Jim Goulart

From Wednesday of this week -- Dodgers release Drillers saves leader Jeremy Horst Barry Lewis, Tulsa World Sports Writer In a season filled with surprising roster moves for the Tulsa Drillers, there was another Wednesday as saves leader and Texas League all-star lefty Jeremy Horst (career stats, major and minor) was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Horst, 29, had a 1.64 ERA and nine saves in 32 appearances for Tulsa. He had a 3.33 ERA in 72 relief outings in the majors from 2011-13. Considering his performance and experience, it was stunning he never was promoted from Tulsa. Horst was a team leader with the Drillers and had organized a team outing the previous day. It shouldn't take very long for Horst to hook on with another organization. For example, St. Louis would have been better off with Horst, who has better stuff than lefty Nick Greenwood, who gave up a walkoff homer on Saturday at Pittsburgh. To replace Horst, the Dodgers are sending Tulsa another reliever with major league experience, hard-throwing Juan Jaime. *** The reason we post this is that Devan Fink, one of the new breed of teenage transaction news gatherers, tweets "Source: #Brewers agree to sign LHP Jeremy Horst on a minor league deal. Will likely sign Monday and report to Triple-A Colorado Springs." Follow-up tweet: Horst's deal with #Brewers is pending a physical. CBS Sports picked up and ran with the report. Horst most recently pitched in the big leagues (not particularly well) with the Phillies in 2013, as his linked stat page above indicates. He was stellar during a 32-game run with Philadelphia in 2012, however.

As per Chris Mehring, 6th round RHP Eric Hanhold makes his Timber Rattlers debut tonight as the tandem for Devin Williams. Hanhold gave up one run in two innings in his only pro appearance thus far, while with Maryvale.

Former Neshoba Central, Ole Miss pitcher reaches Majors By Reed DeSalvo, themeridianstar.com (Mississippi) David Goforth trotted in from the bullpen at Miller Park May 26 to make his major league debut for the Milwaukee Brewers against the 2014 World Series champion San Francisco Giants. He stood atop the same mound countless stars had stood before, including World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner earlier that game, and stared in for the sign. He made it. His dream had come true. The mound at Miller Park is a far cry from the parks in Philadelphia, MS where Goforth played as a kid and dreamed of one day donning a big league uniform and playing in a big league park. “That was a special moment for me and my family,” Goforth said. “That’s something I always dreamed about since I was a little kid. I’ve always wanted to play in the big leagues and be a professional baseball player.” Goforth starred in the high school ranks as a four-year letterman for coach Brian Jones at Neshoba Central. The former Rocket then spent three years at Ole Miss from 2009-2011 before being drafted in the seventh round of the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft with the No. 221 pick overall. The 26-year-old right-handed hurler has since has been reassigned to the Brewers Triple-A affiliate, the Colorado Sky Sox of the Pacific Coast League, where he has accrued a 2.65 earned-run average to go along with 26 strikeouts in 34 innings in what historically is a hitter-friendly league. "I set a goal coming into the year to be consistent," said Goforth, who is in his fifth professional season. "I wanted the (organization) to know what they were going to get every time I went out there. I fee like over the past couple of years I lacked consistency. Luckily, this year, I've been able to be a lot more consistent, and the way I've been throwing the ball has been tremendously better." It's that consistency that helped propel Goforth to the big-league level in addition to him being named a PCL All-Star in Wednesday's Triple-A All-Star Game. "It was fun," Goforth said. "I enjoyed it and being around all the different guys from different teams. We're playing baseball, but it's an all-star game, and everyone is out there just having fun, and it was a good couple of days." Goforth was in Las Vegas with the Sky Sox when he first learned of his call-up from an unlikely source. "I actually saw it on Twitter before I got a phone call or anything," Goforth explained. "I see the tweet on my phone, and I showed my roommate (Tim Dillard), and honestly, I think he was more excited; it was more shock for me." But what ensued next was a time of celebration for Goforth, his family and friends. "(My family) is the reason that I am able to do what I'm doing," Goforth said. "Without my family — my grandparents, my aunt, my mom and dad — I even called a few coaches — Coach Jones — without these people, I wouldn't be where I am today." Goforth tossed 2/3 scoreless inning that May day in Milwaukee, picking Nori Aoki off at second base with an inside move, and inducing a harmless flyball to left field off the bat of three-time All-Star Hunter Pence. Goforth made three more appearances for the Brewers, logging a total of 2 1/3 shutout innings, while allowing one hit, a walk and a strikeout. "I never had the inside move work ever, at any level," Goforth said with a laugh. "Most of the time, it's just a move to get the runner closer to the base. It's just one of those things that never works. “Big league baseball is amazing, and I enjoyed every second of it. There is nothing else like it out there. You get that taste when you get called up, and you see what everything is about, and that definitely makes you want to get back there.”

