TheCrew07

I also enjoy reading about the various minor league ballparks and what kind of promotions, food, and atmosphere they have going on. It looks like we might see an article on Nashville soon. Hot Rods an anchor in revitalized area

We've debated the proper speed to promote our prospects in the past, this subscriber piece gives some insight into San Fran's decision to skip Jonathan Williamson past A ball and send him right to A+ this spring. I'm always curious about the decision making process regarding prospect placement so I thought I'd share the link. Mac Williamson Gets Giants’ Attention Side note as it is mentioned at tail end of the article: Of the Giants top 10 prospects, 6 are pitchers, 2 HS draftees, 3 college draftees, and 1 international signing out of the the Dominican. The 4 position players are as follows: a contact hitting SS in Joe Panik (AA), an unorthodox hitting CF prospect in Gary Brown (AAA), a very toolsy CF prospect who hadn't put it all together yet Francisco Peguero (MLB) but was having a fantastic start to the season before being called up last week, and finally a decent enough corner OF prospect Roger Kieschnick (AAA) who TLB noted recently in the LR, who's Brook's nephew. Peguero is far and away the best prospect in that bunch, he's like a poor man's Gomez, all of the physical tools you'd want but hadn't put the hit tool together yet prior to this season.

Should ‘Obispo Aybar’ Have Tried To Copy Jairo Beras?

Draft Chat With Jim Callis: May 9

Some people just can't get out of their own way as we well know after Jeffres Reds' righty Tuttle suspended again

To quote a favorite movie of mine, "you really got me there..." For the last time our farm system graduated all of the highly rated talent like Weeks, Fielder, Braun, Hardy, Hart, and Gallardo... those guys made us #1. They graduated, that's the way life works. We haven't been a top rated farm system in many years, anyone with the potential to be a 3 WAR player or better from the 2nd wave was traded away. "Completely failed to expectations"... what? Yours maybe.

The BC line-up has no one hitting over .270... Free Mitch Haniger!

It's difficult to refute such clever and insightful commentary... You mean that surplus talent that was traded away? Let me see... Cain who's playing CF in KC, Escobar who's playing SS in KC, Lawrie who's playing 3B in Toronto, and Brantley who's playing the OF for Cleveland... yea, none of those guys have accomplished anything. Not to mention Odorizzi who if he was in any other system other than Tampa's would be pitching in the big leagues right now. Jake is not the surefire top of the rotation pitcher many of us hoped he would become as his secondary stuff hasn't advanced with his command, but he's a sold #3 and could overachieve into a #2. I have a hard time believing that guy like LaPorta won't one day contribute in some manner but his struggles haven't hurt my feelings at all and I'm pretty sure KC is okay with Jeffress flaming out given the productivity of Escobar and Cain and the fact that they were able to flip Odorizzi in the Shields package. The top guys who flamed out as Brewer property were Parra, Braddock, and Salome, and both of the latter players have legitimate mental problems, and in Braddock's case apparently something else was going on behind the scenes as well. Parra... I think he's soft mentally, he has all the physical tools you'd want in a guy but won't attack hitters, he's the one guy I'm actually pissed about. Anyway it really sucks that we had another first round pick make the majors and contribute in some way, though it's too bad he's not accomplishing anything, shame on you Hiram.

One last Jesus Sanchez post, well for a couple of weeks anyway. I like that he's adding a change and I've wondered where the notion that he didn't have much gas came from last year? I remember him topping out at 95 and working 91-93 which is good enough, and Jeff basically confirmed that in the interview.

Hiram Burgos Rises From Brevard County To Big Leagues

Rattlers and LumberKings rained out on Thursday night Teams will conclude series with a Friday doubleheader By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI - Thursday's game between the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and Clinton LumberKings at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium has been rained out. The teams will make up the game as part of a doubleheader on Friday. Game one is scheduled for 5:05pm. Thursday marks the sixth home postponement of the 2013 season for the Timber Rattlers. Overall, Wisconsin has had nine games postponed due to the weather this season. Fans with tickets for Thursday's game may exchange their tickets - based on availability - for any regular season 2013 Timber Rattlers' home game. Fans with tickets to Friday's game may use their tickets for both games of the doubleheader. The Timber Rattlers have scheduled Damien Magnifico (3-0, 4.30) and Leonard Lorenzo (1-1, 6.75) as their starting pitchers for game one and two on Friday. Clinton has set Matt Anderson (1-2, 6.29) and Dylan Unsworth (2-0, 2.57) as their scheduled starters. Friday is a North Shore Bank Family Night with Y100. Children 12 and under receive a free hot dog and soda. Plus, kids 14 and under may participate in Kids Run the Bases thanks to Molina Healthcare after the game. Plus, Marvel's armored avenger, the Invincible Iron Man, will be on hand to meet and greet fans at the game. If you can't make it to the game, you can catch the action on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 4:45pm. My NEW32's Sports Showdown will televise the second game of Friday's twinbill. Both games on Friday are available on MiLB.TV.

Much like I highly recommend listening to the audio interviews MH links, Chris Mehring does an excellent job with Timber Rattlers Field Pass and it's worth watching and/or putting on the DVR if you have access to TWC Sports 32.

