter -- especially if you're a power guy -- (the idea) is don't let the home run totals bother you." No excuses Brevard County manager Mike Guerrero agrees it is difficult to hit for power at Space Coast Stadium, but points out, "the other team has to hit in this ballpark, too." Making adjustments, he said, is the key to success. "To me, it's an excuse just in case we fail," the straightforward, 40-year-old manager said. "We need to just keep working and get the best out of it." However, Guerrero paused and smiled before reflecting on what it would be like to take the mound for a home game. "If I was a pitcher, I would love it," he said. For the guys digging into the Space Coast Stadium batters box -- in particular, the power hitters -- Dopirak offers this suggestion: Don't stand there and admire your shot. "As a home run hitter, you get a feel for it when you get ahold of one," Dopirak said. "But there are going to be no no-doubters here. You're going to have to run the ball out." Brevard County Manatees manager Mike Guerrero believes players must make adjustments to be successful hitting at Space Coast Stadium. (Photo by Craig Rubadoux, FLORIDA TODAY) http://cmsimg.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A9&Date=20080704&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=807040339&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=318&Border=0

Link while active, text follows: Wrong-way Sounds stumble from first to worst By STEVE SILVER Tennessean Staff Writer What a difference a year makes. After posting the best regular-season record (89-55) in the Pacific Coast League last year and winning their third consecutive American North division title, the Nashville Sounds sit last in the PCL with a 34-53 record after Thursday night's 5-1 loss at Memphis. Trailing the division-leading Iowa Cubs by 18 games with 57 games left in the season, the Sounds will have to pull off nothing short of a miracle to claw their way into the playoffs. But before they can even ponder such a turnaround, they must first shift their focus to actually focusing on the field. "Consistency has been our problem in every aspect," said Sounds outfielder Tony Gwynn, one of 10 returning players from the Sounds' 2007 run to the PCL finals. "We have the talent, but we just need to be more consistent. It's all mental. It's concentration. It's focus. We used to do all of the little things that go unnoticed, well. But this year, I don't know." One not-so-little problem that has plagued the Sounds all season is errant pitching. In 2007 the Sounds gave up a league-low 118 home runs in 144 games. Entering Thursday's game, the Sounds had already been blasted for a league-high 106 home runs in just 86 games. The team ERA was 4.98, while last season the Sounds boasted the lowest team ERA in the league at 3.57. "I know it probably looks bad compared to last year, but I still feel like we have a great group of guys here," said pitcher Tim Dillard, who was 4-0 record and a 1.91 ERA in 20 appearances out of the bull-pen entering Thursday's game. Poor pitching, however, is only part of the problem. Lack of production Not only have the Sounds allowed the most home runs in the PCL, but they have also hit the fewest (69). That's a steep drop from the 159 home runs the Sounds belted last season. "We're definitely not as experienced as last year, but I think as the season wears on, the younger guys will relax and realize they can play at this level," Manager Frank Kremblas said. "You can't play your best when you are unsure of yourself." The team's inability to hit home runs and its .259 batting average, which ranks 13th among 16 teams in the PCL, has translated into fewer runs. The Sounds have been outscored 465-394 this year. At this point last season, the Sounds were pounding opponents 433-346. "Numbers are numbers. We can't worry about that," Gwynn said. "We have to just focus on each individual series from here on out. If we can get on a roll, then who knows what can happen." That could be a tall order for a team that won just one series outright in the month of June. But if the Sounds are going to try to hone in on an individual series, then this weekend's homestand against the Round Rock Express (40-47) is a solid opportunity to get back in tune. Although Nashville is not exactly benefiting from the familiarity of Greer Stadium with a 17-22 home record, the Express are second to last in the American South division, with a meek .256 team batting average going into Thursday night. The two squads split a four-game series last week in their only previous meeting. "If we start winning series like we lost them in the first part of the season, then we'll finish just fine," Kremblas said. Jeff Adkins/The Tennessean/File Photo Sounds Manager Frank Kremblas has watched his team struggle this season. http://cmsimg.tennessean.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20080704&Category=SPORTS0401&ArtNo=807040375&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=318&Border=0

