And That

Rattlers Outslug Peoria 11-8 Harrison homers twice and drives in three for Wisconsin By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Photo: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers) GRAND CHUTE, WI - It was a cool and rainy evening with the wind blowing out to right field for Thursday's game between the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and Peoria Chiefs at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The teams combined for six home runs, 27 hits, and 19 runs in the game, but it was the Rattlers who came out on top with an 11-8 victory. Monte Harrison continued to swing a hot bat as he had two homers and three RBI to lead the Rattlers back to .500. Harrison gave the Timber Rattlers (7-7) the lead in the bottom of the first inning. Tucker Neuhaus drew a walk with two outs. Harrison was next and he lifted a towering, two-run home run to left and Wisconsin was up 2-0. The Chiefs (6-7) got a run back in the top of the second. Ryan McCarvel singled with one out. Danny Hudzina followed with a double to left-center and the Chiefs had pulled to within 2-1. Wisconsin scored two more runs in the bottom of the second. A hit batsman, a single, and a wild pitch put runners on second and third with no outs. Nathan Rodriguez lined a single to center to score the first run of the frame. Ryan Aguilar drove in the second run with a fielder's choice. Peoria got a run in the top of the third. Tommy Edman tripled with one out. Andy Young singled to knock in Edman and the Rattlers lead was cut to two runs. The game settled down for a few innings. Then, the offensive barrage began in the fifth. The Chiefs tied the game 4-4 on a two-out, two run home run by Andrew Knizner. The Rattlers went back in front when they stole a run with two outs and Mario Feliciano at third and Ronnie Gideon at first. Gideon broke for second and drew a throw to get into a run down. Feliciano raced home and crossed the plate before Gideon was tagged for the third out and the Rattlers were up 5-4. But, Peoria came back to tie the game in the top of the sixth on a solo home run by Danny Hudzina. Nathan Rodriguez put the Rattlers ahead to stay in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI double. Demi Orimoloye gave Wisconsin a bigger cushion when he cracked a two-run home run, his fourth homer of the season, to score Rodriguez ahead of him. The 8-5 lead wasn't long for this game as the Chiefs chipped away with a two-out rally in the seventh. Knizner doubled to get on base and Brian O'Keefe singled to get the run home to cut Wisconsin's lead back down to two runs. Harrison stepped in to lead off the Wisconsin seventh an lined a homer down the right field line for his second homer of the night and fourth of the season. Gideon would be next and he doubled. Gilbert Lara added another tally for Wisconsin on a single to get Gideon home. The Chiefs wouldn't go away. Matt Davis doubled with two outs in the eighth inning to keep the inning alive. Dylan Carlson followed with a two-run homer and the Rattlers were up 10-8. Orimoloye doubled in the bottom of the eighth and was at third with one out. Feliciano cracked a single to center to score Orimoloye with the final run of the slugfest. The single by Feliciano also extended his current hitting streak to eight games, the longest streak on the team this season. Rattlers reliever Luke Barker entered the game for the top of the ninth and gave up a leadoff single, but pitched a scoreless inning to close out the game thanks to a 4-6-3 double play and a groundout. Harrison is on a six-game hitting streak. He is 11-for-23 (.478) with six RBI during the streak. Game two of the series is Friday night. Cameron Roegner (0-0, 14.54) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Rattlers. Peoria has named Ian Oxnevad (0-1, 5.19) as their starter. Game time is 6:35pm. Arty's Old Fashioned drinks will be available to fans over 21 for $3 as part of Arty's Old Fashioned Fridays with WIXX. Children 14 and under may participate in Kids Run the Bases thanks to Menasha Corporation after the game. If you can't make it to the ballpark on Friday, there are several ways to catch the action. The radio broadcast is on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino Pregame Show at 6:15pm. The broadcast is also available on TuneIn Radio, IHeartRadio, and MiLB.tv. Wisconsin Boxscore Wisconsin Log

Colorado postponed. Wisconsin wins a slugfest. Details on that one first thing tomorrow morning.

Tim Dillard has been placed on the Sky Sox' DL, retroactive to 4/18. David Goforth has been activated after clearing waivers and accepting his assignment.

Thames' body has changed in the same way that Bosio's body has changed.

If Thames finished the year with a slash line of like .180/.230/.300, a DFA would certainly be plausible. He'd have to be historically awful for the rest of the season to accomplish that. I've seen stranger things, though.

Robert is probably going to get a lot more money than the Brewers have bonus pool room. One of the teams already way over the cap are the most likely, because they can't be penalized any more in terms of limitations on what they can do next signing period.

