Jim Goulart

VIDEO: Altitude a problem for keeping Sky Sox in Colorado Springs

Final: Daytona 5, Brevard County 4, ten innings Brevard County drops season opener in 10 innings Donald Rieber, Jr., Manatees Examiner Much appreciated detailed write-up from Don... Brevard County Box Score Despite the loss, all online reports indicate this was a bomb -- Dustin DeMuth hit a skyrocket home run that sailed well over the center-field fence, with Blake Allemand on first after beating out an infield single. Entering just his age 22 season, catcher Dustin Houle doubled twice and walked. Telling you now, Houle will be added to the 40-man this fall (he was Rule 5-eligible last December). SB: Diaz, B (1, 2nd base off Paulson/Tromp); Garcia, O (1, 2nd base off Ehret/Tromp). This is going to be one of the more athletic Manatee teams we've seen. And despite the 0-for-5, welcome back, Johnny Davis... Shiny line for starter Brandon Woodruff, including an 8:2 GB:FB ratio. Hello, Mr. Backstop -- combined seven wild pitches in the game. Brevard County Game Log Just painful to read the wasted Brevard opportunities in the first four innings. Speaking of painful, at least the contact play happened with one out, not no outs. Still a brutal frame here -- yikes. Brevard County Top of the 10th Dustin Houle walks. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Omar Garcia replaces Dustin Houle. With Jose Cuas batting, Omar Garcia steals (1) 2nd base, . Omar Garcia advances to 3rd, on a throwing error by catcher Chad Tromp. Jose Cuas grounds out, pitcher Jacob Ehret to first baseman Avain Rachal. Angel Ortega reaches on a fielder's choice out, third baseman Taylor Sparks to catcher Chad Tromp. Omar Garcia out at home. Brandon Diaz strikes out swinging.

Photos from the Brevard County game via Lola Gomez of the Daytona News-Journal: Third baseman Jose Cuas in his Sea Cow debut http://g52-dnweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20160407&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=407009996&Ref=PH&Item=26&NewTbl=1&Maxw=603&MaxH=452&q=90 Also debuting, Blake Allemand eating some dirt... http://g52-dnweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20160407&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=407009996&Ref=PH&Item=16&NewTbl=1&Maxw=603&MaxH=452&q=90 One more High-A debut, second baseman George Iskenderian http://g52-dnweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20160407&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=407009996&Ref=PH&Item=3&NewTbl=1&Maxw=603&MaxH=452&q=90

Final: Colorado Springs 4, Memphis 3 Sky Sox Win Opening Day Thriller Three late runs off Memphis bullpen give Sky Sox 4-3 win to start the season By Aaron Cheris / Colorado Springs Sky Sox Nice rally indeed. I saw a tweet after the Brewers' win Wednesday that it doesn't get better in baseball than a 4-3 win. From a fan perspective, you can understand why - just enough offense, defense and pitching, a perfect entertainment mix... Colorado Springs Box Score Six different Sky Sox drew walks, and their eight hits went to eight players, talk about sharing the love! All ten position players who saw plate appearances reached at least once. Shouldn't Shane Peterson have started in left and Michael Reed in right instead of vice-versa? BASERUNNING SB: Middlebrooks (1, 2nd base off McGuire/Ohlman); Elmore (1, 2nd base off Gonzalez, Ju/Ohlman). CS: Reed, M (1, 2nd base by McGuire/Ohlman). Despite the SB, sorry Will Middlebrooks, but in these non-DH games, Garin Cecchini needs to start at third base. Cecchini's late triple was big (defense tonight, too).. Josmil Pinto the only position player not to see action here. Zach Davies looked just as you all remembered him from last September, just a joy to watch him work. Nice to see David Goforth's strong work, it'd be great to see him dominate for a while before his next big league chance; still think he has a chance to stick the next time he lands in Miller Park. Colorado Springs Game Log Don't be mad, Andy, your team just grabbed the lead! Col. Springs Top of the 9th Matt Williams remains in the game as the left fielder. Pitching Change: Sam Tuivailala replaces Juan Gonzalez, batting 9th. Manny Pina strikes out swinging. Garin Cecchini triples (1) on a line drive to right fielder Carlos Peguero. Eric Young Jr. reaches on a fielder's choice, fielded by second baseman Dean Anna. Garin Cecchini scores. Orlando Arcia walks. Eric Young Jr. to 2nd. Michael Reed flies out to right fielder Carlos Peguero. Andy Wilkins called out on strikes. Memphis Bottom of the 9th Colorado Springs Sky Sox first baseman Andy Wilkins ejected by HP umpire Alex Ortiz.

