Wed. 8/31: Can Ethan Small Put it Back Together?

[Joseph Zarr]

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

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[wibadgers23]

Will be interesting to see who’s in and who’s out of the lineup tonight for Nashville. Could be indicative of a call up.

[Jim French Stepstool]

47 minutes ago, wibadgers23 said:

Will be interesting to see who’s in and who’s out of the lineup tonight for Nashville. Could be indicative of a call up.

My guess is it'll be something quite underwhelming to fans. A pitcher (obviously) like Cousins, Perdomo, maybe Gott if he's ready, possibly even Trevor Kelley (don't shoot the messenger lol). If Brosseau is close to ready but not quite, we might see Reyes for the interim. Would rather see Turang but not holding my breath.

Since we committed to bringing up Mitchell & they both hit LH I think the 2022 ship has sailed on Frelick.

[Joseph Zarr]

I've been waiting for this to drop on Brewers PD twitter. Here it is: our first Low-A compilation of young RHP Cameron Wagoner. First thing that pops for me is his long arm extension. That's a lot of whip on that arm action. We see 97 on the radar gun:

 

[Joseph Zarr]

@Smichaelis9:  ?

 

[Joseph Zarr]

Additionally, let's just stay amped:

Really nice to see him get a start agains the Redbirds who always give the Sounds good games. This will be a great test for the young lefty.

[Ro Mueller]

High-A Wisconsin looks to grab a 2-0 series lead in Peoria, as DH/OF Jackson Chourio also aims to homer for a 3rd straight game. RHP Brady Schanuel makes his 4th start (9 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 5 H, 7 BB, 6 Ks in first 3 starts) and C Darrien Miller returns to action after a brief brawl-related suspension:

[Ro Mueller]

The Low-A Mudcats need a win at home against Columbia to even their series 1-1 and have RHP Edwin Jimenez (4.56 ERA) on the mound ready to replicate his last start (6 IP, 1 ER, 7 Ks). SS Robert Moore has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games:

[Brewcrew82]

3 hours ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

My guess is it'll be something quite underwhelming to fans. A pitcher (obviously) like Cousins, Perdomo, maybe Gott if he's ready, possibly even Trevor Kelley (don't shoot the messenger lol). If Brosseau is close to ready but not quite, we might see Reyes for the interim. Would rather see Turang but not holding my breath.

Since we committed to bringing up Mitchell & they both hit LH I think the 2022 ship has sailed on Frelick.

Speaking of Cousins, I'm still surprised they didn't activate him following his rehab and instead optioned him to AAA. Was such an important reliever for us last year and has electric stuff. @Joseph Zarrany insight into how he's looked at AAA coming off the elbow injury? 

[Joseph Zarr]

5 minutes ago, Brewcrew82 said:

Speaking of Cousins, I'm still surprised they didn't activate him following his rehab and instead optioned him to AAA. Was such an important reliever for us last year and has electric stuff. @Joseph Zarrany insight into how he's looked at AAA coming off the elbow injury? 

He looked quite average early, honestly. Last night, however, coming off a solid outing his last time out, was his best performance to date - the movement was back as was his deception. He looked great. I'd want to see one or two more of these types of outings and then I would consider him a high consideration for a promotion. 

[Jim French Stepstool]

13 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

He looked quite average early, honestly. Last night, however, coming off a solid outing his last time out, was his best performance to date - the movement was back as was his deception. He looked great. I'd want to see one or two more of these types of outings and then I would consider him a high consideration for a promotion. 

I know all pitchers are better when they work ahead in the count, but in Cousins' case I think it's especially true. If he can put himself in a position to use that slider 0-1, 0-2, 1-2 he can be downright devastating. I saw that his early outings down there were mediocre. Would be great to see him lock in.

[Ro Mueller]

AAA Nashville has an opportunity to extend their series lead at home against Memphis to 2-0, with LHP Ethan Small (3.54 ERA in 89 AAA innings) getting the start tonight. RF Joey Wiemer has a 7-game hitting streak. Is OF Esteury Ruiz's lineup absence indicative of a promotion to the Brewers?:

[Joseph Zarr]

And, the national anthem is being played on the stadium organ in Zebulon. First pitch just around the corner. Here's hoping RHP Edwin Jimenez can start stacking some successful outings. Man, I want it so badly for the young man. He has it in there. Can he string them together late in his season?