Rattlers Drop 6-3 Decision at Clinton to End Road Trip Feliciano and Harrison stay hot for Wisconsin's offense By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Photo: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers) Wisconsin Boxscore As the subheading of the T-Rats official game summary says, Mario Feliciano and Monte Harrison stayed hot for the Wisconsin offense, both with three hits, but it wasn't quite enough today. And to be fair, Demi Orimoloye also continued a nice little hot streak with two hits of his own. The only extra base hit for Wisconsin came off the bat of Feliciano, a 5th inning double. As we slowly inch to the point where sample sizes become the tiniest bit meaningful, Feliciano sports a shiny 1.047 OPS. That's good enough for 7th in the Midwest League. Trey Supak was not sharp for the first time this season. He pitches up in the zone more than most pitchers the Brewers have, and while that usually works for him, he had trouble finding the strike zone, and when he did he found too much of it. Supak gave up 5 hits in 4 2/3 innings, 3 of which were for extra bases and 1 of was a home run. He was charged with 4 runs, all earned, though one of those crossed the plate after he left the game, courtesy of a home run off of reliever Miguel Sanchez. Wisconsin Log

My "aggregate" top 20, which combines the PG top 150 with Baseball America, MLB Pipeline, and some other top "xx" lists: 1. Hunter Greene, HS, RHP/SS 2. Jeren Kendall, 4yr, OF 3. Brendan McKay, 4yr, LHP/1B/OF 4. Royce Lewis, HS, OF 5. JB Bukauskas, 4yr, RHP 6. Austin Beck, HS, OF 7. Alex Faedo, 4yr, RHP 8. Kyle Wright, 4yr, RHP 9. DL Hall, HS, LHP 10. Jo Adell, HS, OF 11. Pavin Smith, 4yr, 1B 12. Seth Romero, 4yr, LHP 13. Taner Houck, 4yr, RHP 14. Alex Lange, 4yr, RHP 15. MacKenzie Gore, HS, LHP 16. Nick Pratto, HS, 1B/LHP 17. Hans Crouse, HS, RHP 18. Adam Haseley, 4yr, OF 19. Keston Hiura, 4yr, 2B/OF 20. Clarke Schmidt, 4yr, RHP At the Brewers slots, I currently have: 9. DL Hall, HS, LHP 34. Tristan Beck, 4yr (Soph), RHP 46. Bubba Thompson, HS, OF 84. Nate Pearson, JC, RHP 114. Mitchell Stone, HS, LHP

I've noticed that Clark seems to get poor reads on balls, especially those hit over him. I can't remember which game it was recently, he was playing CF and took one of the more serpentine patterns I've seen to a ball hit over him, and could never get himself under it. I guess I haven't noticed a lack of effort from him, though. That Carolina team does drive me nuts with all the called third strike calls they get themselves out on.

I'm pretty sure the Brewers kept Andy Wilkins longer than they would have, had he not been so close to getting 52 (?) days of service time, the minimum needed for a partial MLB pension.

Not to belabor this, but high school catching prospects are so hard to develop because, while they can develop defensively over time, you can't hold back their offensive progression for the sake of seeing if they stick behind the plate. And no, I don't think he'll finish the year with a >.900 OPS. I do think it's possible he could hit Carolina League pitching, though. He has an impressive approach at the plate. I say high school catching prospects are hard to develop because I believe they are the single least likely draft asset to reach the majors, at least among position players (I can't find the research offhand). To wit, going back 10 years beginning in 2014, this is how many players drafted as catchers out of high school, in any round, have reached the big leagues as a catcher (number afterwards is career bWAR) 2014 (and 2015/2016): 0 2013: 0 2012: 0 2011: 2 - Blake Swihart (0.6, though he played more OF last year), Austin Hedges (-0.5) 2010: 0* - *J.T. Realmuto was drafted as an infielder and converted to catcher (5.5) 2009: 4 - Steve Baron (-0.3), J.R. Murphy (0.4), Max Stassi (0.4), Tucker Barnhart (1.4) 2008: 3 - Kyle Skipworth (-0.1), Adrian Nieto (-0.1), Christian Vazquez (1.4) 2007: 5 - Devin Mesoraco (3.6), Travis d'Arnaud (1.4), Austin Romine (-0.6), Derek Norris (8.0), Juan Centeno (0.2) 2006: 1 - Hank Conger (2.1) 2005: 3 - Bryan Anderson (-0.5), Josh Thole (-0.9), Luis Exposito (-0.2) In 10 years of drafting, that's... not a lot. 19 guys total counting Realmuto and Swihart, and only 6 with >1 bWAR. Median is 0.4 bWAR. Essentially no production since the 2010 draft. Any list headlined by Derek Norris, is, yah. Which is not to say that Feliciano won't make it as a catcher, but even recognizing his obvious talent, the odds are stacked way against him.

