Your 2011 Helena/AZL Brewers

[And That]

http://goo.gl/9LHMQ

Parker Berberet

 

http://goo.gl/HBnVH

Matt Mieske.

 

Just saying...

[battlekow]

Smooth Jalen Harris, bothered by wind, not hard ground balls

Kevin Glew/Canadian Baseball Network

The windy days are the most challenging for Jalen Harris on the field.

On those days, the soon-to-be, 19-year-old third baseman can’t hear anything but the whistle of the breeze.

But that hasn’t prevented the Toronto native, who was born deaf, from chasing his baseball dreams.

Equipped with cochlear implants since he was three, Harris has been impressing big league scouts with his never-say-die attitude, expert lip-reading abilities and natural athletic gifts over the past few years. His combination of speed, soft hands and a strong arm were enough to convince the Milwaukee Brewers to select him in the 41st round of this year’s First-Year Player Draft.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound infielder quickly signed with the Brewers and has reported to the club’s training facility in Phoenix, Az. And when Harris tells you that his heroes are trailblazers like Jackie Robinson and Fergie Jenkins, it’s not surprising that he has readily embraced his role model status. Over the past couple of years, he has spoken at schools and hospitals about what he has had to overcome to be successful.

“My message is that the deaf or hard of hearing can do everything that hearing people can do,” said Harris, who can hear his teammates when they’re close to him.

The promising teen’s agent, Joshua Kusnick, says that Harris is type of person who will inspire others.

“I know some players that have to face different things on a daily basis and they don’t talk about them. Nobody knows about them,” he said. “But Jalen is the kind of guy that, I think, the day after the draft he was at the school for the deaf, trying to talk to everybody. He’s that kind of person where you just really pull for him.”

Raised in Etobicoke, Ont., Harris first picked up a bat when he was two and his parents, Terry and Sandra, signed him up for his first team when he was five. The Canuck prospect also benefited from competition with his brother, Jesse, who is three years older and currently a catcher at Niagara University.

A Yankees fan as a youngster, Harris played at Northern Secondary School in Toronto and honed his skills at the Ontario International Baseball Academy. In 2010, he played for Canada’s Junior National Team (JNT).

“Jalen plays the game easy,” said Greg Hamilton, JNT head coach. “For a big man, he runs well. He’s got an easy arm that has arm strength and carry and his hands work real well and his speed works real well. He’s a really athletic kid.”

Primarily a third baseman, Harris also played first base with the Canadian squad. The newly signed prospect says that playing for his country was one of the highlights of his career.

“I had so much fun,” he said of his JNT stint. “I wish I was still under 18, so I could still play for the national team.”

After his tenure with Team Canada, he finished high school at Lambrick Park Secondary School in Victoria, B.C., which is noted for its baseball program. He also suited up for the Victoria Mariners and coach Mike Chewpoy, of the B.C. Premier Baseball League.

“It’s better weather than Toronto,” said Harris, when asked how the move to Victoria helped his career. “And it’s a better league to play in. There are more games.”

Kusnick says that Harris turned down a scholarship to Stetson University in DeLand, Fla. to sign with the Brewers.

“I’ve always wanted to play professionally,” explained Harris. “I would love to have gone to Stetson. I think it’s a great school … but I’ll take (playing in) the pros over school any day.”

Harris reported to the Brewers’ training facility on June 12 and is likely destined for the club’s rookie-class affiliate in the Arizona League.

Being drafted in the 41st round makes him a long shot to make the big leagues in some people’s eyes, but those who know him would never bet against him.

“I think with Jalen it’s all going to come down to the bat,” said Hamilton. “He’ll certainly find a home defensively. There’s a lot of places you could put him and he’s athletic enough. His hands work and his arm strength is there . . . everything works from an athletic perspective.”

Kusnick says Harris’s “makeup” is bound to elevate him to the big league level one day.

“His makeup is off the charts. He’ll work through anything. This isn’t a kid who’s going to go through an 0 for 30 slump and then just quit,” said Kusnick.

And being drafted by Milwaukee should help, adds Kusnick, because the Brewers have a track record of developing and promoting late-round picks.

“Jalen is going to be a guy that if he went somewhere else I’m not sure that he would’ve gotten the opportunity that he’s going to be getting with the Brewers,” he said.

http://www.canadianbaseballnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/jalenharris-590x393.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Some of you may remember when I detailed a very nice evening (despite the rain) I spent last July in my hometown watching the Canadian Junior National Team play the local New England Collegiate Baseball League squad.

