TheCrew07

I didn't have a problem with much of your post except for the part about Niemann, on average he's been a solid #3 in a tough division. He got stuck behind a loaded rotation for TB but made the most of his opportunity once he was given an extended shot. He's been hurt the last 2 years but he wasn't a bust, and if you aren't able to stay healthy the Rays have enough depth that they aren't going to risk paying an injured player. I wish we had enough depth to pull that off. Speaking of the Rays, former Brewer prospect (Greinke trade) Jake Odorizzi is off to a nice start with 6 scoreless.

Rattlers score two late in game two to earn split Wisconsin beats Peoria 3-1 in nightcap By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers manufactured a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth inning in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader against the Peoria Chiefs at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Taylor Brennan gave Wisconsin (2-2) the lead in the bottom of the second inning. The right-handed hitter drove a 3-2 pitch from Chase Brookshire to the right of the batter's eye and into the Timber Rattlers bullpen for his first home run of the season and a 1-0 Wisconsin advantage,. Rattlers starting pitcher Preston Gainey tossed five scoreless innings before turning the game over to the bullpen. Gainey allowed three hits, walked one, struck out four, and left with a 1-0 lead. Peoria (2-2) tied the game in the top of the sixth. Mason Katz, who homered in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader, hit a leadoff homer to greet Wisconsin reliever Harvey Martin. Johnny Davis, who made a pair of spectacular catches in the field during the game, started Wisconsin's rally in the bottom of the sixth. Davis beat out a bunt single with one out and stole second. Chris McFarland sent a grounder to short and the throw to first was wide to let him reach. That brought Michael Ratterree to the plate with runners at the corners and one out. The Chiefs brought the infield in to try to get Davis at the plate. Brennan sent a soft grounder up the middle and Katz reached it after ranging to his right. Katz went home with the throw, but it was wild. Davis scored the go ahead run and McFarland went to third. Peoria kept the infield in with runners at the corners and one out with Brennan due to bat. Brennan hit a ball that Katz had to dive for to stop. By the time Katz recovered, his only play was to first base and McFarland scored for a 3-1 lead. Martin did not mess around in the top of the seventh. He retired the Chiefs in order to give the Rattlers the split in the twinbill and in the four game series against the Chiefs to start the 2014 season. The Timber Rattlers are off on Monday. They will start a road trip with a game against the West Michigan Whitecaps on Tuesday at Fifth Third Ballpark. Zach Quintana will make the start for the Timber Rattlers. Jeff Thompson is set to go for the Whitecaps. Tuesday's game is scheduled to start at 5:45pm CDT. Listen to the action on AM1280, WNAM or I Heart Radio starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 5:25pm. HOME RUNS: PEO: Mason Katz (2nd, 0 on in 6th inning off Harvey Martin, 0 out) WIS: Taylor Brennan (1st, 0 on in 2nd inning off Brookshire, 0 out) WP: Harvey Martin (1-0) LP: Chase Brookshire (0-1) TIME: 1:36 ATTN: 2,244 Wisconsin Game 2 Boxscore Preston Gainey has come a long way since his opening game last season. Apparently the talk around the T-Rats in spring trained centered on his improvement and increased velocity (which of course Chris mentioned but didn't relay any gun readings). It's way too early to make any definitive statements, but he was tough this afternoon. David Denson finally got his first hit of the season, a double, that a boy! He's gotten caught guessing for a bunch of strike outs, but he's been taking his walks, he doesn't look lost. Hopefully the hits start falling on a regular basis for him. Clint Coulter has been very good at the plate early this season, he didn't have a clean day behind the dish, but he wasn't a liability there either. As I mentioned in my player observations Taylor Brennan does not get cheated on his swings, he's going to hit some HRs. As a team WI played clean defense which was also a nice way to cap the first homestand of the year. Wisconsin Game 2 Recap Not much to see here, it was a pretty quiet game until Peoria went to the bullpen, just like game 1. Wisconsin Gameday Bonus! I have no idea why but the name "Preston" always makes me and that's how I say his name in my head when I read it. Prestooooone!

