Jim Goulart

As also placed in full in our Helena / Maryvale feature thread for archiving purposes -- Two photos at the link Former Aggie Gideon taking advantage of professional opportunity Ryan Collingwood, Helena Independent Record Ronnie Gideon occupies the right side of the Helena Brewers' infield, his 6-foot-3, 240-pound frame taking up a sizable chunk of it. The first baseman's hands are big. His Texas accent is thick. Since being drafted last month, the imposing Gideon has exhibited power with Milwaukee's rookie affiliate, tallying three home runs -- a solo shot in just his second professional at-bat -- and four doubles in 14 games.

Two photos at the link Former Aggie Gideon taking advantage of professional opportunity Ryan Collingwood, Helena Independent Record Ronnie Gideon occupies the right side of the Helena Brewers' infield, his 6-foot-3, 240-pound frame taking up a sizable chunk of it. The first baseman's hands are big. His Texas accent is thick. Since being drafted last month, the imposing Gideon has exhibited power with Milwaukee's rookie affiliate, tallying three home runs -- a solo shot in just his second professional at-bat -- and four doubles in 14 games. Gideon carries one of the bigger sticks in Milwaukee's farm system -- and his playing time was relatively limited in his three years at Texas A&M. Not that he wasn't a valued commodity in College Station. He just happened to share the same positions as third baseman Boomer White, the SEC Player of the Year, and first baseman Hunter Melton, the SEC's RBI leader. Defensive starts were rare this past spring for Gideon, a junior who saw the bulk of his time come at designated hitter, registering at-bats in 36 of the Aggies' 65 games. He was still drafted in the 23rd round of June's MLB Draft, 12 rounds better than when he was picked in 35th round out of East Texas' Hallsville High School. "It shows what we had coming off the bench at A&M," said Gideon, whose Aggies were nipped by TCU in the NCAA Super Regional. "We were so close to getting to (the College World Series) and I believe if we got there, we would have won it. We were that good. We lost, but fortunately I got the opportunity to come and pursue baseball." Seven former Aggies currently litter the various rungs of the Brewers organization. When Gideon learned he would be starting his career 1,700 miles from home in the Pioneer League, he phoned former A&M teammate Blake Allemand, an erstwhile Helena shortstop in 2015. "He said it was pretty fun," Gideon said. "But he was only there for 11 days (before being promoted to the Single A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers). Gideon is all too familiar with the process. He's been around MLB-affiliated baseball his entire life. Gideon's father, Ron Gideon, has spent the last 21 years in the Colorado Rockies organization, working in a variety of capacities. The elder Gideon has been a bench coach with the big-league club, managed the Double-A Tulsa Drillers and is currently the developmental supervisor of the Single A Tri-City Dust Devils. "I never missed a spring training a year in my life," Gideon said. "That was our family's thing. We'd go up on school's spring vacation and go up to where Dad was coaching." Ron also boasted power in his heyday, belting 25 homers with the Single A Lynchburg Metz in 1987, the best summer of his seven-year career in the minors. Ron plateaued in Double A. Ronnie wants to get there. "Baseball is all I've ever known and all I've ever been around. I came out here and took advantage of the opportunity to get to play, and I started off swinging well."

