Link Report for Tue. 5/15 -- Burgos and Wooten debut at new levels, Schafer day-to-day (twisted ankle)

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Tuesday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Mark Rogers at home vs. Reno (Diamondbacks), 10:50 AM pre-game, 11:05 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

Jeff Hem is the new play-by-play voice of the Sounds; follow him on Twitter @jeffhempbp; we'll link to his blog updates at On the Air…and Off

 

MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; all Nashville games, home and away, will be available to watch via MiLB.TV's $39.99 season-long package ($9.99 to pay for a single month). We imagine the audio feed is from the home team. All MiLB.TV details available at the link.

 

**********

 

Huntsville: RHP Hiram Burgos makes his AA debut at home vs. Mississippi (Braves), 10:28 AM pre-game, 10:43 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link -- Select the Huntsville feed from the MiLB main audio page

 

I-Phone friendly audio link

 

Alex Cohen is the new play-by-play voice of the Stars; follow him on Twitter @alexmcohen. It's fantastic that Huntsville is returning to what will be a traditional broadcast format this year. All games, home and away, are scheduled to be broadcast.

 

MiLB.TV subsciption note: A total of 24 Stars' games (in Jacksonville and Tennessee) will be broadcast.

 

**********

 

Brevard County: RHP Brooks Hall at home vs. Daytona (Cubs), 5:35 PM gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link -- Select the Daytona feed from the MiLB main audio page

 

Once again this season, Brevard does not have its own audio coverage. It appears two teams in the Manatees North Division (within which the majority of games are played) have audio, and all six teams in the South Division have audio (at least for their home games), so there will be opportunities to listen to approx. 70% or Brevard's games this season, just all from the opponent's perspective. There are no Florida State League games on MiLB.TV this year.

 

***

 

Wisconsin: RHP David Goforth at Kane County (Royals), 10:40 AM pre-game, 11:00 gametime; expect RHP Chad Pierce to tandem

 

Free Live Audio Link - 1280 AM WNAM

 

Chris Mehring is back to do his customary fantastic work as the Voice of the Rattlers. Follow him on Twitter @CMehring; we'll link to Chris' infamous blog often -- Rattler Radio.

 

MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; Wisconsin is one of only two (Great Lakes) Midwest League clubs that have all their home games available via MiLB.TV; Chris' call provides the audio. So for the $39.95 season-long package, fans in Brewer Nation can watch all Sounds games, all Timber Rattlers home games, and 24 Stars' road games (one Helena series this summer, too).

[Mass Haas]

Follow Tuesday's action as it happens with box score / game log links:

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

[Mass Haas]

STANDINGS:

 

AAA - Pacific Coast League American Northern Division

 

AA - Southern League North Division

 

High-A - Florida State League North Division

 

A - Midwest League Western Division

[Mass Haas]

Well, we can take solace in theat the Cardinals' AAA Memphis squad has lost nine in a row and trail even the Sounds.

 

***

 

Brevard now has the worst record in the 12-team Florida State League.

 

***

 

Rattlers back in a first-place tie.

[Mass Haas]

To see tweets as to when the Link Report has been technically "completed" with available links, as well as to know when the new day's Report has been posted, please follow @Mass_Haas on Twitter

[Mass Haas]

From Monday via Jeff Hem:

 

Here is this week’s installment of “Mondays with Mike,” a pregame interview with Sounds manager Mike Guerrero.

 

Update on Caleb Gindl's hamstring and Josh Butler's arm (scheduled for a return by early June).

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes

[Mass Haas]

Wisconsin Media Notes

[Mass Haas]

The Manatees team batting line has fallen to an unimaginable .219 / .298 / .312

[Mass Haas]

Yikes, the Hiram Burgos bubble popped pretty abruptly.

[homer]

Yikes, the Hiram Burgos bubble popped pretty abruptly.

 

 

Hey, at least the K:BB and K/IP ratios are still outstanding!

[Mass Haas]

Jeff Hem Nashville Audio — An Interview with Brewers GM Doug Melvin

[Mass Haas]

Burgos final update from Alex

[X-TAI]

Great debut.I'm sure he was nervous. Oh and he had his first hit ever. Haha good job bro.he'll come back stronger.

[JohnBriggs12]

Burgos retired the last 14 guys he faced. He was fine once he settled down.

[Mass Haas]

Now that's a stolen base -- and the rest of the inning was pretty base-dramatic, too...

 

Nashville Bottom of the 5th

Corey Patterson walks.

With Andy Gonzalez batting, Corey Patterson steals (2) 2nd base, Corey Patterson scores. Missed catch error by center fielder Adam Eaton. Throwing error by catcher Konrad Schmidt.

