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Your 2003 HD Mavs, Latest: Departing Quotes

MassBrew

By MassBrew,
in Brewers Minor League Talk

MassBrew Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

MassBrew

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Here's the roster the High Desert front office is releasing today, keeping in mind there's still time for last-minute adjustments:

 

Catchers:

 

Kade Johnson

Brian Foster

 

It's dawned on us that the organization's potentially brightest catching prospects have both been assigned to former roving catching instructor and now High Desert Manager Tim Blackwell's team -- smart move, considering the roving catching instructor slot was eliminated.

 

Infielders:

 

Scott Candelaria

Ozzie Chavez

Brad Nelson

Johnny Raburn

Ralph Santana

Froilan Villanueva

Todd West

 

Outfielders:

 

Jason Belcher

Dan Boyd

D.J. Clark

Chris Morris

 

Potential burner speed at the top of the order in Morris and Raburn, should the lineup work out that way. There should be ample RBI opportunities for Nelson, Clark, Belcher, Johnson/Foster, etc...

 

Pitching Staff:

 

RHP J.M. Gold

Wouldn't surprise us to see Gold working out of the pen to build up arm strength in the early going...

 

LHP Justin Gordon

RHP Dan Hall

RHP Dan Kolb

LHP Brian Mazone

RHP Chris McGee

RHP David Nolasco

RHP Jeff Robinson

Robinson's likely to open the season on the Maverick disabled list while extending his Arizona stay...

 

RHP Greg Schaub

RHP Chris Saenz

LHP Pete Smart

RHP Tony Stavros

No official word yet on rotation vs. bullpen assignments -- the Mavericks could go a number of ways here -- it wouldn't surprise us to see guys who performed well in the Beloit bullpen given starting opportunities in Adelanto as the season goes on....

 

RHP Bobby Bystrowski

Bystrowski's a 26-year-old former independent leaguer who did not see action last year. When he did play in the past, it was in the outfield, although it seems he's going to come on board as a pitcher. He's a recent signee, and Baseball America muddied things a bit when they listed him as released earlier this week. We'll see where things fall with his roster spot over the next week or so...

 

Victor Valley Daily Press Article Link:

Article was written prior to all the formal announcements --

 

www.vvdailypress.com/cgi-...010,26467,

 

Absent from the High Desert roster and also not necessaily mentioned by Don Money in the Beloit Daily News piece, we await word on the status of young catcher Manny Ramirez. We had also thought that OF Tommy Carrow may have snuck up to A+ ball, but we'll have to wait and see on him as well.

 

Finally, these post-Rule 5 assignments aren't listed within our Transaction archive, but here's how everyone landed in High Desert:

 

40-man roster option: Gold

 

Transferred from Indy's Rule 5 roster: Clark, Morris, Villanueva, West, Raburn, Foster, Mazone, Johnson, Robinson

 

Transferred from Huntsville's Rule 5 roster: Candelaria, Gordon, McGee, Schaub

 

Was already listed at High Desert: Nelson, Boyd, Smart, Hall

 

Promoted from Beloit: Belcher, Chavez, Santana, Saenz, Kolb, Stavros, Nolasco

 

New to the organization: Bystrowski

 

We'll continue to keep you updated as the other moves within the organization are announced....

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MassBrew Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

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From hdmavs.com:

 

ADELANTO - If the 2003 season goes anything like the High Desert Mavericks' exhibition game on Tuesday night, fans will be treated to an offense that would make any hitting coach smile.

 

The High Desert Mavericks pounded out 17 hits en route to a 17-1 victory over the Victor Valley College Rams at Friendly Mavericks Stadium on Tuesday night.

 

Returning Maverick Brian Foster went 4-5 with five RBIs, including a grand slam that broke the game wide open in the sixth inning. Kade Johnson, one of the 14 returning players from the 2002 squad, also provided some offensive punch, as he went 1-2 with three RBIs and a home run.

 

The Victor Valley College Rams got off to a great start, taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Steven Montoya doubled to right field to lead off the game, then came around to score on a Bobby Miller single.

 

Kade Johnson?s sac fly scored Chris Morris as the Mavs tied it at 1-1 in the bottom of the inning. After Brad Nelson was hit by a pitch, he scored the go-ahead run on an RBI double by Daryl Clark.

 

On the hill, Brian Mazone gave up a handful of hits, but managed to hold VVC off the board after they took the early lead. Mazone went four innings, giving up the one run on four hits. Tony Stavros, David Nolasco, Greg Schaub, Dan Kolb and Bobby Bystrowski went the rest of the way, holding the Rams off the scoreboard.

 

VVC was led by Montoya, who went three for four, with a run scored. Bobby Miller, Adam Fenton, Daniel Flores and Matt Markle also had a hit for the Rams.

 

The Mavs open the 2003 regular season on Thursday night in Lake Elsinore against the Storm. Pete Smart, who won on the Mavs Opening Day in 2002, gets the start for High Desert. Lake Elsinore will throw right-hander Justin Germano.

