Your 2005 Huntsville Stars, Latest: All-Time Stats Leaders

[MassBrew]

Latest from the Stars' site:

 

www.huntsvillestars.com/s...newsId=544

 

Today?s report (Friday's action) will give the fan that has not had the opportunity to visit spring training an idea of what a typical day?s workout might be.

 

With the exception of a few players still in the major league camp the Brewers? minor leaguers began the morning organized into groups spread out on four fields. The activities are organized down to the minute. An air horn is sounded as a warning and then a second blast signals the players to rotate to another field.

 

Since I am serving as a ?correspondent? for the Stars I decided to follow the group placed with Stars coaches Don Money and Sandy Guerrero. First up on all fields was basic stretching exercises. The Stars group then rotated to a different field to take part in running drills. This included what appeared to be a 40-yard run for time. On another field I spotted pitchers working on basic throwing mechanics.

 

Next players warmed up their throwing arms. The infielders in this group then worked on fielding ground balls and turning double plays. Although many decisions are still to be made the Huntsville infield for 2005 is likely to be made up of at least some of the following players who worked with this group. Brandon Gemoll worked out at first. Chris Barnwell and Callix Crabbe at second. Barnwell also took some ground balls at shortstop, along with Steve Scarborough and Ozzie Chavez. Kevin Orie and Tony Zuniga were at third.

 

The next two stations were bunting practice and then instruction on taking proper leads off third base led by coach/instructor Joel Youngblood. Finally the groups set up for batting practice, at which time I left for the major league game.

 

Oakland faced the Brewers in today?s game at Maryvale Baseball Park. As usual I kept an eye out for former Stars. Three were in the opening lineup for the Brewers, Bill Hall at 2nd, J. J. Hardy at shortstop and Corey Hart in left field. Hall went 2-4 including a double and a stolen base. J. J. had a tough game; going 0-3 and letting a ground ball go through his legs for an error. Hart was 1-4.

 

Prince Fielder came into the game in the 6th inning at first base. He singled, a hard line drive into center field in his first at bat and walked in the 9th, stealing second but being stranded there as Trent Durrington grounded out to end the game. Dave Krynzel entered the game in the 8th playing center field. His one at bat resulted in a foul out, a play that A?s catcher Kurt Suzuki reached over the railing into the stands near the Brewers dugout to make a great catch. Rickie Weeks had a pinch hit appearance, grounding out to shortstop.

 

This article was written by Jim Sandoval. He will be serving as a correspondent for the Huntsville Stars official web site at the Milwaukee Brewers Spring Training Facility in Arizona. Sandoval's posts will be updated from time to time on the site until the start of the Stars season.

[MassBrew]

Yet another Stars' site report (RHP Glenn Woolard pictured at link):

 

www.huntsvillestars.com/s...newsId=546

 

Mea Culpa. In my report of 17 March the part of Manny Parra in the intra-squad game was actually played by Matt Ford.

 

The weekend saw more fans in the minor league complex. Saturday the minor leaguers worked out in the morning in preparation for their first game action against another organization. The Oakland Athletics sent over two teams from their home base at Papago Park in Phoenix. With some of the players destined for AAA still in the major league camp many players play up a level in these games. Some of the players in the AAA game will be assigned to AA Huntsville to begin the season. The same holds true with an AA game and players eventually being assigned to A level clubs. For this reason I concentrated on the AAA game.

 

Glenn Woolard started on the mound for the Brewers and turned in an excellent performance. Mixing a good fastball with a sharp breaking ball he pitched four innings, allowing only one hit. Most of the outs were recorded on ground balls, evidence of the good movement on his pitches. He struck out two, allowing no bases on balls.

 

Offensively the leaders were third baseman Kevin Orie and outfielder Kennard Bibbs, each with two hits. Bibbs replaced starter Nelson Cruz in right field and hit safely in both of his at bats. In his first at bat in the 6th inning he drilled a hard ground ball over first base that rolled into the right field corner. Bibbs raced into third with a triple. He also singled in the 8th.

 

On Sunday morning I watched the AAA/AA players take batting practice in the batting cage. Two hitters who were especially impressive were Nelson Cruz and Kennard Bibbs. The ball just explodes off Cruz?s bat. Bibbs has the knack to get the bat head to the ball consistently hitting line drives in all directions. Also impressive was the left handed line drive swing of Drew Anderson.

 

After batting practice the upper level minor leaguers took a break before heading to Surprise, Arizona for exhibition games. In a surprise for the fans in the minor league complex some of the major league Brewers came there to take some batting practice as well. Meanwhile I headed over to the stadium to watch the visiting Texas Rangers hit.

 

In the major league game the Brewers defeated the Rangers 8-5. Former Huntsville Star Ben Sheets started on the mound, pitching three innings and allowing three runs. He struck out four and walked two. He, by my unofficial count, threw 64 pitches, 47 for strikes and 17 balls.

 

Other former Stars who appeared in the game included Bill Hall, the starter at shortstop. He went 0-3 at the plate. Corey Hart singled in his only at bat. J.J. Hardy walked and flew out in two plate appearances. Dave Krynzel pinch ran, only to be immediately caught stealing.

 

Two baseball people of note were in the Press Box for today?s game. Bob Uecker, celebrating his 50th year in the game, called the game on radio. Katy Feeney, an executive in the Commissioner?s office, also attended.

 

This article was written by Jim Sandoval. He will be serving as a correspondent for the Huntsville Stars official web site at the Milwaukee Brewers Spring Training Facility in Arizona. Sandoval's posts will be updated from time to time on the site until the start of the Stars season.

[MassBrew]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.globegazette.com/arti...615633.txt

 

Nelson keeps getting closer to majors

By JARED PATTERSON, Of The North Iowa Globe Gazette

 

PHOENIX ? Brad Nelson keeps inching closer to the big leagues.

 

The former Bishop Garrigan standout spent the first three weeks of spring training with the Milwaukee Brewers before he was sent down to their minor league camp on March 15.

 

Nelson was hitting .412 (5-for-12) with six runs scored, five RBI and a home run with the Brewers.

 

"It's a blast, now I just have to shoot to stay up there," he said.

 

Nelson did, however, leave a good impression with the team that selected him in the fourth round of the 2001 draft.

 

After learning that he would be sent down, Nelson got one final at bat and made the most of it.

 

As a pinch-hitter, Nelson hit a three-run homer off Texas' Ryan Bukvich, helping the Brewers to a 6-4 win.

 

"That was a good way to leave," Nelson said. "The best thing was just to be there, talking to the coaches and players. They've all been there and done that."

 

Nelson spent last year at Double-A Huntsville, hitting .254 with 19 home runs and 77 RBI. He won the Southern League home run derby and was selected to the league's mid- and postseason All-Star teams.

 

He'll begin 2005 at either Double-A Huntsville or Triple-A Nashville.

 

"The higher the better," Nelson said. "I just have to go out and keep doing what I do.

 

"I've been down here seeing live pitching, so I'm ready."

[MassBrew]

Stars' online series wraps up (Jeff Housman the pictured player at link):

 

www.huntsvillestars.com/s...newsId=548

 

Stars Spring Fever:

Huntsville Spring Report

 

My final day in the desert was the type that tourist agencies use in their advertising. Sunny, warm, a soft breeze blowing, made for wearing shorts and a T-shirt. My first stop this morning was the major league camp to watch pitchers fielding practice. Next it was on to the minor league side of the complex for some batting practice.