Andy Gonzalez triples (1) on a line drive to right fielder Cole Gillespie.

Martin Maldonado pops out to second baseman Rusty Ryal.

Mark Rogers singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Zach Kroenke. Andy Gonzalez scores.

Hainley Statia singles on a line drive to left fielder David Winfree. Mark Rogers to 2nd.

With Eric Farris batting, wild pitch by Zach Kroenke, Mark Rogers to 3rd. Hainley Statia to 2nd.

Eric Farris flies into sacrifice double play, center fielder Adam Eaton to pitcher Zach Kroenke to second baseman Rusty Ryal. Mark Rogers scores. Hainley Statia out at 2nd.

[Mass Haas]

Burgos retired the last 14 guys he faced. He was fine once he settled down.

 

Absolutely, and the first extra base hit he allowed was a lost-in-the-sun double via Kentrail Davis.

 

Bubble bursting? No, that's why reactionary posts (even mine) aren't best suited for Link Reports

[Mass Haas]

A Taste of Helena -- the new Turf Dude

 

 

Hopefully the start of an expanded You Tube initiative by the H-Crew staff this year; that means pre-game interviews, Steve Wendt (hint, hint)

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Bottom of the 1st

Logan Schafer grounds out, second baseman Rusty Ryal to first baseman Randy Ruiz.

Eric Farris singles on a line drive to right fielder Cole Gillespie.

Jeff Bianchi grounds into a force out, shortstop Jake Elmore to second baseman Rusty Ryal. Eric Farris out at 2nd. Jeff Bianchi to 1st.

Jordan Brown grounds out, second baseman Rusty Ryal to first baseman Randy Ruiz.

 

Reno Top of the 2nd

Defensive Substitution: Hainley Statia replaces center fielder Logan Schafer, batting 1st, playing second base.

Defensive switch from second base to left field for Eric Farris.

Defensive switch from left field to center field for Corey Patterson.

 

Schafer injury update, still not definitive, but apparently a leg injury of some sort.

[TheCrew07]

The Manatees team batting line has fallen to an unimaginable .219 / .298 / .312

 

I feel bad for Tedaldtada as when I chose Huntsville and Wisconsin as my 2 teams I was simply looking to recuse myself from the BC pitching staff, my favorite prospect was in AA, and I've always enjoyed listening to Chris. I had no idea was I going to end up bogarting the best 2 teams in the organization.

 

Tedaldtada if you want to switch out I'll take Nashville because I still don't think it's a good idea for me to report on BC, but you can take whomever you wish from me.

[TheCrew07]

A Taste of Helena -- the new Turf Dude

 

 

Hopefully the start of an expanded You Tube initiative by the H-Crew staff this year; that means pre-game interviews, Steve Wendt (hint, hint)

 

We've had many radio personalities that do very good interviews, but no one does an interview like Steve. A couple of years ago he did an interview with Tunnell that I must have listened to 4-5 times, it was that good.

 

I 2nd the video interview idea!

[TheCrew07]

Final: Kane County 11, Wisconsin 5

 

Cougars top Rattlers for third straight game

Kane County hits grand slam for second straight day and beats Rattlers 11-5

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

GENEVA, IL - The Kane County Cougars hit their second grand slam in as many days and defeated the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 11-5 at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark on Tuesday afternoon. Justin Trapp's bases loaded home run capped a seven run third inning and paved the way to Kane County's third straight win over the Rattlers.

 

Kane County (21-18) went in front with a run on an RBI grounder in the bottom of the first.

 

Wisconsin (23-16) stormed back with four runs in the third inning to take the lead. Carlos George singled to start the inning. Chadwin Stang followed with an RBI double. After Brandon Macias drew a walk, Jason Rogers doubled off the wall in right-center to send both Stang and Macias home. Later in the inning, Ben McMahan's two-out RBI single put the Rattlers up 4-1.

 

Rattlers starting pitcher David Goforth went out with that three run lead but struggled in the bottom of the third. He walked the leadoff batter and allowed a single to the put two runners on base. Adams followed with a two-run triple to cut Wisconsin's lead to one run.

 

Goforth got the first out of the inning and held Adams at third. Then, the hard-throwing right-hander lost the strike zone. He walked the next two batters to load the bases to bring Edul Escobar to the plate. Goforth walked the Cougars catcher on four straight pitches to push Adams home with the tying run.

 

The next batter grounded into a force play at the plate for the second out. But, Goforth gave up a grand slam to Trapp and the Cougars went up 8-4.

