TheCrew07

Hader dazzles again as Shuckers reach 20 wins Brandon Macias homered again as Shuckers take a 2-1 series edge over Suns Biloxi Shuckers http://www.milb.com/assets/images/7/6/2/177632762/cuts/DSC_0209_kb22fby4_t6ggmzkh.JPG Josh Hader struck out six over six innings on Wednesday night and earned his first win. (Michael Krebs) Biloxi Boxscore Biloxi Recap

Gatewood stays hot and leads Rattlers to game one win By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers http://www.milb.com/assets/images/1/2/8/177602128/cuts/May_11_2016_Game_One_Image_dnyfb8hq_wkcuq9y0.jpg Jake Gatewood went 3-3 with two homers and three RBI to lead the Rattlers to a 5-3 win over Clinton in game one of a doubleheader. (Wisconsin Timber Rattlers/Ann Mollica) Wisconsin Game 1 Boxscore Wisconsin Game 1 Recap ****** Rattlers Drop Game Two; Split Twinbill with Clinton LumberKings shut out Wisconsin 8-0 in nightcap By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers http://www.milb.com/assets/images/8/6/8/177650868/cuts/5_11PlayerofTheGame_JakeGatewood_b3w90spt_9sod1lau.jpg Jake Gatewood went 3-for-6 with two homers and three RBI in Wednesday's doubleheader. (Wisconsin Timber Rattlers/Ann Mollica) Wisconsin Game 2 Boxscore Wisconsin Game 2 Recap

Shuckers surrender four homers in loss to Jacksonville Brandon Macias was 2-for-4 with a homer on Tuesday Biloxi Shuckers http://www.milb.com/assets/images/6/6/8/177413668/cuts/2Q5A6647_35tydp0t_2p5k2l5s.JPG Brandon Macias smacked his first home run of the season in the loss to Jacksonville on Tuesday (Michael Krebs) Biloxi Boxscore Dang that's 2 clunkers in a row for Jorge Ortega, this could be teams making the adjustment to him after seeing him for the first time. Hobbs Johnson continues his AA struggles as well, pitching exclusively in relief his ERA is up over 5. I doubt that any team in the system consistently uses as many pitchers in a night as Biloxi does, is this about getting all the relievers consistent work, managing to win, or a combination of both? Brandon Macias (2-4,HR) had the only multi-hit game and good for him, I honestly didn't remember he was still in the system. Biloxi Recap Jorge Ortega was sunk by the 2nd and 3rd innings, the error in the 3rd didn't help. Jacksonville Top of the 2nd Austin Dean triples (2) on a fly ball to right fielder Tyrone Taylor. Brady Shoemaker out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Tyrone Taylor. Austin Dean scores. Moises Sierra homers (1) on a line drive to left field. Francisco Arcia grounds out, shortstop Javier Betancourt to first baseman Garrett Cooper. Peter Mooney singles on a ground ball to center fielder Kyle Wren. Jarlin Garcia flies out to left fielder Victor Roache. Jacksonville Top of the 3rd Yefri Perez singles on a line drive to center fielder Kyle Wren. Jeremias Pineda reaches on a force attempt, throwing error by first baseman Garrett Cooper. Yefri Perez to 3rd. J. T. Riddle singles on a ground ball to right fielder Tyrone Taylor. Yefri Perez scores. Jeremias Pineda to 2nd. Austin Dean homers (2) on a fly ball to left field. Jeremias Pineda scores. T. Riddle scores. Brady Shoemaker doubles (5) on a fly ball to center fielder Kyle Wren. Moises Sierra grounds out, shortstop Javier Betancourt to first baseman Garrett Cooper. Francisco Arcia pops out to third baseman Brandon Macias in foul territory. Jorge Ortega intentionally walks Peter Mooney. Jarlin Garcia grounds out to first baseman Garrett Cooper.

I can honestly say that I don't care what filler is playing if a legit prospect isn't in that spot. If MiLB losses meant that much to me I wouldn't cover the T-Rats, the only years they've won they didn't really have prospects on the team. I'm much more concerned with David Denson DHing and being viewed primarily as an OF...