 

The plan was to observe another AAA game but as an added bonus some major leaguers appeared as well. The Brewers sent over outfielder Carlos Lee to get some extra at bats. The Angels, whose big league club was off today, sent the battery of catcher Jose Molina and pitcher Bartolo Colon. Colon?s presence drew many writers and scouts, along with Angels? officials.

 

On the mound for the Brewers was former Huntsville Star Jeff Housman. The lefty worked four innings allowing two runs on six hits. He struck out three and walked none. The second run scored after a ball was lost in the sun, dropping for a hit in the infield. If that ball had been caught, the third out of the inning would have been recorded before the run-scoring hit.

 

Colon threw five innings, allowing only two hits. Kevin Orie smacked a double, moved to third on an error and scored on a sacrifice fly for the only run off Colon. Carlos Lee sent a single into left field, his only hit in the five at-bats I observed. Lee hit third in each inning of the game. In exhibition games it is not unusual for teams to allow such practices for players to get in necessary work. At the end of this game for example the Brewers batted two innings (six outs) straight to allow an Angel pitcher to get in an inning of work.

 

In the next two weeks the Brewers organization will be finalizing rosters for the season. Stars fans can get an idea of who might be assigned to Huntsville from the transactions section of the sports page. Like falling dominos when a player is sent down from the Brewers to AAA Nashville a corresponding move will be made dropping a player to AA Huntsville. A late trade near the end of spring training or picking up a released player from another organization will affect the roster as well. Final decisions will probably not be made until the end of the month.

 

This article was written by Jim Sandoval. This is his final post from Arizona. He has served as a correspondent for the Huntsville Stars official web site at the Milwaukee Brewers Spring Training Facility in Arizona.

 

Our thanks to Jim and the folks in the Huntsville front office! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[MassBrew]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.al.com/sports/huntsvi...451760.xml

 

Adams one of those guys who deserves success

At 27, Bible-reader still strives toward big-league goal

Huntsville Times

Contact Mark McCarter at markcolumn@aol.com

 

MARYVALE, Ariz. - Late in a nondescript spring training game, with a strong breeze and an attack of clouds throwing a chill over the place, you suddenly found yourself paying attention. You hung on every pitch.

 

Brian Adams was on the mound for the Huntsville Stars, wrapping up things in the final inning.

 

He's one of the good guys. He's one of the ones to root for.

 

He's a 27-year-old lefthander, a devout Christian you can often find, two hours before a game, relaxing somewhere outside the clubhouse, reading his Bible. He has a nest of thick, dirty-blond hair, a slight gap in his grin and the wingspan of a condor.

 

He is also - did we mention? - 27 years old. He is beginning his sixth season, likely headed back to Huntsville, where he has made 84 relief appearances the last two summers.

 

"I was hoping to make the Triple-A team (Nashville),'' he said, changing his shoes after his inning's work on Wednesday. "Now my goal is to get up there this year, then to the big leagues.''

 

There is no retirement discussion, except when fielding questions from family and friends.

 

"We don't talk about it,'' said his wife, Lindsay, who still revels in what she calls "fun and adventure'' from living the baseball life.

 

"You know my faith in God,'' Adams said, grabbing his equipment bag. "I just feel like this is where I'm supposed to be right now. I love the game, I love the guys, I love the competition. As long as I'm healthy and feel this is where the Lord wants me, this is where I want to be.''

 

His age, in an organization full of young hotshots, works against him.

 

His arm works for him. Lefties are a valuable commodity. The pitching gurus here are working with him to be especially tough on left-handed hitters.

 

A lefty who can get out lefties consistently can make a nice living and play for years.

 

He got 'em out Wednesday.

 

Adams first faced a veteran hitter more stubborn than a coldsore. He ran the count to 3-2, never able to get around quickly enough on Adams' fastball to manage anything but a foul ball. "I couldn't get it by him, and he couldn't get around on me,'' Adams said. "I didn't know what to throw him.''

 

After a sly changeup got the batter's timing off, Adams retired him on a routine fly to left - if any fly ball in an Arizona wind can be considered routine.

 

Then came a soft single to right-center on a 2-0 pitch, the only mistake pitch out of 20, and a seeing-eye single that was six inches from being a game-ending double play.

 

No matter.

 

Adams whiffed the next batter then got an easy grounder for the final out.

 

It was a lefty hitter.

 

"The last outing, I was looking for the feel of pitches. It wasn't quite right,'' Adams said. "Today, I just went out and threw.''

 

He threw a nice, tidy inning, then headed toward the gate, where Lindsay was waiting, her jangled nerves - she's that way every time he pitches - finally back to normal.

 

At this stage of their lives, without a Fort Knox of bonus money stashed away in a mattress somewhere, Brian and Lindsay still need to hold down offseason jobs to make ends meet.

 

Lindsay registered with a temp agency when they returned to their Lexington, S.C., home in the offseason. She ended up as a secretary for a law firm.

 

Brian went to work with Wilson Sports Turf Management Services, where he helped rebuild playing fields throughout the state.

 

Naturally, he began to specialize in rebuilding pitching mounds.

 

The one at Joe Davis Stadium "is pretty good,'' Adams said.

 

Without being boastful, he added, "I think I could make it better.''

 

Adams makes a pitching staff - and a team - better by merely his presence. Why shouldn't he make a pile of dirt and clay better, too?

[MassBrew]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.al.com/sports/huntsvi...109481.xml

 

Future's in Stars, but which ones?

Nashville's spring lineup may end up in Huntsville

Huntsville Times

Contact Mark McCarter at markcolumn@aol.com

 

MARYVALE, Ariz. - It's high noon, and the Huntsville Stars are getting clobbered.

 

Four-zip already, the game two innings old.

 

Which is really fantastic news.

 

Since it's the 2005 Huntsville Stars who are beating the current Huntsville Stars.

 

Confusing?

 

You don't know confusing until you try to keep up with a baseball game between two teams in identical uniforms, with one umpire (also in that same uniform), with two or three designated hitters lobbed into the batting order almost on a whim, no scoreboard, two cool Cruzes and a nearby player's mother's cellphone that alternately sounds like a symphony and a heart monitor.

 

The current Huntsville Stars wear jerseys with the names of Brady and Morris and Sollman, Palmisano and Heether and Anderson.

 

You can now temporarily file those names away until late 2005 or even until 2006.

 

A majority of the Huntsville Stars we'll see in 2005 - still officially on the roster of the Triple-A Nashville Sounds - are in the opposite dugout from Thursday's Huntsville Stars for this intracamp game.

 

Confusing?

 

You don't know confusing half as much as two young female fans from Nashville on a scouting mission, spending much time seeing and being seen around the field where the Triple-A team works out. Happily for them, they'll be only two hours away from any player they have targeted.

 

Ask around anywhere about the roster make-up for this season, you get the same answer:

 

"It's still early.''

 

It is indeed still 10 days before the teams break camp for the season, but not in the last half-dozen years have there been so many questions to be answered, decisions to be made.

 

It's a happy problem the Milwaukee officials have. Too many prospects, not enough jobs.

 

A large number of minor leaguers remain with the major league club - for instance, Corey Hart started for the Brewers on Thursday - because "they want to get a better look at guys like Prince (Fielder) and Rickie (Weeks) and Hart,'' says director of player development Reid Nichols.

 

The Brewers want them exposed to big-league pitching and big-league games as much as possible to make their inevitable promotions more smooth.

 

One promising prospect is Nelson Cruz, a newcomer acquired from Oakland who blasted a first-inning home run for the Triple-A team that stayed in the air long enough to send back weather reports.

 

Bold prediction: If the Brewers send Cruz to Huntsville for a majority of this season - there will be some major soul-searching ahead that Cruz has made even more difficult - he will be the Southern League MVP.

