Jim Goulart

Coulter sets record in first Double-A start Brewers' 2012 first-round pick scores four runs in Shuckers victory By Tyler Maun / MiLB.com http://www.milb.com/assets/images/4/4/6/194140446/cuts/28198738064_5303dfa650_k_du7mro72_c5b9t7oi.jpg Clint Coulter registered hits in six of his final 11 games before being promoted to Biloxi. (Chris Birch photo/Biloxi Shuckers) There were times when the next step up the ladder seemed like it was another offseason and another Spring Training away for Clint Coulter. When that reward finally came, he made sure to put his stamp on it. The Brewers prospect reached base four times and scored a team-record four runs in his first Double-A start Saturday as Biloxi beat Pensacola, 7-2, at MGM Park. "I was starting to think maybe I'd never get called up [midseason] throughout all my Minor League seasons," Coulter said. "Maybe I'd start in a different place every year and move up the following year. It was a new feeling for me, getting called up midseason. I'd never had that happened and I was excited." Coulter's only previous in-season jump came in 2013, when he went from the Rookie-level Arizona League to the Pioneer League. But moving from a complex team to Rookie ball doesn't carry quite the gravitas as a promotion out of Class A Advanced, as Coulter noticed. "I think the biggest difference is just every guy throughout both lineups is solid," he said. "They're all experienced guys. They've all put their time in in the Minor Leagues, especially the pitchers. These aren't first-year guys or college draftees, high picks or anything. These are, a lot of them, guys who have been in the mix." The 2012 first-round pick found his way aboard the painful way in his first trip to the plate, getting plunked by Blue Wahoos starter El'Hajj Muhammad leading off the third inning. With that out of the way, Coulter walked in the fourth, singled to left field in the sixth and singled again to left in the eighth. "I didn't think it could get any hotter than the Florida State League, and I get here and get on base four times, running around," he said, laughing. "I was tired, but it was fun." The outfielder touched home after each plate appearance, scoring four runs to match a personal best set on Aug. 19 of his debut season in 2012 in the Arizona League. It also was a first for a Shuckers player. "I didn't even know that," he said. "That's funny. It probably doesn't hurt that it's only the second year of the franchise, but, yeah, that's pretty cool." Coulter batted .220/.285/.333 in 87 games with Class A Advanced Brevard County but played some of his best ball toward the end of his tenure there. The 23-year-old slashed .263/.315/.375 in 23 games in June, his best month of the season. "I just kind of started out slow at the beginning of the year and ended up with that injury," said Coulter, who missed three weeks in May with a right oblique injury. "I came back, started a little slow, too, and then everything started feeling good. I had some tough luck there the last few weeks before I got called up, but I still felt pretty good. Hopefully, it carries into here. I can keep it rolling and get ready for next year." While he's in new surroundings, Coulter already felt a bit like he was home in Biloxi. "It's cool to come up to a team that you already know with a lot of familiar faces, guys who I've played with in the past," he said. "In Spring Training, too, I was with them all spring and ended up getting sent down the last few days. It was nice to see the boys again." Angel Ortega doubled twice behind Coulter in the Shuckers lineup. Reliever Tristan Archer matched Ortega's game-high two RBIs with a two-run single in the sixth that scored Coulter and Ortega. Brewers No. 5 prospect Luis Ortiz, acquired in the deal that sent catcher Jonathan Lucroy to Texas last week, struck out three and allowed one hit over three scoreless innings in his organizational debut.

VIDEO via the Shuckers' site: Highlights from Friday's walkoff win (no more YouTube on these?)

