Matt Breen

Sad news about Davey. Nelson played parts of 10 seasons in the majors. He had one very good year - 1973. He hit .286 with 43 stolen bases and 3.2 bWAR - making the all-star game that year. He even got a few MVP votes. A lifetime .244 hitter, Nelson spent his post-ball days as a coach and TV analyst. Here is Davey in his heyday.

Lowrie has been great this year. He was quite good last year as well. He's a solid defensive player - equal to or better than our current options. And his offense is better. Lowrie is a switch hitter who tends to hit lefties a little better than righties. Not huge splits, so you can easily play him full time if you want. The big problem is the A's are .500, so they probably aren't in selling mode just yet. But down the road, he probably will be available. And I doubt he would cost too much since he's a FA after the season.

I said this in the bullpen thread - but I want Woodruff in the rotation. Suter can go to the bullpen and fill the role of one of our lefties. Drake can go ... away. This would mean no lefty in the rotation - but such is life.

Final: Mobile 13, Biloxi 3 Wind Howls on a Sunday in Shuckers' Loss Shuckers and Biscuits Combine for Five Home Runs, All to Left Field By Spencer Siegel Biloxi Box Score Biloxi pitchers surrendered 16 hits - including four home runs - in an ugly 13-3 lose to Montgomery. None of the Shucker pitchers came out unscathed, although Luis Ortiz turned in the best performance by giving up two earned runs in four innings of work. Otherwise, Wade Miley surrender three long balls in three innings, and Josh Uhen and Wuilder Rodriguez gave up three runs each in just an inning of work. Ugly. Biloxi bats weren't particularly exciting, although Troy Stokes Jr. popped his second HR of the season, while Nick Franklin, Blake Allemand and Dustin Houle each had a pair of hits. Batting Troy Stokes Jr.: 1-5, HR Nick Franklin: 2-4 Blake Allemand: 2-4 Dustin Houle: 2-3, BB Pitching Wade Miley: 3.0 IP, 6 hits, 4 ER, 0BB, 1K, Lose Luis Ortiz: 4.0 IP, 5 hits, 2 ER, 1BB, 2K Josh Uhen: 1.0 IP, 1 hit, 3 ER, 3BB, 0K Wuilder Rodriguez: 1.0 IP, 4 hits, 3 ER, 0BB, 1K Notes Biloxi is now 10-7 for the season. Biloxi Log

Watched 'The Post' tonight. Good movie. Great? No. But a good old school newspaper drama. Really well done - great cast, beautifully shot, well-paced. Finally saw 'Dunkirk' last weekend. That was a good flick as well.

At this point, I'm hoping they move Suter to the pen, and bring up Woodruff to take a rotation spot. Woodruff is pitching well at Colorado Springs and I just think he profiles as a better starter than Suter. As for Suter, let's hope his stuff plays better out of the pen. As for Drake, he gets his strikeouts, but he's just been too hittable in his career and walks too many batters. At 31, I don't see much more than what he is. Give Suter his job for now. I like Hader, Jeffress, Barnes, T. Williams, Jennings, Albers group. We can see how all of this shakes out once Boone Logan and Wade Miley are healthy (and eventually, Corey Knebel).

