Your 2005 Helena Brewers -- Latest: No-Hitter a Top Moment

[Mass Haas]

Well, the EZ Board disaster ate our earlier Helena thread, hopefully not forever -- we're still missing 18 pages of threads in this forum, which was the hardest hit...

 

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.helenair.com/articles...105_01.txt

 

Several players assigned to Helena

By TOM COTTON - IR Sports Editor

 

The 2005 edition of the Helena Brewers is taking shape.

 

The first players were assigned to the Pioneer League club on Friday including a fourth and sixth round pick in last weeks First-Year Player Draft.

 

Matthew Gamel of Chipola Junior College, was sent to the Capital City after signing with Helena's parent club, the Milwaukee. Gamel was a first-team National Junior College Athletics Association All American selection.

 

"This kid's got size, he's got strength and he's a pretty good-looking hitter," Jack Zduriencik, the Brewers scouting director said on MLB.com. "He may play third base, he may play first base, he may play left field. You never know with these kids. We'll get him in the system and let him run."

 

Two other players worth watching are Steven Hammond, a left-handed pitcher selected in the sixth round as well as two products from Florida's Embry Riddle College.

 

Patrick Ryan a right-handed pitcher was 13-3 in 2005 and had a 1.50 ERA for the Eagles, who reached the NAIA national championship game.

 

Kenneth Holmberg was a solid middle infielder for Embry Riddle hitting .342 with eight home runs.

 

"Milwaukee treats us right," said Steve Wendt, director of broadcasting and public relations for the Helena Brewers. "They know that Helena and the Pioneer League in general is a good league to develop players."

 

Two players were assigned to Helena after being drafted in 2004. Josh Louis, a right-handed pitcher from Temple College in Texas was a 42nd round pick and outfielder Darren Ford was an 18th round pick in 2004 out of Chipola Junior College.

 

Several more players will be sent to Helena today and training camp will open on Sunday.

 

The Brewers first game is June 21 against Missoula in Missoula.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.helenair.com/articles...205_01.txt

 

Brewers complete 2005 roster with familiar names

By TOM COTTON - IR Sports Editor

 

The Helena Brewers completed their roster Saturday and there are names on the team that should be familiar to Brewers fans.

 

Charlie Fermaint, Ryan Marion and Agustin Septimo return to the Capital City after playing for the Brewers last year. Also coming back is Simon Beresford who pitched for the Brewers' in 2003 and played for Class A West Virginia last season. Septimo was also promoted to West Virginia last season.

 

Along with some old names, some talented new faces dot the roster as well. Outfielder Stephen Chapman was a sixth round pick in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft and has played in the Arizona Summer League. Catchers Brian Opdyke and Angel Salome were both fifth-round draft picks in 2003 and 2004 respectively and both played in Arizona. In all, 10 Brewers on the roster have experience playing in Arizona.

 

The Brewers should also garner more attention than usual from Milwaukee as Ned Yost IV was assigned to Helena in late May. Yost was a free agent pickup from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and is the son of Brewers manger Ned Yost.

 

Helena General Manager Paul Fetz said he likes the look of the team which will be under the guidance of an experienced coaching staff led by manager Ed Sedar, who mentored the team in 2003. Sedar has also managed the Ogden franchise in the Pioneer League and has been a roving instructor for the Brewers.

 

"The way I see it is we have an experienced coaching staff and the Brewers in the last three years have had a farm system ranked in the top three," Fetz said. "If you are in the top three you know what you are doing. I have to think we will be competitive."

 

The new Brewers will start arriving today and training camp will begin on Monday.

 

The season will start in Missoula on June 21. The home opener will be June 25 against Great Falls.

 

NOTE: We'll work on getting an "official" roster list over the next few days -- Mass Haas.

[PeaveyFury]

Also coming back is Simon Beresford who pitched for the Brewers' in 2003 and played for Class A West Virginia last season. Septimo was also promoted to West Virginia last season.

 

Those are quite the accomplishments since Beloit was our affiliate last year. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/eyes.gif

[JoeHova]

I'm glad they put Salome in Helena. I hope he's the starter up there, I feel that he's a much better prospect than Opdyke. It will be interesting to follow Angel's career.

