Link Report for Games of Thursday, April 8th

[MassBrew]

Evening action all around -- with the Brewers playing a matinee, we'll expect folks to sample from Thursday's four-course Daily Menu:

 

All times Central; pitchers subject to change; pre-game audio begins approx. 15 minutes prior to game time listed...

 

INDIANAPOLIS: RHP Victor Santos at Norfolk (Mets), 6:15 PM

 

Audio link:

www.newstalk1430.com/

 

HUNTSVILE: LHP Matt Ford at home vs. Montgomery (Devil Rays), 7:05 PM

 

Audio link:

www.espn1450.com/

 

HIGH DESERT: RHP Khalid Ballouli at Lancaster (Diamondbacks), 9:30 PM

 

Audio link:

www.hdmavs.com/listen_live.htm

 

BELOIT: LHP Dana Eveland at home vs. Quad City (Twins), 6:30 PM

 

Audio link (opponent's):

www.swingbaseball.com/live/

[DHonks]

Solid menu for the first LR. With Capuano going, we have 3 VERY talented young lefties going, and AAA might be Hendrickson or De La Rosa (one would expect)

[DuWayne Steurer]

Sweet. I'll give the lowdown on Eveland when I get home tomorrow night. Looking forward to seeing this kid throw!

[squarepusher]

The first link report of the year.... that's a pretty good feeling.

[rluzinski]

It's nice having everyone else do the legwork, and we get the spoils! I'll be keeping a keen eye on Indy this year. Sure would be nice for them to make a nice run this year.

[colbyjack]

Welcome back MassBrew, although you never left. It's just good to have these back.

 

And RoCo, I'm looking forward to your thoughts on Eveland. Unfortunately, I'm not going to make it down to the Snappers opener this year. Stay warm, although it's not nearly as cold as what it was the last 2 years.

[lend d money]

I went on the Quad City web site(scouting the opposition) last night and noticed a few interesting facts. First of all, they have TEN players returning that played at QC some time last year. In addition, their first round picks from the last two years will be there. As rookies in the Appalachian League, some of the team players won the championship. Lastly, they don't get to play a home game until......April 29th. Yikes! They are either remodeling or building a new stadium. I would sure love to be the team(s) catching them on the end of that road trip. If they can survive that stretch anywhere near the top, they should be a contender.

[madbad2000]

Good call Lend. I would be interested to hear about the top prospects for OTHER teams in the Midwest League.

 

I'm going to be there tonight and would be interested in meeting other Brewerfan Snapper fans. I'll probably be sitting third base side near the picnic tables. Have my yellow snappers cap on and pretty tall (6'3"). Don't be afraid to stop by.

 

 

Michael

[igor67]

The first link report of the year, oh yeah just like crack baby.

[DuWayne Steurer]

I'll be in the 2nd row, right behind the plate. I like sitting there for the purposes of watching the pitchers, see what they're throwing, so on and so forth.

 

Also, if anyone is clocking the pitchers, you can see the readings on the gun from there too.

 

I almost always sit right behind the plate, and last year I got the extreme fortune of sitting right over the shoulder of one Jack Z. Kinda cool getting to peep over the shoulder and read his notes!!

[colbyjack]

Good call Lend. I would be interested to hear about the top prospects for OTHER teams in the Midwest League.

 

A couple of months ago I went & made up a quick list of where some of the top prospects could debut in the MWL. I double crossed by notes with the rosters a few days ago. Some of the more notable prospects:

 

Battle Creek (Yankees): 3B Eric Duncan, 1st rounder last year.

Burlington (Royals): CF Chris Lubanski (1st, '03), 3B Mitch Maier (1st, '03), C Adam Donachie (2nd, '02). I'm fairly confident that Donachie would have been our 2nd round pick in '02 had he dropped one more spot as the Royals took him just before our 2nd round pick (Josh Murray). Former Brewer farmhand Brian Foster will be backing Donachie up at catcher.