Final: Mobile 5, Biloxi 3 Shuckers Open Homestand with 5-3 Loss to Biscuits Biloxi Held to Season-Low Two Hits in Loss By Spencer Siegel Biloxi Box Score What a difference 24 hours makes. Yesterday Biloxi pounded out 19 hits and scored 15 runs. Today they managed only two hits in a 5-3 lose to Montgomery. For Biloxi, Cody Ponce had some solid numbers, but four of the seven hits he allowed would all come in the 1st inning - putting the Shuckers in 2-run hole to start the game. At the plate, Biloxi had two hits and four walks - the highlight Dylan Moore's 3-run triple in the 4th. Batting Dylan Moore: 1-3, 3B, 3RBI Troy Stokes Jr.: 1-4 Jake Gatewood: 0-2, 2BB Pitching Cody Ponce: 6.0 IP, 7 hits, 4 ER, 1BB, 6K, Lose Brad Kuntz: 2.0 IP, 3 hits, 1 ER, 0BB, 2K Nate Griep: 1.0 IP, 0 hits. 0 ER, 0BB, 1K Biloxi Log Biloxi managed to get three runs in the 4th inning by getting a pair of walks and two hits - including a three-run triple from Dylan Moore. Sadly, it wouldn't be enough. Biloxi Bottom of the 4th Troy Stokes Jr. singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brandon Lowe. Lucas Erceg flies out to center fielder Thomas Milone. Nick Franklin called out on strikes. Jake Gatewood walks. Troy Stokes Jr. to 2nd. Blake Allemand walks. Troy Stokes Jr. to 3rd. Jake Gatewood to 2nd. Dylan Moore triples (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Nathan Lukes. Troy Stokes Jr. scores. Jake Gatewood scores. Blake Allemand scores. Jake Hager flies out to center fielder Thomas Milone.

Final: Biloxi 15, Mobile 5 Historic 15-Run Night Caps Series With BayBears Shuckers score a record 15 runs on 19 hits Photo: Michael Krebs Biloxi Box Score Biloxi bats went crazy on Friday night, pounding out 19 hits and scoring 15 runs in a victory of the Mobile BayBears. Leading the hit parade was Lucas Erceg and Jake Hager, who each had four hits and a home run. Four other Shuckers had two hits apiece. On the mound, Thomas Jankins struggled through 5.2 innings, walking four and surrendering four hits, but he did limit the damage to just two earned runs while getting the win - his third of the season. Batting Jake Hager: 4-5, 2 2B, HR, 2 RBI Lucas Erceg: 4-5, HR, 4 RBI Tory Stokes Jr.: 2-6 Nick Franklin: 2-3, 2B, BB, SB Dustin Houle: 1-2, 2B, 3 RBI Jake Gatewood: 2-6, 3B, 2 RBI Blake Allemand: 2-5 Pitching Thomas Jankins: 5.2 IP, 4 hits, 2 ER, 4BB, 4K, Win Jon Olczak: 1.1 IP, 2 hits, 2 ER, 0BB 1K Quintin Torres-Costa: 1.0 IP, 0 hits, 0 ER, 1BB, 2K Wuilder Rodriguez: 1.0 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 0BB, 1K Notes Biloxi is now 10-5 for the season and lead the Southern League South division. Biloxi Log Down 3-2, Biloxi broke open the game with five runs in the fifth. Biloxi Top of the 5th Quintin Berry walks. With Corey Ray batting, wild pitch by Luis Pena, Quintin Berry to 2nd. Corey Ray flies out to center fielder Brennon Lund. Troy Stokes singles on a ground ball to left fielder Zach Gibbons. Quintin Berry to 3rd. Lucas Erceg singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brendon Sanger. Quintin Berry scores. Troy Stokes to 3rd. Nick Franklin doubles (1) on a line drive to right fielder Brendon Sanger. Troy Stokes scores. Lucas Erceg to 3rd. Pitching Change: Samil De Los Santos replaces Luis Pena. Jake Gatewood triples (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Zach Gibbons. Lucas Erceg scores. Nick Franklin scores. Blake Allemand out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Zach Gibbons in foul territory. Jake Gatewood scores. Dylan Moore grounds out, third baseman Taylor Ward to first baseman Jose Rojas.

