Link Report for Wed. 6/18 -- Jungmann Struggling at AAA

[Mass Haas]

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[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Taylor Jungmann at Las Vegas (Mets), 8:45 PM pre-game, 9:05 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 $49.99 season-long package ($12.99 to pay for a single month). The audio feed is from the home team. All MiLB.TV details available at the link.

 

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Huntsville: Idle

 

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Brevard County: RHP Austin Ross at home vs. Dunedin (Blue Jays), 5:05 PM pre-game, 5:35 gametime

 

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

 

Dave Walkovic returns as the play-by-play voice of the 'Tees; follow the Brevard broadcast booth staff on Twitter @BCManateesRadio, as all games are scheduled to be broadcast in 2014.

 

No Florida State League games are available via MiLB.TV.

 

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Wisconsin: Idle

 

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Helena: RHP Jorge Ortega at home vs. Missoula (Diamondbacks), 7:45 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

There's a new Voice of the Helena Brewers in 2014, as Dustin Daniel (@dustin__daniel on Twitter) takes over for legendary Steve Wendt. We look forward to Dustin building his own legacy moving forward.

 

MiLB.TV -- When the H-Crew makes their way to Grand Junction, Orem, and Idaho Falls (one series each), those games will be available to watch online.

 

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

 

We're going to lock in the link to Brad Krause's fantastic Miller Park Prospects - Dominican Summer League primer right here, at least for the first couple of months of the DSL campaign, for your easy review. Brad will also be adding DSL Link Report duties to his Brevard coverage for us here. Thanks, Brad!

[Mass Haas]

NOTE: Hopefully the Helena audio link provided above is working this evening. If not, and someone finds the Helena feed elsewhere, please let us know.

 

Just in case, here's the less-desirable but handy Missoula feed link.

 

I will try to sample Helena audio tonight. Can't remember them opening up vs. big league West Coast games before. Did anyone connect online last evening for the big late rally?

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Nashville

 

Brevard County

 

Helena

 

DSL Brewers

 

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 these just prior to the respective game times --

 

Nashville Media Notes - it's a unique link each day, but look for it under the "Roster" banner on the Sounds' site.

 

Brevard County Media Notes - again, it's a unique link each day, but look for it under the "Multimedia" banner on the Manatees' site.

[Mass Haas]

STANDINGS:

 

AAA - Pacific Coast League American Southern Division

 

AA - Southern League North Division

 

High-A - Florida State League North Division

 

A - Midwest League Western Division

 

Rookie Advanced - Pioneer League North Division

 

DSL - Dominican Summer League San Pedro de Macoris

[Mass Haas]

Sortable individual stat pages:

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

Dominican Summer League Brewers

[Mass Haas]

Weather.com:

 

Las Vegas, NV

 

Viera, FL (Melbourne)

 

Helena, MT

 

Santo Domingo, DR

[Mass Haas]

Brewers' approach to pitching development paying off

Milwaukee's renewed focus on homegrown arms may prove pivotal for future rotation

By Caitlin Swieca / MLB.com

 

A good read --

 

This year, the organization has benefited from a new self-evaluation system that opens up lines of communications between players and management. Every night during the season, each Minor League player fills out an online form rating several aspects of their day. For pitchers, questions range from "How well did you sleep last night?" to "How happy were you with your bullpen session today?"

[Mass Haas]

Nice treat from Brevard, video --

 

VIDEO, Tyrone Taylor's 4-Hit Night: Taylor went 4-for-5 with 4 RBI in a 10-5 victory over the Dunedin Blue Jays on Tuesday night

 

VIDEO: After his four-hit game against Dunedin, Tyrone Taylor joins Justin Rocke on the Manatees Radio Network

[Mass Haas]

Well, this was wonderfully clutch HR, but as you read this AM, it didn't hold up --

 

VIDEO: Hunter Morris homers in Nashville's 8-7 loss to Las Vegas

[Mass Haas]

Helena: RHP Jorge Ortega at home vs. Missoula (Diamondbacks), 7:45 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

There's a new Voice of the Helena Brewers in 2014, as Dustin Daniel (@dustin__daniel on Twitter) takes over for legendary Steve Wendt. We look forward to Dustin building his own legacy moving forward.

