Jim Goulart

AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show Tue. 4/19: Adam McCalvy *** AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show Tue. 4/19: Pete Rose *** AUDIO via WTMJ Wed. AM 4/20: Jeff Levering *** AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show Wed. 4/20: Seth Everett *** AUDIO via ESPN 540 Milwaukee Wed. 4/20: Bill Schroeder *** AUDIO via the Brewers' site: Kirk Nieuwenhuis and prospect LHP Josh Hader join this week's edition of Brewers on Tap

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 *** Sortable individual stat pages: Colorado Springs Biloxi Brevard County Wisconsin *** Weather.com: Colorado Springs, CO Biloxi, MS Lakeland, FL Grand Chute, WI

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

Wednesday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Colorado Springs: RHP Junior Guerra and LHP Brent Suter in a doubleheader at home vs. Nashville (Athletics), 11:30 AM pre-game, 12:05 PM gametime; each contest slated for seven innings 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 Drew Gagnon at home vs. Pensacola (Reds), 10:20 AM pre-game, 10:40 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 Lakeland (Tigers), 5:00 PM gametime Sorry folks, there is no audio 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: RHP Jon Perrin at home vs. Quad Cities (Astros), 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. 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.

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

With brunch and/or lunch action Wednesday for the Sky Sox / Shuckers, we'll work on hustling up the new Link Report by mid-morning. Plan your mid-day audio accordingly.

AUDIO: Biloxi's Jaye Chapman, pre-game interview

Final: Lakeland 9, Brevard County 2 With miserable W-L campaigns in Brevard and Wisconsin in 2015, the organizational talent gap (sorry, guys, prove us wrong) is manifesting itself in Florida thus far... *** Lakeland opens series with convincing win over Brevard County Donald Rieber Jr., Brevard County Manatees Examiner *** Brevard County Box Score On an 81 degree evening, a robust 216 in attendance at Lakeland, traditionally the league's tiniest fan outpost; how hot was SS Angel Ortega - his 0-for-5 drops his average down to .347... Brevard County Game Log

Sky Sox call off another game as weather makes strong point by Brent Briggeman, Colorado Springs Gazette Mother Nature has been a bit redundant in driving home her point about weather conditions and baseball in Colorado Springs. The Sky Sox postponed Tuesday's scheduled game against Nashville, as the field was too wet after overnight snowstorms. The team was supposed to have played 45 innings on its first homestand through Tuesday, but it instead has played just 16. And those 16 were largely played in miserable conditions. On Friday night the team suffered through 3 hours, 40 minutes of frigid temperatures and wind howling to the outfield so hard that manager Rick Sweet said some of his players suffered windburn from looking into it for so long. On Monday, the Sky Sox played a seven-inning game - the first of a scheduled doubleheader - with temperatures in the mid-30s. "You definitely want to hit the ball on the barrel," outfielder Alex Presley said. "If you don't, it's going to hurt." "It's hardest on the pitchers," Sweet countered, "because they've got to try to get their grip." In short, the conditions have been lousy for baseball. And as little as the Sky Sox have been able to play, they've been able to get on the field for workouts even less. The team has indoor batting cages that are heavily utilized, but the minor leagues are all about development and Colorado Springs hasn't had the luxury of doing much of that over the past five days. That was one of the many reasons posed as to why the team's owners are looking to move the team to San Antonio, if that city agrees to build a stadium. The temperature in San Antonio on Tuesday night when the Sky Sox called off the game? 74 degrees. When Mother Nature makes a point, she makes it loudly.

Tuesday's Game Postponed Due To Wet Field Conditions Game will be made up as part of double-header on Wednesday, April 20 After receiving large amounts of snow accumulation Monday night and into Tuesday afternoon, field conditions at Security Service Field became unplayable forcing the postponement of Tuesday's 6:35 PM game between the Colorado Springs Sky Sox and Nashville Sounds. The game has been rescheduled as part of a double-header for Wednesday, April 20. The games will both be seven inning contests with the first game starting at 11:05 AM (12:05 PM Central) and the second game to follow 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one.