Of course Erickson is going to say he handles pitchers well. He's not going to go out and say Feliciano is awful. And with all the signs called from the dugout at that level, not sure what that phrase amounts to. From what I've seen, and I've seen about 2-3 full games worth of his work, is his arm is fine, I think grades out as plus, but footwork needs quite a bit of work as throws tend to sail in a number of directions. He's certainly athletic. He seems to stab at the ball instead of move his body. The footwork and blocking (which is really also footwork) are something I believe he could improve on with enough repetition. Point being, how much do you want to delay his offensive progress because of his need for defensive reps? I think his bat will be ready way before his defense will be, and his defensive upside isn't enough that you hold his bat back for it. To your point about Helena, it seems to me he's in Wisconsin because of his bat. He's not not in Helena because of his defense. He hit his way onto the team in spring. If he wasn't working on defense in Wisconsin, he'd be doing it in extended.

Rattlers Rock Clinton for 9-5 Win Harrison breaks 5-5 tie with late two-run double as Wisconsin rallies for a victory By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Photo: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers) Wisconsin Boxscore The offense! Over the past few games the Rattler offense seems to have awoken from its early season slumber. Nine runs today gives them 19 in the past three games, one of which was rain-shortened. For contrast, they scored 25 runs over their first nine games, and 11 of those came in one game. All but two Rattlers starters had hits today, and as of game's end the lineup boasted three players with an OPS of more than .900. One of those players, young Mario Feliciano, paced the offense today with three hits, the last of which was a two-out laser double to centerfield in the eighth inning that drove in two runs and pretty much put the game away for Wisconsin. The inning prior, Monte Harrison notched his second hit of the day, also a two-out double, that also scored two runs and put the Rattlers in front 7-5. And I have not yet mentioned the two home runs hit by the good guys today. Tucker Neuhaus and Demi Orimoloye both hit their third long balls of the season. Neuhaus is the second of the aforementioned >.900 OPS guys, and the third is Jose Cuas who contributed a double and a walk. The starting pitching was shaky for the second consecutive day, though unlike yesterday's starter, Victor Diaz is not making $10.5 million this year. (About 1/1,615th of that, actually.) Following Diaz was 27 year-old first time pitcher Parker Berberet, who allowed one run, a home run, over an inning and two-thirds. He walked two and struck out one. The pitcher of the day was probably Tino Diplan, who had his best outing of the season, and one of his best as a professional. Diplan picked up the win while tossing three scoreless frames, allowing two singles and a walk, while striking out four. When Diplan is able to locate, it isn't hard to see him becoming one of the better pitching prospects in the system. Unfortunately, command within the zone alludes him all too often. Wisconsin Log Wisconsin takes the lead: Wisconsin Top of the 7th Joantgel Segovia hit by pitch. Demi Orimoloye called out on strikes. Mario Feliciano singles on a line drive to center fielder Luis Liberato. Joantgel Segovia to 2nd. Pitching Change: Matt Clancy replaces Ronald Dominguez. With Tucker Neuhaus batting, passed ball by Yojhan Quevedo, Joantgel Segovia to 3rd. Mario Feliciano to 2nd. Tucker Neuhaus reaches on a fielder's choice out, pitcher Matt Clancy to catcher Yojhan Quevedo to third baseman Conner Hale. Joantgel Segovia out at home. Mario Feliciano to 3rd. Tucker Neuhaus to 2nd. Monte Harrison doubles (2) on a line drive to center fielder Luis Liberato. Mario Feliciano scores. Tucker Neuhaus scores. Ronnie Gideon hit by pitch. Ryan Aguilar called out on strikes. Wisconsin increases the lead: Wisconsin Top of the 8th Jose Cuas called out on strikes. Gilbert Lara grounds out to second baseman Bryson Brigman. Joantgel Segovia singles on a line drive to center fielder Luis Liberato. Demi Orimoloye walks. Joantgel Segovia to 2nd. With Mario Feliciano batting, throwing error by Yojhan Quevedo on the pickoff attempt, Joantgel Segovia to 3rd. Demi Orimoloye to 2nd. Mario Feliciano doubles (3) on a line drive to center fielder Luis Liberato. Joantgel Segovia scores. Demi Orimoloye scores. Mario Feliciano out at 3rd, center fielder Luis Liberato to third baseman Conner Hale.

