TheCrew07

Sounds Fold In Vegas; Lose 8-2 Nashville's Eugenio Velez Goes 3-for-4 with RBI Nashville Sounds http://www.milb.com/assets/images/1/0/2/73522102/cuts/Velez_Eugenio_taken_by_Mike_Strasinger_Medium_i33ohivq_iz0jpcoe.jpg (MIKE STRASINGER) LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The Nashville Sounds (38-36) never recovered from a four-run inning turned in by the Las Vegas 51s Wednesday night at Cashman Field, dropping their sixth game in a row by an 8-2 final. Vegas' big inning came against Sounds starter Taylor Jungmann (2-4) in the 4th. A walk and a pair of singles started the frame for the 51s and gave them the 2-1 advantage. Vegas pitcher Logan Verrett (6-2) helped his own cause with an RBI groundout later in the frame, which was capped off by Omar Quintanilla's two-run single. Jungmann took the loss, his fourth, allowing five runs to the 51s on seven hits and three walks. The right-hander fanned three in the outing before giving way to reliever Alfredo Figaro after four innings of work. Figaro provided two scoreless frames for Nashville before running into trouble in the 7th inning, when pinch hitter Travis d'Arnaud hit a two-run double for the 51s. Neither of the runs were earned, as Juan Centeno reached base on a fielding error by Eugenio Velez. Arcenio Leon allowed Vegas their final run in the 8th inning when Allan Dykstra hit an RBI single to left field. Nashville scored first in the contest on Velez's base-knock to the opposite field. The hit scored shortstop Jeff Bianchi, 2-for-4, who slapped a double earlier in the 1st inning. Velez finished the night 3-for-4. Vegas tied the game 1-1 in the 3rd inning when outfielder Cesar Puello slid past a 1-2 fielder's choice, beating catcher Matt Pagnozzi's tag. Puello reached base on a single, moved to second on Verrett's sacrifice bunt and stole third to position himself for the score. The Sounds got a run back from Vegas in the 6th inning when infielder Pete Orr rolled an RBI grounder to make it a 5-2 game. Verrett was awarded the win, holding Nashville to two runs, one earned, on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings. The Sounds will play game three of the four-game series with the Las Vegas 51s on Thursday at 9:05. RHP Johnnie Lowe (0-1, 3.06) will start for Nashville opposite Vegas lefty Darin Gorski (1-1, 4.82). Broadcaster Jeff Hem has the call on 102.5 The Game. Nashville Boxscore This has just been an awful stretch for the Sounds. Taylor Jungmann's last 3 starts have been pretty similar in nature ballooning his AAA ERA up to a whopping 6.83. Nashville Recap Nashville Gameday

