Jim Goulart

VIDEO: Sweet tweet from RHP (and 40-man roster member) Adrian Houser

AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show (with WSSP's Tim Allen hosting) Tue. 4/18: "Ed Sedar *** AUDIO via the Mike Heller Show Tue. 4/18: Tom Haudricourt (go to the 02:18:10 hour/minute mark) *** AUDIO via WSSP 105.7 FM's "Big Show" Tue. 4/18: Former Brewers RHP Paul Wagner

Brewers prospect thankful for ‘second chance, second life’ in Biloxi Patrick Ochs, Biloxi Sun-Herald Art Charles has lived out the ebbs and flows of his baseball career in real time.

Four photos via Tim Isbell at the link -- Brewers prospect thankful for ‘second chance, second life’ in Biloxi Patrick Ochs, Biloxi Sun-Herald Art Charles has lived out the ebbs and flows of his baseball career in real time. A former 20th-round selection of the Philadelphia Phillies, the 6-foot-6, 220-pound first baseman earned all-star honors in 2011 and again in 2014 during his ascension through the organization’s farm club. Following a lackluster Double-A campaign a year later he was released, left to wonder if he’d get another chance. Then an amazing thing happened: Charles saw his career rejuvenated as he put up career numbers in independent ball. His .352 batting average with 29 homers, 101 RBIs and .699 slugging percentage were enough to get him a second shot. After signing with the Cincinnati Reds, Charles was scooped up by the Milwaukee Brewers in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 Draft. The last transaction sent Charles to Biloxi to open the 2017 season with a new lease on what once looked like it could have been a stalled career. “It was definitely hard being released and being told they don’t want you,” he said. “I was at a low and feeling sorry for myself but then I kicked myself in the butt and was like, ‘hey man, it’s time to go to work. You have more to give to the game.’ “I believe in my abilities and knew that given the opportunity and at-bats that I would go out there and put up some numbers.” “Being here now is huge. I kind of get that second chance, second life to show what I’m capable of doing.” In independent ball, he reinvented himself. Against a smorgasbord of players whose experiences ranged from Major League Baseball down to Class-A, the baseball all of a sudden looked like a beach ball. Charles has always been known for his power, totaling 66 homers in 517 games in the minors. His low contact rates, however, held him back. During his year in independent ball, Charles made consistent contact, which led to his statistics ballooning. “The biggest thing was my mental approach and telling myself that something had to change,” he said. “What I was doing before wasn’t working, you know? I got released for a reason so I made sure that I went out there and made changes. I talked to people about their approaches, mentally and physically, in the box. I just added some of those things to my game and was able to have success doing that. “I feel like it helped me to be released because it helped me realize those things. It was definitely a motivator.” Because of his circuitous route to Biloxi, he terms his second chance “a blessing.” Now he’s got to make the most of it. “Everybody’s path to ‘The Show’ is different, so I have to keep that in mind,” he said. “... I know regardless of what happens I have to perform. I have to go out there and compete day in and day out and handle my business. That’s what it all depends on anyway. “If I go out there and play as good of baseball as I possibly can, and I’m consistent with it, I know I’ll get an opportunity to be on the big league club and make my dreams come true.” Charles has gotten off to a slow start in Biloxi, where he’s been in a rotation at first base and designated hitter. Entering Tuesday night’s game at Chattanooga, he had just 19 at-bats in eight games for the Shuckers. He was hitting .105 with a .227 on-base percentage, one double, one RBI and three walks.

Thanks!

AUDIO via WSSP 105.7 FM Mon. 4/17: The Post-Game Show, which included the FS Wisconsin cuts of Jett Bandy (40:00 minute mark) and Craig Counsell's comments (48:30) *** AUDIO via Brewers.com Mon. 4/17: More postgame audio, to avoid repetition from prior links above, slide immediately to the 07:30 minute mark for Chase Anderson, Eric Thames and Ryan Braun comments *** AUDIO via WTMJ Tue. AM 4/18: Craig Counsell *** AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show (with WSSP's Tim Allen hosting) Tue. 4/18: "Adam McCalvy discusses the hot start of 1B Eric Thames. Cubs Pitcher John Lackey, however, seemed skeptical of Thames. Were his comments fair?"

