Jim Goulart

Ole Miss junior Trent signs with Milwaukee Brewers Riley Blevins, The Clarion-Ledger http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/bcef3913a9a4abe8a4ba8f15ad49fb3b85ffc32c/c=0-0-534-712&r=537&c=0-0-534-712/local/-/media/2015/06/11/JacksonMS/JacksonMS/635696244374120401-1400891739000-tcl-6eu17n60x3bni9kbb8t-original.jpg Clarion (MS) Ledger File Photo OXFORD – Ole Miss junior pitcher Christian Trent won't return for his final year of eligibility. The left-hander signed a deal with the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, sources told The Clarion-Ledger. Trent was selected by the Brewers in the 24th round of the MLB draft. He was one of four Rebels taken, including three pitchers. In his two years with Ole Miss, Trent put together a 16-7 record. He won the first 12 decisions of his career, which was the best start by a pitcher in program history. Trent went 9-0 as a junior, and won his first three starts this season. It's the second year in a row Trent heard his name called in the draft. He was picked in the 29th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers last year. Trent will report to Helena, Montana to join the Helena Brewers, the club's advanced rookie affiliate, the source added. "It is an honor," Trent told The Clarion-Ledger after being drafted on Wednesday night. "Thanks to the Brewers. It's a great feeling, regardless when it comes."

Via Reviewing the Brew -- Nice little Q&A interview with Wei-Chung Wang

Well, that changed quickly, as Fortuno now tweets these photos, indicating he's joining the Crew, nice!

ANOTHER PHOTO GALLERY: More from Biloxi -- here's Parker Berberet, the jerseys with "Shuckers" across the front (love the font), are particularly sweet http://media.gulflive.com/mississippi-press/photo/2015/06/10/18063814-standard.jpg

From our Draft Forum: Overnight updates on players drafted in Rounds 6 - 20 Overnight updates on players drafted in Rounds 21-40 Latest tracker on who has signed

Jose Cuas among 8 Maryland baseball players drafted Third baseman Jose Cuas, meanwhile, was in New York City, where he also watched the draft alongside family members. When the Milwaukee Brewers selected Cuas in the 11th round Wednesday, the texts and calls poured in from former coaches, teammates and friends. Terps left-hander Jake Drossner was among those who reached out, but his message was different from the rest. Tuesday, a day before Cuas was drafted, the Brewers selected Drossner in the 10th round. “We’re going to be teammates again,” Drossner told Cuas. “I’m so excited. I’m pumped.” Cuas added: “We’re going to be in a new environment where things are going to be a lot different than College Park, so it’s good that we have somebody that we know we can trust.” The lanky third baseman won’t continue playing with Terps catcher Kevin Martir, though, who he grew up with in Brooklyn. The Houston Astros selected Martir in the 18th round yesterday, meaning he and Cuas won’t be on the same team for the first time since they were 10, unless they both return for their senior season.

By Ray Beasock, Lakeland (FL) Ledger They had to wait a couple days, but five more baseball players with Polk County ties got to hear their names called during the 2015 MLB Draft on Wednesday. Lakeland High School infielder Tyrone Perry, former Lake Wales High School star pitcher Taylor Cockrell, current Polk State College pitcher Maikor Mora, former Fort Meade High School star D.J. King and Bartow's Josh Delph were all selected during the draft's third and final day. Perry was first off the board on Wednesday, going to the Milwaukee Brewers in the 14th round (421st overall). For Perry, who hit .319 with six home runs for Lakeland last year, it signified the end what was turning into a frustrating day. Perry expected to go earlier in the draft but by the time his name was called, he was filled with relief. "Everything was going sideways," Perry said. "I was projected to go earlier but everything worked out well." Lakeland High School baseball coach Bob Gendron said it was Perry's power that the pro scouts were zeroed in on. "I've been around for a long time and I haven't seen a whole lot of guys with the power he has," Gendron said. "That's the one plus tool that they were looking at and that ­impressed them." Perry said he will forgo playing for Florida State and enter the professional ranks. Negotiations for a signing bonus were still being worked out.