Osprey rally late, steal series with 5-4 win By Dustin Daniel / Helena Brewers he Missoula Osprey (2-1) stole the finale of their three-game series with the Helena Brewers (1-2) on Wednesday, topping the Brew Crew 5-4 with a late-game rally. Jorge Ortega pitched seven innings of shutout baseball in the start for the Brewers, but would become the victim of fatigue in the eighth, giving up back-to-back walks and hitting Michael Abreu to end his night. He would finish with four strikeouts, giving up just four hits and walking two. The Brewers jumped out to a four-run lead in the seventh when Luis Aviles blasted an RBI double to bring in Edgardo Rivera. Aviles would score later in the inning on an Elvis Rubio sacrifice. Aviles finished the game 3-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored. Missoula pounced on sloppy pitching in the eighth, scoring all five of their runs in the frame. Justin Williams slapped an RBI single into right, scoring Damion Smith to start off the five-run rally. Trevor Mitsui would later close the scoring with a two-run single off of Ryan Deeter (0-1). The Brewers made a late rally in the ninth, pushing the Osprey to the brink of extra innings. Luis Aviles led off with a double to the right-center gap and was quickly followed up by a Gregory Munoz single. Munoz stole second one batter later to put two runners in scoring position with just one out. Elvis Rubio would strike out followed by a DeMuth grounder to end the game with the tying run just 90 feet from home. The Brewers will now host the Billings Mustangs for a two-game series at Kindrick Field. Action starts Thursday at 7:05 p.m. H-Crew Boxscore Wow did this game turn ugly quick. Jorge Ortega rolled until the 7th when he apparently lost his command and Ryan Deeter couldn't stop the bleeding. The middle of the order had a tough night but Gregory Munoz (3-4), Eric Williams (2-4), Edgardo Rivera (3-4,2B), and Luis Aviles (3-4, 2 2B) had big nights. H-Crew Recap This was it... Missoula Top of the 8th B. J. Lopez pops out to first baseman Alan Sharkey. Damion Smith walks. Sergio Alcantara walks. Damion Smith to 2nd. Mike Abreu hit by pitch. Damion Smith to 3rd. Sergio Alcantara to 2nd. Pitching Change: Ryan Deeter replaces Jorge Ortega. Justin Williams singles on a ground ball to second baseman Gregory Munoz. Damion Smith scores. Sergio Alcantara to 3rd. Mike Abreu to 2nd. Jake Mayers out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Edgardo Rivera. Sergio Alcantara scores. Mike Abreu to 3rd. Tyler Humphreys reaches on a throwing error by shortstop Luis Aviles. Mike Abreu scores. Justin Williams to 3rd. Tyler Humphreys to 2nd. Dane McFarland walks. Trevor Mitsui singles on a line drive to center fielder Edgardo Rivera. Justin Williams scores. Tyler Humphreys scores. Dane McFarland to 2nd. B. J. Lopez grounds into a force out, fielded by third baseman Dustin DeMuth. Dane McFarland out at 3rd.

Go away troll.

I watched the episode but my understanding is that the Brewers can only work with the players they've actually signed. The "trainers" aren't affiliated with any particular organization. There were a little late to the party... or rather they had an academy and then closed it like was mentioned as part of the broadcast. They tried to go with medium bonuses but move the players right to the states which didn't work out very well. What they are doing now isn't unique but I believe they are doing a much better job with the Latin players since the academy was re-opened with Torres. Many of the players from the academy are holding their own or playing well in the states, something we couldn't say before. I really like the arm and core strength exercises they were doing in the weight room, I'm happy to the see the Brewers adopting modern athletic development instead of just natural progression. Unless I've complete misunderstood the process for years, the players at each academy are already signed by the team who owns the academy. The money spent on player development at the academy is independent of the signing bonus pool. Younger players will work with "trainers" to get signed, once they are signed they attend the signing team's academy.

Pirates' Josh Bell the 2nd player discussed. Stock Watch: Twins' May gets mind right Righty's mental adjustments leading to fewer walks, better results

In case you missed it elsewhere... Cubs promote top picks Bryant, Schwarber Bryant headed to Pacific Coast League, Schwarber to Midwest League

I'm sure most remember I don't hold Mayo in all that high of regard as a prospect evaluator, however I did like this piece and not from a homer perspective, I think it was well done. Pipeline Perspectives: Brewers had best Draft Calculating approach could pay off big with Medeiros, Gatewood, Harrison

Pipeline Prospects of the Week Pipeline Pitching Prospect of the Week: Marco Gonzales, LHP, Springfield Cardinals (Cardinals' No. 4 prospect), 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 GS, 6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 SO Considered the most polished pitcher in the 2013 Draft, Gonzales has lived up to the reputation in pro ball. Signed for $1.85 million as the 19th overall pick, he reached Double-A in mid-May and has thrived there. Gonzales has gone 2-2 with a 2.16 ERA in six starts at Springfield, with a sparkling 42/8 K/BB ratio in 33 1/3 innings. Including six season-opening starts at high Class A Palm Beach, he owns a 4-4 record with a 1.77 ERA in 2014 and has struck out 74 versus just 16 walks in 71 innings. Gonzales succeeds with savvy rather than overpowering stuff. His 88-91 mph fastball has fringy velocity, but it plays up because he commands it so well and keeps hitters off balance with a quality changeup. He also throws a curveball and a slider, and he could develop into a No. 3 starter.

