Link Report for Wed. 6/1 -- Nelson shaky for Rattlers; Heckathorn can't escape first inning for 'Tees

[Mass Haas]

http://www.brewerfan.net/images/store/dailylinkreport.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's Daily Menu:

Times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: RHP Frankie De La Cruz at home vs. Iowa (Cubs), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime

Live Audio Link

iPad/iPhone: Listen

MiLB.TV -- for subscribers

Huntsville: LHP Dan Merklinger at home vs. Tennessee (Cubs), 6:43 PM gametime

Live Audio Link

iPad/iPhone: Listen

Traditional broadcast -- look for the Tennessee feed off the master MiLB.com audio list

Brevard County: RHP Kyle Heckathorn at Bradenton (Pirates), 6:00 PM gametime

Live Audio Link -- look for the Bradenton feed off the master MiLB.com audio list

 

Wisconsin: RHP Jimmy Nelson at Bowling Green (Rays), 11:45 AM pre-game, 12:05 PM gametime

Live Audio Link

 

DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Mariners, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until late afternoon at the earliest

[Mass Haas]

Follow Wednesday's action as it happens:

 

Nashville (Gameday also available)

Huntsville (Gameday also available)

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

DSL Brewers

[Mass Haas]

PCL American North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Omaha	29	23	.558	-	-	15-10	14-13	6-4	W2
	Iowa	24	28	.462	5.0	88	11-12	13-16	4-6	W2
	Memphis	23	28	.451	5.5	88	15-13	8-15	6-4	W1
	Nashville	21	30	.412	7.5	86	14-13	7-17	4-6	L2

SOU North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Tennessee	33	19	.635	-	-	18-7	15-12	7-3	W1
	Jackson	30	22	.577	3.0	16	14-11	16-11	5-5	L1
	Huntsville	27	24	.529	5.5	14	14-7	13-17	7-3	L1
	Chattanooga	25	27	.481	8.0	11	12-18	13-9	4-6	W1
	Carolina	16	36	.308	17.0	2	11-19	5-17	4-6	L1

FSL North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Daytona	39	13	.750	-	-	21-6	18-7	9-1	L1
	Clearwater	33	19	.635	6.0	13	16-9	17-10	7-3	W2
	Dunedin	28	24	.538	11.0	8	9-14	19-10	4-6	L1
	Lakeland	27	25	.519	12.0	7	14-11	13-14	6-4	W2
	Tampa	24	28	.462	15.0	4	12-16	12-12	6-4	W3
	Brevard County	20	32	.385	19.0	E	12-18	8-14	5-5	L1

MID Western
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Burlington	37	16	.698	-	-	18-5	19-11	7-3	W1
	Peoria	28	24	.538	8.5	-	18-8	10-16	5-5	L2
	Quad Cities	28	24	.538	8.5	-	12-12	16-12	5-5	W3
	Wisconsin	27	25	.519	9.5	18	17-12	10-13	4-6	L2
	Cedar Rapids	26	26	.500	10.5	17	15-11	11-15	5-5	L1
	Beloit	25	27	.481	11.5	16	11-14	14-13	4-6	W3
	Kane County	23	29	.442	13.5	13	12-14	11-15	7-3	L1
	Clinton	15	38	.283	22.0	5	6-20	9-18	4-6	W1

DSL S.D. North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	DSL Brewers	3	0	1.000	-	-	1-0	2-0	3-0	W3
	DSL Mariners	2	1	.667	1.0	69	1-1	1-0	2-1	W2
	DSL Athletics	1	2	.333	2.0	68	0-1	1-1	1-2	L2
	DSL Cardinals	0	3	.000	3.0	67	0-2	0-1	0-3	L3

[Mass Haas]

Yes, your Manatees have already been eliminated from the first-half playoff chase, and it's only June 1st. That's hard to do.

[Mass Haas]

Wisconsin Lineup and Game Notes

[Mass Haas]

7-0 Hot Rods over the Rattlers after three innings.

 

Jimmy Nelson was an uninspiring selection in the 2nd round on draft day last season, and realistically, isn't that far from Eric Arnett territory.

 

Bruce Seid had better be on a scalding hot seat prior to this year's draft. This can't continue.

