Wed. 6/8: Small, Knarr, Kelly, Cruz - Stellar Starters Set to Soar; All Rookie Ballers Idle

[Jim Goulart]

Thread will be utilized for any minor league news Wednesday, lineup updates, etc.

Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores

Links for affiliate audio

Standings and sortable stat pages

Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth

Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth

[Spencer Michaelis]

A semi random note. It appears the Brewers are going to let Quinton Low make a real attempt at the two-way life, which is really fun: 

Game 1 for the ACL Brewers Blue squad (Monday):

Batted third in the order, playing First Base, 1-4 w/ 1 BB, 2 R scored. 
 

Game 2 (yesterday):

2 IP, 0 H, 3 BB, 3 K’s

 

[Joseph Zarr]

This is the kind of starting pitching across all levels that has me moved on quite quickly from yesterday's unfortunate outcomes. Lots to look forward to tonight. That's some high-end Minor League pitching prowess right there. 

Can Knarr keep it going in Double-A? That's a tall ask but he has the tools.

Can Smallsy rebound from his shortened and challenged Major League debut and find that consistent Triple-A form? 

Can Kelly rebound from, by his standards, his last ho-hum start?

How will Stiven Cruz fare in his second consecutive tough contest? He made it 5 1/3 his last outing but worked around 7 hits and a walk - admirably, I might add. These Pelicans are a tough tough challenge. As shown last night, these are nine-inning affairs.

 

[Ro Mueller]

After letting Game One slip away, Low-A Carolina turns to RHP Stiven Cruz (4.41 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 12.1 K/9 in 16 1/3 innings)) to start today's contest at home against the Pelicans. LF Hedbert Perez has homered in 2 of his last 3 games (5-for-12 in the period):

[Ro Mueller]

RF Joey Wiemer is BACK(!!) after missing the last 6 games. Hopefully he's just the right medicine Biloxi needs to snap its 4-game losing skid. Formidable LHP Brandon Knarr (1.57 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 10.2 K/9 in 57 1/3 innings in High-A) makes his debut in AA after yesterday's call-up:

[Joseph Zarr]

11 minutes ago, damuelle said:

RF Joey Wiemer is BACK(!!) after missing the last 6 games. Hopefully he's just the right medicine Biloxi needs to snap its 4-game losing skid. Formidable LHP Brandon Knarr (1.57 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 10.2 K/9 in 57 1/3 innings in High-A) makes his debut in AA after yesterday's call-up:

[Joseph Zarr]

My daily Reetz Reader:

(From Biloxi's Game Notes today)

Quote

The REETZ Man: After going deep twice on 6/1, Shuckers’ C Jakson Reetz has now risen to third in the Southern League in home runs. It was Reetz’ second multi-home run game of the season, the other coming on 4/17 vs MIS. Reetz is also just one home run shy of tying his career-high (13) in 2019 with the Potomac Nationals... Reetz now has a 1.081 OPS, the best in the Southern League and has the fifth best OPS in Minor League Baseball... Reetz’ .653 Slugging percentage is the seventh best in MiLB.

(bold my own)

Welcome aboard the Hype Train. Feel free to join me. Healthy snacks. And, lots of exuberant superlatives tossed about.

[Joseph Zarr]

In yesterday's report, I discussed the ongoing Biloxi bullpen issues. This is what that looks like:

Quote

On the Mound: Bullpen Blues: In their last series against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, the Shuckers’ bullpen allowed 26 runs in 25.2 innings for a 9.12 ERA. The bullpen also walked 22 batters and struck out 21 across six games.

Can I get a 'Woooooof!'. Yowza!

[Joseph Zarr]

And, our daily Jackson Chourio well-deserved hype-laden news briefing:

Quote

Jackson Chourio has hit safely in 13 consecutive games and has gone 23-for-56 while hitting .411/.441/.679 with a 1.119 OPS (9 R, 4 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 16 RBI) during the streak.. Chourio's career high hit streak is 15 games (08/31/21-10/2/21). Chourio has also reached base safely in 21 consecutive games (5/14-6/7).

My. Goodness. That production is filled with swoon.

BUT, alas my friends, let us not stop there. The Pre-Game Notes contain more:

Quote

C.L. IS FOR CHOURIO LEAUGE: Since arriving in the Carolina League on 5/3, Jackson Chourio ranks 2nd in the CL in average (.367), 1st in RBI (26), 5th in OBP (.417), 3rd in slugging (.592), 3rd in OPS (1.009), 1st in hits (44), 1st in doubles (13), 1st in extra-base hits (18), and 1st in total bases (71)... Chourio has hit safely in 24 of 29 games played since joining the Mudcats on 5/3... Chourio was recently named the CL Player of the Week for Week 9 (5/30-6/5: .440/.462/.920, 1.382 OPS, 11 H, 4 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 8 RBI).. The Brewers named Chourio the organization's Minor League co-player of the month for May on 6/3.