 

Enrique Cruz, no relation, began last season in Huntsville but struggled, hitting only .188 in 35 games and making 10 errors. He straightened things out at High Desert and hit in 28 straight games in July and August.

 

He's still on the hot streak.

 

He had four hits for the current Stars, and he'll be dueling incumbent Ozzie Chavez for the shortstop job in Huntsville.

 

"Save 'em,'' suggested a teammate as Cruz caught his breath on the bench after his final hit, a triple. "It's still March.

 

"It's still early.''

[MassBrew]

Lengthy notes column from Mark McCarter this week, link while active, text follows:

 

www.al.com/stars/huntsvil...255650.xml

 

From Canseco to Hudson, former Huntsville players keep making news

Contact Mark McCarter at markcolumn@aol.com

Huntsville Times

 

It was hard to escape thoughts of former Huntsville Stars while covering spring training this year.

 

At the same time new Stars prepared under an Arizona sun for the team's 21st season in Huntsville, former Star Jose Canseco became a best-selling, ahem, author and joined two other former Huntsville players - Mark McGwire and Jason Giambi - in getting invited to the Congressional steroids hearings. (Giambi was excused from testifying.)

 

Here are springtime reflections on past Stars, many whom made it to The Show.

 

The starriest ex-Stars

 

Among Huntsville's graduates to the big leagues, here are the five best currently (in order):

 

1. Miguel Tejada, SS, Baltimore Orioles (Stars 1997-98)

 

2. Tim Hudson, P, Atlanta Braves (Stars 1998)

 

3. Eric Chavez, 3B, Oakland Athletics (Stars 1998)

 

4. Ben Sheets, P, Milwaukee Brewers (Stars 2000)

 

5. Ramon Hernandez, C, San Diego Padres (Stars 1997-98)

 

Here's the same list, five years down the road:

 

1. J.J. Hardy, SS, Milwaukee Brewers (Stars 2002-03)

 

2. Eric Chavez, 3B, Oakland Athletics

 

3. Tim Hudson, P, Atlanta Braves

 

4. Rickie Weeks, 2B, Milwaukee Brewers (Stars 2004)

 

5. Mike Jones, P, Milwaukee Brewers (Stars 2003)

 

Here's the same list, five years down the road, according to Tom Haudricourt, the national baseball writer for The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:

 

1. Miguel Tejada, SS, Baltimore

 

2. Prince Fielder, 1B, Milwaukee (Stars 2004)

 

3. Rickie Weeks, 2B, Milwaukee

 

4. Ben Sheets, P, Milwaukee

 

5. Tim Hudson, P, Atlanta

 

Among Huntsville's graduates to the big leagues, here are the five best all-time (in order):

 

1. Mark McGwire, 1B, Oakland, St. Louis (Stars 1986)

 

2. Jose Canseco, OF, Oakland, many others (Stars 1985, '89)

 

3. Miguel Tejada, SS, Oakland, Baltimore

 

4. Terry Steinbach, C, Oakland, Minnesota (Stars 1985-86)

 

5. Jason Giambi, 1B, Oakland, NY Yankees (Stars 1994)

 

The black sheep of the family

 

Jose Canseco: In his new tell-all - or tattle-tale - book "Juiced,'' Canseco admits to steroid use. In fact, it began before he came to Huntsville in 1985 and continued here. Canseco also ratted out ex-teammates Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro among others as steroid users. On the other hand, Jose tells us that he and Madonna were just friends.

 

Mark McGwire: His pursuit of Roger Maris' home run record in 1998, dueling with Sammy Sosa, was said to have "saved baseball'' after several years of bad P.R. He used andro, a non-steroid supplement, that season but Canseco said he used to inject McGwire in the buttocks with steroids. Will the steroid crackdown now be the next time McGwire helps save baseball, or must he worry about saving his reputation?

 

Jason Giambi: The McGwire protege tearfully confessed to using steroids. The American League MVP in 2000, his career has gone downhill, including a 2004 season that was basically a washout as he dealt with a mysterious illness.

 

Bobby Chouinard: (Stars 1995) On Christmas Day 1999, a reportedly intoxicated Chouinard began an argument with his wife in front of their 17-month-old child. Chouinard was charged with striking his wife and trying to choke her, and he reportedly even pointed a gun at her. He served time in jail, was fined $25,000 and was required to undergo counseling. His career essentially ground to a halt.

 

Luis Polonia: A Stars outfielder in 1985, he was arrested in Milwaukee on August 16, 1989, for having sex with a 15-year old girl he picked up at the team hotel's bar. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail and given a $1,500 fine after pleading no contest to a charge of having sex with a minor.

 

Feel-good stories

 

David Newhan: (Stars 1997) After a career full of injuries and some modest playing time in the majors, the son of a Hall of Fame sports writer hit the big time with Baltimore last season. He hit .311 in 95 games with 54 RBIs and will play a key utility role for the Orioles this season.

 

Huntsville Olympians: Outfielders Mike Neill (Stars 1992-93, '95, '97-98) and Ernie Young (Stars 1993-94) and pitcher Ben Sheets were all members of the 2000 U.S. Olympic team that won a gold medal in Sydney, Australia. Sheets pitched a complete-game, three-hit shutout as the U.S. upset Cuba in the gold medal game. Neill hit an extra-inning homer to beat Japan in a preliminary game, and homered to stake Sheets to a 2-0 lead in the gold medal game.

 

Bucky Jacobsen: (Stars 1999-2002) It seemed Jacobsen would be a career minor leaguer, albeit an intensely popular one, one of the few players who had an official fan club while still in Single-A. The Brewers let the slugger with the Paul Bunyan build depart, then the Cardinals let him go to Seattle. There, he had a sensational start in Triple-A in 2004, then was promoted to the majors in August and hit four homers in his first nine games.

 

Scott Brosius: (Stars 1989-90) How much did Huntsville mean to him? On a family trip to the South two seasons ago, he went out of his way to visit Joe Davis Stadium to show his kids where dad used to play. He also used to play in Yankee Stadium - where the classy third baseman was named the MVP of the 1998 World Series, a four-game New York sweep of San Diego as Brosius batted .471, hit two homers and drove in six runs.

 

Memories Of Huntsville

 

"It was the ninth inning on a Saturday night game and we had a big, big crowd. And (general manager Bryan) Dingo didn't want us to lose that one. We were up by two and I went up over the fence in right-center and robbed a guy of a home run.''

 

- David Krynzel (Stars 2002-03)

 

"A lot of long bus rides. That's what I remember about the Southern League. It was a learning experience for me. The people in Huntsville were great. I just remember it being really hot.''

 

- Tim Hudson

 

"Beating Birmingham at Birmingham to make the championship that year (2003). Especially when they had some less-than-quality human beings on that team.''

 

- Frank Kremblas (Stars manager 2002-04)

 

"I caught the last out in the playoff series against Birmingham. It was big. I hadn't been around all season to know all the history, but I knew we didn't like them.''

 

- Brad Nelson (Stars 2003-04)

 

"Hitting a home run in the first game last year, after I had told all my teammates I would hit the first home run.''

 

- Ryan Knox (Stars 2001-04)

 

"Us going to the championship. I was the MVP that year and that was one of the better things that ever happened to me, but I couldn't have done it if we didn't have a championship kind of team.''

 

- Corey Hart (Stars 2002-03)

 

"To be honest with you, I don't remember much about it at all. Sorry.''

 

- Mark McGwire

 

The four best names in the Brewers' minor league camp this spring

 

1. Thomas Hawk

 

2. Angel Salome

 

3. Khalid Ballouli

 

4. Roque Mercedes

 

Reading the fine print

 

What's sky blue, unfolds four times and has more vague language than a daily horoscope and more big words than a George Will column?