I was trying to tell myself if the Manatees' could only get hot, because Clearwater is leading the second half after also winning the first, but overall record determines the playoff spot if the Threshers do hang on for a dual win. Maryvale's first-half elimination number is down to three. Helena's only two out with an elimination number of 10, so go H-Crew! Thank you, Biloxi, for that first half...

ARTICLE: Catch up with the Sky Sox' Pete Orr as the Canadians are on to the Pan-Am semifinals. Today it'll be Canada vs. Puerto Rico and the U.S. vs. Cuba, with the winners meeting for the championship Sunday. Former Brewer farmhands Brock Kjeldgaard, Rene Tosoni, and Chris Leroux all on the Canuck squad. Brock has been red-hot...

16th round RHP Conor Harber (University of Oregon) has been formally assigned to the Helena roster and should make his pro debut with the H-Crew sometime this week.

Saturday's Farmhand Birthday's -- DSL catcher Sandy Martinez is 23. Fellow DSL'er, OF/IF Yerison Pena and his 1.096 OPS turns 24. How about a flight to Brevard for his birthday? There's an open roster spot there...

VIDEO: Oh my, check out Biloxi's Michael Reed on this throw from center field (great play, catcher Adam Weisenburger, too). Reed played CF with Tyrone Taylor in right Friday night; Reed has been in CF four times thus far in 2015 (70 games in RF).

Biloxi's Orlando Arcia rips an RBI single in the Shuckers' 6-5 Friday night loss to Chattanooga

Jason Rogers hits a grand slam in Colorado Springs' 8-2 Friday night win at New Orleans -- killed it!

More via Miller Park Prospects -- Photo Gallery: Timber Rattlers 7/17/15 - Brad Krause's photos appreciated here once again *** Farm Progress Report: 7/17/2015 - Marcus Young's look at who's hot

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 -- Biloxi Media Notes - Linked on the Shuck Dynasty blog Brevard County Media Notes - It's a unique link each day, but look for it under the "Multimedia" banner on the Manatees' site. 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 de Macoris *** Sortable individual stat pages: Colorado Springs Biloxi Brevard County Wisconsin Helena Maryvale DSL Brewers *** Weather.com: New Orleans, LA Biloxi, MS Viera, FL Geneva, IL Helena, MT Peoria, AZ

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

Saturday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Colorado Springs: RHP Hiram Burgos at New Orleans (Marlins), 5:30 PM pre-game, 6:00 gametime Free Live Audio Link We welcome Dan Karcher, who is the longtime play-by-play voice of the Sky Sox; follow him on Twitter @SkySoxKarch 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 Tyler Wagner at home vs. Chattanooga (Twins), 6:55 PM pre-game, 7:10 gametime Free Live Audio Link We also welcome Chris Harris as the very first play-by-play voice of the Shuckers! Follow Chris on Twitter @CHarris731. We'll be linking to his fantastic "Shuck Dynasty" blog. 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 Javier Salas at home vs. Fort Myers (Twins), 5:05 PM pre-game, 5:35 gametime Free Live Audio Link Dave Walkovic returns as the play-by-play voice of the 'Tees; follow the Brevard broadcast booth staff on Twitter @BCManateesRadio, as all home games and the "commuter" road games are scheduled to be broadcast in 2015. No Florida State League games are available via MiLB.TV. ********** Wisconsin: RHP Devin Williams at Kane County (Diamondbacks), 6:10 PM pre-game, 6:30 gametime Free Live Audio Link - WNAM 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. NOTE: Forty-two (!) of the Rattlers' 70 home games will be broadcast on TV this season. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel (9) and WACY-TV My NEW32 (34) 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. So, for the $49.95 season-long package, fans in Brewer Nation can watch all Sky Sox games, most Shuckers games, and all Timber Rattlers home games and some road games. NOTE: This series at Kane County is available via MiLB.TV (Cougars' feed). *** Helena: RHP Milton Gomez at home vs. Orem (Angels), 6:10 PM pre-game, 6:30 gametime Free Live Audio Link We welcome back and again look forward to hearing second-year Voice of the H-Crew Dustin Daniel (@dustin__daniel on Twitter). MiLB.TV -- When the H-Crew makes their way to Idaho Falls in August, those games will be available to watch online. *** Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at the Mariners' complex in Peoria, 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league *** DSL Brewers: Idle; the Dominican Summer League All-Star Game is Sunday. Three Brewers are taking part, learn about them at this Miller Park Prospects link