[YoungGeezy]

7-0 Hot Rods over the Rattlers after three innings.

 

Jimmy Nelson was an uninspiring selection in the 2nd round on draft day last season, and realistically, isn't that far from Eric Arnett territory.

 

Bruce Seid had better be on a scalding hot seat prior to this year's draft. This can't continue.

Yeah this bad. Nelson has been so inconsistant. He will have a terrible start, an okay start, a bad start, a really good start and then a terrible start....he is all over the place. Not a fan of another college early pick getting rocked in MWL. This next draft class is hugh for Bruce Seid, hope he gets it right.

 

Edit: On the plus side, he battled through the awful 2nd and 3rd to have a very good 4th and 5th. Some character, many guys would crumble and need to be taken out after that but he overcame it.

 

Bowling Green Bottom of the 4th

• Cody Rogers strikes out swinging.
  
• Kevin Kiermaier strikes out swinging.
  
• Derek Dietrich walks.
  
• Phillip Wunderlich strikes out swinging.

Bowling Green Bottom of the 5th

• Julio Cedeno flies out to left fielder Robert Garvey.
  
• Steven Tinoco grounds out, pitcher Jimmy Nelson to first baseman Cody Hawn.
  
• Alejandro Torres walks.
  
• Robi Estrada grounds out to first baseman Cody Hawn.

[DHonks]

Wow, just looking at the numbers for Hawn, Hopkins, etc, and they're reminding me of the Helena success that Richardson, Festa, etc etc had (I can't remember the other OPS college studs that couldn't hit in rookie ball)

[YoungGeezy]

It is getting really hard to be excited over college player success at Helena..all it leads to is let down. Since the time of Captain Lou, I continue to be let down once these college players leave there.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes

Huntsville Media Notes

[brewmann04]

I serious think you have to look at the Head scout here becuase missing on Arnett is bad and now Nelson has really seemed to hit a wall.

I hope Seid and his scouts hit a home run with picks 12 and 15 Monday.We really need to replinish the farm system.

[YoungGeezy]

I bet Yadier can't wait til Helena baseball starts up, he has been so over matched thus far. I really don't see him Roberts staying (depending on health of George and Garfield) once rookie ball starts. It was great experience for them but the jump from Arizona to MWL has not been to friendly for them. Now I am kind of happy they didn't push Walla up, they all still really need some R+ ball.

[Mass Haas]

Final: @Bowling Green 8, Wisconsin 6

 

Bowling Green strikes early to beat Rattlers

by Chris Mehring, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

BOWLING GREEN, KY – The Bowling Green Hot Rods built a 7-0 lead on Wednesday afternoon at Bowling Green Ballpark. They held on to beat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 8-6. Robi Estrada homered and drove in four runs for the Hot Rods.

 

Bowling Green (30-24) put together a two-out rally in the bottom of the second inning. Rattlers starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson retired the first two batters of the inning. Then, a single and a walk brought Estrada to the plate. Estrada slammed a 1-0 pitch from Nelson to the Rattlers bullpen in right for a three-run homer.

 

Cody Rogers led off the Bowling Green third inning with a home run to right-center and that was just the start for the Hot Rods. Later in the inning, a bases loaded double by Steve Tinoco drove in a pair of runs. An RBI single by Estrada capped the four run outburst and gave Bowling Green a 7-0 lead.

 

Wisconsin (27-26) rallied for three runs in the top of the fifth inning. Chris Dennis singled in a run. Greg Hopkins scored on a wild pitch. Franklin Romero drove in the final run of the inning with a grounder to short.

 

The Rattlers had a great opportunity to pull even closer in the top of the seventh. They had runners at first and second when Romero sent a sinking line drive to left-center. Centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier made a diving attempt, but trapped the ball. Cody Hawn, the runner at second, headed for the plate, but was out at home for the first out of the inning.

 

Robbie Garvey followed with a sharp single to left to load the bases. However, the next two Rattlers batters struck out to end the inning with Bowling Green still up 7-3.

 

The Hot Rods added a run in the bottom of the seventh. Julio Cedeno scored on a wild pitch and the Hot Rods were up 8-3.

