Your 2009 B.C. Manatees -- Latest: Schafer Sidelined

[TheCrew07]

Brewerfan.net scouting report:

Anundsen is a big, strong right-handed pitcher that has only scratched his potential, particularly pitching as a relative unknown in the state of Colorado. While he has shown a knack for pitching, as opposed to just throwing, he is a work in progress. Both his fastball and his curveball have shown improvement this spring, as he has touched 92, working in the upper 80s consistently, and his curveball shows very good bite when it's working for him. He is the top prospect in the state of Colorado, and no doubt the Brewers have noted some of the better prospects coming out of the state and becoming some of the best college prospects three years later (Kyle Sleeth, Luke Hochevar). He does have a strong commitment to attend Wichita State that won't be easy to pry him away from, but the Brewers undoubtedly are confident they can do just that by taking him in the fourth round.

 

Perfect Game 2005 National Showcase

Evan Anundsen is a 2006 right handed pitcher from Littleton, CO with a big strong body at 6-3, 204 lbs. loose and fluid arm action, medium effort delivery, slow deliberate mechanics, FB runs hard at 88 mph, sharp cut FB at 81 mph, CB has good 11-5 break at 68 mph, good deception on 81 mph change, good command, highest level prospect, very good student.

 

 

I'm confused as how his velocity has actually dropped into the mid 80s, I really wish we could get an accurate scouting report on him now because is he's still pitching 88-92 he's a fantastic prospect with his GB tendencies and peripherals that will translate real well.

[Mass Haas]

From Manatee GM Kyle Smith:

 

I'd like to present to you the 2009 Florida State League All-Stars from Brevard hot off the fax machine:

Pitchers: Evan Anundsen, John Axford, Josh Butler (since promoted) and Rob Wooten

Infielders: Eric Farris and Zelous Wheeler

Outfielder: Caleb Gindl

The year's ASG will be held in Ft. Myers on June 20th. Both 1st place teams hold the most All-Stars (Ft. Myers and Brevard with 7). Keep in mind, with promotions and injuries, the roster changes at times, so hopefully we can send more guys as the game approaches.

On a side note, after the Manatees shutout the Sarasota Reds last night 5-0, the 'Tees pitching staff has now extended their consecutive scoreless innings streak to 31 (dating back to the 6th inning on Sunday). Zeros on the board makes pitching coach Fred Dabney a happy man. And we all want a happy Mr. Dabney.

[pogokat]

Logan Schafer got robbed.

[Mike]

That is a major understatement.

 

He leads virtually every team offensive category except HR's with zero errors.

 

Schafer is also in the top 5 in the entire league in BA.

 

Wow!

[CheeseheadInIllinois]

I wonder if the voting was done a while ago, so Schafer's recent hot streak wasn't factored in. You could probably also make a decent case for Wilson, and Axford's spot could easily have gone to Mercedes ... or Rapoza ... or Braddock. Man that bullpen has been good.

[LouisEly]

Zelous Wheeler over Steffan Wilson?

 

Those two earned runs Rapoza gave up last night cost him his spot.

[Mass Haas]

Came upon this website, these folks had on-field access to the wild Brevard County 14-inning victory Thursday night. It's so rare we get photos of the Manatees, and these were of pretty good quality, so I'll pass on the photo links:

Martin Maldonado visiting Mark Rogers

Rogers delivers a pitch

Lee Haydel kicks into gear

Eric Farris does likewise

Farris at the plate

Farris again, I believe

Chris Errecart # 1

Chris Errecart # 2

Chris Errecart # 3

Roving Outfield & Baserunning Coordinator Ken Berry is in town #1 and #2

[Mass Haas]

Nice photo of Amaury Rivas

 

and another here

 

No mistaking Zelous Wheeler in the field

and at the plate

 

Eric Farris followed by Steffan Wilson

 

Sergio Miranda at the plate

Brent Brewer

[Mass Haas]

The Manatees have followed up with some statistical updates regarding their All-Stars:

 

(Viera, FL) The Brevard County Manatees are off to a strong start in 2009, and were rewarded for that by placing seven players on the FSL North All-Star team. Pitchers Evan Anundsen, Amaury Rivas, John Axford, and Rob Wooten were selected to the team after leading the Manatees to the best ERA in the league. Position players on the squad are right fielder Caleb Gindl, second baseman Eric Farris, and third baseman Zelous Wheeler.