Link includes video interview (same audio was linked in full earlier in this thread) David Denson stays hot for Rattlers in loss Tim Froberg, Appleton Post Crescent GRAND CHUTE - He wears No. 13, but David Denson hasn’t been a hard-luck hitter this spring. The 21-year-old Los Angeles native is off to his best start as a Wisconsin Timber Rattler and continued to swing the bat with authority in the Rattlers’ 4-2 loss to Quad Cities on Tuesday afternoon at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Denson went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and an RBI to raise his batting average to .355. He has six RBI — second-best on the team — and four doubles in 31 at-bats. A left-handed hitter with excellent power, the big man has never looked better at the plate for the Rattlers. Denson is showing more patience, making better contact and consistently driving the ball. Denson spent parts of the 2014 and 2015 season with Wisconsin, but struggled to put up good numbers. He hit .243 with four homers and 29 RBI in 2014, while also spending some time with the Arizona Brewers. In two stints with the Rattlers in 2015, Denson batted a combined .226 with three homers and 16 RBI. He also played 51 games in Helena, where he batted .242 with six homers and 25 RBI. “This is a big year for him,” said Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson. “It’s his third year in the league and he has to show some progress, and he has.” Denson made headlines last summer when he became the first active player affiliated with a Major League Baseball franchise to publicly come out as gay. He asks that his interviews be confined to baseball matters, but Denson seems like a more relaxed player who is recharged mentally following a stressful 2015. “I feel like I’m in a great place,” said Denson. “Everything that happened last season is in last season. This is a new year and I’m focused on moving forward.” It may turn out to be the best year of his professional baseball career if Denson continues to thrive at the plate. “He seems like he’s in a good place and seems comfortable,” said Erickson. “He seems like he’s having a good time, enjoying himself, and obviously that means a lot. All of us are dealing with things away from the field, and his was very public last year. It’s all about baseball for him right now, so I’m sure it helps him out and it’s showing in his at-bats.” Denson is listed at 6-foot-3 and 261 pounds, but looks trimmer than his roster weight and may be in the best shape he has been in since launching his pro career in 2013. He’s put a lot of effort into weight training and conditioning. “I’ve lost inches, but I’ve kept my power,” said Denson. “It’s kind of a weight transfer thing, losing the weight and putting on muscle. I’m just staying constantly in the gym working out and keeping myself active.” Denson has served as the Rattlers’ designated hitter for all but one of the nine games he’s played in, but is expected to get some work in the outfield. He was a 15th-round selection by Milwaukee in the 2013 draft and has been a first baseman since entering pro ball. The Brewers want to see what he can do in the outfield, and Erickson will give him that opportunity. “For a big man, he moves OK,” said Erickson. “His body is functional. He’s not the fastest guy in the world, but he’s got some body control and he’s accurate with his arm. He’s got a decent, strong arm. “His ticket obviously is swinging the bat, but being a National League team, you’ve got to be able to play a position. We’re trying to find the best spot for him. Hopefully, he can keep progressing with the bat and we can get him more comfortable in the outfield.” Denson is fine with the switch. “I’m comfortable with it, I’m coming around to it,” he said. “It’s definitely different from the infield, but I’m working hard and it’s becoming easier as I go. As long as I’m out there on the field or in the lineup, it really doesn’t matter where it is. I just take everything in stride and keep going.”

Final: Biloxi 4, Pensacola 3 Shuckers back in first place after 4-3 win over Wahoos Nick Ramirez delivers game-winning hit in the seventh inning Tuesday *** VIDEO via WLOX: Biloxi early inning game highlights *** Biloxi Box Score Five errors in ten games at short for Javier Betancourt; the need for RHP Drew Gagnon as a 6th starter prompted by last Saturday's doubleheader; might be time to take some pressure off Jacob Nottingham by moving him out of the leadoff spot... Biloxi Game Log *** Hip, hip, hooray, Jaye!

