Farm Updates from Tom Flanagan

[JDBrewCrew]

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 21s22 seconds ago

Flanagan says no speed bumps so far for either Nathan Kirby or Taylor Williams in recovery from TJ surgery. Both ~8 months out from surgery.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 2m2 minutes ago

Some quick injury updates: Colorado Springs—OFs Michael Reed (concussion) and Shane Peterson (wrist) should be back by the end of the week.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 5m5 minutes ago

Flanagan says big innings have gotten Adrian Houser this year (2-4, 7.18 ERA) but that his stuff has actually improved.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 11m11 minutes ago

Also, Cody Ponce is throwing and still targeting an early June return. He’s at Brevard County and had been shut down with forearm fatigue.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 14m14 minutes ago

Word from Brewers farm director on Brevard County LHP Kodi Medeiros is he was suffering back spasms last start. Only 2 IP thrown.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 13m13 minutes ago

Tom Flanagan says Medeiros may miss his next start but the back spasms not considered a serious issue.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 35s35 seconds ago

Looking like another two weeks for 2B Tucker Neuhaus (fracture finger) at Wisconsin. Was able to avoid surgery, which was obviously good.

[brewmann04]

thanks for that

[JDBrewCrew]

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 31m31 minutes ago

Farm director Tom Flanagan said LHP Kodi Medeiros likely to go on the DL at Brevard County with an illness that’s caused him to drop 10 lbs.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 31m31 minutes ago

Medeiros’ issue like a flu bug; not considered serious. He’s also missed time recently with back spasms.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 29m29 minutes ago

Flanagan, whose last stop was Brevard, said Bubba Derby, Eric Hanhold and Angel Ventura all throwing well in Manatees’ rotation.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 25m25 minutes ago

Flanagan said Hanhold induced 13 ground-ball outs in the game he saw, including 5 straight to 3B, a testament to how good his sinker is.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 21m21 minutes ago

Malik Collymore, acquired for Jonathan Broxton last year, has been filling in as OF at Brevard. Likely to be sent to Wisconsin soon.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 20m20 minutes ago

Flanagan called Collymore “toolsy” and called him above-average defensively. Also runs well. Lots of OF talent for T-Rats if he goes there.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 19m19 minutes ago

Speaking of Wisconsin, 2B Tucker Neuhaus probably 10 days-2 weeks from returning from broken finger. He’s in AZ currently getting ABs.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 18m18 minutes ago

Flanagan also said OF Trent Clark is about a week away from returning from his hamstring strain.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 15m15 minutes ago

Isan Diaz, hitting .204 at Wisconsin, is learning how to adjust to how teams pitch him. He just turned 20, so he’s young for Midwest League.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 14m14 minutes ago

Flanagan said Diaz is “still swinging it” and he’ll be fine. Been a standout defensively at SS; will start playing more 2B to stay sharp.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 12m12 minutes ago

Flanagan said team is still trying to figure out what MGM Park in Biloxi is — pitcher’s park or hitter’s park. Seems more pitcher-friendly.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 10m10 minutes ago

Flanagan said Javier Salas and Wei-Chung Wang have had starts skipped to try and keep them fresh. Something Brewers have done in the past.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 10m10 minutes ago

Josh Hader will likely have his next start skipped for the same reason. That would give him 8-9 days off as a sort of “recharge."

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 5m5 minutes ago

Flanagan said Wang has been throwing well. Starts slow with his velocity ramping up as the games progress. Needs to dial it up earlier

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 4m4 minutes ago

At Colorado Springs, Yadiel Rivera has been playing mostly 2B and some 3B, plus ~ once a week SS. “The every-day certainly helps him."

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 34s35 seconds ago

Rivera and Will Middlebrooks have been seeing most of the time at 3B for CS with Garin Cecchini at 1B and Andy Wilkins playing RF.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 16s17 seconds ago

Flanagan gave Sky Sox manager Rick Sweet credit for his lineup flexibility. Players’ versatility at CS has also been helpful.

[JDBrewCrew]

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 2m2 minutes ago

Farm director Tom Flanagan said Colorado Springs OF Shane Peterson is back on the DL with the same wrist/forearm issue.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 33s34 seconds ago

Peterson expected to be out 3-4 weeks and has been sent back to Arizona to rehab. Bad timing for him. Kyle Wren gets a shot in his place.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 28s28 seconds ago

Needless to say, Brewers are very pleased with how Biloxi C Jacob Nottingham has come around at the plate of late.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 52s53 seconds ago

Flanagan on Nottingham: “It was an aggressive placement for him, and he’s held up his end. It’s good to see."

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 40s40 seconds ago

Kodi Medeiros expected back in the Brevard rotation early next week. Past illness, now trying to gain back some of the 10-12 lbs he lost.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 40s41 seconds ago

Brewers also pleased with how Wisconsin 2B Blake Allemand took advantage of opportunity when Tucker Neuhaus went down with broken finger.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 14s15 seconds ago

Flanagan on Allemand: “He rose to the challenge and is taking advantage of the playing time. He’s definitely handled the bat well."

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 27s27 seconds ago

Neuhaus, still out with that broken finger, is still 1-2 weeks away from returning.

[Mass Haas]

More from Flanagan via Rosiak:

 

OFs Demi Orimoloye and Joantgel Segovia, IF Gilbert Lara, RHPs Gentry Fortuno and Trey Supak slated to open in Helena right now.

 

There could be some changes depending on who the Brewers wind up drafting.

 

Supak might have opened this year at Wisconsin were it not for some on/off arm soreness. Brewers took it slow with him in extended spring.