 

All set on the audio link - loud and clear, Dustin!

[bkrause2]

Final: Dunedin 2, Brevard County 5

 

Ross leads 'Tees in sweep of Dunedin

Brevard closes out first half with 10-5 win over Blue Jays

By Andrew Luftglass / Brevard County Manatees

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/3/3/4/80496334/cuts/Ross_6.18_1_640x360_9654gbvb_yo00dkyd.jpg

Brevard County starting pitcher Austin Ross struck out seven in 7.1 innings of work as the Manatees defeated the Dunedin Blue Jays, 5-2 on Wednesday night at Space Coast Stadium in Viera. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography)

 

VIERA, Fla. - Behind one of the longest starts of his career, Austin Ross helped the Brevard County Manatees to a 5-2 win over the Dunedin Blue Jays on Wednesday night at Space Coast Stadium, to complete to a three-game series sweep and close out the first half of the season.

 

Ross (6-1, 2.75 ERA) was dominant from the start and did not allow a Blue Jays hit or base runner through the first three innings. The starter struck out five batters in those three perfect frames.

 

Even after Ross allowed a single to Dwight Smith, Jr. to the start of the fourth, the righty went right back to overpowering Dunedin's hitters. Ross followed up the single with a double play ball and proceeded to set the next seven men down in order. In doing so, Ross faced the minimum 18 batters through six innings.

 

Despite allowing a one-out single and stolen base to Dalton Pompey, Ross also pitched a scoreless seventh as he worked into the eighth inning for the first time this year. He retired Santiago Nessy on a fly out to right to start the inning, but then ran into trouble.

 

The Manatees (36-30) held a 5-0 lead, but the Ross gave up back-to-back singles against Nick Baligod and Peter Mooney. Andy Fermin then laced a two-run double to right-center to cut Brevard's advantage to 5-2. Ross' night ended shortly thereafter, as he walked the next batter, Christian Lopes, to put runners on first and second with just one out.

 

Brevard County called on left-hander Stephen Peterson to get out of the jam and he did exactly that. Peterson wasted no time in inducing a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.

 

That twin-killing closed the book on Ross, as his 7.1 innings pitched were a season-high and tied his career high. He struck out seven men, walked just one and surrendered two runs on five Dunedin (46-23) hits.

 

Peterson worked the ninth, as well. Though the southpaw walked the leadoff man, he finished off the Blue Jays with a ground out and two strikeouts to notch his second save of the year.

 

Brevard County scored all of its runs against Dunedin starter Taylor Cole in the third and fourth. With one out in the third, Parker Berberet dribbled an infield single in the grass to the third base side of the mound and Brandon Macias worked a walk. Two batters later, Orlando Arcia plated the first two runs of the ballgame on a ringing two-out double to left-center.

 

The Manatees quickly threatened in the fourth, as well. Back-to-back singles by Michael Reed and Yadiel Rivera, combined with a walk by Victor Roache, loaded the bases with nobody out. Alfredo Rodriguez then lifted a sacrifice fly to right field that scored Reed and moved Rivera to third, as the 'Tees extended their lead to 3-0.

 

After Cole struck out the next batter, Roache moved to second on a wild pitch to give the 'Tees a pair of runners in scoring position for Macias. The third baseman knocked in both Roache and Rivera with a single to left to put Brevard up 5-0.

 

With those five runs, Cole (5-3, 2.60) was hit with the loss. Cole struck out six over five innings to push his Minor League-leading strikeout total to 101. He also walked two and gave up seven hits in the defeat.

 

Brevard County finished the first half of the 2014 season with a 36-30 record and a winning mark of 5-4 against the Blue Jays, who won the Florida State League North Division in the first half.

 

The 'Tees begin the second half against the Daytona Cubs on Thursday night at Space Coast Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Damien Magnifico (3-4, 3.05) is scheduled to start for the 'Tees against Cubs right-hander Felix Pena (1-6, 2.59).

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Nice start from Austin Ross, working in to the eighth inning and giving up just the two runs with seven punchouts. Nathan Orf had the only multi-hit game, going 2-for-4. Michael Reed, Victor Roache and Brandon Macias each on base two times with a single and a walk.

