And That

Yes, the Brewers have sent pending FAs to the AFL in the past. I dunno if Coulter is likely to be the next in that line, but there is a precedent. Players become free agents I believe 5 days after the end of the World Series unless there are special contract provisions.

Final Game Two: Colorado Springs 7, Omaha 0 Colorado Springs Game Two Box Score No game story available yet for Bubba Derby's 4 hit shutout. This win boosted the Sky Sox's lead to 2.5 games over the Oklahoma City Dodgers for the Northern Divsion crown. Each team has six games remaining on the schedule so there'll be no tie at the end of the year. They play each other in Oklahoma for the final five games of the season, so the Sky Sox control their own fate. Could be a fun ride in their last year as a AAA team. Dylan Moore, who has come back down to earth in the Sky Sox' second half of the schedule, hit home run #9 as part of a two-hit effort. Moore's gone from "when are we going to see him in Milwaukee?" (and even mentioned in the trade rumors forum as a valuable trade candidate) to more than likely hitting the streets as a minor league free agent here in a few weeks. Hopefully, though, he can finish strong and either make the Brewers take one more look at him this year, or parlay that into a great deal for next spring. Colorado Springs Game Two Game Log

Final Game One: Colorado Springs 4, Omaha 3 SKY SOX RETAKE FIRST PLACE IN DIVISION By Sky Sox PR OMAHA, Nebr. - The Sky Sox secured a 1-0 series lead as well as a division lead Tuesday night with a 4-3 victory over the Omaha Storm Chasers, as the Colorado Springs bullpen continued to pitch well, accruing the 38th win of the season posted by a pitcher in relief. Those 38 relief pitcher wins ties the mark of second-most for a Colorado Springs staff, as the Sky Sox relief corps posted 38 wins in relief last year, and 41 wins in relief in 2016. In game one of this four-game series (with a scheduled doubleheader set for tomorrow), it was the home team who scored first. In the bottom of the second inning, Humberto Arteaga hit a one-out single to put one on for Donnie Dewees, who hit his sixth home run of the season to give the Storm Chasers an early 2-0 advantage. The Sky Sox answered in the very next inning, in the top of the third, with two runs of their own to even the score. With two outs on the board, Tyrone Taylor became the first baserunner of the inning with a single, followed by a Domingo Santana single to put runners on the corners. With two on and two out, recent All-PCL Team selection Christian Bethancourt hit an RBI double, scoring both runners to tie up the contest. In the bottom of the fifth, Omaha regained their lead. After two quick strikeouts from Jorge Soler and Nicky Lopez, Frank Schwindel belted his 24th homer of the season on the first pitch of the at-bat to give the Storm Chasers a 3-2 lead. In the top of the seventh frame, the lead changed hands. Dylan Moore drew a one-out walk for Colorado Springs, advancing to third on a Nate Orf single, with Orf moving up to second on the throw to third. With two runners in scoring position, Tyler Saladino brought them both in with line drive single to right to give the Sky Sox their first lead of the series. With no further scoring, the Storm Chasers headed into the bottom of the ninth inning still trailing 4-3. Omaha sent a pinch-hitter to the plate in the first at-bat of the inning in the form of Billy Burns, who was hit by pitch to put the tying run on first with no outs. However, Burns was left stranded as the Sky Sox recorded three quick outs, giving Colorado Springs a 1-0 series lead as well as a division lead as the Oklahoma City Dodgers lost in Iowa to the Cubs tonight. Colorado Springs Game One Box Score Colorado Springs Game One Game Log

The Brewers purchased the contract of RHP Chris Hall from the Frontier League's Schaumburg Boomers. He was a 14th round pick of the Blue Jays in 2016, made it as high as Lansing in the Midwest League last year, and was released before spring training of this year.

