battlekow

Damon Krestalude graced the MiLB.com homepage: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2009/06/13/L4LUFgpQ.jpg

Brewers scout: We haven't offered Jacobbi McDaniel a contract Andrew Carter An area scouting supervisor for the Milwaukee Brewers told the Orlando Sentinel today that the team has not offered a professional baseball contract to Jacobbi McDaniel, the Madison County High football standout who is considered one of the best players in Florida State's incoming recruiting class. "We have not made him an offer," said Ryan Robinson, the Brewers' scouting supervisor for the Tallahassee area. The Brewers earlier this week selected McDaniel, a power-hitting third baseman on Madison's baseball team, in the 33rd round of the Major League Baseball Draft. In the days since, McDaniel had said that he'd been offered $800,000 by the Brewers to sign a contract. Robinson, though, said that is not true. "The kid has told us that he's going to play football and we have told him that if he changed his mind that we would reevaluate the situation," Robinson said. "There's never been an offer. And that can be on the record ? if he decides that he wants to play baseball, he would [be] reevaluated." McDaniel, regarded by recruiting analysts to be one of the best defensive tackle prospects in the 2009 recruiting class, said during his senior season he batted .489 with 12 home runs and 55 RBI's for the Madison County baseball team. He said recently that he hasn't ever played baseball outside of school. His lack of exposure in baseball didn't matter to Robinson. "He's big, strong, athletic," Robinson said. "He runs for a big guy ? [he's a ] left-handed hitter with a lot of power." If McDaniel had told the Brewers that he planned to play baseball and not football, Robinson said, "There is a great chance that we would have taken him much higher." But, Robinson said, "We did not think that he was going to play baseball. He's been very clear with us." Robinson didn't speculate where the $800,000 figure had come from, but made clear that the Brewers had not offered that ? or any other amount of money ? to McDaniel. Robinson declined to comment about how much Milwaukee might offer McDaniel if he does decide to pursue a baseball career.

SPASH grad Sexton likely returning to Minnesota rather than signing with Brewers Scott Williams Cullen Sexton was flattered after being drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers for the second time in three years in the Major League Amateur Draft on Thursday. But if the Stevens Point Area Senior High product is ever going to join the Brewers minor league system, he wants to be a more polished pitcher when he gets there. "My plan is to come back and prove myself (at Minnesota)," said Sexton, a Plover native who was selected by Milwaukee in the 37th round with the 1,126th pick. He was also chosen by the Brewers in the 43rd round -- No. 1,276 overall -- out of high school in 2007. "Before I make a commitment to move to the next level, I have to make sure I'm ready to compete," Sexton added. "I want to hone my skills and work on consistently performing at a high level." As tempting as playing for the team he followed as a child might be, Sexton will put signing a professional baseball contract on hold for at least another season. Sexton, a right-handed reliever, is currently working on fine-tuning his talents with the Wisconsin Woodchucks of the Northwoods League, a college wood bat summer league. "I got a text from the Brewers organization saying congratulations," said Sexton, who recently finished up his sophomore season at the University of Minnesota. "Obviously, it's a childhood dream to play professionally for the team you followed growing up." His reasons for saying "no" to Milwaukee again is simple: Sexton doesn't feel like he's ready -- physically or from a production standpoint -- to make the jump to professional baseball. This past college season, he went 4-0 with a save and a 5.16 earned run average for the Gophers coming out of the bullpen. Sexton posted a 2-3 record and 5.09 ERA, with two saves as a freshman. He noted the shoulder injury that hindered him during his senior season at SPASH and during Legion baseball that summer is completely healed after successful surgery. Professional scouts have indicated to him they view him primarily as a closer. "With the injury I had, I kind of fell into the role of a closer and I've followed that same path in college, so I'm becoming comfortable with that," said Sexton, who throws in the 90 mph range. Who knows? Maybe the third time will be the charm. Sexton will be draft eligible again next season, and considering his relationship with the Brewers organization, you never know what might happen. Obviously, there is something Milwaukee likes about him. "I'm a tall, lanky kid who has the potential to fill out and maybe gain some velocity," he said. "Coming out of high school, professional teams like to draft kids from their home state, and we've developed a relationship."

