Wed. 8/3: Esteury Ruiz Debuts in Nashville While Biloxi Plays Two

[Joseph Zarr]

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

Standings and sortable stat pages

Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth

Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth

[Joseph Zarr]

The Timber Rattlers will look to make it 4-of-5 and two straight in Quad Cities. Coming off a 10 game losing streak, this is just what the team was looking for. OF Joe Gray Jr. again mans the lead-off spot, Chourio takes his prototypical second slot, Zavier Warren looks to build off a fantastic night prior in the clean-up where he is protected by the ultra-consistent Jose Acosta. Reidy Mercado gets his second straight start in left field and Antonio Piñero will replace Ethan Murray in the line-up. I did notice Piñero replaced Murray late last night as well - this may be something to monitor. RHP Israel Puello will look to bounce back from some recent rough outings after a tremendous start to his High-A career.

 

[Joseph Zarr]

In the interim, and with the Carlos Rodriguez and Ryan Middendorf promotions to Wisconsin in the past two days, here is your 'Middendorf Clip of Zen'. @damuelle and I have been intrigued by Middendorf since his early 2022 ACL work. He's seen an incredible run since and is scoreless (so far, this will obviously change at some point - OR maybe it won't! Woot woot!) between his Carolina and early Wisconsin work. He has a very particular delivery and arm slot but, what's been most intriguing to me is his size and his ability to move the ball in all sorts of ways - horizontally and vertically. This is a very intriguing arm.

 

[Joseph Zarr]

And, a 'Get Well' card:

Please heal-up from whatever ails you sweet Jeferson Quero. 

 

[Joseph Zarr]

Up-and-coming young INF prospect Jadher Areinamo plays his second game with the Mudcats in the lead-off position. This is a fun ride. Let's hope it keeps on chugging along. The Mudcats will look to even the even series with Kannapolis at 7-7 if they can manage a victory tonight. RHP Stiven Cruz will look to find his best stuff to get that 'W'. OF Luis Castillo will again sit in the two-hole while Jesus Chirinos will bat clean-up surrounded by OF Hedbert Perez and SS Eduardo Garcia (who will look to find that hot streak that has eluded him lately). Here's a prediction: INF Zach Raabe will get on base tonight - probably grab a walk or two. He's been getting on with frequency lately. Let's wish these Mudcats success tonight!

 

[Joseph Zarr]

The reshuffling and re-organizing of Nashville's roster continues. Hopefully, so do the victories. If there's anything consistently awe-inspiring in a Minor League calendar year in my book, it's the ability for clubs that face voluminous amounts of roster shuffling to continue playing consistent winning baseball. Our Nashville Sounds, led by manager Rick Sweet, have continued to do it in spades. It's incredible to watch. Recently acquired OF Esteury Ruiz will step into the two-hole protecting the red hot Sal Frelick. Talk about an exciting 1-2 punch! This will slide down INF Brice Truang to the third spot in the order. It would appear, for the time being, Jakson Reetz is now a catcher. RHP Jason Alexander takes the hill for his second start since returning from the his work with the Brewers. Let's go Sounds!

 

[Joseph Zarr]

AND...we're delayed in the top of the first in Biloxi. Ruh roh. The weather forecast looks to be increasing chances of isolated thunderstorms through the evening until late. It looks like these games might be punted to a later date as well. Bummer. Wait a minute! Stop the Presses! The tarps are off:

 

[Jim Goulart]

Brief Wisconsin video highlights from Tuesday's 8-0 road win

[wibadgers23]

Between Frelick, Ruiz, Turang, Mitchell and Wiemer, there is a ton of young talent in Nashville. Not sure how long they’ll all be together but should be fun to follow.

[Joseph Zarr]

Forgotten man (not on our watch), OF Tristen Lutz, just smacked his 10th HR - a 2-run shot - here in the top of the 2nd inning. He continues to have a fantastic bounce back season. 

[Joseph Zarr]

1 minute ago, wibadgers23 said:

Between Frelick, Ruiz, Turang, Mitchell and Wiemer, there is a ton of young talent in Nashville. Not sure how long they’ll all be together but should be fun to follow.

Joey just grabbed his first hit and knocked in his first RBI as a Sound. Ruiz and Frelick both led off the game with hits. FUN fun FUN.

[Joseph Zarr]

I have watched four strikes straight middle at the knees called balls here in the Sounds game. The dugout is chirping. Reetz is inquiring. Minor League umpires. You literally never know what you're going to get.