Final: Great Falls 3, Helena 2 Voyagers Scrape By Brewers In Series Opener Helena Leaves Tying Run In Scoring Position In Eighth & Ninth By Greg Mroz / Helena Brewers Helena, MT - Down early on Tuesday night against Great Falls, the Brewers didn't break through in the run column until the eighth inning, but still had a chance to tie the game late. Yet the Voyagers bullpen bore down in the biggest moments, stranding the tying run for the Brewers in scoring position in the eighth and ninth innings, winning 3-2. Helena has been held to three or less runs in each of their past four games. For the third straight game, the Brewers allowed their opponent to score first. Great Falls got on the board in the top of the first, as Amado Nunez singled home Lenyn Sosa with two outs against starter Blake Lillis. The Voyagers extended the lead to two in the top of the second, as a leadoff double from Gunnar Troutwine scored immediately on a single from Adam McGinnis. The Brewers though were not without scoring opportunities early. In the second inning they got two on with two out but a strike out ended that threat. Helena's biggest early chance to tie came in the third, as they got the first two on in the inning. However, Pablo Abreu lined out to second sharply, and the Voyagers infield was able to force out both runners to record a triple play. Joey Matulovich entered in the fourth inning as part of a scheduled tandem and went six innings out of the bullpen, finishing the game for the Brewers. He allowed just one run, a solo home run from Nunez, and struck out seven. It marked the second straight appearance in which Matulovich has completed six innings. Down 3-0 going into the bottom of the eighth, Helena finally cracked the ceiling, as with two on and one out, David Fry doubled to deep center, scoring both runners to make it a one run ballgame. Yet Fry was left standing at third as a ground out and a fly out ending the inning. In the ninth Voyagers closer Nick Johnson allowed a leadoff single to Connor McVey, and Jesus Lujano sacrificed him up to second. Johnson though got Mike Alescio and Je'Von Ward to ground out, ending the game and leaving the tying run at second. Helena looks to even the series at a game apiece tomorrow at Caden Lemons takes the ball. *** *** Helena Box Score Frustrating day for the offense, both late in the game and the triple play in the 3rd. Their slim playoff chances grow slimmer with every loss, so leaving all those runners on base wasn't fun to listen to. Joey Matulovich is a beast, and Chris Hall had a very nice return to affiliated ball. Helena Game Log

In a bit of a surprise move, RHP Jolon Lun has been promoted from the AZL to Helena. Lun (aka Lun Zhao) is still a day shy of his 17th birthday so he could pitch tonight in the Pioneer League as a 16-year-old. That's something. Also makes you wonder if he has a shot at Wisconsin's roster next year. He worked 4.1 scoreless innings in the AZL in his initial pro assignment.

Hernandez has been placed on Helena's suspended list.

LHP Wilfred Salaman and OF Jay Feliciano placed on Wisconsin's 7-day DL in an apparent roster shuffling move. INF Kenny Corey activated off Wisconsin's DL, and of course, Zach Davies was optioned to the Rattlers' roster.

RHP Devin Williams placed on Carolina's 7-day DL, retroactive to the 23rd. Williams left that game with an apparent lower-body injury. 1B Pat McInerney activated off of Carolina's DL to fill the roster space.

3B Lucas Erceg and RHP Josh Uhen hit the Biloxi 7-day DL, with Erceg's placement retroactive to 8/24. C Johan Mojica and RHP Conor Harber were activated from Biloxi's DL to replace them. Mojica has been Biloxi's bullpen catcher all season, so he gets to see a little actual game action. Harber had been out of action since the 16th.