Cedar Rapids (Angels): Their site doesn't have an updated roster, but '03 first rounder Brandon Wood should debut there. Like Donachie in '02, Wood was rumored as a possibility for the Brewers 2nd round pick if he would have made it that far.

Clinton (Rangers): LHP John Danks (1st, '03). Danks is the guy that struck out Weeks twice in Weeks Arizona debut.

Dayton (Reds): No real top prospects worth noting. Chris Gruler (1st, '02) could re-appear at this level at some point this season.

Fort Wayne (Padres): C Colt Morton ('03), LHP Daniel Moore (2nd, '03). I'm guessing their first-rounder from last year, Tim Stauffer either goes to EST or to high-A. Given his injury trouble last year, EST is a more likely destination, and you may see him up at Fort Wayne at some point this season.

Kane County (A's): I'm sad to see that RHP Brad Sullivan won't be with Kane County, unless he's injured. I'm assuming the A's will have him start at high-A. Kat might be intrigued by former Minnesota 2B Luke Appert. Former Longhorn OF Dustin Majewski is another name to watch.

Lansing (Cubs): Roster link isn't working for me, but talented OF Ryan Harvey could start the season there.

Peoria (Cardinals): Again, no roster link. C/3B Daric Barton (1st, '03) is the biggest name to look for.

Quad City (Twins): As lend noted, they have 2 former first rounders on their roster, 5-tool OF Denard Span ('02) & 3B Matt Moses ('03). RHP Scott Tyler is a talented sleeper pitching prospect.

South Bend (D-Backs): Again, no roster link, but depending on where they assign some of their players you could see several talented prospects including LHP Mark Rosen (from MB's neck of the woods), OF Carlos Quentin, LHP Matt Chico & 3B Jamie D'Antona. D'Antona probably will join OF Conor Jackson at the A+ level.

West Michigan (Tigers): Kyle Sleeth will start at Lakeland in high-A. Other talented prospects that could start at W. Michigan include Wilkin Ramirez, RHP Jay Sborz (2nd, '03) & SS Tony Giarratano. Giarratano could join Sleeth at A+.

Wisconsin (Mariners): LHP Ryan Feierabend & SS Adam Jones (1st, '03) highlight the T-Rats.

 

You should see some good ones on the Quad Cities team tonight. Duncan, Danks, Harvey & the Bees squad probably highlights my hopeful to-see list.

[MassBrew]

The Beloit Daily News' special section on the Snappers was not included in their online edition Thursday.

 

We've contacted Sports Editor Jim Franz, who does a great job with the Snappers' coverage each year, and perhaps we'll find other means to get the preview articles to you.

 

But for madbad and roco, if you're heading out to Pohlman Field tonight, you may want to pick up a copy at the newsstand, in case there are interesting tidbits we might not see otherwise. Thanks.

[MassBrew]

Indy Game Notes:

 

OPENING DAY STREAK: The Indians head to Norfolk to battle the Norfolk Tides for the first two games of the season. Second-year manager Cecil Cooper returns with three players from last year's 64-78 club--pitchers Jason and Matt Childers and infielder Steve Scarborough. The Tribe finished 46-44 down the strech during Cooper's inaugural season. Last season, Indianapolis posted a 6-2 record against the Tides, including a 4-0 mark at Harbor Park.

 

Last season, the Tribe earned an 8-2 victory at Columbus on Opening Day. Indianapolis has won each of its six Opening Day starts since joining the International League in 1998.

 

KYLES-RANDALL JOIN COOPER: Veteran coaches Stan Kyles and Bobby Randall join Cecil Cooper in their first year with the Tribe. Kyles begins his fourth year in the Milwaukee Brewers organization. He led Double-A Huntsville's pitching staff to a leagueleading 3.17 ERA last year. Randall spent 15 years as the head coach at Iowa State and Kansas, compiling a 475-495-1 record.

