Jim Goulart

High draft picks dot Brewers' roster on Opening Day Ryan Collingwood, Helena Independent Record It's taken just two years for Helena Brewers manager Tony Diggs to experience both sides of the Pioneer League gamut. As the club's first-year boss in 2013, the Brewers captured a North Division title and advanced to the Pioneer League championship series. In 2014, however, Helena finished in the league cellar, it's sixth sub-500 season in 10 years. Player development is the foremost priority at this level. Wins are secondary. With two years of rookie grooming under his belt, though, Diggs is hoping for more of both this summer. "Being able to identify what we see in players and being able to enhance that by trying to bring it out in them," said Diggs in reference to what he's learned since taking the reins. "Hopefully, those first two years have paid off for me." On paper, the Brewers boast an inordinate amount of rookie-league talent and experience. An Opening Day roster dotted with high picks from the 2014 and 2015 MLB Drafts, Diggs is aware of their pedigree. The type of talent that capable of swiftly ascending in the organization. From first-round pick and shortstop Jake Gatewood and second-round outfielder Monte Harrison from the 2014 class to second-rounder Cody Ponce (RHP, Cal Poly Pamona) and fifth-rounder Blake Allemand (2B, Texas A&M) from the 2015 draft, the Brewers boast some headliners. "We do have some higher picks here, so is the expectation a little higher? Yes, and we have no problem with that. But we expect every guy out here to get better throughout the year," said Diggs, who has three of the Brewers' top five picks from the 2014 draft. Gatewood, who agreed to a $1.83 million signing bonus out of Clovis High (Calif.) after being the 41st overall pick last June, will be looked at to pace the Brewers after batting just .214 for the Single A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers this spring. The 19-year-old Gatewood, who committed to USC before signing his pro contract, is ready to embrace the leadership role. "(Diggs) is going to expect a lot and probably expect me to be the leader on this team," Gatewood said. "He's going to expect me to come out and play as hard as I can every game, so that' s something I plan on doing." Like Gatewood, Harrison was sent down from Wisconsin after batting .148 in 40 games for the Timber Rattlers. Right-handed pitcher Milton Gomez was also sent down from Wisconsin. "It's a fresh start. We just want them in a position to be successful and understand that consistency starts with them working hard and going from there," Diggs said of the players demoted to Helena. "I think some of them have an outstanding chance of playing in the big leagues for a long time, it's just a matter of learning how to be consistent with that what they do." The 2015 Brewers currently have 11 players from the 2014 draft, most of whom garnered experience in last summer's Arizona League, five from the 2015 draft and a handful of non-drafted free agents. Outfielder Troy Stokes (Calvert Hall High School) was a fourth-round pick in 2014 who batted .262 with 19 stolen bases in the Arizona League last summer. As far 2015 newcomers go, Ponce, who was drafted just a week ago, is tops. The 6-foot-6, 235-pound hurler was the Brewers' third pick and 55th overall after recording a senior season at Cal Poly Pomona that included a 1.44 ERA with 67 strikeouts and 14 walks in 13 starts. Nate Griep, a 6-foot-2 right-handed pitcher out of Kansas State, is another notable arm who came from the eighth round of last week's draft. Of the Brewers' 12 pitchers, only two are southpaws. "Just coming from Arizona where it was 106 to (Helena) where it's about 80 is a lot better," Griep said. "It's been a good two days (of practice) and I'm excited. I'm cited for the season to get started" Several pitchers return from last year's Helena squad, including David Carver, Donnie Hissa, J.B. Kole and Junior Rincon. Behind the plate the Brewers have just two catchers in Venezuelan Kevin Martinez from the Brewers' Dominican Summer League and Netherlands product Milan Post, who prepped in the Arizona League last summer.