 

Brevard County Play-By-Play

 

Brevard County Bottom of the 3rd

Alfredo Rodriguez called out on strikes.

Parker Berberet singles on a ground ball to catcher Santiago Nessy.

Brandon Macias walks. Parker Berberet to 2nd.

Nathan Orf flies out to right fielder Nick Baligod.

Orlando Arcia doubles (13) on a fly ball to center fielder Dalton Pompey. Parker Berberet scores. Brandon Macias scores.

Tyrone Taylor grounds out, first baseman Kevin Patterson to pitcher Taylor Cole.

 

Brevard County Bottom of the 4th

Michael Reed singles on a fly ball to right fielder Nick Baligod.

Yadiel Rivera singles on a ground ball to pitcher Taylor Cole. Michael Reed to 2nd.

Victor Roache walks. Michael Reed to 3rd. Yadiel Rivera to 2nd.

Alfredo Rodriguez out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Nick Baligod. Michael Reed scores. Yadiel Rivera to 3rd.

Parker Berberet strikes out swinging.

With Brandon Macias batting, wild pitch by Taylor Cole, Victor Roache to 2nd.

Brandon Macias singles on a fly ball to left fielder Dwight Smith. Yadiel Rivera scores. Victor Roache scores.

Nathan Orf singles on a fly ball to left fielder Dwight Smith. Brandon Macias to 2nd.

Orlando Arcia pops out to first baseman Kevin Patterson.

[bkrause2]

Final: DSL Braves 6, DSL Brewers 2

 

DSL Brewers Box Score

 

No box score posted yet. I'll update this later tonight or tomorrow morning when they get it online. Yosmer Leal took the loss after giving up three runs in five innings of work. Franley Mallen singled, doubled and knocked in a run.

 

DSL Brewers Play-By-Play

[TheCrew07]

Osprey rally late, steal series with 5-4 win

By Dustin Daniel / Helena Brewers

 

he Missoula Osprey (2-1) stole the finale of their three-game series with the Helena Brewers (1-2) on Wednesday, topping the Brew Crew 5-4 with a late-game rally.

 

Jorge Ortega pitched seven innings of shutout baseball in the start for the Brewers, but would become the victim of fatigue in the eighth, giving up back-to-back walks and hitting Michael Abreu to end his night. He would finish with four strikeouts, giving up just four hits and walking two.

 

The Brewers jumped out to a four-run lead in the seventh when Luis Aviles blasted an RBI double to bring in Edgardo Rivera. Aviles would score later in the inning on an Elvis Rubio sacrifice. Aviles finished the game 3-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored.

 

Missoula pounced on sloppy pitching in the eighth, scoring all five of their runs in the frame. Justin Williams slapped an RBI single into right, scoring Damion Smith to start off the five-run rally. Trevor Mitsui would later close the scoring with a two-run single off of Ryan Deeter (0-1).

 

The Brewers made a late rally in the ninth, pushing the Osprey to the brink of extra innings. Luis Aviles led off with a double to the right-center gap and was quickly followed up by a Gregory Munoz single. Munoz stole second one batter later to put two runners in scoring position with just one out. Elvis Rubio would strike out followed by a DeMuth grounder to end the game with the tying run just 90 feet from home.

 

The Brewers will now host the Billings Mustangs for a two-game series at Kindrick Field. Action starts Thursday at 7:05 p.m.

 

H-Crew Boxscore

Wow did this game turn ugly quick. Jorge Ortega rolled until the 7th when he apparently lost his command and Ryan Deeter couldn't stop the bleeding.

 

The middle of the order had a tough night but Gregory Munoz (3-4), Eric Williams (2-4), Edgardo Rivera (3-4,2B), and Luis Aviles (3-4, 2 2B) had big nights.

 

H-Crew Recap

 

This was it...