Final: Helena 5, Missoula 2 Brewers Snap Losing Streak at Seven Mallen Home Run the Difference By Craig Durham / Helena Brewers HELENA, MT - After a frustrating seven game losing streak, the Helena Brewers got back in the win column on Thursday night with a 5-2 victory over the Missoula Osprey at Kindrick Legion Field. Thomas Jankins turned in a dazzling performance on the mound, striking out four while allowing just two hits in four innings of work. Nathan Rodriguez, meanwhile, staked the Brewers to a 1-0 lead with a solo homer in the bottom of the 4th, his first home run of the season. That lead would increase to 2-0 in the bottom of the 5th when Franly Mallen led off with a double, advanced to third on a Joantgel Segovia single, and scored on a wild pitch. The Osprey came back to tie it at two in the top of the 6th, scoring twice on just one hit. Karsen Lindell (1-2) escaped a 7th inning jam, leaving the bases loaded by getting Jasrado Chisolm to fly out to deep left, and that set the stage for a big bottom of the 7th. Mallen untied the game with his first home run of the season, a blast over the wall in left, and the Brewers were just getting started. They put together a string of four hits, with Lucas Erceg and Demi Orimoloye each delivering RBIs, taking a 5-2 lead into the 8th. Quintin Torres-Costa made his 2016 Helena debut in style, working two scoreless, hitless innings of relief to secure the victory and earn his first save of the season. The Brewers and Osprey will wrap up their brief two game series on Friday night at 7:30 PM (8:30 Central) with Gentry Fortuno on the bump for Helena opposite Chester Pimintel for Missoula. *** Via the Helena Independent Record's Ryan Collingwood -- Home is much kinder to the Helena Brewers. After dropping seven straight games, six on the road, Helena dispatched the Missoula Osprey 5-2 on Thursday in a Pioneer League tilt at Kindrick Legion Field. The Brewers (9-11), who improved to 6-2 at home, saw second baseman Franly Mallen go 2 for 4 with a double and a go-ahead solo homer in a three-run seventh frame. Demi Orimoloye was 2 for 4 with a RBI double and Lucas Erceg also went 2 for 4. Erceg, a second-round draft pick, registered his 10th multi-hit game in 16 outings Brewers catcher Nathan Rodriguez hit his first professional home run in the fourth inning. Defensively, the Brewers were just as efficient, allowing just five hits. Starting pitcher Thomas Jankins was brilliant in four innings of work, giving up just two hits, no runs, no walks and struck out five. Karsen Lindell earned the win after allowing two runs and two hits in three innings. Quintin Torres-Costa, recently sent down from the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, earned the save, giving up no runs or hits in two innings and striking out two. The Brewers and Osprey (9-11) meet again Friday at Kindrick Legion Field, with the team's first-ever postgame fireworks show scheduled. *** Helena Box Score Demi's heating up! 7-for-12 in the last three games; seven game hit streak for Franly Mallen... Helena Game Log

Final: Colorado Springs 11, Iowa 7 Sky Sox Win Slugfest 11-7 Over Iowa Sky Sox produce 13 hits to snap four game losing streak By Aaron Cheris / Colorado Springs Sky http://www.milb.com/assets/images/4/4/4/188634444/cuts/07_07_4621sm_pk_boyuioyb_c1dycw06.jpg Nate Orf led the way with four RBI in Thursday's win. (Paat Kelly photo) As always, a suggested recap read can provide so much more info than I could in a few blurbs below... *** Colorado Springs Box Score 74 pitches, 39 strikes for RHP Wily Peralta in his very uneven brief outing; Nate Orf on base all five times up -- seriously, if Jake Elmore continues to show little in his big league role, Orf is ready, he needs to be added to the 40-man this fall regardless; more magic from the hit-happy catcher due of Josmil Pinto and Manny Pina; 39 combined baserunners, not including the reached by errors. Colorado Springs Game Log

Final: Arizona Brewers 7, Arizona White Sox 3 Weather: 103 degrees, clear. Wind: 3 mph, Out to CF. Maryvale Box Score Earlier in this thread, you saw the list of five Brewers who made their professional debut in this game, congrats to all. Third baseman Chad McClanahan added a double and a walk to his HR; catcher Mario Feliciano singled for his first base knock; we mentioned Gabriel Garcia's double to begin his career. Each played clean defense as well. Other "established" grizzled vets (some with two whole weeks of experience ) also had nice evenings as the box will show you. Maryvale Game Log Scoreless rehab work for LHP Mitch Lambson and RHP Preston Gainey; not counting three rehabbers, there are 18 pitchers fighting for innings currently in the Arizona heat. Fortunately, there are six catchers available for all those side sessions... *** TWEET of the night -- She's a keeper! Nice camera work by Chad McClanahan's young lady in his life, captures his first at-bat, and thus the HR!

VIDEO via KCRG: Watch the only run of the Timber Rattlers game score (not by the good guys)

McClanahan went Yard on his first AB. Nice. Garcia doubled in his first pro at-bat. 30th round RHP Dalton Brown of Texas Tech is in, that's five pro debuts (so far) for a July 7th game, pretty unique.

Two Helena RHP's have been dropped back down to Maryvale. RHP Jack Finnegan, an undrafted 2015 free agent signee, had one incredibly rough outing on the 4th of July skew whatever numbers he'll post in 2016. 22-year-old 4th year pro, but 1st year stateside Nattino Diplan (no relation to Wisconsin's premier prospect Marcos, that we know of, we've asked) joins Finnegan on the flight to Phoenix. Diplan pitched four scoreless innings on Tuesday, but had struggled in his three prior appearances (two starts).