 

The Mavs home opener will be next Tuesday, April 8th against the Modesto A?s at 7:05, at Friendly Mavericks Stadium. Tuesday?s game will feature a Fireworks Spectacular, sponsored by Pepsi, and the first 1,000 fans and all DCB Diamond Club members will receive a set of FREE Mavericks Cheer Sticks, courtesy of Pepsi. Tickets are available by calling 246-MAVS.

 

All Mavericks regular season http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif games can be heard live on 910 AM and on the net at www.hdmavs.com thanks to Live 365.com.

 

The internet audio for Tuesday's exhibition game didn't happen because there WAS no broadcast. Technical difficulties did not allow the broadcast to take place. Have faith that when the games begin for real on Thursday night, this problem will be alleviated. Thanks for your patience!

 

Ugh - Brad Nelson getting hit by a pitch from the local college kid - thank goodness the Mavs' didn't report any injury there -- MassBrew

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MassBrew Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

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Kade Johnson Honors, courtesy of the Mavericks' site:

 

Mavs Catcher Kade Johnson was selected as the California League Batter of the Week for 4/14-4/20.

 

Kade is the second Maverick is as many weeks to receive the Batter of the Week honors. Mavs leftfielder Daryl Clark received the award last week.

 

In the 6 games during the week, Kade hit .462 with 12 hits, 2 doubles and 2 home runs. The catcher from Baytown, Texas batted in 8 runs and has a slugging percentage of .808.

 

Kade currently leads the California League with the longest current hitting streak which as of April 20 stands at 15 games.

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MassBrew Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

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From Jim Callis at Baseball America:

 

What's the skinny on Daryl Clark? He was a prospect with Milwaukee a couple of years ago when he was at low Class A Beloit. He showed good power but poor walk/strikeout numbers. He also was error-prone at third base. He certainly has turned things around at high Class A High Desert this year. I'm guessing he's a bit old for that level, however. What can you tell me about his prospect status?

 

Chris Collins

Janesville, Wis.

 

Clark didn't make our Brewers Top 30 list in our 2003 Prospect Handbook, though if he keeps this up he'll hit his way into the 2004 edition. A 17th-round pick in 2000 from UNC Charlotte, he's batting .374-11-27 through 27 games.

 

The downside is that Clark is 23 and he's repeating the California League, where he batted .244-19-78 in 93 games last year. He's also playing in one of the best hitter's parks and hitter's leagues in the minors. So his onslaught alone doesn't make him a top prospect by any means. He is making more contact than he has in the past, striking out once every five plate appearances after fanning once every four in the past. Clark has been moved permanently to left field after making 87 errors in 214 games at the hot corner.

 

Has he improved his prospect status with his hot opening month? No doubt. But it's hard to get excited about him until he shows he can keep mashing at higher levels.

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MassBrew Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

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Daily Press Article on RHP Jeff Robinson:

 

ADELANTO ? Surgery-plagued High Desert pitcher Jeff Robinson is hoping to do something he hasn't done in a while ? make it through a full season healthy.

 

The right-handed reliever had Tommy John surgery in 2001 on his right shoulder after pitching at High Desert.

 

In the time since, Robinson rehabbed his shoulder, throwing for three different clubs within Milwaukee's organization, including one start with the Mavericks.

 

"It feels pretty good," Robinson said of the shoulder. "I'm here trying to complete a season. I haven't made it through a full season yet. I'm trying to stay injury-free."

 

The last time Robinson pitched a majority of a season was in 2000, when he went 5-8 for low Class A Beloit (Wis.).

 

Robinson was placed on the High Desert roster after Spring Training, but wasn't shipped to Adelanto until this week when Pete Smart and Greg Schaub went on the disabled list.

 

The Broussard, La. native was a seventh-round draft pick for Milwaukee when he came out of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette as a first baseman/pitcher.

 

Robinson found out he was drafted in a way he'll never forget.

 

He was on a bus with his Ragin' Cajuns teammates heading for the NCAA Super Regionals in 1999.

 

"I got to the hotel and my dad called me to tell me I got drafted," Robinson said. "I didn't know what to expect. I hadn't thought about it much. I was pretty happy overall.

 

"It's gone real good so far when I'm healthy. When I'm healthy, it's good. Other than that, it's a nightmare."

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Daily Press Feature Profile on RHP Bobby Bystrowski:

Interesting story, especially the "show up at Brewers' camp, ask for a tryout, get 50 pitches in the bullpen" part...

 

Intensity feeds Bystrowski

By MICHAEL ROTHSTEIN/Staff Writer

 

SAN BERNARDINO ? The David Wells book sits in the top part of Bobby Bystrowski?s locker.

 

In the upper left-hand corner sits two cans of Red Bull, a high-energy drink.

 

Down the left side are stretching cords which look similar to jumper cables.

 

Inside the locker itself are more clothes than some people own. Keep in mind this is for an away road trip.

 

In front of his locker, Bystrowski acts relatively calm, or at least the most subdued the High Desert closer ever really is.

 

?Everyone gives me a hard time for the Red Bull,? Bystrowski said. ?It?s part of my routine. I have the Red Bull because it puts more sugar in my system and gets me pumped up.