 

My write-up

The game-specific write-up from the Baseball Canada website

 

The goal was to watch two Brewer draftees who had yet to sign (RHP Joel Pierce did eventually, C/OF Rowan Wick -- St. John's University, NY -- did not).

 

Jalen Harris played in that game, and I knew at the time of course, of neither his future Brewer connection, nor about his hearing loss.

 

My 15-year-old daughter, who is both deaf and implanted similarly to Jalen, has been reading about him, and of course, thinks he's "cool". I would have definitely brought her out that night just so she could meet my future big league Brewer son-in-law http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif.

[CheezWizHed]

so she could meet my future big league Brewer son-in-law

 

Good luck to Jalen to becoming a big league Brewer and to you for... the other part. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[TooLiveBrew]

Just saying...

 

Excellent catch, Toby. Parker still needs to fill in the 'stache, though.

[CheezWizHed]

http://goo.gl/9LHMQ

Parker Berberet

http://www.filmofilia.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/orlando-bloom1.jpg

 

So until the 'stache fills in...

[And That]

Nick Ramirez is reporting to Helena today, and should be in the lineup within the next day or two.

[Mass Haas]

Nemeth playing for Helena Brewers in Pioneer League

By Brian Fortner, The (Harrisburg, PA) Express-Times

 

Spending a few long hours in a car had become commonplace for Bill and Leslie Nemeth to watch their son play baseball.

 

Mike Nemeth, a 2007 Warren Hills Regional High School graduate and standout on the Blue Streaks' baseball team, was the starting first baseman for the University of Connecticut. The 3½-hour trek to Storrs, Conn., was a minor inconvenience for the proud parents.

 

That all changed for the Nemeths on June 7 when Mike was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers. Nemeth, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound sweet-swinging, slick-fielding first baseman, was selected by the Brewers in the 21st round -- the 641st overall pick -- of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

 

"Yeah, my parents won't get to see too many games right now," Mike Nemeth said in a phone interview from Montana. "They've sacrificed a lot the last few years to drive to Connecticut to watch me play, but 2,000 miles is a little different."

 

Nemeth was assigned to the Helena Brewers -- Milwaukee's Advanced Rookie League affiliate -- of the Pioneer League. Nemeth was the first player from Warren Hills to play Division I ball, and now is the first to be drafted to play in the pros.

 

"It's pretty cool, knowing I was the first from my school to play Division I in college and now to be the first to be drafted is pretty special," Nemeth said. "It's a huge honor. Playing in the major leagues has been my dream for as long as I can remember, and it's all starting to come true."

 

Nemeth finished his UConn career as the program's all-time leader in hits (331) and RBIs (211) and finished second all-time in doubles (50). This season Nemeth led the Huskies with a .359 batting average to go with three home runs and 51 RBIs. His 93 hits were also tops on the team, and he was recently named to the Rawlings Division I Gold Glove team for being the top defensive first baseman in the nation.

 

The Huskies (45-20-1) finished two wins shy of reaching the College World Series by losing both games to CWS finalist and defending champion South Carolina in the NCAA Super Regional.

 

"It was disappointing," said Nemeth, a three-time Express-Times All-Area first-teamer at Warren Hills. "The goal was to make it to the World Series and we came up short."

 

That goal was one of the main reasons Nemeth opted to return for his senior season.

 

"I talked to 12 to 15 (major-league) teams last season," said Nemeth, who had a monster junior season, hitting .386 with 15 homers, a team-leading 98 hits, 20 doubles and 84 RBIs. "But I wanted to come back and get my degree and finish off my playing career and possibly play for a national championship."

 

The decision seems to have worked out for the better -- like all Nemeth's decisions have in recent years.

 

Out of high school, Nemeth was recruited into the U.S. Naval Academy but decided a change of venue would be a better fit. Pending cutbacks in athletic time at the academy versus service time would have meant putting his baseball career on hold and possibly jeopardize his dream of playing professionally. Nemeth left the Naval Academy during the 2007 plebe summer -- the rigorous six-week training period required of incoming freshman.

 

UConn coach Jim Penders, who had a close relationship with Navy coach Paul Kostacopoulos, offered Nemeth the opportunity to play his way onto the team since all the Huskies' scholarships had been used up.

 

"I just wasn't ready to give up on my dream" Nemeth said. "I wanted to play baseball, and Coach Penders gave me a chance to prove myself."

