Article: Brewers Minor League Link Report (4/13): Misiorowski Throws 101mph in Carolina Debut, While Hiura Blasts Nashville to Victory

[Ro Mueller]

Brewers affiliates won two of five games on Thursday, including a doubleheader split for Biloxi and frustrating losses for Wisconsin and Carolina.

Image courtesy of BrewerFanatic

Game Balls go to Keston Hiura, Blake Perkins, Zavier Warren, Lamar Sparks and 18-year old Luke Adams, who crushed his first home run at the Low-A level.

Transactions:

• RHP Colin Rea's contract selected by MLB Brewers from AAA Nashville
• RHP Janson Junk optioned to AAA Nashville from MLB Brewers
• C Payton Henry designated for assignment. If he clears waivers, the Brewers can outright him to keep him in the minors
• INF Patrick Dorrian activated by AAA Nashville from Development List
• RHP Jacob Misiorowski activated by Low-A Carolina from Development List
• RHP Fernando Olguin transferred to Development List from Low-A Carolina

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Nashville 5, Norfolk 2
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Sounds’ website, game details, and we encourage readers to review the affiliate write-up as part of their Link Report routine: Sounds Topple Tides for Third Straight Triumph

The Sounds won their third game in a row despite losing scheduled starting pitcher RHP Colin Rea to promotion (congrats), left fielder Skye Bolt after two innings and replacement starting RHP Pedro Fernandez (2 IP, 2 R, 1 H, 4 BB, 0 Ks, 1 balk) to a hand injury after loading the bases with nobody out in the third inning.

After falling behind 2-1 in that third inning, hot-hitting OF Blake Perkins (2-for-4) and INF/OF Keston Hiura (1-for-3, HR, walk, 2 RBIs) immediately responded in the bottom half with a single and 2-run blast, respectively. Hiura now has four home runs and 9 RBIs in the young 2023 season.

Nashville would not require any further runs, as the shutdown bullpen of RHP Luis Contreras, RHP Cam Robinson, LHP Bennett Sousa (in his Brewers’ debut) and LHP Clayton Andrews (earning the save) was up to the task, covering seven scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts.

Three Quick Strikes:

• RHP Luis Contreras (3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 Ks) did very well to only allow two inherited runners to score in that third inning, inducing two weak grounders (one for a hit), a sacrifice fly and striking out one, before continuing with two scoreless innings and earning the win.
• Yay, outfield defense. Boo, infield defense. Bolt and Perkins helped out Sounds pitchers by throwing out three Tides on the basepaths – a runner at home in the 1st inning, another at third base in the 4th inning and the final one at second base in the 6th inning. But in the infield, Hiura and Eddy Alvarez each recorded a throwing error, as the team awaits the return-to-health of Cam Devanney and Josh Vanmeter.
• The balls may not yet be dropping for OF Sal Frelick (.209 AVG, .571 OPS), but the contact remains decent so the hits will come. He hit two line drives in four at-bats in this game, the latter a single in the 7th inning which finally put him on base. He and Alvarez then orchestrated a double steal, inducing a Norfolk error for a 4-2 lead. Frelick ultimately scored on a Jon Singleton RBI single for the final margin.

I don’t know who taught this tagging Norfolk runner to look behind him while running home, but we thank him/her:

 

Friday’s outlook: After Janson Junk and Colin Rea were called up for MLB starts, then Fernandez exited Thursday’s game early, I suspect a bullpen game may be in store on Friday. Will Manager Rick Sweet call on LHP Alex Claudio to cover the first 2-3 innings?

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Game One Final: Biloxi 6, Pensacola 4
Box Score / Game Log

Game Two Final: Pensacola 6, Biloxi 2
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Shuckers, Blue Wahoos Split Doubleheader

The Shuckers and Blue Wahoos made up for Wednesday’s rainout with a doubleheader which featured a particularly eventful opening game.

Starting RHP Tobias Myers (4.2 IP, 4 R, 8 H, 0 BB, 5 Ks) wasn’t able to replicate his sizzling opening day victory, but he kept the squad in the game until OF Noah Campbell (2-for-3, RBI) and SS Freddy Zamora (1-for-3, double, 2 RBIs, SB) came through with clutch RBI hits in the bottom of the 6th inning to turn a 4-2 late deficit into a 6-4 victory.