VIDEO via Lacrosse's WXOW: Catcher Mitch Ghelfi drafted by Brewers in 28th round *** Ghelfi drafted by Brewers, continues family tradition Jeff Brown, LaCrosse Tribune Mitchell Ghelfi has a pretty good idea of the inside workings of professional baseball — especially the minor leagues. Pro ball was the topic of discussion numerous times over dinner, over holidays, over anything. Baseball and the Ghelfis, you see, go hand-in-hand and have for decades. So when Mitchell was taken in the 28th round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, he had a number of well-versed sources at his disposal — including his mom, Tina. “I didn’t get the call right away. I found out from my mom. We were tracking the draft online as I had some current and former (UW-Milwaukee) teammates I was following,” said Ghelfi, whose father, Andy, spent five seasons as a pitcher in the Cleveland Indians minor-league system. “I happened to go away from the computer for five or 10 minutes. I was outside and my mom came out and said, ‘Hey, you got drafted.’ I said, ‘By who?’ She told me the Brewers. It was pretty exciting.” A short time later, Ghelfi received a call from Harvey Kuenn Jr., the Brewers area scout. He congratulated Ghelfi, a 22-year-old, 5-foot-11, 190-pound junior catcher who hit .356 for in 47 games for the Panthers this season. Kuenn was busy with the remainder of the draft, and said he would be in touch in a day or two. The dream of playing professional baseball and joining the exclusive family club had become a reality. “Ever since I was little, that has been a dream of mine to play professional baseball,” said Ghelfi, a former Central High School star. “Hearing stories from my dad, my uncle, things that happened back in pro ball, it was always an aspiration of mine to get to that level and join that family club.” Thanks to a solid summer playing for the Northwoods League champion Lakeshore Chinook, then his best season with UW-Milwaukee, Ghelfi put his name on major-league scouts’ radar. And if offered what he termed a “fair” contract, Ghelfi would forgo his senior season at UW-Milwaukee and jump into the Brewers farm system. “I have not made a decision quite yet as we still have to come up with a plan we agree on. If we can do that, yes, definitely, I would go ahead and sign with them,” said Ghelfi, who was the third UW-Milwaukee player taken in this year’s draft. “I know there is a definite time window where you can sign.” All he has to do is ask his father, or his uncle, or even his brother. His father, Andy, was drafted in the second round by the Cleveland Indians in 1985 as a right-handed pitcher and played five seasons of professional baseball, reaching the Double-A level. His uncle, Tony, was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1980 and made it to the big leagues in 1983, where he went 1-1 with a 3.14 ERA before injuries ended his promising career. Oh, there is more Ghelfi connections to pro ball, too, as Mitchell’s brother, Drew, a University of Minnesota pitcher, was drafted by the Brewers in 2013 and spent parts of two minor-league seasons with the organization. He is no longer playing professional baseball. “I knew there was a possibility I would get drafted,” said Ghelfi, who hit for power (16 doubles, 2 home runs, 35 RBI) and average (.356) with UW-Milwaukee this spring. “That is about as much as I knew. “I didn’t know what teams or how interested the Brewers were. It was pretty much a waiting game. I was just hoping somebody would give me a chance. It just happened to be the Brewers who were going to give me that chance.” While Ghelfi is excited to see what the Brewers will offer and where his summer might be spent, he also knows that the minor league lifestyle — where teams typically play every day — will be grueling and test his baseball skills like never before. “I think this past summer and this (collegiate) season was big for me. I was coming off a good summer with a great Northwoods League team, the Chinooks,” Ghelfi said. “I took no break and went right into fall ball. “I felt good in everything I did. And playing in that (wood bat) league, which is set up like minor league baseball, and having some success playing in a similar style as a minor league player would play in, that only helped me.” Now Ghelfi — once he works out a contract — appears to have a chance to do it again. Only this time he will get paid for playing baseball. THE GHELFI FILE NAME: Mitchell Ghelfi AGE: 22 HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5-foot-11, 190 pounds THROWS: Right HITS: Switch hitter COLLEGE: Just completed his junior season at UW-Milwaukee, where he hit .356 with 16 doubles, 3 triples, 2 home runs and drove in 35 runs. DRAFT: Taken in the 28th round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers FAMILY TIES: Ghelifi's father, Andy, was taken in the second round of the 1985 draft by the Cleveland Indians, and advanced to the Double-A level. He was 32-29 with a 3.82 ERA in five seasons. His uncle, Tony, pitched in the major leagues for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1983 before injuries cut short his career. His brother, Drew, as drafted in the 25th round by the Brewers in 2013 and spent parts of two seasons with the organization.