 

He proved himself by becoming a two-time American Baseball Coaches Association/NCAA All-American and being named to the Big East All-Tournament team three times.

 

"I'm not surprised at all that Mike is getting this opportunity," Warren Hills coach Mike Quinto said. "He was the best pure hitter I've seen come through our program. And he works so hard constantly at the game."

 

Nemeth finished his high school career second all-time in hits (107) and still holds single-season records for hits with 43 and RBIs with 34. He batted .420 for his career, was a three-time letterwinner and was voted MVP his final two seasons with the Blue Streaks. Now, he's a long way from Warren Hills.

 

Nemeth currently is dividing his time prepping for life as a minor leaguer, which includes passing the physical exams, getting to know his host family in Helena and adjusting to the long bus rides from town to Pioneer League town. He has played in two games for Helena, going 1-for-7 with a walk.

 

"I'm definitely doing what I always wanted to do," Nemeth said.

[And That]

Nemeth is playing some third base for Helena. He played third base in high school as well.

[Mass Haas]

Helena Brewers manager Joe Ayrault and pitchers Seth Harvey and Seth Lintz recall their favorite memories about Independence Day.

[Mass Haas]

Congratulations to RHP Andy Moye, the Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week.

[battlekow]

Short video interview with 2B Gant Elmore, and we learn that he suffered a thumb injury in his first game as a pro.

[battlekow]

MVP pitcher balances two dream careers

UWM/Kathy Quirk

When he was in grade school, Chad Pierce always answered questions about his future employment with either “baseball player” or “teacher.” Now he’s preparing for both careers.

“I think it is very neat that I am given the opportunity to do both of the things that I have always dreamed of,” says the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee education major, who was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers in June.

The signing capped an impressive NCAA baseball season for Pierce, a pitcher for the university’s Milwaukee Panthers. He was named 2011 Horizon League Pitcher of the Year and is the first UWM athlete chosen in the major league baseball draft since 2006.

Pierce, who grew up in Fond du Lac, is spending the summer in Montana with the Helena Brewers, rookie affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers

He’s elated to be in the Helena Brewers pitching rotation, even if it meant giving up a planned education internship this summer. “Being able to play in the Brewers organization, the team I’ve grown up rooting for my entire life, is so surreal and a great opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.”

Pierce is a fifth-year senior specializing in Middle Childhood Early Adult (MCEA) education with a focus on mathematics and social studies. He’s working on a second degree in education studies.

“My commitment (to the Brewers) might push back my plans a little bit,” he says. “Whatever happens, I know the main thing that I went to school for is an education. I will end up getting my degrees, whenever that is.”

That could be 2011 or ’12, depending on his status with the Brewers at the end of this season. If he gets the chance to continue in professional baseball, he’ll report to spring training in early March 2012. But he’s playing both options, and plans to enroll in classes for the fall 2011 semester.

Both his passion for teaching and his passion for baseball started in childhood. Pierce doesn’t remember exactly when he started playing ball, but says he was about five when he joined his first organized team.

Many elements of the game appeal to him. “I think I like the fact that you have to control your mind so much in this game. Baseball is a game where it’s easy to fail, and you have to be able to be strong enough to overcome that. Everything is not going to go your way and your mind is what will be able to help you achieve what you want.”

And, he adds, baseball appeals to his strong competitive drive.

“There is nothing better going one-on-one with a hitter. When I step on the rubber, I let my competitive nature take over to help me succeed.”

His choice of an education major grew out of his interest in working with children, and the encouragement of his own teachers. “I like to help people, and I think this is one way that I’m able to give back to the community what I was given. I’ve had some great teachers and each one has told me that I would become a great teacher.”

This summer his focus is on adjusting to a new team and new schedule.

“The biggest challenge I face right now is getting acclimated to professional baseball. Playing every day takes a toll on your body,” Pierce says.

“You will not always be able to give 100 percent, but you will be able to give 100 percent of your 90 percent every day.”

While Pierce hasn’t had a chance to explore much of Montana yet, he says the scenery is amazing. “Out on one horizon you have mountains filled with trees, and if you look at the other horizon you have mountains with snow at the top.”

But his focus is baseball.

“The most exciting part about being here is just the opportunity to continue playing the game I love. I wanted an opportunity to keep playing and I was lucky enough to get that chance.”

[Mass Haas]

First baseman Nick Ramirez interviewd by BrewCrewBall.

