And That

Yah, Trent Clark has played basically a full season's worth of games in his minor league career, and he has a .381 OBP and a 125ish wRC+. If that's struggling, that's an extremely high threshold for struggling.

Rattlers Blast Past Kernels 12-7 By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Photo: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers) Wisconsin Boxscore The Rattlers' offense unloaded, scoring double digit runs for the first time in a month, and for only the third time this year as they pull back yet again to .500. The pitching did continue to struggle a bit, with starter Zack Brown allowing just two earned runs yet posting an uneven 5 inning outing, where throwing quality strikes was a struggle. Tandem mate Jordan Desguin allowed 5 more earned runs in two innings. That gives Desguin 12 earned runs allowed in his past 3 innings - otherwise known as an "ERA buster." Miguel Sanchez should be promoted soon. He's 23 and has struck out 29 on the year against 5 walks. He threw 2 scoreless innings to finish the game. He has an 86.8 DRA-, if you're into that. (That's pretty good.) The offense came from all over the place. The Rattlers' game plan going into the season was to have their lineup anchored by Tucker Neuhaus and Monte Harrison. While it hasn't panned out exactly the way they were envisioning so far, it did on Sunday. Both had three hits, including two Neuhaus doubles and a Harrison home run. Mario Feliciano cracked his 2nd home run on the year as part of a two hit effort, and Demi Orimoloye continued his hot streak with two doubles and two walks. Gilbert Lara was the only Wisconsin player without a hit. He's been better lately after seeing his batting average bottom out at .130 back on May 7th. Still, have to think he'll be sent to Helena when their season opens in four weeks. Wisconsin Game Log The game was put away in the fifth: Wisconsin Bottom of the 5th Ryan Aguilar doubles (3) on a fly ball to left fielder Caleb Hamilton. With Mario Feliciano batting, wild pitch by Tyler Beardsley, Ryan Aguilar to 3rd. Mario Feliciano singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jermaine Palacios, deflected by pitcher Tyler Beardsley. Ryan Aguilar scores. Tucker Neuhaus singles on a fly ball to right fielder Jaylin Davis. Mario Feliciano to 2nd. Pitching Change: Zach Tillery replaces Tyler Beardsley. Monte Harrison singles on a fly ball to right fielder Jaylin Davis. Mario Feliciano to 3rd. Tucker Neuhaus to 2nd. Trever Morrison walks. Mario Feliciano scores. Tucker Neuhaus to 3rd. Monte Harrison to 2nd. Ronnie Gideon walks. Tucker Neuhaus scores. Monte Harrison to 3rd. Trever Morrison to 2nd. With Gilbert Lara batting, wild pitch by Zach Tillery, Monte Harrison scores. Trever Morrison to 3rd. Ronnie Gideon to 2nd. Gilbert Lara pops out to first baseman Lewin Diaz. With Jose Cuas batting, wild pitch by Zach Tillery, Trever Morrison scores. Ronnie Gideon to 3rd. Jose Cuas walks. Demi Orimoloye walks. Jose Cuas to 2nd. Ryan Aguilar walks. Ronnie Gideon scores. Jose Cuas to 3rd. Demi Orimoloye to 2nd. Pitching Change: Hector Lujan replaces Zach Tillery. Mario Feliciano lines into an unassisted double play, shortstop Jermaine Palacios. Demi Orimoloye doubled off 2nd.

Cedar Rapids Tops Wisconsin 4-2 By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Photo: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers) GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Cedar Rapids Kernels defeated the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 4-2 on a cool, rainy Saturday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Eduardo Del Rosario allowed two runs and struck out eight over eight innings to pick up the win. Cedar Rapids (25-17) took the lead in the top of the fifth and it was a Wisconsin native who drove in the run. Jaylin Davis singled to start the inning and was bunted to second base. He was still there with two outs. Then, Ben Rortvedt, a 2nd round pick of the 2016 draft out of Verona High School, lined a double to left and Davis scored to put the Kernels up 1-0. The Kernels scored three times in the top of the seventh inning to take a 4-0 lead. Ariel Montesino doubled with one out and took third on an infield grounder. Rortvedt drew a walk to put runners on the corners. Rattlers catcher Nathan Rodriguez attempted a pickoff play at third and fired the ball into left and Montesino scored for a 2-0 lead. Wisconsin pitcher Nattino Diplan would throw a wild pitch to let Rortvedt to take third and then he hit Aaron Whitehead on a 1-2 pitch. Diplan uncorked another wild pitch that not only let Rortvedt score, but also allowed Whitehead to race around to third base. Christian Cavaness capped the inning with a single to score Whitehead. The Rattlers (19-20) got on the board against Del Rosario in the bottom of the eighth. The right-hander allowed two hits through his first seven innings, but gave up three hits in the eighth. Demi Orimoloye lined a two-out double into the corner in left field to score Rodriguez and Gilbert Lara. However, Del Rosario ended the inning with a strikeout, his eighth of the game. Tom Hackimer worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth to close out the Timber Rattlers. The final game of the series is scheduled for Sunday afternoon. Zack Brown (0-2, 7.88) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Tyler Beardsley (3-2, 4.37) is set to start for the Kernels. Game time is 1:05pm. Wisconsin Boxscore Wisconsin Game Log

On a different day with a different wind, he gives up at least two home runs. He wasn't locating as well as he normally does. Not sure what combination of that was nerves and the weather.

