Jim Goulart

Timber Rattlers postponed, he learns, as he was about to listen during lunch . Doubleheader in Burlington Saturday, first game kicks off at 5:00 PM.

VIDEO: Chris Mehring tweets the final out in Burlington *** VIDEOS: @BrewerProspect Twitter timeline

All four clubs on the road, and no MiLB.TV for the Mudcats and Timber Rattlers for their current series. Enjoy Chris' Wisconsin matinee game call in your office or running your errands today.

Look for these just prior to the respective game times -- Colorado Springs Media Notes - Linked on the Sky Sox official blog Biloxi Media Notes - Linked on the Shuck Dynasty blog Carolina Media Notes - Linked on the Mudcats official blog Wisconsin Media Notes - Linked on the Rattler Radio blog *** STANDINGS: AAA - Pacific Coast League American Northern Division AA - Southern League South Division High-A - Carolina League Southern Division A - Midwest League Western Division *** Sortable individual stat pages: Colorado Springs Biloxi Carolina Wisconsin *** Weather.com: Des Moines, IA Pensacola, FL Frederick, MD Burlington, IA

Follow Friday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Colorado Springs Biloxi Carolina Wisconsin MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF! All times are Central Colorado Springs: RHP Hiram Burgos at Iowa (Cubs), 6:38 PM pre-game, 7:08 PM gametime Free Live Audio Link Dan Karcher, the longtime play-by-play voice of the Sky Sox is on Twitter @SkySoxKarch; joining him again this season is Dan Acheson (@Dan_Acheson) MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; all Colorado Springs games, home and away, will be available to watch via MiLB.TV's $49.99 season-long package ($12.99 to pay for a single month). The audio feed is from the home team. The video of each game is archived online, which is a nice feature. All MiLB.TV details available at the link. NOTE: Notice that on MiLB.TV's page, you can click on "Filter", then "Milwaukee Brewers", and you'll see just the Crew's organizational TV lineup. ********** Biloxi: RHP Jorge Lopez at Pensacola (Reds), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 gametime Free Live Audio Link Chris Harris is the play-by-play voice of the Shuckers. Follow Chris on Twitter @CHarris731. We'll be linking to his fantastic "Shuck Dynasty" blog. Erik Bremer (@Erik_Bremer) joins Chris often. All games, home and away, are scheduled to be radio broadcast. MiLB.TV - Eight of the ten Southern League teams telecast their home games, and Biloxi is among them. Only games in Chattanooga and Mobile won't be available. ********** Carolina: RHP Conor Harber at Frederick (Orioles), 5:45 PM pre-game, 6:00 gametime Free Live Audio Link We look forward to Mudcats audio with Greg Young (@gregyoungjr), especially after going without gameday audio for much of the Brewers' stay in Brevard County. MiLB.TV - Yes, Carolina home games will be on MiLB.TV, sweet. It appears three other Carolina League teams (Salem, Myrtle Beach, and Winston-Salem) broadcast as well. ********** Wisconsin: RHP Victor Diaz at Burlington (Angels), 11:10 AM pre-game, 11:30 gametime Free Live Audio Link Chris Mehring is back to do his customary fantastic work as the Voice of the Rattlers. Follow him on Twitter @CMehring; we'll link to Chris' infamous blog often -- Rattler Radio. MiLB.TV - Eight of the 16 Midwest League teams telecast their home games, and Wisconsin, once again, is among them. We'll let you know when a road TV feed is available. In 2017, fifteen games will be broadcast on Spectrum Sports in Wisconsin, available on channel 32 and in HD on channel 1332. We'll keep you posted with our "DVR Alerts" days in advance.