Geez the epitome of a pitchers duel, only 4 hits between the teams in 10 offensive half innings, unfortunately the Manatees only have 1.

I keep simple at the ballpark, I'm simple hamburger/popcorn and water kind of guy if I get something to eat, I never get the specialty items, so I won't be any help there. The all you can eat seats are down the RF line as well if you're into that sort of thing.

LumberKings top Rattlers 6-3 By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers http://www.milb.com/assets/images/1/2/2/177241122/cuts/5_9_PlayerOftheGame_MitchGhelfi_o9vy4087_cm6ysb0p.jpg Mitch Ghelfi went 2-for-4 with an RBI for the Timber Rattlers on Monday night. (Wisconsin Timber Rattlers/Ann Mollica) Wisconsin Boxscore As sorry as I am that Sthervin Matos is playing himself out of the organization I'm at least twice that in excitement that Trent Clark is up. There's enough Clark discussion elsewhere so I won't add to it here other than to say it was a very solid debut. While Jake Drossner had one of his better outings this season, David Lucroy blew up, this is definitely the weakest spot in the Rattler rotation at this time. Isan Diaz is in danger of joining Monte Harrison below the Mendoza Line. Wisconsin Recap

Shuckers collect a season-high 16 hits in route of Suns Adrian Houser picked up his second win and a triple on Monday Biloxi Shuckers http://www.milb.com/assets/images/6/1/8/177219618/cuts/Houser59_cutdn6oi_43kt177t.jpg Adrian Houser notched his first career triple and RBI on Monday night (Michael Krebs) Bilxoi Boxscore I'm always excited when pitchers get hits, I don't have a reasonable explanation, it's just awesome. This was far and away Adrian Houser's most consistent start of the season, hopefully this is a springboard for continued success. Unfortunately Brett Phillips was the only Shucker in the starting line-up without a hit. Billoxi Recap To quote one of my favorite movies... "Fun for the whole family!"

Shuckers shut out by Wahoos in series finale Biloxi returns to MGM Park with a half game lead in division By Thaddeus Krzus / Biloxi Shuckers http://www.milb.com/assets/images/2/9/4/177050294/cuts/cooperthumb_uec4v8tr_hx2iieq8.JPG Garrett Cooper collected three of Biloxi's six hits on Sunday afternoon in Pensacola (Benton Reed Photography) Biloxi Boxscore I know I've posted quite a bit about Amir Garrett over the last couple of years since I first saw him pitch against the T-Rats, but he was one the players that made go "who the hell is this guy?" and I had to find out more about him. He's one of the few good things the Reds have going for them and he's steadily gotten better each year. His control is still suspect and despite issuing 5 walks to Biloxi the Shuckers weren't able to do enough to plate any runs. Garrett Cooper (3-4,2B,BB) who had a big day at the plate and Renee Garcia (2-3,BB) were almost the entire Biloxi offense between them. When Wei-Chung Wang is nibbling off the corners these are kind of games he pitches, when he attacks the results are much better. So many pitchers have to learn to trust their stuff and stop worrying about being perfect with every pitch, sometimes a guy like Manny Parra doesn't get past that, sometimes they do. Biloxi Recap

Phillips' three-homer night leads Shuckers to 9-3 win over Blue Wahoos Phillips becomes the first Shucker to record a three home run game Biloxi Shuckers http://www.milb.com/assets/images/1/7/0/176863170/cuts/DSC_0125_v9cc07d2_w7nytwqw.JPG Brett Phillips became the first Brewers farmhand to log a three-homer game since teammate Victor Roache did it back in 2014. (Michael Krebs) Biloxi Boxscore It's always wonderful when top prospects have a game like this, the MiLB.com story worthy kind, congrats Brett Phillips! Javier Salas had his 2nd consecutive rough start and was picked up by none other than Jed Bradley who pitched 3.1 scoreless innings of relief. In fact all of the relievers were awesome as Pensacola was kept off the board after the 3rd. Biloxi scored 8 runs on 9 hits, and no one had more than 1 other than Phillips 3 HRs, that's making the most out of limited opportunities. Biloxi Recap

