Brewers Farm Report: Brevard County Manatees, June 30-July 6

(Author’s Note: I would like to dedicate this column to my father, Gerald Trzinski, who had major surgery two weeks ago to repair a ruptured aorta. He is currently in fair condition in the ICU at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Get better, dad and I love you!)

Each week throughout the regular season, the staff at Reviewing the Brew will be bringing you a comprehensive minor league report about each of the Brewers’ affiliates. There hasn’t been much to write home about up at the big league level this season for the Brewers this season, but Milwaukee does have plenty of exciting prospects playing well throughout their minor league system. The Brewers’ high-A affiliate, the Brevard County Manatees, are no exception.

Brevard County had another tough week, winning just two of seven games while getting outscored 47-34. The Manatees’ record dropped to 33-47, and they currently reside in the Florida State League North Division’s basement, 12 games behind the Clearwater Threshers.

Several players are among the league leaders, but as a team, the Manatees rank third with 35 home runs, tied for second with 47 hit batsmen, and fifth with 80 stolen bases. On the pitching side, the staff leads the FSL with six complete games, which is a quarter of the league’s total (23).

Top prospect Clint Coulter has his name on several leader boards, including on top with 11 home runs, 135 total bases, and 12 hit by pitches. He ranks fourth in slugging (.449), doubles (20), and is fifth with 43 RBIs.

Taylor Smith-Brennan (3B) ranks second with 49 runs scored and 40 walks. Second baseman Chris McFarland is tied for first with 93 hits and outfielder Omar Garcia is second with 29 steals. First baseman Garrett Cooper is third with 22 doubles, while promoted outfielder Victor Roache is still tied for third with ten homers and is fifth in slugging (.448).

Starter Jorge Ortega is first with four complete games, tied for first with one shutout, first among WHIP qualifiers (0.941), and second among qualifiers with a 2.33 ERA. Javi Salas is tied for fourth with seven victories, tied for third with one complete game, and fifth with 85 2/3 innings pitched.

More from Reviewing the Brew

• Brewers: 4 Players Who Must Step Up for the Crew to Make the Playoffs
• Brewers: Yet Another Huge Promotion For Top Prospect Jackson Chourio
• Brewers Making Colossal Mistake With Corbin Burnes’ Contract
• Which Players May Be In The Final Month Of Their Brewers Careers?
• Brewers: Where Does Devin Williams Stand In NL Reliever Of The Year Race?

HITTER OF THE WEEK: Clint Coulter, RF

Coulter started off hot and struggled for a few weeks, but did so well he earned FSL Player of the Week for the period ending July 5. For our period ending one day later, Coulter went 9-for-26 (.346/.400/.615) with four doubles, a homer, and six RBIs. The first round pick of the Brewers in 2012, Coulter is in his fourth minor league season at age 21.

Runners-Up: Smith-Brennan showed some power with two homers and seven RBIs (.259/.300/.519); Cameron Garfield went 7-for-24 (.292/.370/.458); Michael Ratterree hit .320/.379/.320 with his 8-for 25 showing.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK: Kaleb Earls, RHRP

Earls made two appearances, pitching 4 1/3 innings while allowing only one hit and earning a save. On the season, Earls has a record of 0-1, with an ERA of 3.48 and two saves.

The rest of the staff struggled, giving up a total of 47 runs during the week.

UP NEXT:

The Manatees face division rival Tampa three times, currently third in the North, and finish with four at FSL South leader Charlotte.