Final: DSL Brewers 10, DSL Marlins 5 DSL Brewers Box Score The Cerveceritos scored two in the 1st, four in the 2nd, and coasted here. Franly Mallen, now seeing regular action at second base, drove in five as he lifted his OPS to 1.044 through 40 AB's. Mallen doubled twice and homered in this one, wow. 18-year-old Ignacio Otano, supplanting Mallen at shortstop, was 2-for-5 with a double, lifting his average to .371. DSL Brewers Game Log 20-year-old 2nd year pro and former Diamondbacks farmhand RHP Starling Duval was the winning pitcher with three scoreless innings of middle relief.

VIDEO via WLOX: Biloxi game action, unfortunately not the Tyrone Taylor home run VIDEO: 1B Nick Ramirez on being named a Southern League All-Star

1st-place Shuckers build on on division lead despite 4-3 loss to BayBears by Patrick Magee, Biloxi Sun-Herald PHOTO GALLERY LINK: 19 images from the Sun-Herald's Tim Isbell BILOXI – Mobile right-hander A.J. Schugel handcuffed Biloxi early and the Shuckers' rally came up short late in a 4-3 victory for the BayBears Wednesday night at MGM Park. The BayBears took the series finale, but the Shuckers claimed the five-game series with three wins to help their cause in the Southern League South. First-place Biloxi managed to pick up ground in its pursuit of the Southern League South first-half title thanks to Montgomery's doubleheader sweep of the Mississippi Braves on Wednesday. The Shuckers (36-23) hold a 4.5-game lead on the second-place M-Braves with 10 games remaining before the all-star break. Biloxi can clinch the first-half title with six more wins. If Biloxi claims the first half title in the South, it will earn a spot in the Southern League playoffs. The Shuckers have a chance to build on their lead when they start a five-game series Thursday at Pearl against the M-Braves. “Being able to play against them directly puts us in a good position,” Shuckers manager Carlos Subero said. “Hopefully, we can go there and take care of business.” The crowd for Wednesday's game was 3,198, bringing the total attendance for the five-game series to 17,146. “(The five games in Biloxi) were fun,” Shuckers center fielder Tyrone Taylor said. “The fan base was exciting. We had our walk-up music tonight so that got us going a little. We're looking forward to coming back here.” The average crowd for the games at MGM Park was 3,429, a number that would top three other teams in average attendance in the 10-team Southern League – Mississippi (3,245), Mobile (1,656) and Jackson, Tenn., (2,355). Birmingham leads the Southern League in average attendance at 6,468. Taylor hit his second home run in as many nights with a two-run blast to left field with two out in the bottom of the seventh to cut the Mobile lead to 4-3. Taylor started the series with no homers on the season, but he became the first Shucker to ever hit homers on back-to-back nights. He also had multiple extra base hits on back-to-back nights by adding a double Wednesday. He went 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored and two RBIs. “I feel real confident,” Taylor said of his improved performance at the plate. “We played well as a team out there. That was a tough one today, but we got a series win. We'll stay positive and take it into Mississippi.” Schugel held Biloxi scoreless through 4 2/3 innings before Taylor ripped a two-out double to left in the bottom of the fifth. The next batter up, catcher Parker Berberet, beat out a grounder to second for an infield single, allowing Taylor to score from third. Schugel (3-1) allowed three runs on five hits in seven innings. He struck out four and walked one. “I think lefties before the game were hitting .370 (against Schugel),” Subero said. “We stacked lefties in (the lineup). For whatever reason, his changeup was working. He was able to mix pitches.” Gerson Montilla had a nice night at the plate, going 3-for-4 with an RBI to lead the nine-hit attack by the BayBears (30-29). A solo home run by Sean Jamieson in the sixth set the score at 4-1 and proved to be the decisive moment in the game. It was also the first homer hit by an opponent in MGM Park history. Brent Suter (3-2) took the loss for Biloxi, allowing three runs (one earned) on six hits in five innings. He struck out seven and walked four. “Suter struggled with his command early on and that led to runs,” Subero said. “Other than that, it was a good game.” Biloxi managed just five hits in the game as Mobile relievers Keith Hessler and Silvino Bracho kept the Shuckers scoreless in the eighth and ninth innings. “Their two relievers in the eighth and ninth didn't really give us an opportunity,” Subero said. “They shut the door pretty good.” Right-hander Tyler Wagner (5-1, 1.93), who was named a Southern League All-Star Wednesday, will get the start for Biloxi against the M-Braves today.