[battlekow]

PIO notes: Arnett starting anew

Greg Rachac/Special to MLB.com

To this point in his young career, Eric Arnett has been dogged by injury, criticism and the notion that the 6-foot-5, 230-pound hurler could be a first-round bust.

As the 26th overall selection by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2009 Draft, Arnett admittedly struggled during his first two professional seasons before developing rotator cuff tendinitis the second week of Spring Training this year.

Back for his second stint with Helena, Arnett aims to begin anew and restore the promise that made people believe he was a can't-miss power-pitching prospect coming out of Indiana University.

"When you're drafted, you don't think you're going to go backwards," said the right-hander. "But I had a rough year, and that has lowered the expectations of a lot of people in the organization.

"I'm not mad about being here. I like it here. Hopefully, I can press the restart button and get things done."

As a rookie in '09, Arnett went 0-4 with a 4.41 ERA in 14 appearances with Helena. He took a turn for the worse the following year at Class A Wisconsin, going 1-9 with a 6.70 ERA before eventually being reassigned to the rookie Arizona League.

The front office in Milwaukee forbade Arnett from throwing this past offseason in an effort to help him rejuvenate and keep his focus on strength and conditioning.

By the time Arnett arrived to Spring Training, the Brewers didn't see much difference.

"The idea was for him to come in and be ready to go and he wasn't," assistant GM Gord Ash told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel at the time. "It was kind of a mental and physical break for him, but he wasn't ready to go.

"I would say that we're discouraged. You never give up, and we're certainly not going to give up on him, but I will say we are disappointed."

Arnett says his rotator cuff ailment is healed, and he is now working to rebuild his velocity as well as develop an effective changeup.

In college, Arnett's fastball topped out in the upper-90s. It has fallen off a bit (his velocity now sits in the mid-90s), but Helena manager Joe Ayrault says Arnett simply needs to find a mental edge.

"He looks like a big leaguer, and when he's on, he definitely is a big leaguer," said Ayrault, who guided Helena to the Pioneer League championship last season. "He's got a plus-fastball, he's got a good slider, he's working on his split-finger. ... It's just a matter of things clicking for him, and he'll take off."

Arnett is 1-0 with a 4.57 ERA in four starts this season. He has 20 strikeouts versus just six walks in 21 2/3 innings.

Arnett didn't allow more than three earned runs in any of his first three starts and had a season-high eight strikeouts in his most recent outing Tuesday against Missoula.

The Brewers hope only good days remain. So does Arnett.

"Obviously I want to play in the big leagues. That's my main goal," Arnett says. "But I don't have a time frame on it -- whether I have to go year-by-year or if I can make a big jump. I'm just taking it how it is right now."

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2011/07/07/L2Nqp8F5.jpg

(Paul R. Gierhart/MiLB.com)

[TheCrew07]

By the time Arnett arrived to Spring Training, the Brewers didn't see much difference.

"The idea was for him to come in and be ready to go and he wasn't," assistant GM Gord Ash told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel at the time. "It was kind of a mental and physical break for him, but he wasn't ready to go.

"I would say that we're discouraged. You never give up, and we're certainly not going to give up on him, but I will say we are disappointed."

Comments like this are frustrating, there's no context. He wasn't ready how? He didn't work on strength on conditioning? Or he showed up and hurt his shoulder which was discouraging? Or maybe he was just getting hit around again prior to the injury? All of the aforementioned?

[TooLiveBrew]

Or maybe Ash is just toeing the company line & not wanting to air how Arnett wasn't 'ready to go'

[TheCrew07]

Obviously, but then why say anything? Why not just leave it at, "We've been disappointed by his progress." Why even open the door to speculation? What's the objective?

 

Wasn't Ash the one who questioned Mike Jones commitment/toughness suggesting that he wasn't willing to pitch through pain? Regardless who said it, I bought it at the time, but when Mike continued to fight so hard to get to Milwaukee it really made me question the organizational spin we get. Ash says something like that, but coming into season the Helena coaching staff is pimpin Arnett and Walla as players to watch? Arnett's work ethic was never questioned in college, he was praised for it being a 2 sport guy, and he had every reason to be motivated to work hard given his lack of success.

 

I'm not saying Ash wasn't telling the truth, I just don't like the hinting around, I'm a very direct dude.

[TooLiveBrew]

Obviously, but then why say anything? Why not just leave it at, "We've been disappointed by his progress." Why even open the door to speculation? What's the objective?