 

The Rattlers would cash in a pair of runs in the top of the eighth inning on RBI doubles by Hopkins and Dennis to make the score 8-5.

 

Garvey homered to start the Rattlers ninth inning off Nate Garcia, but the next three batters went down in order and Bowling Green closed out the Rattlers for the second game in row.

 

The Rattlers, who have lost three straight games, stranded 13 runners in Wednesday’s game.

 

The final game of the series at Bowling Green Ballpark is Thursday evening. Jameson Dunn (0-0, 1.54) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. The Hot Rods have Victor Mateo (5-3, 4.86) as their scheduled starter. Game time is 7:05 PM. Tune in for the Miller Lite Pregame Show on AM1280, WNAM at 6:45 PM.

 

Wisconsin Box Score

Too little, too late, too big a deficit to overcome, but several Rattlers did enhance their offensive stat lines as Wisconsin outhit the opposition, 12-9; 3B Greg Hopkins was bumped up to the 3-hole and the move hopefully will jump-start another of the Helena college heroes (St. John's) who is finding the going tougher in full-season ball; Chris Dennis was on base four times, Reggie Keen and Cody Hawn thrice each; Jimmy Nelson now has walked 26 and struck out 26 in 44.1 innings - ugh; RHP Damon Krestalude walked four in just 1.1 innings, and can thank LHP Brian Garman for stranding two of his baserunners; day off for Mike Walker...

 

Wisconsin Play-by-Play

[Mass Haas]

Wow, Kyle Heckathorn doesn't get out of the first inning. Retires one batter -- six runs, five score while he's in the game. Glowing reports headed to the Brewers' front office tonight -- man, oh, man.

 

Bradenton Bottom of the 1st

• Robbie Grossman doubles (10) on a fly ball to left fielder Khristopher Davis.
  
• Jarek Cunningham singles on a fly ball to right fielder Brock Kjeldgaard. Robbie Grossman to 3rd.
  
• Ramon Cabrera walks. Jarek Cunningham to 2nd.
  
• Aaron Baker walks. Robbie Grossman scores. Jarek Cunningham to 3rd. Ramon Cabrera to 2nd.
  
• Elevys Gonzalez doubles (15) on a fly ball to center fielder Kentrail Davis. Jarek Cunningham scores. Ramon Cabrera scores. Aaron Baker to 3rd.
  
• Evan Chambers called out on strikes.
  
• With David Rubinstein batting, wild pitch by Kyle Heckathorn, Aaron Baker scores. Elevys Gonzalez to 3rd.
  
• David Rubinstein singles on a fly ball to center fielder Kentrail Davis. Elevys Gonzalez scores.
  
• Pitcher Change: R. J. Seidel replaces Kyle Heckathorn.
  
• Adalberto Santos triples (2) on a fly ball to right fielder Brock Kjeldgaard. David Rubinstein scores.
  
• Benji Gonzalez strikes out swinging.
  
• Robbie Grossman grounds out to first baseman Hunter Morris.

[brewmann04]

Kinda depressing day in the Minors today looking forward to the Draft.

[And That]

The Brewers gave then 16-year-old Milton Gomez $350,000 last July and the right handed pitcher made his debut tonight for the DSL team to good results. The now 17-year-old went: 6 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 7 K. All non-K outs were recorded via ground out or line out. He features a low 90's fastball with big velocity upside, a curve that's already decent and could be a plus pitch someday, and a changeup that isn't anything yet.

 

Edit: Blog entry about it.

[Tedaldtada]

The Brewers gave then 16-year-old Milton Gomez $350,000 last July and the right handed pitcher made his debut tonight for the DSL team to good results. The now 17-year-old went: 6 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 7 K. All non-K outs were recorded via ground out or line out. He features a low 90's fastball with big velocity upside, a curve that's already decent and could be a plus pitch someday, and a changeup that isn't anything yet.

Is it safe to say that the Brewers might have landed a few extremely raw blue chippers? I have never seen such a string of impressive DSL pitching lines.

