Article: Brewers Minor League Link Report (5/2): Lara Debuts in Carolina; Black Absolutely Crushes 5th Home Run

[Joseph Zarr]

With so many debuts happening throughout the system - promotions and re-assignments - there was ample to look forward to on this fine spring evening. When all was said and done, the affiliates finished their evening with a 3-1 mark. The Timber Rattlers, unsurprisingly perhaps, were the affiliate with the lone loss (a close one in Peoria). Let's get into the report!

Image courtesy of Brewer Fanatic

Game Balls: We're going to go with OF Luis Lara and his solid debut for the Mudcats (1-for-3, 2 R, 1 K, 2 BB) in what was his first game stateside after spending all of last summer in the DSL. We're staying in the Mudcats bullpen to recognize the fine escape work from RHP Jeferson Figueroa who struck out the side with two men on and nobody down and the Mudcats trailing 6-5 before their comeback victory. We're heading to Nashville's roster where we'll recognize INF Cam Devanney's 2-for-6, 1 HR, 4 RBI outing - a pivotal insurance-adding three-run shot might I add. We're recognizing the crucial 5 IP by Biloxi RHP Christian Mejias whose various sliders - front door; back door; center cut - were giving the Biscuits all sorts of problems in a fantastic game-saving relief outing: 5 IP, 0 H, 4 BB, 8 K. And we're closing out by staying down South at Montgomery where surging INF Tyler Black (2-for-4, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB) continues showcasing his bourgeoning power stroke in 2023. He absolutely hammered a no doubter game-tying solo blast over the right field wall - bat flip and all, you deserve this highlight:

Transactions: 

• OF Blake Perkins was optioned to Nashville from Milwaukee
• RHP Cam Robinson was assigned to Biloxi from Nashville 
• RHP Ryan Middendorf was assigned to Nashville from Biloxi 
• INF/OF Isaac Collins was assigned to Nashville from Biloxi 
• RHP Gus Varland was sent to Nashville from Wisconsin (rehab) 
• OF Skye Bolt was placed on the Nashville 7-Day IL
• OF Tyler Naquin was placed on the Nashville 7-Day IL
• RHP Robert Stock was placed on the Development List by Nashville 
• C Brent Diaz was placed on the Development List by Nashville
• OF Lamar Sparks was placed on the Biloxi 7-Day IL
• OF Joe Gray Jr. was assigned to Biloxi from Wisconsin 
• RHP Joey Matulovich was released from Wisconsin
• RHP Edwin Jimenez was assigned to Wisconsin from Carolina
• OF Eduarqui Fernandez was assigned to Wisconsin from Carolina 
• RHP Will Rudy was assigned to Carolina from ACL Brewers Blue
• OF Luis Lara was assigned to Carolina from the DSL Brewers 1
• LHP Anfernny Reyes, C Edgardo Ordonez, RHP Cristofher Carrasco, and RHP Darling Solano were transferred stateside to Extended Spring Training

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Highlights from the Week that Was:

In what is definitely proving to be a true breakout season, RHP Justin Jarvis is absolutely dealing in Biloxi. The Southern League is historically not an easy promotion - it proves quite tough on many a young hurler. But what Jarvis has accomplished in the early going is more than placing an emphatic exclamation point next to the question of: Why do we so often overlook this young man? Can he maintain these results? If he does, we have an entirely different conversation waiting to be had. Nobody, and I do mean nobody, in the system exploits pace-of-play like Jarvis with the new widespread implementation of the beloved pitch clocks:

Is catcher Jeferson Quero finding his power stroke in Biloxi? I don't know - it's simply too early to tell. But he certainly found a bit of it last week versus the Mississippi Braves:

Last season, INF Jadher Areinamo was a sort of darling in and amongst our Minor League enthusiasts. This season, INF Daniel Guillarte has been the one showing his chops above and beyond his peers:

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Final: Nashville 11, St. Paul (Twins) 5
Box Score / Game Log

Game Notes 

Via the Sounds' site, game details, please visit and review:

Sounds Run Away with Series Opener in St. Paul

RHP Caleb Boushley was on the hill in St. Paul attempting to maintain the momentum of his past two outings. He did not disappoint as he left the game after the fifth frame and the Sounds leading 6-3. He ran into a small bit of trouble in the bottom of the fourth inning after a pair of doubles, but he escaped with the Sounds lead intact. All told, Boushley went 5 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 3 ER, 5 K. Manager Rick Sweet, and his teammates, will take that type of outing any night (or afternoon) of any week.