It's all in the hips: Shuckers closer Chapman thrives after major surgeries Patrick Magee, Biloxi Sun-Herald http://www.sunherald.com/latest-news/o1o0to/picture72730487/ALTERNATES/FREE_960/0420_bisp_jaye%20chapman%2002.jpg Photo by Tim Isbell, the Sun-Herald Jaye Chapman has become one of the more durable relief pitchers in the Milwaukee Brewers organization, and he's done it despite going through double hip surgery in 2013. The Biloxi Shuckers closer has been perfect on the mound in five appearances this season. Chapman, who has seven strikeouts and no walks, hasn't allowed a hit and has four saves with an ERA of 0.00. After splitting time between Double-A Biloxi and Triple-A Colorado Springs in 2015, the 28-year-old Chapman appears a man set to take one step closer to getting back to the big leagues. The native of Panama City, Fla., achieved his dream of becoming a major league player with the Chicago Cubs in 2012, putting together an ERA of 3.75 in 14 appearances. However, Chapman's lingering hip pain suddenly became a major issue when he tried to make the Cubs for the 2013 season. "My left hip was killing me," he said. "I could barely pitch, but I tried to tough it out. It was a chance to make a major league team." 'How was he even pitching?' Chapman was sent to Triple-A Iowa to start the 2013 season and his condition only worsened. He made four appearances and had an ERA of 17.05. "The pain was just so bad," Chapman said. "I finally told some guys with the Cubs that I can barely throw because my hips hurt so bad. They were shocked about it. Once they found out what was going on, it was 'Holy cow, how was he even pitching?' My labrums were frayed." Chapman was diagnosed with femoroacetabular impengement, which is a genetic condition that involves bone growth at the head of his thigh bones, causing damage to surrounding tissue. He had no cartilage tissue remaining in his hips. At the age of 25, Chapman was facing hip surgery when his baseball career appeared set to reach its pinnacle. "It was a pretty serious blow," he said. "I was losing a ton of mobility, range of motion. They gave me two options -- lose activity, which means to retire, or have surgeries and try to come back. "I was 25 and had just made my major league debut. At the same time, I knew I was just a version of what I could be. I knew my hips were inhibiting me. When I was a young kid, I threw very hard. I knew something was going on." Chapman chose to go through surgery that involved the removal of bone spurs and microfracture procedures on both hips. He underwent surgery on his right hip, recovered to the point that he could take a full step, and then went back in for the same procedure on the right hip. The microfracture surgeries, which were done by the Phoenix Coyotes' team doctor, Gary Waslewski, replaced the cartilage in his hips with a tissue that forms like a cartilage-type material thanks to marrow and blood seeping together. Learning to throw again Chapman relied on his personal faith and parents to help him battle through the recovery. When he finally attempted to pitch again, he struggled with the basic mechanics of throwing a baseball. "About every other throw, I fell down," Chapman said. "My back leg wasn't used to it. I tried to throw a little too hard. That was a little frustrating. Over time, I started being able to throw the ball with some consistency." In 2014, Chapman played independent baseball with the Bridgeport (Conn.) Bluefish in the Atlantic League. He had a 3.86 ERA in 50 games. Prior to the 2015 campaign, Chapman signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers and Biloxi was his first stop. A little over a week before the Shuckers had their June 6 home opener last season, Chapman was promoted to Triple-A. He had an ERA of 2.37 with 17 saves in 59 total games last season. He's progressed even more this year with a fastball in the low 90s and a changeup that frustrates batters. "I feel way more powerful," Chapman said. "My mobility is better. I feel I'm better than I was with the Cubs."

Via the Shuckers -- RHP Daniel Tillman, the fireballer inked as a minor league free agent, enticed with a big league camp invite this spring, was placed on the 7-day DL retro to the 17th. RHP Martin Viramontes activated from the DL to fill the spot.

Brewers farm director Tom Flanagan has been busy following prospects Todd Rosiak, Journal-Sentinel

Catching up from Monday via Biloxi -- AUDIO via the Shuck Dynasty Blog: Pre-game interview with Nathan Orf AUDIO: Game highlights ***

AUDIO: Monday's pre-game interview with Sky Sox OF Alex Presley

To see tweets as to when the Link Report has been technically "completed" with available links, as well as to know when the new day's Report has been posted, please follow @Mass_Haas on Twitter.

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 *** Sortable individual stat pages: Colorado Springs Biloxi Brevard County Wisconsin *** Weather.com: Colorado Springs, CO Biloxi, MS Lakeland, FL Grand Chute, WI

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

Tuesday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Colorado Springs: RHP Junior Guerra at home vs. Nashville (Athletics), 7:00 PM pre-game, 7:35 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 Javi Salas at home vs. Pensacola (Reds), 6:20 PM pre-game, 6:40 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 at Lakeland (Tigers), 5:00 PM gametime Sorry folks, there is no audio 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: RHP David Burkhalter at home vs. Quad Cities (Astros), 11:45 AM pre-game, 12:05 PM gametime; expect RHP Jordan Yamamoto to appear in a tandem role 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. 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.

AUDIO via WTMJ Tue. AM 4/19: Craig Counsell *** AUDIO via WSSP 105.7 FM Tue. AM 4/19: "What has been up with the Milwaukee Brewers pitching rotation so far this season? Ben Reiter, from Sports Illustrated, joins the show to talk some baseball. Will the Brewers deal Jonathan Lucroy before the season is over?"

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

VIDEO: A different look at the Wisconsin highlights, this time via MyNew32 TV's broadcast Includes more Diplan and the Griep pickoff move...