Final: Oklahoma City 4, Colorado Springs 3, 11 innings Sox and Dodgers Make Up For Lost Time In Tough Loss Diaz and Schafer Collect Three Hits Each as Colorado Springs Falls to OKC in 11 By Ed Pearsall / Colorado Springs Sky Sox http://www.milb.com/assets/images/6/5/8/131278658/cuts/06_02_062_pk_snzedldm_zvhyyeb6.jpg Robinzon Diaz collected three hits and scored two runs in the Sox 4-3, 11-inning loss on Wednesday. (Photo by Paat Kelly) COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - On the heels of consecutive rain-shortened games, the Sky Sox and Oklahoma City Dodgers did their best to make up for lost innings in Colorado Springs's 11-inning, 4-3 loss in the series finale before a crowd of 3,694 at Security Service Field on Wednesday afternoon. Continuing another recent trend, the Sky Sox offense struck for the game's first run in the bottom of the second against OKC starter Ian Thomas. It was the third straight game that the Sox scored a run in the second to take an early lead. Robinzon Diaz and Logan Schafer got the Sox going with back-to-back one-out singles that put runners on the corners for the consistently productive Yadiel Rivera. The shortstop would reach first safely on a fielder's choice throwing error by Thomas, allowing Diaz to scoot home from third with ease. The Dodgers lefty would work out of further trouble to end the second with his team trailing by one. Thomas settled down and would allow just two more base runners over his final four innings of work, finishing his day with six innings of one-run ball under his belt. Sox starter Drew Gagnon was nearly as impressive in his turn on the mound, allowing just two runs on eight hits and a walk over six innings of work while striking out three. The right-hander cruised through three before stumbling slightly in the top of the fourth. Gagnon gave up his only two runs and the Sox lead in the frame thanks to a leadoff double by top prospect Corey Seager followed by one-out RBIs on an Austin Barnes triple and Scott Schebler single. Oklahoma City held the 2-1 lead until the home seventh when Colorado Springs broke out for a two spot of their own against Dodgers reliever Daniel Coulombe. Rivera once again came through for the Sox, plating Diaz from third on a fielder's choice groundout to knot the game at two. Donnie Murphy followed with a productive groundout, allowing Rivera to advance 90 feet and give Matt Long a chance at taking the lead for the home side. Long delivered an RBI single to score Rivera and regain the Sky Sox one-run lead at 3-2. Rob Wooten came on in the eighth for reliever David Goforth who tossed a scoreless seventh to keep the Sox in the ballgame. Wooten was not welcomed kindly as a Rivera error allowed leadoff man Hector Olivera to reach base before Seager's second double of the game drove in the Cuban import to tie the contest for the third time. The righty would work out of the seventh allowing just the one unearned run but the damage had been done. The Dodgers sent two more left-handers to the bump over the next 3.1 innings, making it four consecutive used on the day by OKC manager Damon Berryhill. Ryan Buchter and David Huff (3-0, 2.08) combined to keep the Sox offense off the board through the critical 8th, 9th and 10th innings, leaving their own offense the opportunity to steal an extra-inning win. Jaye Chapman and Michael Kirkman teamed up to shutout OKC over the ninth and tenth innings with each collecting two strikeouts in their lone frames. Wirfin Obispo (0-1, 5.40) was the sixth and final pitcher used by Sox manager Rick Sweet and despite his best efforts; the journeyman reliever could not keep the Dodgers from taking the late lead. The righty walked the 11th inning leadoff man in Brian Burgamy before collecting three straight outs to end the inning. Unfortunately for Obispo, Burgamy would make it all the way to third with just one out on a sac bunt by Luis Mateo and a wild pitch before pinch-hitter O'Koyea Dickson drove his fellow outfielder home on a sacrifice fly to left field. Obispo struck out leadoff hitter Darnell Sweeney to end the inning in the following at-bat but not before Oklahoma City scored what would be the game-winner. Colorado Springs posed its greatest late-inning threat in the home 11th as a Diaz double and Schafer walk set up the Sox with a chance to send fans home happy after a long day at the ballpark. Rivera followed with a one-out groundout, advancing both runners into scoring position with two away and Pete Orr coming to the plate. In the most pivotal moment of the day, Orr lined a ball that looked to be ticketed for centerfield before it deflected off the leg of Dodgers closer Juan Gonzalez into the glove of Seager at shortstop. The hustling Orr would be thrown out by a few steps to end the ballgame on a play that simply didn't go the Sox way. Gonzalez earned his second save of the season to secure the Dodgers' 4-3, series-clinching win. Colorado Springs collected nine hits, six of which came from three-hit games by Diaz and Schafer. The Sox fall to 26-38 with the difficult loss as the division-leading Dodgers improve to 43-22. The Sky Sox will look to get back in the win column on Thursday night as they welcome the New Orleans Zephyrs to town for the first of a four-game set. Tyler Cravy (7-4, 3.36) leads the charge against Zephyrs lefty Adam Conley (5-2, 2.77) with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM MDT (8:05 Central) at Security Service Field. Colorado Springs Box Score Catcher Nevin Ashley now 0-for-his-last-16 after such a great season-long run; Matt Clark, again in LF, is just 6-for-50 in June with 16 K's (ouch) as his average has tumbled down to .260; Logan Schafer 7-for-9 with a walk as he hangs on to his 40-man roster spot; with Ashley and Robinzon Diaz raking (well, Ashley until recently as noted), catcher Juan Centeno a lineup afterthought; Diaz was 14-for-24 in May, now 11-for-23 in June - he's 25-for-57 with 22 singles, talk about BABIP, wow. Colorado Springs Game Log

