Link Report for Fri. 7/5 - Tyrone Taylor's Clutch Grand Slam Saves Us From A Winless Organizational Night

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF!

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: LHP Zach Kroenke at Memphis (Cardinals), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

Jeff Hem is the 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). The audio feed is from the home team. All MiLB.TV details available at the link.

 

**********

 

Huntsville: RHP Ariel Pena at Tennessee (Cubs), 6:00 PM pre-game, 6:15 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

Alex Cohen is the play-by-play voice of the Stars; follow him on Twitter @alexmcohen. All games, home and away, are scheduled to be broadcast. It appears four Southern League teams air their home games on MiLB.TV, and we'll let you know when those dates pop up on the schedule

 

**********

 

Brevard County: RHP Damien Magnifico at home vs. Daytona (Cubs), 5:05 PM pre-game, 5:35 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link -- Select the link based on listed schedule

 

Manatees audio, hooray! Dave Walkovic is the first play-by-play voice of the 'Tees since 2007, he's joined by Andy Towne; follow the Brevard broadcast booth staff on Twitter @BCManateesRadio. All home games and many road games are scheduled to be broadcast. When road games are only available via the opponents' audio feed, we'll let you know that.

 

**********

 

Wisconsin: RHP Leonard Lorenzo at Cedar Rapids (Twins), 6:20 PM pre-game, 6:35 gametime

 

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.

 

For the $39.95 season-long package, fans in Brewer Nation can watch all Sounds games, Stars' road games from four Southern League locales, and all Timber Rattlers home games and some road games.

 

NOTE: 32 of the Rattlers' 70 home games will be broadcast on TV this season. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel has seventeen games scheduled and WACY-TV My NEW32 plans to show fifteen games. We'll let you know when, but won't be providing day-before DVR reminders, so regularly check for proper channel and time planning (scroll to the bottom of this link).

 

**********

 

Helena: RHP Zach Quintana at Great Falls (White Sox), 7:45 PM pre-game, 8:00 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

Voice of the Helena Brewers Steve Wendt is back on board, and this year he's added Twitter to the mix @steve_wendt. We've been treated to Steve's work for many years now (ten!); he is among the very best at the art of the pre-game interview, especially considering how at ease he makes all these first-time professional ballplayers.

 

MiLB.TV -- When the H-Crew makes their way to Idaho Falls (July) and Grand Junction (August), those games will be available for viewing online.

 

**********

 

Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at the Dodgers' complex in Glendale; 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league

 

**********

 

DSL Brewers: at the DSL Tigers, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until later in the day

[Mass Haas]

Programming Note:

 

Tennessee has MiLB.TV coverage, so if you're a subscriber, you can watch this Stars' series (live and/or archived).

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

Maryvale

 

DSL Brewers

 

New MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

[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]

Look for Nashville and Wisconsin media notes at the links just prior to their game times.

 

New this season: Brevard County has media notes; as of now, it's a unique link each day, but look for it just prior to game time each day within the "Stats and Scores" banner here.

 

Also new this season: Helena has media notes; it's a unique link each day, but look for it just prior to game time each day within the "Stats and Scores" banner here.

[Mass Haas]

Weather.com:

 

Memphis, TN

 

Kodak, TN

 

Viera, FL (Melbourne)

 

Cedar Rapids, IA

 

Great Falls, MT

 

Glendale, AZ

 

San Pedro de Macoris, DR

[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

 

Rookie Advanced - Pioneer League North Division

 

Rookie - Arizona Summer League

 

DSL - Dominican Summer League San Pedro de Macoris Division

 

***

 

NOTE: To view first half or overall standings for Huntsville, Brevard County, and Wisconsin, you'll notice options at the respective links for that. Otherwise it's second-half standings as the default view for those three leagues.

[Mass Haas]

There's now video available of Joey Paciorek's Huntsville HR from Thursday night.

[Mass Haas]

MillerParkProspects.com -- Future of the Franchise: Shortstop

[TheCrew07]

Astros, D-Backs, and Indians prospects had nice weeks. Not a single divisional mention anywhere

 

Prospect Hot Sheet (July 5): Precocious Julio Urias Earns Top Spot

[Mass Haas]

Earlier today in our Draft Forum, provided an update on unsigned 16th round RHP Corey Miller out of Pepperdine

[Mass Haas]

Well, the Manatees are about to sell a few tickets:

 

The Tampa Yankees have announced that New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez will be joining the team as part of his Major League rehab assignment and that he is scheduled to play with the Yankees when they visit the Brevard County Manatees for a three-game series beginning on Saturday, July 6 at Space Coast Stadium in Viera.