With two of the three short-season leagues wrapping up and the rest of the minor leagues soon to follow, I thought it would be an opportune time to look into how the full season affiliates could be shaping up for next spring. Obviously, there are a ton of moving parts here. Players will be signed, released, traded for, traded away, DFA'd, will retire, etc. This is not meant as a roster prediction so much as a general idea of who might fit in where. The upper minor league teams will likely need to bring in more reinforcements than usual. Due to the composition of the 40-man roster and trades thinning out upper minor league talent, there are just gaps that need to be filled in. Look for at least few new catchers, a few new infielders, and a few new outfielders to play prominent roles in AAA and AA next season. The Brewers do have better pitching depth in the upper minors, though there invariably are a few outside guys brought in there as well. Looking at all of the offenses, it's pretty clear the Brewers are not where they were talent-wise a few years ago. Still more than a few interesting names in there, though. The Brewers have a ton of pitching depth. Let's hope the developmental staff can turn some of that depth into MLB-caliber talent. There are a number of players who could slide up or down a level. I just picked a level for every player and went with it. The "other considerations" guys tend to be lower-priority prospects than the players listed on the team roster forecasts. Except for the A-ball roster, where there are just more guys than space. * is for left-handed hitters and ^ is for switch hitters. Anyone who is a MiLB FA after the season ends is not included below. No one with no 2019 options remaining is included below. There are a number of players who are currently injured included below, but for the most part, they were included in the "other considerations" parts. I went with the Brewers-standard 13 pitcher roster alignment. AAA C: Jacob Nottingham, MiLB FA INF: Mauricio Dubon, Lucas Erceg*, Jake Gatewood, Keston Hiura, Nate Orf, Tyler Saladino OF: Corey Ray*, Troy Stokes Jr., MiLB FA, MiLB FA Other offensive considerations: Orlando Arcia (INF), MiLB FAs SP: Zack Brown, Bubba Derby, Cody Ponce, Aaron Wilkerson, Trey Supak RP: Tristan Archer, Nate Griep, Ariel Hernandez, Jon Olczak, Miguel Sanchez, Jake Thompson, Quintin Torres-Costa*, MiLB FA Other pitching considerations: Jacob Barnes (RP), Corbin Burnes (SP), Zach Davies (SP), Freddy Peralta (SP), Taylor Williams (RP), Brandon Woodruff (SP), MiLB FAs AA C: Max McDowell, MiLB FA INF: Blake Allemand^, Luis Aviles Jr., Tucker Neuhaus*, Weston Wilson, MiLB FA, MiLB FA OF: Ryan Aguilar*, Trent Grisham*, Cooper Hummel^, MiLB FA Other offensive considerations: Robie Rojas ©, MiLB FAs SP: Marcos Diplan, Conor Harber, Tom Jankins, Nate Kirby*, Cam Roegner*, Braden Webb RP: Luke Barker, Rodrigo Benoit, Phil Bickford, Alec Kenilvort, Brad Kuntz*, Christian Meister, Devin Williams Other pitching considerations: Alec Bettinger (SP), Nattino Diplan (RP), Jorge Ortega (SP), Danny Reynolds (RP), Wuilder Rodriguez (RP), Tyler Spurlin (RP), Josh Uhen (RP), MiLB FAs A+ C: Mario Feliciano, KJ Harrison, Payton Henry INF: Dallas Carroll, Devin Hairston, Gilbert Lara, Trever Morrison*, Eddie Silva OF: Zach Clark, Tristen Lutz, Demi Orimoloye, Joantgel Segovia Other offensive considerations: Nate Rodriguez ©, Pat McInerney (1B), Rob Henry (OF), Nick Roscetti (INF) SP: Aaron Ashby*, Dylan File, Bowden Francis, Nelson Hernandez, Scott Sunitsch*, Christian Taugner RP: Clayton Andrews*, Cody Beckman*, Sal Biasi, Dan Brown*, J.T. Hintzen, Robbie Hitt, Michael Petersen Other pitching considerations: Jake Drossner* (SP), Drake Owenby* (SP) A C: Brent Diaz, David Fry INF: Yeison Coca^, Gabriel Garcia, Korry Howell, Chad McClanahan*, Connor McVey, Brice Turang* OF: Pablo Abreu, Jesus Lujano*, Nic Pierre, Je'Von Ward* Other offensive considerations: LG Castillo (OF), Bryan Connell (OF), Kenny Corey* (INF), Jay Feliciano (OF), Kekai Rios ©, Carlos Rodriguez* (OF), Bryan Torres (C/INF) SP: Justin Bullock, Max Lazar, Caden Lemons, Carlos Luna, Joey Matulovich, Wilfred Salaman* RP: Jesus Brea, Johan Dominguez, Logan Gillaspie, Carlos Herrera, Michael Mediavilla*, Drew Rasmussen, Chad Whitmer Other starting pitcher considerations: Freisis Adames, Victor Castaneda, Jolon Lun, Daniel Missaki, Joel Pinto, Jayson Rose, Christian Trent* Other relief pitcher considerations: Tate Budnick, Roberto Delgado, Blake Fox*, Gabe Friese, Matt Hardy, Mitch McIntyre, Brandon Presley*, Peter Strzelecki, Tyler Tungate

http://www.brewerfan.net/images/store/dailylinkreport.jpg Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores *** Links for affiliate audio *** Media notes, standings, and sortable stat pages *** The entire local TV Timber Rattlers broadcast schedule