Rattlers rout West Michigan 10-2 Gatewood homers twice, drives in six to lead 18-hit attack By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Wisconsin Boxscore It's been a very long time since a WI team pounded out 18 hits, what an offensive explosion. Every T-Rat hitter contributed at least 1 hit and only 3 hitters didn't have more than 1. Jake Gatewood's exploits were chronicled earlier in the thread and I'm sure the game story will hit the rest. He might even get a MiLB.com story out of the night. I'll let Chris cover the rest. Drake Owenby has quietly had a very good start to the season, though he has less than 30 IP. Miguel Diaz pitched 2 innings of relief. Wisconsin Recap

Shuckers' ninth inning comeback falls short in loss to Wahoos Josh Hader strikes out eight in loss on Friday night Biloxi Shuckers Biloxi Boxscore Josh Hader continues to do everything you would want from a pitcher except efficiency, which has been a Brewer Achilles heel for a long time, even though he had his best strike percentage of the season. Tyler Spurlin and Tristan Archer were victimized by a Passed Ball, as was Jon Perrin earlier tonight, and that run was the difference in the game. Chris McFarland (2-4) and Brett Phillips (2-4,2B) had the multi hit games for the Shuckers. Biloxi Recap

Whitecaps win wild one over Wisconsin West Michigan tops Rattlers 3-1 in odd game By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Wisconsin Boxscore The pitching was pretty stellar again, just 2 ER in the 9 innings and Jon Perrin's day was chronicled earlier in the thread. Jon has 57 SOs in 42 innings by my calculation, no one saw his K/9 over 12 coming, his 2015 is an example of what makes prospect watching so much fun.. Rattler batters managed just 5 hits, no one had more than 1 hit, Max McDowell (1-3,2B,BB) had the only XBH. Read the game story for information regarding Monte Harrison's ejection. Wisconsin Recap

First that's not a fact, that's an opinion. Second, there's no way the 2008 team had enough talent to win a WS, they barely got in the playoffs and wouldn't if the Mets had a second epic collapse, they were rolled in a lopsided series. The 2011 team was destroyed by the Cards in the NLCS, it wasn't a close series that could have gone either way, the run differential in the series was awful. You may choose to believe that it was a just bad luck and the outcome could have broken a different way, but that's your opinion, as it is mine that the Brewers were never serious WS contenders based on the conclusions I've put forth in numerous other posts over the last 8 years. As an aside, if Fangraphs or BR.com calculates WAR for a player, the result of the calculation is only a fact in so much as it exists. WAR, or any other metric is actually just a statistical opinion, a fact which seems to have gotten lost along the way. I find many metrics useful for putting some context of ultimate value into the discussion, but I'd never assert them as the "true" representation of a player's value.

Crooked numbers doom Shuckers in 8-1 loss to Wahoos Shuckers suffer second straight loss to Pensacola on Thursday By Thaddeus Krzus / Biloxi Shuckers http://www.milb.com/assets/images/4/4/6/176468446/cuts/DSC_0334_ca6p4t06_tbx4xn2u.JPG Jacob Nottingham collected his second straight multi-hit game and extended his hitting streak to seven games. Biloxi Boxscore Jorge Ortega and Stephen Peterson struggled as the game story described, just not a good day pitching wise for the 2 teams I'm covering. Biloxi managed just 3 hits Biloxi Recap

Whitecaps beat Rattlers 5-3 to open series Rattlers can't hold early lead By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Wisconsin Boxscore Jordan Yamamoto just didn't have it today, the game story covered it all. Wisconsin Recap

I didn't realize it from the radio broadcast but he turned around a pitcher's pitch for that HR, impressive.

That was well said.