Peoria takes game one 3-2 Rattlers strand 13 in loss to Chiefs By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers stranded 13 runners and fell 3-2 to the Peoria Chiefs in game one of a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The Rattlers helped Peoria (2-1) get out to a quick start. An error allowed CJ McElroy, Jr. to reach first to start the game. Then, Mason Katz crushed a 3-1 pitch from starter Anthony Banda and the Chiefs had a 2-0 lead two batters into the game. Wisconsin (1-2) had plenty of opportunities against Peoria starting pitcher Alex Reyes. Reyes walked seven and allowed three hits in five innings. But, Reyes, who struck out six, stranded two Rattlers in the first, three Rattlers in the second, one in the third and fourth, and two more in the fifth inning. The Chiefs added a run in the top of the fifth inning against reliever Victor Diaz. Diaz allowed three straight singles with two outs. Kenny Peoples-Walls collected the final single to drive in the run to make the score 3-0. The Rattlers got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth against reliever Kevin Herget. Angel Ortega singled with one out. A throwing error on a bunt by Johnny Davis put Rattlers on second and third with one out. Herget got the second out as Omar Garcia lined out to second. Then, Francisco Castillo singled to right to drive in both runners. A walk to David Denson and a wild pitch moved runners to second and third again in the sixth. However, Herget got the final out. In the seventh, Herget got the first two outs, but walked Steve Halcomb and gave up a single to pinch-hitter Jose Pena to put the winning runs aboard. Davis sent a line drive to center, but McElroy made the catch to end the game. HOME RUN: PEO: Mason Katz (1st, 1 on in 1st inning off Anthony Banda, 0 out) WP: Alex Reyes (1-0) LP: Anthony Banda (0-1) SAVE: Kevin Herget (1) TIME: 2:23 Wisconsin Game 1 Boxscore As Chris noted the T-Rats did draw a ton of walks, but they couldn't barrel up Alex Reyes when he actually threw a strike. Reyes only threw 55 of 104 pitches for strikes, yes 104 pitches in his first outing. He's currently the Cardinals #7 prospect according to BA: He was 93-94 most of the game on the stadium gun according to Chris on the broadcast. Steven Halcomb had the only XBH, a double, no Rattler had a multi-hit game. The slick fielding Angel Ortega had his 3rd error and Francisco Castillo getting the start at 2nd had one as well. Wisconsin Game 1 Recap Lots of walks and strike outs, this is how most of the game went for the T-Rats. Wisconsin Bottom of the 1st Omar Garcia walks. Francisco Castillo strikes out swinging. With David Denson batting, Omar Garcia steals (3) 2nd base. David Denson walks. Michael Ratterree strikes out swinging. Taylor Smith-Brennan strikes out swinging. Wisconsin Game 1 Gameday

Sounds Edged 6-5 In Series Finale Velez Homers with Three RBIs; Morris Goes 3-For-4 with Two Doubles Nashville Sounds http://www.milb.com/assets/images/3/6/6/71205366/cuts/Morris_Hunter_taken_by_Mike_Strasinger_b6g4ggsw_imnouw2z.jpg (MIKE STRASINGER) PAPILLION, Neb. - The Nashville Sounds never recovered from a three-run fifth inning turned in by the Omaha Storm Chasers, who edged the Sounds by a 6-5 margin Sunday afternoon at Werner Park. With the game tied 2-2, Sounds starting pitcher Hiram Burgos (0-1) allowed three hits in the bottom of the fifth inning, including a pair of RBI doubles to give the Storm Chasers their three-run advantage. Burgos, the Brewers 2012 minor league pitcher of the year, was charged the loss and finished with five runs, three earned, on seven hits through 4 1/3 innings of work. He had one walk and one strikeout before reliever Alfredo Figaro stepped to the rubber in the fifth. The Sounds worked two runs off Omaha reliever Ramon Troncoso in the seventh inning via outfielder Eugenio Velez's RBI single and a Kevin Mattison sacrifice-fly, but the Storm Chasers kept the game out of reach by plating an insurance run in the eighth. Omaha captured the initial lead in the first inning when Elian Herrera committed a fielding error on a potential inning-ending double play ball that allowed Brett Eibner to score. Brian Fletcher followed with an RBI-single off Burgos to put the home team up 2-0. Catcher Robinzon Diaz helped Nashville cut into Omaha's two-run lead, singling in the second inning before scoring on a wild pitch from Storm Chasers pitcher Danny Duffy (1-0). Sounds first baseman Hunter Morris, three-for-four, connected for two doubles on the day, his first to the warning track in right-centerfield put Diaz in scoring position. The hot-hitting Velez, two-for-four, tied the game 2-2 in the fifth inning by launching his first home run of the season over the left-field wall. Velez, who entered the game with the league's third-best average (.600, 3-for-5), finished with two runs and three RBIs. He has hit safely in each of his three starts. Nashville picked up its final run in the ninth inning on a Velez groundout. Pinch-runner Pete Orr scored from third after advancing from first on two Michael Mariot wild pitches. The Sounds relievers allowed one run in 3 2/3 innings of work, the lone run charged to Jose De La Torre in the eighth. Figaro pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings, while Michael Blazek closed out the eighth inning after De La Torre's early exit. The Sounds start a new four-game set against the Iowa Cubs (Triple-A Cubs) on Monday night at 6:35 p.m. Throwing for the Sounds will be RHP Ariel Pena opposite Iowa's lefty Tsuyoshi Wada. Sounds broadcaster Jeff Hem has the call on 94.9-FM "Game 2". Nashville Boxscore At least Hunter Morris had a big day, that counts for something. Nashville Recap As the game story noted De La Torre left early (no idea of the circumstances)... I'd be excited if I thought one of the AA pitchers would get promoted if he goes on the DL, but that doesn't seem likely. Omaha Bottom of the 8th Pitching Change: Jose De La Torre replaces Alfredo Figaro. Carlos Peguero strikes out swinging. Paulo Orlando singles on a ground ball to pitcher Jose De La Torre. Pitching Change: Michael Blazek replaces Jose De La Torre. Matt Fields called out on strikes. Paulo Orlando steals (2) 2nd base. Gorkys Hernandez singles on a fly ball to right fielder Caleb Gindl. Paulo Orlando scores. With Jesus Flores batting, Gorkys Hernandez caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Robinzon Diaz to second baseman Elian Herrera. Nashville Gameday

It's not a blow to their long-term plans, but it definitely hurts them over the next 16-24 months depending on how well he heals and pitches when he comes back.