As also linked in our Timber Rattler feature archive thread -- Rattlers shortstop Diaz has a bright future Tim Froberg, Appleton Post-Crescent

Rattlers shortstop Diaz has a bright future Tim Froberg, Appleton Post-Crescent VIDEO interview is also at the link GRAND CHUTE - Chase Anderson and Aaron Hill will likely be long gone by the time Isan Diaz reaches Miller Park. That won’t be a problem if David Stearns and the Milwaukee Brewers were correct in their initial assessment of the promising middle infielder. Diaz has a challenging path ahead of him, but is expected to eventually find a home in Milwaukee and provide a future return on the Jean Segura trade. Diaz, Anderson and Hill were acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in February for Segura and another former Timber Rattlers pitcher, Tyler Wagner. The deal might have died had Arizona refused to include Diaz in the package, and he’s the only one of the trio considered to be part of the Brewers’ future. The swap already has received a thumbs up from Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson, who is counting on the talented Diaz to fill a prominent role with his 2016 Timber Rattlers. He is the highest-rated Brewers prospect on the Rattlers’ roster, ranked No. 11 by MLB Pipeline. “Looks like a great trade, another talented kid,” said Erickson. “David (Stearns, Milwaukee’s GM) talks about getting those young, talented controllable players and this looks like another one. He had some professional experience last year and was very successful, and you could see those skills on the field in spring training.” Diaz will play shortstop for the Rattlers, but with top prospect Orlando Arcia projected as Milwaukee’s long-term starter at the position, Diaz might be shifted to second base at some point during his professional career. Some consider him to be the Brewers’ second baseman of the future. Diaz would be perfectly OK with a position switch, but that’s down the road. “I’ve always played shortstop,” said Diaz. “My focus right now is to become the perfect shortstop, the best shortstop I can be. Once the time comes where I have to move over — if it ever happens — I’ll pay more attention to that side of the field.” Diaz has a strong all-around skill set, but his bat appears to be the tool that might get him to the majors. A left-handed hitter with exceptional bat speed, Diaz makes hard contact and hits to all fields. He was selected as the MVP of the Pioneer League last season at Missoula, Arizona’s rookie league affiliate, where he hit .360 with 13 home runs and 51 RBI. “He’s got an uncanny knack of finding the barrel (of the bat) consistently and has the ability to spray the ball around the field and he’s shown a little pop,” said Erickson. “He’s not just another defensive gem at shortstop. It looks like he has some offensive possibilities.” Diaz led the Pioneer League in doubles (25) and slugging percentage (.640), while finished second in hits (98). His big 2015 season was a major improvement from 2014 when he hit just .187 with three homers and 21 RBIs in 182 at-bats for the Arizona League Diamondbacks. He has opened the season hitting third in the Timber Rattlers’ lineup. “As a hitter, I just try and stick to my approach,” Diaz said. “I try to go up there thinking that I’m not the one in trouble, the pitcher is. You need to go up there with a mind to attack, and you have to stick with your game plan.” The 5-foot-10, 196-pound Diaz runs well (12 stolen bases last season) and is considered to be solid defensively. He also carries himself with more maturity than one might expect from a 19-year-old. “This season I just want to help this team win,” said Diaz. “I want to be a great teammate and get to understand more of the game and different ways to bounce back from struggles. I know last season was a great season for me, but you have to put that behind you, because it’s a new season. “For me, the key thing this year is to be the best defensive player I can be.” Diaz was born in Puerto Rico, but grew up in Springfield. Massachusetts. He was the 70th overall selection by the Diamondbacks in the 2014 draft, receiving a reported signing bonus of $750,000. Diaz turned down a scholarship offer from Vanderbilt to turn pro. “That was a very tough decision,” Diaz said. “I was looking forward to going to school there since I was a sophomore in high school. But things happened. I’ve always wanted to become a professional player. That’s always been my dream, and here I am.” Diaz has been impressed with his new work environment in Grand Chute and the facilities at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. And he’s fully prepared for the cold April temperatures in Wisconsin. “I’m from Massachusetts, so I’m a little more used to it than some of the other guys,” he said. “I’ve got more cold gear than warm gear, so I’m ready for it. Appleton is a great place to play and this is a beautiful facility. I’m very blessed to be here and look forward to the season.”