 

It's a standard "Minor League Uniform Player Contract.'' Not uniform as in what they wear.

 

Minor league players sign an eight-page document each year, full of legalese that protects both the club (especially) and the player (fairly well).

 

Page one is actually a biographical information sheet. Then you open it up to the whereas and therefore. The last page is mostly blank, an addendum page for bonus information.

 

A separate one-page addendum covers the player's salary.

 

While many major league contracts may specifically prohibit certain dangerous activities - skydiving, motorcycles, running with scissors - the minor league contract covers most anything "detrimental'' to a career. It has clauses that require a player to be in good physical condition.

 

Some even sound like a Boy Scout oath: To "serve diligently and faithfully ... and comply with organization rules.''

 

And, you ask, what about that addendum covering salaries? A player in the first year with the organization, at the Double-A level, makes $1,600 a month in-season. It escalates according to tenure and the level at which they play.

 

What's happening now

 

David Krynzel made a strong push to stick with the Brewers with his 4-for-4 game Friday against the White Sox, including a homer. "It put my mind at ease,'' he says. "It was a confidence booster.''

 

It seems likely he'll be Milwaukee's fourth outfielder, giving the Brewers some speed and base-stealing ability on the bench, a capable late-inning defensive replacement for a not-so-fast Carlos Lee in left and as the back-up in center to Brady Clark.

 

Prince Fielder and Rickie Weeks, the highly touted prospects at Huntsville last season, are still in big-league camp. They're expected to remain with the Brewers at least through tonight. That's because tonight's game will be broadcast back to Milwaukee and new team owner Mark Attanasio reportedly suggested it would be a good idea to let folks back home get a good look at the promising talent for the future.

 

Fielder was batting .306 with three homers and 14 RBIs going into Saturday's game and Weeks was at .289 with 38 at-bats.

 

J.J. Hardy was the Brewers' shortstop of the future only three years ago when he was promoted to Huntsville as a 19-year-old. The future is now. Hardy will be Milwaukee's starting shortstop - even more remarkable when you consider he missed much of last season after shoulder surgery.

 

The Brewers like his glove, intelligence and hitting potential. Infield coach Rich Dauer, the former Oriole, has compared him to the late Baltimore great Mark Belanger.

 

"I like his makeup,'' says Milwaukee manager Ned Yost. "I like his ability to field the ground ball and throw it accurately. I like his leadership capabilities. He's a quality young man.''

 

On Saturday, the Giants' Deivi Cruz hit a smash off the glove of Milwaukee third baseman Wes Helms. Hardy was backing up on the play and neatly fielded the ricochet and threw Cruz out by two steps, a sensational play.

 

Ben Hendrickson (Stars 2002-03) was the Brewers' minor league pitcher of the year after winning 11 games at Triple-A. However, when he was sent up to the majors he struggled, going 1-8. The Brewers demoted him to Triple-A Nashville Saturday morning after he was 1-1 and gave up 28 hits in 14 innings of work this spring.

 

"It's OK,'' Hendrickson says. "I'm working through some new mechanics and I'm starting to feel more comfortable with them.'' Hendrickson has dropped his release point to more of a three-quarters delivery, giving him more movement on his pitches.

 

Ben Sheets' contract is a major topic in spring training. His agent, Casey Close, is meeting with Brewers general manager Doug Melvin in hopes of settling on a long-term contract. His current deal expires after 2006. He could command in the neighborhood of a four-year, $40 million deal, much like another former Huntsville pitcher, Tim Hudson. Sheets pitched six innings in a minor league game Friday, allowing only two hits. He had off-season back surgery, but shows no ill effects from that.

 

Bucky Jacobsen continues to rehab his surgically repaired knee. The first baseman made a big splash with the fans - and the Mariners - when he made his big league debut last season. According to Seattle sources, Jacobsen "should be ready about a month from now'' and start the season in Triple-A.

 

Former Huntsville reliever Jack Krawczyk (Stars 2000-02) is making a tough trip this weekend. He's now in his first year as the pitching coach at Arizona State - and his Sun Devils are playing at Southern Cal, where Krawczyk played collegiately and set an NCAA record for saves.

 

Todd Van Poppel (Stars 1991) has retired after being in camp with the Mets. Van Poppel, 33, an Oakland farmhand rushed up to the majors by the Athletics, played 11 seasons for seven different teams.

 

Brian Adams (Stars 2003), a left-handed reliever and classy guy, was released Saturday by the Brewers.

 

Catcher Kade Johnson (Stars 2003) is still struggling with a bum throwing shoulder that might ultimately require surgery.

 

Outfielder Tony Gwynn (Stars 2004) has been working with Triple-A Nashville all spring, but expects to return to Huntsville. He's content with that decision, saying, "I want to show I'm better than a .245 hitter.''

 

Odds and ends

 

Bill Hall (Stars 2001) looks to be set for a utility role for the Brewers again. He's batting .351 in camp. ... Currently on the Stars' roster, but likely to begin in A-ball, is infielder Steven Sollman, the Brewers' 10th-round pick out of Notre Dame. His brother, Scott, played for the Stars in 1999. ... Jose Capellan, a highly touted prospect when with the Braves but who was traded for Brewers closer Dan Kolb in the off-season, was sent to Triple-A Saturday. He had a 9.69 ERA in 13 innings work but did strike out 12. ... Mike Coolbaugh (Stars '97) is making a great push to stick with Houston.

 

After all those years of affiliation between the Oakland Athletics and Huntsville Stars, can you believe that third baseman Eric Chavez is the only player left from those days on the Oakland roster? Pitcher Tim Harrikala (Stars 2000) is bidding to make the team, but he came through Huntsville in the Milwaukee days after already having been in the majors. Chavez is nearing superstar status, with four consecutive Gold Gloves. Astounding for those who remember him as a young player who approached defense with great indifference. He just signed a six-year, $66 million deal. ...

 

The 1998 Stars team of manager Jeffrey "Hac-Man'' Leonard failed to make much noise in the playoffs, dropping three in a row to Mobile in the first round. But it is making noise in the majors. Along with Chavez, others on that team currently in the majors are shortstop Miguel Tejada (Baltimore), catcher Ramon Hernandez (San Diego) and pitchers Tim Hudson (Atlanta), Eric DuBose (Baltimore), Luis Vizcaino (White Sox) and Chad Harville (Houston). ... And whatever became of Justin Bowles?

[lend d money]

If Money has Bibbs and Gwynn at the top of the lineup(remember, both are OF's), he might very well have the light on power, high on speed type of team he seems to cherish. For those of you in Alabama who aren't familiar with Don, he isn't bashful about utilizing the running game.

[MassBrew]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.al.com/sports/huntsvi...157420.xml

 

If you need it, Rottino's got it

Like his equipment bag, 24-year-old utility player is prepared

Contact Mark McCarter at markcolumn@aol.com

Huntsville Times

 

MARYVALE, Ariz. - "We've got catching equipment ..."Two outfielders gloves ..."Two infielders gloves ...

 

"First baseman's mitt ...

 

"Bats, batting gloves ...

 

"Two pair of shoes, in case a shoestring breaks or something ...''

 

You ask, "A 9-iron? Three sleeves of balls?''

 

"The kitchen sink,'' he counters.

 

That's the inventory for Vinny Rottino's equipment bag.

 

Forty pounds worth, he figures.