No, it's a well-versed answer, and I was counting on you to come through, you did . Neuhaus had an 11-game hit streak earlier this season, now working on a 10-gamer, I believe...

I get that Sthervin Matos has had some fun moments, but someone will need to explain to me how Tucker Neuhaus (.289/.353/.400, turns 20 on Thursday) isn't playing third base every single day, being groomed as the big league rookie third baseman in 2018/2019. Sigh...

Shuckers tweet (and honor overdue) -- Congratulations to pitcher Brooks Hall, who was just added to the @SLeagueBaseball South Division All-Star roster!

Story via the college -- Congrats to Brewers undrafted FA signee RHP Jose Flores (@JMFlores_92) out of USAO, an NAIA college in Oklahoma As noted prior in this thread, switch-hitting OF Jose Cotto of USC was the first non-drafted free agent signing. Cotto will be in Helena, Flores likely to Maryvale until we hear otherwise. Jose Flores Player Page Find 2015 Stats Here

Best of the Ballparks: Low A, third round Let's support the Timber Rattlers again!

Brewers announce the release of 29-year-old Sky Sox infielder Chris Nelson. Signed on May 9th, he posted a .143/.200/.343 line in 70 AB's; in comes Matt Dominguez.

Wednesday's Brewers farmhand birthday -- Happy 24th to Manatees RHP Tyler Spurlin, young man has done all right for himself as an undrafted free agent signing out of Rice University

VIDEO: Wisconsin's Francisco Castillo hits an RBI single as the Timber Rattlers fall Tuesday, 10-2, to Kane County.

Look for these just prior to the respective game times -- Colorado Springs Media Notes - Home games only, it's a unique link each day, but look for it under the "Multimedia" banner on the Sky Sox' site. 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 *** Sortable individual stat pages: Colorado Springs Biloxi Brevard County Wisconsin *** Weather.com: Colorado Springs, CO Biloxi, MS Viera, FL Geneva, IL San Pedro de Macoris, DR

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.

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

Brewers Player Development Twitter account indicated 28th round C Mitch Ghelfi and 31st round RHP Colton Cross have signed.

Brewers Player Development Twitter account indicated 20th round RHP David Lucroy signed.

Wednesday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Colorado Springs: RHP Drew Gagnon at home vs. Oklahoma City (Dodgers), 1:05 PM pre-game, 1:35 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 Jorge Lopez at home vs. Montgomery (Rays), 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 looking off to his very promising "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. Jupiter (Marlins), 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 Cy Sneed at Kane County (Diamondbacks), 11:40 AM pre-game, 12:00 PM 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: Kane County does provide MiLB TV, you'd be hearing the Cougars' audio feed as well *** DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Yankees #2 squad, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until later in the day We'll link to this Dominican Summer League Brewers' thread as part of the Daily Menu all season to assist you with your familiarity with these young men.

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We may add a bit more from last night here by mid-morning, and remember, the Sky Sox and Timber Rattlers have matinees Wednesday, details also by mid-morning in a new Link Report...