 

The Cougars collected three doubles and two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning off Rattlers reliever Chad Pierce to push their lead to 10-4.

 

Nick Ramirez extended his hitting streak to five games and gave Wisconsin their fifth run of the game with a one out solo homer in the top of the fifth. The next two hitters had singles and a rally seemed apparent. But, Max Walla's line drive was caught on a diving back-handed play by third baseman Danny Mateo. Cougars reliever Brooks Pounders got the final out with a strikeout, his second of seven in five innings, to stop a potential Rattlers comeback.

 

Kane County closed out the scoring on an RBI single by Michael Antonio in the bottom of the sixth.

 

The Timber Rattlers begin a six-game homestand on Wednesday night with a game against the Burlington Bees at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Newly crowned Midwest League Pitcher of the Week Andy Moye (3-0, 1.44) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. Jose Macias (1-4, 7.16) is set to start for the Bees. Game time is 6:35pm.

 

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Carlos Gomez is scheduled to be in the starting lineup for the Rattlers to begin a minor league rehab assignment.

 

Wednesday is a 105.7 WAPL Bang for Your Buck Night and a College Night. Fans can take advantage of $1 Cher-Make hot dogs, $1 Pepsi Products, and $1 Miller Beers! Also, college students may purchase reserved bleacher tickets for just $1 when presenting college ID at time of ticket purchase.

 

If you can't make it out to the game, tune in for the action on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:15pm. Wednesday's game is also available to subscribers of MiLB.TV.

 

HOME RUNS:

WIS:

Nick Ramirez (1st, 0 on in 5th inning off Brooks Pounders, 1 out)

 

KC:

Justin Trapp (3rd, 3 on in 3rd inning off David Goforth, 2 out)

 

WP: Brooks Pounding (2-1)

LP: David Goforth (3-3)

 

TIME: 2:41

ATTN: 4,733

 

Wisconsin Box Score

Apparently the water in Kane Country doesn't agree with the Rattler pitchers because they just put up 3 pretty poor starts in a row. Kane County has one of the better offenses in the league, but the Rattlers had one of the better pitching staffs in the league coming to the series as well, so this series was a good measuring stick for the team.

 

There isn't much to say about David Goforth's outing, I mentioned after watching him pitch on TW32 that I wasn't impressed with his mechanics at all. He simply has serious work to do if he's going to be a MLB pitcher, there's no doubt he has the raw tools to be successful, he has a rare gift in his arm, the rest will be up to him. As Chris discussed above Chad Pierce was also hit hard. Tyler Cravy also loaded the bases in the 8th with 1 out but managed to escape unscathed. Tyler is someone casual followers of the LR probably aren't all that familiar with other than his poorish results thus far in his professional career. However he hasn't even approached his ceiling as he's another player with a legitimate arm and upside if he can get out of his own way. He was my pick for a breakout candidate a while back, I'm still holding out hope for him.

 

Offensively Ben McMahan and Jason Rogers both had 2 hits a piece with Rogers adding a double. Chadwin Stang and Max Walla both doubled while Nick Ramirez launched his first HR as discussed above. Some may have noticed Walla's sagging line but I'm not concerned yet, he's been a bit unfortunate at the plate lately, he's still making good contact. The Rattlers played errorless baseball again and McMahan stole his 4th base.

 

Wisconsin Play By Play

Chris covered this in excruciating detail above but David had to throw a ton of pitches in the inning, I'm not sure I would have pushed him that far.

Kane County Bottom of the 3rd

• Daniel Mateo walks.
  Jorge Bonifacio singles on a line drive to left fielder Jason Rogers. Daniel Mateo to 2nd.
  Lane Adams triples (4) on a fly ball to right fielder Max Walla. Daniel Mateo scores. Jorge Bonifacio scores.
  Michael Antonio grounds out, shortstop Brandon Macias to first baseman Nick Ramirez.
  Murray Watts walks.
  Dean Espy walks. Murray Watts to 2nd.
  Edul Escobar walks. Lane Adams scores. Murray Watts to 3rd. Dean Espy to 2nd.
  Tim Ferguson grounds into a force out, third baseman Gregory Hopkins to catcher Parker Berberet. Murray Watts out at home. Dean Espy to 3rd. Edul Escobar to 2nd. Tim Ferguson to 1st.
  Justin Trapp hits a grand slam (3) to right field. Dean Espy scores. Edul Escobar scores. Tim Ferguson scores.
  Pitcher Change: Chad Pierce replaces David Goforth.
  Daniel Mateo flies out to left fielder Jason Rogers.

 

It's not very often you'll see a pitcher give up 3 doubles in an inning.