Final: Mobile 2, Biloxi 1 Different Night, Same Result: Shuckers Fall in 10 BayBears Score in 9th, 10th to defeat Shuckers By Garrett Greene Biloxi Box Score For the third straight night Biloxi has lost a game by one run. Tonight, the lose was especially painful as the Shuckers had a 1-0 lead going into the 9th inning - only to give up a run in the bottom of the frame. They would go on to lose in the 10th. The Shuckers held the Mobile BayBears to only six hits in the game - but they did give seven free passes. Kodi Medeiros threw five scoreless innings - allowing a hit and four walks. He struck out five. Biloxi batters managed only four hits and three walks for the night, including two by Jake Hager. Batting Jake Hager: 2-3 Lucas Erceg: 1-3, BB Pitching Adrian Houser: 2.1 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 2BB, 3K Kodi Medeiros: 5.0 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, 4BB, 4K Nate Griep: 1.2 IP, 2 hits, 1 ER, 1BB, 3K, Blown Save Brad Kuntz: 0.0 IP, 1 hit, Lose Notes Kodi Medeiros has put up some strange numbers this year. He has only allowed six hits and one earned run in 15 innings of work. He has struck out 13 batters and has an ERA of 0.60. He has, however, walked 10 batters. Jake Hager, a 25 year old infielder signed this past off season as a minor league free agent, has had a nice campaign thus far. He is hitting .324 on 34 ABs. Hager is a career .258 hitter with minimal power. Biloxi Log Biloxi scored only one run in the game - in the top of the 2nd. Biloxi Top of the 2nd Nick Franklin singles on a ground ball to center fielder Bo Way. Jake Gatewood walks. Nick Franklin to 2nd. Blake Allemand lines out to second baseman Connor Justus. Jake Hager singles on a ground ball to center fielder Bo Way. Nick Franklin scores. Jake Gatewood to 2nd. Tyler Heineman flies out to right fielder Brendon Sanger. Jake Gatewood to 3rd. Wendell Rijo grounds out, second baseman Connor Justus to first baseman Matt Thaiss.

The Reds have fired manager Bryan Price after a 3-15 start. Pitching coach Mack Jenkins has also been fired, while bench coach Jim Riggleman was named interim manager. http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23243513/cincinnati-reds-fire-manager-bryan-price-3-15-start

Final: Mobile 6, Biloxi 5 Home Runs And Hit By Pitch Undo Shuckers In Mobile BayBears Rally Twice to Beat Shuckers By Garrett Greene Biloxi Box Score Biloxi had the opportunities to win it on Wednesday, but they could not capitalize when the opportunities arose. The result was a 6-5 lose to Mobile. The Shuckers went 2-11 with runners in scoring position and left 10 men on base. On the mound, starter Zack Brown was victimized by the long ball, giving up a pair of home runs - and five runs - in five innings of work. Quinin Torres-Costa was impressive to close out the game. Batting Troy Stokes Jr.: 1-4, BB, SB Lucas Erceg: 2-4, BB Nick Franklin: 3-5 Jake Hager: 1-3, 2B, BB Dustin Houle: 0-2, 2BB Pitching Zack Brown: 5.0 IP, 5 hits, 5 ER, 2BB, 6K Josh Uhen: 0.1 IP, 0 hits, 1 ER, 1BB Quintin Torres-Costa: 2.2 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 0BB, 4K Notes Reliever Quintin Torres-Costa has had nice start to the 2018 season. Torres-Costa has struck out 11 in 6.2 innings while not surrendering any runs. Biloxi Log The 5th inning was a big one - for both teams. Biloxi walked five times in the inning - plus had one hit. It lead to three runs and the lead. However, Mobile would get back all three runs with a Matt Thaiss HR. Biloxi Top of the 5th Troy Stokes Jr. walks. With Lucas Erceg batting, Troy Stokes Jr. steals (3) 2nd base. Lucas Erceg strikes out swinging. Nick Franklin singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brendon Sanger, deflected by second baseman Hutton Moyer. Troy Stokes Jr. scores. With Jake Gatewood batting, Nick Franklin steals (2) 2nd base, . Nick Franklin advances to 3rd, on a throwing error by catcher Michael Barash. Jake Gatewood walks. Dylan Moore walks. Jake Gatewood to 2nd. Jake Hager walks. Nick Franklin scores. Jake Gatewood to 3rd. Dylan Moore to 2nd. Wendell Rijo strikes out swinging. Dustin Houle walks. Jake Gatewood scores. Dylan Moore to 3rd. Jake Hager to 2nd. Pitching Change: Ryan Clark replaces Sean Isaac. Corey Ray flies out to left fielder Zach Gibbons. Mobile Bottom of the 5th Brendon Sanger singles on a fly ball to center fielder Corey Ray. Wade Wass walks. Brendon Sanger to 2nd. Brennon Lund grounds out to first baseman Dylan Moore. Brendon Sanger to 3rd. Wade Wass to 2nd. Matt Thaiss homers (2) on a fly ball to right center field. Brendon Sanger scores. Wade Wass scores. Taylor Ward called out on strikes. Hutton Moyer strikes out swinging.