Big inning plagues Shuckers again in loss to Wahoos Pensacola scores six runs in the fifth to win series opener Wednesday Biloxi Shuckers http://www.milb.com/assets/images/2/4/4/176312244/cuts/8S1A5986_p4907fkc_0lf8uzsx.JPG Adrian Houser struck out a season high nine batters in the loss on Wednesday. (M.K. Krebs) Biloxi Boxscore Well to focus on the positive at least Adrian Houser struck out 9 batters, there's not much else that's positive to start this 2016 campaign for him. I'm not buying what the game story was selling... Jacob Nottingham (2-4) and Nick Shaw (2-4) had the multi hit games for the Shuckers. Biloxi Recap

Wisconsin holds on for 4-2 win at South Bend Rattlers win series over Cubs By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Wisconsin Boxscore Freddy Peralta was TOUGH today, the Marcos Diplan was a bit all over the place but the T-Rats hung on. Jake Gatewood (2-4) has 5 multi hit games in his last 10 and is batting .325 over that span, he's pushed his AVE up from .197 to .240 with that effort. Wisconsin Recap

Rattlers Rally for Five Runs in 8th to Win at South Bend Diaz, Gatewood homer in big inning for Wisconsin's 5-4 victory By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Wisconsin Boxscore This game was looking bleak until the 8th and then BOOM! What an inning! Chris was talking about the long scoring drought and the possibility of being shutout again but then the hitters found something against Greyfer Eregua and pounded him for the 5 run outburst. I have to wonder if Jake Drossner will remain in WI once Devin Williams is promoted from EST back to WI as Chris alluded to during the broadcast, he's only had 2 decent outings all season. Isan Diaz (2-5,HR), Max McDowell (2-4), and Jake Gatewood (2-4,HR) all had multi hit games. David Lucroy had a nice outing hitting 93 and Nate Griep cruised through the final 2 innings to close out the game. Wisconsin Recap

This is much more likely than the bad luck card. I haven't watched Lopez pitch in 3 years now, but I watched Medeiros pitch as much as possible in 2015 and he worked up in the zone, his stuff was just that much better than the hitters he was facing so he was able to get ground balls on his movement. As I said I wasn't sure how his stuff would play against better hitters (contact wise), who are more patient and will force a pitcher to throw strikes. I've literally watched 100s of pitchers in A ball, and Kodi is far and away the outlier, he was able to get ground balls in locations that most pitchers give up XBHs because of his movement. Most everything was up, even his slider, it would typically end up inside and right underneath the hands of a RH hitter, but teams that laid off that pitch and were patient gave him all kinds of problems last year. His 2015 ERA by team varied drastically as I pointed out on numerous occasions, the best teams in the league gave him fits. With every level a player moves up the bottom players from the level before fall away, Kodi's going to have to learn how to work down and hit different locations with his pitches. Last year he had success when he started pitching backwards, leading with a change for a first pitch strike then coming back with a FB or slider. His FB location was inconsistent, 80% were thighs or higher. He wasn't consistent to either side of the plate, though he did make some vertical improvements as the season progressed. His change was typically thigh high middle away to RHB. His slider was typically off the inside corner under the hands to RHB as I mentioned previously. There needs to be a balance between statistical and physical observation, I feel good about players where I can confirm one against the other. Even TH's BA top 10 blurb talked about Kodi keeping the ball down based on his ground ball %, when that really wasn't case if you watched. There's a reason very few prospect gurus are putting Kodi in that #2 category despite what people around here may think because of his draft position. He's atypical enough that he's hard for me personally project, and I can see why he gets the #3 or reliever label thrown at him. He has such awesome movement he can be easy to dream on but the flip side is that he's not dominant in stature, velocity, or location. He's just a good kid with a bunch of athleticism who's naturally been better than everyone he's played against, hopefully he can make the necessary adjustments and start ascending again as the competition continues to improve.

...of course after I hit post the Biloxi story appears on the website. Shuckers take fifth straight series after doubleheader split with Smokies Nick Ramirez stretched hitting streak to five in game one and Brett Phillips hit second homer in nightcap Biloxi Shuckers http://www.milb.com/assets/images/9/8/2/175898982/cuts/2Q5A5827_w0pas8vp_pdd3fu3l.JPG Kyle Wren collected two hits in game one, including a 2-run double (Michael Krebs)