The Timber Rattlers' own game summary is now available -- Rattlers drop game to Snappers to start 2016 Beloit takes advantage of early walks for 2-1 win By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers *** Three nice Midwest League debuts for the relievers, including this introduction -- Beloit Bottom of the 3rd Trent Gilbert reaches on a fielding error by second baseman Tucker Neuhaus. Skye Bolt walks. Trent Gilbert to 2nd. Brett Siddall strikes out swinging. Pitching Change: Scott Grist replaces Jake Drossner. Santiago Chavez grounds into a double play, shortstop Isan Diaz to second baseman Tucker Neuhaus to first baseman Alan Sharkey. Skye Bolt out at 2nd.

Shuckers shut down Lookouts in season opener, 4-0 Patrick Magee, Biloxi Sun-Herald PHOTO GALLERY AT LINK as well BILOXI — The first game of the 2016 season went about as well as the Biloxi Shuckers could have expected. Biloxi jumped out to a 3-0 lead after one inning and cruised to a 4-0 victory over the Chattanooga Lookouts on Thursday night before a crowd of 2,542 at MGM Park. Three Shuckers pitchers combined to hold Chattanooga to just three hits while striking out 11 and walking three. Biloxi starting pitcher Josh Hader threw only threw four innings, but he was effective while he lasted. The lefty allowed two hits in four innings, striking out five and walking three. Hader didn’t always have full control, but he had to battle through taking a line drive off his back in the top of the fourth. Biloxi manager Mike Guerrero noted that Hader was probably a little more excited than usual considering he turned 22 Thursday and it was opening day. “I thought Hader had good stuff, but he didn't command the ball the way he's used to,” Guerrero said. “He threw the ball well. “I think he was a little excited out there on opening day. You'll see him. He'll get better.” Biloxi relievers Drew Gagnon and Tristan Archer combined to throw five scoreless innings, allowing just one hit. Gagnon (1-0) picked up the win with one hit allowed in three innings of work. He struck out five and walked none. “I think our bullpen save us,” Guerrero said. “Gagnon did a great job and Archer did a great job. Five scoreless out of the bullpen, that's pretty good.” Shuckers left fielder Kyle Wren put pressure on the Lookouts all night long out of the leadoff spot with a 3-for-4 effort at the plate with two runs scored. He singled in the first. He beat out a grounder to first in the third. He reached on a bunt single in the fifth and took second on a throwing error by Chattanooga second baseman Levi Michael. “It's a nice way to start any time you get three hits in the first game,” Wren said. “After you push through (that first game), you can settle in and relax up there.” Wren spent the first half of the 2015 season in Biloxi before moving up to Triple-A in Colorado Springs. He appeared determined Thursday to make sure his second stint in Biloxi won’t last long. “The Brewers let me know I was going back to Double-A. That is a little bit of motivation,” Wren said. “I'm trying to do the exact same thing I did last year - set the table, get on base, steal bases and play good defense. Hopefully, this is a short stint and I'll be back at Triple-A.” Chattanooga starting pitcher Jason Wheeler had Biloxi’s number in 2015, winning the Southern League Championship Series MVP by leading the Lookouts to a 3-2 series win over Biloxi. The Shuckers got to Wheeler early Thursday, putting up three runs in the first inning. Wren and Nate Orf singled to start the first and Garrett Cooper later brought home the two men with a two-out single to right for the 2-0 lead. Victor Roache pushed across the third run by bringing home Jacob Nottingham from third on a ground-rule double to deep center field. Wheeler settled down to last five innings, but the Shuckers got to him one more time in the fifth on an RBI single to right by Brett Phillips to bring home Wren from third. Wheeler (0-1) allowed three earned runs on four hits while striking out five and walking one in five innings. Orf was the only other Shucker with multiple hits, going 2-for-4 with one run scored. Thursday’s game was the first of a five-game series against the Lookouts. Game two is set for 7:10 p.m. Friday at MGM Park.