This guy's name has been driving me crazy since opening day, hyphenating 2 plural last names is probably not a good idea... Kenneth Peoples-Walls. Normally I highlight the awesome names, but everything about that is just wrong. Of course because he's a Cardinals prospect he'll have a long major league career and I'll have to hear that name for the next decade +.

Of course right after I hit submit... here's BA's story on Taillon. Pirates’ Taillon To Have Tommy John Surgery

MiLB's story, I'm sure BA will have one on this as well. Pirates' Taillon to have Tommy John surgery You know the Brewers could have just about taken any pitcher besides the 2 they did in the first round of the '11 draft and it would have worked out wonderfully. Robert Stephenson starts right where he left off, he's not long for the minors, if he stays healthy he could be in the Red's rotation next year. Wahoos' Stephenson fans career-high 11 Already discussed in yesterday's LR as this was our A+ squad on the wrong end... Tayler Scott was a 5th round (HS) pick of the Cubs in 2011. Scott shines in Florida State League debut CJ Edwards continues to impress for the Cubs since being acquired from TX... every once in a while Daniels make's a trade that's just awful. Edwards cruises in Double-A debut

I'm not surprised, it was looking that way based on the "forearm injury" reports, just like "elbow tendonitis" or any other generic injury term for a pitcher's throwing arm. That's too bad for him and the Pirates, obviously setting his development back at least a year, but that's really good for the big league Brewers as it means the Pirates don't have any impact reinforcements coming. Now that I'm thinking about it, instead of dropping the divisional news in the LRs I'll use this thread, good idea TLB.

Taking a break from the Badger game (DVRing it of course), I haven't been this nervous for anything in years, what a game. Final: Omaha 4, Nashville 3 (7 innings, Game 2) Omaha Splits Twinbill With Walkoff Win Over Sounds Nashville Sounds PAPILLION, Neb. - The Omaha Storm Chasers rallied from a 3-1 deficit to knot the score against the Sounds' bullpen before recording a walkoff 4-3 win in the bottom of the seventh in the second game of a doubleheader on Saturday at Werner Park, handing Nashville its first defeat of the year. Omaha took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Christian Colon (3-for-4) hit a one-out double off Nashville starter Brad Mills and later scored when Sounds shortstop Hector Gomez was unable to glove a two-out, wind-blown popup off the bat of Brian Fletcher (3-for-4), a play ruled as an RBI single. Nashville knotted the contest in the second when Sean Halton drew a leadoff walk from Justin Marks, moved to third on a Jeremy Hermida single, and scored when Marks uncorked a one-out wild pitch. Catcher Robinzon Diaz (2-for-4) smoked a go-ahead, line-drive homer to left off Omaha reliever Cory Wade to lead off the third inning. The backstop's first blast of the year spotted the visitors a 2-1 lead. Nashville stretched its lead to 3-1 in the fourth. Green led off with a single, moved to second on a passed ball, advanced to third on Eugenio Velez's single before coming home when Pete Orr greeted new Omaha reliever Donnie Joseph with an RBI single to left. Mills (1-0) performed well in a spot start for Nashville, striking out six batters while holding Omaha to one run on four hits over four frames of work. He took a no-decision following his 73-pitch outing. The Storm Chasers took advantage of Mills' departure by immediately rallying to tie the game with a pair of runs off Sounds reliever Dustin Molleken. Eibner pulled Omaha back within a run at 3-2 when he led off the bottom of the fifth with a solo homer to straightaway center to greet Molleken, the outfielder's first longball of the year. Colon followed with a single and later scored when Matt Fields fought out of a 0-2, two-out count to stroke a game-tying single to right-center. In the final half-inning, Colon led off with a single against Molleken, moved to third on a Fletcher single, and raced home with the game-winner on Field's opposite-field single to right-center. The teams wrap up their series with a 2:05 p.m. matinee finale on Sunday afternoon. Right-hander Hiram Burgos will make his season debut with a start for the Sounds. Omaha will counter with southpaw Danny Duffy. Nashville Game 2 Boxscore Nashville Game 2 Recap Nashville Game 2 Gameday

