It was an exciting week in the minor leagues. Well, sort of. Our newly drafted players aren't playing yet, but they will be soon, and that's exciting. I don't know about you, but I can't wait for the days when I get to look for Covey, Morris, and others in the box scores. Anyway, on to the actual content.
Recap
Nashville (AAA): It was a pretty rough week for the Sounds, but they finished it off with a nice extra-innings win last night, thanks to a Brendan Katin home run. After losing their final game to the Albuquerque Isotopes (LAD), the Sounds lost 3 of 4 against the Round Rock Express (HOU). With the Brewers stealing all their talent and a lack of Heether, its easy to understand why the Sounds are struggling to win. However, they have somehow managed to cling to first place in the PCL American north division with their 34-26 record.
Huntsville (AA): This week the Stars lost two, then won two, then lost two, and finished it off with a win. After losing the final game in the series to the Mobile Bay Bears (ARI), the Stars lost 3 of 5 against the Tennessee Smokies (CHC) before taking the first game in a series against the Carolina Mudcats (CIN). At 28-33, the Stars are holding steady at third in the Southern League north division.
Brevard County (A+): Hey, look at that- the Manatees actually had a good week! The final game against Jupiter was canceled, but they took 3 of 4 against the Bradenton Marauders (PIT) and 1 of 2 against the Daytona Cubs. The nice run the Sea Cows are having has been spurred by a sudden surge in power. The Manatees have hit 8 homers this week! Last week they had a grand total of 4 homers on the entire season! Unfortunately, they are still very far back in the standings; at 23-36, the Manatees are still dead last in the FSL north division, 13 games back of the Dunedin Blue Jays.
Wisconsin (A): The Rattlers were 2-4 on the week but it was almost 3-3; an extra-innings loss yesterday ended what would have been a winning day across the entire organization. The Rattlers started the week by losing 2 of 4 against the Lake County Captains (CLE) and finished by losing 2 of 3 against the Bowling Green Hot Rods (TB). The weather was also a problem this week, as the Rattlers had two games postponed due to rain. At 22-38, the Rattlers are still second last in the Midwest Leauge western division.
Dominican: The DSL Brewers are 3-4 on the year. I'm currently keeping an eye on 17-year-old catcher Carlos Pena and his 1.208 OPS (yay for small sample sizes!). Jose Pena is currently hitting .259.
Transactions
- Dayton Buller was acquired from Indy-ball to catch for Huntsville. Former farmhand Sam Narron was reacquired
- Scott Krieger, Ray Olmedo, Alex Periard, and Damon Krestalude were placed on the 7-day DL.
- Brendan Katin, Steffan Wilson, Amaury Rivas, and Logan Schafer, who is finally recovered from him spring training groin injury, were activated from the 7-day DL.
- Chris Smith and David Riske joined the big league club from Nashville
- Brandon Kintzler was promoted from Huntsville to Nashville.
- Lucas Luetge was promoted from Brevard Co. to Huntsville.
Five Up
- Mat Gamel: Gamel once again finds himself on the Five Up list after going 7-23 (.304) over the past week. He collected 3 hits yesterday including a double and a home run.
- Sean Halton: Halton has pretty much been on fire this week, giving the Manatees some much-needed power. Over the past week the Mantees 1B has hit .364 including 4 homers.
- Brett Lawrie- Three weeks in a row for Lawrie! That's gotta be some kind of record for the Micro Brew Review. Lawrie went 10-32 (.313) this week, including a three hit day and a four hit day.
- Kyle Heckthorn: Another strong start for Heckathorn. The big righty went the distance in a 7-inning game this week, allowing only 4 hits and 1 R (0 ER).
- Caleb Gindl: I've been waiting for Gindl to earn a spot here, and he finally has. After falling into a deep slump, the Stars outfielder now has himself an 8-game hitting streak. Gindl went 9-26 (.346) over the past week, including 4 doubles.
Five Down
- Jake Odorizzi: This is a week Odorizzi might want to forget. Over two outing this week the young righty pitched 7 innings and allowed 7 R (6 ER). He also allowed 9 H, 4 BB, and only struck out 4.
- Logan Schafer: Schafer is only on a rehab assingment (at least I think it is, because, really, the guy who's keeping Huntsville's CF warm for him really deserves a promotion), and is a little rusty, so I probably shouldn't be putting him here. But I am anyway. Schafer went 3-20 (.150) in his first week back.
- Chuck Lofgren: This is also a week that Lofgren might want to forget. In 7.2 IP over two outings this week, Lofgren gave up 10 ER on 12 H and 5 BB.
- Jose Sanchez: The Dominican reliever was just promoted to the Rattlers made two appreances this week. In a total of 1.2 innings he gave up 8 ER on 8 H and 2 BB. Ouch. Not the best debut.
- Lee Haydel: Haydel has had an up and down season this year and last week was of the "down" variety. In 20 ABs, the speedy outfielder collected only 3 hits.