This link includes brief audio from Brett... Huntsville's Ungs nearly unhittable By Alan Friedman / Special to MLB.com After some early season obstacles, Huntsville hurler Nic Ungs is getting his season back on track. The 28-year-old right-hander tossed seven one-hit innings en route to his first Double-A win of the year Thursday as the Stars blanked the Tennessee Smokies, 4-0, at Smokies Park. "My catcher, [Martin] Maldonado, and I were on the same page," Ungs said after yielding only a two-out single to Matt Craig in the fourth inning and two walks. "We had a good game plan going in. They're a pretty aggressive team, so I tried not to be predictable. I wanted to throw inside, throw away, change speeds and look for early contact, but not good contact." Ungs (1-0), who lowered his ERA to 0.75 in his second appearance for the Stars, didn't record any strikeouts, but kept the Smokies off balance by inducing 14 groundball outs. The former 12th-round pick signed a Minor League contract with the Brewers in January after seven seasons in the Florida Marlins organization. In 2007, he went 5-5 with a 4.98 ERA for Triple-A Albuquerque of the Pacific Coast League. He started this season at Triple-A Nashville, but spent most of May on the disabled list with tendinitis in his pitching arm. Then he took some time to go home to Iowa because of a family illness. Ungs was assigned to Huntsville upon his return to action and made his first start for the Stars on June 28 against the Carolina Mudcats, allowing one earned run on four hits over five innings. He did not receive a decision as the Stars dropped a 5-4 decision. Three years ago, Ungs hurled a no-hitter for Carolina against the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx. "I'm just trying to get the feel of being back," he said. "I'm enjoying the fact that I'm healthy again. And this is a great team to be associated with." Jason Shiell preserved the shutout for the Stars (7-8) after allowing two hits and two walks with two strikeouts over the final two frames. Huntsville scored all its runs via the longball as Matt LaPorta belted a two-run homer in the fourth and Cole Gillespie duplicated the feat in the sixth. Starter Alessandro Maestri (0-1) surrendered four runs on six hits and a walk with five strikeouts over six innings for the Smokies (11-4).

Thank goodness nobody was out. It would have been worse if two were out. My goodness.

Pinch me.

More on Inoa and the low-revenue teams here from Yahoo Sports.

It's a special Mid-Season Version of the Hot Sheet, with a season-to-date cumulative list that includes Mat Gamel, Alcides Escobar, and Matt LaPorta. Treat yourself to reading the comments on each via the link. While it lasts, Gamel is gracing BA's Home Page. By the way, Will Inman earned an honorable mention among the starting pitchers. There was also a chat on the list, which included: Q: Lyle from Needles, CA asks: Does Gamel need to learn a new position before being considered for a callup and if so, where would he be best suited? Or, is he potential trade bait for a possible Sabathia deal? http://www.baseballamerica.com/chat/assets/space_clear.gif A: Ben Badler: I saw him for four games the other day... going from that and from what scouts tell me, it's time for him to learn a new position. If you keep him at third base, then in a perfect world he becomes a below-average defender. He's athletic, which helps, but athleticism does not mean a guy can stick at third base. It's everything from his footwork, his actions and his throwing problems, and I think it's gotten in his head a little bit just from talking to him. I think a move to the outfield would be best because he's an excellent hitter who has more than enough bat to stick at a corner outfielder position. I wouldn't give him up for a Sabathia rental, but it's hard to see where he, LaPorta, Braun and Fielder all fit into the mix with no DH option available for Milwaukee. Q: JAYPERS from IL asks: Should Prince Fielder go bye bye, does LaPorta have a shot at filling his spot, or is management set on keeping him in the outfield? http://www.baseballamerica.com/chat/assets/space_clear.gif A: Ben Badler: LaPorta has been taking some ground balls at first base, but I don't think there's any reason to trade Prince. Q: Jackson from Milwaukee asks: No Salome? Oh, the humanity... http://www.baseballamerica.com/chat/assets/space_clear.gif A: Ben Badler: Salome's not even close to Wieters. Salome's having a great year, but there are legitimate positional questions with him. He's about 5-foot-7, 200 pounds of solid muscle (believe me, the swelling in my hand is just starting to go down after shaking his hand last week), so he can kind of get away with his unorthodox habits at the plate because of his strength. But he's also a below-average defensive catcher (below-average pop times, needs more accurate throws, etc.), so teams can run on him all day. And if he doesn't stick at catcher, where do you put a guy who's 5-7, 200 pounds and is a 25 or maybe a 30 runner? I think he has a big league future, but these are just some of the legitimate concerns that scouts have about him that I can see.

Yeah, we know exactly what the fine print on the contract reads, but we're just holding out until we really feel like sharing with everyone. When we or others know, clancy, so will you...sorry, couldn't resist.