[Mass Haas]

Still a week away from the start of the season, so this roster is subject to change, but the following pitchers have been assigned to Helena:

 

The familiar faces:

 

22-year-old RHP Simon Beresford last pitched in Helena in 2003, having pitched in Beloit in 2004 and West Virginia to open 2005

 

20-year-old RHP Ryan Marion (8th round, 2003), struggled with his control in 2004 (33 walks in 35.1 IP at Helena)

 

The intriguing surprise:

 

24-year-old RHP Eric Thomas (3rd round, 2002) hasn't pitched since his 30 innings in rookie ball back in 2002, when the Brewers' rookie league team was in Ogden. He's 6'9" -- can't wait until he joins the Brevard County giants...

 

Kids up from Arizona -- let's see what you've got:

 

22-year-old RHP Luis Bernal (33rd round, 2004)

 

21-year-old RHP Richard Breshears, an undrafted free agent signee last June

 

21-year-old RHP Wilfredo Laureano -- the Domincan product's fifth year in the system, second season state-side

 

20-year-old LHP Rafael Lluberes -- entering his fourth year in the system, he was the Crew's most impressive Arizona pitcher in 2004

 

19-year-old RHP Ronny Malave -- third year in the system for the Venezuelan

 

20-year-old RHP Tyler Morrison (10th round, 2003) -- improved most of his numbers during his second Arizona season

 

Welcome to professional baseball:

 

23-year-old LHP Steve Hammond (6th round, 2005) -- the Long Beach State southpaw might see West Virginia before too long

 

22-year-old RHP Christopher Jean (38th round, 2005) -- Texas State product

 

20-year-old RHP Josh Louis (42nd round, 2004) -- draft-and-follow Texas JUCO pitcher

 

23-year-old LHP Derek Miller (47th round, 2004) -- University of Vermont grad, another draft-and-follow, could move up quickly, like Hammond

 

23-year-old RHP Dane Renkert (29th round, 2005) -- older late-round pick out of Washington State needs to impress early on

 

22-year-old RHP Patrick Ryan (19th round, 2005)

 

22-year-old LHP David Welch (20th round, 2005) -- Texas JUCO kid via Sydney, Australia, perhaps he and Simon Beresford crossed paths across the globe

 

Among those not listed are, and any comments here are speculative -- RHP Tom Wilhelmsen (not a go yet, apparently), LHP Carlos Ramirez (still hurt?), RHP Alvaro Martinez, the 6'7" Venezuelan who started 13 games in Helena last summer, or either of the highly-thought of Canadian RHP's from the 2004 draft, Craig Langille or just-turned 18-year-old Alexandre Periard. For that matter, big-name Dominican signee Roque Mercedes, also 18, will open in Arizona.

 

The Arizona pitching staff has a chance to be special for a change this year, it seems. About a week from today, on the eve of the start of that season, we should get confirmation of a final roster there.

 

If the older college pitchers perform as they should for Helena, that staff seems pretty solid, although it lacks for star power -- some of the younger Arizona hurlers are more heralded and intriguing.

 

Position players later tonight...

[biedergb]

Quote:

---

Among those not listed are, and any comments here are speculative -- RHP Tom Wilhelmsen (not a go yet, apparently), LHP Carlos Ramirez (still hurt?), RHP Alvaro Martinez

---

 

As far as Ramirez and Martinez, I remember BrewCru post that once a guy has had 3 years in rookie ball, he can't go back (unless on rehab). Also, I recall reading (from someone who sounded like they had first hand knowledge) that Ramirez is still rehabbing his injured shoulder.

The other ones I'm curious about are Jared Theodorakos (did we release him only for Olympics or permanently?), Edwin Walker, and Tommy Hawk. Any news on them?

[Mass Haas]

Tommy John for Hawk, more arm problems for Walker, and Theodorakos was placed on a restricted list early in the spring -- I believe we read he asked the Brewers to do so.

[Mass Haas]

Catchers:

 

21-year-old Bryan Opdyke (5th round, 2003) -- .221 in 217 Arizona AB's over the past two summers -- more will be expected in 2005

 

Just-turned 19-year-old Angel Salome (5th round, 2004) -- much-anticipated campaign coming up for Angel

 

23-year-old Brad Willcutt (27th round, 2005) -- the Southern Mississippi product will be the "papa" of this catching crew

 

Up next, Outfielders....