 

With the DSL Brewers now underway, a few names to watch: OFs Jesus Lujano and Bryan Connell, C Jose Sibrian and IF Aaron Familia.

[Mass Haas]

Posted Tue. 6/14, courtesy of Todd Rosiak on Twitter via Tom Flanagan --

 

Eight scouts already in Helena after draft in Milwaukee as team divvies up rosters and prepares players for season. AZL rookie Brewers, too.

 

Trey Supak scheduled to pitch in a scrimmage tonight in Helena. Rosters won’t be finalized until better idea of which new draftees sign.

 

So, focus now is on getting those younger players squared away and ready to play. Demi Orimoloye and Gilbert Lara are big names at Helena.

 

A few injury updates: Wisconsin 2B Tucker Neuhaus’ return has been pushed back about a month. Broken finger slower to heal than expected.

 

Wisconsin RHP David Burkhalter has been sidelined with an elbow strain not deemed serious. Will rehab some in Arizona and then return.

 

Biloxi OF Victor Roache has been out with a calf strain that will probably need another 10 days to heal.

 

Taylor Williams is on Helena roster but won’t pitch there. Will continue rehab from last August’s Tommy John surgery in Arizona.

 

***

 

First of all, the fact that Flanagan hooks up with Rosiak each week for these updates is fantastic.

 

Man, Neuhaus must have really mangled that finger.

 

Speaking of fantastic, considering the first report we received on Burkhalter was bleak, that update is wonderful for the young man.

 

Rosiak also posted his weekly minors summary column.

[Austin Tatious]

Great thread. Thanks for the updates. I somehow had overlooked it.

 

Monte Harrison is at .215 which is quite an improvement from the buck-fifty he was hitting well into the season. Diaz has risen to the .230 level after scuffling at the Mendoza line. Whereas Harrison and Diaz are decidedly trending upward, Gatewood has been more up and down. He is down to the .230's but trending down for the moment as he lifted his average to around .270, after a slow start. So, he's been up and down. Coulter is another one who is starting to improve. But right now, we have to be very pleased with Nottingham who is really hitting well after a slow start, particularly with the aggressive assignment. Allemand is another showing promise as noted.

[torts]

last 28 days Monte has been hitting .278/.533/.860, and just in the 14 games in June he's mashing .321/.679/1.059. Looks like he's starting to heat up like the weather!

[Mass Haas]

Thank you, Mr. Rosiak!

 

***

 

Farm director Tom Flanagan termed Trent Clark’s right hamstring strain as mild but said team will still be cautious since it’s his second. Current indications are that Clark will miss anywhere from 10-14 days.

 

Monte Harrison now about a week into 4-6 week recovery period for broken hamate. Players don’t generally return early from that surgery.

 

Also sticking with Class A Wisconsin, Tucker Neuhaus still “a ways away” from returning from finger fracture. No baseball activity for him.

 

First-round pick Corey Ray joins Brevard County this weekend. Won’t immediately be activated, as he’s essentially been off since June 12. Ray will be given a little time to acclimate, which will include live BP and such before he’s put into the lineup with the Manatees.

 

Flanagan said early reports from rookie-ball Helena have been very positive. Hitting has been very impressive, but it’s an offensive league. Second-round pick Lucas Erceg fitting right in at Helena, both at the plate and in the field. Hitting .400 with a HR and 7 RBI in 8 games. Conversely, OF Demi Orimoloye (.205) and SS Gilbert Lara (.200) are off to slow starts through 10 games.

[Mass Haas]

More via Todd Rosiak of the J-S:

 

If all goes well with his pre-game work today, Trent Clark is expected to return to the lineup for Class A Wisconsin tomorrow (Sunday 7/24).

 

Wisconsin OF Monte Harrison (hamate) expected to return to game action in Arizona in about 2 weeks. Return to T-Rats could be ~ 4 weeks.

 

Wisconsin 2B Tucker Neuhaus still in a holding pattern with his fractured finger. Still no baseball activity for him.

 

***

 

Gotta be the worst finger fracture in history for Tucker; they should just refer to it as a mangling...

[igor67]

More firepower for the TRats line-up!

[JDBrewCrew]

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 52s52 seconds ago

Erceg also doesn't wear batting gloves when he hits. Prides himself on being a throwback. Very strong grip strength.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 7s7 seconds ago

Erceg already drawing raves for his mature approach to game and preparation. Takes the game seriously.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 52s53 seconds ago

But make no mistake, Erceg is a a third baseman moving forward.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 2m2 minutes ago

Another interesting nugget from today is Lucas Erceg could see a little action at SS from time to time, once he gets acclimated.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 11m11 minutes ago

Erceg had good things to say about Gilbert Lara from the time he spent with him in Helena. Said the talent is evident.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 12m12 minutes ago

Erceg and Clark are now roommates, living with the same host family up here in the Appleton area. Lots of talent in that house.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 15m15 minutes ago Grand Chute, WI

Had good chats with Isan Diaz and Lucas Erceg this morning as well. Two impressive young men. Will have features on both at some point soon.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 17m17 minutes ago Grand Chute, WI

Erickson said Clark was ready to go a few days ago but "we wanted him champing at the bit" to come back.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 18m18 minutes ago Grand Chute, WI

Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson said Clark's two hamstring strains involved different parts of the muscle. Second was worse of the two.

 

Todd Rosiak ‏@Todd_Rosiak 22m22 minutes ago Grand Chute, WI

Santana is out but Trent Clark back in the lineup today for Wisconsin after long absence caused by hamstring strain.