 

Anundsen is tied for the FSL lead with six wins, posting a record of 6-3, is third in the league with a 1.87 ERA, and fourth in the league with 54 strikeouts. Earlier in the season, he pitched a nine-inning, complete game no-hitter against the Daytona Cubs.

 

Rivas is 4-3 this season with a 3.33 ERA. He has struck out 43 batters in 51.1 innings, while only walking 15.

 

Axford has been arguably the most dominant setup man in the FSL this season. He is 4-1 with a 1.75 ERA out of the Manatees' bullpen. He has 39 strikeouts in just 25.2 innings, and is limiting opponents to a .149 batting average.

 

Wooten leads the FSL with 16 saves. He has an ERA of 1.14, and has blown only one save opportunity this season. He has broken the Manatees' record for saves in a single season.

 

Gindl is hitting .282 with five home runs, 32 RBI, and 27 runs scored. He leads the team in runs batted in, and is tied for the lead in homers and runs scored. He has also stolen eight bases.

 

Farris is hitting .264 with three home runs and 12 RBI. He is second in the FSL with 25 stolen bases, while only being caught twice.

 

Wheeler is hitting .228 with five home runs and 30 RBI. He is tied for the team lead in homers, and second in RBI. He also leads the team with 30 walks, pushing his on-base percentage up to .358.

 

Brevard County pitcher Josh Butler was also selected as an All-Star, but will not be taking place in the game due to his recent promotion to the Nashville Sounds.

 

Tyler L. Stover

Director of Media Relations

Brevard County Manatees

[Mass Haas]

Formal press releases are sure to be forthcoming, but your Florida State League Pitcher of the Week is Jeremy Jeffress.

[paul253]

Is Josh Butler going to stay in Nashville? I just assumed he got called up to replace a starter who was unable to start or something.

[Mass Haas]

Is Josh Butler going to stay in Nashville? I just assumed he got called up to replace a starter who was unable to start or something.

 

Recent quotes we've read indicate that Butler's stint at AAA has been extended. He's done with Brevard though, and if he goes anywhere, it'll be Huntsville.

[battlekow]

Jeffress made BP's Minor League Update today:

The 2006 first-round pick has one of the most tantalizing fastballs around, but he was sent down a level after walking 33 over 27.1 innings in eight Double-A starts. The Brewers are trying to curb his tendency to overthrow, and things seem to be finally clicking a bit for Jeffress, who has allowed just four hits over 14 innings in his last two starts, while more importantly, walking just three.

[battlekow]

Damon Krestalude graced the MiLB.com homepage:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2009/06/13/L4LUFgpQ.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Wow, someone locally takes note --

 

Link while active, text follows:

 

Nothing minor about Manatees

Brevard County has best winning percentage in all of baseball

BY MARK DeCOTIS

FLORIDA TODAY

 

There's something special brewing -- pun intended or not -- at Space Coast Stadium where the Brevard County Manatees have the best winning percentage of all Minor League Baseball teams.

 

That's not just among teams in the Class A Florida State League, but all teams at all levels of Minor League Baseball played in the United States.

 

The Manatees, a farm team for the Milwaukee Brewers, are 40-18 for a winning percentage of .690. And they've already clinched the North Division first-half championship, guaranteeing themselves a berth in the September playoffs.

 

They've won six straight games -- not losing since dropping the first game of a doubleheader on Wednesday -- and are not likely to take their foot off the accelerator anytime soon.