[Mass Haas]

Outfielders:

Only three "natural" outfielders on the roster at this time -- if these three very young and athletic players see the bulk of the playing time, it should prove very exciting indeed. By the way, all three players are just 19 years old, all born within two weeks of each other in October 1985...

 

Stephen Chapman (6th round, 2004) -- 18 extra-base hits in 192 AB's in Arizona last summer

 

Charlie Fermaint (4th round, 2003) -- .252 in 318 AB's between Arizona and Helena the last two seasons

 

Darren Ford (18th round, 2004) -- draft-and-follow signee has been described as perhaps the fastest player in professional baseball -- that's all of professional baseball

 

Infielders to wrap things up next...

[Mass Haas]

How quickly could this all change? We'll find out when Ryan Braun signs -- you'd also have to think the signing of Miami's Brandon Katin will shake the outfield list up a bit...

 

Infielders:

 

19-year-old 1B John Alonso (12th round, 2005) -- Community College in Florida this spring, but this kid's only a year removed from high school

 

20-year-old 2B Michael Bell (15th round, 2005) -- numbers at Grayson County College: .419 with 95 hits in 227 at-bats, 14 home runs, 77 RBI, 28 stolen bases

 

21-year-old SS Ryan Crew (40th round, 2005) -- UT-San Antonio product

 

18-year-old Oscar Emeterio -- a name to watch early on; switch-hitter -- very first pro season, just signed out of the Dominican Republic this winter; position not exactly known at this time

 

22-year-old 1B Carlos Gallardo -- second year in system -- .291 with a low strikeout total at Arizona last season for this free agent signee from Texas (born in the Dominican)

 

19-year-old 3B Matt Gamel (4th round, 2005) -- since Gamel's here, then Braun will likely see West Virginia

 

22-year-old 2B Ken Holmberg (22nd round, 2005) -- if you haven't yet, check out the stories linked in the official draft selections thread on Holmberg in the Draft Forum

 

21-year-old Agustin Septimo -- third year in the system, utility man in West Virginia earlier this year

 

22-year-old 1B Ned Yost -- UW-Oshkosh stands proud

[Mass Haas]

FYI -- Brewerfan Player Index Pages for all the new draft signees likely won't be in place until later this week...

[plowjockey]

Mass

The Brewers press release says they will assign Inman to Helena, but as they list the players at the bottom of the release is says he's assigned to AZ. Which is it? Aren't high school kids typically sent to AZ, at least to start out?

[ORLANDOBREWER]

Is Katin the OF from U of Miami headed to Helena?

[Mass Haas]

All I can say on the Helena roster is that there will likely be a few updates between now and the 21st -- thus the "mostly" official thread title...

[Raul Duke]

Rumor has is it that Katin is reporting to Helena.

[Mass Haas]

The roster posted above remains accurate, the only changes since it was posted are that Robbie Wooley is in Helena (from West Virginia, as noted in the Transaction Thread), and that Brendan Katin and Kevin Roberts are both there as well.

 

18 pitchers, three catchers, nine infielders, four outfielders, and a partridge in a pear tree -- I believe league rules allow for 35 active at the rookie ball level, that's 34....

[Cyanogen5]

I am very happy to see Eric Thomas on the roster. I have been wanting to see what this kid can do since we drafted him...maybe I will finally get my chance!

[Raul Duke]

Top pick Braun sent to Helena

 

By IR Staff and Associated Press - 06/19/05

 

TORONTO (AP) ? The Milwaukee Brewers signed first-round draft pick Ryan Braun on Saturday.

 

Braun, the fifth overall selection out of the University of Miami, received a $2.45 million signing bonus. The third baseman hit .388 with 18 home runs and 76 RBI in 58 games for the Hurricanes.

 

Braun will work out at Miller Park next Saturday before he reports to the Brewers' rookie ball affiliate in Helena, Mont.

 

??We are pleased to come to an agreement with Ryan. He understands the value of joining the organization immediately,'' said Jack Zduriencik, Milwaukee's director of scouting.

 

Braun was a second team All American selection by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. The junior was the ACC player of the year and is one of five finalists for the Golden Spikes Award given to baseball's best player.

 

He was named national freshman player of the year in 2003 when he hit .364 with 76 RBI and 17 home runs.

 

 

As a high school player at Granada Hills High in Granada Hills, Calif, Braun was a three-time team MVP and holds the school record for career home runs with 25. he hit .421 or better in each of his final three seasons with a high of .456 as a sophomore.

