Brewers' weekly minor-league report

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Keston Hiura, DH/2B, Wisconsin: Hiura wasted no time making an impact in his first week at Class A Wisconsin, hitting .423 with three doubles, a triple and four runs batted in. The Brewers’ first-round draft pick last month, Hiura has hit in all six games he's played for the Timber Rattlers and had multiple hits in the last four. He also has reached base in all 21 of his professional games – he opened in the rookie Arizona League – and collected at least one hit in 20.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK

Aaron Wilkerson, RHP, Biloxi: Wilkerson made the start of the season to date in the Brewers’ minor-league season, throwing a complete-game, two-hit shutout in a 7-0 win at Mississippi on July 23. Wilkerson walked just one and struck out seven as he improved to 9-4 to go along with a 3.10 earned-run average and a WHIP of 1.04. Wilkerson has struck out 112 in 107 1/3 innings – leaving him seven off the lead in the Southern League – and has won three straight starts and four of his last five.

JOURNAL SENTINEL’S TOP FIVE PROSPECTS

1. Lewis Brinson, OF, Colorado Springs: In six games last week, Brinson hit .346 with three doubles and a triple while posting a .452 on-base percentage. He is on an 18-game hitting streak and has reached base in all 22 games he’s played in since being optioned back down from the Brewers on June 26. Brinson is hitting .345 with 10 homers and 43 RBI with a .417 on-base percentage and OPS of .986.

2. Corey Ray, OF, Carolina: Ray hit .167 over five games with a triple and an RBI. He sits at .230 for the season with four homers, 35 RBI through 76 games.

3. Isan Diaz, IF, Carolina: Diaz hit .211 over six games with one RBI. Through 94 games he is batting .231 with 11 homers and 47 RBI.

4. Lucas Erceg, IF, Carolina: Erceg hit .167 in six games with two doubles, a triple and four RBI. He is batting .236 with nine homers and 53 RBI through 94 games.

5. Luis Ortiz, RHP, Biloxi: Ortiz made his one start last week a good one. He fired six shutout innings, allowing one hit and no walks while striking out six. He is 3-5 with a 3.79 ERA and WHIP of 1.18 through 16 starts, and has 65 strikeouts in 73 2/3 innings.

AFFILIATES UPDATE

Class AAA Colorado Springs: The Sky Sox had a rough time, posting a 2-5 record. But at 60-39 overall, they still hold a comfortable lead in the Pacific Coast League’s American Northern Division. Shortstop Mauricio Dubon has his average up to .272 to go with two homers and 16 RBI through his first 23 games at Class AAA.

Class AA Biloxi: A 1-4 week left the Shuckers at 12-18 in the Southern League’s South Division. Converted reliever Nick Ramirez continues to roll. He is 4-3 but has an ERA of just 1.29 and a WHIP of 1.07 in 35 appearances.

“He’s really taken it up a notch,” farm director Tom Flanagan said. “His fastball command has been really good, and his changeup has still been there for him. He’s a guy that in the near future we’d like to get to Triple-A. We’d like to get him a few more at-bats, pinch-hit at-bats, possibly a start at Double-A. He’s done really well and held up in his first full-time year pitching.”

Advanced Class A Carolina: By going 1-5, the Mudcats fell to 13-18 in the Carolina League’s Southern Division. Right-hander Jordan Yamamoto turned in a pair of solid starts, going 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA and WHIP of 0.92. His hard-luck loss came on July 18, when he allowed one hit and one walk over seven shutout innings while striking out seven.

Class A Wisconsin: The Timber Rattlers went 2-4 in dropping to 13-18 in the Midwest League’s Western Division. Hiura has been the story recently for the Timber Rattlers, but second baseman Tucker Neuhaus had been showing signs of life before going on the disabled list. He has his average up to .245, and he leads the team with 13 homers and 47 RBI.

Advanced Rookie Helena: The Brewers were 2-4 and are 15-19 in the Pioneer League’s North Division. Third baseman Dallas Carroll hit .316 with two homers and six RBI and posted an OPS of 1.143 and was named the Pioneer League player of the week. He was a ninth-round pick in June out of the University of Utah.