[YoungGeezy]

Well on the plus side in an awful minor league day the DSL team stays undefeated. Rather odd that after most of there big signing bonus players and top prospects such as Pascual, Arias, Garcia, Martinez, Puello, and etc. they stop losing every game and start playing good baseball. New pitcher Milton Gomez (turned 17 in April) was outstanding in his debut going 6IP 6H 0ER 0BB 7Ks. The big 6'6 240 (20 in August) earns third save in fourth game. Ruben Ozuna stole the show offensively with a 3-4 1HR 3RBI game. Frankie Castillio (18 in on the 4th) recorded his second multi-hit game in two days going 2-5. Catcher Carlos Pena was 1-2 2BB's and an RBI while De La Cruz was 2-4. Sadly, Arcia was hitless but added his 3BB in 4 games.

[YoungGeezy]

The Brewers gave then 16-year-old Milton Gomez $350,000 last July and the right handed pitcher made his debut tonight for the DSL team to good results. The now 17-year-old went: 6 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 7 K. All non-K outs were recorded via ground out or line out. He features a low 90's fastball with big velocity upside, a curve that's already decent and could be a plus pitch someday, and a changeup that isn't anything yet.

Is it safe to say that the Brewers might have landed a few extremely raw blue chippers? I have never seen such a string of impressive DSL pitching lines.

As of right now the whole team has been pretty impressive and I am really hoping a few of these guys will turn out to be gems. Pitching has been awesome. Offense has been pretty good, hopefully all this can continue.

[Mass Haas]

Final: @DSL Brewers 5, DSL Mariners 3

DSL Brewers Box Score
As Toby noted above, we may be looking at the most impressive pro debut of a 17 year, two month old Brewer in well, Link Report history. Not that all that many of that age are handed starting opportunities the first time out. But Milton Gomez, welcome aboard. We won't see you on the Power 50 this coming week, but there's always July. A hiccup in middle relief cost Gomez the win, but 6'6", 236 lb. closer Carlos Sosa locked down his third save in the team's first four contests.

Another newcomer, 19-year-old LH bat, CF Ruben Ozuna, was the offensive star. Hitting in the 3-hole, Ozuna homered, singled twice, stole two bases, scored twice, and drove in three. To offset his caught stealing, Ozuna had a key outfield assist (8-2-6-2 if you were scoring at home). That is a night, my friends (wait, that is a morning, my friends).

DSL Brewers Play-by-Play
Ruben Ozuna in the 1st --

DSL Brewers Bottom of the 1st

• Francisco Castillo lines out to second baseman Noe Berro.
• Orlando Arcia grounds out, shortstop Ketel Marte to first baseman Axel Wel.
• Ruben Ozuna singles on a ground ball to center fielder Janelfry Zorrilla.
• With Carlos Pena batting, Ruben Ozuna steals (1) 2nd base.
• With Carlos Pena batting, Ruben Ozuna steals (2) 3rd base.
• Carlos Pena walks. Ruben Ozuna scores. Carlos Pena to 2nd. Throwing error by catcher Ivan Brea on the pickoff attempt.
• Elvis Rubio hit by pitch.
• Juan De Leon grounds out, pitcher Jose Torres to first baseman Axel Wel.

The Ozuna show continued -- watch how he ended the top of the 7th (preserving a 3-3 tie) and came up huge a few minutes later (breaking the 3-3 tie):

DSL Mariners Top of the 7th

• Pitcher Change: Pedro Peguero replaces Milton Gomez.
• Westlonder Marcelino walks.
• With Luis Matias batting, wild pitch by Pedro Peguero, Westlonder Marcelino to 2nd.
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Diego Mina replaces Westlonder Marcelino.
• Luis Matias walks.
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Miguel Sanchez replaces Ivan Brea.
• Miguel Sanchez grounds into a force out, shortstop Orlando Arcia to second baseman Francisco Castillo. Diego Mina scores. Luis Matias out at 2nd. Miguel Sanchez advances to 2nd, on throwing error by second baseman Francisco Castillo.
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter George Soto replaces Randy Perez.
• George Soto called out on strikes.
• Ketel Marte singles on a ground ball to center fielder Ruben Ozuna. Miguel Sanchez scores.
• Noe Berro walks. Ketel Marte to 2nd.
• Pitcher Change: Elvis Mora replaces Pedro Peguero.
• Estarlyn Morales singles on a ground ball to center fielder Ruben Ozuna. Ketel Marte scores. Noe Berro out at home on the throw, center fielder Ruben Ozuna to catcher Julio Sotelo to shortstop Orlando Arcia to catcher Julio Sotelo.