 

After all, using a foundation of what General Manager Kyle Smith called extraordinary team chemistry, they play a relentless style of baseball that has left opponents gasping.

 

That made an early impression on Smith.

 

"Probably about the middle to late April you kind of got the feeling that if a team didn't put us away when they had the chance, that we were going to come back and make them pay for it with our aggressive style of base running," he said.

 

"If anyone gets on (base), it wreaks havoc."

 

The Mantees lead the FSL in stolen bases with 104 heading into Monday's games, 47 more than FSL South Division-leading Fort Myers.

Brevard County also leads in batting average (.267), home runs (16), earned run average (2.50), fewest hits allowed (392), runs allowed (174), earned runs allowed (139), holds (36), strikeouts (473), shutouts (12), saves (23) and is tied with Jupiter for the top fielding percentage (.977).

 

Manatees right-hander Evan Anundsen, who pitched a no-hitter in April, is third in the league with a 1.95 ERA. Right-handed reliever Rob Wooten leads in saves with 18. First baseman Steffan Wilson is tied for third in batting average (.319) and is fourth in hits (66). Second baseman Eric Farris is second in the FSL in stolen bases with 30. Third baseman Zelous Wheeler is tied for second in walks (34).

 

In short, it's been dominance. But interestingly, the Manatees started the season 1-4.

 

"After that it was like a circus, you had to put us away if you were ahead," Smith said. "If not, our bullpen just shut teams down. We didn't give teams the opportunity very often to beat us . . . when they did, if they didn't capitalize, we were going to win."

 

That's all fine and well but the Manatees are in business for one main reason -- developing players for the Brewers. And that means any player can be sent up to Class AA or AAA at any time, taking away a big bat or a strong, reliable pitching arm. The result can be a team dropping in the standings like a rock. But Smith isn't worried.

 

"I think one through nine, we lose a guy in the lineup, I still think we're all right," he said. "We're probably going to lose some pitchers and we'll probably lose a couple of hitters. But we're young and I think the fact we're young might keep a few guys here. But unless there's a big-time rash of injuries above us . . . I think being one through nine and deep and I think we are very deep, especially in the pitching staff, I don't think it would effect us as much as a lot of teams."

 

Second-year manager Mike Guerrero also cited the team's chemistry.

 

"They're not satisfied for just one day," he said. "They go out there and try to prove themselves every day. In our organization, we're trying to . . . let the player know what you've done yesterday is done, you've got to come on and prove it today."

 

And he expects that attitude to continue through the second half.

 

"Winning the first half is something you earn with the work that you have done," he said. "My main priority is to develop these guys and get them ready for the next level and prepare them for the big leagues. If we do what we need to do as individuals and play the game correctly, wins are going to come." We as an organization are not going to change because we have accomplished something that every team wishes to do. We're not looking to sit down and just throw the glove out there. We're looking to play the game every day and play the game even harder.

 

"We want to get better."

 

Brevard County infielder Eric Farris is one of eight Manatees who have made the Florida State League All-Star team this season. Farris has 30 stolen bases this season. (Photo by Craig Rubadoux, FLORIDA TODAY)

 

http://cmsimg.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A9&Date=20090616&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=906160329&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

[battlekow]

Gindl made the Minor League Notes at BP today and even merited his own tweet from Kevin Goldstein

While he's only five-foot-nine, Gindl is actually one of the more impressive offensive prospects in the Milwaukee system, with good plate discipline, gap power and at least average speed. The power has been for more than the gap variety of late, as with three home runs in his last four games, the 2007 fifth-round pick is now batting .287/.371/.470 in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League.

