Wednesday's Frosty Mug

Some things to read while adding a new section.

If you missed it live, check out the MLB.com highlights of last night's walkoff victory. Casey McGehee, whose two-run single ended the game, is back in the NL lead with 45 RBI.

McGehee may get most of the credit for last night's ninth inning rally, but the door was opened by Rickie Weeks, who was hit by a pitch for the 70th time in his career (and the third time by Carlos Marmol) to lead off the inning, and stole second base so the Cubs would have a base open to intentionally walk the eventual game-winning run.

Beating the Cubs is always great, but the way it happened last night made it extra special. Howie Magner noted what I've seen and heard several others say: It was great to see the team showing some signs of life after the win.

Other notes from the field:

• There were just 30082 fans in attendance last night, making it the least-attended Brewers-Cubs game since April 8, 2007.
• Casey McGehee told Tom Haudricourt that his ninth inning at bat against Carlos Marmol was "a fist fight."
• Yovani Gallardo, McGehee and Ted Lilly are leading FanGraphs' Star of the Game voting.
• CoolStandings has the Brewer playoff chances at .9%.
• Some Comcast viewers in Chicago didn't actually get to see the end of the game.
• Disciples of Uecker said moments like last night are why we still watch.

Last night was David Riske's first night back in the bullpen, as he was activated off the 60-day DL. This week's BCB Tracking Poll shows that 30% of voters have already given up on him, and felt he should have been designated for assignment instead. Ouch. LaTroy Hawkins was moved to the 60-day DL to make room, although the official diagnosis of his condition is still only "shoulder fatigue." (FanShot)

Speaking of unpopular pitchers, Mark Attanasio chatted with reporters last night and reiterated his stance that Jeff Suppan wasn't kept around because of his contract.

The Brewers likely won't see Aramis Ramirez this week: Ramirez sat out for the second straight game last night and is expected to be placed on the DL today with a sore left hand. Ramirez is hitting just .168/.232/.285 in his first 47 games this season.

Casey McGehee might have had a great night on the field last night, but his All Star vote totals don't reflect it: McGehee is now fourth in the balloting at third base behind Placido Polanco, David Wright and Chipper Jones. Ryan Braun still leads all NL outfielders, but Jason Heyward is gaining on him.

In the minors:

• Angel Salome went 2-for-6 with a pair of walks, a double and a home run for Brevard County as they swept a doubleheader yesterday. The big news from his day, though, is that he played right field in the second game, his first appearance in the outfield since 2004 in the Arizona League. You can read about that and more in today's Minor League Notes.
• If you're looking for something to do today, Wisconsin is playing a doubleheader to make up last night's rainout. Nick Bucci and Maverick Lasker are scheduled to pitch. Pregame starts at 11:50, and Brewerfan.net's Link Report has the link for audio.
• Bucci, Khris Davis, Scooter Gennett and Jake Odorizzi will represent the Timber Rattlers in the Midwest League All Star Game. Davis and Gennett will start the game, becoming the first All Star Game starters for the T-Rats since they became a Brewer affiliate, and the first pair of T-Rats to start the game since 2002.

The MLB Draft continued yesterday with rounds 2-30. Jordan Schelling and Brewerfan.net both have excellent coverage, with brief bios of every pick. In the second round the Brewers selected Alabama RHP Jimmy Nelson, who might be the victim of the worst scouting comparison in history, courtesy of MLB.com:

Physical Description: Nelson is big and physical, a bigger version of Jeff Suppan.

I think that single line ruined a fair number of people's days, especially since the Brewers had finally cut ties with Suppan less than 24 hours earlier. But here's the thing: Nelson really doesn't have much of anything in common with Suppan. He throws much harder (in the 91-94 range), and he's four inches taller (6'6" to Suppan's 6'2"). If you're really looking for someone to compare him to, then Eric Arnett (6'5", 230) might be a better comp.

At The Official Site, Jordan Schelling has stories about Nelson, third round pick Tyler Thornburg and fourth round pick Hunter Morris.

Here's some more draft stuff:

• Bryan Smith of FanGraphs says Chad Billingsley is the top of first round pick Dylan Covey's upside.
• Brew City Sports has a look at the Brewers history with high school pitchers drafted in the first round.
• Battlekow noted that Jimmy Nelson has a hard time getting lefties out: Righties hit just .196/.273/.301 off of him this season, but lefties hit .335/.373/.549.
• According to a story in his hometown paper, Nelson and the Brewers have "agreed on a ballpark figure" for a signing bonus.
• Elsewhere in hometown paper stories, the Florence Times Daily has a story on 4th round pick Hunter Morris, the New York Post has a profile of 15th round pick Chris Bates (who expected to be drafted in the 50th round), and the Montgomery Advertiser has a story on 16th round pick Andrew Morris).

All told, the Brewers drafted 19 pitchers with their first 30 selections. They're not the only team with a heavy focus on pitching, though: Where Have You Gone, Andy Van Slyke? noted that the Pirates drafted pitchers with nine of their first ten picks.

On power rankings:

• SB Nation has the Brewers down one spot, from 24 to 25.
• Craig Calcaterra has the Brewers 25th.
  

Around baseball:

Diamondbacks: Designated pitcher Saul Rivera for assignment.
Indians: Designated infielder Mark Grudzielanek for assignment.
Nationals: Designated catcher Jamie Burke for assignment.
Pirates: Designated pitcher Jack Taschner for assignment.
Royals: Pitcher Brad Thompson cleared waivers and elected to become a free agent.
Twins: Placed second baseman Orlando Hudson on the DL with a sore wrist.

If you've read anything baseball related in the last 24 hours, you probably heard about Stephen Strasburg's debut last night. You might have missed one take on it, though, which is why Walter Johnson would like a word.

Congratulations to former Brewer farmhand Freddy Parejo, who hit for the cycle in the California League last night. Parejo is playing in the Astros organization this season.

Happy birthday today to:

• Huntsville Star Drew Anderson, who turns 29.
• 1990 Brewer Dave Parker, who turns 59.
• 1954 Milwaukee Brave Roy Smalley, who turns 84.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a little down time.

Drink up.