Just an interest piece for obvious reasons Jim Callis Mock Draft 1.0

A couple of these every year... gets sooo old. Dominican Shortstop ‘Obispo Aybar’ Admits To Fake Age, Identity

Draft Tracker: Scouting Reports On Top Performers

Jorge Soler of the Cubs discussed again. Thursday Prospect Notebook: Kyle Gibson Dominates, But It Comes With A Caveat

Sizing Up The Draft Class Of 2013

Soler's big day not enough for D-Cubs

Mehring's post double header thoughts. The usual assortment of post game goodies and a rather spot on quote From six to zero – Post-doubleheader post May 8, 2013

Clinton comes back to get the split LumberKings score three in the sixth and hang on for a 4-2 win over Rattlers By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Clinton LumberKings snapped Wisconsin's six-game winning streak with a 4-2 win in game two of a doubleheader at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Wednesday night. The LumberKings erased a 2-1 Timber Rattlers lead by scoring three times in the top of the sixth inning and holding on for the win. The Timber Rattlers (14-15) manufactured a run in the bottom of the first inning. Alfredo Rodriguez drew a leadoff walk and went to second on an errant pickoff attempt. Michael Reed moved Rodriguez to third with a sacrifice bunt. Mitch Haniger drove Rodriguez home with a sacrifice fly to right. Wisconsin made the score 2-0 in the bottom of the third. Mike Garza tripled to start the inning. Rodriguez drove him in with a one out single. Clinton (14-16) broke through against the Timber Rattlers in the top of the fifth inning. Guillermo Pimentel doubled with two outs to drive in Pat Kivlehan. That run cut the Rattlers lead to 2-1. That run was also the first scored by the LumberKings in 11-2/3 innings of the doubleheader. Wisconsin had shutout Clinton 5-0 in the first game. The LumberKings rallied for three runs in the top of the sixth inning. Dario Pizzano doubled to start the inning. Tyler Marlette followed with a triple to right-center field. That triple drove in the tying run and knocked Wisconsin starting pitcher Mike Strong out of the game. Jono Armold took over for Strong and broke the bat of Gaby Guerrero, but the ball dropped into left field for an RBI single to give Clinton a 3-2 lead. Later in the frame, an error allowed Guerrero to score a run that put the LumberKings up 4-2. Wisconsin would attempt a couple of rallies to keep their winning streak alive. The Rattlers had two outs and none on in the sixth inning when an error, a walk, and a wild pitch put the tying runs in scoring position. But, Oliver Garcia escaped the inning. In the seventh, Wisconsin again had two outs with none one against Clinton closer Grady Wood when a hit batsman, a passed ball, and an infield single put runners on the corners. But, Wood got the final out to pick up his fifth save and earn the split in the twinbill. Game three of the series is Thursday night. The first 1,000 fans to attend this game will receive a poster of Timber Rattlers outfielder Victor Roache, a 2012 first round draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers, courtesy of Dunkin Donuts. All fans can enjoy 16oz soda, beer, or Arty's Old Fashioned drinks for just $2 as part of Thirsty Thursday presented by Arty's Old Fashioned and 95.9 KISS FM. If you can't make it to the stadium, the game is available to Time Warner Cable subscribers on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel. Fans may also tune in on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:15pm. Thursday's game is also available on MiLB.tv. WP: Matt Vedo (2-1) LP: Mike Strong (0-1) SAVE: Grady Wood (5) TIME: 2:08 ATTN: 3,60 Wisconsin Game 2 Boxscore Clint Coulter and Orlando Arcia are still struggling at the plate. Every once in a while it's looked like Arcia would explode out of his slump and then he'll go hitless again for 2 games. Michael Garza had the only multi-hit game and a triple while Mitch Haniger added a double. I'm pretty conservative when it comes to promoting pitchers, I prefer 1 season at a time or complete dominance with a bump at the break. However I'm almost the exact opposite when it comes to position players... Haniger has played well and has positional versatility in the OF, I see no reason for him to be in WI any longer. I've lost track of how many games the Rattlers still need to make up, but once the T-Rats are caught up schedule wise I really don't have a good reason why he should be in WI any longer. You know what, this has nothing to do with WI but I refrained from posting this earlier today even though I wanted to so I'll just say that I'd also like to see some of the AAA relievers get a shot this season, especially Jesus Sanchez. Yes I beat the drum for most of the last year and I'm a sucker for a good story which is why I was going to give it a rest but Sanchez is no longer a 1 season wonder. At any rate back to the Rattlers, in addition to his struggles at the plate Clint Coulter also had his 8th passed ball of the season in game 2, there just hasn't been much going his way so far. Wisconsin Game 2 Recap Clinton's decisive 6th. Clinton Top of the 6th Dario Pizzano doubles (3) on a fly ball to center fielder Mitch Haniger. Tyler Marlette triples (1) on a line drive to center fielder Mitch Haniger. Dario Pizzano scores. Pitching Change: Jonathan Armold replaces Michael Strong. Gabriel Guerrero singles on a line drive to left fielder Victor Roache. Tyler Marlette scores. Taylor Ard strikes out swinging. With Brock Hebert batting, Gabriel Guerrero steals (2) 2nd base. Brock Hebert reaches on a throwing error by third baseman Mike Garza. Gabriel Guerrero scores. Brock Hebert out at 3rd, right fielder Michael Reed to third baseman Mike Garza. Patrick Kivlehan grounds out, third baseman Mike Garza to first baseman Adam Giacalone. Chris sort of breezed over the comeback attempt. Wisconsin Bottom of the 6th Pitching Change: Oliver Garcia replaces Matt Vedo. Mitch Haniger flies out to center fielder Guillermo Pimentel. Victor Roache grounds out, third baseman Jordy Lara to first baseman Taylor Ard. Adam Giacalone reaches on a fielding error by center fielder Guillermo Pimentel. Adam Giacalone to 2nd. Christopher McFarland walks. With Clint Coulter batting, wild pitch by Oliver Garcia, Adam Giacalone to 3rd. Christopher McFarland to 2nd. Clint Coulter pops out to shortstop Brock Hebert. Wisconsin Bottom of the 7th Pitching Change: Grady Wood replaces Oliver Garcia. Mike Garza flies out to center fielder Guillermo Pimentel. Orlando Arcia grounds out, pitcher Grady Wood to first baseman Taylor Ard. Alfredo Rodriguez hit by pitch. With Michael Reed batting, passed ball by Tyler Marlette, Alfredo Rodriguez to 2nd. Michael Reed singles on a ground ball to shortstop Brock Hebert. Alfredo Rodriguez to 3rd. Mitch Haniger grounds out, third baseman Jordy Lara to first baseman Taylor Ard.