Nashville 2, Omaha 1 (7 innings, Game 1) Nelson Pitches Sounds To Win In Twinbill Opener Nashville Takes Game 1 By 2-1 Count In Omaha Nashville Sounds PAPILLION, Neb. - Top Brewers prospect Jimmy Nelson turned in a quality start to lead the Sounds to a 2-1 victory over Omaha in the opener of a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Werner Park. Nelson (1-0) held the Storm Chasers to one run on three hits while striking out four batters in six innings of work, tossing 91 pitches on the afternoon. The Sounds squandered a game-opening first-and-third situation against Omaha lefty John Lamb, who recovered to fan Nashville's 3-4-5 hitters in succession to escape the jam unscathed. The Storm Chasers took their first lead of the season in the home half of the initial frame, grabbing a 1-0 advantage against Nelson. Brett Eibner led off with a double to center and later scored the day's first run on a Johnny Giavotella groundout. Nashville pulled in front with a pair of runs off Lamb in the top of the third. Taylor Green was hit by a pitch to open the frame and promptly scored to knot the contest at 1-1 when Elian Herrera laced a triple to the left-center wall. Caleb Gindl followed with a soft RBI single to right-center to propel the visitors to a 2-1 lead. Neither team scored the remainder of the way, with closer Rob Wooten coming on to retire the Storm Chasers in order in the bottom of the seventh to notch his second save in as many days. Second baseman Irving Falu went 2-for-3 to account for Nashville's lone multiple-hit effort in the game. Lamb (0-1) was saddled with the loss for Omaha after allowing a pair of runs on three hits in his five frames of action, striking out seven Sounds batters along the way. Nashville Game 1 Boxscore Not much to talk about here, Jimmy Nelson's final line 6 IP, 1ER, 3H, 1BB, 4S0, while throwing 62 of 92 pitches for strikes. Nashville Game 1 Recap Nashville Game 1 Gameday

Rattlers bop Peoria Middle of the order does the damage in 8-4 win By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI - The sun shined on the bats of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Saturday afternoon and Wisconsin defeated the Peoria Chiefs 8-4 at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Jose Pena, Taylor Brennan, and Michael Ratterree each had two hits for the Rattlers. Pena drove in a pair of runs, Clint Coulter had a key hit and Chris McFarland homered for Wisconsin. Both teams had chances to score in the second inning, but neither team could push a run home in the second. The Chiefs (1-1) cashed in their opportunity in the third. Carson Kelly's two-out triple drove in Michael Schulze from third base and Peoria was up 1-0. Ratterree started the Wisconsin fourth inning with a single. Brennan followed with a single and Coulter walked to load the bases to bring Pena to the plate. Pena lined the first pitch of his at bat through the left side of the infield to drive in Ratterree with the tying run. "It's a fine line when you have the bases loaded," said Timber Rattlers manager Matt Erickson about Pena's approach on the tying run. "You are naturally going to be aggressive, but you want it to be a controlled aggressiveness. And you don't want to let a pitch go by that you can drive. I don't want them to be passive in those situations where we have chances to score runs and Pena has swung the bat pretty good the last couple of days." The Rattlers (1-1) added on when Angel Ortega's fly ball to left field was dropped for an error and Brennan scored. Omar Garcia knocked in Coulter with a run-scoring fielder's choice and the Rattlers had a 3-1 lead. Peoria cut into the lead with a run in the fifth inning. Juan Herrera was at third base with two outs and Wisconsin starting pitcher Barrett Astin got Mason Katz to swing and miss at strike three. But, the ball got away for a wild pitch to let Herrera score. Wisconsin came back with three more runs in the bottom of the fifth. Ratterree started the rally with a one-out double. Brennan drew a walk to bring Coulter to the plate. The Rattlers catcher lined a double down the line in left field to drive in Ratterree and send Brennan to third. "The one thing that stands out about [Coulter] is the way that he's taking pitches," Erickson said. "He looks relaxed and looks like he is seeing pitches early. When the balls not in the zone, he's not committing at all. That tells me he's seeing the ball good and he's hit the ball hard." Pena followed with an RBI single to score Brennan. Ortega's sacrifice fly to center was deep enough to drive in Coulter and the Rattlers were up 6-2. "The middle of the lineup - 4-5-6-7 - was real good," said Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson. "Collectively we got seven hits out of that group today." Astin turned the game over to Tristan Archer for the top of the sixth after he allowed two runs on six hits with no walks and three strikeouts. McFarland picked up his first hit of the season when he launched a one-out home run to center in the bottom of the seventh inning. "I would have taken a single," said McFarland. "Just to get that first hit helps a lot." "I was in the cages a lot and hit off the machines," said McFarland about his offseason workouts. "Plus, I did a lot of yoga and flexibility stuff to get me lower on my ground balls. And I worked out with Rafael Thomas, who was drafted by the Dodgers and played at Oklahoma State. He was a great guy to work out with and he kept me motivated and pushed me with some serious working out." McFarland isn't the only person in the Timber Rattlers clubhouse who hopes the freezing workouts in the Lufkin (TX) High School indoor facility pay off this season. "He's a guy who's got some foot speed, is capable of bunting, is capable of hitting behind the runner, and he's capable of run production," Erickson said of McFarland. "It would be good to see him take over that two-hole where he could set the table and at the same time drive some runs in." Archer pitched a scoreless sixth and seventh innings, but the Chiefs crept back into the game with a pair of unearned runs in the top of the eighth. Kelly reached on an error to start the inning and was still on base with two outs. Jake Stone doubled to drive in Kelly. Steve Bean walked and Herrera followed with an RBI single to cut the Rattlers lead to three. Garcia got one of those runs back in the bottom of the eighth. Garcia singled, stole second, went to third on a balk by Peoria reliever Joe Scanio, and scored on another balk by Scanio. "It was a great team win and I liked what Matty said after the game," said McFarland. "'Just because we get a lead doesn't mean the game is over.' We have to get even tougher and shut them down and score more runs." Archer pitched a scoreless ninth inning to pick up a four inning save. He allowed two runs on three hits with three walks, and three strikeouts. "Coulter told me when he got to third base the first time that we're going to have a good team this year," said Erickson. "I said, 'Okay, let's not get ahead of ourselves.'" "But he came back a couple of innings later and I said, 'You keep hitting the ball like that and I believe you. We're going to be pretty good." The Timber Rattlers and Chiefs will wrap their four game series with a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon. The first seven inning game is scheduled to start at 1:05pm with Anthony Banda as the starting pitcher for Wisconsin facing Alex Reyes for Peoria. The nightcap pitching matchup features Preston Gainey for the Rattlers against Chase Brookshire for the Chiefs. There is a lot going on Sunday at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Before the Rattlers and Chiefs play fans can play catch on-field courtesy of Rasmussen College. Rollie Fingers will make an appearance at the game. Fans may purchase one of a limited number of VIP Packages (box seat ticket, a pregame meet & greet with Fingers, and one guaranteed autograph) for $35 from the Timber Rattlers for Sunday's game. Fingers will also throw out a ceremonial first pitch and sign for fans on third base concourse near the Festival Grill until the fifth inning. Please see this link to read the autograph guidelines for the Rollie Fingers appearance. Sunday is also the final Throwback game of the homestand with 1995 ticket prices and jerseys. Additionally, Timber Rattlers players will be available for an autograph session after the game. If you can't make it out to the game, tune into to the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 12:45pm. Sunday's games are available on IHeartRadio and MiLB.TV, too. HOME RUN: WIS: Chris McFarland (1st, 0 on in 6th inning off Blake McKnight, 1 out) WP: Barrett Astin (1-0) LP: Silfredo Garcia (0-1) SAVE: Tristan Archer (1) TIME: 2:42 ATTN: 4,294 Wisconsin Boxscore Angel Ortega committed his second error of the season already but both Johnny Davis and Michael Ratterree picked up OF assists. David Denson is 0 for his first 3 games, just remember it only takes 1 to get you started young man! Wisconsin Recap As Chris noted in the game story the T-Rats missed a chance in the 2nd. Wisconsin Bottom of the 2nd Taylor Smith-Brennan singles on a ground ball to center fielder C. J. McElroy. Clint Coulter hit by pitch. Taylor Smith-Brennan to 2nd. Jose Pena grounds out, second baseman Mason Katz to first baseman Jake Stone. Taylor Smith-Brennan to 3rd. Clint Coulter to 2nd. Angel Ortega reaches on a fielder's choice out, shortstop Juan Herrera to catcher Steve Bean. Taylor Smith-Brennan out at home. Clint Coulter to 3rd. With Johnny Davis batting, Angel Ortega steals (1) 2nd base. Johnny Davis grounds out, pitcher Silfredo Garcia to first baseman Jake Stone. Wisconsin Gameday