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

Final: Helena 5, Grand Junction 1 Brewers Pitching Shuts Down Rockies Helena Brewers The Helena Brewers (13-14) won their rubber match 5-1 over the Grand Junction Rockies (15-14) on Friday at Kindrick Field in Helena. Jake Drossner, Marcos Diplan (2-0) and Junior Rincon combined for the best pitching performance of the season for the Brewers, throwing two-hit baseball while striking out a season-high 12 batters. Helena took the first lead with a run in the second. Jake Gatewood walked to lead off the inning and scored when Jose Cuas doubled off Mike Nikorak. Nikorak, a first-round selection for Colorado this year, made his pro debut Friday. He gave up one run in 2 2/3 innings in the start. Sam Hilliard hit a solo homer for the Rockies in the fourth to tie the game up, but it would be the only run they were able to plate in the game. It was also the only hit Drossner allowed in his four innings. The Brewers ran away with it when they scored three runs in the eighth to solidify a 5-1 advantage. Gatewood hit a two-run home run off Dakota Behr to highlight the frame. The Brewers will now face the Orem Owlz in a four-game series starting Saturday at Kindrick Field. First pitch is set for 5:30 PM (6:30 Central). *** VIDEO via KTVH: Game highlights *** Seventh-inning double steal sparks Brewers to win Ryan Collingwood, Helena Independent Record PHOTO GALLERY: Nine images via Gary Marshall, Blackfoot Media Group at the article link Assertive base running has been Helena Brewers manager Tony Diggs' hallmark since the fledgling stages of the 48-year-old's career. His club's Pioneer League-leading 68 steals attests to that fact. So when the third-year skipper saw runners on the corners Friday night in the seventh inning against the Grand Junction Rockies, it was more apropos than bold to signal for the double theft. With two outs, Rockies catcher Chris Rabago took the bait when the Brewers' fleet-footed Troy Stokes bolted for second. Stokes was caught in a brief pickle but, meanwhile, 6-foot-3, 250-pound David Denson booked it down the third-base line and beat the throw to home to give Helena a one-run cushion. From there, the Brewers, whose bats were stagnant in a game where hits came at a premium for both teams, knocked the cover off the ball in a 5-1 win at Kindrick Legion Field to the take seven-game season series from the Rockies (15-14). Jake Gatewood's two-run homer in the eighth followed by a Jose Cuas sacrifice fly padded the lead for the Brewers, who picked up five of their nine hits in the late frames. Helena starter Jake Drossner and relievers Marcos Diplan and Junior Rincon combined to give up just two hits. Diplan (2-0) earned the win, giving up just one hit in four innings and striking out six. It was the double steal, though, that ultimately turned the tide for the Brewers, who've now won 10 of their last 16 games. "In that situation right there, you're in a ballgame where pitchers on both sides are doing a pretty good job, so you want to put a little pressure on the defense," Diggs said. "Denson should have broke a little earlier, but (the Rockies) kind of helped us out with a later throw. It was a product of the game. It was a 1-1 ballgame." Stokes thought the dual steal came at an opportune time. "The idea was to catch them sleeping," he said. "When I went late, their catcher was surprised and he just slung it down to second, which allowed Denson to score. They weren't prepared." Diggs believed the one-run cushion in the pitching-ruled game loosened up his charges in their final at-bat in the eighth. "It was one of those things where you can tell they were relaxed a little bit. And look at the next inning -- they decided to go swing the bats well," Diggs said. The Rockies' first two pitchers, first-round pick Mike Nikorak, the starter, and reliever Chad Zurat gave up just two runs on six hits in 7 2/3 innings. The Brewers' offense feasted on Dakota Behr in the eighth, though, scoring three runs on three timely hits. "We've been playing with a lot of confidence. We've been swinging the bats well, and pitching well," Stokes said. "We've just been trying to stay focused and do all the right things. " Denson, the reigning Pioneer League Player of the Week, went 3 for 4 at the plate to lead the Brewers, who play host to the Orem Owlz at 5:30 PM Saturday (6:30 Central) at Kindrick Legion Field. TRANSACTIONS: The Helena Brewers called up a familiar face from the Arizona League in catcher Dustin Houle. Houle, who made the flight from Phoenix early Friday before crouching behind the plate all evening as a starter with his new team, was a member of the 2013 Brewers squad that won the Pioneer League North and advanced to the league championship series. An injury and 19 months of rehab stalled his career. Houle, 21, is a 2011 eighth-round draft pick out of Canada ... Brewers pitcher David Carver was called up to the Single-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers after going 1-0 with a 5.91 ERA, striking out 12 batters in 21 innings. Carver was a 35th-round pick in the 2014 draft out of Lamar University ... After playing in just seven Pioneer League games, reserve catcher Kevin Martinez was sent to the Arizona League, going 0 for 17 at the plate. Helena Box Score No offense to LHP Jake Drossner and RHP Junior Rincon, but what a pretty line for RHP Marcos Diplan - 4 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 6 K, 2 WP. Helena Game Log Weather: 68 degrees, overcast. Figured it was 108 in Arizona, but no, only 98 Friday night. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n4KTP5Vlf4