A lot of credit needs to be given to Nottingham and the Brewer staff for turning Jacob into a much better defender. Many people never thought he'd stay behind the plate. I haven't seen him in action, but reports over the past couple of years have been pretty positive. Also, he threw out 40% of runners trying to steal last year - which is pretty impressive. Nottingham just turned 23 years old a couple of weeks ago - so he's still very young and raw. I just hope he keeps progressing behind the plate - and with the bat. I'm guessing he's going to Colorado Springs sooner than later, but let's hope his time in Milwaukee is a good one.

That's a weird one. It's so bizarre the stuff that gets called up in our brains.

Miguel Cabrera is hitting .235 with a .675 OPS so far. Last year he had an OPS of .728. He's owed $30M this year, plus $154M over the next five years. That's just brutal. Amazing how fast he's gone downhill. He turns 35 on April 18, but just two years ago he had a .956 OPS. I guess it's not killing Detroit as there is no way they are contending for a few years and their payroll won't be really high (especially when Zimmerman and VMart's contracts are finished) - so they just can let Miggy play and eventually get 3,000 hits. It's just sad to see a guy who was so good at hitting just go downhill so quickly.

Final: Mobile 4, Biloxi 3 Biloxi Falls In First Extra Innings Contest 4-3 Ortiz Strikes Out 10 in Shuckers Loss By Garrett Greene Biloxi Box Score Biloxi surrendered three unearned runs on Tuesday night, which contributed mightily to a 4-3 lose to Mobile in extra innings. Despite the lose, the Shuckers got an outstanding performance from Luis Ortiz, who struck out 10 in 6.1 innings of relief (Wade Miley started the game, but only went 2.2 innings). Ortiz's one blemish was a surrendering a solo HR in the 6th - which tied the game. Biloxi would lose in the 10th. At the plate, Jake Gatewood, Corey Ray and Troy Stokes Jr. would get on base nine times between the three - highlighted by a 2-run HR from Gatewood. Batting Corey Ray: 2-5, 2B, 2 SB Troy Stokes Jr.: 1-2, 3BB Jake Gatewood: 2-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB Pitching Wade Miley: 2.2 IP, 4 hits, 0 ER, 0BB, 2K Luis Ortiz: 6.1 IP, 3 hits, 1 ER, 3BB, 10K, Lose Notes The 2018 season has been a difficult one for Jake Gatewood, but he had a nice evening on Tuesday, hitting his second HR on two hits and drawing a walk. He is hitting .108 for the year. Corey Ray continues to hit. He now leads the Southern League (or is tied for the lead) in the following categories: runs, hits, doubles, triples, and stolen bases. Biloxi Log Biloxi struck in the opening frame with a two-run HR from Jake Gatewood. However, the Shuckers did themselves no favors by committing an error that led to a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the inning. Biloxi Top of the 1st Corey Ray singles on a line drive to center fielder Brennon Lund. Troy Stokes called out on strikes. Corey Ray steals (4) 2nd base. Lucas Erceg strikes out swinging. Nick Franklin singles on a ground ball to pitcher Griffin Canning. Corey Ray to 3rd. With Jake Gatewood batting, Corey Ray steals (5) home. Nick Franklin steals (1) 2nd base. Jake Gatewood homers (2) on a fly ball to left center field. Nick Franklin scores. Blake Allemand grounds out, catcher Michael Barash to first baseman Matt Thaiss. Mobile Bottom of the 1st Brennon Lund doubles (1) on a line drive to center fielder Corey Ray. Matt Thaiss grounds out, second baseman Blake Allemand to first baseman Jake Gatewood. Brennon Lund to 3rd. Taylor Ward reaches on a throwing error by third baseman Lucas Erceg. With Hutton Moyer batting, Wade Miley picks off Taylor Ward at 1st on throw to Jake Gatewood. Hutton Moyer reaches on a fielding error by shortstop Jake Hager. Brennon Lund scores. Michael Barash singles on a line drive to left fielder Troy Stokes. Hutton Moyer to 3rd. Connor Justus doubles (4) on a ground ball to right fielder Nick Franklin. Hutton Moyer scores. Connor Justus out at 2nd on the throw, right fielder Nick Franklin to first baseman Jake Gatewood to shortstop Jake Hager.