 

Ladies, every time you think you have a cluttered purse and can't find your Chapstick without pulling out 12 pounds of junk to get to it - or men, every time you sit exasperated as the wife fumbles through her purse - well, meet Vinny Rottino's bag.

 

It is much-needed paraphernalia.

 

He is a baseball version of a Swiss army knife. Anything you need, he can do. He is expected to be the Huntsville Stars' utility man this season.

 

Rottino, who turns 25 the day before the Stars' April 8 season opener, may catch one game. Play third the next. First base the next. DH the next. The position won't be consistent. A spot in the lineup - somewhere - will be.

 

Manager Don Money couldn't keep Rottino out of the lineup last year at Beloit. And, see what happened? Rottino merely batted .304, drove in 124 runs - breaking by 12 the Brewer minor league mark set a year earlier by Prince Fielder - hit 17 homers and had 161 hits, second-best in the Midwest League.

 

This, while playing nearly every position on the field. That last sentence needs an asterisk next to nearly: on the season's final day, Rottino played an inning at each position, including a ninth-inning, 1-2-3 pitching performance.

 

"Best ERA on the team,'' he laughs.

 

You need a reason to keep Rottino in the lineup? After he left the game following his inning on the mound, Beloit lost in extra innings.

 

The word "utility'' in baseball can have different interpretations. Let's remember that the complimentary phrase "jack of all trades'' is closely followed by "master of none.'' It can be praise, about one's versatility, or a euphemism for "isn't a prospect but we'll milk him for all we can.''

 

"I don't see anything wrong with it,'' Rottino says. "I hear some negative commentary about being a utility guy. It just makes me more valuable.''

 

"It's not a derogatory statement for Vinny Rottino. It's an advantage for him,'' says Reid Nichols, the Brewers' director of player development. "He's pretty good at all positions. It's not that we can't find a place for him to play defensively.''

 

"It's a blessing,'' Rottino says. "Every big-league team needs a utility guy, you know. I could be a 24th or 25th guy on a roster some day.''

 

Force him to make a choice, he'll tell you catching is his favorite position. Though he prefers the utility tab.

 

He much prefers all that to where he was a little more than two years ago.

 

Rottino was in pharmacy school at the University of Wisconsin, his baseball career seemingly history. He had played college ball at Wisconsin-La Crosse, a Division II school across the state from his home in Racine. But he went undrafted and unsigned.

 

A family friend and former coach, Jack Schiesele, parlayed some contacts in pro ball to finagle some tryouts. The Brewers, Rottino's favorite team, gave him a look in February 2003 and signed him. They sent him to extended spring training, then to rookie ball at Helena (.311 in 64 games).

 

Then to Beloit, the next step up the ladder, and his sensational 2004.

 

He had a degree in chemistry and a minor in math, and a sister who is a pharmacist.

 

"It was just an option,'' he says of his postgrad work. "I wanted to play ball. I hope I'm not going back anytime soon.''

 

Yeah, Rottino's bag is packed. But not for schoolwork. Pills and prescriptions will have to wait.

[950opsLHcatcher]

Steve Sollmann is Scott's brother? That's strange. Scott was a pretty OBP-savvy OF non-prospect that the Brewers picked up from the Tigers (minor league Rule 5?) before the '99 season. I don't recall what happened to him after that.

[MassBrew]

Thanks again, Mark McCarter...

 

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.al.com/stars/huntsvil...324140.xml

 

Pitching a fit now for Stars' Zumwalt

Contact Mark McCarter at markcol@aol.com

Huntsville Times

 

MARYVALE, Ariz. - It was a snowy December Saturday night in the North Carolina mountains near Boone, at a rented house near a ski resort. Alec Zumwalt was at a party honoring a friend's graduation from Appalachian State University.

 

Close to 9 p.m., Zumwalt had his eye on the television. The "crawl'' with sports news came across the bottom.

 

"The Milwaukee Brewers have traded All-Star relief pitcher Dan Kolb to the Atlanta Braves for pitcher Jose Capellan and a player to be named later,'' it read.

 

Zumwalt turned to his wife, Kristen.

 

"I hope,'' he said, "that's me.''

 

The "later'' turned out to be two days. Zumwalt was back at work, as a substitute teacher outside Charlotte. A school official called him out of class. The Atlanta Braves were on the phone. He was indeed headed to the Milwaukee organization, for which he is now appearing on the Huntsville Stars' roster.

 

It could have been jolting, but turned out to be no big deal.

 

"I'm used to change,'' said Zumwalt, a 24-year-old right-hander.

 

He did, after all, grow up in Kingman, Ariz., only to move as a youngster to North Carolina, when his dad was transferred. He was even briefly property of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, working in their big-league camp in 2004.

 

But the biggest change - the one "that set the standard,'' he said - was after he had been an outfielder in the Braves' system.

 

He hated to pitch. He hated the notion. "It was just the hitter in me,'' he said.

 

The hitter didn't pan out. After two years in the outfield, with a .216 average but only 741 at-bats to prove himself, Atlanta made him a pitcher in 2002.

 

As Zumwalt casually paced between fields Saturday, his right elbow iced down after pitching for Huntsville against the Athletics' Double-A team, 20 feet away a tall, still-trim 49-year-old man in an Oakland uniform was holding court with friends. He could be Zumwalt's role model.

 

Matt Keough batted .210 in the Southern League in 1976, as a third baseman. The next year, he was a pitcher. The next year, he worked an inning in the major league All-Star Game.

 

He pitched nine seasons, made the cover of Sports Illustrated and could have been even bigger had the late Billy Martin not overworked him, as he famously did an entire promising staff.

 

When Zumwalt bloomed at East Forsyth (N.C.) High School, scouts asked him if he'd want to pitch. "I was pretty blunt with them,'' he said. "I told them I didn't want to pitch at all.'' But when the Braves picked him in the fourth round, he signed "with the stipulation that, if hitting didn't come around, I'd pitch.''

 

Said Zumwalt, "I didn't see it coming as quick as it did.''

 

He played in less than 60 games in his first two seasons. He struggled making the adjustment from an aluminum bat to wood. He then found himself at Class A Macon, platooning in left with Charles Thomas, the vaunted prospect who "has now gone on to take over the world,'' said Zumwalt. (Thomas himself was trade bait for Atlanta, going to Oakland in exchange for Tim Hudson. Despite the competition for the outfield position, Thomas "is one of my best friends.'' They are even sharing a home this spring in Phoenix.)

 

"Anybody who has played the game long enough, you're going to have to deal with change,'' Zumwalt said. "It's a matter of how you deal with it. You just have to roll with the punches.''

 

He has dealt with it by falling in love with pitching. "It's now fun.'' He's had ample opportunity for it. As a reliever at Greenville in '04, he appeared in 46 games. He also - ahem - had 11 at-bats, collecting five hits.

 

"When I was a kid, I didn't say 'I want to be a hitter in the big leagues.' I said, 'I want to be a player in the big leagues,' " Zumwalt said. "I've still got a jersey on my back. I've still got a chance.''

[MassBrew]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.al.com/stars/huntsvil...512090.xml

 

Not all Stars strangers

Several former Huntsville players on roster - for now

By MARK McCARTER

Times Sports Staff markcolumn@aol.com

 

MARYVALE, Ariz. - The glassed-in conference room at Maryvale Stadium was already teeming with stacks of Brewers equipment and luggage, awaiting shipment to Milwaukee.

 

Early Tuesday morning, it was also filled by the Brewers' personnel braintrust, gathered about a large rectangular table. With the Brewers breaking camp Thursday, there were countless decisions to make, some of which would have a domino effect on the Huntsville Stars' roster.