AUDIO: Interview with Helena's Christian Trent, 24th Round LHP out of Ole Miss

Final: Colorado Springs 8, New Orleans 2 Rogers Slams Sky Sox Past Zephyrs 8-2 Jason Rogers extends hitting streak to 15 games with 3-for-5 night including a Grand Slam home run By Nick Dobreff / Colorado Springs Sky Sox http://www.milb.com/assets/images/6/0/8/136983608/cuts/04_12_103_pk_fpww5lp4_pn553ugb.jpg Jason Rogers hit a Grand Slam home run and finished 3-for-5 in the Sky Sox 8-2 win over New Orleans on Friday. (File Photo from prior game by Paat Kelly) Jason Rogers continued his hot hitting ways Friday as the Colorado Springs Sky Sox defeated the New Orleans Zephyrs 8-2 in front of 6,765 fans at Zephyr Field. Rogers, who hit a pair of home runs against New Orleans on Thursday, finished 3-for-5 with a grand slam as the Sky Sox extended their winning streak to three games. The slam came in the fourth inning against reliever Travis Blackley and extended the Sky Sox lead to 7-0. The Sky Sox took an early 3-0 lead in the second inning against starter Jarred Cosart (0-1, 6.06) on an RBI double by Juan Centeno and a two-run single by Elian Herrera. Herrera finished 2-for-4 with a run scored in the game. Starter Josh Roenicke (5-7, 5.26) picked up the win scattering five hits and striking out three over 5.0 scoreless innings pitched. Rogers, who's played in 15 games for the Sky Sox this season and 51 with the Milwaukee Brewers, has at least one hit in all 15 games he's played for the Sky Sox and is hitting .400 overall. The grand slam was the seventh for a Sky Sox batter against the New Orleans Zephyrs but only the second time at Zephyr Field in Metairie, LA. The only other time a Sky Sox player has hit a grand slam against the Zephyrs on the road was on April 8th, 2000 in the 11th inning by Phil Hiatt off Zephyrs pitcher Rick Huisman. It was the only extra-inning grand slam homer on the road in team history as the Sky Sox beat New Orleans, 10-6 in 11 innings. With the win, the Sky Sox improved to 36-54 while the Zephyrs fell to 42-50. The Sky Sox will look to clinch a series victory Saturday night as RHP Hiram Burgos (1-1, 4.28) takes the hill against LHP Adam Conley (8-2, 2.33). First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 PM MDT (6:00 Central). *** Via the New Orleans Advocate -- Colorado Springs took charge with a three-run second inning, highlighted by catcher Juan Centeno’s double to left field, and first baseman Jason Rogers hit a grand slam in the fourth on Friday night at Zephyr Field. The loss was the sixth in seven games for New Orleans (42-50). Colorado Springs (36-54), which has the Pacific Coast League’s second-worst record, has won the first two games of the series and three games in a row overall. “When it rains, it pours,” Zephyrs manager Andy Haines said. “When starter (Jarred Cosart) goes an inning-and-a-third, it puts your team in a tough spot. … (Reliever) Travis Blackley got backed into a corner by the hottest hitter on the planet.” Rogers hit two homers in the series opener, Thursday’s 5-2 win. He is on a 10-game