[Mass Haas]

Bright House Sports Network to Broadcast Four Manatees' Games

(Viera, FL) Bright House Sports Network is teaming up with the FSL North first half champion Brevard County Manatees to broadcast four games at Space Coast Stadium. The following games are scheduled to be broadcast:

• Saturday, June 27 - Palm Beach Cardinals at Brevard County Manatees, 7:00pm
• Saturday, July 11 - Lakeland Flying Tigers at Brevard County Manatees, 7:00pm
• Thursday, July 23 - St. Lucie Mets at Brevard County Manatees, 7:00pm
• Thursday, August 13 - Dunedin Blue Jays at Brevard County Manatees, 7:00pm

"Bright House Sports Network is excited about partnering with the Brevard County Manatees on a broadcast schedule this summer," said Paul Kosuth, station manager for Bright House Sports Network. "We are enthusiastic about bringing these Florida State League games to our viewers and exposing them to the Manatees' competitive play."

Manatees' general manager Kyle Smith is enthusiastic about the opportunity, adding, "We are looking forward to bringing one of the premiere teams in baseball to the television sets of Central Florida."

The Manatees enter the All-Star break with the best record in the Florida State League, and the fourth best record in all of baseball, at 40-21. They are sending a league-high ten players to the FSL All-Star Game, although two have been promoted and will not participate.

Be sure to tune in to Bright House Sports Network next Saturday, June 27, to catch the Manatees in action!

For more information, please contact:

Tyler L. Stover
Director of Media Relations
Brevard County Manatees

[Mass Haas]

Nice for the locals to see the 'Tees -- we've asked if these might be tied into MiLB.TV at all, which would provide folks an opportunity to pay for a live or archived feed, but unless we mention it again, plan on that not being the case.

[Mass Haas]

Some pronunciation fun from the Manatees, may surprise you:

Evan AN-und-son (I always thought "a-NUND-sen" in my head)

 

Rafael you-BEAR-es (and I always read it as "lou-BEAR-es")

 

Lucas LOOT-gey (OK, I think I read that one correctly before)

 

Jeremy JEFF-furs (Now I know I've mentioned this one before, and that's how the family pronounces "Jeffress". When (crossing fingers) Jeremy sees the big show, that will be botched by all far and wide.

[Mass Haas]

Florida State League All-Star Game Box Score / Game Log Link

That link also includes audio for the 6:35 PM Central Time contest Saturday night.

 

Pitchers: Evan Anundsen and Rob Wooten

Infielders: Eric Farris and Zelous Wheeler

Outfielder: Caleb Gindl

 

John Axford and Josh Butler (both since promoted) obviously won't take part.

 

Details will be posted here as opposed to the Link Report.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Manatees spark North to All-Star triumph

Haydel, Farris each drive in two runs in 6-4 decision

BY CARL BLEICH

FLORIDA TODAY

 

As has been the case for much of the Florida State League season thus far, the Brevard County Manatees wound up on the winning end of a baseball game Saturday night.

 

This time the Manatees helped spur the North team to a 6-4 victory over the South in the 2009 Florida State League All-Star Game at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers.

 

Brevard County, which had a game-high eight All-Stars, easily won the North Division first-half crown.

 

Designated hitter Lee Haydel and second baseman Eric Farris, both Manatees, each had two RBI during the North team's six-run fourth inning.

 

Haydel ripped a two-run single in the inning and two batters later, Farris ripped a two-run triple that scored Haydel and fellow teammate Zelous Wheeler.

 

North team and Manatee left fielder Logan Schafer also scored a run in that inning when Daytona's Moises Sierra singled up the middle.

 

Five of the six runs in the inning were charged to Jupiter pitcher Kris Harvey, who took the loss in the game.

 

"It was a great opportunity to come out and see a bunch of different talents out here," Schafer said of the game. "We are always trying to go out there and do our best. Everybody has a competitive nature and everyone is going to try and do their best regardless."

 

Daytona's Starlin Castro opened the game's scoring with an inside-the-park home run for the North. He ripped a line drive that went over the glove of South team and Fort Myers' Ben Revere in center field. After the ball was relayed in from the outfield, Castro narrowly avoided the tag of South team and St. Lucie catcher Francisco Pena to give the North a 1-0 lead.