 

In turn, 300 yards away, the Stars were beginning their morning drills, with myriad fresh changes already made to their roster.

 

Huntsville manager Don Money was presented a new "work group" Tuesday with 34 players, divided equally among pitchers and position players; only 24 will be on the roster when the season opens April 8 at Carolina, with the Stars carrying 12 pitchers.

 

Among those reassigned to Huntsville were first baseman Brandon Gemoll, the Stars' regular first baseman in 2003, Chris Barnwell, last season's third baseman, and center fielder Tony Gwynn Jr.

 

Gemoll was passed on the organizational ladder by Prince Fielder but agreed earlier in camp he would report to Huntsville for the opportunity to play every day, even though he spent much of 2004 in Triple-A.

 

Gemoll will be joined on the right side of the infield by second baseman Callix Crabbe. Enrique Cruz has the current nod at shortstop over incumbent Ozzie Chavez, who was surprisingly reassigned to the Single-A work group.

 

Third base and catcher remain murky. Barnwell could wind up there, or assume a utility role if the Brewers want to gamble on a youngster like Adam Heether.

 

Vinny Rottino, originally ticketed as the Stars utility man, will likely catch every other day, then play the corner infield spots on other days. The other catching spot awaits more decisions from above, especially if Milwaukee sends 40-year-old Pat Borders to Nashville as the No. 1 catcher, as expected.

 

The Huntsville outfield will have Gwynn in center and Kennard Bibbs in left. Nelson Cruz will likely go in right, with either Ben Van Iderstine, who finished '04 in Huntsville, or somebody off the current Nashville roster dropped down as the fourth outfielder.

 

The pitching staff is beginning to take shape with Dennis Sarfate, Manny Parra and Dana Eveland as starters. Ryan Miller, a holdover who missed much of last season after elbow surgery, has been outstanding in camp and could be the closer.

 

Glenn Woolard, Matt Ford and Ryan Costello, other pitchers with some tenure in Huntsville, are also on the current work group roster.

 

Given their releases this weekend were former Huntsville pitchers Brian Adams, Greg Bruso, David Nolasco and catcher Joel Alvarado.

 

A key decision at the major league level revolves around David Krynzel, and whether Milwaukee should keep him as the No. 4 outfielder and a base-stealing threat or give him everyday duties at Nashville.

 

On Monday, Fielder, second baseman Rickie Weeks and outfielder Corey Hart were sent to Nashville after getting a lot of looks under the major league microscope. The last look was not pretty.

 

On a televised game Sunday night, each made egregious defensive mistakes and Brewers manager Ned Yost was critical in private meetings with the three and in the press, saying each would need to greatly improve defensively before any big league opportunities would arise.

[MassBrew]

Link while active, text follows -- I'm guessing Brevard County is a more likely destination to begin 2005. The article is written with a home-town spin, but I did get the sense in some things we saw during Link Report season 2004 that the Brewers liked Kevin Rival.

 

www.newbritainherald.com/...&rfi=8

 

03/21/2005

New Britain native?s baseball passion unrivaled

Bart Fisher, New Britain (CT) Herald Columnist

 

You know what excites Kevin Rival most about being with the Milwaukee Brewers? Hitting. That?s right, stepping into the ol? batter?s box and taking a few cuts. Never mind that the former New Britain High and Central Connecticut State University star is one of the top pitching prospects in the Brewers organization; he?s really pumped that being with a National League club gives him the opportunity to showcase his hitting wares as well.

 

And that should come as no surprise to anybody who saw him handle a bat for the Golden Hurricanes or the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils. The 6?3" right-hander hit .336 in 2002, his senior season at Central, slugging 11 home runs along the way. "He?s really excited about being able to hit," says Pete Rival, the 25-year-old hurler?s dad. "And he?s very pleased with the way he?s being brought along by the Brewers organization."

 

Currently penciled in for long relief or possibly closing duties at Double-A Huntsville of the Southern League, Rival is having an excellent spring at the Brewers Maryvale, Ariz. training camp. He?s likely to see action in a split squad game with the big club and in one outing at the minor league complex the 220-pound flamethrower fanned four of the five batters he faced. "He?s living out a dream," says his dad. "This is what he?s wanted since the first day I had him out in the backyard fielding ground balls."

 

The Rivals, Pete and Ann, have been there beaming at every level their son has played at and plan to see him pitch in Huntsville or wherever his journey takes him this year. "We?re as proud of him as we are excited for him," says dad. "He?s done everything the right way and worked very hard to give himself this chance."

 

Undrafted out of college despite some pretty impressive numbers, Rival signed with the Florence Freedom of the Independent Frontier League and got noticed there pretty quickly after just about taking the league apart with his blazing fastball and impressive control. In 32.2 innings with the Kentucky club he fanned 43 batters, walked just nine and had an eye-popping 0.56 earned run average. But that wasn?t all he did for the Freedom. A gifted artist and probably headed for a career in that field once his playing days are over, Rival created a new logo for the independent league team, according to his proud dad.

 

It wasn?t his artistic ability however that caught the attention of the Brewers, but rather the rare combination of velocity and location he displayed with the Kentucky team. Milwaukee signed him during the 2004 season and sent him to Beloit, their Midwest League affiliate in Wisconsin. Facing better competition in A-ball he more than held his own earning a 1-1 record and striking out 28 batters in 25.2 innings of work. If you put all of the stats from last season together the ex-New Britain High All-State player whiffed 71 batters and walked just 19 in just over 57 innings.His combined ERA was 1.57 and he gave up exactly zero home runs.

 

He?s been tough to take out of the ballpark since his high school days under former New Britain HS mentor Ken Kezer. And during his senior season at CCSU, he not only produced an 8-4 record, but was also named Most Valuable Player in the Northeast Conference tournament.

 

The Devils won the conference crown and went on to play in the NCAA post season tournament before being eliminated by Texas, the eventual national champion that year. Rival had a win and a save to garner NEC MVP honors.

 

But being with a National League team lets him think about hitting as well. His career .336 batting average puts him 10th on the all-time list at Central. He?s also ninth in doubles and possesses good speed on the base paths.

 

He?s also beaten a path to Ricky Bottalico?s "doorstep." Bottalico, another former Blue Devil, is battling for the Brewers closing job and is also expected to work with young pitchers like Rival. "Kevin?s thrilled about that," says his father. "It?s nice to have someone you can talk to about hometown stuff and Kevin really admires Ricky and what he has accomplished."

 

Meanwhile, the young hurler is working on a string of accomplishments to call his own and he certainly appears to be off to a good start.

 

Bart Fisher is a Herald columnist and former sports editor of The Herald. Readers can write to him at 1 Herald Square, New Britain 06050 or e-mail sports@newbritainherald.com.

[MassBrew]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.al.com/sports/huntsvi...241630.xml

 

Bibbs not still, just steal

Left fielder gives Stars leadoff hitter with speed

By MARK McCARTER

Times Sports Staff markcolumn@aol.com

 

First in a series about the 2005 Huntsville Stars, position by position.

 

Today: outfielders.

 

Kennard Bibbs was in some pretty fast company.

 

It was lunch time, some baked chicken and salad and other treats being dished out to the Milwaukee Brewers' minor league players, who sat at iron picnic tables on a patio outside their clubhouse earlier this week in Maryvale, Ariz.

 

Bibbs, the Huntsville Stars' left fielder, was in a group that included Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks and Tony Gwynn Jr., hotshot, well-known prospects all.

 

But Bibbs, 25, is pretty fast company himself.

 

He's a quintessential leadoff hitter, legging out hits and stealing bases (38 last year at High Desert; with thin air and a constant breeze, baserunning is almost unnecessary, since the next batter up is likely as not to hit a home run anyway.)

