Overbay Traded to Toronto!
Minor League Report
The Latest News on the Top Prospects
Eric Sacharski
EDITORS NOTE - The overall strength of the Milwaukee Brewers organization continues to be in their player development department. With a bevy of promising prospects still just starting their professional careers, the ON THE FARM report will give casual fans a weekly update into what's going on in the Brewers minor leagues.
THROUGH JULY 25TH
A full week of games now that every leagues All-Star games have been played, so lets get to it.
NASHVILLE SOUNDS
Things are looking good in Nashville, as far as Brewer fans are concerned. It was an outstanding week for Corey Hart and Prince Fielder, probably the next two players up the pipeline to the big league club.
Hart and Fielder both had three homeruns during the week. For Hart, it was number 9, 10 and 11, with the No. 9 HR coming in the form of a game-winner on Monday. For Prince, he hit numbers 18, 19 and 20. Fielder also had two games in which he scored three runs, and his game on Sunday was all-around outstanding (2-for-3, 3 runs, 4 RBI, 2 BB and a HR).
HUNTSVILLE STARS
The Stars lack of offensive firepower is starting to catch up to them.
Utility player Vinny Rottino had a solid game on Monday (3-for-5, 2 runs, 3 RBI, 3B) to start the week, and Tony Gwynn Jr. had two multi-hit games during the week, but that was it as far as offensive highlights.
Ty Taubenheim bounced back nicely after getting lit up in just his second start at AA, with a third start that was closer to his first one (7IP, 5H, 3R, 2BB, 10Ks). Taubenheim has yet to earn a win in Huntsville though.
BREVARD COUNTY MANATEES
Ugh! The Brewers representative in the Florida State League is quickly becoming the organizations ugly stepchild.
Staring pitcher Carlos Villanueva turned in another spectacular start on Friday, pitching 7 innings while giving up just 4 hits, 1 run, 1 walk and notching 10 more strikeouts. But like a majority of his previous starts, the Manatees weak offense wasted that gem and gave Villanueva a no-decision.
As soon as Villanueva is promoted, which should happen soon, there may not be a reason to even watch the BC boxscores.
Catcher Lou Palmisano did pick it up later in the week, with back-to-back 3-for-4 games on Saturday and Sunday, but he is still barely hitting his weight for the season.
WEST VIRGINIA POWER
The Power continued more of their hot and cold play this week.
On Friday, the Powers infield trio of 3B Ryan Braun, SS Alcides Escobar and 2B Hernan Iribarren were a combined 8-for-15, with 5 runs scored and three doubles. That was in support of pitcher Yovani Gallardo who went 6 innings giving up just 4 hits, 1 earned run, one walk and 8 Ks.
The next night though fireballer Mark Rodgers continued his struggles, taking the loss in the game by lasting 4.1 innings giving up 6 runs on 6 hits, 5 walks and 5 strikeouts.
HELENA BREWERS
Centerfielder Charlie Fermaint has joined catcher Angel Salome as an official prospect on the Brewers Pioneer League team. Fermaint hit his 8th homerun of the season on Friday in a good all-around game (3-for-5, 3 runs, RBI, SB). He's now hitting .346 on the season.
Solome continues to rake (still hitting .431), but had another 2-error game on Saturday.
Brendan Katin, a 23rd round pick from this Junes draft hit his 7th and 8th homeruns on Tuesday, but he continues to do it as a designated hitter, so he cant be labeled a prospect until they figure out a position for him.