Well, the Brewers need to make room on their 35-man Maryvale roster after signing so many draft picks, and one transaction they made today was to transfer 26th round University of Iowa infielder Nick Roscetti (.711 OPS in 47 Maryvale AB's) to the Brevard County roster, while also placing him on the 7-day DL there. Roscetti played a full game on Tuesday, so no word on his injury status.

Five pitchers on the active AA Biloxi staff (and they're all pitching well) were picked up after being released by other organizations, four within the 2016 season -- RH closer Stephen Kohlscheen, LHP Brett Lee, RHP's Gage Smith and Tayler Scott, and RHP Junior Rincon (released by Marlins in January 2014).

Final, Game Two: DSL Brewers 4, DSL Angels 2 After last night's 0-7 mess and the way tonight's early games are shaping up, any win looks good... DSL Brewers Game Two Box Score 18-year-old Venezuelan rookie RHP Henry Medina has gone at least five innings in each of his last four appearances, no small feat in this league, one earned run in 5.2 innings here. DSL Brewers Game Two Game Log An immediate removal after a HBP is never good. Given the young raw arms, I'm always shocked we don't see these types of removals more often -- scary, hopefully precautionary for the 17-year-old. DSL Brewers Bottom of the 5th Javier Castillo called out on strikes. Bryan Torres flies out to right fielder Cristian Gomez. Aaron Familia hit by pitch. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Luis Avila replaces Aaron Familia. Bryan Connell strikes out swinging.

The June 21st DSL Angels at DSL Brewers game had been rained out, so the teams played two seven-inning games at the Brewers' complex on Thursday. Final, Game One: DSL Angels 2, DSL Brewers 0 DSL Brewers Game One Box Score There was one hit total in the game, and it belonged to the Angels. So yes, a no-hitter. Newcomer RF Antonio Perez did draw two walks. On the Brewer mound, 20-year-old 6'4" RHP Johan Dominguez continued his outstanding debut season. He's been the one guy on the roster who has said "hey, look at me" with his numbers. DSL Brewers Game One Game Log T: 1:17. Wow, don't blink!

Adam McCalvy tweet -- Brewers have bumped-up 2015 3rd round pick Nash Walters and 2016 picks Matt Smith and Cam Roegner to Helena. You'll be able to review the numbers of the pitchers and visit their player pages via the Maryvale Brewers team stat page.

Wednesday's game --

Posted June 28th -- Strong just signed with the independent St. Paul Saints of the American Association.

Cooper, Houser named Shuckers Players of the Month Awards presented on Friday at the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum in Biloxi Biloxi Shuckers

Link to 2016 statistics, once again, there's more than what's behind the numbers, apparently. Good luck to Jake as he begins his pro career.

Diaz homers twice for Timber Rattlers Brewers No. 11 prospect raises average to .333 since end of May By Kelsie Heneghan / MiLB.com

As also archived in full in our season-long Biloxi feature thread... Hometown feature -- Danvers' Peterson earns all-star nod in Double-A Southern League By Matt Williams, Salem (MA) News Staff writer Photo of the Shuckers' at the All-Star Game at the link When Stephen Peterson hit Logan Airport in February to depart for his fifth spring training as a professional baseball player, he was determined to prove that he was ready to take the next step in his career.