 

Missoula Top of the 8th

• B. J. Lopez pops out to first baseman Alan Sharkey.
  Damion Smith walks.
  Sergio Alcantara walks. Damion Smith to 2nd.
  Mike Abreu hit by pitch. Damion Smith to 3rd. Sergio Alcantara to 2nd.
  Pitching Change: Ryan Deeter replaces Jorge Ortega.
  Justin Williams singles on a ground ball to second baseman Gregory Munoz. Damion Smith scores. Sergio Alcantara to 3rd. Mike Abreu to 2nd.
  Jake Mayers out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Edgardo Rivera. Sergio Alcantara scores. Mike Abreu to 3rd.
  Tyler Humphreys reaches on a throwing error by shortstop Luis Aviles. Mike Abreu scores. Justin Williams to 3rd. Tyler Humphreys to 2nd.
  Dane McFarland walks.
  Trevor Mitsui singles on a line drive to center fielder Edgardo Rivera. Justin Williams scores. Tyler Humphreys scores. Dane McFarland to 2nd.
  B. J. Lopez grounds into a force out, fielded by third baseman Dustin DeMuth. Dane McFarland out at 3rd.

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO via Jeff Hem's blog --

 

"Tonight’s interview is with Sounds pitching coach Fred Dabney, who discusses the Sounds’ loss of Brad Mills (traded Tuesday to Oakland), the addition of Tyler Cravy (up from Double-A Huntsville, debuts for the Sounds Sunday), the recent excellent work by relievers Dustin Molleken and Jeremy Jeffress, and pitching in hitter-friendly Las Vegas."

[Mass Haas]

Manatees look for consistency in season's second half

Michael Parsons, FLORIDA TODAY

 

Last season, the Brevard County Manatees fell just short of making the playoffs in the first half, but struggled in the second half.

 

This season, the hope is just the opposite. After finishing the first half 36-30 and in third place in the FSL North Division, hopes are high for a much better second half, which begins today at home against Daytona.

 

And there is reason for the high expectations. The pitching staff is among the tops in the Florida State League. And as the first half wrapped up, the offense began to show signs of life.

 

"Having the pitchers that we have, a quality bullpen with some veterans mixed in and they are doing a heck of a job. It is a fun group to watch," Manatees manager Joe Ayrault said. "And the position players are coming along, making adjustments at the plate."

 

And that is the key — the offense. In the first half, the Manatees ranked among the bottom in batting average and runs scored.

 

"Consistency at the plate," Ayrault said was the key to success. "It's just a matter of our guys being consistent at the plate and making the adjustments. Sticking with our approach, not giving away at-bats and coming through with clutch knocks. Our pitching and defense is where we need it to be."

 

Defensively, the club may be one of the best in the organization up the middle. With Cameron Garfield behind the plate, the duo of Yadiel Rivera and Orlando Arcia at shortstop and second base and Tyrone Taylor manning center, this team can go get the ball.

 

"Arcia and Rivera, they are a fun pair to watch. We are just very good up the middle. And having Taylor in center being able to run balls down with a strong arm, they do a heck of a job out there," Ayrault said.

 

But while Garfield agrees the second half should be better, he agrees consistency is the key.

 

"We just need to play a little more consistent ball. We will go through a stretch where we play really good ball and we will be competing every night and then we will take a game off, not physically but mentally," Garfield said. "If we can just not do that we can be a really good team. We have a lot of potential. We have a great staff and we have the best infield and outfield, we have all the tools on paper we just have to apply them on a more consistent basis."

 

It all begins with tonight's game against Daytona at Space Coast Stadium and Ayrault is excited about the prospects.

 

"Hopefully we take off and score a bunch of runs. I know our pitching will hold it when we do," Ayrault said.

[TheCrew07]

Sounds Fold In Vegas; Lose 8-2

Nashville's Eugenio Velez Goes 3-for-4 with RBI

Nashville Sounds

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/1/0/2/73522102/cuts/Velez_Eugenio_taken_by_Mike_Strasinger_Medium_i33ohivq_iz0jpcoe.jpg

(MIKE STRASINGER)

 

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The Nashville Sounds (38-36) never recovered from a four-run inning turned in by the Las Vegas 51s Wednesday night at Cashman Field, dropping their sixth game in a row by an 8-2 final.