 

?I?m an intense competitor.?

 

When Bystrowski enters a game during a save situation, his intense nature shows in every pitch.

 

Bystrowski has appeared in 14 games with a 3.18 ERA and eight saves. His eight saves are second in the California League.

 

Four of them came in the past week.

 

?He?s aggressive,? pitching coach Bill Champion said. ?He throws it over the plate. He takes his chances and he?s not afraid. It?s a pretty good combination.?

 

Bystrowski originally played outfield, but took a year away from baseball in 2002.

 

During the off-year, he pitched in two men?s leagues, where he said he would sometimes pitch seven innings on a Wednesday and then nine more Sunday.

 

He showed up at Milwaukee?s spring training and asked for an opportunity. They gave him a 50-pitch bullpen tryout and from there was invited to camp.

 

?Pitching?s better for my mindset than hitting,? Bystrowski said. ?Pitching is more of a positive mindset. Hitting is more of a failure-type thing and I don?t like failure. I like being successful.?

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MassBrew Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

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Can't ask for a much better player profile article than this; it's great when we get to know the stories behind these kids...

 

Daily Press Feature on High Desert LHP Pete Smart:

Smart's currently on the DL (pitching arm)...

 

www.vvdailypress.com/cgi-...796,74340,

 

Pete Smart Brewerfan Player Profile Page:

 

www.brewerfan.net/ViewPla...ayerId=124

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MassBrew Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

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Daily Press High Desert "Brother" Profile - Nolasco / Raburn:

 

www.vvdailypress.com/cgi-...998,37942,

 

Daily Press Maverick Beat Writer Mike Rothstein with a Mid-Season Report Card:

Thought the most surprising note was the info on Belcher's and Morris' defensive inefficiencies in the outfield...

 

www.vvdailypress.com/cgi-...998,37942,

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Daily Press Article on Mavs' Hitting Coach Andy Tomberlin:

 

www.vvdailypress.com/cgi-...241,69395,

 

Just a reminder that all minor league non-game story articles are linked in Brewerfan's Article Crawler, located on the home page. On each team's Brewerfan page, you'll find these same articles linked as well. The game stories can be found within each day's Link Report, and the full archive of those is available via the home page as well.

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Daily Press on RHP Tony Stavros:

 

Sometimes, High Desert reliever Tony Stavros admits, he makes jokes at inappropriate times.

 

Stavros' attitude toward baseball in general is to have fun. Treat every day as it was his last in baseball.

 

Basically, enjoy it.

 

"The whole point of this, from day one, is to have fun," Stavros said. "If I'm not having fun, what's the point of being here."

 

Quietly, Stavros has put together a solid year. The pitcher said he's had two poor outings but the majority of the time, Stavros comes in and keeps hitters quiet.

 

He's had the best success against Stockton.

 

The 22-year-old garnered his lone start against the Ports on May 11 and struck out eight batters over 4 1-3 innings while allowing no runs.

 

He also picked up his first save for High Desert against the Ports on May 27, pitching three perfect innings of relief including six strikeouts.

 

"The coaches and managers, they know," Stavros said. "They know. That's all that matters.

 

"The guys that are in charge, you have to impress them."

 

Stavros wasn't always a middle man. When Stavros started playing in fifth grade, he was a starting pitcher. Last season in Beloit, the redhead became a closer.

 

This year, it's middle relief.

 

Still, it's not too bad for someone who was recruited more for basketball than baseball in high school.

 

Stavros said he had no future in basketball, mostly because he's 6-foot-2 and basically a shooter.

 

So baseball was the way he went and he attended Lane Community College near his hometown of Eugene, Ore.

 

"My freshman year, I started a few games," Stavros said of his time at Lane. "My sophomore year I became their ace. I was 10-1.

 

"It's kind of the same thing here, just work into a role or something. Whatever takes you there I guess."

 

Daily Press on College World Series Memories for Two Mavericks:

 

By MICHAEL ROTHSTEIN/Staff Writer

 

ADELANTO ? For one week every June since 1950, Omaha, Neb. becomes the center of the baseball world.

 

The College World Series takes place in the Midwestern city every year at historic Rosenblatt Stadium.

 

High Desert has two players who played in the June tournament. Both Mark Ernster and Todd West called it the best baseball experience of their lives.

 

"Just to walk around there is something incredible," Ernster said. "Even if you're not playing that day you just go to the game and the scene is just incredible."

 

In 1999, West's Texas Longhorns lost their first two games and were eliminated. Despite the sour ending, West recalled visiting the Omaha area hospitals and the amount of fan support.

 

"I grew up as a kid watching it and to get there was surreal," West said. "It was by far the highlight of my baseball career. I still have the games on tape and I watch them sometimes."

 

As for this year's Series, West predicted Rice would defeat Stanford in the best-of-three game championship. His reasoning ? Rice beat Texas and anyone who defeats the Longhorns has to win.

 

Ernster played for Arizona State in the National Championship game in 1998 against Southern California. USC beat ASU, 21-14.

 

"It was a really good experience," Ernster said. "I'll never forget it."

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