edit. how the heck did my LR end up in the game thread? *sigh*

edit. Nashville's game 1 post was here as well, cripes.

First of all no team is "one good draft" away from anything in baseball, that's just not how it works. We're 1 good draft away from having an impact player in 3 years... The core of the "good" Brewer teams we've had over the last decade was drafted one a player at a time; Hart - 11th round 2000 Hardy - 2nd round 2001 Fielder - 1st round 2002 Weeks - 1st round 2003 Gallardo - 2nd round 2004 Braun - 1st round 2005 Lucroy - 3rd round 2007 I have a very hard time with how dismissive people are about the talent issue, as if there's some quick fix, when there truly isn't. It takes years to build a farm system and it takes a ton of time and effort to keep it going through the years because your staff is going to be pilfered by other organizations. The correct people have to consistently end up in the proper positions to maintain success. The Brewers have neither continued to cultivate talent in the farm system nor have they continued with strong leadership in those key positions. It's not as if the Brewers didn't know they were trading away what they couldn't replace prospect wise, they just chose to do so. A long time ago a poster named X correctly pointed out that all of Melvin's best personnel moves were bought with prospects, and the true test of how good of a GM he would be is when he had no more prospects to spend on proven MLB talent. All we essentially have done is come back full circle... we started with Suppan because we didn't have spare talent to trade, then spent all of the prospect currency, and have now circled back to FA pitching in Lohse and Garza. Hopefully both those guys work out much better than the FA acquisitions that came before them, but it's hard to be excited when the exact same patterns continue to repeat themselves for this organization.