Biloxi VIDEO via WLOX -- Hader with the K's, Roache's deep double

Final: Biloxi 4, Chattanooga 0 Shuckers shutout Lookouts in season opener Josh Hader, Drew Gagnon and Tristan Archer combine for three-hit shutout Biloxi Shuckers (See, that wasn't bad, just click and read, right?) Biloxi Box Score 50/50 for Brett Phillips here: SB: Wren (1, 2nd base off Wheeler, J/Turner); Phillips (1, 2nd base off Wimmers/Turner). CS: Phillips (1, 2nd base by Wheeler, J/Turner). Jacob Nottingham drew the Shuckers' only walk. Biloxi Game Log If Nate Orf can play a bit of capable shortstop, his utility belt becomes that much more valuable. Javier Betancourt was a late defensive sub -- Chattanooga Top of the 8th Pitching Change: Tristan Archer replaces Drew Gagnon. Defensive switch from shortstop to second base for Nate Orf. Defensive Substitution: Javier Betancourt replaces second baseman Christopher McFarland, batting 9th, playing shortstop. All five teams in the Shuckers' division are NL teams, and six in the ten-team league overall. But this is a DH series, and Victor Roache drew that straw tonight. 84 pitches (54 strikes) in four innings for Josh Hader. Nice work by RHP Drew Gagnon, who was in the AAA rotation for much of last season, struggling badly. RHP Tristan Archer had a tremendous end to his Brevard County campaign in 2015, allowing only 1 R in his final 25.1 IP (7 multi-inning pen outings). Five of six outs on the ground for Archer in this one (one K). Tyrone Taylor played RF, we've read that Phillips will see "some time" in right as well. LH bats Nick Ramirez and Nick Shaw did not start against the southpaw starter. Betancourt, still just 20 years old until next month, is a RH bat. At-bats could be tough to find for Shaw, but an early-season shuffle to spread the AB's is customary.

Catcher Adam Weisenburger and OF Ben Guez are the two players not on the Colorado Springs' active roster to begin the season. Manny Pina and Josmil Pinto the catchers...

Bummer, off by at least 90 seconds, not going to be an option for AAA road games...

I just tweeted out that @TeesReport (Don Rieber, Jr.) is an excellent follow. He's a journalist we've linked to in the past, and we'll likely be referencing him often in the wake of the demise of the Brevard County broadcast budget.

I'm going to attempt to best synch up the Memphis video feed with the Colorado Springs radio call in two different browsers and hope for the best.

Manatees lose one of their biggest fans, and yes, his name was Lou Gehrig.

AUDIO via WTMJ Wed. evening 4/6: Cubs' broadcaster Len Kasper discusses the rebuild process *** AUDIO via WTMJ: GM David Stearns' regular Thursday AM visit *** AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show Thurs. 4/7: "Matt Thomas of Sportstalk 790 in Houston stops by to preview the weekend series between the Astros and the Brewers. How does Thomas think David Stearns is doing in Milwaukee?"

Mejia and Rubio will travel and train with the Rattlers.

You can find the now-closed 2015-2016 Minor League Offseason Transaction Thread here. *** Based on MiLB transaction pages, we have learned of some of the players designated (for now) as "taxi squad" players on a couple of the affiliates. These moves were necessary to reach 25-man roster limits. It's unclear whether these players are remaining with their clubs or are back in Maryvale at extended spring training. We'll work on finding that out for you. For Biloxi, catcher Parker Berberet has been assigned to the Maryvale roster. LHP Jed Bradley has been placed on the Helena roster. For Wisconsin, LHP Christian Trent, C Natanael Mejia, and OF Elvis Rubio have been placed on the Helena roster. *** The Sky Sox (two players need to be removed) and Manatees (one player) have not posted official moves. However, LHP Zach Hirsch is not listed on the Manatees' site roster now, so his status is pending. Without Hirsch, the Brevard roster is at 25.