Brewers draft Cerro Coso's Franklin Romero, Jr.The Daily IndependentCerro Coso's Franklin Romero, Jr., was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 20th round (616 overall), becoming the second in as many years to have his name called in MLB's First Year Player Draft. "My heart just stopped for a minute," said Romero in a phone interview. "I didn't know what to do. I was out of my mind." Coyotes coach Dick Adams said he was ecstatic for Romero, who had scouts looking at his outfielder the entire 2009 season. "This is a good day for us and a good day for him," Adams said. Romero was named to the first team All-Foothill Conference and sported a batting average of .417 for the 2009 season. His freshman year, he batted .341. Adams said Romero had another team looking at him to possibly convert him to an infielder, but was taken as an outfielder with the Brewers. Romero said it has always been his dream to move on to play professional ball, and had been hoping to make that leap last year after his freshman season at Cerro Coso. But after that didn't pan out, he dedicated himself to making the adjustments and refining his tools in order to attract the major league clubs. Romero's former teammate Fred Bello was picked up by the Seattle Mariners last year, who was also taken in the 20th round (612 overall). He is the third player to be drafted directly out of Cerro Coso, with Brandon Ward going to the Cubs in 1996. There have also been around a dozen other players who have moved on from four-year schools, including Jason Mackintosh and Sam Christensen. After seeing his teammate drafted, Romero said that motivated him to work harder to have the same experience as Bello. "That motivated me. I saw the joy in him, I saw how happy he was," Romero said. "He worked very hard at Coso. ... I (said I) wanted to have that next year." Romero said he wasn't hoping for a specific club, but he is now a Brewer and will work hard as such. He didn't immediately know where he was going to be assigned. The Brewers have two Rookie League affiliates: The Arizona League Brewers out of Phoenix and the Helena Brewers, which is the advanced rookie league affiliate. http://athletics.cerrocoso.edu/baseball/articles/di_2008-2009/pics/g13c000f5008fba3136259e867a92c6ed3362f0ba4ec9d7.jpg

If we sign Richardson, Gennett, and McDaniels, we'll have done quite a number on FSU's athletics program.

I love it: Dennis gets moved out of the cleanup spot again and goes 3-3 with a double. EDIT: Oh, he batted 5th yesterday. Damn.

Agreed. I'd switch your top two, but Peralta is #3 with a bullet. The K/BB is just phenomenal, and the stuff is legitimate.

Steffan Wilson now has 50% more homers (6) than doubles (4).

You can trade a player on the DL with the commissioner's approval.

Break up Lee Haydel!

It sounds like the Bucci suspension was indeed a result of the HBP.

At Lex's request, I rephrased some of the stuff about his high school experience. I like reporting interesting stories, but I don't fancy myself so much of a journalist that I'm willing to get a kid in trouble.

Sporting News blog blurb on Richard Stock:

Seems like an odd time for BA to point out Evan Frederickson's struggles since he hasn't actually struggled recently:

DHANANI SIGNS WITH MILWAUKEE lread Thursday June 11, 2009 will go down in the life of Kyle Dhanani as one of the best ever. The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack baseball player realized a dream. Dhanani was not only chosen in the Major League Baseball Draft, but he also signed his first pro contract. The Milwaukee Brewers inked Dhanani, a two time Canadian College Baseball Conference All-star to a minor league contract just hours after selecting him in the 43 rd round of the 2009 Draft (1,306 th overall). "The last two days have been quite stressful but its been worth it for sure," says Dhanani, who had a Brewers rep ink him to a deal later in the day at his home in Blaine, Washington. "I thought I might go earlier, but due to the lack of exposure, they (the Brewers) were able to get me in the later rounds whichis find by them but it was pretty nerve wracking watching the rounds get higher and higher." Dhanani impressed at the Brewers prospect camp earlier in the week and is projected to play third base with their organization. The drafting and subsequent signing culminated in Kyle fulfilling a promise he had made to his mother, Larissa. " I told my Mom when I was little that I'd buy her a fancy dress if I ever made it pro," he says. "So I'll have to follow through with that promise." Dhanani was watching the draft via the internet "I was sitting at home by myself when I got the call and then I saw my name pop up on the screen. Pretty crazy stuff." Following his signing, he will head to Helena Montana and play for the Brewers Rookie league team. Even though he has started his lifelong dream, he hasn't forgotten about where he came from and his Thompson Rivers University WolfPack teammates. " I didn't even play in my first year of school so you never know what can happen if you keep at it and work hard. I hope to be an inspiration to Canadian Collegiate players with not much exposure." DUGOUTS: Kamloops Daily News Sports Editor Gregg Drinnan did a little research into the TRU/MLB draft history: " Dhanani, a two-time CCBC all-star, is the fifth player to be drafted out of TRU. The others: Pitcher Adam Arnold, Milwaukee, 2007; catcher Paul Wourms, Los Angeles Dodgers, 2005; pitcher Ryan Patterson, Milwaukee, 2004; and, catcher John Suomi, Oakland A's, 2000. . . . Arnold is with the Kalamazoo Kings of the independent Frontier League. . . . Suomi, who suffered a major knee injury while in Oakland's organization, signed with the Kansas City Royals during the offseason. He now is with the Double A Northwest Arkansas Naturals who play in the Texas League out of Springdale, Ark. Suomi was hitting .320 going into (Thursday, June 11 th) action. http://wolfpack.blog.mytru.ca/files/2009/06/tn_kyle-dhanani-runs-to-first-3.jpg http://wolfpack.blog.mytru.ca/files/2009/06/tn_dhanani-in-the-field-throwing-to-first.jpg