 

Braun joins fellow third baseman Matt Gamel with the Brewers. Gamel was a fourth round draft choice this spring.

 

Helena opens the season in Missoula against the Osprey on Tuesday and has its first home game Saturday against the Great Falls White Sox at 7:05 p.m. at Kindrick Legion Field.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.helenair.com/articles...105_01.txt

 

Looking for a few good pitches

By TOM COTTON - Helena Independent Republic Sports Editor

 

The Helena Brewers will likely be capable of scoring quite a few runs this season.

 

However, manager Ed Sedar, hopes they won't have to.

 

"The pitchers have to throw strikes, get quick outs and early-count outs," he said. "Hopefully, we won't have to score a lot of runs and we will get some good pitching."

 

Sedar, who managed the club in 2003, said that pitching will be a key for his team and they will have several top arms on which to rely, including two that played for Helena last year.

 

Robbie Wooley had a 6-1 record last season and led the team in ERA (3.52) and innings pitched (64).

 

Ryan Marion also returns to Helena after striking out 25 in 20 games last season.

 

"They are leaders and set the tone for the whole staff," said Brewers pitching coach Mark Littell.

 

With some old faces, there are also some new players who are added to the mix. Steve Hammond was a sixth-round pick in the First-Year Player Draft out of Long Beach State.

 

Kevin Roberts was also a high-drafted player, taken in the fifth round from the University of Houston.

 

Littell, who has been the pitching coach for the team since 2003, said that experience is the main goal for the staff of 17 this season.

 

"They need to get their feet on the ground and get the feel of what it is about," he said. "To them it is like playing on an all-star college baseball team."

 

The Brewers pitchers should get some run support this season. In 2003, Sedar gave baserunners the steal sign frequently and while this year's squad will run, Sedar said they have the potential to hit the ball over the wall at Kindrick Legion Field.

 

"This team has a little more power, but we will still run and we have to have situational hitting," he said.

 

Sedar was impressed with outfielders Stephan Chapman, Charlie Fermaint, Darren Ford and Brendan Katin all of whom he said could hit and steal bases.

 

Fermaint played for the Brewers last season and showed some pop, hitting five home runs and also was an outstanding defensive center fielder.

 

The Brewers fourth-round pick Matthew Gamel was sent to Helena and he hit 14 home runs for Chipola, Fla., Junior College last season.

 

In the infield Carlos Gallardo should post some good numbers and Ned Yost IV has an excellent pedigree as his father is the manager at Milwaukee.

 

"He has a great makeup, coming from his father," Sedar said.

 

The Brewers finished in second place in the Pioneer League's Northern Division last season and will begin this year's campaign against foe Missoula today at 7:05 p.m. (8:05 Central) in Missoula.

 

Jon Ebelt IR Staff Photographer - The 2005 Helena Brewers pitching staff goes through a series of fielding drills including several repetitions of making an accurate throw to first base.

 

http://www.helenair.com/content/articles/2005/06/21/sports_top/b01062105_01.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.helenair.com/articles...105_01.txt

 

Gamel leaving an impression on the diamond

By TOM COTTON - IR Sports Editor

 

Matthew Gamel certainly can leave an impression upon his teammates ? whether it be batting practice or in a game.

 

"I can sit out there all day and watch him do a lot of things that most people can't do," said Darren Ford.

 

Ford knows a little about Gamel's hitting abilities, as he was a teammate of Gamel's in Chipola, Fla., Junior College, and now both are members of the Helena Brewers.

 

Gamel comes to Helena as a highly touted prospect who was drafted in the fourth round this year in the First-Year Player Draft. He hit .446 and drove in 64 runs at Chipola; however, despite his talents, he is keeping his success in perspective.

 

"I want to help the team win and do what I have to do to keep moving up," he said.

 

Moving up quickly in the Brewers organization is a distinct possibility for Gamel, although it took a few years for him to earn a name for himself.

 

He learned how to play baseball from his grandfather and then attended Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville, Fla.

 

"I wasn't that big of a name," Gamel said. "I didn't play that much as a sophomore or junior and I came in as a senior and worked hard over the summer," he said.

 

Gamel's hard work translated into a senior season where he hit .420 with eight home runs. He then went on to play for Daytona Beach Junior College, however, he had issues with the coach and moved on to Chipola.