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AUDIO via the Timber Rattlers' Pre-Game: Manager Matt Erickson

AUDIO via WTMJ Thurs. AM 4/27: GM David Stearns *** AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show Thurs. 4/27: Seth Everett

Final: Biloxi 4, Pensacola 3 Shuckers rally off Pensacola bullpen for win Victor Roache's seventh-inning double proves to be the winner Victor Roache belted a two-out seventh-inning double to put the Shuckers on top. (Mark P Driscoll photo) Now that you've read the linked recap above, here's Chris Harris' audio highlights. Biloxi Box Score Taylor Jungmann threw 76 pitches in four innings, 44 for strikes, two wild pitches; Mauricio Dubon now 10-for-11 in SB attempts -- odd stat: Dubon was exactly 30-for-37 in steals in both 2015 and 2016; two singles apiece for 1B Dustin DeMuth and 3B Blake Allemand; Victor Roache only entered the game in the 5th after a double-switch upon Jungmann's removal... Biloxi Game Log Chris Harris note: "Mauricio Dubon is making his first start at 2B tonight. He came in as part of a double switch yesterday and played 2B."

MiLB.com focused on the grand slam from the Cubs' perspective -- Ian Happ knew he had a bead on Josh Hader on Thursday night, and in his third trip to the plate, he proved it. The Cubs' No. 2 prospect belted his second professional grand slam and matched a career high with five RBIs as Triple-A Iowa came from behind to down Colorado Springs, 9-7, at Principal Park. "He got me with the first at-bat, three pitches, did a good job putting me away," said Happ, who fanned to lead off the first inning against the Brewers' No. 3 prospect before drawing a walk in the third. "The second at-bat, I worked the count and was able to see a lot of pitches, see a lot of his stuff. After that, I had a pretty good feel for him and was able to come up in that spot and get a pitch to handle." Iowa jumped out to the game's first lead, but trailed, 3-1, when Happ came to the plate in the fifth. It didn't take long for the 2015 first-rounder to find a pitch he wanted. "First pitch, he threw me a cutter," MLB.com's No. 24 overall prospect said. "I felt good about the at-bat before that, the walk. He threw me a cutter, and I got the barrel to the ball and was able to get it in the air." That was the modest description. Happ's manager added more perspective. "Oh my goodness, it was just a line drive. It was a slider up in the zone left up by Hader," Iowa skipper Marty Pevey said. "It was just a live-drive home run. It left the ballpark in two seconds."

AUDIO - Colorado Springs pre-game from earlier this week: OF Lewis Brinson

Iowa Bottom of the 5th Taylor Davis singles on a ground ball to left fielder Ryan Cordell. Ozzie Martinez singles on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Cordell. Taylor Davis to 2nd. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Todd Glaesmann replaces Jake Buchanan. Todd Glaesmann walks. Taylor Davis to 3rd. Ozzie Martinez to 2nd. Ian Happ hits a grand slam (8) to left field. Taylor Davis scores. Ozzie Martinez scores. Todd Glaesmann scores. Chesny Young grounds out, third baseman Ivan De Jesus Jr. to first baseman Garrett Cooper. Tommy La Stella grounds out to first baseman Garrett Cooper. Pitching Change: Michael Blazek replaces Josh Hader, batting 5th. Defensive Substitution: Kyle Wren replaces pitcher Josh Hader, batting 9th, playing right field. Jeimer Candelario hit by pitch. Victor Caratini strikes out swinging.

RHP Yunior Juan was a late-age signee last July 2nd, at 22 years old (turned 23 in October). He walked ten in 6.2 innings over eight DSL appearances last summer. Also now 23, RHP Wilson Adams was not on the spring training camp list, and likely did not report. The 32nd round pick out of the University of Alabama-Huntsville posted sweet numbers in 12 Maryvale appearances (four starts), and clearly took advantage of much younger competition.

NOTE: No MiLB.TV for the Rattlers in Burlington; you have Chris' audio, of course.

Look for these just prior to the respective game times -- Colorado Springs Media Notes - Linked on the Sky Sox official blog Biloxi Media Notes - Linked on the Shuck Dynasty blog Carolina Media Notes - Linked on the Mudcats official blog Wisconsin Media Notes - Linked on the Rattler Radio blog *** STANDINGS: AAA - Pacific Coast League American Northern Division AA - Southern League South Division High-A - Carolina League Southern Division A - Midwest League Western Division *** Sortable individual stat pages: Colorado Springs Biloxi Carolina Wisconsin *** Weather.com: Des Moines, IA Pensacola, FL Zebulon, NC Burlington, IA

Follow Thursday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Colorado Springs Biloxi Carolina Wisconsin MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