Three Quick Strikes:

1) With a bevy of movement in and amongst the Sounds roster, there are going to be ample opportunities for newcomers INF Isaac Collins and RHP Ryan Middendorf. Speaking of Middendorf, he continued his boom-and-bust 2023 campaign. He entered the game in the seventh inning with the Sounds leading 7-3. He proceeded to hit a batter and walk a batter - baserunners continue to be an ongoing recurring menace in Middendorf's early 2023. He then struck out the next two batters - as he has done so many times this year and since joining the Brewers organization. And, with an opportunity to get out unscathed, he was simply unable to corral this seeing-eye liner up the middle:

2) INF/LF Keston Hiura continues to showcase his offensive prowess and innate gifts as the Sounds 2023 season rolls onward. Pitchers will clearly keep challenging him up above the zone (as they should given his history in recent seasons), but it is worth noting: his K rate is down here in 2023 and with an improved and tighter swing in nearly every facet there appears to be reason for more optimism. He is building back a worthy and notable resumé worthy of another MLB opportunity - whether with the Brewers or elsewhere. Take a look HERE as our very own @damuellechimed in during the game thread. Hiura finished his day 2-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 HR, 1 BB, 1 K. He's been simply phenomenal for the Sounds this season. 

3) As one of 1B Jon Singleton's biggest fans on this website, it doesn't leave him immune to constructive criticism. In 2023, Singleton's defense just hasn't been where it was in 2022 - for whatever reason(s) unknown to us. I've seen several botched grounders and/or bunts in the early going and other fielding misplays I am simply unaccustomed to seeing. I'm sure he'd admit the E3 catching error (ultimately leading to the fifth run crossing the dish) to lead off the ninth and final frame was one of the above-mentioned misplays he'd rather forget. He put LHP Alex Claudio in a tough position and, in general, it just showcased an odd lack of execution and focus. Hopefully, he can get back to the solid defense I've grown accustomed to with those trusty hands and underrated skills as the season progresses.

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Final:  Biloxi  5, Montgomery (Devil Rays) 2
Box Score / Game Log

Game Notes 

Via the Shuckers' site, game details, please visit and review:

16 Strikeouts, Five Unanswered Runs Pave Way to Shuckers Series-Opening Win

LHP Brandon Knarr allowed two solo jacks in his first inning of work tonight. It gave me pause - it has been a rough beginning overall to his 2023 season. However, let's recognize how he bounced back from these solo shots: 2 IP, 2 H, 2 HR, 0 BB, 5 K. That will definitely play, Mr. Knarr. Let's build off this and get back to that fine form we witnessed all throughout the 2022 season. I mentioned Mejias' fantastic piggyback work above in the 'Game Balls', but it is worth acknowledging again: his shutdown performance paved the way for the comeback victory. He's been absolutely stellar for the majority of 2023 and tonight was no different.

Three Quick Strikes:

1) OF Jackson Chourio continues to struggle with heat up and outside the zone and off-speed deliveries away. There's no getting past it, well, until he learns how to handle these offerings. This being said, he did execute a crucial infield single down the third base line in the pivotal two-run ninth inning rally. More importantly, perhaps, this knock came off an off-speed delivery. He was definitely fooled by the pitch, but he still managed to put a meaningful piece of lumber on the ball. Given his innate speed, it was all that was needed. He finished his night 1-for-5, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 2 SB. 

2) Let's give a nod to RHP Cam Robinson. He took his re-assignment to Biloxi with aplomb as he struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth inning - emphatically shutting the door on any notions of a comeback from the talented Biscuits who are now somehow losers of six straight games after their 10-3 start to 2023. It's easy to forget, but it's worth noting: Robinson may have been scuffling in the International League, but he was fantastic for Shuckers manager Mike Guerrero after his promotion in 2022. Robinson's slider and curve looked quite a bit sharper tonight than they had at any time in 2023 pitching out of the Nashville bullpen. He'll still need to fine-tune his consistency and accuracy with the heater (and, honestly, all his offerings) but this was a wonderful start. Hopefully, he can keep building off this to find his way back up the organizational ladder as he cultivates and fine tunes his craft.