 

"I matured a lot and realized that that is what I wanted to do," he said. "I worked harder and had a coach that gave me a chance to play the game."

 

Chipola coach Jeff Johnson saw enough in Gamel to insert him into the starting lineup and watch him deliver clutch hit after clutch hit.

 

"Every time I got on base, he drove me in," Ford said.

 

He led the Indians to within one game of the Junior College World Series and a player who described himself as ?not a big name' in high school was suddenly a top prospect.

 

He heard about the Brewers selecting him not by a phone call or even a letter, but on satellite radio in his father's truck.

 

Once he heard the news, Gamel quickly signed with the Brewers and now gets a chance to prove himself at the professional level, where he will likely turn some heads once again.

 

"I just like to think I am better than the pitcher," he said.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.helenair.com/articles...105_03.txt

 

Thunder from Down Under

By TOM COTTON - IR Sports Editor

 

David Welch went to another country and another hemisphere and he found a familiar face.

 

The Helena Brewers pitcher was headed to Helena earlier this summer to report to training camp when he had a layover at the Salt Lake City airport. Walking down the terminal he saw the back of a head that seemed familiar and he quickly recognized an old friend ? Simon Beresford.

 

It is not uncommon for baseball players to form close friendships, but both Beresford and Welch played together since they were youngsters and they have been friends just as long.

 

Beresford and Welch are both from Austrialia and have played youth baseball in Australia, college baseball in Texas and now they are playing their professional baseball in Helena as two key components of the Brewers' pitching staff.

 

"We have been best friends all the way through," Welch said.

 

The best friends began their journey to Helena in Australia, where Beresford grew up in Glen Waverly near Melbourne, and Welch grew up in Sydney. Both were drawn to a sport that doesn't hold the same importance in Australia as it does in the United States.

 

"It is more of a weekend thing back home," Welch said. "Here it is more of a lifestyle.

 

Both were introduced to the game by family members. Welch's dad is a top soccer player, and his mother wanted to make sure his schedule was filled with athletic endeavors.

 

"When I was five years old I played soccer for half the year and I needed to find another sport," Welch said.

 

Beresford watched his older brother play baseball and like many youngsters followed in his older siblings footsteps.

 

Both Welch and Beresford proved to be adept at pitching and they worked their way up the ladder in Australian youth baseball at times facing off against each other and at times they were on the same squad. The highlight of their youth baseball career came in the U-19 world championships where the Aussie team took fourth place.

 

"He (Beresford) was one of the big guys and everyone was kind of scared of him," Welch said. "But once I got to know him, he became one of my closest friends."

 

After pitching down under, the pair both came to the United States where scouts steered them toward playing for Texarkana College and later both were picked in the major league's First-Year Player Draft.

 

Beresford, who is six months older than Welch, was chosen in the 32nd round by the Brewers and was sent to Helena for his first professional games. He was effective coming out of the bullpen registering 19 strikeouts in 28 innings of work for the Brewers in 2003.

 

Beresford moved up to Class A Beloit, Wis., and earlier this season pitched for a new Brewers' affiliate, the Class A West Virginia Power.

 

Beresford had success early on for the Charleston, W. Va. club, and relied heavily upon his changeup and a fastball that reached 91 MPH. However, a lapse in control forced the Brewers organization to send him back to Helena for a second time.

 

"They had a lot of pitchers and I wanted to work on some things and get my form back," Beresford said.

 

Jim Rooney, minor league pitching coordinator for the Brewers, said that the new location should do Beresford good.

 

"He threw a fair amount in Beloit and in Australia he needed a change of scenery and a little time out."

 

Welch's form was just fine at Texarkana, Texas Community College, where he was 6-3 and had a 1.99 ERA.

 

"He has a nice pitchers body and a nice loose arm," Rooney said.

 

In what capacity they will used this season, is still yet to be decided , however, Rooney is confident that their experienced playing together should allow both Beresford and Welch to flourish in the United States.

 

"Pitching is a craft and they have been placed in a variety of competitive situations which should benefit them," Rooney said.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.helenair.com/articles...105_04.txt

 

New players want to make mark in Helena

By TOM STUBER - IR Sports Writer

 

Ah, the challenges of Pioneer League baseball.

 

Learning to hit the curve ball eventually, covering first base from the pitcher's mound from time-to-time, occasionally hitting the cut-off man.