VIDEO via KRDO: Sky Sox highlights (Michael Reed's HR, Kyle Wren RBI single)

AUDIO via Friday's Sky Sox pre-game: Manager Rick Sweet

Timber Rattler DVR Alerts (including tonight!) -- SAT. 8/6, 6:30 PM: MyNew32 TV MON. 8/8, 7:00 PM: MyNew32 TV TUE. 8/9, 12:00 PM: TWC SportsChannel

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 Wisconsin Media Notes - Linked on the Rattler Radio blog *** STANDINGS: AAA - Pacific Coast League American Northern Division AA - Southern League South Division High-A - Florida State League North Division A - Midwest League Western Division Pioneer League North Division Arizona League Central Division Dominican Summer League San Pedro Division *** Sortable individual stat pages: Colorado Springs Biloxi Brevard County Wisconsin Helena Maryvale DSL Brewers *** Weather.com: Colorado Springs, CO Biloxi, MS Viera, FL Grand Chute, WI Orem, UT Maryvale, AZ San Pedro de Macoris, DR

Follow Saturday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Colorado Springs Biloxi Brevard County Game One Brevard County Game Two Wisconsin Helena Maryvale DSL Brewers MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

Saturday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Colorado Springs: RHP Aaron Wilkerson at home vs. Nashville (Athletics), 6:30 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link Dan Karcher, the longtime play-by-play voice of the Sky Sox is on Twitter @SkySoxKarch; joining him 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 Luis Ortiz at home vs. Pensacola (Reds), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:10 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. Thaddeus Krzus (@Shucks1stIntern) 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. ********** Brevard County: LHP Kodi Medeiros and RHP Cody Ponce in a doubleheader at home vs. Dunedin (Blue Jays), 4:05 PM gametime; each contest slated for seven innings Sorry, no audio is available for this series... Unfortunately, the Manatees have dropped their broadcast coverage for 2016. No Florida State League games are available via MiLB.TV. Ten of the 12 Florida State League teams provide audio (some only for home games), we'll do our best to let you know when an opponent's audio is going to be available. ********** Wisconsin: LHP Jake Drossner at home vs. Kane County (Diamondbacks), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 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. NOTE: Thirty-nine (!) of the Rattlers' 70 home games will be broadcast on local TV this season. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel (10) and WACY-TV My NEW32 (29) will split duties. We'll let you know when and who, and remember to refer to the Rattlers' full TV schedule (scroll to bottom of link) so you can coordinate your DVR activity. ********** Helena: RHP Nash Walters at Orem (Angels), 7:45 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link We welcome and look forward to hearing first-year Voice of the H-Crew Craig Durham (@CraigMDurham on Twitter). ********** Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at home vs. the young Dodgers, 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league ********** DSL Brewers: at the DSL Rockies, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until later in the day We'll link to this Dominican Summer League Brewers' thread as part of the Daily Menu all season to assist you with your familiarity with these young men.

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Nolan Bratt Vines -- Two Gilbert Lara singles - Helena Angel Ortega HR - Biloxi

Final: Arizona Reds 2, Arizona Brewers 1 Maryvale Box Score Tommy John rehabber RHP Victor Diaz made six appearances in the first phase of his journey back, but then paused, last pitching on July 22nd, he returned with two scoreless here. RHP Carlos Herrera surrendered six hits (and no walks) in three innings, but yielded just one run. 2nd year 19-year-old SS Ignacio Otano (first stateside) was on base all four times, 3-for-3 with a double and walk. Jose Gomez was 0-for-3 with a sacrifice fly, ending his streak of games with multiple hits at seven. Maryvale Game Log Going into the 8th trailing, Brewers tied it at 1-1, fell behind again (on a passed ball yet), then tried in vain in the 9th -- AZL Brewers Top of the 8th Gabriel Garcia hit by pitch. Chad McClanahan grounds out, second baseman Emmanuel Cruz to first baseman Bruce Yari. Gabriel Garcia to 3rd. Jose Gomez out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Raul Wallace. Gabriel Garcia scores. Julio Mendez flies out to right fielder Raul Wallace. AZL Reds Bottom of the 8th Pitching Change: Junior Flores replaces Juan Diaz. Emmanuel Cruz singles on a line drive to center fielder Zach Clark. Daniel Jimenez hit by pitch. Emmanuel Cruz to 2nd. Andy Sugilio out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Junior Flores to second baseman Trey York. Emmanuel Cruz to 3rd. Daniel Jimenez to 2nd. Leandro Santana strikes out swinging. With Bruce Yari batting, passed ball by Mario Feliciano, Emmanuel Cruz scores. Daniel Jimenez to 3rd. Bruce Yari strikes out swinging. AZL Brewers Top of the 9th Pitching Change: Darren Shred replaces Miguel Aguilar. Zach Taylor grounds out, third baseman Leandro Santana to first baseman Bruce Yari. Ignacio Otano walks. With Zach Clark batting, Ignacio Otano caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Derik Capitillo to second baseman Emmanuel Cruz. Zach Clark walks. With Mario Feliciano batting, Zach Clark steals (3) 2nd base. Mario Feliciano lines out to first baseman Bruce Yari.