Subscriber, mostly Reds talk. Cal/Car All-Star Notes: A Winker And A Nod June 18, 2014 by Josh Norris

Lots of divisional news through the game recaps, though I don't recall a single Brewer mention. I may have skimmed one though. Minor League All-Star Games 2014

Juan De Leon, Bryan Hernandez Bring Wide Range Of Skills For July 2

Bats' Silverio gets five hits in Triple-A debut Reds prospect doubles twice, records first two knocks off Hellickson

Jenkins gives Jupiter the cold shoulder In first start since surgery, Cards prospect hurls six hitless innings

Ninth-Inning Rally Sinks Sounds In Road Trip Opener Nashville Losing Streak Reaches Season-High Five Games Nashville Sounds http://www.milb.com/assets/images/3/6/6/71205366/cuts/Morris_Hunter_taken_by_Mike_Strasinger_b6g4ggsw_cp6jcqhq.jpg (Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds) LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The Las Vegas 51s plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to hang an 8-7 loss on the Nashville Sounds on Tuesday evening at Cashman Field in the opener of a four-game series. The Las Vegas rally, which came against Sounds closer Donovan Hand, occurred after Hunter Morris had belted a go-ahead homer in the top of the ninth to stake the Sounds to a 7-6 advantage, the club's first lead in five games. The heartbreaking defeat extended Nashville's losing streak to a season-high five games. Las Vegas grabbed a 4-0 first-inning lead by belting a pair of home runs off Sounds starter Michael Blazek. Second baseman Daniel Muno put the home team on the board with a one-out solo homer, the infielder's eighth of the year, before Brandon Allen added a two-out, three-run shot to right. The 51s tacked on another run in the second by taking advantage of a fielding error by Nashville second baseman Irving Falu. Muno singled home pitcher Joel Carreno, who had reached on the gaff. Nashville jumped on the scoreboard in the fifth to snap a 13 2/3-inning scoreless stretch for the club. Robinzon Diaz (3-for-4) singled with one out against Carreno and raced home to score on Logan Schafer's two-out triple to center. Jeff Bianchi later added a two-run homer to left, his third of the year. Las Vegas extended its lead to 6-3 in the home half of the fifth when Cory Vaughn delivered a two-out RBI single up the middle off Sounds reliever Brent Leach to bring home Allan Dyskstra, who was plunked to open the frame. Carreno worked a quality start for the 51s, holding the Sounds to three runs while striking out eight batters over his six innings of action, but took a no-decision for his efforts. After leaving a pair of runners in scoring position during a scoreless seventh, the Sounds broke through to tie the game with a three-run eighth inning against Ryan Reid. Sean Halton led off with a single, moved to third on a Caleb Gindl single, and scored from third on a passed ball. After pinch-hitter Jeremy Hermida drew a walk and Hector Gomez moved the runners into scoring position with a groundout, Diaz leveled the contest at 6-6 with a two-run single up the middle that chased Reid from the contest. Morris led off the ninth with his team-leading ninth home run of the year, a blast to right off Las Vegas reliever Buddy Carlyle. The 51s didn't go down without a fight against Hand in the bottom of the ninth, however, rallying to hand Nashville its sixth last at-bat defeat of the year. Kirk Nieuwenhuis led off with a single and was sacrificed to second. Travis d'Arnaud followed with a comebacker to Hand and the hurler had Nieuwenhuis caught in a rundown between second and third, but he delivered the ball late to second and both runners were safe on the fielder's choice. Cesar Puello followed with a game-tying RBI double and, three batters later following a groundout and an intentional walk to load the bases, Vaughn slapped a game-ending single to center. The teams continue the series with another 9:05 p.m. CT matchup on Wednesday night. Right-hander Taylor Jungmann (2-3, 6.12) will make the start for the Sounds and face Las Vegas right-hander Logan Verrett (5-2, 4.79). Nashville Boxscore Jeremy Jeffress was the only Sounds' pitcher who didn't give up a run going 2 IP with 3 SOs. Nashville piled on 16 hits with both Caleb Gindl and Sean Halton posting 2-5 efforts. Logan Schafer (3-5,3B) continued his hot hitting since returning from Milwaukee. Nashville Recap Nashville Gameday