It's the old conundrum of trying to develop a bat-first high school age catcher - they have to spend so much development time behind the plate that their offensive game isn't being challenged enough. He has the tools to stay at catcher, but I believe he's more of a bat-first prospect who has the tools to develop more quickly elsewhere so that his bat can carry him. But, the Brewers have time to figure that out, and his progress defensively over the next year or two will ultimately determine if the Brewers keep him at catcher or not.

The Rattlers offense is starting to plate the runners they've been leaving all over the place since the start of the season. And Mario Feliciano, what a start for the youngest player in the league. I don't think he sticks at catcher, but if he keeps hitting like this he won't have to.

Marinez can elect free agency if he's DFA'd and unclaimed on waivers. Dunno how much value they place on him internally, but if they take him off of the roster, he's probably not going to remain a member of the organization for long.

Yah, I'd wager Davies would have to have another 4-5 poor starts in the next month before they'd even consider sending him down. My guess is that Milone is sent back to the bullpen. A Nieuwenhuis DFA wouldn't be completely surprising if they think CF is covered with Perez.

LumberKings hold off late Wisconsin Rally Clinton beats the Rattlers 5-4 By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Photo: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers) Wisconsin Boxscore I opted to not watch this as the thought of Matt Garza interrupting a perfectly good Rattlers pitching staff did not set with me well. Garza got cuffed around for 4 earned runs in 5 2/3 innings in what I sincerely hope is the last time we see him in a Rattlers uniform. I also hope he bought dinner for the team. Andrew Vernon made his full season debut, throwing an inning and a third scoreless baseball, even stranding a Garza baserunner. Cam Roegner pitched a scoreless 8th. The Rattlers offense faired pretty well today, though it was not quite enough. They banged out ten hits, three of which were for extra bases, though they did not draw a walk. Jose Cuas lead the way with a home run and a double. Tucker Neuhaus had a double and a single, and Ryan Aguilar & Joantgel Segovia both had two singles. Cuas, by the way, has a team-leading .953 OPS. Neuhaus pushed his OPS to .905. Wisconsin Log

Rattlers Beat the Kernels and the Weather Wisconsin wins rain-shortened game 6-0 on Saturday By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Photo: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers) Wisconsin Boxscore Braden Webb is really fun to watch pitch. He has a unique delivery and has great stuff, and today he carved up the Kernals' lineup. I was particularly impressed with his changeup, a pitch he needs to develop to remain as a starter. If today is any indication, he's well down that path. I have a feeling he'll be moving up prospect lists rapidly in the near future. Webb gets credit for a complete game 2 hitter despite pitching only five innings. Somewhat curiously, while Webb is credited with a complete game, he is not credited with a shutout on his MiLB page. Don't know if that's a common happening with rain-shortened complete games or not. I'm not going to think about it too much more, either. Tucker Neuhaus got on base three times and raised his 10-game OPS to 853. Monte Harrison returned to the lineup after hitting a ball with his face and went 1-3. Gilbert Lara hit his first home run of the season. Wisconsin Log Offense! Wisconsin Top of the 4th Tucker Neuhaus singles on a ground ball to center fielder Aaron Whitefield. With Monte Harrison batting, wild pitch by Alex Schick, Tucker Neuhaus to 2nd. Monte Harrison flies out to center fielder Aaron Whitefield. Ronnie Gideon doubles (4) on a fly ball to center fielder Aaron Whitefield. Tucker Neuhaus scores. Trever Morrison doubles (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Aaron Whitefield. Ronnie Gideon scores. With Jose Cuas batting, wild pitch by Alex Schick, Trever Morrison to 3rd. Jose Cuas doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder Christian Cavaness. Trever Morrison scores. Gilbert Lara homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Jose Cuas scores. Demi Orimoloye doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Christian Cavaness. Pitching Change: Domenick Carlini replaces Alex Schick. With Ryan Aguilar batting, Domenick Carlini picks off Demi Orimoloye at 2nd on throw to Ariel Montesino. Ryan Aguilar flies out to left fielder Christian Cavaness.

Yah, Peralta's fastball can be unfair when he locates it. Something like 20 swing and misses on his 4-seamer today.

Thanks for catching that. Corresponding move is Dalton Brown to the 7-day DL.

I was corrected by Ben Badler on this. If you're already over your pool allotment, you can't trade for more room. Can only trade for more room if you haven't spent it yet. So, nothing to see here.

I disagree that Stearns is specifically going after sinker ballers or pitchers who throw splitters. I think it is more to do with diversity on the pitching staff. You don't want 12 guys who throw 4-seam/slider/change. Think he's just casting a wide net in terms of what stuff might work at the big league level.

I'd be more than happy with Buehler plus a few nuggets, preferably a LHP and a middle infielder.

IIRC, Harrison also indicated that he intends to start wearing the C-flap on his helmet now.