Article: Looking Over The Rosters On The Farm: Biloxi Shuckers

[Harold Hutchison]

While much attention of fans will be directed to the Nashville Sounds, the Biloxi Shuckers are almost as crucial.

Image courtesy of © Curt Hogg / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

The jump from A+ to AA is where many prospects hit the wall. So this is a proving ground – prospects either prove they live up to the hype, take a big step forward, or never see the majors.

The Biloxi roster features a number of players at that crossroads and others looking to take that next step. Let’s see who is there.

Pitching
The Shuckers staff featured the only player on that team to be on the 40-man roster, Abner Uribe, whose fastball regularly hits triple digits. He, James Meeker, and Ryan Middendorf form the core of a bullpen that should be able to lock down games once the Shuckers have a lead. Adam Seminaris will headline the rest of the pen. The rotation will be headed by breakout prospect Brandon Knarr, Brewer Fanatic top 20 prospects Carlos Rodriguez, and Justin Jarvis, who has been solid during his pro tenure, with Nick Bennett and TJ Shook rounding out that group.

Catchers
Jeferson Quero, unsurprisingly, headlines the catchers opening 2023 with the Shuckers. The real surprise is that Darrien Miller, who performed well at A+ Wisconsin, was kept there, leaving Nick Kahle and Jason Lopez as the backups. Wes Clarke has spent time behind the plate during a brief 2022 stint in Biloxi but may be seeing a lot of action at first base due to the absence of other players.

Infielders
Since Ernesto Martinez is joining Miller for another Opening Day with the Timber Rattlers, Clarke will become the primary first baseman in the early going, where he has been solid defensively while posting good offensive numbers. Zavier Warren will be opposite Clarke on the infield at third base while Freddy Zamora, Felix Valerio, Tyler Black, and Ethan Murray fight it out for playing time in the middle infield.

Outfielders
MLB Pipeline’s new #1 overall prospect, Jackson Chourio and Tristen Lutz headline the group and will likely man center field and right field, respectively. While listed as an infielder on the official roster, Noah Campbell is likely the primary left fielder and has played there a lot. Still, Tyler Black and Felix Valerio have seen some time in the outfield, Black in center and Valerio in left. Given the crowded state of the Shuckers' middle infield, one or both could be in left.

Overview
The Shuckers have some talent, but the front office also made a couple of confusing calls. The Shuckers could have had Quero, Miller, and Clarke as their catcher group, with Martinez manning first base. However, they will have to use left field and designated hitter to handle a surplus of talent in the middle infield. The pitching staff has some real potential, as well. It is easy to imagine that this team could have at least a half-dozen players up with the Brewers for Opening Day 2025.

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