Sounds Start Strong With 4-2 Win Gomez Goes Deep in Triple-A Debut; Velez 2-For-3 with Two Runs Nashville Sounds http://www.milb.com/assets/images/2/6/4/71005264/cuts/Velez_Eugenio_taken_by_Mike_Strasinger_le2cwuhx_htjgnq0s.jpg (MIKE STRASINGER) PAPILLION, Neb. - The Nashville Sounds secured a season-opening win Friday night at Werner Park, highlighted by a three-run home run from shortstop Hector Gomez, to defeat the Omaha Storm Chasers by a score of 4-2. Gomez entered the game as the only Sounds player without Triple-A experience, but did not waste any time to contribute: adding to the Sounds 1-0 lead in the fourth inning with a deep drive over the left-field wall to claim Nashville's first home run of the season. The shot scored Caleb Gindl, who singled with two outs, and Eugenio Velez to give Nashville the 4-0 advantage. The Sounds first run came in the third inning when Velez, 2-for-3, moved around the bases on Omaha pitcher Chris Dwyer's miscues. Velez singled to reach base, moved to third on Dwyer's pickoff error, and scored on a wild pitch. Right-handed pitcher Johnny Hellweg (1-0) led the Sounds defensively, turning in 5 1/3 innings of work from the hill to pick up the win. The reigning Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year allowed two earned runs on six hits in the contest, fanned four Chasers and walked two. Reliever Donovan Hand entered in the sixth for Hellweg with one out and Omaha's Jimmy Paredes on third. Hand induced his first batter, Brian Fletcher, into a grounder that third baseman Irving Falu fielded and threw to catcher Robinzon Diaz to eliminate the scoring threat. Hand completed the sixth and remained in the game for a scoreless seventh inning to finish with two strikeouts and one hit over 1 2/3 innings pitched. Michael Blazek made his Sounds debut in the home half of the eighth inning and limited Omaha to just one hit before closer Rob Wooten worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning to notch the save. On top of the solid pitching, the Sounds defense turned three double-plays in the game. Dwyer (0-1) was charged with the loss after allowing Nashville four runs on four hits, two walks, one error, and a pair of wild pitches. The Sounds had the bases loaded with one out in the third inning, but the Storm Chasers kept Nashville to one run in the frame as Diaz grounded into a 5-2-3 double-play. Velez's single in the third extends his Sounds hit streak to 23 games, which began last season on August 12, and his on-base streak to 37 games. He finished the night with two of the team's six hits. The Sounds play games two and three of the series as part of a doubleheader beginning at 2:05 p.m. Throwing for the Sounds will be Brewers top prospect RHP Jimmy Nelson opposite Omaha's RHP Aaron Brooks, while lefty Brad Mills gets the nod for Nashville in the nightcap against LHP John Lamb. Both games will be seven-inning contests and will be broadcast on 102.5-FM The GAME. Nashville Box Score Not much noteworthy on the prospect front, the trio of relievers I talked about when rosters were announced pitched well, but that was to be expected. All told Donovan Hand, Michael Blazek, and Rob Wooten combined for 3.2 IP, 0R, 2H, 1BB, and 4SO. Johnny Hellweg's final line is about what we'd expect 5.1 IP, 6H, 2R, 2ER, 2BB, 4SO, and 1HBP while throwing 48 of 82 pitches (58.54%) for strikes. He posted his usual 7-0 GO-FO as well for those of you whom care about such things. Nashville Recap The team did a nice job picking up Hellweg in the 6th. Omaha Bottom of the 6th Christian Colon hit by pitch. With Johnny Giavotella batting, throwing error by Johnny Hellweg on the pickoff attempt, Christian Colon to 2nd. With Johnny Giavotella batting, Christian Colon steals (1) 3rd base. Johnny Giavotella grounds out, third baseman Irving Falu to first baseman Hunter Morris. Christian Colon scores. Jimmy Paredes triples (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Caleb Gindl. Pitching Change: Donovan Hand replaces Johnny Hellweg. Brian Fletcher reaches on a fielder's choice out, third baseman Irving Falu to catcher Robinzon Diaz. Jimmy Paredes out at home. With Matt Fields batting, Brian Fletcher caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Robinzon Diaz to second baseman Elian Herrera. Nashville Gameday

Maybe now since the issue is with our star player people will quit defending the Brewers' medical staff, who are by no means special or progressive. They've made strides compared to where they were pre-Melvin, but the same injuries keep coming back around year after year for the same players and this has been an on going issue from the minors to the majors since I found bf.net and started paying attention.

2014 NL Central Minor League Roster Analysis (Subscriber only) edit. Forgot to note it was a subscriber piece thanks MH, quoted the relevant portion above now.

