Wisconsin Sports Headlines – 6/11/2020

The Latest Sports Headlines: 

>>Brewers Draft UCLA Outfielder Garrett Mitchell With 20th Pick In MLB Draft

(Undated)  —  The Milwaukee Brewers drafted UCLA outfielder Garrett Mitchell with the 20th pick in Wednesday’s first round of the Major League Baseball Free Agent Draft.  At least one source – MLB Pipeline – rated Mitchell the sixth-best prospect available.  He has a solid bat, good power, plus-plus speed and a good track record in Division One baseball.  Mitchell hit .327 in three seasons with the Bruins.  Scouts say he has the tools to develop into a superstar, but he will need to do some tweaking of his swing.  The Brewers have until August 1st to get him signed for three-point-two million dollars.

 

>>Wisconsin Athletic Director Barry Alvarez:  Black Lives Matter

(Madison, WI)  —  University of Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez says society has some of the same issues with racism that existed when he was a student-athlete 50 years ago.  He released a statement Wednesday afternoon saying:  “Black Lives Matter.”  Alvarez says the university is committed to “leading change” and, while that isn’t easy, he says, “it starts with us.”  Alvarez pointed to the hiring of former Badger Michael Jackson in January.  Jackson will oversee all of the U-W athletics programs’ diversity and inclusion efforts.

 

>>New Packer LB Thinks His History With Pettine Will Make For Smooth Transition

(Green Bay, WI)  —  The newest Green Bay Packers linebacker says his history with defensive coordinator Mike Pettine should make for a smooth transition. Christian Kirksey says when he opened his Packers playbook he was immediately familiar with the defensive plan.  Kirksey signed with Green Bay in March.  He played for Pettine during the 2014 and 2015 seasons in Cleveland.  Kirksey is 27 years old and is coming off two injury-filled seasons.  Before that, he had little to no injury history.

 

>>SI Gambling Sees The Bucks Taking The NBA Title In A Series Against The Lakers

(Undated)  —  Sports Illustrated is projecting the Milwaukee Bucks To beat the Los Angeles Lakers for the NBA title when the season resumes.  S-I Gambling expert Corey Parson thinks teams in the NBA West will beat each other down while the Bucks get to the Finals unscathed.  The games were stopped when the Bucks were struggling through a four-game losing streak.  Corey Parson says the break actually came at a good time.  He pegs Milwaukee at “+240” to win the NBA Championship, with the Lakers close behind.

 

>>Stricker Will Be Making More Captain’s Selections Than Normal For Ryder Cup

(Kohler, WI)  —  The coronavirus pandemic is changing things for the 2020 Ryder Cup, still on the schedule for late September.  Wisconsin native Steve Stricker will be making more selections for his team this time.  In the past, the top eight players according to a points system were automatically on the team.  Instead of the customary four players chosen by the team captain to fill out the U.S. roster, Stricker will be making six selections.  Justin Thomas and Tiger Woods are currently the two players “on the bubble.”