Wagner goes the distance to shutout Clinton 5-0 in game one Rattlers run win streak to six games behind 10Ks by starting pitcher By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI - Tyler Wagner kept the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on a roll. The former closer for the University of Utah struck out a career high ten batters as he twirled a complete game shutout in a 5-0 win over the Clinton LumberKings in game one of a doubleheader at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Wisconsin showed no ill effects from the off day on Tuesday. The Timber Rattlers grabbed the early lead with four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Mitch Haniger drove in Tyrone Taylor with a single. Victor Roache's fly ball to center was dropped to allow him to reach base on a sacrifice fly that scored Michael Reed from third base. Later in the inning Chris McFarland drove in both Haniger and Roache with a single. Tyler Wagner took that lead and ran with it. The Wisconsin starting pitcher worked around an error and a walk in the second inning. In the fourth, a close 3-2 pitch with two outs was called a ball to allow the inning to continue. Tyler Marlette got jammed on an 0-2 pitch and sent a weak grounder halfway up the third base line for the first Clinton hit of the game. Wagner got the final out of the inning to keep the LumberKings off the scoreboard. Clinton (13-16) threatened in the top of the sixth. Guillermo Pimentel reached on an infield single with one out and Patrick Kivlehan dumped in a single into center to put a pair of runners. But, Wagner stopped the LumberKings cold by getting Dario Pizzano to ground into an inning ending 6-4-3 double play. Jose Sermo singled in a run in the bottom of the sixth to give the Rattlers a 5-0 lead. Wagner set down the LumberKings in order in the top of the seventh to finish off his gem. Wagner struck out a pair in the seventh to give him a total of ten in the game. He walked two and picked up his third win of the season. The win was the sixth straight for the Timber Rattlers and moved them to 14-14 on the season. WP: Tyler Wagner (3-1) LP: Tyler Pike (1-3) TIME: 1:48 Wisconsin Game 1 Boxscore This game was all about Tyler Wagner, what a pitching line. Once again it was 7IP, 3H, 0R, 2BB, 10SO, and no WPs having thrown 67 of 95 pitches for strikes... right on! Wisconsin Game 1 Recap The 6th could have gone better... all 3 outs on the bases, don't see that very often. Wisconsin Bottom of the 6th Adam Giacalone walks. Christopher McFarland walks. Adam Giacalone to 2nd. Jose Sermo singles on a fly ball to center fielder Brock Hebert. Adam Giacalone scores. Christopher McFarland out at 3rd on the throw, center fielder Brock Hebert to shortstop Ketel Marte to third baseman Patrick Kivlehan. Jose Sermo to 2nd on the throw. With Parker Berberet batting, Jose Sermo caught stealing 3rd base, catcher Tyler Marlette to third baseman Patrick Kivlehan. Parker Berberet walks. Orlando Arcia walks. Parker Berberet to 2nd. With Tyrone Taylor batting, Parker Berberet caught stealing 3rd base, catcher Tyler Marlette to first baseman Taylor Ard to third baseman Patrick Kivlehan to shortstop Ketel Marte

I gotta give it up, I never thought both Yuni and Gomez would sustain their output for a week, their offensive contributions have been tremendous. Both have proved me wrong and deserve their props.

Cards' RF prospect Stephen Piscotty featured here. FSL notes: Cards' Piscotty 'cuts loose'

Taillon's injury the only divisional mention Wednesday Prospect Notebook

It was in the transaction thread.