Down on the Farm: Minor League News and Notes

Many Brewers fans have been accustomed to learning new names and faces this season as injuries and inconsistent performance has paved the way for Brewers prospects to come up and take a shot at the Big Leagues.

While we here at Reviewing the Brew believe that keeping track of the Minor League affiliates is an important part of a balanced baseball diet, we also understand that there simply isn’t enough time to follow everything that goes on in the Milwaukee Brewers organization.

Here’s a quick primer that ought to keep you in the loop on the farm system.

Possible Scouting Change

Kieth Law of ESPN reported in last week’s SportsNation chat that there may be a possible replacement in the works in the Brewers scouting department. The transcript reads as follows:

"JB (NYC)Any chance the Brewers get rid of Bruce Seid and hire a new scouting directorKlaw  (1:17 PM)I have heard this rumor several times in the last few weeks, with former AZ scouting director (and former Milwaukee scout) Tom Allison as a possible replacement. I never want to see anyone fired, so please don’t interpret this as an endorsement of such a move – I’m just passing it along as a rumor with some currency in the industry right now. I do think the success of so many of Allison’s picks with Arizona (Parker, Miley, Goldschmidt, even lesser guys like Elmore and Collmenter) should have his name in consideration for open SD jobs this winter.– via"

In doing some research to verify it, I have found little to evidence that there’s any actual discussion in the works. I am left to assume that it is, as Law states, simply scuttlebutt amongst the scouts.Bruce Seid has been Milwaukee’s Director of Amateur Scouting since 2008, and has been with the team since 1997.

Nashville Sound Named PCL Batter of the Week

Caleb Gindl had one hell of a week. In just seven games, the Nashville Sounds outfielder and number

17 Brewers prospect had his second multi-home run game, his first 4-4 effort at the plate, and became the only member of the AAA club to drive in four runs in a game in 2012. That game saw Caleb hit three doubles. He continued his dominance of opposing pitching two days later when he hit a single, double, and triple in a 3-5 effort, falling one home run shy of the cycle.

He would finish the week with a .533 average in 16 at-bats with eight extra-base hits, and easily wrapped up the league’s Batter of the Week honors.

 Hunter Morris Makes Legitimate Case for Player of the Year Honors

Call him The Mayor.

That’s what fans of the number 11 prospect have taken to calling him, owing to his roots in the Hunstville area. But it’s far more than local ties that are driving the fanbase. Hunter Morris has the numbers and the hardware to back up his large following. Morris was named Topps Player of the Month for the AA Southern League in both June and July, and continues to impress fans across the organization’s spectrum. He currently lead all Milwaukee Minor League players in Slugging Percentage, RBIs, and Home Runs.
Hunter has had only 25 hits in August, but continues to impress with his power as ten of those hits went for extra bases, including four home runs. He has driven in 21 runs so far on the month, and hit safely in six of his last ten games with Huntsville.

Manatee Third Baseman Named to All-Star Team

Third Baseman Mike Walker might not have prospect status, but that doesn’t mean he’s not making waves in the organization. Yesterday the former 2010 14th round pick was named to the Florida State League Postseason All-Star team, marking the second such accolade of his career.

Walker was previously named to the Midwest League All-Star team in 2011 as a member of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

Walker is in the top ten in the FSL for both hits and Runs Batted In, and is one of the Brevard County leaders in hits, total bases, RBIs, Runs, and Home Runs.

In other news from the Advanced-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, the effects of Tropical Storm Isaac have caused the Manatees to cancel their final home game against the Clearwater Threshers. Team officials have said that the game will not be made up, but ticket holders may exchange the tickets for any 2013 Brevard County home game.

Notes from the Timber Rattlers

The Class-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers are heading to the playoffs in a short time as they wrap up their 2012 campaign. The team took first place in their division in the first half of the season, posting a 44-25 record. The T-Rats will face off against whichever team claims the Wild Card spot for the Western Division in the second half of the season, which wraps up on September fourth. You can find information on tickets here.

Finally, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers will be hosting a special bobblehead night to commemorate a member of the Timber Rattlers family that was lost this year. Brock Calmes, who passed away this year at the age of 28, will be honored and remembered by the team, with his likeness being given away to the first 1,000 fans who enter Fox Cities Stadium on August 30th.

Calmes was a long-time vendor at the Timber Rattlers games, and his peculiar calls while hawking candy and snacks during the game made him something of a local celebrity. Fans, friends, and family members remember him as an outgoing, caring, and friendly person. He passed away on May 14th from complications stemming from a blood clot. Brock’s bobblehead was chosen as a landslide victor in an online vote by Timber Rattlers fans earlier in the season.

You can purchase tickets or learn more about this very special remembrance here.