 

Vegas' big inning came against Sounds starter Taylor Jungmann (2-4) in the 4th. A walk and a pair of singles started the frame for the 51s and gave them the 2-1 advantage. Vegas pitcher Logan Verrett (6-2) helped his own cause with an RBI groundout later in the frame, which was capped off by Omar Quintanilla's two-run single.

 

Jungmann took the loss, his fourth, allowing five runs to the 51s on seven hits and three walks. The right-hander fanned three in the outing before giving way to reliever Alfredo Figaro after four innings of work.

 

Figaro provided two scoreless frames for Nashville before running into trouble in the 7th inning, when pinch hitter Travis d'Arnaud hit a two-run double for the 51s. Neither of the runs were earned, as Juan Centeno reached base on a fielding error by Eugenio Velez.

 

Arcenio Leon allowed Vegas their final run in the 8th inning when Allan Dykstra hit an RBI single to left field.

 

Nashville scored first in the contest on Velez's base-knock to the opposite field. The hit scored shortstop Jeff Bianchi, 2-for-4, who slapped a double earlier in the 1st inning. Velez finished the night 3-for-4.

 

Vegas tied the game 1-1 in the 3rd inning when outfielder Cesar Puello slid past a 1-2 fielder's choice, beating catcher Matt Pagnozzi's tag. Puello reached base on a single, moved to second on Verrett's sacrifice bunt and stole third to position himself for the score.

 

The Sounds got a run back from Vegas in the 6th inning when infielder Pete Orr rolled an RBI grounder to make it a 5-2 game.

 

Verrett was awarded the win, holding Nashville to two runs, one earned, on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings.

 

The Sounds will play game three of the four-game series with the Las Vegas 51s on Thursday at 9:05. RHP Johnnie Lowe (0-1, 3.06) will start for Nashville opposite Vegas lefty Darin Gorski (1-1, 4.82). Broadcaster Jeff Hem has the call on 102.5 The Game.

 

Nashville Boxscore

This has just been an awful stretch for the Sounds. Taylor Jungmann's last 3 starts have been pretty similar in nature ballooning his AAA ERA up to a whopping 6.83.

 

Nashville Recap

 

Nashville Gameday

[Mass Haas]

Brewers get great pitching from Ortega but can’t hold on

By Amber Kuehn, Independent Record

 

Late-game heroics by the Missoula Osprey spoiled a sterling performance by Helena Brewers starting pitcher Jorge Ortega in the series rubber match Wednesday at Kindrick Legion Field.

 

Ortega twirled seven-innings of shutout ball and had a two-hitter going through six frames, but the wheels came off as fatigue set in in the eighth. The right-hander walked Damion Smith and Sergio Alcantara with one out in the inning, and hit Michael Abreu to load the bases. Ryan Deeter then came on in relief, but the Osprey would plate five runs in the inning as Helena saw its four-run lead vanish. Missoula won 5-4 to take two games out of the three-game set.

 

One night after the Osprey watched the Brewers break open the game with an eight-run eighth inning to take the lead, Missoula gave Helena a taste of its own medicine with its own comeback — also in the eighth. Designated hitter Trevor Mistui’s two-run single to center was the dagger.

 

Despite the defeat, Brewers manager Tony Diggs was thrilled with what he saw from Ortega, who was making his Pioneer League debut.

 

“It was absolutely a great performance on his part,” Diggs said.

 

“He did a great job, an excellent effort, it was just a shame we wasted it.”

 

Helena still had a chance to win it in the bottom of the ninth. Luis Aviles led off the inning with a double to center field, and Gregory Munoz followed with a beautiful bunt base hit to put runners at the corners. Munoz then stole second, putting two in scoring position for the Brewers. But with chants of “Let’s go Brewers” still ringing through the ballpark, Missoula reliever Brody Greer struck out Mitch Meyer and Elvis Rubio and got Dustin DeMuth to ground out to dash the hosts’ hope of a comeback.

 

“I’m quite sure nobody in that locker room is happy right now,” Diggs said of Helena’s missed opportunities. The Brewers were 4-for-20 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base.

 

Deeter was charged with the blown save and the loss for Helena. Ortega finished with four strikeouts, four hits, two walks and three runs — two earned — through 7 1/3 innings of work. Seven of those were impressive, as the Caracas, Venezuela, native pitched to contact and kept his pitch count low enough to keep the bullpen quiet.