Final: Mobile 4, Biloxi 3 Taylor's muscle not enough in 4-3 loss to BayBears Despite the loss, Biloxi's magic number to clinch first half dropped to six Biloxi Shuckers http://www.milb.com/assets/images/6/8/2/129918682/cuts/BRP_7683_y4tcre4f_y08v09d4.jpg Tyrone Taylor became the first Shucker to homer in consecutive games this season with a two-run shot in the seventh (Benton Reed Photography) BILOXI, MS - The Shuckers wrapped up their Inaugural Series at MGM Park, suffering a 4-3 loss to the Mobile BayBears on Thursday night, but come away winning the series, 3-2 in front of 17,146 fans throughout the homestand. With the loss, the Shuckers magic number dwindled down to six after the Mississippi Braves were swept in a double-header by the Montgomery Biscuits on Tuesday. The Shuckers have 10 games remaining the half, five with the M-Braves beginning on Thursday and five with Montgomery at MGM Park, June 17-21. Shuckers' starter Brent Suter (3-2, 5 IP, 3 R - 2 ER - 4 BB, 7 S0) had not allowed more than two runs in his last six appearances dating back to April 30, but the lefty struggled early on, surrendering three runs in the first two innings on four hits. The 6'5" Harvard man settled down after the second, striking out a season-high seven over his five innings of work. Biloxi's offense struggled to get going against Mobile's A.J. Schugel (3-1, 3.15) notching their first hit with two outs in the fifth on a double by Tyrone Taylor (2x3, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2B) with the Shuckers trailing, 3-0. Taylor took third on a wild pitch with Parker Berberet (1x3, RBI) at the plate, and his infield single brought the runner home to bring Biloxi within two. Mobile (30-29) infielder Sean Jamieson became the first opposing player in MGM Park history to go yard with a leadoff homer in the sixth against reliever Manny Barreda (2 IP, R, H) in the sixth, putting the Shuckers back into a three-run hole. Taylor was back at it again in the seventh, launching a two-run shot off the netting in left for his second long ball in as many days. The Biloxi outfielder becomes the first player in team history to go long in consecutive games, after not tallying one in his first 52 games. Jacob Barnes (2 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 SO) came on to work the eighth for the Shuckers and quickly surrendered back-to-back singles to Gerson Montilla and Mitch Haniger to put runners on the corners. The Fort Myers, FL native got Jamieson to ground into a fielder's choice to shortstop Orlando Arcia (1x4), who gunned down Montilla at home. Barnes then punched out Ronnie Freeman and pinch hitter Zach Borenstein to get out of the inning unscathed. Biloxi (36-23) sent up Nick Ramirez (0x4), Michael Reed (0x3, BB, SB) and Taylor Green (1x4, R) in the ninth, but closer Silvino Bracho closed the door on the Shuckers' comeback, setting down the side in order. Biloxi will head into a five-game series with a chance to clinch the South Division in Pearl, Miss. against the Mississippi Braves. The Shuckers will send out All-Star RHP Tyler Wagner (5-1, 1.90), while the Braves will counter with RHP Greg Ross (2-5, 5.30). Each win in the series against the Braves will take two games off the magic number to clinch the division. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM, with coverage beginning at 6:45 on 1240-AM WGCM, 1580-AM WPMO and the Biloxi Shuckers Radio Network. Fans can also listen to the game using the TuneIn Radio app or by going to www.biloxishuckers.com. Biloxi Box Score A fielding error by Nick Ramirez at first base in the 2nd inning led to two unearned runs (video below), that really hurt. Then again, LHP Brent Suter can't allow ten of his own baserunners in five innings, although damage was limited (one earned run). The fact Tyrone Taylor hadn't homered until Tuesday kind of slipped under our radar, nice to see him heating up power-wise... Biloxi Game Log