Final: AZL Reds 7, AZL Brewers 6 AZL Brewers Box Score Ernesto Martinez had a season-high 3 hits, rehabbing Nick Franklin homered, and young Latin OFs Larry Ernesto and Anderson Melendez each had 2 hits, but a big 7th inning off of reliever Jose Parra doomed the Baby Brewers to another loss to the hapless Reds. Starting pitcher Brayan Salaya went 6 innings for the first (and last) time this season. While the peripherals aren't good right now, he has a really good arm and could well be pushed to Helena next year. AZL Brewers Game Log

Final (10 innings): Helena 5, Orem 4 Brewers Ground Owlz With Extra Inning Walk Off Helena Earns Series Split With Orem By Greg Mroz / Helena Brewers Helena, MT - The current seven game home stand started with a heartbreaking 11 inning loss to Grand Junction. On Thursday night against Orem, the final game of the home stand, Helena found themselves tied in the 11th inning again. This time though, the Brewers prevailed, as a sacrifice fly from Pablo Abreu got the winning run across. Helena won by a 5-4 final, their sixth walk off win of the season, earning themselves the series split with the Owlz. Helena struck first for the second time in the four game series with a single run in the second. Bryan Torres doubled with one out, and scored on a two out double from Connor McVey. Orem tied the game in the top of the third on a solo home run from Justin Jones, but the Brewers retook the lead on a three run home run from David Fry, his 11th of the season. The score was 4-1 at that point, as Helena starter Michele Vassalotti completed five innings of one run baseball, surrendering just three hits. Orem though tied the game in the sixth thanks to a critical error. Rayneldy Rosario singled to start the inning, and with one out Kevin Maitan singled on a hit and run call that moved Rosario to third. D'Shawn Knowles then singled home Rosario, cutting the Helena lead to two. That brought up Francisco Del Valle, who put a dribbler down the third base line that Fry threw past first and down the right field line. Both runners scored, tying the game, but Lillis got the next two on ground outs, keeping the game tied. Neither team scored again in regulation, sending the game into extra innings. Logan Gillaspie, who pitched the last three of regulation for the Brewers, came back out to the mound for the tenth with the tiebreaker run on second. Orem didn't elect to bunt, and Gillaspie got the side in order, giving the Brewers a chance to walk it off in the bottom of the tenth. Brice Turang grounded out to second, moving the winning run to third with one out, but Owlz reliever Luis Alvarado got the next two to strike out, sending the game into the 11th. Michael Mediavilla entered for the 11th with Livan Soto as the tiebreaker run at second. Maitan grounded out to third, putting the go ahead run at third with one out. Helena brought the infield in for Knowles, who grounded the ball to short. Soto sprinted home on contact, and Yeison Coca fired a dart home to nail Soto for the second out. For the second straight frame, the Brewers had a chance to walk it off with just one out, and LG Castillo got the job done against Dazon Cole with a fly out to right that moved Fry, who started at second, to third with one out. That brought up Pablo Abreu, who's fly out to center scored Fry, giving Helena their sixth walk off of the year. Now just three games behind first place Billings, the Brewers head to Dehler Park tomorrow for the first of a three game series with Billings. First pitch is at 7:05 PM with the pregame show airing at 6:45 PM. *** Helena Box Score Helena Game Log

Some additional catch up: C Moises Perez activated off of Wisconsin's 7-day DL and transferred to the AZL. Pitchers Junior Montero, Oscar Castaneda, and Rafael Garcia were signed as international free agents to 2019 contracts. As noted in the link report threads, RHPs Ariel Vega and Victor Vasquez were activated from the DSL's 60-day DL. Both were assigned to the main DSL Brewers squad. OF Quintin Berry released from Colorado Springs as a result of the Clint Coulter promotion from Biloxi. OF Rob Henry placed on Carolina's 7-day DL, while RHP Wuilder Rodriguez was activated from the same DL. RHP Johan Dominguez promoted from the AZL to Helena.

INF Weston Wilson activated off of Carolina's DL. C Robie Rojas placed on Carolina's 7-day DL.

INF Kenny Corey and OF Nic Pierre placed on Wisconsin's 7-day DL. C Payton Henry activated off of Wisconsin's temporary inactive list. LHP Clayton Andrews activated off of Wisconsin's DL.

OF Carlos Rodriguez promoted from the DSL Brewers to the AZL Brewers. RHP Jolon Lun activated off of the AZL Brewers' restricted list and placed on the active roster.