The night cap saw the official debut of LHP Adam Seminaris (4.2 IP, 5 R, 7 H, BB, 6 Ks), who was a key piece of the Hunter Renfroe trade. Unfortunately, he wilted after four innings of respectable work, allowing five of the first six batters to reach base in the 5th inning to see a 1-1 game quickly turn into a 5-1 deficit.

At least Tyler Black collected his first hit of 2023, an opposite field homer:

 

Three Quick Strikes:

• LHP Darrell Thompson and RHP Abner Uribe are quite the 1-2 punch at the back end of the bullpen, combining to cover 2 1/3 scoreless, hitless innings to close out the opening game win.
• 1B/3B Zavier Warren is seeing the ball well, reaching base in four of six plate appearances on Thursday, including a 2-run homer which started the comeback in the opener. His OPS is up to .947 (small sample alert).
• OF Lamar Sparks (signed in the offseason after a season in independent ball) is also justifying the organization’s faith in him, leading off both games and reaching base six times in eight opportunities (two doubles, a single, three walks). His OPS is a terrific 1.078.

Friday’s outlook: Off-season free agent signing, 23-year old RHP Christian Mejias is set to make his first start in the Brewers’ organization, after conceding four runs in two innings of relief in his debut.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wisconsin 4, Peoria 3
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Chiefs Edge Rattlers

A day after giving a game away, Wisconsin once again leaves disappointed and feeling that they could have done more, dropping to 2-4 on the season. However, there was at least some decent post-game news, as Manager Joe Ayrault clarified that a scary ankle injury to promising OF Hendry Mendez has him listed as “day-to-day”.

Three Quick Strikes:

• The mood soured quickly in this game, as Mendez injured his ankle when caught stealing to end the first inning, followed by the Chiefs grabbing a 2-0 lead a few batters later. Although the Timber Rattlers matched Peoria’s seven hits, they really only threatened in the 5th inning.
• Starting RHP Joseph Hernandez (4 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 2 HBP, 4 Ks) dealt with traffic in three of his four innings, clearly struggling on his pitch location. The second inning saw a double, RBI triple and RBI double hit back-to-back-to-back, each pulled to the corner outfielder. Hernandez clearly has immense talent, but there’s a reason the 22-year old is still at the High-A ball in his sixth year of minor league baseball.
• Although his numbers are decent thus far (.278 AVG, .992 OPS), this game still constitutes a missed opportunity for DH/1B Ernesto Martinez’s to earn his anticipated promotion to AA, going 0-for-4 while stranding five runners on base, including grounding out with 2-on, 1-out in the bottom of the 5th inning after OF Terence Doston’s RBI single brought the team to within 3-2.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Cam Wagoner (4.50 ERA in 4 IP) is scheduled to make his second start, as the Timber Rattlers aim to end their 2-game losing streak.

Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Salem 7, Carolina 6 (in 10 innings)
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Salem Sends Mudcats to 7-6 Loss in Extras

The positives from this game were the successful Low-A debut of highly-regarded 2022 second round pick RHP Jacob Misiorowski, who started the game and retired all three batters that he faced, along with 18-year old 3B Luke Adams’ maiden home run at this level. We now have videos to prove that Misiorowski’s 101mph heat is glorious and the 3-time National Punt, Pass & Kick Champion Adams has incredible athleticism for his size.

 

 

Other than that, this Carolina-Salem contest was a not-so-classic game of “He Who Blunders Last”, as the Red Sox out-hit the Mudcats 11-5, but kept Carolina in the game with untimely walks and having three players thrown out on the basepaths.

After RHP Jeison Pena (2/3 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 0 Ks; 22.50 ERA) struggled yet again to put the team behind 5-2, the Red Sox promptly threw the Mudcats a lifeline by walking three of the first four batters in the bottom of the 7th inning. A subsequent balk even gave Carolina a 6-5 lead, which held up until a game-tying home run off RHP Shane Smith to open the 9th inning.

The final blunder went to the Mudcats however, who should have tied the game with 2-on and nobody out in the bottom of 10th inning on a Luke Adams (2-for-4, HR, walk, RBI) single. Instead, ghost runner 2B Jadher Areinamo stopped at third base and C Matthew Wood was caught between second and third base for the first out of the frame. Areinamo then watched helplessly as OF Hedbert Perez flied out to shallow left and two-way player Quinton Low (0-for-4, walk in his position player Low-A debut) popped out to end the game.