Brewers Nab Waiakea Grad Torres-Costa in MLB Draft by Josh Pacheco, bigislandnow.com http://bigislandnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Torres_Costa_Quintin15_9934.jpg It is a dream come true for Waiakea High School graduate Quintin Torres-Costa to get his name selected in the Major League Baseball Draft. Now, the left-handed pitcher must determine if now is the time to chase that dream. Torres-Costa was selected in the 35th round by the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday. He was the 1,051st overall pick in the 40-round, three-day, draft. He was one of three University of Hawai’i pitchers selected in the draft, following Tyler Brashears (14th round, Tampa Bay Rays) and L.J. Brewster (22nd round, Miami Marlins). “My dream as a little kid growing up playing baseball was to play professional baseball,” Torres-Costa said Wednesday night. “I feel like this is my opportunity to better myself as a baseball player and get one step closer to becoming a professional.” That answer doesn’t mean that the southpaw has made up his mind, but he said it was a “strong possibility” that he would lean toward signing a contract with the Brewers and turning pro. “I still have to talk to the [brewers] area scout. He said he would give me more information by tomorrow on what’s going to happen,” Torres-Costa explained. “In the end, I’m going to make the decision on my own. There is going to be, of course, my family and my advisor, to tell me the goods and the bads, but at the end of the day, I’m going to make the decision and that’s going to be the final decision I make.” Torres-Costa closed out last season with the University of Hawai’i Rainbow Warrior Baseball team with postseason recognition from the Big West Conference. He was named to the All-Big West Second Team as a closer after recording eight saves and a 0.75 earned run average in his converted relief role. During Big West play, he recorded 22 consecutive scoreless innings and did not allow a run. It was a rocky road for Torres-Costa to get to this point, however. His 2013 freshman season was cut short due to an injury that required surgery. He gained a medical redshirt because of the injury, and got a chance to repeat his freshman season in 2014. He worked back in slowly, going 1-1 in eleven appearances, mainly as a reliever. Hawai’i head coach Mike Trapasso gave him an opportunity to earn a starting role this year, but when that didn’t pan out, he thrived as the team’s closer, and emerged as one of the top closers in the conference. “It was a learning experience,” Torres-Costa reflected on his time at UH, regardless of whether it will come to an end after this season. “It’s really taught me to be humble…for where you come from. You may never know when your career may be ended.” If the Brewers are familiar to local baseball fans, it’s because another Big Island product, Kodi Medeiros, was drafted by the organization in the first round last season. Both Medeiros and Torres-Costa have one thing in common: they combined to pitch a no-hitter in the Wally Yonamine Foundation/Hawai’i High School Athletic Association Division I Championship Game against Baldwin in 2012. “As soon as I got drafted, he was the first person that texted me, saying congratulations and ‘can’t wait to start playing with you’ because I actually have my old throwing partner back again,” said Torres-Costa of his former teammate, who is currently pitching for the Brewers’ Class-A team, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, in the Midwest League. A number of Big Island baseball players have heard their names called in the MLB draft in recent years, and Torres-Costa hopes that when the time is right, he’ll be able to forge a trail that could take him to the majors. Hard work, however, never ends for Torres-Costa, who is back home as he prepares to make a decision that could affect his baseball future. Just like some of the island’s most recent draft picks, Kolten Wong, Kean Wong, Medeiros, and Jodd Carter, the left-hander isn’t taking any time off. He’s back in the hitting cage with instructor Kaha Wong, maintaining his focus and physical shape during the offseason. Simply put, he hasn’t forgotten his roots, and he’s not taking the opportunity to play the game he loves for granted.

Wisconsin's Francisco Castillo makes a nice play on a ground ball from Dayton's Brian O'Grady

Via the Brewers -- RHP David Goforth has been optioned to Triple-A Sky Sox. INF Scooter Gennett will be recalled from Colorado Springs Thursday.

From our Draft Forum -- AUDIO via the Mike Heller Show: (go to the 25:20 minute mark) - Chuck Wells, the high school coach of Brewers first round pick Trent Clark

AUDIO via the Mike Heller Show: (go to the 25:20 minute mark) - Chuck Wells, the high school coach of Brewers first round pick Trent Clark

Via MLB PIPELINE: With Corey Knebel graduating from Brewers Top 30 Prospects list, 19-year-old RHP David Burkhalter enters

BROOKLYN BOYS Maryland baseball's Jose Cuas and Kevin Martir used the sport as their way out of East New York What a great read -- Third baseman Cuas was the Brewers' 11th round pick, Martir, a catcher, went in the 18th round to Houston

LINK: Brewers 18th round Florida HS RHP Gentry Fortuno is headed to play JUCO ball in the fall, per his HS coach