Final: Arizona Angels 8, Arizona Brewers 1 Arizona Box Score A-Crew now 1-8 on the young season; during today's Milwaukee pre-game audio, Bob Uecker was discussing the conditions outside (112 degrees, this box score lists 102) and that the summer league game was underway as he spoke -- brutal -- I don't think we can understate these conditions; Opening Day RHP Luis Guerrero with a rough start; RHP's Ben Jeffers and Jose Sanchez acquitted themselves better in two-inning relief stints, Jeffers in particular as he stranded three of Guerrero's baserunners; offensively, it's the same old thing -- the kids struck out 12 times while drawing only one walk, six hits, all singles, spread throughout the lineup; SS Carlos George committed two throwing errors, giving him 11 errors on the season -- if he had committed just one, I wouldn't have mentioned it -- he'll come along... Arizona Game Log

The Nashville Site with a detailed update on Lindsay Gulin and Vinny Rottino being named PCL All-Stars Gulin's statistical season has pretty much flown under my Link Report radar completely. Vinny is the only repeater from the 2007 PCL All-Star squad. http://www.nashvillesounds.com/images/news/allstars08.jpg

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Iowa 52 36 .591 - 32-16 20-20 W5 Memphis 46 40 .535 5.0 22-20 24-20 W1 Omaha 41 43 .488 9.0 17-21 24-22 L3 Nashville 34 52 .395 17.0 17-22 17-30 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tennessee 11 4 .733 - 6-3 5-1 W2 Carolina 8 7 .533 3.0 3-3 5-4 W1 Chattanooga 7 8 .467 4.0 5-4 2-4 W1 Huntsville 7 8 .467 4.0 3-3 4-5 L2 West Tenn 5 10 .333 6.0 1-5 4-5 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- St. Lucie 8 5 .615 - 6-2 2-3 L2 Vero Beach 7 6 .538 1.0 2-3 5-3 L1 Daytona 6 6 .500 1.5 3-1 3-5 W2 Palm Beach 6 6 .500 1.5 5-4 1-2 W1 Jupiter 5 5 .500 1.5 1-1 4-4 L3 Brevard County 4 8 .333 3.5 1-4 3-4 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Virginia 9 4 .692 - 5-1 4-3 W5 Hagerstown 8 5 .615 1.0 3-4 5-1 L2 Lakewood 8 6 .571 1.5 4-2 4-4 W5 Lake County 7 7 .500 2.5 2-5 5-2 W3 Delmarva 5 8 .385 4.0 1-5 4-3 L5 Greensboro 5 8 .385 4.0 1-5 4-3 L6 Hickory 5 9 .357 4.5 2-4 3-5 W1 Lexington 3 11 .214 6.5 1-7 2-4 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Billings 10 6 .625 - 2-0 8-6 W3 Great Falls 10 6 .625 - 5-4 5-2 L3 Helena 8 8 .500 2.0 5-6 3-2 W2 Missoula 4 12 .250 6.0 1-9 3-3 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arizona League (R) - Arizona League Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AZL Angels 6 3 .667 - 3-2 3-1 W1 AZL Rangers 6 3 .667 - 2-2 4-1 W3 AZL Giants 5 4 .556 1.0 3-1 2-3 L1 AZL Padres 5 4 .556 1.0 4-0 1-4 L1 AZL Royals 5 4 .556 1.0 5-0 0-4 W2 AZL Athletics 4 5 .444 2.0 2-3 2-2 L1 AZL Cubs 4 5 .444 2.0 4-1 0-4 W1 AZL Mariners 4 5 .444 2.0 2-2 2-3 L3 AZL Brewers 1 7 .125 4.5 1-3 0-4 L4

This link will be included in each daily report when the Nashville Sounds are scheduled to play. Normally it is updated several hours prior to gametime. Nashville Media Notes (Adobe .pdf format):

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 Window". Open the Nashville Gameday. For the others, choose "Log" or "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: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_03_nasaaa_mrbaaa_1 Huntsville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_03_hunaax_tenaax_1 Brevard County Game One: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_03_breafa_jupafa_1 Brevard County Game Two: http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_03_breafa_jupafa_2 West Virginia: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_03_hagafx_wvaafx_1 Helena: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_03_helrok_misrok_1 Arizona: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_03_angrok_brrrok_1

The Nashville games in the Memphis series this week are available via MiLB.com's online video package to subscribers.