A few from the Prodigal beat writer

This morning, I pointed you to a few blog posts from Brett.

This afternoon, here is a column and a story.

The story is on Doug Melvin's visit to the stadium for the game.

Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin stopped by Fox Cities Stadium to catch the Rattlers' Midwest League series finale against the Fort Wayne TinCaps — a game that saw Wisconsin finish on the wrong end of a 6-0 decision to complete an unwanted three-game sweep.

So, did the 22-year-old Marseco find himself unnerved by the unexpected pit stop?

"There are constantly rovers here, higher-up people checking up on us," he said. "We're low man on the totem poll, so we can't afford to take a day off. Every day's a grind, regardless of who's here. You've just got to go out and do it.

The Column...well, here's the title: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers' strong pitching staff bodes well for future of Milwaukee Brewers pitching

Heading into Wednesday's action, the Brewers' 6.30 team ERA ranked 25th out of the 30 big-league clubs. Meanwhile, they had issued 42 walks through 70 innings — tops in the majors.

So, where are the arms, you scream? Wisconsin Timber Rattlers catcher Sean McCraw can handle that one.

"They need to come on down to Appleton," he said of a suddenly restless fan base that has gone from thinking playoff chase to the Suppan chase — as in out of the rotation.

"If they want to see the future (Brewers) rotation and bullpen, they can come on down."

"Frederickson and Scarpetta and there ain't nothing betta!" might one day be the Miller Park battle cry.

It's no "Spahn and Sain and pray for rain." But, points for trying.

"What can I do best to help my career out, that's all I'm worried about," said Frederickson, one of 34 hurlers selected by the Brewers — he was a supplemental first round choice — in last June's pitching-heavy draft as the club gave new meaning to the phrase "position of need." "All that other stuff will take care of itself.

"I'm not going to go ahead and say we're going to be saviors or anything like that. But it's our goal to make it to the big leagues, and that's what we're working for. And that's where I'm planning on being soon."

Much, much more at the story. Just click and read.