[wibadgers23]

45 minutes ago, damuelle said:

AAA Nashville has an opportunity to extend their series lead at home against Memphis to 2-0, with LHP Ethan Small (3.54 ERA in 89 AAA innings) getting the start tonight. RF Joey Wiemer has a 7-game hitting streak. Is OF Esteury Ruiz's lineup absence indicative of a promotion to the Brewers?:

Yeah I’m guessing Ruiz is headed to Milwaukee (or Phoenix I guess).

[Joseph Zarr]

Two consecutive games in a row and failed catching maneuvers in questionable throws to 2nd base during a double steal (with the runner advancing and scoring from third) cost the Mudcats an early run. Tonight it was Alex Hall with a low throw to a charging Areinamo that prevented a throw back home. Last night, it was simply a poor decision from Jose Sibrian throwing from his knees. What's worse? The Mudcats failed to grab the third out in the run down as Chirinos threw a very odd underhanded toss off the opponents back. Not pretty. 1-0 Fireflies. Jimenez also was not all that sharp. But, more damage was limited.

[Ro Mueller]

A walk-off loss yesterday has AA Biloxi down 1-0 in its series in Rocket City, with RHP Carlos Luna (4.90 ERA) getting tonight's start. 22-year old 1B Wes Clarke (.753 OPS in High-A) makes his AA debut, while RF Garrett Whitley has the top OPS in the lineup (.828):

[Joseph Zarr]

After a 3-0 green light for OF Hedbert Perez who rips a double to the gap in right center field plating Chirinos from 2nd base, the Mudcats proceed to strand men on 2nd and 3rd with nobody down:

Areinamo - swinging K on a breaking ball

Fernandez - swinging K on a breaking ball

Hall - swinging K on a high heater. Hall was completely fooled in his AB on 4 pitches.

1-1 and we're on to the 3rd frame.

[Joseph Zarr]

All Cam Devanney does in Rocket City, apparently, is hit dubs. Another tonight. 28th on the year. You might know by now (?), I love this young man's game. So 'under the radar'. Somehow. 

[Joseph Zarr]

This is a really good Low-A affair. Glad I'm prioritizing before the Sounds face the Redbirds. I really like this lefty Mozzicato for the Fireflies. He has had to work around some base runners but, man, you can see the talent. His breaking ball is nasty. Fun watch. Jimenez has worked around some stuff as well but avoided walks and induced a key double play ball. Good stuff.

[Joseph Zarr]

Don't forget: the International League is only hitting 0.187 versus Ethan Small. It's really all about fine-tuning a more eclectic mix of pitches (he has pitches beyond the heater and the change-up - is it comfort? repeatability?). Let's hope we get a bounceback here. We do have walk number one in the first inning, however, to put men on first and second base. And, just like that a first-pitch double down the left field line. Men on 2nd and 3rd. It's 1-0 Redbirds with only 1 down.

[Joseph Zarr]

Man. Ethan Small is just trending in the absolute wrong direction. That's his second walk. The bases are now loaded. One out. First inning. Over 20 pitches already. Mound visit. Ugh. 

[Joseph Zarr]

33 pitches. 2 BB. 2 R. 2 H. I mean...I don't know, fellas. It looks to me like he needs some kind of change. He's relying way too much on a two-pitch mix he can't locate consistently at present. They had Erceg up in the bullpen in the first inning. His last outing was his shortest of the year. These are concerning developments in 2022. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Jimenez is reaching is facing a bit of trouble here in the 6th inning. With 2 down, he gave up a mammoth fly deep off the high wall in straightaway CF scoring a run. He just gave up a ripped double down the left field line and into the stands to place men on 2nd and 3rd. His pitch count is sitting at a very manageable 75. They're going to let him try and pitch out of it. 

[RedStickBrew]

41 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

All Cam Devanney does in Rocket City, apparently, is hit dubs. Another tonight. 28th on the year. You might know by now (?), I love this young man's game. So 'under the radar'. Somehow. 

Agree.  Love his defense.  I was hoping he would be promoted. His .630 August OPS probably doesn't help his case, but he has had a good year overall.

[Joseph Zarr]

MAN, the feels. They just ran a little boy around the basepaths here in the second inning with both teams along both the first and third baselines giving him high fives. He's been through so much health crisis as a young boy. He got to run those bases. It was so precious. What a moment. He's apparently scared of the mascot and ran right by him avoiding the slide into homeplate. Man, that was the feels. So good.