[Mass Haas]

MillerParkProspects.com -- The Farm Report: July 5, 2013

[TheCrew07]

Tyrone Taylor makes it into the chat.

 

Prospect Hot Sheet Chat With J.J. Cooper

 

Tim (Chicago): Do you have an estimate when Javier Baez will be in AA?

 

J.J. Cooper: Wouldn’t stun me to see it not happen until the start of the 2014 season, although injuries/promotions could make it happen sooner. He’s having a good year in Daytona, but not the kind of year that makes you promote him to get him facing competition that challenges him. He’s being challenged in the FSL offensively and defensively.

not divisional but topical- Seth

Andy (North Carolina): Thanks for chatting with us. I've heard David Holmberg referred to as a future #4/#5 starter, but he's now mastered Low-A, the California League, and AA in consecutive years, and has to be due for a promotion soon. And he's young for his level (only a year older than Archie Bradley). I know the K-rate has been down most of this year (picking back up lately), but with his continual progression should his projection be adjusted upwards?

 

J.J. Cooper: No. The reasons he’s projected as a 4/5 has nothing to do with his results. It has everything to do with his stuff. When you see Holmberg pitch, he’s a guy who at the big league level is going to always have to scramble a little. His changeup can be pretty good, but if you’re a tick-below-to-average fastball/changeup pitcher who can locate, you can carve up a ton of Class A hitters. At the big league level, those guys often get carved up. If you look at what Holmberg has done you can compare it to a guy like Matt Maloney, who dominated low Class A, pitched quite well in Double-A and not bad at all in Triple-A, but has ended up as an up-and-down guy because of his lack of a put-em-away pitch. In Holmberg’s case, he doesn’t miss bats any more than Maloney did. I think Holmberg will be better than Maloney, but I’d still have trouble projecting him as more than a back-end starter.

Robert Foster (Seattle, WA): Next year, will Tyler Glasnow be included with Archie Bradley, Taj Walker, Stephenson?

 

J.J. Cooper: He won’t be there yet, but he’ll be gaining on them. The main thing you want to see right now is steady improvement with his control.

Mike (Orlando): Time for Cardinals to sit Holliday and see what Oscar Taveras can do?

 

J.J. Cooper: Taveras has to come off of the disabled list first as he battles a high ankle sprain. And no, it’s not time to sit Holliday. Holliday is having a solid, if unspectacular year. You don’t sit a proven veteran who’s making $17 million who is having a solid year just to see how your top prospect will fare. Taveras’ time will come before too long, but the only possibility of a Cardinals OF regular being benched for Taveras this year would be John Jay, and even that is unlikely I would think.

Finally a Brewer question from someone answered, I might pass out from disbelief, but a cop out answer- Seth

JH (California): I'm a bit surprised that I haven't heard more (or any) buzz aboutTyrone Taylorgiven his sizzling June/July. what kind of prospect is he, and do you see him sticking in CF?

 

J.J. Cooper: He’s having an excellent year and has a pretty good case to be one of the Brewers’ Top 10 prospects when the season is over.

Another topical question with a disappointing answer, as I figured they'd peg him for a #2- Seth

Walt (Texas): Tyler Skaggs....He's been smashed around in a few starts in the bigs and also has had small success. Is he 4A or is he going to be somebody that can help you win a World Series? Jake Odorizzi seems to fit in this discription also.

 

J.J. Cooper: I think Skaggs projects as more than you are giving him credit for there. He’s a potential middle-of-the-rotation starter who does have a true plus pitch with his curveball and his fastball is above-average as well for a lefthander. The adjustment to the big leagues is tough for everyone, especially young starting pitchers. I think he’ll be fine long-term.

DH (Pittsburgh): Maikel Franco and Javier Baez have very similar numbers in the FSL, at very similar ages. Baez gets more attention, and Franco has moved up, but if they both end up at 3B, do you suppose they could have similar production? Are athleticism and K rate the big differences?

 

J.J. Cooper: Baez is a way better athlete than Franco. Franco has questions about sticking at third. Baez has questions about sticking at shortstop. Those are significantly different questions. If you end up moving from shortstop to third base, you usually end up being a very solid defender at third if you have an arm like Baez. And the offensive expectations go up, but not dramatically. For a player like Franco, if he can’t stick at third, his likely only landing spot is first base considering how slow a runner he is. The difference in offensive expectations from third to first is pretty dramatic.

Mike (Orlando): Nobody gets paid 17 million dollars to be solid but unspectacular. A few days on the bench might help Mr. Holliday to remember that.