If Guerra can keep pitching well that would be a big boost for the rotation.

[pre]Reds Lineup Brewers Lineup 1. Billy Hamilton (S) CF 1. Lorenzo Cain ® CF 2. Jesse Winker ® RF 2. Eric Thames (L) 1B 3. Joey Votto (L) 1B 3. Ryan Braun ® LF 4. Adam Duvall ® LF 4. Travis Shaw (L) 3B 5. Scooter Gennett (L) 2B 5. Domingo Santana ® RF 6. Devin Mesoraco ® C 6. Eric Sogard (L) 2B 7. Jose Peraza (S) SS 7. Orlando Arcia ® SS 8. C. Pennington (S) 3B 8. Jacob Nottingham ® C 9. Sal Romano ® P 9. Junior Guerra ® P[/pre]

Final: Biloxi 5, Mobile 1 Season-High 13 Hits Part of 5-1 Victory Over BayBears Ray, Stokes Jr. and Hager all record 3 hits in win By Garrett Greene Biloxi Box Score Biloxi got some strong pitching from Cody Ponce and Nick Ramirez, while the team pounded out 13 hits in a 5-1 win over the Mobile BayBears. Ponce, Ramirez and John Olczak combined to hold the BayBears to just one run. At the plate, Corey Ray, Troy Stokes Jr. and Jake Hager each had three hits. Biloxi missed out on several opportunities to add additional runs by going just 2-15 with runners in scoring position. Batting Corey Ray: 3-5, 2B, 3B Troy Stokes Jr.: 3-4, 2 2B, 3B Jake Hager: 3-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI Blake Allemand: 1-4, HR Pitching Cody Ponce: 5.2 IP, 4 hits, 1 ER, 3BB, 5K, Win Nick Ramirez: 2.1 IP, 2 hits, 0 runs, 0BB, 2K John Olczak: 1.0 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2K Notes Troy Stokes Jr. has enjoyed a strong 2018. After his three hit game tonight, his batting average is at .333. And while Stokes Jr. strikes out quite a bit (15k in 11 games), he takes his share of walks (9 so far - which is enough to be tied for the lead in the Southern League) which gives him a robust .480 OBP. Ray's triple to lead off the game was his third of year, which leads the Southern League. Biloxi Log Biloxi scored one run in five different innings.

Interesting article about Ray's adjustments at the plate in 2018: https://www.brewcrewball.com/2018/4/16/17238522/milwaukee-brewers-corey-ray-has-found-success-at-the-plate-after-changing-his-swing