hitting streak since coming from the parent Milwaukee Brewers and came into the game hitting .382 in the previous nine. Cosart exits early Cosart left the game in the top of the second inning after throwing just 30 pitches. Sweating profusely, he had problems standing up and was assisted from the field by Haines and trainer Chris Olson. Cosart has battled vertigo, a condition in which the afflicted experiences dizziness. “We thought he was over it, but if flared up again,” Haines said. “It’s unfortunate for Cosart. The most important thing is him and his health. I think we’re going to re-evaluate it and see if we can prevent it from happening.” Cosart, who the Marlins obtained in a multi-player trade with Houston last season, was in Miami’s rotation when the season began but went 1-3 with a 4.08 earned-run average. On May 19, he was placed on the disabled list with vertigo. He appeared in games on June 11 (Omaha, two runs on nine hits, 5.2 innings) and June 16 (at Round Rock, four runs, seven hits, in 5.1) before being sent down to Double-A Jacksonville. He gave up one run on three hits at Charlotte on June 21. He returned to the Marlins on July 4 but was sent to the Z’s on July 8 and pitched four innings at Round Rock on July 10, allowing two runs on three hits in four innings. Clark looks to get hot By Matt Clark’s admission, it’s been “an up and down season.” Clark, who played at LSU in 2007 and ’08, is in his eighth pro season since being drafted in the 12th round by the San Diego Padres. Heading into Friday’s game, he was batting .262 (79-for-302) with 12 home runs, 16 doubles, 42 RBIs and 27 walks. “It’s been hard to be consistent,” said Clark, who has played first base and left field with the Sky Sox. “I’ve had back and forearm injuries that have been bothering me.” Not to mention The Shift. A left-handed pull hitter with power, Clark increasingly has gone against defensive alignments shifted heavily to right field. He usually sees the second baseman in right field, the shortstop shifted over to second base and the third baseman at shortstop. “Sometimes I lay down a bunt” down the third-base line, he said. “It’s a hit. But I’m not going to change too much. I figure if I hit it over the fence, there’s nothing they can do.” Colorado Springs Box Score OF Kyle Wren has not started either of the first two games post-All Star Break, has come off the bench... Colorado Springs Game Log David Goforth helps out Tim Dillard here -- New Orleans Bottom of the 7th Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Isaac Galloway replaces Lay Batista. Isaac Galloway grounds out, pitcher Tim Dillard to first baseman Jason Rogers. Reid Brignac strikes out swinging. Vinny Rottino singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Logan Schafer. Kila Ka'aihue hit by pitch. Vinny Rottino to 2nd. Marcell Ozuna singles on a line drive to center fielder Logan Schafer. Vinny Rottino scores. Kila Ka'aihue to 2nd. Pitching Change: David Goforth replaces Tim Dillard, batting 1st. Brady Shoemaker flies out sharply to right fielder Matt Long.