 

"I want to get on base and try to cause a little havoc,'' Bibbs said. "My goal is to steal 30 or 40 bases this year. If I don't steal 40 bases, I'm not doing my job.''

 

He is working to get away from one leadoff image - that of being a slap-hitting batter who merely lobs soft little hits into the outfield. He needs to make more firm contact, especially to take advantage of the gaps.

 

"What I need to work on is to hit the ball hard, hit it hard hopefully eight out of 10 times instead of six out of 10,'' he said. "And I need to work on my bunting more. The first half last year, I didn't have one bunt hit. The second half, I probably had 20.''

 

Mel Queen, his manager at High Desert, raved about Bibbs' defensive skills, both mental and physical. ''He knows where to play the hitters and that's rare for a kid at this level,'' he said last summer. "And he's got a good first step.''

 

"Defense is definitely my strong suit,'' Bibbs said.

 

Same goes for his other fast company in the outfield.

 

Tony Gwynn Jr. will return to center field for Huntsville. He needs to boost his offensive numbers (.243, 37 RBIs) while continuing to play his sensational defense.

 

In right, most likely, will be Nelson Cruz, acquired from Oakland in the off-season and one of the most impressive players in camp, with breathtaking power and a major league arm.

 

Depending on the trickle-down after the Brewers demoted David Krynzel to Nashville in a surprise, another outfielder could be Ben Van Iderstine, who finished '04 in Huntsville, or even Southern League All-Star Brad Nelson.

 

Bibbs spent most of spring training with the Triple-A club, "getting a lot of experience off the older pitchers. Guys at the Triple-A level, they can put the ball where they want to, any pitch any count. That's a big help.''

 

Bibbs, a native of Houston, attended Oklahoma City University, an NAIA school, and was a 14th-round draft pick in 2002.

 

He still returns to Oklahoma City in the off-season, where he has more access to workout facilities. He even took a part-time job this past winter, helping coach and train young athletes.

 

"It was not really coaching. It was more to try to work with them on different drills, to show them how to get better, how to lift (weights) if they were old enough to do that,'' Bibbs said.

 

One facet of the program for the kids was something they called "Speed Camp.''

 

How appropriate.

[MassBrew]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.al.com/sports/huntsvi...563760.xml

 

Stars infield to have Caribbean flavor

Crabbe from Virgin Islands expected to be second baseman

By MARK McCARTER

Times Sports Staff markcolumn@aol.com

 

Second in a series about the 2005 Huntsville Stars, position-by-position.

 

Today: Infielders

 

MARYVALE, Ariz. - In his spare time, Callix Crabbe can be found with his nose in a book.

 

This is not, to be sure, the sort of behavior that is epidemic among baseball players.

 

"I read a lot. A lot of Christian books, more books of finding yourself,'' said Crabbe. "Books for motivation, helping out others, things like that.''

 

A current favorite is "Traveler's Gift'' by Andy Andrews, with the telling subtitle, "Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success.''

 

Crabbe, who is expected to be the Huntsville Stars' second baseman this season, has done his share of traveling - and met with success. He is a 22-year-old native of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and his voice has a lovely accent with the flavor of the Caribbean. He is entering his fourth season with the Brewers organization, making previous stops at Ogden, Beloit and High Desert.

 

He batted .291 in 132 games at Class A High Desert, driving in 61 runs, and was named the California League's postseason All-Star second baseman. He had 21 errors, most in the league at his position, but that was testimony to his range more than his mistakes; Crabbe also handled more chances than anybody in the league.

 

Crabbe's double-play partner will be Enrique Cruz (.188 in 35 games at Huntsville, then .283 with a 28-game hitting streak at Class A High Desert), who edged out Ozzie Chavez (.323 at High Desert in 39 games, then .212 but only 18 errors in 85 games after his promotion to Huntsville).

 

Cruz has big league experience, and thus Milwaukee has more invested in him to try to maximize, but Chavez was more impressive in camp. A recent on-the-run dig of an errant throw to complete a 1-6-3 double-play would have been an ESPN "web gem'' replayed ad nauseum.

 

Third base will be occupied by Tony Zuniga, an off-season free agent acquistion who can also play first. Holdover third baseman Chris Barnwell can play an infield position and Vinny Rottino is another utility guy who'll catch part-time and play elsewhere so he can be in the lineup most every day.

 

Brandon Gemoll, Huntsville's first baseman in 2003 and with the club as a DH, outfielder and reserve first baseman for 30 games last season, agreed to accept a demotion to Class Double-A as uber-prospect Prince Fielder leapfrogs him to Triple-A.

 

Callix Crabbe has to face a similar situation.

 

Rickie Weeks, the Brewers' No. 1 draft pick in 2003, is a second baseman, and on the fast track to the majors. He has also become close friends with Crabbe.

 

"Honestly, you can't worry about it. Me and Rickie, we have our own destiny,'' Crabbe said. "He's a super talent and he's going to be an awesome player. I have to try to play good every day.''

 

That brings to mind a passage from "Traveler's Gift.''

 

"Take care of anything you can take care of,'' Crabbe quoted.

 

"Rickie being in front of me, I can't worry about that. I've got to play my game and have fun and understand the Lord has a plan for me. I've got to be faithful, and I've got to be patient.''

[MassBrew]

Huntsville Catchers:

 

C Jeff Winchester, 25 years old, the former # 1 pick (supplemental) of the Colorado Rockies just ended a seven-year run in their system, compiling a .230 batting average.

 

C John Vanden Berg, 25, .290 career average at three levels (.787 OPS in 756 pro AB's)

 

Surely Vinny Rottino will see "some" time behind home plate, but with two other catchers on the roster, it won't be extensive playing time there.

 

Pitching staff in next post...

[MassBrew]

Pitching staff -- eleven names here, it's possible we're missing one, although the AA roster limit is 24 to start the season, then drops to 23

 

RHP Dennis Sarfate, 24 on April 9th, the 40-man roster power righty looks to refine his game in AA, more on Dennis after this post

 

LHP Manny Parra, 22; simply put, the key pitching farmhand in the organization -- health in 2005 is a must

 

RHP Glenn Woolard, 24 on April 18th; apparently, 2004's Huntsville scoreless streak of 29 innings and WHIP of 1.17 gets you a repeat AA assignment -- still amazed no one plucked Glenn in the Rule 5

 

LHP Dana Eveland, just 21; darn, this Huntsville rotation is going to be much stronger than some of us imagined

 

LHP Matt Ford, 24 on April 8th; Ford can't be walking 49 and striking out 47 in 91.1 IP, like he did in 2004

 

RHP Khalid Ballouli, 25 years old; 25 of 27 High Desert appearances were starts -- will it be Ford or Khalid in the # 5 spot?

 

LHP Mitch Stetter, 24; being groomed specifically to be a big league lefty specialist

 

LHP Alec Zumwalt, 24, 46 relief appearances (5.09 ERA) in the Southern League in 2004 (Greenville, Braves)

 

RHP Ryan Miller, 27; only six appearances in 2004 before elbow surgery sidelined the 2000 9th rounder

 

RHP David Bradley, 27; Bradley "survived" High Desert in 2004 about as well as anyone

 

RHP Matt DeWitt, 27; big league innings with Toronto and San Diego

 

A position player update will likely be available later tonight...

