Friday 4/7: Let All the Kids Play! Everybody Hits the Road

[Jim Goulart]

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

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

[Ro Mueller]

24-year old RHP Tobias Myers, signed as a minor league free agent in November 2022, is AA Biloxi’s opening day starting pitcher: 

 

[wibadgers23]

The weather isn't looking too great in Jackson, MS tonight for the Shuckers.  Doubtful they get this one in.

[Ro Mueller]

The High-A Timber Rattlers commence their 2023 season with a 6-game series at Marlins' affiliate Beloit. 22-year RHP Joseph Hernandez (acquired in Justin Topa trade) makes his Brewers and High-A debut, after delivering a 3.39 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 11.0 K/9 in 116 2/3 IP at Low-A Modesto last year. Eduardo Garcia is the surprise starter at shortstop, as we ponder the whereabouts of Eric Brown Jr. Go Wisconsin!: 

[Ro Mueller]

The Low-A Carolina Mudcats open their 2023 season at Astros' affiliate Fayetteville, with 21-year old RHP Edwin Jimenez (4.75 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 8.2 K/9 in 113 2/3 IP at Carolina last year) getting the honor of an opening day start. One day before his 19th birthday, SS Gregory Barrios bats lead-off in his Mudcat debut: 

[Ro Mueller]

The AA Biloxi Shuckers start 2023 at the Mississippi Braves, with 24-year old RHP Tobias Myers starting in his official organizational debut, seeking to put a disastrous 2022 season in AAA (with three clubs) behind him. Super-prospects CF Jackson Chourio and C Jeferson Quero grace the starting lineup: 

[Joseph Zarr]

Valerio still sidelined (didn't play in their exhibition tune-up this past Wednesday). 

[Joseph Zarr]

Tuning in to see our young Mudcats in 10 minutes. I am quite excited to watch this young infield.

[Ro Mueller]

The AAA Sounds need a victory to even their series 2-2 in Memphis, with RHP Colin Rea (3 IP, 2 R (0 ER), 3 H, 0 BB, 4 Ks last time out) making his second start of the young season. 2B Keston Hiura looks to extend his 5-game hitting streak: 

[Joseph Zarr]

Whew baby. RHP Edwin Jimenez came out with a 2-0 count to Batter 1. A 3-0 count to batter 2. Doesn't matter. He strikes out the side. He is really working the corners. Really fine form in his first inning of 2023. I'm going to go back to comments I made in 2022: when he is on he truly reminds me of a pitcher in the mold of Mike Fiers. Lots to work with. Here's hoping for a fantastic 2023.

[Joseph Zarr]

Jace Avina is officially the first base runner for the Mudcats in 2023. He takes an 0-2 count and works a questionable walk (looked like the ump gave him the benefit of the doubt on a very pretty high breaking ball on the outer part of the zone). 

[Joseph Zarr]

And, the Mudcats score their first run via a walk. We've seen three pitch clock violations via the young Santa. I'm going to watch the rest of this inning (bases juiced with Barrios at the dish - K in first AB) and then see what we have going for RHP Joseph Hernandez.

[Joseph Zarr]

Oh hey, C Darrien Miller back at drawing walks (batting 3rd tonight). Two down. Mendez missed a long shot by about 2" on the barrel. Beautiful swing.

[Joseph Zarr]

Garcia draws the walk (!!). This is historical. In 2022 he had not a single walk in 108 AB's with the T-Rats. Bases juiced. Joe Gray Jr. sent Miller to 3B with a line drive single. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Mezinger took an 0-2 count to an 11 pitch walk. The ump, like with Carolina's first run, absolutely blew a beautiful pitch at Metzinger's knees but we'll take it! The Beloit bullpen is already active in the first innings. The T-Rats vets are all having beautiful AB's showing the youngsters how it's done.

[Joseph Zarr]

Jackson Chourio leads off with his first hit of 2023 but he is thrown out on a force out after a Tyler Black grounder. No fear, Sparks walks and then he and Black double steal and Zavier Warren drives Black in with a sac fly. Shuckers lead 1-0 in the 1st frame.

 

** Naturally, MLB and the Brewers have been hyping up Chourio is MLB's new #1 prospect and yet there is no available feed for this Shuckers game. Come onnnnnnnnnnn! 😅

[Joseph Zarr]

Hey somebody stole a base off of Darrien Miller. Interesting thing with RHP Joseph Hernandez: he actively uses two different arm slots throughout his work. You could almost argue he has three arm slots. This is a very intriguing young arm. You can easily see why the Brewers wanted him. The runner who stole 2nd base scored on a 3-2 double over Ward's outstretched glove to the wall in left field. Back to Hernandez: he'll need to continue working on the walks and the control but there is so much to work with here. 

[Joseph Zarr]

AND, the ump absolutely hoses Hernandez on a gorgeous tailing heater that rips the outer stripe. Man, gimme gimme those Auto-Zones please. He is credited with his second walk. 

[Joseph Zarr]

And Hernandez ends his inning on a swinging K. He faced one batter too many by my 'the ump did it again' scorecard. None the less, what matters here is: he has a serious serious package of offerings. With the varied arm slots, he'll need to really fine tune his delivery as those slots change amongst batters faced. BUT, if he can fine-tune those given he throws what appears to be a mix of 4-5 pitches: look out. Really intriguing stuff.

[wibadgers23]

Chourio with two hits in his first two AB’s including two RBI’s.

[Joseph Zarr]

28 minutes ago, wibadgers23 said:

Chourio with two hits in his first two AB’s including two RBI’s.

How about RHP Tobias Myers with 10 K, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 0 HITS through 5 IP? Not a bad debut! 😂

[Ro Mueller]

Let’s give it up for Tobias Myers: no runs or hits, with 10 Ks through 5 innings against the AA Braves. Go Shuckers!! Team leads 3-0.

[Joseph Zarr]

Just now, damuelle said:

Let’s give it up for Tobias Myers: no runs or hits, with 10 Ks through 5 innings against the AA Braves. Go Shuckers!! Team leads 3-0.

I did give it up. I swear. Look above you 🥸

[Joseph Zarr]

Hernandez finishes his 4th inning with a weak pop out past 1B in foul territory and two nasty K's on the bookends. He's up to 6K and he is dialing in. Fantastic inning. His second 1-2-3 inning of his night. I really like this young man's game. Has that competitive fire on the mound as well. 

[Joseph Zarr]

RHP Justin Yeager is on to replace the sensation that is 2023 Tobias Myers. He leaves after 5 2/3 IP, 0 H, 1 HBP and 11 K. He ends his night with his 3rd free pass giving way to Yeager for his debut in the Brewers organization.