Final: Colorado Springs 2, Oklahoma City 1, six innings, rain Weather Benefits Sky Sox In Shortened 2-1 Win Schafer's Two-Run Game Backs Additon's Strong Five-Inning Start By Ed Pearsall / Colorado Springs Sky Sox http://www.milb.com/assets/images/5/1/8/125047518/cuts/05_17_057sm_pk_dk8wk6wp_qxhyg32p.jpg Logan Schafer's two double and two runs scored provided the Sky Sox with the spark necessary to take home Tuesday's 2-1 win. (Photo by Paat Kelly) COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - Rain put a slight damper on a ballgame for the second straight night, this time benefitting Colorado Springs as they took home a 2-1 win in a rain-shortened five and a half inning contest before a crowd of 6,875 at Security Service Field on Tuesday night. The Sky Sox scored the first run of the ballgame in the bottom of the second, doing so for the second consecutive evening. This time OKC starter Steve Smith would be on the wrong end of first blood as a one-out Logan Schafer double, and eventual move to third on a fielding error by Dodgers right fielder Kyle Jensen, gave Yadiel Rivera a chance to showcase his clutch bat. Rivera saw a whopping 13 pitches in his first and only at-bat against Smith before lining an RBI single into centerfield to score Schafer. Colorado Springs held the 1-0 lead until the fourth inning when both sides would make appearances on the scoreboard. Making his first start since May 17th against Round Rock, Nick Additon (2-2, 6.36) tossed five very strong innings of one-run ball against a potent Dodgers lineup. The lefty allowed just three hits and one walk while striking out three in an impressive start. After allowing a leadoff single to Darnell Sweeney to start the night, Additon would retire nine straight batters before a Buck Britton one out single in the fourth broke the string. Britton single turned out to be a big one as the second baseman eventually scored on a two out single by first baseman Andy Wilkins. Additon worked out of further trouble, getting O'Koyea Dickson on an inning-ending groundout to maintain the 1-1 tie through three and a half innings of play. The Sox offense answered immediately, plating the go-ahead run in the following frame to retake a one-run lead. Once again, Schafer served as Colorado Springs' spark plug, doubling off the left field wall to leadoff the Sox fourth against newly implanted reliever Matt West (0-1, 8.03). Rivera followed with yet another lengthy at-bat before ultimately flying out to right, giving Schafer the chance to scurry to third on a close tag play and the Sox a runner 90 feet from home with just one out. Pete Orr came through with a fly ball deep enough to left to plate Schafer with the lead run. The sacrifice fly gave Orr his 28th RBI of the season and Schafer his second run scored of the ballgame. After a quick 1-2-3 fifth inning, Additon was replaced by Michael Kirkman in the sixth after throwing just 64 pitches. The left-handed reliever promptly gave up a leadoff double to the speedy Sweeney, leaving the Sox in what seemed to be another precarious situation. Kirkman settled down however, retiring the Dodgers 2, 3 and 4 hitters with relative ease to wiggle out of the jam and preserve the 2-1 lead. The elements again played a factor in the sixth in a game where Déjà Vu was working in Colorado Springs' favor early. Heading into the home half of the frame, the skies opened to force an hour long rain delay before the game was ultimately called off due to unplayable wet grounds. Winding up on the fortunate end of the shortened contest, the Sky Sox improve to 26-35 on the season while dropping Oklahoma City to 42-22. The Sky Sox will look to clinch a series win on Wednesday afternoon in what looks to be a full, nine-inning game. Drew Gagnon (1-8, 7.64) takes the mound against Dodgers lefty Ian Thomas (3-0, 7.11) as the Sox starter looks to lead the Sox to two straight victories against their division rivals. First pitch is slated for 12:35 PM MDT (1:35 Central) at Security Service Field. Colorado Springs Box Score You can smack doubles around all you want, Logan Schafer, you still should have been the 40-man roster casualty, not Wei-Chung Wang... Colorado Springs Game Log TWEET: Matt Clark's thoughts amid the raindrops...

AUDIO: RHP Johnny Hellweg joins the Manatees Radio Network to talk about his first two starts for Brevard County *** AUDIO: RHP Jorge Ortega joins the Manatees Radio Network after throwing a complete game shutout on Monday

VIDEO: News report update from Biloxi, including Voice of the Shuckers Chris Harris

PHOTO GALLERY: Nice captioned shots from the Helena Independent Record's James Ridle

Sadly, the Shuckers' mascot situation is on hold -- as long as its name will be "Shuck Norris", as we read earlier, we're OK with this. Sound Off in Action Sound Off: When will the Shuckers' mascot be out for the public to see? I had read the costume needed a few changes and to be tweaked a bit. So is it ready for us to see yet? Answer: Biloxi Shuckers fans will have to wait a while longer before a new mascot appears at MGM Park. Shuckers general manager Buck Rogers said Tuesday that a mascot may not become a reality until the late stages of the season. "The mascot is kind of on hold as we go through options and changes," Rogers said. "It's probably going to be late summer or into the fall. I don't have 100 percent of everybody on board with the designs. We need them all in line. We have some good starting off points and really good drawings. I have kids and parents that are happy, but I need staff and owners. Everybody has different visions. "It's all part of the process. I don't want to do it fast. I want to do it right."