[MassBrew]

Stars' Sarfate moves from thrower to pitcher

Right-hander is expected to be a key starter

By MARK McCARTER

Times Sports Staff markcolumn@aol.com

 

This is one in a series about the 2005 Huntsville Stars, position-by-position. Today: Pitchers and catchers

 

MARYVALE, Ariz. - Dennis Sarfate was having dinner with his girlfriend Jada recently, piled into a booth at an Outback Steakhouse. He was talking about his pitching path, and realized he had somewhere along the line stumbled into one of those "Eureka!'' moments.

 

"I just said, 'Something is so different from last year,''' Sarfate related. It took him a little bit to realize what had happened.

 

Sarfate had just hit what amounts to puberty in a pitcher's life. He had gone from being a thrower to a pitcher. He had reached that epiphany, to realize the mind is nearly as important as the arm.

 

"Last year, I just kinda went out there and if I threw good, I threw good. I was pretty much throwing as hard as I could,'' said Sarfate, who finished 7-12 with a 4.05 ERA in 28 appearances.

 

Sarfate, a 6-4 right-hander from nearby Gilbert, Ariz., should be one of the key starters on a staff that seems to have an equal blend of youth and experience.

 

Ditto the catching staff, which includes Jeff Winchester, a 25-year-old minor league free agent formerly with the Colorado Rockies' organization and John Vanden Berg - he'll be the one, as a Wisconsin-Milwaukee product, giggling at Alabama basketball fans - who was at High Desert last season.

 

Utility ace Vinny Rottino can also catch, but carrying three catchers may affect the Brewers' original plans to have Rottino work behind the plate every other day.

 

Several veteran pitchers from the 2004 Stars return, including reliever Ryan Miller and starters Glenn Woolard, Matt Ford and late-season addition Dana Eveland.

 

Miller is coming off elbow surgery but looked sharp in the spring. Ford, who had been with Milwaukee in 2003 after being drafted from Toronto in the Rule 5 draft, struggled to a 2-6 mark while being bothered with elbow pain. Woolard had a phenomenal stretch, once pitching 29 consecutive scoreless innings

 

Manny Parra and Khalid Ballouli, two of the most highly touted prospects, will be joined by David Bradley, Matt Dewitt, Mitch Stetter and Alec Zumwalt, led by pitching coach Rich Sauveur.

 

Sarfate's previous pitching coach here in the Brewers' camp, major league coach Mike Maddux, played a key role in this evolution.

 

Sarfate had a curve ball last summer, but it hardly brought to mind the adjective "devastating.'' "I couldn't ever get a feel for it,'' he said.

 

So Maddux taught him a slider. Delivered with almost the same velocity as his fastball, it should be even more effective against hitters who don't adjust quickly enough to the sharp, down-breaking movement.

 

"I've been able to throw it for strikes so far,'' he said. "Pretty much everything goes off my fastball and I'm a little more around the zone. I struggled last year with my fastball, with a lot of walks (78 in 129 innings). I didn't trust my stuff.''

 

He has also has gained confidence in his changeup, something that was lacking a year ago.

 

"Maddux taught me about pitching from a foundation,'' Sarfate said. "It just clicked in. I'm looking to have a good season now.''

[MassBrew]

Position Players:

 

C - Winchester, Vanden Berg (as noted in previous post)

 

1B / OF - Brandon Gemoll, 24; 2001 8th rounder

 

2B Callix Crabbe, 22; more walks than K's in 1255 pro AB's; in most organizations, he's the top second base prospect

 

SS - Enrique Cruz, 23; word is he was outplayed by Brevard County's Ozzie Chavez in spring training

 

3B - Tony Zuniga, 30; .370 in Mexico in 2004

 

IF - Chris Barnwell, 26; won't likely see 484 AB's with the Stars, as he did in 2004 -- primarily middle infield backup this season

 

Super Utility - Vinny Rottino, 25 on April 7th; perhaps to catch every other game, otherwise 1B or 3B or anywhere; organization's 2004 Minor League Player of the Year with 124 RBI at Beloit

 

OF Nelson Cruz, 24; 40-man roster newcomer hopefully due to impress in the Southern league

 

OF Tony Gwynn, Jr., 22 - should be able to really improve on 2004's numbers

 

OF Kennard Bibbs, 25; 115 SB's in 162 career attempts -- somehow didn't think he was 25 quite yet...

 

OF Ben Van Iderstine, 27; Canadian import from independent ball -- too bad there aren't more DH at-bat's available in the Southern League, sweet bat could make for a Rushford-type story

[mustangbaseball]

I believe Josh Habel would be another pitcher on the Stars roster. If not, let me know where he is.

[Southern Leaguer]

The Stars arrived in Huntsville this evening and were met at the team motel by a few members of the Booster Club for our annual Hospitality Room to greet the team. They enjoyed the refreshments and seemed very appreciative for the welcome and the support. Money and Sauveur along with 17 or 18 players stopped by. We'll have some pictures on the Booster Club website by the weekend.

[huntsvillefan]

I'm actually a lot more excited by this team than I was by last years. The prospect depth isn't quite as tasty from a Brewerfan point of view, but I think if this team stays reasonably together, they're capable of winning a lot of ball games - no not 100, but enough to give them a run at a pennant.

The Pitching could be awesome, the outfield should be stellar defensively at least and the infield looks very intriguing indeed.

I can't wait to see them in action!

[Southern Leaguer]

I agree. I think it will be a good team and a fun team to watch. As Don Money said tonight, it's a good group but we don't know what the other teams in the league have.

[MassBrew]

Link while active, text follows -- thanks for the brewerfan.net reference, Mark! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

www.al.com/sports/huntsvi...282090.xml

 

Gamble added to Stars' roster

By MARK McCARTER

Huntsville Times Sports Staff markcolumn@aol.com

 

Though the last weekend of spring training can often be topsy-turvy, with last-minute roster readjustments, the Huntsville Stars hold their first workout this morning at Joe W. Davis Stadium with virtually the same roster that was established late last week.

 

The Stars did have one newcomer - for whom this summer is a bit of a homecoming.

 

Jerome Gamble, a 25-year-old righthander from Alexander City, Alabama, was added to the Stars' pitching staff before the team broke camp Monday in Arizona and flew to Huntsville.

 

Gamble, a fourth-round pick of the Red Sox in 1998, has had a promising career interrupted by elbow problems, including Tommy John surgery in 2001. So impressive was he early in his career, according to brewerfan.net, Red Sox coach Herm Starrette once said, "Shoot, this kid is better than sex.'' He was 4-2 with a 3.94 ERA last season at Double-A Portland.

 

The Stars work out at 9 a.m. today and again Wednesday at 3:30 before traveling to Carolina for the season-opener Thursday. The home opener is April 15.

 

Here's the Stars' opening-day roster:

 

Pitchers: Khalid Ballouli, David Bradley, Matt DeWitt, Dana Eveland, Matt Ford, Jerome Gamble, Josh Habel, Manny Parra, Dennis Sarfate, Mitch Stetter, Glenn Woolard, Alec Zumwalt.

 

Catchers: John Vanden Berg, Jeff Winchester.

 

Infielders: Chris Barnwell, Callix Crabbe, Enrique Cruz, Brandon Gemoll, Vinny Rottino, Tony Zuniga.

 

Outfielders: Kennard Bibbs, Nelson Cruz, Tony Gwynn Jr., Ben Van Iderstine.

 

Staff: Don Money (manager), Rich Sauveur (pitchers), Sandy Guerrero (hitters), David Yeager (trainer).

[MassBrew]

So based on the latest, LHP Josh Habel and RHP Jerome Gamble are additions based on the initial report, and RHP Ryan Miller is off the squad -- current status unknown.

 

Closer by committee with both Taubenheim and Slack in Brevard County? Dana Eveland will be starting, right? (We hope...)