 

J.J. Cooper: If the Cardinals were 35-45 I may agree with you. But when a team has one of the best records in baseball, you run a whole lot of risks benching one of the leaders of the team. This isn’t fantasy baseball where you don’t have to worry about the dynamics of human emotions. Also, if you bring Taveras up, you’re not bringing him up for 3-5 days then sending him back down. So if you are benching Holliday, you’re doing that for longer than just a couple of days. Again. Not going to happen.

More on Skaggs- Seth

Roger (Greenville, SC): Skaggs only projects as mid-rotation? 6 months ago the projection was frontline. What's changed?

 

J.J. Cooper: Depends on which guy in the office you talk to. I’ve thought of him as a No. 3. Other guys in the office think of him as a No. 2. Not a whole lot has changed. I’ve always been one of the low guys in the office on Skaggs, and I like him a good bit.

 

Moderator: Thanks for all the good questions. I’ve got to wrap this up to go record the Prospect Handbook podcast. We’ll be back Monday with the Midseason Top 50 Prospects list as well as a chat to go with it.

 

Midseason 50 on Monday, good deal!

[TheCrew07]

Lorenzo just gave up a HR to the first batter of the game which hit about dead center in the batter's eye at PG Field.

http://www.milb.com/images/2011/01/18/5vRUJEe5.jpg

 

The T-Rats just don't have the starting pitching to match-up with this line-up, it is depressing when they can't even get a lead in these games. I'd rather listen to the damn peanut inning (those who listen to PL games will know what I'm referring to) for 3 hours than the T-Rat games against Cedar Rapids this year.

 

There's still a ton of ballgame left... but I needed to vent.

[Mass Haas]

Manatee twitter feed:

 

Damien Magnifico leaves the game in the 4th inning. It looked like trainer Tommy Craig was looking at his right hand.

 

Daytona Top of the 4th

 

Taylor Davis singles on a ground ball to center fielder Mitch Haniger.

Pin-Chieh Chen walks. Taylor Davis to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Tyler Cravy replaces Damien Magnifico.

Zeke DeVoss strikes out on a foul bunt.

Wes Darvill pops out to shortstop Yadiel Rivera on the infield fly rule.

Javier Baez walks. Taylor Davis to 3rd. Pin-Chieh Chen to 2nd.

Dustin Geiger singles on a line drive to left fielder Ben McMahan. Taylor Davis scores. Pin-Chieh Chen scores. Javier Baez to 2nd.

Ben Carhart strikes out swinging.

 

***

 

With the inherited runners scoring, tough line -- 3 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, did have 5-0 GB/FB ratio

[Mass Haas]

Via Jeff Hem's blog --

 

Audio from Memphis — Sounds Southpaw Chris Narveson

 

Tonight’s interview is with Sounds left-hander Chris Narveson, who discusses his eight-inning shutout effort and win from Thursday, his outings with the Sounds coming back from his left middle finger injury, his return to Memphis (where he pitched several years ago) and how Autozone Park plays for a pitcher and his role, when with Milwaukee, as the team’s players union representative.

[Mass Haas]

Catching up on two days of Helena pre-game audio, posted to their site today:

 

Outfielder Charlie Markson talks about his recent success with Helena and the start of his professional career

 

LHP David Otterman talks about his most recent start, rehabbing for an injury last year, and preparation for a start

[TheCrew07]

This will make everyone happy, on an 0-1 pitch....

 

Wisconsin Top of the 7th

• Parker Berberet called out on strikes.
  Christopher McFarland singles on a ground ball to right fielder Adam Walker.
  Adam Giacalone singles on a ground ball to right fielder Adam Walker. Christopher McFarland to 2nd.
  Adrian Williams bunt pops out to catcher Tyler Grimes in foul territory.
  Alfredo Rodriguez walks. Christopher McFarland to 3rd. Adam Giacalone to 2nd.
  Michael Reed walks. Christopher McFarland scores. Adam Giacalone to 3rd. Alfredo Rodriguez to 2nd.
  Pitching Change: Steven Gruver replaces Kaleb Merck.
  Tyrone Taylor hits a grand slam (7) to left field. Adam Giacalone scores. Alfredo Rodriguez scores. Michael Reed scores.
  Victor Roache flies out to right fielder Adam Walker.

 

Wisconsin scores 5 runs and takes a 8-6 lead to the bottom of the 7th.

 

edit. Fixed the score.