Thursday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Colorado Springs: LHP Josh Hader at Iowa (Cubs), 6:08 PM pre-game, 6:38 PM gametime Free Live Audio Link Dan Karcher, the longtime play-by-play voice of the Sky Sox is on Twitter @SkySoxKarch; joining him again this season is Dan Acheson (@Dan_Acheson) MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; all Colorado Springs games, home and away, will be available to watch via MiLB.TV's $49.99 season-long package ($12.99 to pay for a single month). The audio feed is from the home team. The video of each game is archived online, which is a nice feature. All MiLB.TV details available at the link. NOTE: Notice that on MiLB.TV's page, you can click on "Filter", then "Milwaukee Brewers", and you'll see just the Crew's organizational TV lineup. ********** Biloxi: RHP Taylor Jungmann at Pensacola (Reds), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 gametime Free Live Audio Link Chris Harris is the play-by-play voice of the Shuckers. Follow Chris on Twitter @CHarris731. We'll be linking to his fantastic "Shuck Dynasty" blog. Erik Bremer (@Erik_Bremer) joins Chris often. All games, home and away, are scheduled to be radio broadcast. MiLB.TV - Eight of the ten Southern League teams telecast their home games, and Biloxi is among them. Only games in Chattanooga and Mobile won't be available. ********** Carolina: RHP Freddy Peralta at home vs. Down East (Rangers), 9:45 AM pre-game, 10:00 gametime Free Live Audio Link We look forward to Mudcats audio with Greg Young (@gregyoungjr), especially after going without gameday audio for much of the Brewers' stay in Brevard County. MiLB.TV - Yes, Carolina home games will be on MiLB.TV, sweet. It appears three other Carolina League teams (Salem, Myrtle Beach, and Winston-Salem) broadcast as well. ********** Wisconsin: RHP Jordan Desguin at Burlington (Angels), 6:10 PM pre-game, 6:30 gametime Free Live Audio Link Chris Mehring is back to do his customary fantastic work as the Voice of the Rattlers. Follow him on Twitter @CMehring; we'll link to Chris' infamous blog often -- Rattler Radio. MiLB.TV - Eight of the 16 Midwest League teams telecast their home games, and Wisconsin, once again, is among them. We'll let you know when a road TV feed is available. In 2017, fifteen games will be broadcast on Spectrum Sports in Wisconsin, available on channel 32 and in HD on channel 1332. We'll keep you posted with our "DVR Alerts" days in advance.

http://www.brewerfan.net/images/store/dailylinkreport.jpg

Speaking of Carolina, it's a 10:00 AM Central gametime for the Mudcats Thursday, Greg Young's audio begins at 9:45 and the game is available to MiLB.TV subscribers. RHP Freddy Peralta gets the start, and we'll post the official Link Report kickoff by mid-morning for you.

*** AUDIO via the Rattler Radio Soundcloud: "Chris Mehring & Kyle Lobner hear from Parker Berberet & Matt Erickson and discuss the Timber Rattlers 13-0 loss to Kane County *** Here's what we want to know -- how does Kane County (Diamondbacks), now 14-6, even have six losses? Wow.

An excellent read -- Rattlers' Berberet reviving career as pitcher Tim Froberg, Appleton Post-Crescent