 

STARS COME OUT TO PLAY: Seven players from the 2003 Double-A Huntsville Stars club join the Indians, including Southern League Most Valuable Player Corey Hart, Southern League All-Star J.J. Hardy and Baseball America Double-A All-Star Dave Krynzel. Pitchers Mike Adams, Ben Hendrickson, Pedro Liriano and Matt Parker round out the group.

 

ON THE MOUND: Righthander Victor Santos will get the nod on Opening Day for the Tribe. Santos appeared in 10 games during spring training with the Milwaukee Brewers. He posted a 1-0 record and 0.75 ERA in 10 games. Santos threw 12 innings and struck out 12 hitters. He split last season between Triple-A Oklahoma and Texas. In 20 appearances with Oklahoma, Santos went 5-4 with a 3.41 ERA in 16 starts, along with one save. He appeared in eight games with the Rangers and finished 0-2 with a 7.01 ERA.

 

POWER UP: Four of the team's performers have hit at least 22 home runs in a season. First baseman Jeff Liefer blasted 32 home runs at Triple-A Charlotte in 2000; outfielder Jon Nunnally, who played for Indianapolis in 1998, clubbed 25 home runs last year for Triple-A Memphis; infielder Scott Sheldon hit 28 home runs for Triple-A Oklahoma in 1999; and outfielder Corey Hart knocked out 22 for Single-A High Desert in 2002.

 

RUNNING WITH THE TRIBE: Three of the club's four outfielders have stolen at least 25 bases in a season. Krynzel swiped 43 last year; Hart stole 25 bases last season; and Nunnally stole 26 bases for Triple-A Pawtucket in 1999. Infielder Luis Figueroa stole 22 in his rookie campaign with Single-A Augusta.

 

HOT AT THE PLATE: Infielder Matt Erickson and outfielder Chris Magruder had productive plate appearances for the Milwaukee Brewers during spring training. In 20 contests, Erickson hit .324, while Magruder hit .302 with two home runs and six RBI. Last season at Triple-A Albuquerque, Erickson finished with a .342 batting average. At Triple-A Buffalo, Magruder appeared in 41 games and posted a .328 average before a late season promotion to Cleveland.

 

THE IRISH CONNECTION: Tribe relief pitcher Chris Michalak and Norfolk Tides starter Aaron Heilman both played at the University of Notre Dame. Michalak pitched for Pat Murphy, now head coach at Arizona State University. Heilman, a native of Logansport, Ind., threw for current Irish head coach Paul Manieri. Irish pitching coach Brian O'Connor, who mentored Heilman, is now the head baseball coach at the University of Virginia.

 

BROTHERLY LOVE: RHPs Jason and Matt Childers are the first set of brothers to wear Indians uniforms at the same time since Aaron and Bret Boone suited up for the Tribe on June 19, 1997. Jason had the honor of saving Matt's first Triple-A win on August 7, 2003 at Toledo. According to Elias Sports Bureau, that feat has not happened in Major League Baseball since saves became an official statistic in 1969. The Childers brothers have previously been teammates in 1997 (Helena), 1998 (Beloit), 2000 (Mudville) and 2001 (Huntsville).

 

VETERAN KELLMAN WELCOMES LAUER: Howard Kellman will begin his 29th season as the voice of the Indians and will be joined by newcomer Scott Lauer. Lauer enters his seventh season of announcing minor league baseball. Indians radio broadcasts can be heard on News Talk 1430 WXNT Radio or online at www.IndyIndians.com.

[colbyjack]

Snappers lineup:

RF Trofholz

CF Moss

LF Anderson

C Palmisano

DH Rottino

3B Heether

1B Ramirez

SS Murray

2B Rodriguez

 

Snappers up 6-4 after 4. I started listening midway through the 4th, so this is what I've been able to gather:

 

Quad Cities scored 4 in the top of the 4th, in large part due to 3 Snappers errors (I think he said 2 by Manuel Ramirez, Manny?).