[bkrause2]

Final: DSL Brewers 6, DSL Tigers 15

 

DSL Brewers Box Score

 

Yunior Santana hit his team leading third home run of the year as he went 2-5 with four RBI. He also stole two bases. Daniel Leonardo was on base four times, going 3-for-4 with a double and a walk. Juan Ortiz went 1-for-3 with a walk. Yeraldy Martinez moved to the number two spot in the order and had the only other Brewers base hit, going 1-for-5 with a double. Martinez also recorded an outfield assist. Jorge Quiterio and catcher Kevin Martinez each committed an error.

 

Miguel Diaz got the start for the Brewers and pitched five innings. He allowed five runs, though only two were earned. He gave up seven hits, walked two and struck out four. Nattino Diplan pitched the final three innings and got rocked. He gave up ten runs, all earned, allowing eight hits and walking five, pushing his ERA to 12.89. He's allowed 15 runs over his last 4.2 innings and has walked 12 batters during that span.

 

DSL Brewers Play-By-Play

 

DSL Brewers Top of the 4th

Yerald Martinez strikes out swinging.

Jorge Quiterio grounds out, third baseman Yerison Pena to first baseman Francisco Contreras.

Leudi Otano walks.

Yunior Santana homers (2) on a fly ball to right field. Leudi Otano scores.

Juan De Los Santos grounds out, third baseman Yerison Pena to first baseman Francisco Contreras.

 

DSL Brewers Top of the 6th

Pitching Change: Stanley Martinez replaces Jhonny Mateo.

Daniel Leonardo doubles (5) on a line drive to right fielder Ignacio Valdez.

With Yerald Martinez batting, wild pitch by Stanley Martinez, Daniel Leonardo to 3rd.

Yerald Martinez called out on strikes.

Jorge Quiterio flies out to left fielder Felix G. Santana.

Leudi Otano walks.

With Yunior Santana batting, wild pitch by Stanley Martinez, Leudi Otano to 2nd.

Yunior Santana singles on a line drive to right fielder Ignacio Valdez. Daniel Leonardo scores. Leudi Otano scores.

With Juan De Los Santos batting, Yunior Santana steals (6) 2nd base.

Juan De Los Santos grounds out, third baseman Yerison Pena to first baseman Francisco Contreras.

 

DSL Brewers Top of the 9th

Pitching Change: Harold Rosario replaces Stanley Martinez.

Juan Ortiz walks.

Natanael Mejia walks. Juan Ortiz to 2nd.

Gregory Munoz called out on strikes.

Daniel Leonardo singles on a line drive to right fielder Ignacio Valdez. Juan Ortiz scores. Natanael Mejia to 2nd.

Yerald Martinez doubles (4) on a line drive to right fielder Ignacio Valdez. Natanael Mejia scores. Daniel Leonardo to 3rd.

Jorge Quiterio walks.

Leudi Otano lines out to center fielder Sandy Acevedo.

Yunior Santana flies out to right fielder Ignacio Valdez.

[Minigoon]

Final: Tennessee 3 Huntsville 1

 

Stars starting pitcher Ariel Pena turned in a quality start but came away with the loss as Tennessee defeated Huntsville 3-1 Friday night in Kodak. Pena (5-7, 3.20) pitched 7 strong innings, allowing 3 earned runs on 6 hits and a hit batter, but no walks while striking out 7. One of the hits he allowed was a solo home run to Stars tormenter Arismendy Alcantara. Pena threw 99 pitches over those 7 innings, 68 for strikes. As control has been an issue for Pena throughout the season, this was great to see. Pena also had a 7-4 ground out to fly out ratio. Over Ariel's last 5 starts, 4 have been quality starts. In all 4 of those quality starts, he's taken the loss. Greg Holle pitched a scoreless 8th, allowing a hit, but having that runner cut down on a caught stealing.

 

In the 2nd half of the season, the Stars have played 17 games. In those 17 games, they have scored a total of 49 runs (2.88 avg). Stars pitching has given up 93 runs over those 17 games (5.47 avg). Their record is 5-12.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

The Stars offense have been in a real funk lately. They've been held to a grand total of 5 runs in their last 4 games. Tonight, they were held to 1 run again. And like last night, it was scored on a solo home run. Shawn Zarraga had the honors tonight, hitting his first of the season. Zarraga added a single to go 2-4 in leading the Stars offense. Huntsville got singles from Nick Shaw, Kentrail Davis, Shea Vucinich, and Mike Walker and walks from Chadwin Stang and Brock Kjeldgaard.