Bryant starts new year with a bang

Chiefs beat Rattlers with big seventh inning Peoria scores six in decisive inning for 8-4 win in 2014 opener By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers were cruising through five innings behind starting pitcher Taylor Williams against the Peoria Chiefs Thursday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. But the Chiefs sent twelve men to the plate and scored six runs off two relievers in the seventh inning to defeat the Rattlers 8-4 in the 2014 opener for both teams. Williams was on immediately for the Rattlers. The right-hander out of Kent State University allowed one hit over five shutout innings and struck out seven to set a professional high for strikeouts in a game. "Taylor came out pounding the zone with early count strikes and was able to put some folks away tonight," said manager Matt Erickson. "He was competitive, had good tempo, got us off the field, and gave us a great chance to win that game." Wisconsin (0-1) grabbed the lead with an RBI triple by Angel Ortega in the bottom of the third inning. Rafael Neda singled with one out and scored when Ortega drove the ball over the head of Ronald Castillo in right field. Williams pitched around an error in the top of the fifth inning to turn the 1-0 lead over to the bullpen. Peoria (1-0) rallied against Tyler Alexander in the top of the sixth. Michael Schulze doubled to start the inning. A pair of one out walks loaded the bases. Castillo's sacrifice fly to foul territory in right was deep enough to score Schulze to tie the game The Rattlers retook the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Ortega drew a walk to start the inning. Then, Omar Garcia singled to right on a hit-and-run to put runners at the corners. The hit was Garcia's third of the night. "He had a really good spring training," Erickson said of Ortega. "In the last week he had hard time making outs and he's carried that over to tonight." Chris McFarland got Ortega home from third base by grounding into a 4-3 double play to put the Rattlers up 2-1. But, the lead didn't last long. Alexander got the first out of the top of the seventh, but loaded the bases on two singles and a walk. Wisconsin called on Chris Razo to get out of the jam. CJ McElroy Jr. greeted Razo with a two-run single. Mason Katz was next and he doubled down the third base line to score two more runs and the Chiefs were up 5-2. Razo walked the next batter. Then, Castillo and Kenny Peoples-Walls followed with RBI singles to pad Peoria's lead out to 7-2. Michael Ratterree tripled to start the Wisconsin seventh. Taylor Brennan drove in Ratterree with a sacrifice fly. The Chiefs tacked on another run in the top of the eighth on a double by Katz to make the score 8-3. The final fun of the game came with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Clint Coulter launched a home run deep to left to give the remaining opening night crowd a thrill on a chilly Wisconsin evening. "You have to be a man to hit the ball out of the ballpark today," Erickson said. "He spent a lot of time in spring training working with Jeremy Reed and Chuckie Caufield on trying to get a better tempo and not swing so hard. He's a guy that doesn't have to create any more power than what his natural swing is. If we can find a way for him to find the barrel more often, you're going to see a lot more balls hit a long way like that." Game two of the series is set for Friday night. Barrett Astin is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Silfredo Garcia is set to start for the Chiefs. Game time is 6:35pm. Friday night is a North Shore Bank Family Night with Y100 featuring a special postgame fireworks display. Children 12 receive a voucher that may be redeemed for a free hotdog and soda. Children 14 and under may run the bases courtesy of Molina Healthcare after the fireworks. Tomorrow is also the first Throwback Game of the 2014 season sponsored by Appvion. Timber Rattlers players and coaches will wear jerseys based on those worn by the 1995 Timber Rattlers and ticket prices are $5 for a box seat, $4 for a reserved seat, and $3 for grass seats. If you can't make it out to the game, tune into to the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:15pm. Friday's game is available on IHeartRadio and MiLB.TV, too. HOME RUN: WIS: Clint Coulter (1st, 0 on in 9th inning off Chris Perry, 2 out) WP: Arturo Reyes (1-0) LP: Tyler Alexander (0-1) TIME: 3:04 ATTN: 3,194 This is mostly Chris' transcript of his post game interview with Erickson Rattler Radio Postgame Wisconsin Boxscore This was an extremely interesting game until the 7th when it all fell apart in a hurry. See my other post here for additional player information from tonight's game. Wisconsin Recap The Rattlers cost themselves too many outs on the bases tonight, they way things turned it likely wouldn't have made a difference, but a couple of extra runs can do wonders. A trio of good learning experiences here. Wisconsin Bottom of the 1st Omar Garcia singles on a line drive to center fielder C. J. McElroy. Christopher McFarland grounds out, second baseman Mason Katz to first baseman Jake Stone. Omar Garcia to 2nd. With David Denson batting, Omar Garcia steals (1) 3rd base. David Denson singles on a bunt ground ball to second baseman Mason Katz. Double play, second baseman Mason Katz to catcher Carson Kelly to third baseman Michael Schulze to pitcher Jimmy Reed to shortstop Juan Herrera to second baseman Mason Katz to catcher Carson Kelly. Omar Garcia out at home. David Denson out at 3rd. Wisconsin Bottom of the 3rd Jose Pena grounds out, third baseman Michael Schulze to first baseman Jake Stone. Rafael Neda singles on a line drive to right fielder Ronald Castillo. Angel Ortega triples (1) on a line drive to right fielder Ronald Castillo. Rafael Neda scores. Omar Garcia reaches on a fielder's choice, fielded by pitcher Jimmy Reed. With Christopher McFarland batting, Omar Garcia picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher Jimmy Reed to first baseman Jake Stone to shortstop Juan Herrera. Christopher McFarland flies out to center fielder C. J. McElroy. Wisconsin Bottom of the 5th Clint Coulter walks. Jose Pena lines out to shortstop Juan Herrera. Rafael Neda strikes out swinging and Clint Coulter caught stealing 2nd, catcher Carson Kelly to shortstop Juan Herrera. Wisconsin Gameday edit. Added the Rattler Radio blog post