 

I dunno, my guess is he's trying to answer a question & not throw a guy under the bus all at once. I think you're reading too much into it.

[battlekow]

Brewin' With Kuehn: Moye making the most of his time on the mound

Amber Kuehn/Helena Independent Record

The St. Louis Cardinals’ loss has been the Helena Brewers’ gain.

After pitcher Andy Moye was picked in the 50th round of the 2010 draft by the Cardinals, the right-hander instead opted to return to Georgia Southern University for his senior season. In retrospect, the decision looks to be a good one.

After what Moye considers his most successful year on the mound, the 23-year-old greatly improved his draft stock. He was taken in the 15th round this year by Milwaukee, and has been a tremendous addition to Helena’s starting rotation.

Moye was recently named the Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week for the week ending July 3 after throwing 11 dominant innings. In his second and third professional starts, the Alpharetta, Ga., native shut out the Great Falls Voyagers. He gave up just seven total hits, struck out a dozen and didn’t walk a single batter.

“It was really a tremendous honor, to be able to come down here and perform like that right away,” said Moye, who was Southern Conference Pitcher of the Week twice as a junior and was named to the all-conference team this past season. “It’s still a big learning process for me and I’m learning a lot every day. I’ve got to just keep getting better every week.”

Moye is already ahead of where several rookie pitchers are coming in. Brewers pitching coach Elvin Nina said it can be difficult to teach the young hurlers to throw to contact after years of being punished by aluminum bats.

“He’s adapting to the pro game very quickly and he’s getting away from the mentality of throwing away from contact,” Nina said. “College guys are just trying to get accustomed to the wooden bat — that it will break if it’s not hit correctly — and it’s just a matter of trusting that their stuff is good enough to get the out.”

In his time in a Brewers’ uniform, Moye (2-0) has allowed just one free pass through 14 innings and has held opposing hitters to a .231 average. His 8.36 baserunners allowed per nine innings is the second best mark in the league, and his 1.93 ERA is tied for second best. His ERA is also the lowest among Helena starters, and he was the only pitcher on the Brew Crew roster with multiple victories entering Thursday’s game at Missoula.

“I’ve probably learned more about pitching in the two weeks I’ve been here than the entire time I was in college,” Moye said. “Just pounding the zone with all your pitches and trying to work the strike zone, not try to do too much and just stay within yourself is probably the biggest thing.”

Although going back to school an extra year can be a double-edged sword — players are set back a year in terms of how quickly they can climb the minor league ladder — Moye is pleased with the choice he made. He was able to graduate with a degree in business management, a good fall back plan for if his pro baseball career doesn’t pan out.

“It just helped me to be more mature and have that extra year of experience under my belt,” he said, adding that he was one of just three seniors on the team and was therefore thrust into more of a leadership role.

Moye finished the Eagles’ 2011 season with a 2.39 ERA and 7-2 mark. His fastball has been clocked in the 88-92 mph range and his changeup is his best pitch.

Moye said he has learned a lot from former first-rounder Eric Arnett, his roommate.

Nina said Moye’s mentality on the mound has given him an edge over other young pitchers.

“He’s been even keel, which is basically what I ask of all our pitchers,” he said. “I want them to conduct themselves where somebody coming to the ballpark who doesn’t look at the scoreboard doesn’t know if he’s doing bad or doing well.”

So far for Moye, who will make his fourth start tonight, it has been the latter.

HUSKY BUDDIES

Transitioning from college to pro baseball can be challenging for many players. Moving from the East Coast to a tiny city in Montana perhaps even moreso.

But having a familiar face with you each step of the way can make the journey a smooth one, and a fun one at that.

Brewers catcher Doug Elliot and first baseman Mike Nemeth had the rare advantage of already knowing one of their teammates upon flying into Helena. The two spent the last four years on the same University of Connecticut baseball team and consider themselves good friends off the diamond.

“It definitely helps knowing you’ve got a buddy going through it with ya,” said Elliot, who is hitting .182 in three games with Helena. “It’s a big change going from college to professional baseball.”

Elliot and Nemeth have texted one another on more than one occasion about what time they’re supposed to be at the ballpark, and other such questions. Though not living together in the Capital City, the two have remained close.

“Having him around has been great,” said Nemeth, who was named to the 2011 Rawlings Division I Gold Glove list for being the top defensive first baseman in the nation.