The BA article linked there doesn't really say anything new about either Ernesto or Rodriguez.

Updated mock draft from MLB Pipeline. Brewers pass on Beck, Haseley, Faedo, and Baz still on the board, amongst others I would take over the Brewers' pick. Also noteworthy is Mayo has Nick Pratto going to the Braves at #5. He hasn't been mentioned much as a possible Brewers pick, but he'll probably be there at #9, and I'm sure the Brewers are looking at him. Taking a HS first baseman isn't that exciting of a pick there, but Pratto would also be a top prospect as a LHP, and is sort of a proto-McKay.

Enlow has been slipping down lists slowly but steadily this spring - Patrick could maybe speak more to the reason why, but he was initially in the teens overall, and now I have him at #37. I haven't heard about signability being an issue with him, but at #34 or #46, it could start to be.

Davis Powers Cedar Rapids Past Wisconsin Midwest League leader in homers goes deep twice By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Photo: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers) Wisconsin Boxscore Demi Orimoloye lead off the bottom of the first with his 7th homer of the year, but that's the last lead the Rattlers would see, as erratic outings by Braden Webb and Cam Roegner left the offense unable to keep up in the middle innings. Orimoloye had two hits on the night, and Mario Feliciano added two as well, both singles. Jose Cuas paced Wisconsin with three hits, all singles, and brought his average north of .200 in the process. Wisconsin Game Log Almost rally in the bottom of the 9th: Wisconsin Bottom of the 9th Defensive Substitution: Ben Rortvedt replaces first baseman Lewin Diaz, batting 3rd, playing catcher. Defensive switch from catcher to first base for Caleb Hamilton. Pitching Change: Logan Lombana replaces Colton Davis. Ronnie Gideon strikes out swinging, catcher Ben Rortvedt to first baseman Caleb Hamilton. Jose Cuas singles on a ground ball to left fielder Shane Carrier. Gilbert Lara strikes out swinging. Caleb Whalen walks. Jose Cuas to 2nd. Demi Orimoloye singles on a line drive to right fielder Jaylin Davis. Jose Cuas scores. Caleb Whalen to 2nd. Mario Feliciano singles on a line drive to right fielder Jaylin Davis. Caleb Whalen scores. Demi Orimoloye to 2nd. Monte Harrison called out on strikes. Wisconsin Timber Rattlers center fielder Monte Harrison ejected by HP umpire Randy Wilmes.

D1 Baseball has their first mock up as well, though it is behind a paywall.

2080 Baseball has their first mock draft up. Austin Beck is starting to become a theme.

And Down East almost did come back as Quintin Torres-Costa hung a couple curveballs that left the yard.

Add a HR to that. Looks like he'll fall a single short of a cycle unless Down East comes back and he gets to bat again.

I am nearly positive this is correct. He pitched well in AAA for the Brewers last year, but didn't have the results to back it up. He kind of is what he is as a pitcher, so I don't think it makes a big difference between AA and AAA for him.

I missed Medeiros' last inning, which seems fortunate, but watched almost all of the rest of his outing. His fastball command was as good as I've ever seen it, and he's back up into the high 90s again after dipping last season. Still not incredibly impressed with his breaking ball, which I've seen variously referred to as a curve or a slider (I think it's a curve that breaks more like a slider due to arm angle), and his change up still has a ways to go as well. But man, it was exciting to see how well he was pitching last night.

Baseball America's Mock Draft 3.0 is out. I am a big fan of the pick at #9, and an interesting pick at #34. He's someone who was until not too long ago in the mix as a top 15 selection.

Baseball Prospectus has generally been more bullish on the Brewers this year, and they currently have the team at 36%.