Kane County Bottom of the 4th

• Jorge Bonifacio doubles (8) on a fly ball to right fielder Max Walla.
  Lane Adams strikes out swinging.
  Michael Antonio doubles (6) on a fly ball to center fielder Chadwin Stang. Jorge Bonifacio scores.
  With Murray Watts batting, wild pitch by Chad Pierce, Michael Antonio to 3rd.
  Murray Watts doubles (6) on a fly ball to left fielder Jason Rogers. Michael Antonio scores.
  Dean Espy called out on strikes.
  Edul Escobar flies out to center fielder Chadwin Stang.

 

Cravy's 8th.

Kane County Bottom of the 8th

• Pitcher Change: Tyler Cravy replaces Chad Pierce.
  Lane Adams flies out to center fielder Chadwin Stang.
  Michael Antonio singles on a line drive to center fielder Chadwin Stang.
  Murray Watts walks. Michael Antonio to 2nd.
  Dean Espy singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Chadwin Stang. Michael Antonio to 3rd. Murray Watts to 2nd.
  Edul Escobar strikes out swinging.
  Tim Ferguson flies out to center fielder Chadwin Stang.

[TheCrew07]

Final: Mississippi 5, Huntsville 1

 

Huntsville Box Score

As previously discussed in the thread Hiram Burgos struggled early and cruised late, it will be interesting to see how he fares. I didn't post much at all last summer but in the past I regularly commented on his K rate when doing my statistical analysis on the organization's pitchers. His H/9 has always been the only thing holding him back, hopefully he can continue to hit his spots and keep his recent success going. Hiram's final line 6IP allowing 8H, 4ER, and 0BB against 5SO while throwing 53 of 82 pitches for strikes. His GO:FO ratio for those that care was 7:5 (how i feel about the ground ball ratio depends on the defense behind the pitcher which is why I don't discuss it much). Darren Byrd followed Burgos pitching a clean 2 innings while giving up 2 hits and a walk against a single strike out. He's only given up 1 earned run in his last 6 appearances covering 11.2 innings. R.J. Seidel allowed a HR to the first batter he faced in the 9th, retired the next hitter, then was lifted for Mitch Stetter who recorded the final 2 outs.

 

The Stars only managed 3 hits against the #21 prospect in the Brave organization David Hale. Here's what BA had to say about him this off season:

Hale has experienced Jekyll-and-Hyde seasons during his first two full years as a pro. In 2010, he began the year by going 0-4, 7.99 in six starts at Rome before changing roles and going 5-3, 2.16 with five saves as a reliever. Last year at Lynchburg, he posted a 5.91 ERA out of the Lynchburg bullpen before moving back to the rotation and going 3-4, 3.66 in 13 starts. A two-way player who spent most of his time at Princeton as a center fielder, Hale still is figuring out the cat-and-mouse game that is the duel between pitcher and batter. Scouts rave about his lightning-quick arm, which generates a 92-94 mph fastball that touches 96. He also throws a mid-80s slider that's one of the best in the system, but he's still trying to improve his feel for a changeup. He works behind hitters too often because an inconsistent release point hampers his command. Hale initially preferred working as a reliever because the routine was more similar to being an everyday player. The development of his changeup will determine what role he serves in the future. A promotion to Double-A is next on his agenda.

 

Unsurprisingly no Huntsville players had multiple hits or an XBH, though both Kentrail Davis and Tommy Manzella did walk 2 times a piece. Byrd committed the only Stars error on a PO attempt which was his first of the season. Doesn't it seem like we're having an abnormally high number of errors on pitchers this year? Specifically on PO attempts? I wonder if the organization has been pushing to limit the running game more effectively in the lower levels of the minors?

 

Huntsville Play By Play

This was all the Braves would get until the 9th, and unfortunately it was also all they needed.

Mississippi Top of the 1st

• Keenan Wiley strikes out swinging.
  Andrelton Simmons called out on strikes.
  Philip Gosselin doubles (9) on a fly ball to right fielder Kentrail Davis.
  Evan Gattis triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Josh Prince. Philip Gosselin scores.
  Joe Leonard strikes out swinging.
  

Mississippi Top of the 2nd

• Ian Gac doubles (12) on a line drive to left fielder Lee Haydel.
  Todd Cunningham singles on a fly ball to center fielder Josh Prince. Ian Gac to 3rd.
  Cory Harrilchak singles on a fly ball to left fielder Lee Haydel. Ian Gac scores. Todd Cunningham to 2nd.
  David Hale out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Anderson De La Rosa to second baseman Scooter Gennett. Todd Cunningham to 3rd. Cory Harrilchak to 2nd.
  Keenan Wiley doubles (4) on a ground ball to right fielder Kentrail Davis. Todd Cunningham scores. Cory Harrilchak scores.
  Andrelton Simmons pops out to third baseman Domnit Bolivar.
  Philip Gosselin grounds out, shortstop Tommy Manzella to first baseman Hunter Morris.