 

But perhaps the biggest task is for the fans.

 

Learning the new players' names, figuring out how to pronounce the new players' names, surviving the chilly late innings of the first few games at Kindrick Legion Field.

 

As with each new season a spate of newbies come from all over the globe to take their first crack at professional baseball in the Pioneer League. A league that has produced names like Ryne Sandberg and Pedro Martinez, but more names like Al Mealing and Mike Judge.

 

For every Sandberg there are hundreds of Mealings. For every Martinez countless Judges and this year, as usual, there will be about 200 players with their sights set on being the next big name to come out of the league.

 

Great Falls White Sox

 

This year's FallSox have a handful of players who've been around the block in the Electric City. Guys like pitcher Matt Nachreiner, who will be playing for Great Falls for the third year.

 

Great Falls was in the 2004 Pioneer League playoffs and manager John Orton is back looking to repeat the performance. The White Sox are expected to be a hard-hitting bunch in 2005 and can also run.

 

Billings Mustangs

 

Another Northern Division foe, Billings, is once again looking to be one of the powerhouses in the league. The Mustangs will take on Great Falls in their season opener and they, like the White Sox, have a number of players back from last year's team.

 

Pitchers Rainer Feliz and Charles O'Neil have been assigned to Billings. O'Neil joined the team late in the season and did not surrender a run in the two games he pitched in Billings.

 

Catcher Jason Ellis also is back after hitting .250 in 19 games in Billings last year.

 

Missoula Osprey

 

The Osprey are Helena's first opponent as the Brewers will travel to the Garden City for their first game.

 

Missoula's parent organization the Arizona Diamondbacks' have been slow in assigning players to their farm league affiliates, but many expect sixth round pick Greg Smith out of Lousiana State University to land with the Osprey.

 

Smith finished the 2005 season tied for the team lead in victories (10-3) and was second in ERA (2.60). He fired three complete games including two shutouts for the Tigers this year.

 

Casper Rockies

 

Casper will have some hometown flavor on this year's club. That's because Casper Oilers American Legion star Jesse Brownell will be home for the summer from the University of Iowa.

 

As a member of the Casper Oilers American Legion team in 2001 Brownell led the Oilers to a state runner-up finish. He hit .510 with 16 home runs with the Oilers. Brownell then played at Lamar College in Colorado before heading to Iowa to play for the Hawkeyes. Brownell drove in 26 runs for Iowa in 2004 in addition to hitting a team high four triples.

 

Idaho Falls Chukars

 

The Chukars mother ship in Kansas City recently sent eight players to Idaho Falls. Among them is fifth-round pick shortstop Shawn Hayes and sixth-rounder Ryan Dipietro.

 

The Chukars will travel to Casper for their season opener. They also have a hometown product on the roster as Kiel Thibault, a catcher out of Gonzaga, is a native of Jerome, Idaho.

 

Ogden Raptors

 

Southern Division force Ogden will be gunning for another trip to postseason play in 2005. Luke Hochevar a lanky right-hander out of Tennessee is one player that may end up on the Raptors roster.

 

Hochevar was the No. 1 pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers and led Tennessee hurlers this season in a number of categories.

 

Orem Owlz

 

The Provo Angels, last year's champions, have moved to Orem this year. The Owlz have sent a number of players into advanced farm leagues.

 

Shortstop Brandon Wood is lighting up the California League. Wood leads the league with 19 home runs and is tied for fourth in the league with 48 RBI. Wood also leads the league with 40 extra base hits and is second with a .636 slugging percentage.

 

He was a first-round draft pick (23rd overall) of the Angels in 2003 and continues to set a single-season high with 19 home runs and is 15 RBI short of tying his season high of 64 RBI last season in Cedar Rapids of the Midwest League.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.helenair.com/articles...105_02.txt

 

Former Brewers moving up

By JOSH JORDAN - IR Sports Writer

 

For many of the Helena Brewers, Kindrick Legion Field and the Pioneer League mark the beginning of what they hope will be a long career in professional baseball.

 

Each player on this year's roster hopes to be the next Gary Sheffield, Greg Vaughn or Ryne Sandberg, all of whom opened their professional careers in the Capital City.

 

While recent Helena players have yet to make a splash in the big leagues with the Milwaukee Brewers, several are key cogs for teams in the parent team's minor league system.