Hometown feature -- Danvers' Peterson earns all-star nod in Double-A Southern League By Matt Williams, Salem (MA) News Staff writer Photo of the Shuckers' at the All-Star Game at the link When Stephen Peterson hit Logan Airport in February to depart for his fifth spring training as a professional baseball player, he was determined to prove that he was ready to take the next step in his career. Four months later, the southpaw from St. John's Prep and Danvers hasn't just survived his first season of Double-A ball — he's thrived. Peterson was selected for the Southern League's All-Star Game (pitching a scoreless inning for the winning side, no less) two weeks ago. It was his first all-star nod as a pro and it was a nice sign of how far the 28-year-old reliever has come in the Milwaukee Brewers organization. "It's an honor and it was a really exciting thing," Peterson said, speaking from the clubhouse of the Biloxi Shuckers in Mississippi. "The game itself was such a fun time, and then when its your turn to pitch all you can think is 'I gotta perform and show why I'm here.' Feeling like I've showed why I'm here was one of the best parts of it." The Brewers signed Peterson as an undrafted free agent from the University of Rhode Island back in 2011. Just one season removed from Tommy John surgery at that point, Peterson showed enough in the short-season Arizona League for the Brewers to bring him back. After a full season in Wisconsin, he spent three years in high-A ball in Brevard County, Florida. He loved living on the 'Space Coast' but going into the 2016 season he felt it was time for his career to lift off. "Everything had gone pretty well in Brevard and I did feel like I deserved a shot. I thought this could be the year I started in Double-A," Peterson said. "I wanted to prove that I belonged there and I think I've done that so far. I got off to a strong start and that helped me trust myself and my ability." In Biloxi, Peterson carries a 2.70 earned run average that's the lowest of his career so far. He's made more appearances (38) than any other pitcher in the Southern League and his seven wins both lead the Shuckers and rank fourth in the league. Being in Double-A has helped the lefthander learn about himself as a pitcher. Bullpens at that level tend to have more defined roles, and he's put himself in position to flourish in tight games and in lefthanded matchups. "I've been in some big situations in big games and I look forward to that. One of the things I really try to be is a guy that can fill any role," said Peterson. "I've been a long relief guy at lower levels and this year I've been a set-up guy and a specialist. I think the more roles you can fill, the more valuable you are." Peterson, who threw two no-hitters while helping St. John's reach the 2006 Division 1 state final and still wears Pete Frates gear when he can, has six holds on the season. For him, pitching is as much mental as it is physical. NOTE: Frates, former BC baseball player and victim of Lou Gehrig's Disease, is credited as the creator of the Ice Bucket Challenge. "What's that Yogi Berra quote, half of baseball is 90 percent mental," he said. "If you go to the mound with a plan, you're going to be successful. Baseball is between the ears, especially in the life of a reliever. "Part of being in different situations teaches you how to pitch. Against a lefty, maybe the secondary pitch and throwing that for a strike is the focus. With guys on base, you want to pound that zone. The most important thing is to make your pitch and make the hitter do what you want them to do with the ball." Peterson went to the Southern League All-Star Game with four of his Shuckers teammates. The team's had a successful year so far, finishing second in its division in the first half. The all-star experience was an unforgettable one. "My inning was kind of a blur," said Peterson, who threw the seventh frame. "The last two after that I was in the dugout just soaking it all in. My family was watching on the computer back in Massachusetts and I think they were even more excited than I was." Peterson's fiance works in the Boston area and the couple is expecting their first child in the fall. Support from her and his family has meant the world as he's chased his dream of playing pro baseball and he says "They're the reason why I'm here, why I can do that." Having made a living in baseball for the better part of six years, Peterson continues to rise through the ranks. He's as focused as he's ever been. "I was undrafted. A lot of people might tell you I'm not supposed to be here and I do carry that chip with me. I'm beyond thankful for the Brewers for giving me the shot and every time they say 'Play ball' I'm trying to show I belong," Peterson said. "During the day you do think about how much fun this is and being a kid dreaming about this; Then when 7:05 or 7:10 comes around, that competitor takes over and it's all business." Peterson knows he might not blow hitters away with his velocity, but mentally he's got the type of resolve that won't allow him to give in and throw a cookie when he's on the hill. With another few months left in the Double-A season, he's happy to be recognized but he's also far from satisfied. "Everything I've gone through these past couple seasons and battling to this point does make it extra special," he said. "You never lose that drive to take the ball and go get it. I'm excited to show I belong here but my ultimate goal is still the big leagues."

Pioneer notes: Erceg debuts with a bang 'Hard-swinging' Brewers prospect making plenty of contact in Helena By Fritz Neighbor / Special to MiLB.com

Timber Rattlers DVR Alerts FRI, July 8, vs. Peoria Chiefs, 7:00 PM, MyNew32 TV SAT, July 9, vs. Peoria Chiefs, 7:00 PM, MyNew32 TV MON, July 11, vs. Peoria Chiefs, 7:00 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 Cedar Rapids, IA Helena, MT Maryvale, AZ San Pedro de Macoris, DR

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

Thursday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Colorado Springs: RHP Wily Peralta at home vs. Iowa (Cubs), 7:30 PM pre-game, 8:05 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 Jorge Ortega at home vs. Jacksonville (Marlins), 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: RHP Eric Hanhold at home vs. Daytona (Reds), 5:35 PM gametime Free Live Audio Link (Daytona Feed) 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: RHP Jordan Yamamoto at Cedar Rapids (Twins), 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 Thomas Jankins at home vs. Missoula (Diamondbacks), 7:50 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 ([b@CraigMDurham[/b] on Twitter). ********** Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at home vs. the White Sox' toddlers, 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league ********** DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Angels, 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.