Final Game 1: Biloxi 3, Tennessee 2 Biloxi Game 1 Boxscore Beat the Cubs! Javier Salas didn't have his best day and the Schuckers managed to use 4 pitchers in a 7 inning game, it took 3 pitchers to cover final the 2.1 innings, but Jaye Chapman was awesome once again and is 10 for 10. Kyle Wren had a big game 1 with the 2 run double for most of Biloxi's offense and the only multi hit effort. The batting averages at this level are becoming less attractive by the day despite the club's winning ways. On the plus side Jacob Nottingham is creeping towards .200, and no that wasn't mistyped, he was also strong defensively in game 1. Biloxi Game 1 Recap All of the runs came in the 2nd. Tennessee Top of the 2nd Billy McKinney walks. With Mark Zagunis batting, Billy McKinney steals (1) 2nd base. Mark Zagunis singles on a line drive to shortstop Nick Shaw. Billy McKinney to 3rd. Kelly Dugan out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Kyle Wren. Billy McKinney scores. Mark Zagunis to 2nd. With David Freitas batting, Mark Zagunis caught stealing 3rd base, catcher Jacob Nottingham to third baseman Brandon Macias. David Freitas walks. Carlos Penalver triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Brett Phillips. David Freitas scores. Tyler Skulina strikes out swinging. Biloxi Bottom of the 2nd Jacob Nottingham reaches on a fielding error by third baseman Jeimer Candelario. Nick Ramirez lines out to right fielder Billy McKinney. Garrett Cooper doubles (4) on a line drive to center fielder Jacob Hannemann. Jacob Nottingham scores. Nick Shaw walks. Brandon Macias hit by pitch. Garrett Cooper to 3rd. Nick Shaw to 2nd. Javier Salas called out on strikes. Kyle Wren doubles (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Mark Zagunis. Garrett Cooper scores. Nick Shaw scores. Brandon Macias to 3rd. Christopher McFarland flies out to left fielder Mark Zagunis. ****** Final Game 2: Tennessee 4, Biloxi 1 Biloxi Game 2 Boxscore Lame split DHs! Wei-Chung Wang pitched well limiting the Smokies to 1 run over 6.2 innings allowing just 3 hits, but also walking 3, with just 2 strike outs. Unfortunately Tristan Archer's 8 inning was awful, he gave up 2 bombs: Tennessee Top of the 8th Mark Zagunis homers (1) on a fly ball to center field. Ryan Dent singles on a line drive to right fielder Tyrone Taylor. Carlos Penalver strikes out swinging. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Kelly Dugan replaces David Garner. Kelly Dugan homers (1) on a fly ball to left center field. Ryan Dent scores. Jacob Hannemann flies out to center fielder Brett Phillips. Chesny Young grounds out, second baseman Christopher McFarland to first baseman Garrett Cooper. Garrett Cooper had a nice game 2 with a multi hit effort, Brett Phillips homered for the only Biloxi run in the 4th. Biloxi Game 2 Recap

Cubs beat Wisconsin 3-0 South Bend send Rattlers to third straight loss By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattler Wisconsin Boxscore Miguel Diaz pitched pretty well, I believe the outcome for him would have been different without Natanael Mejia catching, he's been pretty poor defensively from what I've seen. He's Coulter poor at digging balls, a ton get through him and I get that basically any ball in the dirt is a WP by rule, but many of those are also easily blocked. South Bend Bottom of the 5th Eloy Jimenez singles on a line drive to right fielder Carlos Belonis. With Eddy Martinez batting, Eloy Jimenez steals (3) 2nd base. Eddy Martinez called out on strikes. Matt Rose strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Miguel Diaz. Eloy Jimenez to 3rd. Matt Rose to 1st. With Jesse Hodges batting, wild pitch by Miguel Diaz, Eloy Jimenez scores. Matt Rose to 2nd. Jesse Hodges singles on a ground ball to center fielder Monte Harrison. Matt Rose scores. With Bryant Flete batting, wild pitch by Miguel Diaz, Jesse Hodges to 2nd. Bryant Flete called out on strikes. Erick Castillo grounds out, third baseman Jake Gatewood to first baseman Luis Aviles. Diaz is not wild, in terms of effectively wild I would put Marcos Diplan in that category right now. Those were the only 2 runs given up and it was enough because the offense managed just 4 hits and 3 walks while striking out 9 times but Blake Allemand (2-3,2 2B,BB) had a good game. BA has Cubs' opposing pitcher Carson Sands as a bit of a project, he was a 4th rounder in 2014: Wisconsin Recap