 

The roster for the West Virginia Power, the Brewers' class A affiliate in Charleston, W.Va., is littered with players from last year's Helena team. Eleven members of last year's team are now playing in Charleston.

 

That group includes shortstop Alcides Escobar who is hitting .294 in 248 at bats. He leads the team in doubles with 11 and runs with 43. His 73 hits, six triples and 14 stolen bases rank second on the team.

 

Pitcher Josh Wahpepah has had the most success from the mound of the former Helena players in West Virginia. The right-hander is 4-3 with a 3.61 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 72.1 innings pitched this season.

 

Hard-hitting first baseman Josh Brady has split time between West Virginia and the Brewers long-season class A affiliate in Brevard County, Florida. Brady had nine doubles, four home runs and 24 RBI while hitting .243 for the Power and has a home run and a double in 56 at bats for the Manatees in Brevard County.

 

He is not alone in Florida where former Helena players have had a positive impact on the club.

 

None more than pitcher Ty Taubeneheim who is 8-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 13 starts for the Manatees. The team's ace started for the East squad in the Florida League all-star game Saturday night.

 

Teammate Drew Anderson is also making a name for himself in Florida with a .290 batting average in 245 at bats. His 37 runs and 71 hits leads the team. The outfielder also has eight doubles, four triples and three home runs.

 

Steve Sollman, a fan favorite on last year's club, is hitting .244 in 213 at bats in Florida and 2003 Pioneer League MVP Lou Palmisano is hitting .234 with three home runs and 22 RBI in 209 at bats.

 

While the Brewers' minor league system extends to AAA ball in Nashville, several of the top prospects are in Huntsville, Ala., playing with the AA stars where the list of former Helena players moving up the Brewers' organization continues.

 

Left-handed pitcher Dana Eveland is in the midst of a hot streak, giving up four earned runs in his last 27 innings pitched. He has won four straight starts in that stretch to improve to 7-4 on the season.

 

Mitch Stetter leads the team with five saves and has a 2.37 ERA in 38 innings pitched.

 

Infielder Vinny Rottino is hitting .274 in 237 at bats with 12 doubles, three home runs and 29 RBI for the Manatees.

[Raul Duke]

Braun leaves respectable first impression

 

By KEVIN SHIVELY - IR Sports Writer - 6/27/05

 

The Helena Brewers seemed to cool off a bit after a one-hour rain delay Sunday afternoon, but were able to pick things up in the final innings to secure their 10-4 win over the Great Falls White Sox.

 

The win kept the Brewers perfect on the season with a 6-0 record.

 

First-round draft pick Ryan Braun had a very respectable outing in his first professional game.

 

Braun was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a sacrifice fly as the Helena club's designated hitter.

 

The Brewers were down 1-0 after the top half of the first when Braun hit the sac-fly to land his first RBI and spark a hitting streak by the Brewers that led to six runs on six hits.

 

In the bottom of the third, the rain came down and the tarps came out, suspending play for over an hour.

 

 

After the delay, Helena didn't score again until the seventh inning when Braun hit an RBI single to score center fielder Charlie Fermaint. White Sox pitcher James Casey walked in the second run of the inning.

 

Fermaint was 3-for-5 in the game with three runs scored.

 

In the eighth, Helena catcher Angel Solome picked up his fourth hit, second double and second and third RBI with a hard double off the left field wall.

 

Christopher Jean started on the mound for the Brewers, pitching three complete innings before the rain delay and allowing only four hits and one run.

 

Rafael Lluberes relieved Jean after the rain let up and pitched four innings of five-hit baseball, posting his first win of the season.

 

Yunior Novoa gave up six runs in his two innings on the mound and collected his second loss of the season.

 

Brandon Allen led the White Sox at the plate, collecting three RBI. Evan Tartaglia scored on a fielder's choice from Allen in the first, and then Allen sent a 3-1 pitch over the wall in the fifth to score twice more.

 

Helena will look to keep its perfect record tonight as they play host to the Missoula Osprey. Tyler Morrison (1-0, 3.00) will take the mound for Helena and Derik Nippert (0-0, 10.80) will pitch for the Osprey. The first pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

 

 

www.helenair.com/articles/2005/06/27/sports_top/b01062705_01.txt

[Mass Haas]

Thanks, but a reminder to Helena Brewer fans, articles such as this are included in each and every Daily Link Report on that day's activity.