 

Snappers got 2 back in the bottom of the 4th. 2B Guilder Rodriguez walked, RF Trofholz HBP, CF Moss & LF Anderson struck out, C Palmisano walked, DH Rottino with a 2-run chopper up the middle, outran the throw, Trofholz hustling in to score from 2B. Heether struck out.

 

The announcer has mentioned that the Snappers have walked 8 times in this game so far. Similar to the Brewers so far, it sounds as though the Snappers are taking a lot of pitches. Palmisano with a 2-run single & reached on an error earlier in the game. Eveland pitched well, all of the runs supposedly were unearned. Eveland's final line:

 

4 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 0 ER, 4 K, 1 BB

 

Greg Moreira in the 5th, throwing some heat according to the voice of the Swing, and works extremely quickly retiring the side 1-2-3.

 

Still 6-4 after 6.

 

Moss is 0-4 so far with 3 Ks. Palmisano hit into a FC in the 6th. In Moreira's 2 IP he has thrown only 3 balls out of the strike zone.

 

Moreira was cruising through 3.2 innings until he allowed 3 consecutive doubles in the top of the 8th as Quad City tied the game at 6.

 

The Snappers once again struck right back, this time Terry Trofholz doing it all. With one out he singled, stole second, advanced to third on a bad throw and scored on a wild pitch. Trofholz is 1-3 with a BB, HBP & 3 runs.

 

Snappers up going into the 9th, 7-6. Moss is now 0-5 with 4 Ks.

 

Ty Taubenheim strikes out the final 2 batters to get the win, including 2002 1st round pick Denard Span to end the game.

 

Snappers 7, Swing 6

 

Nick Blackburn of the Swing didn't deserve the loss. He pitched extremely well, giving up the 1 unearned run while striking out several Snappers in 3 innings of work.

 

Beloit: 7 runs, 5 H, 3 errors.

Quad Cities: 6 runs, 6 hits, 4 errors.

 

Looking forward to the first-hand reports from madbad, RoCo & others.

[MassBrew]

Looks like folks are working out Opening Day bugs. The Indy audio link isn't working at all (nothing happens), and the Mavericks site is down completely.

 

I'm listening to the Lancaster feed of the High Desert game, it's scoreless early.

[Anders34]

According to ESPN, Indy is tied 1-1 in the bottom of the 6th.

[MassBrew]

Interesting observation from Lancaster:

 

Not a single member of Baseball America's Top 30 Brewer Prospects is on the High Desert roster.

 

Wow.

 

I hope these Mavs go out, kick some butt, and make some names for themselves.

[MassBrew]

First final of the minor league season -- Opening Day magic continues for the Tribe.

 

Indianapolis 2, Norfolk (Mets) 1

 INTL FINAL R H E - - - INDIANAPOLIS 2 5 0 NORFOLK 1 5 3

Details later on...

[MassBrew]

I will note that despite the positioning within the thread, Indy's game finished first, colbyjack http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

You know you're listening to the opponent's feed when the Mavs' catcher is John Vanden Burger.

 

Typical California League action going on, with the Jethawks batting around and scoring four in the 2nd inning against Mavs' starter Khalid Ballouli (two HR's allowed). It's 4-2 after two, with High Desert using its speed and some small-ball mentality to grab a 2-0 lead in the top of the 2nd.

[MassBrew]

Any volunteers to visit Huntsville's audio this evening?

 

Hee-hee -- I hinted we didn't need many in-game updates, but hey, the Crew is 3-1 and we're on Opening Night caffeine in Link Report land:

 

A wild 7th inning in Huntsville:

 SOU 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - MONTGOMERY 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 HUNTSVILLE 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 5

[DuWayne Steurer]

Back from the Snappers. (and finally warming up)

 

Eveland looked pretty good. He cruised through 3, facing the minimum, but the wheels fell off in the 4th as the defense totally came unglued behind him.

 

Nice pickoff by Eveland in the 1st. He has a very casual move to 1st that he disguised very well.

