The Brewers are wasting no time with getting their top pick, Trent Clark, signed and to rookie ball to begin his minor-league career. Yesterday, Adam McCalvy reported that a deal with Trent Clark is "99% done", with just a few minor hurdles to clear. The biggest one remaining is the physical, which isn't expected to be a problem (but has stalled draft pick signings in the past). The expectation is that Clark will sign for a little about the slot value. It should be the first big signing in what hopes to be a strong draft for the Brewers.
Yesterday's Results
It started out looking like it would be "one of those games", with the Brewers committing three errors in the first four innings and going down 5-1 after the top of the fourth. However, they battled back to close the gap with runs in the fourth and fifth, tie it in the seventh, and take the lead in the eighth on an RBI single by Scooter Gennett. Francisco Rodriguez closed it out for his thirteenth save in thirteen chances.
Brewers News & Notes
- Looking for up-to-date information on the signings from the Brewers draft class? Yesterday, we put up our draft signing tracker with all of the information we have so far. This will be pinned towards the top of the main page and remain there for the next several weeks, and updated as we get more information on draft pick signings.
- Before yesterday's game, Derek previewed the current four-game series against the Nationals.
- Did the Brewers refuse a straight trade of Aramis Ramirez and Jonathan Niese? They may have, as tdgbp posted a link in the FanPosts from the Huffington Post asking about Niese's value following a failed trade attempt of the two players.
- Over on Beyond the Box Score, Nick Lampe lists Ryan Braun's contract as the third best long-term contract currently in all of MLB. He also has Jonathan Lucroy's contact in the honorable mention section.
- Pete Schwichtenberg of Reviewing the Brew has five things to watch during this weekend's series against the Nationals at Miller Park.
- What are the chances of the Brewers and Mets matching up for a deal? Nick Michalski of The Brewers Bar recently interviewed a Mets blogger to discuss possible ways the two teams could match up.
- The series specials are making a return at Miller Park, with two specials planned for the six-game homestand. Cait Covers the Bases has previews for the two items during this homestand, as well as a sneak peak at what is upcoming in the future. In addition, she reviews the monthly specials available at AJ Bombers.
Minor League Update
Team | Level | Record | Yesterday | This Weekend |
Colorado Springs Sky Sox | AAA | 24-33 | Colorado Springs @ Iowa (PPD) |
Friday: Colorado Springs @ Iowa Saturday: Colorado Springs @ Iowa Sunday: Colorado Springs @ Iowa |
Biloxi Shuckers | AA | 36-24 | Mississippi 5, Biloxi 1 |
Friday: Biloxi @ Mississippi Saturday: Biloxi @ Mississippi Sunday: Biloxi @ Mississippi |
Brevard County Manatees | A+ | 26-33 | Palm Beach 3, Brevard County 0 Palm Beach 2, Brevard County 1 |
Friday: Brevard County @ Clearwater Saturday: Brevard County @ Clearwater Sunday: Brevard County @ Clearwater |
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers | A | 19-41 | Wisconsin 8, Dayton 1 |
Friday: Wisconsin @ Dayton Saturday: Wisconsin @ Bowling Green Sunday: Wisconsin @ Bowling Green |
DSL Brewers | R | 3-8 | DSL Cubs 5, DSL Brewers 4 |
Friday: DSL Cubs @ DSL Brewers Saturday: DSL Pirates @ DSL Brewers |
News & Notes
- The Biloxi Shuckers can clinch a playoff spot in the Southern League playoffs as soon as this weekend. Their magic number is 6, and they are playing the second place team, the Mississippi Braves, this weekend. If the Shuckers sweep the next three games against the Braves, they will claim the playoff spot.
- Meanwhile, the Southern League announced that Biloxi Shuckers catcher Adam Weisenburger and RHP Jorge Lopez had been added to the All-Star roster. This brings the total up to ten Shuckers playing in the game.