Final: Helena 12, Orem 3 Brewers Strike Early & Often in 12-3 Win 20 Hits a New Season High By Craig Durham / Helena Brewers OREM, UT - A pregame rain delayed the start of Friday night's game by 30 minutes. When it was time to go, the Brewers were ready. Helena racked up 20 hits, a new season high, and downed the Orem Owlz 12-3 to even up the four game series at a game apiece. For the second consecutive night the Brewers got off to a fast start, scoring three times in the 1st and adding four in the 2nd, carrying a 7-0 lead into the 3rd. That would be more than enough for Scott Serigstad (1-2) and a pair of relievers, with Serigstad simply on fire. The right-hander struck out a season high seven batters and did not allow a hit until a two-out single in the bottom of the 5th, by which time the Brewers already led 10-0. Nattino Diplan allowed two runs in three innings of relief work and Santos Saldivar tossed a one-two-three ninth to close out the victory. All nine Brewers starters had at least one hit and seven of nine had at least two. Joantgel Segovia, Ronnie Gideon and Gilbert Lara led the way with three hits each. Gideon extended his hitting streak to nine games, and finished just a triple shy of the cycle. Over his last nine games played, the first baseman has gone 17-for-34 (.500) with five home runs, three doubles and 12 RBIs. Wes Wilson, Segovia and Lara each had a pair of RBIs to go along with Gideon's three. Helena will look to Nash Walters on Saturday night to build off the victory, as he makes his first start since firing a scoreless inning in the All-Star Game. Walters will be opposed by Sam Pastrone. First pitch from Orem is scheduled for 7:05 (8:05 Central). Helena Box Score Starting to realize this Helena roster would be comfortable at linebacker training camp -- big boys! Helena Game Log Crooked numbers are fun when they're only on the good side of the ledger...

Wow!

We hear you, Chris - "tailor-made double play ball"; boy, that You-Tube title is misleading

It's foul -- no wait, it's not!

Why was Wily pulled after just three innings and 60 pitches, and scoreless 2nd & 3rd innings?

We have a larger sample size, so that lone wolf decision won't skew things to too great an extent, but since Arcia is still eligible, your list effectively indicates he's not in your Top 25. Your notion is understood, however, just perhaps not the right time for the sentiment in actual form.

Following is a list of players who are free to leave the organization five days after the World Series when minor league free agency begins. These players and the Brewers could agree to sign an additional one-year minor league deal to extend the relationship. Or the Brewers could add the player to the 40-man roster, thus extending the "ownership" of the player, and preventing him from reaching the open market. Minor league free agency will be a pretty scary time for most of these players. For others, fairly big opportunities await. Expect several of these players to be re-signed to minor league deals for 2018. In particular, the organization is slated to lose a huge chunk of their AAA and AA pitching staffs - yes, there will be some Shuckers and Mudcats who move up, and of course, new outsiders brought in, but the Brewers will need bodies to come back. A player who has exhausted all seven years of his original minor league affiliation to the organization that signed him is eligible. Here are the Brewers farmhands who have been with the organization for their full seven-year affiliated commitment (or even longer than seven years for some). We've been following these twelve guys their whole affiliated pro careers (lists below in alphabetical order): RHP Parker Berberet RHP Hiram Burgos RHP Tim Dillard RHP Tyler Cravy RHP David Goforth C Dustin Houle C Natanael Mejia RHP Jorge Ortega RHP Wily Peralta LHP/1B Nick Ramirez OF Michael Reed RHP Angel Ventura Other potential (and likely) free agents: LHP Andrew Barbosa RHP Yhonathan Barrios 1B Chris Colabello IF Ivan De Jesus, Jr. C Rene Garcia RHP Travis Hissong OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis LHP Sean Nolin IF Nick Noonan IF Gabriel Noriega UT Fidel Pena RHP Matt Ramsey RHP Rob Scahill RHP Forrest Snow *** In a separate thread we'll kick off later this weekend, we'll post (with player links) the formal list of players who will be eligible to be picked in December's Rule 5 draft if not added to the 40-man roster this fall. Toby had taken our first crack at that particular list back in June.