 

I WAS right behind a Twins scout who had a gun (lucky me!) and Dana was around 85-87 on his fastball. Not a lot of movement on it, but it was pretty darn cold. He was always around the zone, and his curveball was decent. Change was ok, and it seemed like he was throwing it with the same arm motion as the fastball, though I can't be sure.

 

Lou Palsmo: Ok, I know it was only one game, but he sure looks polished. Hit the ball HARD twice, and the first one he hit that was called an error, could have been called a hit, it was a pretty tough play. He stole Third EASILY, and drew a walk. No one tested him on the basepaths, so I can't say anything about his arm.

 

Drew Anderson: Had several balls hit his way, and he did not seem to get a jump on ANY of them. On a long drive in the 8th inning, he stood for a good 2 seconds before he started moving, and resulted in a double. He did hit the ball hard a few times.

 

Snappers struck out 14 times, 8 of them looking (4 by Steve Moss), which is a bit disturbing, especially all those backwards k's. They did walk 8 times though, and stole 4 bases without getting caught.

[Mike2k33]

Huntsville 5, Montgomery (Devil Rays) 4

 

 SOU FINAL R H E - - - MONTGOMERY 4 4 0 HUNTSVILLE 5 6 3

[madbad2000]

Well some notes: Pretty sloppy game overall.

 

Eveland got a bum deal, on a cold night...bottom of I believe the 3rd....we started hitting the Swing and they changed pitchers. Dana had to go to third base side and get stretched out. He was looking pretty good up till then.

 

Palmisano looked great. They ruled his first "hit" an error on Span but I felt it should have been a double. Stole third base and then came home on a sac fly that was close. Lou impressed me not only with his speed but also his technique as he was sliding wide on both attempts and that helped him get in there safe.

 

Trofholz is incredibly fast. Bottom 8th perfect bunt single to get on....would have beat out a nice throw to second on his steal attempt and then made it to third on past ball. Scored a few pitches later on a spiked pitch that bounced onto the net behind home...nicely done.

 

Moss terrible night...can't go down looking...I believe he K'd like 3 times...all looking. Also made a diving attempt at a well hit ball...came up short but at least he went for it.

 

Murray didn't look good either...great arm in field...looked like he had no clue what pitches were coming and was hacking like a lumberjack. Remember folks he's the youngest player out there.

 

I think I'm latching on to Drew Anderson as a favorite. Not so much what he did but similarities...close in height, weight, age and he also throws right and bats lefty as I do. Has a nice approach at the plate.

 

Swing of the Quad Cities....horrible nickname...weird jerseys....Batting practice jersey's powder blue, road game uniforms a burnt orange color...I took some snapshots and I'll send them off to Brian to post maybe. For the record I like their unis.

 

All in all a fun night although did get a little chilly after being outside in 40 degree weather for 3 hours. Great to have baseball back.

[kessem]

Stars hold B.J Upton and teamates to 4 singles(3 errors).

Lefty Ford no-hits no runs in 5 innings.Montgomery wrap-up included no Stars offensive highlights.

[colbyjack]

For whatever reason, I still can't pick up Huntsville games over the internet. I'll blame it on my Mac, again.

 

Thanks for the recaps RoCo & madbad. Eveland in the mid to high-80s seems pretty consistent with other fireballers starting their first full season at Beloit.

 

For all of the "free" player out there, my fave sleeper minor league player to watch for '04 is Terry Trofholz. I'm pretty skeptical as to whether he'll ever be more than a Ryan Knox type of player as he moves up, but for now, he sounds like the type of player that can make a lot of things happen on his own at the plate, on the basepaths and in the field. He should be on base a lot & likely will score a bunch of runs for the Snappers this season.

 

I'm pretty sure the announcer mentioned that Brian Montalbo will take the mound for the Snappers tomorrow. Looking forward to the results as I catch up on Saturday with opening day for the Brewers tomorrow.