Here's my Lex Rutledge interview.

It's already my signature on BCB http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif It's a great quote of awesome.

Really, Lintz is getting held back in Arizona? That's disappointing. Everything I'd read until now indicated they'd both open the season in Helena.

Cary Osborne smirks with disdain. http://media.morristechnology.com/mediafilesvr/upload/santa_clarita/profile/large/CaryOsborne_.jpg

Draftee faces tough career decision Cary Osborne When many players are selected in the Major League Baseball Draft, they are put in a difficult situation. Saugus High graduate and former College of the Canyons infielder Casey Stevenson is in that situation. Stevenson was taken in the 38th round of the 2009 Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. The UC Irvine junior, though, has his senior year ahead of him. So it puts him in a situation where he has to make one of the biggest decisions of his life. Live the dream or delay the dream, if that dream is still there in a year. "It's going to be a tough decision," Stevenson said. "I'm 100 percent comfortable with going to school next year and getting an education and getting closer to my degree. "There are a lot of pluses and minuses. (Staying in school means) another year to develop as a player in college - that's a positive I can get out of coming back to UC Irvine if I can play as well as I think I can play. As far as signing, I get to go out and play pro ball a year earlier. The money will be more unless I improve my draft status (next year)." For many players, it's the dollars that makes the decision for them. Stevenson said he may have scared some teams off with his demands. He's not sure where he would have been drafted had he pitched a lower dollar amount, but it was likely a lot lower than the 38th round. But Stevenson has the bargaining power now. If Milwaukee doesn't sign him by August 17, they lose his draft rights. Any team could grab him in the next year's draft. So teams don't like to run that risk. But Stevenson has his own risks. Get injured or have a bad senior year and your draft stock plummets. Maybe you won't get drafted at all. Valencia graduate Jared Clark rolled the dice three times before being drafted Wednesday in the 12th round by the Colorado Rockies. After his senior year at Valencia in 2004, he was taken in the 19th round by the Houston Astros, but decided to keep his scholarship to Cal State Fullerton instead. In 2007 he was drafted in the 21st round by the Cleveland Indians, then the 45th round by the Los Angeles Angels last year. He ran the risk and still managed to come out on top. Some players, though, can't resist. Valencia's Casey Mulligan had a scholarship to Fullerton, but was taken in the 22nd round by the St. Louis Cardinals. He ended up signing with the Cardinals. Stevenson, 21 years old, has seen a very steady rise since being a solid player for Saugus. There were better players than him in high school and Stevenson ended up at College of the Canyons where Chris Cota had a bold prediction for him two years ago. Cota said he would be a professional baseball player. It wasn't until he played at COC that he hit a home run. Stevenson has continued to grow in two seasons at UC irvine. He said he has grown from being a singles hitter to a doubles hitter with some power. His 2009 numbers reflect that as he batted .346 with 19 doubles, three home runs and 41 RBIs. Before last year, teams were able to hold onto players draft rights until the following year's draft. It was called a draft and follow. Major League Baseball instituted a rule change to shorten the signing period before last season. Nonetheless, the Brewers are taking the next couple of months to see what they will offer Stevenson. He will play in a summer league and said the Brewers are very interested in seeing what he can do during that time. The deadline to sign is still two months away. "I'm very comfortable with whatever decision I make," Stevenson said. http://media.morristechnology.com/mediafilesvr/upload/santa_clarita/article/0612_sports_Stevenson_01.jpg Casey Stevenson looks at a pitch as a senior at Saugus High in 2006.