Yea it's media bias and not just the fact that they are all outstanding athletes with special skills. The disparity in talent between Taveras vs. Davis and Polanco vs Gennett is immense. Pick any small sample you want to prove your point now while ignoring age and relative talent, the proof will be in the career they make for themselves. Plenty of posters on this very forum were yapping about how overrated Mike Trout was after his first taste of the big leagues... how did that turn out? Obviously not all extremely talented players will hit their hit ceilings, many won't come close, but it would be nice if posters on an educated forum like this would at least look at the big picture making an effort to be unbiased. Personally I find the rush to judgement on prospects both good and bad to be very off-putting. Why is there no patience in baseball? Seriously it's the sport with greatest amount of games over the longest season, it should be the sport in which patience comes most naturally but if a guy isn't performing in about 100 ABs or so he's "killing the team" and is sent back down. Polanco won't hit .400 all year but his talent is also undeniable, and his power will come as he matures in MLB... he's only 22 years old as is Taveras. I'd be willing to bet we will still be very sick of playing against both players long after Davis and Gennett are after thoughts for the Brewers. Mike Trout the scrub: [pre]Year Age Tm Lg G PA AB H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+ 2011 19 LAA AL 40 135 123 27 6 0 5 16 9 30 .220 .281 .390 .672 89[/pre] Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table Generated 6/17/2014.

Minor League Roundup: The Stars Are Out

July 2 Prediction Board 2.0: Top 10 Projected Bonuses And Signing Teams

Arcia's recent tear is making me very happy as he has the 2nd highest AVE on the team at .272, while being -3.7 years for the league average as a 19 year old. If he fills out his frame at all look out!

With the Sounds playing in Las Vegas I'll get the recap up before I do my workout tomorrow morning. Michael Blazek did not fare particularly well in the thin desert air giving up 2 HRs in just 3.2 IP and the Sounds are down 5-3 in the bottom of the 5th.

Final: MWL West All-Stars (Brewers) 7, MWL East All-Stars 0 MWL All-Star Game Boxscore Neither Clint Coulter (0-1,BB) or Taylor Brennan (0-2) had a hit. Preston Gainey had 2 SOs in his scoreless frame, Taylor Williams and Barrett Astin both put up 0s across their scoreless frames. All in all not a bad showing as the East managed just 2 hits all game! MWL All-Star Game Recap MWL All-Star Game Gameday

Schwarber homers twice, continues tear Cubs' first-rounder has four homers in five Northwest League games

I'll say the same thing I've always said about Estrada. It's not about being down on a guy, it's about being realistic given his pros and cons. Neither Estrada or Fiers are players a team should look to build around. Fiers doesn't throw especially hard, doesn't have a plus pitch, and is already 29 years old. He relies almost entirely on location be successful, though admittedly his plus command has gotten him to this point. He is however replaceable, in the same way that Estrada has always been replaceable. He's not someone you build around, he's someone who's "good enough" until someone better comes along. Fiers is a big league pitcher, but he doesn't have to be a starter to provide value if there is someone better. Nelson isn't going anywhere until he's past super 2 status, the percentage of which is now 22% or 23% (I forget and I'm too lazy to go look). The old number was 17% which put the date at the end of June, he's down in the minors for at least 4 more weeks. I don't really care who pitches until Nelson comes up, all of the options are very similar to me. edit. Right... because the Brewers have the prospect power to go and get a meaningful rental. Does the marginal difference in production really matter in terms of our 5th starter? The issue with the rotation isn't who's the 5th pitcher, the issue is with the top and always has been.

Lame, I wanted my international bonus space, even $100,000 would have been awesome.

"Veteraness"... Blah! For goodness sake bring up Tyler Cravy, I have no idea why Heckathorn is still around to be honest.

Smokies' Bryant soaks in SL Derby win No. 2 Cubs prospect edges D-backs' Griffin at sprawling Engel Stadium