Final: DSL Indians 9, DSL Brewers/Indians 7 DSL Brewers/Indians Box Score Alejandro Marte hit his 4th home run of the 2nd half as part of a 2-hit night, and Elian Gonzalez added two singles as well, but a late rally was not enough as the co-op team falls to the DSL Indians for what seems like the millionth time this season. DSL Brewers/Indians Game Log

Final: DSL Brewers 9, DSL D-Backs2 1 DSL Brewers Box Score Two-hit games from Victor Vargas, Oswel Leones, Juan Frias, and Jhonny David highlighted an easy win as the DSL team enters their final week of the season. Leoner Colina pitched 6.2 strong innings, allowing a run on 6 hits and a walk, while striking out 8.

Final: AZL Reds 11, AZL Brewers 8 AZL Brewers Box Score A few notable debuts overshadowed a loss to the worst team in the AZL. Carlos Rodriguez was brought stateside in the waning days of the DSL season to get a few weeks of work with the Maryvale squad (spoiler: expect more DSL names in the AZL box score in the coming days). He had 2 hits in 4 at-bats. And somewhat out of the blue, 16-year-old Chinese prodigy Jolon Lun (listed in the box score as Lun Zhao, and "officially" Jolon Zhao) made his pro debut and pitched a clean inning with 1 K. AZL Brewers Game Log

Final: Helena 8, Grand Junction 1 Brewers Throttle Rockies To Even Series Helena Scores Six In Fourth To Put Game Out Of Reach By Greg Mroz / Helena Brewers Helena, MT - A night after one of the most heartbreaking losses of the season, the Helena Brewers responded with a complete performance against the Grand Junction Rockies. The Brewers scored two in the first and never trailed, exploding for six runs in the fourth en route to an 8-1 win. LG Castillo and Bryan Torres each drove home three, while Max Lazar earned the win with five solid innings of one run baseball. For the first time in four games, the Brewers got on the board first, thanks to a two run first inning. Je'Von Ward and Brice Turang started the frame with back to back singles, and Yeison Coca sacrificed them both into scoring position. LG Castillo singled home the first run, and a Bryan Torres fielder's choice brought home the second run. Grand Junction cut the Brewers lead to one with a run in the fourth, but Helena busted the game open in the bottom of the inning. Connor McVey got plunked to start the inning. Jesus Lujano then reached on an error from Reese Berberet. The runners then converted a successful double steal with Bryan Connell at the plate, and his ground out to second scored McVey to extend the advantage back to two. Ward and Turang then walked to load the bases, setting up Coca, who singled in the infield, scoring a run and keep the bases loaded. Castillo then drilled a single to right center, scoring two and ending the night for Rockies starter Alejandro Mejia. Torres then came to the plate against new pitcher Jesse Stinnett, and hit a high pop up to right that got lost in haze, dropping in for a hit and scoring two, making it 8-1 Brewers. Helena starter Max Lazar earned the win with five innings of one run baseball, allowing just five hits, walking two and striking out four. He faced the minimum in the first three innings, as the only two base runners that reached against him were thrown out trying to steal second by Mike Alescio. Lazar's pitch count approached 90 with one out in the fifth, but got the next two outs quickly to end the inning. The Brewers bullpen allowed just one hit over the final four innings, as Tate Budnick, Jenri Montas and Peter Strzelecki held Grand Junction scoreless once Lazar exited the game. Helena and Grand Junction play the rubber game of this series tomorrow at 1:05 PM, as Justin Bullock takes the hill. *** Helena Box Score Helena Game Log

Final: DSL Indians 3, DSL Brewers/Indians 2 DSL Brewers/Indians Box Score Jose Arteaga got two singles and Elian Gonzalez slugged a double, but a strong pitching effort from Joandris Tolentino was not enough for the co-op squad. DSL Brewers/Indians Game Log

Final (11 innings): DSL D-Backs2 7, DSL Brewers 6 DSL Brewers Box Score With Carlos Rodriguez and Larry Ernesto missing from the lineup, the Brewers put up a spirited effort but fell in extra innings. RF Jhonny David singled, doubled, walked, and drove in 2 runs. Jose Romero pitched well again (5.2 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 6 K) and seems to be cementing a trip stateside next year. DSL Brewers Game Log