 

Huntsville Play By Play

 

The Stars lone offensive highlight came in the 3rd

 

Huntsville Top of the 3rd

 

Mike Walker grounds out, second baseman Arismendy Alcantara to first baseman Justin Bour.

Shawn Zarraga homers (1) on a fly ball to right center field.

Ariel Pena strikes out swinging.

Chadwin Stang grounds out, third baseman Christian Villanueva to first baseman Justin Bour.

 

Huntsville (5-12 2nd half, 34-51 overall) and Tennessee will play game 3 of this series tomorrow night. Righty, and Brewers Minor League Pitcher Of The Month For June, Taylor Jungmann (8-6, 3.60) will man the mound for the Stars. Game time is an hour earlier, 5:15 Central. Make sure to join Stars Radio Broadcaster Alex Cohen starting at 5:00 for the pregame show. This game will be available on MiLB TV for those with a subscription. Remember to turn the TV sound down and the Stars Radio Broadcast up!

[Mass Haas]

After his first appearance, each of Tommy John-rehabbing RHP Austin Ross' subsequent four Maryvale starts have been on three days' rest. The Brewers may want to rethink that routine, only one appearance has been scoreless.

 

AZL Dodgers Bottom of the 1st

 

Josh Henderson singles on a line drive to left fielder Brandon Diaz.

Melvin Santana flies out to center fielder Edgardo Rivera.

Adam Law singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brandon Diaz. Josh Henderson to 2nd.

Chris O'Brien walks. Josh Henderson to 3rd. Adam Law to 2nd.

Cody Bellinger triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Edgardo Rivera. Josh Henderson scores. Adam Law scores. Chris O'Brien scores.

With Michael Ahmed batting, wild pitch by Austin Ross, Cody Bellinger scores.

Michael Ahmed grounds out, shortstop Luis Aviles to first baseman David Denson.

David Reid-Foley grounds out, shortstop Luis Aviles to first baseman David Denson.

 

***

 

Obviously, getting Ross well is the priority, but his rehab is doing a number on the A-Crew's competitiveness, at least this past week.

[Mass Haas]

Cabrera, Smokies Shut Down Stars

By Alex Cohen / Huntsville Stars

 

In game two of a five-game series against the Tennessee Smokies, the Huntsville Stars dropped their second game in a row at Smokies Park by a score of 3-1 on Friday night.

 

Unfortunately for the Stars, they found themselves facing a deficit that they could not come back from early in the ballgame.

 

To start the bottom half of the first inning, Smokies outfielder Matt Szczur was hit by an Ariel Pena pitch, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error. After an RBI double by Ariesmendy Alcantara scored Szczur to put Tennessee on the board, Alcantara stole his team-leading 21st base on the year by swiping third. During the next at-bat, a sacrifice fly by outfielder John Androli plated Alcantara to make the score 2-0.

 

The only run Huntsville managed to plate came in the top of the third inning when Shawn Zarraga launched a solo homer over the right-field wall against Smokies starter Alberto Cabrera. It was the second game in a row that the Stars only run of the game came on a solo homer. Zarraga paced the Stars offense with two of their six hits.

 

Earning the win for the Smokies was Cabrera, who improved to 8-3 on the season after giving up that one run on four hits while striking out seven and walking two. Righty Frank Batista notched his 11th save of the save when he stranded two runners on base during a scoreless ninth inning.

 

Tennessee tacked on their only other run in the bottom of the third inning on a solo honer by Alcantara. For the Southern League All-Star, it was his third longball hit against the Stars in 11 games played this season.

 

Despite giving up just three runs on seven hits in seven innings pitched, Pena fell to 5-7 on the year with the loss. The 24-year-old righty also struck out seven batters without walking anyone. In his last four outings overall, Pena has three quality starts, earning losses in each of them.

 

Aside from Pena, the Stars got an inning of scoreless relief from righty Greg Holle.

 

On offense, the Stars got a single apiece from shortstop Nick Shaw, outfielder Kentrail Davis, second baseman Shea Vucinich and third baseman Mike Walker.

 

The Stars will play game two of a five-game series at Smokies Park against the Tennessee Smokies on Saturday. Huntsville will send RHP Taylor Jungmann (8-6, 3.60 ERA) to the bump to try to stop the two-game skid against the Smokies. Tennessee will counter with LHP Austin Kirk (7-3, 3.49 ERA). First pitch is 6:15 PM (5:15 Central).

[Mass Haas]

Ask and we shall receive, thanks guys!

 

Outfielder D'Vontrey Richardson chats with Dave Walkovic on the Manatees' Pre-Game Show

 

No specific discussion on the year off, however.