Conor Harber drafted by Milwaukee Brewers in 16th round By Tyson Alger | The Oregonian http://imgick.oregonlive.com/home/olive-media/width620/img/oregonian/photo/2015/06/10/18058575-mmmain.jpg FILE PHOTO - Oregon Ducks pitcher Conor Harber (#11) (RHP, R/R, 6-2, 195, Jr., Astoria, Ore. / Western Nevada College / Astoria HS) against Oregon State on May 19, 2015. At this point, Conor Harber has got to be used to this. Harber was drafted for the third time in his career, hearing his named called in the 16th round of the MLB Draft on Wednesday by the Milwaukee Brewers. Harber was the 481st overall selection. Harber was previously drafted out of high school (38th round, Orioles) and after his freshman year at junior college (40th round, Tampa Bay Rays). Harber's selection came ahead of where he was projected. The hard-throwing right-handed starter wasn't listed in Baseball America's or Perfect Game's Top 500, and his 14-round improvement from a year ago came despite a rocky 2015 debut-season with Oregon. The Astoria native's first year with Oregon was an up-and-down affair. He started hot out of the bullpen, pitching lights out in relief of Cole Irvin back when Irvin was on a pitch count. But when Harber was transitioned into a starter, his season took a turn. Harber was shelled during the midseason and was replaced in the rotation by Josh Graham. He ended his season on a positive note, though, getting the start in Oregon's 12-6 win over Canisius in the Springfield Regional elimination round. Haber struggled with his command, but still featured a lively fastball that sat in the 93/94 MPH range. An American League scout told The Oregonian that Harber has the type of arm that is attractive to many big league clubs. "Yeah, he struggled from a command standpoint, was probably being a little too fine and had some trouble getting his breaking ball over consistently for strikes. But the reality of it is he's a really good athlete and he has the velocity. There are a lot of clubs up there that I'm sure would love to have him," the scout said. Harber was the fifth Duck drafted this week, coming behind Garrett Cleavinger (3rd round, Baltimore), Josh Graham (4th round, Atlanta), Mitchell Tolman (7th round, Pittsburgh) and Scott Heineman (11th round, Texas). Players chosen after the first 10 rounds of the draft may not receive a bonus of more than $100,000 without the additional amount behind deducted from the team's total bonus pool.

Nice! Shuckers now available for subscribers on MiLB.TV for home games (and as in the past, most road games). Remember, those are archives, as well.

Drafted as a first baseman (RH bat) -- so I guess we now know what the focus is on at The Master's College, not that there's anything wrong with that... Masters Steve Karkenny Drafted by the Brewers SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – Steven Karkenny, a cornerstone of The Master’s College baseball team for the past four years, was selected in the 19th round of the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday morning. Karkenny was the 571st overall pick in this year’s MLB draft. “I’m very excited and very thankful that the Lord has provided this opportunity,” commented Karkenny. “I’m thankful for my time playing at The Master’s College and for coach [Monte] Brooks being there to help develop me as a baseball player and become a man of the Lord. I’m very excited to see what the Lord has planned for this next stage of my life.” In 2015, Karkenny, a three-time All-GSAC selection, paced the club in six offensive categories: runs (57), home runs (11), slugging percentage (.669), on-base percentage (.488), OPS (1.157) and stolen bases (30). The righthander also distinguished himself on the mound, notching a staff-high eight saves to go along with a miniscule 0.59 earned-run average. The Mustang outfielder etched his name in TMC’s baseball record book over the past four years, becoming the program’s all-time leader in hits (255), total bases (430), RBI (187), doubles (64), hit by pitches (54), and at-bats (751). Karkenny is also No. 2 on TMC’s career home run list with 33 roundtrippers (Brett Jaime 34, 2002-05). Academically, Karkenny earned GSAC & NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors for the last two years. In addition, Karkenny was recently named to the 2014-15 Capital One Academic All-America College Division Baseball Team and was a two-time recipient of the Capital One Academic All-District Baseball team award (2013, 15) Karkenny will be eagerly awaiting his assignment in the Brewers’ minor league organization. “Working through the minor leagues will be a lot of work, but I’m excited as it will be worth it to see what God has planned. It’s all about giving everything you got, working hard, honoring the Lord with your efforts, and letting Him take care of the rest.” TMC baseball head coach Monte Brooks commented on Karkenny by saying, “Steven is a tremendously gifted athlete and one of the greatest baseball players to come out of The Master’s College and the Golden State Athletic Conference. He is a diligent worker, an intelligent player, and a man of great faith in his Lord Jesus Christ. We are thrilled for Steven’s opportunity to be a part of the Milwaukee Brewers organization.” Notably, Karkenny’s signing now lifts TMC’s number of baseball players who have received professional contracts over the years to 37.

Nice Kodi Medeiros analysis from Steven at Reviewing the Brewer here.

AUDIO: Taylor Jungmann on the day after on ESPN Radio in Central Texas