Big league dreams closer to reality for Brooks Hall Scott Adamson, Anderson (SC) Independent Mail Also posted in full within our season-long Shuckers feature thread for archiving...

Big league dreams closer to reality for Hall Scott Adamson, Anderson (SC) Independent Mail http://mediaassets.independentmail.com/photo/2015/06/16/Hall_19958583_ver1.0_640_480.jpg CRISTINA COCA/BILOXI SHUCKERS PHOTO Biloxi Shuckers pitcher Brooks Hall prepares to pitch during opening day in the Southern League in April. The ultimate goal of any professional baseball player is to reach the big leagues, although the majors might seem too far off in the distance when he first becomes a farmhand. For Brooks Hall, the reigning Southern League Pitcher of the Week, the big leagues are getting closer every day. The former T.L. Hanna standout and Milwaukee Brewers bonus baby sports a 7-3 record (tied for most wins in the SL) and a 3.05 ERA in 12 starts for the Biloxi Shuckers. The pitching prowess of the 6-5 righty is a big reason the club is the league's South Division first-half champions and assured a playoff spot at the end of the season. "It's been a great season so far," Hall told the Sun Herald newspaper in Biloxi on Monday. "Hopefully we can keep this thing going and win the Southern League." Inexplicably, Hall did not make the Double-A circuit's all-star team, which is voted on by Southern League managers, GMs, broadcasters and print media and announced last week. Whether it was a lack of homework by some voters or an oversight is anyone's guess, but Hall is certainly one of the league's best. Still, a head-scratching snub is nothing compared to what Hall has gone through since he began to play for pay. It has been anything but a smooth ride for the 2009 fourth round draft pick. Just look back at his high school career. With no point of reference, one would assume the fireballer must've been a dominant pitcher throughout the entirety of his time with the Yellow Jackets. Nope. During his junior year he threw just five innings and as a senior he wound up being taken off the mound due to a forearm strain and did most of his work as a third baseman and designated hitter. MLB scouts, though, realized how effective he could be when healthy, which led to a big signing bonus courtesy of the Brew Crew. However, there were more obstacles to overcome. His maiden voyage into minor league ball was delayed due to shoulder inflammation, which kept him at extended spring training much longer than he anticipated. Aside from the arm woes, he even had a health scare when an electrocardiogram test came back with troubling results — suggesting he could have a heart condition. Fortunately that was an anomaly and subsequent tests were normal, but he could've certainly been forgiven for feeling jinxed. Yet pitchers — the good ones, anyway — battle through adversity on the mound so it stands to reason they'd have enough grit to battle adversity off it. After he made it through rookie league, A and High A ball, it appeared it was full speed ahead for Hall once he reached the Southern League as a member of the Huntsville Stars, the forerunners of the Shuckers. The 2014 season began with great promise but ended much too soon, as Hall pitched just 26 innings after being shut down with bone spurs in his right elbow. He finally got the all-clear to pitch fall ball in Arizona earlier this year, and hasn't slowed down since. "I think fall ball was a great time for me to get my feet wet again and pitch," he said. "Missing the whole season is tough to deal with so it was nice to throw in the Arizona Fall League and compete again." Success can certainly pave the way for happiness, and Hall is clearly having fun. While the finishing touches were put on the Shuckers' sparkling new stadium, Biloxi spent the first 55 games of the campaign on the road. Hall said he and his mates used the nearly two-month road trip to bond. "Yeah, the whole 55 games on the road was pretty tough but we managed it well," Hall said. "I have my golf clubs with me so I golf as much as I can. But the best thing about it is our team has great chemistry and we pretty much do everything together. We bought TVs for the bus so we play video games while we travel on the road late at night." A couple of years ago Hall was asked if he had set a personal goal of when he wanted to make "The Show." He said he never locked himself into a timetable; the only goal was to get better and once he got good enough, the other stuff would take care of itself. Right now he's pitching as well as he ever has — pain free and maybe even a little carefree. Reaching the big leagues is no longer a matter of distance for Hall — it's just a matter of time.