South Carolina's baseball coach expects Brooks Hall to sign with the Brewers:

MC's Stang taken in 8th round by Brewers Len Hayward Even more than six hours after Chad Stang received the call from the Milwaukee Brewers that he'd been drafted, his cell phone and home phone were still ringing off the hook at his home in British Columbia. Wednesday was just that kind of day for Stang, a sophomore at Midland College. Stang was taken by the Brewers in the eighth round as the 256th overall pick in Major League Baseball's 2009 Entry Draft, and is ready for whatever may happen in his future. "It's been a mad house in here," Stang said late Wednesday afternoon. http://adsys.townnews.com/44021966/creative/mywesttexas.com/sports+top_stories+instory/18519w-1243351266.jpg Now, Stang has a tough decision to make -- sign with the Brewers or go to college baseball powerhouse Louisiana State University. Stang said he had already received an offer from the Brewers, and there is a "very good chance" he will sign. But Stang said he has no time table to make a decision and just wants to do what is best for his career. "I feel going into it, it's a win-win situation," Stang said. "If I don't get what I want or what feels right, I've got a great school to go to. It's one of the best programs out there." Stang, a sophomore, finished his sophomore season at Midland College hitting .363 with 11 doubles, six home runs and was second on the team in RBI with 37. He said he was expecting to go a little bit higher, saying that the New York Mets and Brewers were interested and said he had a solid workout at a Brewers' pre-draft workout. But said he was happy with the eighth round. "In the eighth round, they are going to give you a pretty good offer," Stang said. Stang, a native of Surrey, British Columbia, said playing at Midland College gave him the opportunity to show his skills, and give him the chance to be drafted. "Midland College is one of the best things that happened to me," Stang said. "I enjoyed it so much. The program was great, the city was great and the people were amazing to me. The exposure was great and it gave me so much opportunity."

Fatse drafted by Brewers in 24th round Bob Schron Peter Fatse, of Hampden and the University of Connecticut has been drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers of the National League. "I'm very happy, it's an exciting time," said Fatse Thursday. I'm happy that it was the Brewers who drafted me." Playing right field or the Holyoke Blue Sox of the New England Collegiate Baseball League this summer, Fatse was stretching in pre-game warmups on the field when he learned of the news. My coach came over to me and congratulated me," he related. "I said, 'Omigoodness!'. I went into the dugout. "There were seven missed calls on ny cell phone." Fatse will meet with the Brewers Friday morning at his home and will ideally have more information about making a decision. In his senior year at Minnechaug, he hit .527 with staggering power stats: .595 on base percentage and 1,014 slugging. He has proven to be a potential five tool player at UConn, starting every game last season and batting .289. He was 19-19 in stolen base attempts whil also contributing 19 extra base hits and scoring 35 runs. Fatse earned a spot on the NEIBA New England College Baseball All-Star team. "I'm happy because Brian Sankey (Brewers scout) weas so supportive to me," he said. The decision to go forward with the Brewers is not yet done. "We'll go over everything," he said. "This is like a dream come true because I've always to play. I'm hoping this is the right fit because it seems like such a great opportunity." The Brewers would send him to the Helena (Montana) Brewers.

Marshall's head coach doesn't sound optimistic about retaining Demetrius McKelvie:

