This is the first installment of a new weekly feature that highlights the top performers in the Milwaukee Brewers' minor-league system. Each week we'll take a look at the top pitcher and position player from the team's four main affiliates: Triple-A Colorado Springs, Double-A Biloxi, High-A Brevard County and Low-A Wisconsin. Here's a look at all eight players who made this week's list.
TRIPLE-A COLORADO SPRINGS (2-5)
Player of the Week: 1B Matt Clark
Week stats: .320 (8-for-25), 1 HR, 2 2B, 4 RBI in 7 games
Recent highlights: One of Milwaukee's final cuts in spring training, Clark has performed well as the everyday first baseman at Triple-A Colorado Springs, hitting .314 with six home runs and 21 RBI in 30 games. Clark homered against Memphis on Tuesday and went 3-for-5 with two RBI against the Redbirds on Wednesday. The 28-year-old had three extra-base hits this past week, as the Sky Sox went 2-5 during the first seven games of an eight-game road trip that wraps up at Iowa on Monday.
Pitcher of the Week: RHP Taylor Jungmann
Week stats: 1-0, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
Recent highlights: It has been a rough start to the season for the former first-round pick, but Jungmann had his best outing of the year last Wednesday against Memphis. Jungmann allowed just three hits with three walks and six strikeouts in six shutout innings in relief of the rehabbing Jim Henderson to receive a no decision in Colorado Springs' eventual 6-5 extra-innings loss. After posting a 10.26 ERA over his first four starts, Jungmann has allowed three earned runs over his last 12 innings of work.
DOUBLE-A BILOXI (3-3)
Player of the Week: SS/2B Yadiel Rivera
Week stats: .450 (9-for-20), 2 2B, 2 RBI
Recent highlights: While Orlando Arcia has stolen the headlines, and rightfully so, for his hot start, Milwaukee's other shortstop prospect at Biloxi is also going strong. Rivera, ranked by MLB.com as the No. 23 prospect in the Brewers system, is hitting .330 in 100 at-bats for the Shuckers. Rivera has spent most of his time at second base, with Arcia, Milwaukee's top prospect, playing shortstop. There was little question about Rivera's defensive abilities, but the 23-year-old has never hit above .262 in a full minor-league season.
Pitcher of the Week: RHP Jorge Lopez
Week stats: 1-0, 12 IP, 1.50 ERA, 8 H, 1 BB, 14 K in two starts
Recent highlights: Part of a talented pitching staff at Biloxi, the No. 12 prospect in Milwaukee's system put together two solid starts this past week. Lopez allowed two runs and struck out six over five innings against Mobile on Monday and tossed seven scoreless innings of one-hit baseball Sunday against Mississippi. Since allowing seven runs in seven innings to start the season, Lopez has a 1.61 ERA over 27 innings.
HIGH-A BREVARD COUNTY (4-2)
Player of the Week: RF Clint Coulter
Week stats: .364 (8-for-22), 1 HR, 7 RBI
Recent highlights: Milwaukee's 2014 minor league player of the year is tearing up the Florida State League. Coulter is hitting .324 with seven home runs, four doubles, two triples and 24 RBI in 29 games. The 21-year-old had three more multi-hit games this past week, including going 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBI against Clearwater on Wednesday. At this rate, Coulter will likely see Double-A by the end of the season.
Pitcher of the Week: RHP Javier Salas
Week stats: 1-0, 5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Recent highlights: Salas held Clearwater to just one run over 5 1/3 innings last Tuesday to lower his season ERA to 2.08. The 23-year-old right-hander hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his five starts this season.
LOW-A WISCONSIN (0-6)
Player of the Week: CF Brandon Diaz
Week stats: .267 (4-for-15), 2 HR, 3 RBI
Recent highlights: It has been a tough season for the extremely young Timber Rattlers. Last week was no different, as Wisconsin went 0-6 this past week. Diaz was a bright spot, as he homered Friday and Saturday in losses to Quad Cities. The 20-year-old hit just .159 in April but went 4-for-12 over the weekend.
Pitcher of the Week: RHP Cy Sneed
Week stats: 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
Recent highlights: Sneed was a tough-luck loser Thursday at Quad Cities. The 2014 third-round pick limited the Bandits to just one earned run over six innings but took the loss as Wisconsin fell 2-1. Sneed is now 1-3 with a 1.30 ERA over 27 2/3 innings for the Timber Rattlers.
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