Player observations from tonight's T-Rat game, unfortunately I accidentally closed my browser and lost my notes in the middle of the 6th, but I'll recreate them the best I can. Omar Garcia made a great diving play in the left center gap to save multiple bases, I'm sure it will be a video highlight from Mehring later tonight. Omar didn't hit ball all that well all night but found the holes for a multi-hit game. Taylor Williams was done after 5 and he featured 2 pitches, a 89-90 (according the broadcast) FB and a slider. The FB has nice arm side run, he located it well, though both pitchers benefitted from a zone that was wide and low. He did the leave it up on a regular basis, in the upper part of the zone and up out of the zone over the plate. Taylor did a very nice job capitalizing on the fact that the Cards' hitters were allowing him to get ahead with a first pitch FB, he was able to work ahead in the count all night. I'm not sure that will last, you would think teams will start looking to be more aggressive early in the count so he'll likely have to adjust. His slider is a nice pitch, I didn't see him throw it for a strike, it was always low or low and away but it induced many swings and misses. For a 3rd pitch he threw a curve or change, I couldn't tell which, it was pretty loopy but he located it the zone for a strike. I wouldn't read too much into the velocity after just one start in the extreme cold, we'll get a better read on him later in the summer when I get to a game he pitches with a stalker gun. I really liked his pickoff move and after a couple of close calls he got a runner in the 5th. This will read a bit weird but he has excellent range for a pitcher, he knocked down a high chopper all the way over in front of Brennan, had he just let it go through I think Brennan converts that into an out, but he got there to make an attempt. All in all it would be tough to ask for a better debut and there's quite a bit to be intrigued by. Chris McFarland looks noticeably thicker through the core and upper legs, it stood out. Angel Ortega's 3B was misplayed by the RF Castillo who was playing in because Neda had just dumped another blooper in front of him. Ortega hit what would have been a routine line drive but Castillo didn't get any kind of jump going back on it and then failed to field in cleanly. That triple was the hardest hit ball by any T-Rat through the first 5 innings. Ortega has a very nice arm but threw a ball into the dirt for an error. I thought Denson could have scooped it but regardless there's no reason to spike a ball in the dirt when you have the runner by more than 2 steps. Taylor Brennan not get cheated on any swing, if he's pulling the trigger the bat is moving with authority. Clint Coulter was interviewed by the broadcast team and was an extended topic of conversation during the game. It was mostly fluff stuff, Clint said that's just trying to simplify his approach and let the game game come to him, instead of trying to "show" what he is. In his first AB he grounded out on the first pitch, in this 2nd AB he worked the count for a walk, but then got caught stealing 2B for the 3rd Rattler out on the bases in the game and the final out of the inning. David Denson carries his weight well and needs some work defensively. Apparently he's working with Erickson everyday after batting practice on his scoops. His first AB was an "excuse me" roller to 2nd, he made better contact in his second AB but grounded out to 2nd again. Tyler Alexander didn't look good at all, he was all over the place and struggled to find the zone; in, out, and up. When he was in the zone it was mostly up and hitters were able to put decent swings on the ball. I'm not a huge fan of sidearm pitchers to start with so admit to some bias, but he just wasn't sharp. He consistently missed to his arm side with his breaking pitch, the broadcast team called it a curve, it was a 12 to 6 breaker. Chris Razo was up in the zone as well with his FB and it cost him and by extension Alexander in the 7th. He came in to a bases loaded situation and promptly allowed 4 runs to score in 2 swings. His breaking pitch looked to be a curve/slider, and he spiked it regularly, he just didn't have a feel for it in the strike zone. After he was tagged by the first 2 hitters it looked like he started aiming the ball down and even his FB was dropping out of the zone. The 5th run was something up and in and it was hit off the trademark for a looping single over 3rd. Unfortunately the 6th run was another misplay by Denson and McFarland (dropped by Denson) on a pop-up behind first. Michael Ratteree had a real nice AB on his triple in the 7th, he worked the count and fouled off a couple fo tough pitches. Castillo couldn't catch up to it in deep RF and Ratteree made him pay. Trevor Seidenberger struggled out of the gate as well, walking his first hitter, who stole 2nd, moved to 3rd on ground out to Denson, and scored on a double. He left his FB up as well and the double was a FB right down the middle that got crushed. I liked his breaking pitch though it had good movement, but he wasn't locating it in the zone. I didn't get to see the 9th inning as the game ran so long the DVR didn't record it all.

Hall and Weeks aren't the kind of deals we're really suggesting, those are the kind of deals you get when you extend someone who's already into arbitration or a FA.

Looking at Mehring's picture of the ground neuroscience group field just looks weird... behind home plate... not that Time Warner Cable was a better sponsor and I'll get used to the name change. Mostly it's just like last year when half the MWL changed affiliations, it seems wrong even though it's correct.

They will sign more than 1 player even if they sign Lara, they can sign as many 6 to <=$50,000 bonuses without counting against the pool. They could go over the pool as well, the penalties really aren't all that severe unless the international draft comes around for 2015. I would hope this isn't an eggs all in one basket type of thing where we miss out on Lara and then don't sign anyone of significance. If not Lara I'd like to see 2 or 3 higher profile kids picked up again. We'll have to wait and see.

Just a quick FYI for those curious. Where The Top 100 Prospects Are