Three Quick Strikes:

• It’s crazy that 18-year old Adams is the team’s principal offensive threat at the moment. The team desperately misses OF Luis Castillo (out with an injury that’s thankfully not long-term) and 1B/C Tayden Hall (exited Tuesday’s game early). Also, OF Jace Avina had been expected to provide key offense, but he’s hitless through five games and ended up exiting this game on a hit-by-pitch in the final inning. Let’s hope he’s not sidelined.
• Other than Misiorowski, only RHP Edwin Jimenez (5 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 Ks) truly acquitted himself well in this game, covering five innings to give time for the offense to come around OR Salem to allow the team back in it.
• Back to the lack of hitting, 19-year old SS Gregory Barrios may have the glove for this level, but his 0-for-22 start at the plate must be a cause for concern. Thankfully, he’s only struck out seven times, but he’s also not drawn a walk. Manager Victor Estevez seriously has his work cut out for him in the early going this year.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Yujanyer Herrera (0.00 ERA through 3 IP) is scheduled to try to right the ship, as Carolina will make their fourth attempt to win a home game.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report!

Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores
Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth
Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth

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[sveumrules]

Awesome to see Sparks starting off hot out of the gate.

Thought the AA placement out of Indy ball was aggressive, but looks like he had reached A+ previously with the Orioles in 2021 (and posted a respectable 102 wRC+) so maybe not.

Would be pretty rad to unearth a possible gem on the position player side to go along with all the potential arms.

Has anybody ever compiled a full list of pitchers in the system signed out of the Indy leagues?

I know Topa was traded, but Cousins, Meeker, Middendorf, Thompson all come immediately to mind and I’m sure I’m missing some others. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Isn't every game here in early 2023 a proverbial bullpen game for the Sounds? The average IP per starter is 3 innings. They have been incredible. You want action in the International League in 2023 try and get to that Pen.

[Spencer Michaelis]

8 minutes ago, sveumrules said:

Awesome to see Sparks starting off hot out of the gate.

Thought the AA placement out of Indy ball was aggressive, but looks like he had reached A+ previously with the Orioles in 2021 (and posted a respectable 102 wRC+) so maybe not.

Would be pretty rad to unearth a possible gem on the position player side to go along with all the potential arms.

Has anybody ever compiled a full list of pitchers in the system signed out of the Indy leagues?

I know Topa was traded, but Cousins, Meeker, Middendorf, Thompson all come immediately to mind and I’m sure I’m missing some others. 

Zach Vennaro is another. Kaleb Bowman, Tanner Shears and Chase Costello are three that signed this offseason. I'm sure there are a couple other arms I'm forgetting...

[Joseph Zarr]

6 minutes ago, sveumrules said:

 

Has anybody ever compiled a full list of pitchers in the system signed out of the Indy leagues?

I know Topa was traded, but Cousins, Meeker, Middendorf, Thompson all come immediately to mind and I’m sure I’m missing some others. 

Off the top of my head, we can add:

RHP Kaleb 'Bo' Bowman
RHP Tanner Shears
RHP Chase Costello
RHP Nick Merkel 

 

[Joseph Zarr]

1 minute ago, Smichaelis9 said:

Zach Vennaro is another. Kaleb Bowman, Tanner Shears and Chase Costello are three that signed this offseason. I'm sure there are a couple other arms I'm forgetting...

Forgot about Vennaro! Noice.

[Joseph Zarr]

Thanks for the efforts here @damuelle. You get my game ball for getting this report out the door!

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Joseph Zarr]

I know Henderson is shelved with that nagging minor elbow pain, but it's hard not to be extremely thrilled with the triumvirate of Misiorowski, Maldonado (only saw him once but when you see it, you see it), and Henderson. Those three really add some fire and competitiveness to a rotation and they, all three, have significant stuff. I was truly wowed by Maldonado's innings. That is an extremely heady, toolsy pitcher who has a plan. And, that plan invents itself in each bat as he sees their tendencies. I wouldn't think twice if he is in Biloxi by year's end. It was that impressive of an outing.

[Jim Goulart]

Really nice highlight package from Biloxi’s Game One victory, you’ll love the camera angle on Noah Campbell’s journey home.

 

[Ro Mueller]

7 hours ago, Mass Haas said:

Really nice highlight package from Biloxi’s Game One victory, you’ll love the camera angle on Noah Campbell’s journey home.

 

Uribe’s smoking gun celebration! 😁🤣