A dream for D'Vo Scott Chancey ALBANY - Gevett Roberson wondered if her son, D'Vontrey Richardson, would be a high draft pick in this year's major league draft. On Wednesday, she found out - via a text message. "He just texted me out of the blue, saying, 'Momma, fifth round,' " Roberson laughed about her son's reaction after he was picked by the Milwaukee Brewers as the draft's 166th pick overall and the Florida State Seminoles' first baseball player this year to be drafted. "And I was just, 'Fifth round what? Is that what you were drafted?' " Richardson's reply? "Yeah, it just happened." In the blink of an eye, Richardson, who starred at Lee County High School and was a two-sport athlete at Florida State in football and baseball this past school year, was presented a golden opportunity to fulfill his dream of becoming a professional athlete. "I mean, my whole life, I wanted to be a pro athlete, and now I get a chance to say either yes or no, depending on what will happen," Richardson said. "I'm pretty excited to at least get a chance." Richardson's father, Demetrius Richardson, also was jubilant after finding out. "I heard about it earlier (Wednesday) and was very exciting," he said. "I was at work and everybody was asking why I was jumping around like a fool. I'm proud for him, very proud. It feels really good to have him accomplish what he had been doing for so long. I'm proud of him for being successful and doing what he wants to do the rest of his life." Richardson was a 35th-round pick by the Washington Nationals out of high school in 2006 but instead signed a scholarship to play football and baseball for Florida State. There, Richardson worked his way to being the backup quarterback behind Christian Ponder. On the baseball field, his blend of athleticism and power enabled him to become a viable outfielder with a strong arm and one who could also hit one out of the park. "I think it's a great day for D'Vontrey, and the Florida State program and the Lee County program," Lee County baseball coach Rob Williams said. "I was surprised, though, taking into consideration that he didn't play (in 2008) and didn't get as much time this year due to football and being a two-sport athlete. I was quite surprised he went that high." Roberson was even more pleasantly surprised. "At one point I didn't think he could make it," she said. Richardson batted .351 and started mostly in center field his freshman year at Florida State. After not playing baseball last season to focus on academics, he returned to baseball this season and batted .304 while starting 22 games. He tied a collegiate high for RBI (three) in the Tallahassee Regional-clinching win against Ohio State, but the lack of playing time frustrated Richardson. However, he took it in stride. "Scouts had watched me all through high school and my freshman year," said Richardson, who once was a prep and college teammate of Buster Posey, the San Francisco Giants' top pick last year. "They were telling me while the season went on they felt I had the potential to play. They just wanted me to do a workout or something so they could look at me more." Once Richardson took part in pre-draft workouts, scouts were impressed. His guardian, Steve Glover, in fact, said the Houston Astros had also called Wednesday and indicated their interest in drafting him. That was, until Milwaukee beat them to it. "It makes me feel good because I didn't really play this year, and to have two teams still fighting for me? It brought my confidence up and hopefully if I sign and go play, I can show them why I can help them," Richardson said. "It would make their decision look a lot easier." What could make Richardson's decision easier is the amount of money he is offered by the Brewers. "We've still got to get the deal down and all; we've pretty much pre-negotiated all of it," Glover said. "We had been going on the last couple of weeks and been going really heavy the last couple of days." Glover added things could possibly be finalized by this weekend. If Richardson agrees to the deal, he will leave football behind. A star athlete also on the football field, Richardson set the Florida State record for longest touchdown run by a quarterback (55 yards) last fall against Chattanooga and also threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Preston Parker against Georgia Tech. Richardson, however, never surpassed Ponder on the depth chart and had been campaigning to move to safety. Now, however, he may be leaning to baseball more than ever. "I'd say 90 percent, I'm close to giving football up," Richardson said. "This would be just a good opportunity. If I leave for baseball, I wouldn't come back for football. I would want to concentrate hard on just baseball." Football was the main issue as the Brewers stayed in contact with him during the past few days. "They were trying to feel me out and see if I really wanted to play only baseball," Richardson said. "Would I give up football? I basically told them I would if I had a legitimate chance." This, he feels, is a legitimate chance. "I don't have no problem with leaving," Richardson said concerning his future at Florida State. "I will work hard at it and, hopefully, the best will come out." Therefore, Roberson is leaving the decision to her son. "I would be OK with that, I always leave it up to him if that is what he wants," she said. "He said if he was picked in the top 10 rounds, he would take it." Shortly after Richardson texted his mother, his 16-year-old sister was just as ecstatic as Roberson. "She was going, 'I told you he could do it, I told you he could do it. I told you he was going to play professional baseball,' " Roberson recalled. And with that in mind, Richardson hopes his selection will inspire others in Southwest Georgia. "It just takes a lot of hard work," he said. "Just work hard." http://albanyherald.com/SiteImages/Article/2883a.jpg Former Lee County star D'Vontrey Richardson drew interest from five different MLB teams, including the Houston Astros. The Astros even called to say they were about to pick Richardson. Then, it was too late. (Florida State Sports Information)