Jankins Tosses a Gem as Rattlers Beat Clinton 2-1 Morrison homers and Jankins goes 7-2/3 for the win By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Photo: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers) Wisconsin Boxscore Back to .500 again as the offense was once again quiet, but the pitching was even quieter. Tom Jankins posted the longest start in the Brewers organization this year, going 7 2/3 innings. He allowed a run on 4 hits, 2 walks, and he struck out 5 batters. When Jankins is on, he gets ground balls, and get ground balls he did, recording 14 ground ball outs against 1 fly ball out. Dan Brown picked up a save for his second appearance in a row, logging the final 1 1/3 inning, whilst notching two strikeouts and issuing a walk. No Rattler had more than one hit, though Trever Morrison made his a good one. In his return to the active roster, Morrison knocked his first career home run. Demi Orimoloye also had one hit, a single, but managed to walk twice as well. Tucker Neuhaus drove in the other run on a sac fly in the 6th. Nathan Rodriguez, while hitless, did record to excellent defensive plays to end innings and preserve the win. Wisconsin Game Log Rodriguez #1: Clinton Top of the 7th Anthony Jimenez strikes out swinging. Yojhan Quevedo grounds out, pitcher Thomas Jankins to first baseman Ryan Aguilar. Dimas Ojeda singles on a line drive to center fielder Monte Harrison. With Kristian Brito batting, throwing error by Thomas Jankins on the pickoff attempt, Dimas Ojeda to 2nd. With Kristian Brito batting, Nathan Rodriguez picks off Dimas Ojeda at 2nd on throw to Tucker Neuhaus. Rodriguez #2 (this was on a wild pitch): Clinton Top of the 9th Luis Rengifo strikes out on a foul tip. Bryson Brigman strikes out swinging. Nick Zammarelli walks. Nick Zammarelli out at 2nd, catcher Nathan Rodriguez to second baseman Tucker Neuhaus.

Wisconsin has activated SS Trever Morrison from the DL. To make room, IF Jonathan Oquendo has been transferred to the Helena roster.

Don't think we picked this up yet, but in addition to Adam Weisenburger, the Brewers released DSL righty Alberto Paulino.

LumberKings Slug Rattlers 15-3 Clinton cracks 22 hits in win over Wisconsin By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Photo: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers) Wisconsin Boxscore Second stinker in a row for Wisconsin see-saws their record back under .500. I will say this much: 4 of the Rattlers' 5 hits were for extra bases. On another day, that might be good news. Gilbert Lara hit a home run. Tucker Neuhaus hit a home run and a double. Jonathan Oquendo got a triple. Caleb Whalen got the single. Four Rattlers finished the game with a batting average under .200. If you are brave enough to check out the box score, you can see who those guys are. This is a family website, so I can not go into detail on the pitching. One bright spot: Miguel Sanchez has struck out 27 against 4 walks this year. Probably a candidate to be moved up (after Parker Berberet), despite his ERA. Wisconsin Game Log Nothing to see here.

The way he's pitching, pretty much any time Carlos Torres doesn't give up a run, I assume luck was involved.

This Timber Rattlers game is not going well. Really not well.

Giving up four good prospects for Quintana would seem to run counter to Stearns' oft-stated mantra of acquiring young, controllable talent. I would be shocked if something like that happened, though I guess if the Brewers feel that they're within striking distance I could see the rationale. I think the Brewers will be more likely to acquire veteran starting pitching via free agency, as opposed to trading for it. Free agency obviously requires much less talent outflow to pay for the talent inflow. The Brewers' payroll would seemingly accommodate that route as well. I would not be surprised to see the Brewers go after some bullpen help via trade, with the caveat that I don't think they'll give up much value for a rental.

LumberKings Stop Rattlers Win Streak Clinton beats Wisconsin 10-3 on Monday night By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Photo: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers) Wisconsin Boxscore The ugly night for the system theme did not exclude Wisconsin, and the Rattlers were unable to extend their winning streak to a season-long four games. The offense produced six hits, four of which belonged to the combined efforts of Demi Orimoloye and Mario Feliciano. Feliciano's two hits pushed hit average up to .312, and his OPS is back up over 800. No extra base hits today, no Timber Rattler drew a walk, and the team K'd 12 times. The LumberKings' starting pitcher, Tim Viehoff, has an 80 grade delivery. The definition of wonky left-hander. Check it out. Also, Viehoff struck out the first seven Rattlers he faced, and then failed to record another K for the remainder of his five inning outing. Starter Nattino Diplan was great for two innings and then went off the rails with one out in the 3rd. I think I mention it every time, but with his stuff, it's just so frustrating to watch him pitch. He'll be fine, then he'll lose his release point, then he starts grooving pitches, disaster. Rinse and repeat. Wisconsin Game Log Not a great way to start a game: Wisconsin Bottom of the 1st Demi Orimoloye strikes out swinging. Mario Feliciano strikes out swinging. Monte Harrison called out on strikes. Wisconsin Bottom of the 2nd Tucker Neuhaus called out on strikes. Joantgel Segovia strikes out swinging. Ronnie Gideon strikes out swinging. Wisconsin Bottom of the 3rd Ryan Aguilar called out on strikes. Gilbert Lara flies out to center fielder Luis Liberato. Jose Cuas pops out to catcher Nick Thurman in foul territory.

With Hader, I'm not sure what his trade value is. If the Brewers offer him up, they'd be the third team in four years to do so. At some point, other teams are going to wonder why three teams have been so willing to give him up.