DSL Brewers Bottom of the 7th

• Diego Mina remains in the game as the designated hitter.
• Defensive Substitution: Wilton Martinez replaces third baseman Luis Matias, batting 7th, playing left field.
• Miguel Sanchez remains in the game as the catcher.
• George Soto remains in the game as the third baseman.
• Pitcher Change: Enrique Rosario replaces Oliver Garcia.
• Francisco Castillo strikes out swinging.
• Orlando Arcia walks.
• Ruben Ozuna homers (1) on a fly ball to center field. Orlando Arcia scores.
• Carlos Pena grounds out, shortstop Ketel Marte to first baseman Axel Wel.
• Elvis Rubio called out on strikes.

[Mass Haas]

Mr. Geezy, didn't see your post while compiling the DSL summary. Just in case I'm accused of plagiarism.

[YoungGeezy]

Ha thats fine Mass, your is much better.

 

Is it sad that I really enjoy these DSL prospect like 100x more than most of our system right now? Ha, either that is a huge compliment to our DSL or a huge knock on our system. Our "most talented" team prospect-wise has already been eliminated from the first-half of the season play-off race. Thornburg and Ross have been dominate but are still facing far inferior competition. Really our whole system is just uninspiring.

 

Komatsu, Ross, Thornburg, Khris Davis, Morris, Mike Walker, Gamel, and some others have been bright spots but boy do we really need to hit on some prospects badly. Today's performance by all teams in the states goes to prove that. 12 and 15 are huge but I think we will need some other big hits in rounds 2-50. I hope not guys who will be spending age 22-24 stuck in A ball playing okay but with Seid drafting there is a great chance of that.

[Mass Haas]

Final: @Bradenton 6, Brevard County 5

 

Brevard County Box Score

Well, if you saw our initial post on Kyle Heckathorn's all-too-brief misfire, then you know that the bullpen cobbled together one heck of a shutout effort over 7.2 innings. Kudos, R.J. Seidel, Efrain Nieves, Jon Pokorny, and Corey Frerichs.

 

Kentrail Davis was 4-for-5 and a triple short of the cycle, obviously upset with our comment last night --

 

To be honest, kind of waiting for Kentrail Davis to wow us at some point outside of the Midwest League.

 

Ke. Davis added his 10th stolen base in 12 attempts. Brock Kjeldgaard (what has gotten into Brock Kjeldgaard!?) continues to channel the good version of Corey Hart, with whom he shares a physique, 3-for-5 with a double and two stolen bases (now 12-for-13 in that category). It's June 1st, and Brock has matched his career season-high in thefts. Switch-hitting catcher Shawn Zarraga was back behind the plate, 2-for-4. Scooter Gennett singled in five trips -- a teeny-tiny baby step towards killing the now month-long bear of his slump.

 

Brevard County Play-by-Play

So what did that offense get the 'Tees? A one-run defeat. Perhaps if the 6th inning went better, but overall, good effort, all things considered, guys. You gave over 5,000 Bradenton fans a battle to watch after all...

 

Brevard County Top of the 6th

• Brock Kjeldgaard singles on a ground ball to third baseman Elevys Gonzalez.
  
• Shea Vucinich pops out to first baseman Aaron Baker.
  
• Shawn Zarraga singles on a ground ball to left fielder David Rubinstein. Brock Kjeldgaard to 2nd.
  
• Juan Sanchez flies out to right fielder Robbie Grossman.
  
• With Mike Brownstein batting, Brock Kjeldgaard steals (9) 3rd base. Shawn Zarraga steals (4) 2nd base.
  
• Mike Brownstein strikes out swinging.

[Mass Haas]

For those hoping for better results ahead, know that only the undefeated DSL Cerveceros salvaged the organization's pride tonight. 0-5 stateside; we'll have Nashville and Huntsville lowlights during the overnight.