Link includes a video interview, with some of the comments also in the text below -- Rattlers' Berberet reviving career as pitcher Tim Froberg, Appleton Post-Crescent Parker Berberet is back with the Timber Rattlers this season as he makes the transition from a catcher to a pitcher in the Milwaukee Brewers organization. (Photo: Courtesy of Ann Mollica/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers) GRAND CHUTE – Plan A was for Parker Berberet to reach The Show as a catcher. Plan B has been launched and Berberet has the same destination in mind, but he's looking to get to the big leagues in a different way. The 27-year-old Milwaukee Brewers farmhand has made the switch from catcher to pitcher and has returned to Grand Chute to try to get his professional baseball career back on track. Berberet, a right-hander, was assigned to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers two weeks ago after spending time in extended spring training to work out the kinks in his difficult position switch. He’s off to a solid start. In three appearances and 8⅔ innings as a Rattlers relief pitcher, Berberet has a 1.04 ERA and 11 strikeouts. “So far, so good,” said Wisconsin pitching coach Steve Cline. “The fastball comes out real good. He had a good arm when he was a catcher and so far that’s translated on the mound.” Berberet pitched four shutout innings in relief Wednesday night, allowing two hits and striking out seven with one walk in a 13-0 loss against Kane County. “He was really good,” said Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson. “He had good angle to his fastball and got his breaking stuff over. If he continues to do what he did that game, I don’t expect him to be around here real long.” Berberet is encouraged with his early results on the mound. According to Cline, Berberet throws a low 90s fastball along with a curveball and slider, and is working on a changeup. “It has been good,” said Berberet. “It’s been a work in progress and it’s great to be able to finally throw in real games. I’m happy with it, but not totally satisfied. It’s a learning process. I talk to my pitching coach a lot and I’m always trying to pick up something new as I try and grasp what he’s teaching me. “I’m just trying to soak in as much as I can. I’m just trying to learn.” Berberet isn’t the only Brewers minor leaguer in the midst of a switch from position player to pitcher. Another former Timber Rattler, Nick Ramirez, is also trying to reinvent himself as a pitcher after playing first base throughout his pro career. Ramirez, a left-hander who is also 27, has a 1-0 record with a 2.00 ERA in eight relief appearances for Class AA Biloxi. “It’s a lot different than catching, but it’s been fun,” said Berberet. “It’s been kind of a nice, refreshing thing that hopefully will give new life to my career. The main thing is to keep getting better.” The Berberet pitching experiment began midway through the 2016 season and continued in the fall instructional league. “I actually brought it up to them (the Brewers)," said Berberet. “It was something I had been thinking about and I’m happy they gave me an option to do it. I started throwing some bullpens at the all-star break and started getting my arm conditioned for this.” Aside from a summer league game following high school, Berberet hadn’t pitched since Little League. Berberet played his prep ball as a catcher at Esperanza High School in Anaheim, California, and hit .409 his senior season. He went on to catch at Oregon State, where he split duties behind the plate with current Brewers minor leaguer Andrew Susac, who was a second-round pick in the 2011 draft by the San Francisco Giants. Berberet was selected by the Brewers in the same draft, 23 rounds later. “It’s been a long time since I have pitched,” Berberet said. “But I’m a pitcher now and it doesn’t look like I’m going back to catching, except for maybe an emergency situation. The toughest part, I think, has been just staying ready as a relief pitcher and not knowing when you’re going to be put in. If the phone goes off in the bullpen and your name is called, you’ve got to be ready.” Berberet was always regarded as a strong defensive catcher who kept running games in check with his powerful arm, but didn’t make enough impact at the plate to become a top prospect. In six minor league seasons and 343 pro games as a catcher and first baseman, Berberet hit .247 with 21 homers and 132 RBI. He advanced as high as Class AAA last season when he played in four games with Colorado Springs. Berberet’s experience as a catcher can only help his transition to the mound. “I’ve caught a lot of guys the last six years and I’ve been able to see them go through their routines and observe what they do,” Berberet said. “I’ve learned a lot about them without even knowing I was going to be a pitcher some day. I think I know what it takes to prepare myself, just based on what I’ve seen throughout my career.” Cline added: “I think his knowledge as a catcher will help him with sequencing. Of course, he needs to do the ground level stuff first, the basics. One of the biggest things he has to learn is the workload and understand how much throwing you actually end up doing in a throwing program and with some of your drills.” Berberet is not a new face to Erickson. He spent the 2013 season with the Timber Rattlers as a catcher, hitting .257 with seven homers and 35 RBI, while impressing Erickson with his intelligence and approach to the game. “His arm strength is what intrigued people all along and it’s good to see him getting another chance to extend his career,” Erickson said. “People might think he’s a long shot, but it’s kind of a long shot just to be able to play minor league baseball. “He’s got a good head on his shoulders and he’ll work at it. If he doesn’t make it, it won’t be because of his work ethic. He’s a great kid and you want to give someone like that every opportunity possible. I wish him well.”

Demi Orimoloye won't be the first -- Pirates call up Ngoepe from Triple-A Infielder will become first African-born player in MLB history By Danny Wild / MiLB.com