That is some sexy sexy baseball stuff right there. The Mudcats begin their knock in 15 minutes - 35 minutes before any other affiliate. I can't wait to peak in on that action.

[Ro Mueller]

After a close loss in the series opener in Beloit, High-A Wisconsin turns to dominant LHP Antoine Kelly (3.38 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 11.8 K/9 in 48 innings) to square things up. C Alex Hall (4-for-11 with 4 RBIs over last 3 games) is getting more playing time in Darrien Miller's apparently continued absence:

[Joseph Zarr]

2 minutes ago, damuelle said:

After a close loss in the series opener in Beloit, High-A Wisconsin turns to dominant LHP Antoine Kelly (3.38 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 11.8 K/9 in 48 innings) to square things up. C Alex Hall (4-for-11 with 4 RBIs over last 3 games) is getting more playing time in Darrien Miller's apparently continued absence:

I would simply offer forth:

Darrien has scuffled at the plate and he's struggled all season throwing out runners. He probably needs a mental respite and a regroup. That's what I'm going with.

[Joseph Zarr]

Interestingly, I've checked every day since it was announced Carlos Rodriguez was placed on the IL - there has been no change to his active roster status. I'm curious if they are still gauging what's going on? OR, if it is simply minor. It's like a baseball mystery novella.

Check here as they update this roster regularly.

?

[Joseph Zarr]

Ruh Roh, Raggy!

 

[Ro Mueller]

AAA Nashville was rained out at home in yesterday's attempted series opener against Norfolk, so puts out the same lineup as was planned. LHP Ethan Small (1.88 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 11.5 K/9 in 38 1/3 innings) will see his first action since his May 30 debut outing with the Brewers:

[Joseph Zarr]

Well, my intentions to catch the Mudcats for a good 35 minutes to start my baseball evening have been tossed to the wayside by the Honey Badger that is Mother Nature. It looks as though I'm going to have to pivot and watch Brandon Knarr's inaugural start in Biloxi. That's a good rebound from a delayed start, I say.

[Joseph Zarr]

Carolina remains delayed much to my chagrin but they're singing the National Anthem in Biloxi.

[Joseph Zarr]

Knarr baby! What a first inning. He came out dealing. 2 k's and a weak pop up down the first base line. Ok baby. We could use this type of hurling in Biloxi. He was confident, worked fast, and pounded the zone challenging hitters.

 

[Joseph Zarr]

Not to be outdone, the Shuckers are all struck out in their bottom half of the first. Joey Wiemer's first AB in June results in a 3-2 swinging strike on a nasty curve ball.

[Joseph Zarr]

The Smokies get on the board here in the top of the second. Chase Strumpf continues his potent season with a rope 11th home run just over the wall in Left Field. I would have loved to see the Statcast data on that rocket. Big glare in LF to start the game too but it wouldn't have mattered. That was crushed.

[Joseph Zarr]

Carolina is Postponed. It seemed certain when peeking at the weather down yonder. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Muh Man, Cam Devanney. A beautiful well-hit double down the left field line (literally right on the line) ties the game at 1-1 as Thomas Dillard hustles home and beats the tag. Devanney is such a different hitter in 2022. He's been a joy to watch.

[Joseph Zarr]

We might have to measure thighs now that Knarr is in Biloxi. Between Dillard at 1B and Knarr on the Hill, that is some serious HAM. Quadzilla, take notice.

[Joseph Zarr]

Knarr has 5 k's through 3. He's looked fantastic. Comfortable. Doing his thing. Keeping those Smokies hitters well off balanced. He also has a super stealthy pick-off to boot. THIS is a promotional debut you love to see. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Welcome back, Joey Wiemer! An absolute ROPE (his seventh outfield assist) while running full speed to corral a well-hit ball down the right field line off of continually red hot Matt Mervis, Joey grabs the ball at said full-speed and spins on a dime and throws a one-hop laser (improbably, I might add) to nail the runner at second. That was just different. Hey, Keith Law, strikeouts at a 32% clip don't mean all that much with Joey's power and his arm. They just don't. That's my take. What. A. Throw. 

[Joseph Zarr]

AND, just like that. That's Joey Wiemer HR 13. Goodness gracious, I missed watching this young man play. He's a stud. A total full-package stud. Ripped a ding dong over the wall in left field.