Today's Manatee starting pitcher is RHP Brandon Woodruff, info now reflected in the "Daily Menu" above. The rest of the Brevard rotation yet to be formally announced.

Shuckers host Lookouts as 2016 campaign begins by Patrick Magee, Biloxi Sun-Herald Minor league baseball's road warriors of 2015 begin the new campaign at home Thursday night. Following a pair of exhibition games at MGM Park, the Biloxi Shuckers begin the 2016 regular season with a 6:40 p.m. home game against the Chattanooga Lookouts. After spending the first 54 games of the 2015 season on the road due to delays in the construction of MGM Park, the Shuckers begin this year with a seven-game home stand. Last year's squad developed a strong bond through their shared experience on the road and the light mood in the clubhouse this week seems to indicate this year will provide much of the same. "I think it's a pretty good group," first-year Biloxi manager Mike Guerrero said. "Part of what we're looking for as an organization, chemistry is a big part. We have pretty good talent, pretty good guys. I think we're looking forward to playing our hearts out on the field." The five-game series with Chattanooga serves as a rematch of last season's Southern League Championship Series that ended in a 3-2 series win for the Lookouts. Much like the Shuckers, many of the most talented Lookouts of 2015 have moved up the chain in the Minnesota Twins' system. Doug Mientkiewicz, a former Twins first baseman, is back as the manager for Chattanooga, but he no longer has 2015 Southern League MVP Max Kepler in his lineup or several other top prospects who have been promoted. The Shuckers no longer have the talented pitching duo of Jorge Lopez and Tyler Wagner or the gifted bats of Orlando Arcia or Michael Reed. There will, however, be several familiar faces in the lineup when Biloxi starts the 2016 season. Nathan Orf, a fan favorite who shifted to a variety of positions last season, will again be on the infield this year after batting .274 in 2015. While there are changes on the roster, Orf sees a similar team makeup compared to last year's squad. "I think it's kind of similar to last year as in we have older guys with experience and young energy guys like (shortstop Javier Betancourt). He's a high energy guy, great player," Orf said. "We have kind of a good mix of everything. It's an exciting time to see what we have." Five of the seven infielders listed on the Biloxi roster spent significant time with the Shuckers last season. The only new names are second baseman Chris McFarland, who was at Single-A last season, and Betancourt, who was acquired from the Detroit Tigers in November. All four of the Shuckers' outfielders had healthy stints in Biloxi last year -- Brett Phillips, Victor Roache, Tyrone Taylor and Kyle Wren. The newest star in the Biloxi lineup is catcher Jacob Nottingham, a power-hitting catcher acquired in a February trade with the Oakland Athletics. Corner infielder Garrett Cooper, first baseman Nick Ramirez, Nottingham, Phillips and Roache should provide plenty of the long ball for fans at MGM Park this season. The five combined for 73 homers total last year and Nottingham, Cooper and Roache could see their power numbers take another step forward this season. Left-hander Josh Hader will get the start for the Shuckers Thursday and Chattanooga will counter with a lefty of its own, Jason Wheeler -- the SLCS MVP last year. Hader finished the 2015 season in Biloxi with a 1-4 record and 2.79 ERA in seven starts. Wheeler was 4-3 with a 3.92 ERA in 10 starts for Chattanooga last season. Right-hander Javi Salas will start for Biloxi Friday and righty Adrian Houser will make the first pitch Saturday. "We've got really good pitching, guys that throw strikes and know how to pitch," Hader said. "It's definitely looking good from the pitching standpoint."

Getting the first and only error of the season (yeah, right ) out of the way early!

Come on board! If you'd like to be a Link Report contributor, feel free to drop me a note via this Brewerfan Forum private message link. In particular, we're seeking "part-time" contributors who can job-share when others need much-deserved time off. At most, you'd be responsible for linking to a single box score / game log / game summary for the night, and (hopefully) pointing out any specifics of interest in the box that the summary may have overlooked. NOTE: We have made the decision that for game summaries this season, we will be linking directly to the affiliate website (as we always did), but not simultaneously copying and pasting here, which was one of the more tedious aspects of Link Reporting in the past. Next-morning newspaper reports will often be treated similarly, as well as any blog posts we come across. Thanks.

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