 

The South scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Revere, Palm Beach's Shane Peterson and Charlotte's Cody Cipriano all had an RBI in that frame. Fort Myers' Chris Cates scored on a wild pitch.

 

All four runs came off of Daytona pitcher Ryan Searle, who gave up four runs on four hits and also allowed a walk without recording an out.

Lakeland's Thad Weber earned the win for the North and Castro was named MVP.

 

Brevard County's Rob Wooten, who leads the FSL with 18 saves, threw a scoreless ninth for the North to earn the save.

 

Prior to the game, Wheeler was one of four hitters to represent the North team in the home run derby.

 

He hit two home runs in the first round but was eliminated in the second round after failing to hit another home run.

 

South team and Fort Myers first baseman Chris Parmelee defeated all-star teammate and St. Lucie Met slugger Kirk Nieuwenhuis 3-2 in the final round.

 

"You just go out there and do the best you can do," Wheeler said. "We just wanted to put on a show for the people.

 

"It's an honor. Hard work pays off."

 

Wheeler sees no reason why the Manatees will not have a great second half of the season as well.

 

"Guys still have a chip on their shoulders," Wheeler said. "We want to come out and win everyday."

 

Dunedin Blue Jays outfielder Eric Thames and Manatees right-hander Amaury Rivas were the only members of the North squad who did not play.

 

MiLB.com's Game Story

FSL All-Star Game Box Score

Evan Anundsen (single, wild pitch, one K), Roque Mercedes (perfect, two K's) and Rob Wooten (perfect, one K) with scoreless innings; Logan Schafer played left field, walked, stole a base; Lee Haydel, Eric Farris, and Zelous Wheeler contributions noted above...

 

FSL All-Star Game Log

 

North starter Evan Anundsen of the Brevard County Manatees pitched a scoreless first inning in Saturday's Florida State League All-Star Game at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. (Photo by Valerie Roche, Fort Myers News-Press)

 

http://cmsimg.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A9&Date=20090621&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=906210331&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

[Mass Haas]

Ho-hum, guess who's still on a roll --

 

Florida State League Pitcher of the Week

Evan Anundsen, Brevard County

1-0, 1.11 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 8 1/3 IP, 7 H,1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO

Brewers prospect Evan Anundsen allowed one earned run over 8 1/3 innings in his June 15 start. He then started the league's All-Star Game on June 20 and threw a scoreless inning. Anundsen is 7-4 on the season and his 1.84 ERA ranks second in the league.

 

***

 

Second such award this season for Evan...

[CheezWizHed]

I know the FSL makes pitcher look great because of the high humidity, but is there any thought that it effects Anundsen to a greater extent because he is a GB pitcher?

[jjfanec]

I know the FSL makes pitcher look great because of the high humidity, but is there any thought that it effects Anundsen to a greater extent because he is a GB pitcher?

I would think it would effect him to a lesser extent. Wouldn't the humidity have a much greater effect on fly balls than on ground balls? I always assumed ground ball pitchers could pitch anywhere where fly ball pitchers would be better off staying away from certain parks.

[CheezWizHed]

I know the FSL makes pitcher look great because of the high humidity, but is there any thought that it effects Anundsen to a greater extent because he is a GB pitcher?

I would think it would effect him to a lesser extent. Wouldn't the humidity have a much greater effect on fly balls than on ground balls? I always assumed ground ball pitchers could pitch anywhere where fly ball pitchers would be better off staying away from certain parks.

I was thinking of two ways it would help him:

1) Make any sinking pitches exaggerate (kind of a reverse Coors Field effect) to make them "heavier" pitches than in a normal climate.

2) Typically when GB pitchers get in trouble, its because hitters elevate the ball. Obviously the humidity will neutralize some of those line drive/fly ball hits.

 

Typically every pitcher benefits from #2, but I was thinking Anundsen would benefit more from #1 than the typical FB pitcher like Jeffress.