Nemeth finished the 2011 season with 615 putouts and 26 assists as he recorded just two errors on the year for a .997 fielding percentage. “We were close in school and it’s been nice to be able to continue that relationship here.”

The tandem was part of a Huskies team that advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals this past season, where UConn was ousted by eventual champion South Carolina. Ten Huskies were drafted following one of the most successful seasons in program history and, surprisingly, three of them were selected by Milwaukee. Pitcher Elliot Glynn is currently with the Arizona League Brewers.

“It was pretty cool, guys were getting calls one after another,” Nemeth said. “It was just really exciting knowing that the three of us were going to be in the same organization.”

Elliot found out he was drafted while working out at Clemson, as UConn’s season was still alive in mid-June. When Nemeth heard his pal would be wearing the same uniform, Elliot said the infielder gave him a huge hug.

“We built off the guys who came before us and left our mark on the program,” Elliot said, citing this past season as the highlight of his college career.

Elliot, who is working towards his master’s degree in accounting, has enjoyed the bus trips through scenic Montana and hopes to try his hand at fishing on one of the team’s off days. He hopes Glynn gets promoted to Helena so the Huskies trio can be reunited.

ODDS AND ENDS

Entering Thursday’s game, Helena catcher Parker Berberet was on a seven-game hitting streak. During that time, the Oregon State product is batting .333 with a home run and four RBIs. He has done particularly well against Missoula, with a .474 on-base percentage in games with the Osprey ... Brewers outfielder Max Walla has appeared in all 18 games for Helena, the only Brewer and one of just four players in the Pioneer League to do so. The 2009 second-round pick is hitting .400 in his last 10 games, tallying 14 hits with a home run and six RBIs in that span ... Including Thursday’s game, Helena has played 11 one-run games, more than any team in the league, posting a 6-5 record.

[Never Outhustled]

Obviously, but then why say anything? Why not just leave it at, "We've been disappointed by his progress." Why even open the door to speculation? What's the objective?

 

Wasn't Ash the one who questioned Mike Jones commitment/toughness suggesting that he wasn't willing to pitch through pain? Regardless who said it, I bought it at the time, but when Mike continued to fight so hard to get to Milwaukee it really made me question the organizational spin we get. Ash says something like that, but coming into season the Helena coaching staff is pimpin Arnett and Walla as players to watch? Arnett's work ethic was never questioned in college, he was praised for it being a 2 sport guy, and he had every reason to be motivated to work hard given his lack of success.

 

I'm not saying Ash wasn't telling the truth, I just don't like the hinting around, I'm a very direct dude.

I think your reading it right, Ash wanted to say something but just isn't a very good PR guy. It was part of the reason he was extremely unpoplular when he was in charge in Toronto.

 

Interesting that they claim Arnett is throwing mid-90s now. He was throwing complete puss the multitude of times I saw him at Fox Cities stadium last year, nothing like I saw from him in college. I think they're exagerating, or he'd be having more success. More only explanation for him as that he found "an edge" his junior year in college. One that's heavily tested for in the minors.

 

[battlekow]

RHP RJ Johnson, who has yet to appear in a game this year, is recovering from knee surgery and arm problems; however, he's currently back throwing and may be activated within the next couple weeks.

[battlekow]

From BA's Daily Dish, by J.J. Cooper:

The news isn't as good for another former Big Ten first-round pick. Eric Arnett, the Brewers' 2009 first-rounder, gave up 11 hits and eight earned runs while striking out one in 4 1/3 innings in a loss for Rookie-level Helena. It's a significant step back for the righthander, who had struck out 17 in his last two starts (although he still gave up eight runs in 15 innings).

Arnett is now 1-2, 5.73 for Helena. It's a return trip to the Pioneer League for Arnett, as he made his pro debut there in 2009. Arnett did move up to the low Class A Midwest League last year, but he was eventually shut down after going 1-9, 6.70. He was even worse (2-0, 7.31) in a demotion to the Rookie-level Arizona League, where he was facing many hitters two or three years younger than him.

Arnett has not shown the same consistent 92-94 mph velocity he showed in college at Indiana. At the pro level, his fastball has proven surprisingly hittable.

[Mass Haas]

Helena 1B Nick Ramirez, the Brewers' 4th round pick out of Cal State Fullerton, was named the Pioneer League Player of the Week. The LH bat will turn 22 in a couple of weeks.

[CheezWizHed]

Overbay, Fielder, LaPorta, Morris, Hawn, Ramirez... the Brewers sure do like LH 1st basemen!