[TheCrew07]

Huntsville notes near the bottom, Jay Gibbons gets some kind words.

Southern League notes: Joseph takes control

Pensacola closer showing better command in Double-A return

By Guy Curtright / Special to MLB.com

 

http://www.milb.com/images/2012/05/14/kKY9pJzQ.jpg

Donnie Joseph is ranked as the No. 10 prospect in the Reds organization. (Jae C. Hong/AP)

 

Donnie Joseph puts everything into his pitches. "I have a violent delivery," the Pensacola closer said.

 

It's controlled violence, though, and opposing Southern League hitters are the victims.

 

But Joseph rarely was working ahead in the count last year. That's changed this season.

 

A third-round pick by the Reds in the 2009 Draft out of the University of Houston, Joseph had struck out 27 and walked just four over 18 innings in his first 16 appearances.

 

With that improved ratio has come a 4-0 record, six saves and a 0.46 ERA for Pensacola after struggling a year ago when the Reds' Double-A team was based at Carolina.

 

Joseph has a mid-90s fastball and sharp slider. His lack of control, though, did him in last season.

 

The 24-year-old Texas native had 66 strikeouts in 58 1/3 innings, but he walked 30 and had a 6.94 ERA in 57 appearances.

 

"Last season was tough," Joseph said. "But looking back, it was a blessing in disguise."

 

Joseph worked with pitching coach Tom Brown on his mechanics, and things began to click the last month or so of the season and carried over to the Arizona Fall League.

 

Pitching for the Phoenix Desert Dogs, Joseph had a 2.96 ERA in 12 appearances and had 17 strikeouts to six walks in 17 innings.

 

That earned him an invitation to Spring Training with the Reds. He got into four Cactus League games and came into the 2012 season looking little like the inconsistent pitcher Southern League hitters faced a year ago.

 

Now Joseph keeps his head steady as he releases the ball, and he no longer jerks toward the third-base line on his follow-through.

 

"I'm pretty much straight on now," he said. "My mechanics are a lot better."

 

So are the results.

 

Joseph didn't allow a run in his first 12 appearances, with his only blown save coming on a game-tying two-out homer by Keenan Wiley in the ninth inning at Mississippi on May 6.

 

Pensacola came back to win that game, 4-3, in 12 innings, and Joseph had allowed only seven other hits in his first 16 games. Opponents were batting just .127.

 

It has been a fresh start for Joseph and the team, which had the worst record in the Southern League last year while based in Carolina. Gone are the long road trips. In are large and enthusiastic crowds.

 

The Blue Wahoos had sold out 13 games and led the Southern League in attendance through Sunday.

 

"This is a great place to play," Joseph said. "When we go on a road trip, we can't wait to get back home."

 

In brief

 

Pryor promoted: The Mariners' top three pitching prospects -- Danny Hultzen, Taijuan Walker and James Paxton -- still lead the Jackson rotation, but closer Stephen Pryor was promoted to Triple-A Tacoma earlier this month to join former Generals starter Andrew Carraway. Pryor, No. 9 on the Mariners' prospect list, had a 1.13 ERA with seven saves and a 1-0 record plus 24 strikeouts to five walks in 16 innings for the Generals. He's yet to yield a run in three appearances with the Rainiers.

 

Colome near return: Montgomery right-hander Alex Colome is about ready to return to the mound after straining an oblique during his second start of the season at Mississippi on April 11. Tampa Bay's No. 14 prospect, he was 12-9 with a 3.82 ERA between the Biscuits and Class A Advanced Charlotte last season.

 

Gibbons steps in: Huntsville lost two of its best hitters when Jeff Bianchi (.351) was promoted to Triple-A Nashville and Khris Davis (.328) went on the disabled list. But the Stars are still battling Jackson for first place in the North Division thanks to Jay Gibbons. The former Major Leaguer hit .381 in his first 12 games with Huntsville.

 

Simmons still shines: Andrelton Simmons, No. 60 among MLB.com's Top 100 prospects, continued to show why he is considered Atlanta's shortstop of the future. The native of Curacao has made just two errors in his first 29 games for Mississippi and is batting .304 with a .388 on-base percentage. He has 15 RBIs and seven stolen bases.