- While on a trip to Florida, Kyle Lesniewski of Reviewing the Brew had a chance to interview minor-league pitcher Wei-Chung Wang of the Brevard County Manatees.
NL Central Update
Team | W | L |
Cardinals | 39 | 21 |
Cubs | 32 | 26 |
Pirates | 32 | 27 |
Reds | 27 | 32 |
Brewers | 23 | 38 |
- Cubs 6, Reds 3
- Cardinals and Pirates had the day off.
This Weekend's Division Games
- Royals @ Cardinals
Friday: Yordano Ventura vs. Jaime Garcia - 7:15 pm
Saturday: Jeremy Guthrie vs. Lance Lynn - 3:10 pm
Sunday: Jason Vargas vs. John Lackey - 1:15 pm - Reds @ Cubs
Friday: Johnny Cueto vs. Jason Hammel - 3:05 pm
Saturday: Mike Leake vs. Kyle Hendricks - 6:15 pm
Sunday: Anthony DeSclafani vs. Jon Lester - 7:08 pm - Phillies @ Pirates
Friday: Kevin Correia vs. Jeff Locke - 6:05 pm
Saturday: Sean O'Sullivan vs. Gerrit Cole - 3:05 pm
Sunday: Cole Hamels vs. AJ Burnett - 12:35 pm
Around Baseball
Roster News
- The Braves designated RHP Trevor Cahill for assignment.
- LHP Erik Bedard has decided to retire. He had been working in the Dodgers system in an attempt to make a comeback.
- The Mets activated second baseman Dilson Herrera and reliever Bobby Parnell from the 15-day DL, and placed RHP Dillon Gee on the bereavement list and infielder Ruben Tejada on the paternity list.
- The Nationals acquired RHP David Carpenter from the Yankees in exchange for minor league second baseman Tony Renda. They also placed first baseman Ryan Zimmerman on the 15-day DL with a sore left foot and recalled outfielder Matt den Decker.
- The Padres activated outfielder Wil Myers from the 15-day DL.
- The Rangers released LHP Mike Kickham.
- The Rays are expected to be without outfielder Desmond Jennings for eight more weeks after he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on his left knee. Also, they designated catcher Bobby Wilson for assignment.
- Reds shortstop Zack Cozart has a torn tendon and ligaments in his right knee and will miss the remainder of the 2015 season. Exepcted recovery time is nine months.
- The Royals activated catcher Erik Kratz from the 15-day DL and designated him for assignment.
Other Notes
- While MLB is still not eliminating blackouts, they are taking a step forward with their streaming options. David Wiers of TechGraphs reports that MLB Network subscribers who have a qualifying cable/satellite subscription can now stream MLB Network through the At Bat app. Many cable/satellite providers are already on board, but Charter is currently one of the biggest providers that is not available.
- Wrigley Field took a step forward in its renovations on Thursday, officially opening the right field bleachers for the first time this season. They are only two months behind schedule after originally being planned to be ready for Opening Day.
- We've all heard silly trade rumors at this time of year, whether they are legitimate or not. Jeff Sullivan of FanGraphs has a few tips for what to do when you read one of these rumors.
- Did it bother you at all when the Brewers chose David Lucroy, the brother of Jonathan Lucroy, in the 20th round of the MLB Draft? Mike Bates of MLB Daily Dish says it shouldn't, and has some tips on "learning to live with draft nepotism".
- Did you remember to check your phone on Wednesday? According to The Onion, you may not be aware that you were chosen in the late rounds of the MLB draft. If you were drafted, please let us know what round and for what team in the comments below. Bonus points for identifying the rookie team you were assigned to. (Personally, I was one of the 13% not selected.)
This Weekend's Action
The Brewers continue their four-game series against the Nationals this weekend. Here are the remaining starting pitcher matchups:
Friday: Jordan Zimmermann vs. Mike Fiers - 7:10 pm
Saturday: Joe Ross vs. Jimmy Nelson - 3:10 pm
Sunday: Max Scherzer vs. Taylor Jungmann - 1:10 pm