August 8, 2009: Tonight's pitchers

SCHEDULED STARTER

RHP RJ SEIDEL: Selected by Milwaukee in the 16th round of the 2006 draft out of La Crosse (WI) Central High School.

AS A SENIOR: Seidel went 8-2 with a 0.99 ERA and 90 strikeouts in his final season at La Crosse Central. He turned down a scholarship to the University of Arkansas to sign with the Brewers.

A ROOKIE YEAR: Seidel did not pitch as a professional in 2006 and the 2007 season with Helena in the Pioneer League was his first as a professional. He went 4-0 with a 3.07ERA and 36 strikeouts in 41 innings with the Brewers over 12 games (eight starts).

POWER UP: Seidel appeared in 26 games (25 starts) for the West Virginia Power, Milwaukee’s Class-A affiliate in 2008. He went 9-5 with a 4.51ERA and pitched 121-1/3 innings for the Power.

MISSED SOME TIME: Due to an injury this past off-season, Seidel spent the first part of the 2009 season on the disabled list of the Timber Rattlers. He got back to action with a few rehab appearances for the Arizona League affiliate of the Brewers before joining the Timber Rattlers on July 22.

HOW DID THAT GO? Seidel made six starts for the Brewers in the desert and was 0-3 with a 6.67ERA. He walked eight and struck out 23 over 28-1/3 innings pitched, but allowed 24 runs on 43 hits.

RATED: Baseball America ranked Seidel as the #18 prospect in the Milwaukee Brewer organization before the 2009 season. They also ranked him as the pitcher with the best change up in the Milwaukee system.

HOMESTATER: Seidel is the latest Timber Rattler to hail from the State of Wisconsin. Past Timber Rattlers to be from the Dairy State are Andy Augustine (’95), Sean Parnell (’00), Austin Bilke (’04), Tony Butler (’07), and Korey Feiner (’08).

LAST START: Seidel made the start against the Kane County Cougars at Time Warner Cable Field on August 3. He allowed two runs on three hits with a walk and four strikeouts. But, Seidel took the loss in a 5-1 Kane County win.

VS. PEORIA: Seidel has never faced the Peoria Chiefs.

VS. CHICAGO: Seidel made two starts against the Arizona League affiliate of the Chicago Cubs earlier this season. He allowed seven runs (six earned) on 11 hits over eight innings. Seidel walked four and struck out five while going 0-1 in those two starts.

PROFESSIONAL BESTS:
INNINGS PITCHED: 7.0 IP (2x – Last 8/23/08 @ Lexington)
STRIKEOUTS: 8 (2x – Last: 7/14/09 @ AZL Giants)

SCHEDULED RELIEVER

LHP EFRAIN NIEVES: Selected by Milwaukee in the 7th round of the 2007 draft out of Puerto Rico Baseball Academy.

LAST SEASON: Nieves went 6-3 with a 4.48 ERA in 16 games (11 starts) at Helena. He walked 10 and struck out 66 over 76-1/3 innings.

AMONG THE LEADERS: Nieves was fifth in the Pioneer League in innings pitched and fifth in the Pioneer League in wins.

STREAKING: Nieves won four consecutive decisions between June 22 and July 13, 2008.

AWARD WINNING: Nieves was the Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week for his performances July 7-13.

WHAT A GAME! Nieves tossed eight innings without allowing a run and striking out nine at Great Falls on August 25. He retired the side in order in the first inning. The Voyagers picked up a leadoff double in the second inning. Then, Nieves retired the next 21 batters in a row.

WORKING VACATION: Nieves pitched for Arecibo in the Puerto Rican Winter League during the off season.

RATED: Baseball America ranked Nieves as the #23 prospect in the Milwaukee Brewer organization before the 2009 season.

LAST APPEARANCE: Nieves appeared in relief against the Kane County Cougars on August 3. He allowed two runs on five hits over three innings. Nieves also walked two, struck out five, and was not involved in the decision.

VS. PEORIA: Nieves has faced the Chiefs twice this season – once as a starter and once as a reliever. In game one of a doubleheader on April 23, Nieves allowed five runs on eight hits over 4-2/3 innings and got a no decision. Nieves pitched four innings of relief on June 27 against the Chiefs. He allowed one run on two hits over four innings. Nieves has not been involved in a decision in either appearance against the Chiefs this season.

PROFESSIONAL BESTS:
INNINGS PITCHED: 8.0 (8/25/08 at Great Falls)
STRIKEOUTS: 9 (8/25/08 at Great Falls)