battlekow

Nick at Driveline Mechanics took a look at Scheppers a couple days ago and doesn't like the combination of Scheppers being new-ish to pitching and having shoulder problems.

Omar Aguilar shows up under the Helium Watch in this week's Hot Sheet:

I wonder what the Brewers' logic was when they decided to send Rigoberto Almonte to Arizona instead of Helena, given that he's already 21. He's proving that he could have used a more aggressive assignment, with a 15/0 K/BB in his first 8.3 IP.

Wow, Scarpetta strikes out 8 in 3 shutout innings, with 2 hits and 2 walks. I love this guy.

Nice to see the Baby Brewers roughing up KC's supplemental first-rounder Mike Montgomery a bit, while Stosh simultaneously tallies 5 Ks in his first 2 innings. Homering off Montgomery is a nice feather in Jose Garcia's cap.

Through 4 innings, the Manatees have walked 8 times against Jupiter starter Kyle Winters, but have 0 hits and 0 runs. Very strange. WV got postponed due to wet grounds.

Wow, Jeffress completely imploded: 6 hits, 1 BB, 1 HBP and only got 2 outs. 6 runs allowed. Yeesh.

Four Stars made the Southern League Postseason All-Star team: Mat Gamel, Angel Salome, Michael Brantley, and Alcides Escobar.

More good work from Luis Guerrero. Anyone got a scouting report on what he throws? EDIT: I answered my own question. Apparently he tops out around 91-92 and has a pretty good curveball, as well as a changeup, natch.

I'm surprised that the Giants sent Buster Posey to the Arizona League rather than to Salem-Keizer. Nice to see Rolando Pascual get him out twice though.

Braves sign Elmer Dessens.

Joe Dillon and Lindsay Gulin make Kevin Goldstein's 30+ AAA veteran "All-Star" team: A bunch of former Brewers also make the team, unsurprisingly.

Former players gaining experience in minors Grant Abston, Sports EditorFormer ACU baseball players Mike Elkerson and Trey Watten proved they belong in their time at ACU, but now the two must prove they belong on a bigger stage. Watten and Elkerson received minor league contracts in June and are getting a chance to fulfill their dreams after leading the Wildcats to a 44-17 record and their fourth straight 40 plus win in 2008. "I just enjoy playing, but it is a different experience because you are playing against the best of the best," said Watten. "I don't know what I would be doing if I wasn't playing; I don't regret it at all." Watten was drafted on the second day of the Major league Baseball's first-year player draft in the seventh round by the Milwaukee Brewers. Watten became the second highest Wildcats drafter behind Bill Gilbreth, a pitcher for the Wildcats who was drafted in the third round by Detroit in 1969. Watten was drafted as a pitcher after only pitching for two seasons for the Wildcats. He went a perfect 10-0 his sophomore year with a 3.00 ERA and was second on the team with 75 strikeouts. Watten was voted first team all-LSC South Division as both a pitcher and a utility player and earned LSC South Division Player of the year honors. Watten improved his draft stock by following up his sophomore year with a stellar senior season. Watten led the Wildcats with a 10-3 record and a 2.56 ERA and was atop the LSC lead with 113 strikeouts. Watten was voted first team all-LSC as a pitcher and earned co-pitcher of the year honors. He was also voted first team all-America as a designated hitter after hitting .377 with five home runs and 45 RBI. "They called me before the draft but did not call me on draft day," Watten said. "I got a call early on the second day and they told me I was going to be picked so I got online and watched it on the computer." After signing his contract, Watten flew to Ariz. And participated in mini-camp before heading to Montana to join his team, the Helena Brewers. Watten is currently 3-2 with a 5.29 ERA and has been working as a relief pitcher to keep his number of innings pitched down. After the season ends, Watten will get a week off before heading to Ariz. where he was invited for instructionals and then will participate in a six-week winter workout program. "The margin of error is a lot smaller," Watten said. "If you leave the ball over the plate here the more they hit it and the farther it goes. It's been hard, but good, and it's made me better." Elkerson signed a free agent contract with the Atlanta Braves after having one of the best offensive seasons in ACU history. Elkerson, a senior outfielder, finished the season batting .424 with 22 doubles, three triples, 21 home runs and 86 RBIs. Elkerson set new LSC records with 11 hits and 202 total bases. His 86 RBIs, 21 home runs and 195 total bases set new ACU records and his 27 career home runs broke the old mark of 26. "When I first got there I was really quiet because there were a lot of new people," Elkerson said. "I've had a great time meeting new guys and going to new places, it's been a great experience." Elkerson earned first team all-LSC honors as well as winning player of the year on his way to winning first team all-America honors. But after the season, he went undrafted before signing a free-agent contract. After signing with the Braves, Elkerson flew to Virginia and started mini camp with the Danville Braves, where he is currently batting .228 with one home run and 11 RBIs. "I enjoy it a lot," Elkerson said. "The coaching is really good and they have a lot of experience themselves, but I hope to progress and keep going higher up in the league." Watten and Elkerson will finish their first season in early September and will either attend instructionals or begin offseason training soon after. To follow Watten and Elkerson, go online at milb.com.

Wow, Tony Gwynn of all people hits a walk-off homer. Nashville hit four homers in all.

That's interesting. According to this article, Krause was traded to another indy league team, the Southern Maryland Blue Claws, yesterday after the Saints' season ended. I wonder what happened there.

Joe Bateman unexpectedly shows up in an ESPN fantasy article by Eric Karabell:

Gamel named BA's PCL Prospect of the Day: And Caleb Gindl takes Sally League honors:

Erik Komatzu? Haha, he's an insidious exotic species of baseball player that's overgrowing the Pioneer League!

I thought teams signed up positions and not players; would Brantley's 1B time make him technically an infielder then?

Second straight encouraging start from Cody Adams in the K/BB department. Still surprisingly hittable though. He really should be dominating Rookie ball.

Guess Evan Anundsen isn't so tired after all: 5/0/1 K/BB/H in 7 innings with only an unearned run.

Good to see Steffan Wilson back in action.

Caleb Gindl named BA's Sally League Prospect of the Day:

Brett Lawrie was his sister Danielle's favorite Canadian Olympian:

Listen to Komo rap.