Timber Rattlers pitcher Barker inspired by hometown legend Aaron Rodgers Tim Froberg, Appleton Post-Crescent Timber Rattlers pitcher Luke Barker grew up in Chico, Calif., the same hometown as Packers great Aaron Rodgers. (Photo: Danny Damiani/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin) GRAND CHUTE - If one guy from Chico can make it in pro sports, so can another. That’s the mindset of Wisconsin Timber Rattlers relief pitcher Luke Barker. The 25-year-old Chico, California, native uses his powerful right arm to make a living, just like another fella from Chico who works a few miles up the road from Fox Cities Stadium. I presume you’ve heard of Aaron Rodgers. Barker grew up in the hometown of the Green Bay Packers’ prolific quarterback and still resides in the northern California city of roughly 92,000. Both Barker and Rodgers, who are eight years apart in age, were athletic standouts at Pleasant Valley High School in Chico. Rodgers went on to play a year of junior college football at nearby Butte Community College before transferring to the University of California and eventually becoming an NFL star. Barker played four years of college baseball at Division II Chico State, where he was a first-team all-American in 2014. He went undrafted and was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers last December as a free agent after spending 2016 in the independent Frontier League with the Traverse City Beach Bums. “It’s pretty cool to be right from the same town as Aaron Rodgers,” said Barker. “He’s definitely our biggest celebrity. He’s a big deal there for sure.” Rodgers is a big deal around here, too — the face of the Packers franchise and a future NFL Hall of Famer. Barker plans to take the short road trip to Lambeau Field in the near future to check out the workplace of Chico’s favorite son. “Have never been to Lambeau, but I’m a pretty big football fan, so I feel like I have to get up there,” Barker said. Chico, located about 165 miles north of San Francisco, is in the heart of 49ers country and the Niners are Barker’s favorite NFL team. But it’s not hard to find a cheesehead hat or a Packers fan in Chico. “There’s a lot of converted Packer fans, just because Aaron went to high school there and what he’s doing now,” said Barker. “Sometimes it seems like everybody back home is a Packer fan, but I’ve got to stick with the 49ers.” Barker has never met Rodgers. “I’ve seen him around town a few times, but that’s about it,” said Barker. “I know his brother, Jordan, a little bit, because we also went to the same school. He was a senior and I was a freshman.” Aaron Rodgers entered Pleasant Valley High as a 5-foot-2, 120-pound freshman and exited as a still-undersized 5-11, 170-pounder with no college football scholarship offers. Rodgers threw for a school-record 2,466 yards his senior year and was also a flame-throwing pitcher with a low-90s fastball. Despite a reported feud within his family, Rodgers hasn’t forgotten his Pleasant Valley roots. He delivered a pep talk via video to the Pleasant Valley football team last December, which the team watched before going out and winning a state championship. Rodgers also wore a Pleasant Valley baseball cap during a press conference prior to the 2015 NFC Championship Game. “The football coaches have all his stuff in their office,” Barker said. “They have a little bit of an Aaron Rodgers shrine in there.” Barker feels Rodgers is an inspiration not only to other student-athletes from Chico, but to anyone with a small-town background. “It shows that guys who make it at that level come from everywhere,” Barker said. “Even a small town like Chico can produce an elite athlete like Aaron Rodgers, a guy who took the NFL by storm. It’s definitely inspiring for myself and for all of us.” Barker hopes to be the next Chico athlete to hit it big in the pros. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound right-hander is off to a solid start in the bullpen for the Rattlers and could eventually become the team’s full-time closer. Barker is 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA, five strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.11 in 6 1/3 innings. Barker’s “out” pitch is a split-fingered fastball and Rattlers manager Matt Erickson likes his stuff and his composure. “He has a good split-fingered pitch and some swing-and-miss secondary stuff,” Erickson said. “And he has a little bit of feel out there. He’s a little bit of an older guy whose work ethic reflects that. He doesn’t have to be told what to do all the time and he sets a good example for our bullpen guys. Late in games when we’ve done what we think we need to do to win a game, we think we can give him the ball and he’ll get those final outs. “He’s a guy who came out of independent ball who’s getting a chance.” Someone gave the lightly recruited Rodgers a chance coming out of Pleasant Valley High School 16 years ago and the two-time MVP and six-time Pro Bowler took care of the rest.