Final: Biloxi 7, Mississipi 4 Final: Mississipi 3, Biloxi 0 Shuckers Win Streak Extends to and Halts at Eight Games After Doubleheader Jankins Deals, Heineman Homers as Biloxi and Mississippi Split Twin Bill By Spencer Siegel Biloxi Game 1 Box Score Biloxi Game 2 Box Score Biloxi ran their winning streak to eight games on Sunday, then ended it in the second game of a double header with Mississippi. Corey Ray tallied two hits in each game. Tyler Heineman landed the big blow in game one with 3-run home run. In game two the Shuckers managed only five hits and were held scoreless. Batting - Game 1 Corey Ray: 2-4, 2B Troy Stokes Jr.: 1-3, 2B, BB Lucas Erceg: 2-3 Tyler Heineman: 2-3, HR, 3 RBI Pitching - Game 1 Thomas Jenkins: 6.0 IP, 10 hits, 3 ER, 0BB, 6K, Win Josh Then: 1.0 IP, 0 hits, 0 ER, 2BB, 3K Batting - Game 2 Corey Ray: 2-4, 2B Troy Stokes Jr.: 1-2, 2BB Pitching - Game 2 Brad Kunz: 3.0 IP, 4 hits, 2 ER, 2BB, 2K, Lose Wuilder Rodriguez: 2.0 IP, 1 hits, 0 ER, 2BB, 2K Quintin Torres-Costa: 2.0 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER, 1BB, 3K Notes After a rough start this year, Corey Ray has raised his average to .333 Biloxi Game 1 Log Biloxi Game 2 Log

Question about Corey Ray -- looking at the video in today's thread, how does his swing look? Is it a little more compact than in the past? Or am I just imagining things? Just curious what others think. I'm not going to get excited about Ray - or anyone else - doing well after a handful of games. I'm thrilled he's doing well - but it's so early and the sample size is tiny. Same goes for players doing poorly. Things can change very quickly this early in the year. Not going to get too worked up about 6-7 games.

Final: Biloxi 6, Mississipi 5 Ray Completes Comeback to Make it a Sweet Six for the Shuckers Corey Ray's Five RBIs Pave the Way for Biloxi's Sixth Consecutive Win By Spencer Siegel Biloxi Box Score Corey Ray has had three hits - including the game-winner - and drove in five runs on Thursday to lead Biloxi to a 6-5 victory over Mississippi. Ray also had a walk and a stolen base. The Shuckers fell behind in the top of the inning but rallied with three runs in their half of the inning - the big blow a three run double by Ray. On the mound, Zack Brown was cruising along with a two-hit shutout until falling apart in 6th inning. He surrendered a walk and two hits - the final hit a 3-run HR. Batting Corey Ray: 3-4, 2B, BB, 5 RBI, SB Troy Stokes Jr.: 1-4, BB, RBI Tyler Heineman: 2-3, BB Jake Hager: 2-4 Pitching Zack Brown: 6.0 IP, 5 hits, 3 ER, 1BB, 5K Wuilder Rodriguez: 1.0 IP, 1K Nick Ramirez: 1.0 IP, 3 hits, 2 ER, 1BB, 2K, Win Nate Griep: 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1BB, 1K, Save Notes Mississippi Braves third baseman Austin Riley had 2 HR and 5 RBI on the day. Biloxi Game Log The bottom of the 8th was the big inning for Biloxi. Biloxi Bottom of the 8th Jake Gatewood singles on a ground ball to third baseman Austin Riley. Nick Ramirez walks. Jake Gatewood to 2nd. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Wendell Rijo replaces Nick Ramirez. Tyler Heineman singles on a ground ball to right fielder Tyler Neslony. Jake Gatewood to 3rd. Wendell Rijo to 2nd. Jake Hager flies out to center fielder Michael Reed. Dylan Moore strikes out swinging. Corey Ray doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder Travis Demeritte. Jake Gatewood scores. Wendell Rijo scores. Tyler Heineman scores. Troy Stokes Jr. flies out to right fielder Tyler Neslony.

Thanks. Missed that one. I've adjusted the original post to reflect the info.

The Suter ranking is actually from our very first poll - when our talent was much thinner. He was listed on 10 of 22 ballots (much less participation than we get now). He had started out 2014 pitching great - then sort of imploded after our poll came out. After that, he rare got more than a handful of voters (including one very high vote) - but it was enough to just nudge him into the Top 25.

I thought this was an interesting exercise. It was fascinating seeing some guys we dismiss now so high on our lists. Gilbert Lara at #2. Coulter at #3. That sort of thing. It was funny - and sad - that we'd push any talented player up the ladder because our system was so lacking in 2014.