Via @BrewersPD -- RHP Ariel Pena activated from the Sky Sox DL (placed June 30th) Catcher Rene Garcia transferred from Colorado Springs to Biloxi OF Clint Coulter from Brevard County to Biloxi (formally announced) 2B Chris McFarland and RHP Tyler Spurlin both to the Biloxi DL, no word on their status; Spurlin retro to 7/31 C Dustin Houle transferred from Biloxi to Brevard County RHP Louis Ortiz activated at Biloxi

From the associated chat -- Mark (DC): There seems to be a huge difference between different people on Phil Bickford. Baseball America has him rated highly while others are unimpressed. What is your opinion on Bickford? J.J. Cooper: All I can do is explain how we have him evaluated. We think he has a good shot to be a middle-of-the-rotation starting pitcher–a No. 3 or a No. 4. Some may say that’s awfully bullish, some may say that seems less than what they expected as an answer from us. Generally Bickford’s fastball generates more swings and misses than you would expect for a fastball of his velocity. It has good movement and his delivery makes it hard for hitters to pick it up. Bickford’s stuff has backed up a little recently, which probably has something to do with this being his first full pro season. But his fastball/slider combination is why he’s been drafted in the first round twice. There is a chance that he ends up as a two-pitch reliever, but his ability to pitch off his fastball is impressive, which is why we like him. Craig (RGV, TX): Can Corey Ray, Brett Phillips and Lewis Brinson all play in the same OF in the majors? They all seem to have a similar profile -- speedy, good defense, good eye, need to work on contact & power. J.J. Cooper: Yes they can. I wouldn’t really put Ray in that same grouping with Phillips and Brinson because in Ray’s case, the debate was whether he could play center field well enough to stick there. It was never his regular position at Louisville. I know he’s playing center now, but with Brinson and Phillips ahead of him, both of whom project as better defenders, I expect he’ll end up in a corner. The one who may have trouble in this arrangement is Phillips. Brinson should get to Milwaukee before Phillips and he’s a better defender, which may force Phillips to eventually slide to right field. To do that, Phillips bat will have to be better than it’s been this year. These things usually work out. I remember a similar situation that happened in Miami as they had Marcell Ozuna, Christian Yelich and Jake Marisnick all developing at the same time. Marisnick ended up being traded, Yelich ended up sliding over to left field and Ozuna, who was a right fielder in the minors, ended up as the everyday center fielder. That’s not really how I predicted that to shake out, but the problem solved itself, as it often does. If the Brewers end up having three center field caliber defenders manning left, center and right they will be thrilled.

Baseball America Prospect Hot Sheet You don't have to scroll very far down to find two red-hot Brewers.

Thursday Helena video via @BrewerProspect -- Wes Wilson RBI triple Gilbert Lara single

Corey Ray Adjusting Well to the FSL Donny Rieber, 27OutsBaseball.com

From Thursday (thanks for the Vine, Nolan) -- Javier Betancourt HR Looking forward to seeing what Betancourt does repeating AA next year, should be fun, great strides as of late...

One would hope Manatees management would want to be able to market an association with the MLBPipeline.com #1 ranked system to their Kissimmee fan base. C'mon, Gord Ash, butter 'em up!