 

Despite errors behind him at shortstop and blown chances offensively, Ortega said he wasn’t frustrated with his teammates. He also said he felt “very good on the mound.”

 

“I just try to make a good pitch,” he said. “Try to make first pitch for strike.”

 

He said his fastball, changeup and slider were all working for him Wednesday in his first outing in Helena. Ortega was 2-5 in the Arizona League last year with a 4.15 ERA.

 

Jincy Solis pitched two-hit ball in 2 2/3 innings of relief to earn the win for the Osprey, just shortly after being assigned to Missoula.

 

Aviles and Munoz extended their hitting streaks to three games, with each going 3 for 4 with an RBI in the contest. Aviles’ RBI double put the hosts up 3-0. Edgardo Rivera also turned in a 3-for-4 performance for the Brewers, with a double and an RBI.

 

The Brewers close out the homestand with a two-game set with the Billings Mustangs, beginning tonight with first pitch slated for 7:05 PM (8:05 Central).

 

Thom Bridge photo / Independent Record - Jorge Ortega throws from the mound. The Helena Brewers hosted the Missoula Osprey for a third game at Kindrick Legion Field Wednesday night.

 

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/e5/4e591d6e-f763-11e3-9840-001a4bcf887a/53a25b6cd3bff.preview-620.jpg

 

***

 

Helena Independent Record Photo Gallery - Nobody provides consistent photo quality and quantity for us more often then athe good folks in Helena - for several players, this is their Brewers' "photo debut".

[Mass Haas]

Brevard County --

 

AUDIO: INF Alfredo Rodriguez joins Andrew Luftglass on the Manatees Radio Network to talk about Rodriguez's first game at first base this season

 

AUDIO, Game Highlights: The 'Tees complete the sweep of the Jays with a 5-2 victory

 

***

 

It's a shame that the second half of the Brevard County season begins Thursday, as these three post-All Star Game victories over the super-tough Dunedin squad counted only in the first-half standings.

[TheCrew07]

Somehow I had completely forgotten that Coulter wasn't brought up as a C.

 

MWL All-Star Notes: Stewart Continues Making Rapid Progress For Twins

 

Coulter Dominates In Second MWL Turn

 

Low Class A Wisconsin catcher Clint Coulter battled injuries a year ago, which put a dent in his hopes of having a stellar first season in the Midwest League.

 

Coulter, drafted 27th overall by the Brewers in 2012 out of Union High in Camas, Wash., played just 70 games last year, including just 33 at Wisconsin. The 2014 season has taken a different course, one that led to a role as the starting DH in the MWL all-star game.

 

While Coulter didn’t get a hit, he was thrilled to be selected after hitting .282/.427/.534 with 11 homers, 47 RBIs and 42 walks in 61 games in the first half. He ranks second in the league in slugging and third in both homers and on-base percentage.

 

“It was a huge honor because there are a lot of great players who aren’t in this game,” Coulter said. “I was excited to be a part of it. I had a good time.”

 

The 6-foot-3, 222-pound backstop hit just .207/.299/.345 at Wisconsin last year prior to a demotion to the Rookie-level Arizona League.

 

“There are no surprises this year,” Coulter said. “I’ve learned that when you are hot, pitchers are going to throw different, but you can’t get away from your approach. You have to stay aggressive.

 

“You want results right away, especially coming out of the draft as a first-round pick. You want to show what you can do early, but this is pro baseball. There are no slouches. You have to trust what the hitting coaches teach you. It has paid dividends.”

 

Coulter has always been willing to work hard. He was a wrestler in high school, winning a Washington state championship as a sophomore, but he gave up wrestling the next year to focus on baseball. He talked about how wrestling helped develop his toughness for baseball. It’s paid off, especially being a catcher, a position he switched to full-time as a high school junior. Prior to that, he was a shortstop.

 

Coulter dreams of one day playing in the majors, and he is confident he can achieve that goal.

 

“Every guy here has major league potential because someone saw something in you,” he said, “and if you can put that something on the field more often than not, you have a good shot to make it. But there are no free tickets in this game. You have to earn what you get.”