AUDIO via the Mike Heller Show with Drew Olson alongside Mon. 4/17: Matt Lepay (go to 37:20 minute mark) *** AUDIO via WSSP 105.7 FM Mon. 4/17: Pre-game show with the "Roundtable" at the 8:45 minute mark, including veteran MLB writer Phil Rogers; listen to WSSP's Tim Allen at 35:45 *** AUDIO via WTMJ's Matt Pauley Mon. 4/17: Radio highlights from the Brewers 6-3 win over the Cubs *** AUDIO via WTMJ's Matt Pauley Mon. 4/17: Postgame interview with catcher Jett Bandy

RHP Tristan Archer's local Tennessee paper keeping track of his jump to AAA, and gathered some quotes from him here.

Brief, brief videos: Via KWQC: Yes, hopefully our last glimpse of Matt Garza in a Timber Rattlers uniform *** Via WXXV: Shuckers highlights *** VIDEO via WDEF: A better look at the Biloxi highlights, including Mauricio Dubon's three-run double

No MiLB TV for the Shuckers and Timber Rattlers in their respective series.

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: Colorado Springs, CO Chattanooga, TN Zebulon, NC Clinton, IA

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

Tuesday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Colorado Springs: RHP Paolo Espino at home vs. Memphis (Cardinals), 7:10 PM pre-game, 7:40 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 Chattanooga (Twins), 5:55 PM pre-game, 6:15 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 Corbin Burnes and LHP Kodi Medeiros in a doubleheader at home vs. Lynchburg (Indians), 3:45 PM pre-game, 4:00 gametime; each game slated for seven innings 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 Clinton (Mariners), 11:40 AM pre-game, 12:00 PM 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

VIDEO via WRAL: "Mudcats' Corey Ray overcoming injury, looking to thrive in Brewers system" h/t to @BrewersProspect for the link

Final: Biloxi 5, Chattanooga 0, 5.5 innings, rain Shuckers blank Lookouts in rain-shortened affair Dubon's four RBI lead Shuckers to win in series opener Biloxi Box Score Thank you, rain, for holding off until the game became official, much needed and appreciated by this squad; Mauricio Dubon had only driven in one run prior to his four in this one; Michael Reed reached base all three times, twice via walk - he and Jacob Nottingham stole bases; Clint Coulter singled twice and scored two runs; Javier Betancourt reached twice and had a productive night as well... Biloxi Game Log Seven groundouts and only one fly ball vs. starter Aaron Wilkerson, who should and will do well in his Colorado Springs avoidance assignment...

AUDIO via WTMJ's Matt Pauley Sun. 4/16: Radio highlights from the Brewers 4-2 win over the Reds *** AUDIO via WTMJ's Matt Pauley Sun. 4/16: Postgame interview with Wily Peralta *** AUDIO via WSSP 105.7 FM's "Big Show" Mon. 4/17: Seth Everett *** AUDIO via SB Nation Radio's "Sports Bosses": Tim Dillard (go to the 20:00 minute mark of the "Hour 2 episode of 4/16)

AUDIO via the Rattler Radio Blog: "Timber Rattlers pitcher Braden Webb talks about picking up his first professional victory, his 2016 draft, leaving South Carolina, and his self-made entrance music."

Sky Sox, too! No MiLB TV highlights tonight...

That was first linked here on the 12th. AUDIO: Here's Part Two, focusing on the coach's dramatic health recovery in recent years

No MiLB TV for the Shuckers and Timber Rattlers in their respective series which begin this evening.

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: Nashville, TN Chattanooga, TN Zebulon, NC Clinton, IA

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

Monday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Colorado Springs: RHP Hiram Burgos at Nashville (Athletics), 6:05 PM pre-game, 6:35 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 Aaron Wilkerson at Chattanooga (Twins), 5:55 PM pre-game, 6:15 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 Corbin Burnes at home vs. Lynchburg (Indians), 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 Matt Garza in a rehab start at Clinton (Mariners), 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.