Final: AZL White Sox 8, AZL Brewers 0 Maryvale Box Score LF Nicolas Pierre was 0-for-4 atop the lineup in his first action since the 11th; RF Yerald Martinez drew the A-Crew's only walk - it was the 19-year-old's first action since the 9th... Demi Orimoloye, DH'ing here, continues to excite, 1-for-3 with two stolen bases, now 8-for-9 in SB attempts in just 12 games - God help the middle infielders placing the tag on the charging 6'4", 225 lb. 18-year-old. Maryvale Game Log 17-year-old starting RHP Gentry Fortuno allowed only one unearned runs in four innings (4 H, 1 BB, 0 K). Posted after the June 12th game -- Oh my. Baits faced four batters -- AZL White Sox Bottom of the 8th Pitching Change: Connor Baits replaces Jose Flores. Jacob Cooper walks. With Felix Mercedes batting, wild pitch by Connor Baits, Jacob Cooper to 2nd. Felix Mercedes hit by pitch. With Jake Fincher batting, wild pitch by Connor Baits, Jacob Cooper to 3rd. Felix Mercedes to 2nd. With Jake Fincher batting, wild pitch by Connor Baits, Jacob Cooper scores. Felix Mercedes to 3rd. Jake Fincher walks. Wild pitch by pitcher Connor Baits. Felix Mercedes scores. With Jordan Yallen batting, wild pitch by Connor Baits, Jake Fincher to 2nd. With Jordan Yallen batting, wild pitch by Connor Baits, Jake Fincher to 3rd. Jordan Yallen walks. Pitching Change: Evan Parker replaces Connor Baits. Tyler Sullivan out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Nicolas Pierre. Jake Fincher scores. Jordan Yallen to 2nd. Bradley Strong triples (4) on a ground ball to right fielder Yerald Martinez. Jordan Yallen scores. Cody Daily called out on strikes. Corey Zangari grounds out, second baseman Daniel Leonardo to first baseman Tyrone Perry. Catcher Beau Wallace was the catcher who got the workout (six wild pitches, if you lost count). This is not making light of things, but how did Baits' bullpen session go? Would you want your young valuable batters facing him right now? Yikes. RHP David Lucroy was roughed up a bit prior to Baits' arrival.

AUDIO: Starting pitcher Wei-Chung Wang joins the Manatees Radio Network

*** "Web gem by Sharkey ends it!"

PHOTO GALLERY: 17 images from the Sun-Herald's Tim Isbell

Baseball America's Matt Eddy reported that the Brewers have released 24-year-old 2009 2nd round pick catcher Cameron Garfield. Garfield, as we had mentioned earlier this week, was scheduled to become a minor league free agent at season's end, despite never reaching AA (.609 career OPS in 259 games with Brevard County). Nothing has been indicated on MiLB.com yet, and the Manatees staff is always on top of reporting and processing those transactions when they become official.

Wichita State pitcher Willie Schwanke turns down Brewers By Paul Suellentrop, The Wichita Eagle Wichita State pitcher Willie Schwanke will return to school for another baseball season. The Milwaukee Brewers, who drafted Schwanke in the 22nd round, made a unsuccessful offer on Friday. Schwanke set his request for a signing bonus at $300,000 and didn’t budge. He discussed the offer with his parents and decided to stay with the Shockers. Amateur players had until 4 p.m. Friday to sign with a professional team. “They came somewhat close,” he said. “It was definitely something we had to sit down and talk about. We made a family decision that it was a better decision to come back.” His return is a significant boost to WSU’s pitching for next season. Schwanke took over the role of No. 1 starter when a shoulder injury sidelined Sam Tewes and pitched well in wins over Cal Santa Barbara and Southern Illinois. But he tore his lat muscle on March 20 against SIU and didn’t pitch again. In seven appearances, he compiled a 3.00 ERA with 25 strikeouts and 11 walks. If healthy, Schwanke and Tewes offer the potential of a strong weekend combo and returner Chase Williams, drafted in the 25th round by San Diego, gives WSU a third starter with experience. Schwanke is expected to receive a redshirt year, preserving his draft leverage for next June. He is, by turning down Milwaukee, betting that a strong 2016 season can put him in better position for the draft. He is not playing this summer, instead focusing on recovering from the back injury and patiently increasing his throwing. “I'll be full-bore ready to go by the fall,” he said. “I'm amping up my rehab right now … building up my pitch count.”