[Robocaller]

13 minutes ago, wibadgers23 said:

Between Frelick, Ruiz, Turang, Mitchell and Wiemer, there is a ton of young talent in Nashville. Not sure how long they’ll all be together but should be fun to follow.

I'm wondering if some of those promotions were done to assure Nashville is a playoff juggernaut (at the expense of lower-level teams having a worse chance for the playoffs).  Do organizations covet getting playoff experience for the minor league players?

[Joseph Zarr]

It's early but Esteury Ruiz is already showcasing what makes him an exciting prospect. Confidence clearly exuded. A single to left field in his first AB. A fake bunt to start AB #2 and then a very patient and disciplined walk. He was thrown out at second base BUT he was thrown out because it was an incredible throw. No room for error and the ball arrived 6" from the ground and the glove did not need to be moved. It was bang. Bang. And he was out by a couple inches. This is an exciting player.

[Joseph Zarr]

Sometimes I watch these games and ponder what the umpire is watching. I've seen, by my count, six very obvious strikes called balls. Then, several very much questionable strikes called assuredly. I scratch my chin, I say!

[Robocaller]

16 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Forgotten man (not on our watch), OF Tristen Lutz, just smacked his 10th HR - a 2-run shot - hear in the top of the 2nd inning. He continues to have a fantastic bounce back season. 

I've thought he might have a trajectory similar to Tyrone Taylor who was a more highly rated prospect, took a dip, and then recovered a bit of his prospect status. The only problem is that there are a ton of players between him and Milwaukee.

[Robocaller]

1 hour ago, Joseph Zarr said:

In the interim, and with the Carlos Rodriguez and Ryan Middendorf promotions to Wisconsin in the past two days, here is your 'Middendorf Clip of Zen'. @damuelle and I have been intrigued by Middendorf since his early 2022 ACL work. He's seen an incredible run since and is scoreless (so far, this will obviously change at some point - OR maybe it won't! Woot woot!) between his Carolina and early Wisconsin work. He has a very particular delivery and arm slot but, what's been most intriguing to me is his size and his ability to move the ball in all sorts of ways - horizontally and vertically. This is a very intriguing arm.

 

Batters could have a hard time picking up the ball with his delivery. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Just now, Robocaller said:

Batters could have a hard time picking up the ball with his delivery. 

They certainly have. He has an extremely quirky delivery, arm slot etc. He's 6'5" and he can hit 94-96 with consistency. Then that ball really moves considerably in both directions. He's been striking out lots of hitters. A very intriguing mid-season pick-up.

[Joseph Zarr]

5 minutes ago, Robocaller said:

I've thought he might have a trajectory similar to Tyrone Taylor who was a more highly rated prospect, took a dip, and then recovered a bit of his prospect status. The only problem is that there are a ton of players between him and Milwaukee.

Lutz was slumping after a fantastic and clutch opening series. But, since his return from the IL he's been as good as anyone in the system. He makes strong strong contact. He still has the power. IF he can keep this type of plate work up with consistency he'll stay very much in the conversation. He lacks the athleticism of the top prospects, however - ie he isn't the fielder of Frelick, Mitchell, Wiemer or Ruiz. So, he'll need that bat and plate discipline to keep steady.

[Joseph Zarr]

HEyyyyyyyyyyyyyy HEYYYYYYYYY!!!

Garrett Mitchell just hit a 3-Run jack to right field off RHP Matt Harvey. Yes, that Matt Harvey. A beautiful, easy, peaceful swing. Went aboutt 395 feet. Glorious!!!!

[Joseph Zarr]

Oh sweet nectar!!! Jakson Reetz just smashed a first-pitch delivery over the wall in left and, frankly, over everything. Woot Woot!!! Let's Go! 5-0 Sounds now in the 4th.

[Joseph Zarr]

Zavier Warren sees the trade deadline pass and says: "Let's eat!" He just sent home Jackson Chourio on a double. That's 2 triples and a double in 2 games since the deadline passed. Heck yeah, Zavi! Way to swing it!

[markedman5]

I’m getting overly excited about our triple A outfielders…….

[Joseph Zarr]

1 minute ago, markedman5 said:

I’m getting overly excited about our triple A outfielders…….

Please do. I'm telling you: This is FUN. LOL. I really like Ruiz too. You can just see it with him. In his entire approach. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Man, Brice Turang is just soooooo smooth at SS. He just made an incredibly difficult grounder look so natural into a double play with men on first and second with nobody down. The ball was well hit from a speedy batter and led him behind the second base bag. He just fielded it and scooped it to second with his glove in one smooth motion. It looked routine. It was absurdly hard.