3) It was an O-for-4, 2 K, 0 BB night for OF Joe Gray Jr. in his Double-A debut. However, that only tells a part of his story. He also made an absolutely crucial outfield assist from the right field grass in the bottom of the eighth inning. With one down and the Shuckers clinging to a 3-2 lead, Gray Jr. fired an absolute one-bounce rope to Freddy Zamora at second base. It was a thing of beauty. Had Gray Jr. not made that beautiful throw and had Zamora not made the savvy catch and maintained the tag as the runner slid off the bag, the Shuckers could have been looking at a much different ninth inning scenario. It's plays like these that salvage rough or unlucky nights at the dish. 

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Final: Peoria (Cardinals) 5, Wisconsin 4
Box Score / Game Log

Game Notes 

Via the Timber Rattlers' site, game details, please visit and review:

Rattlers Lead Slips Away in Loss to Chiefs

RHP Joseph Hernandez suffered his worst outing of his young 2023 campaign - he just wasn't sharp in any facet. As was discussed briefly in our game thread (HERE), he may be encountering (and certainly will encounter) difficulties due to his different arm slots amongst his different deliveries. It's hard to tell - I haven't broken down the film to that degree nor do I have the time to do such a thing. What I can tell you is he definitely has different arm slots. With that, he suffers from varying levels of accuracy and success - do hitters take advantage of this? Time will tell.  I would imagine coaching this is a dance as the young man clearly has a flare for the artistic on the mound - he often spins himself entirely in a circle after a pitch, for example - so the varying release points and arm slots may be something that gives him comfort and confidence. We'll simply have to see how this progress evolves or devolves as the 2023 carries on. Hernandez finished his evening after his shortest outing of the 2023 season: 2 2/3 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 4 K, 2 ER.

Three Quick Strikes:

1) Having claimed a 4-2 lead, the way the Timber Rattlers gave it back was a classic example of their ongoing losing season (caveat: it's early!). If the young men are going to turn it around, they really need to stop shooting themselves in the foot. With RHP Brannon Jordan on in relief - with two down and runners on the corners - C Darrien Miller simply cannot double pump and then egregiously misfire a short throw into the center field grass. He really needs to eat the ball and afford his relief pitcher the opportunity to shut it down. The bullpen is the strength of their team, and the young men need to recognize and embrace that. Tonight, and often, it's pretty much as simple as that.

2) RHP Edwin Jimenez will ultimately be credited with the loss tonight after conceding the losing run in his second inning of relief work. And, I would like to point out, it wasn't a poor pitch it was simply a better piece of hitting: 

Let's not lose the forest for the trees here: he was just as good tonight as he has been all year in Carolina. When all was said and done, beyond the brief series of events that led to the losing run crossing the plate, Jimenez was fantastic: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 ER, 4 K. Read more about his candidacy for 'Brewers Minor League Pitcher of the Month' HERE from our very own @Smichaelis9 (a truly expertly written offering as per usual), but, moreover, be aware this is a young man who is both approaching must watch status while he gets closer to his candidacy for the Rule 5 draft. 

3) Errors and a failure to capitalize in key moments. This statement pretty much sums up the current state of the Timber Rattlers. By and large, the pitching has been very good - especially when the bullpen enters the picture. However, when you are scuffling overall, a 3-for-13 with RISP evening helps tell the tale. After losing the tie in the sixth frame, the T-Rats led off the seventh inning with two singles. They finished that potential rally with a strikeout swinging and a double play. They led off the eighth inning with a lead-off double. You get the point. They squandered their lead, yes, but they certainly had their opportunities. Who will ultimately step up in the T-Rats batters box to become the clutch bat they desperately need? I'll be tuning in to find out.

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Final: Carolina 9, Delmarva (Orioles) 7
Box Score / Game Log

Game Notes  

Via the Mudcats' site, game details, please visit and review:

 

Wood Homers as Mudcats Outlast Shorebirds 9-7

 

RHP Jacob Misiorowski was once again brilliant through two innings pitched. And Misiorowski also again scuffled some in his final inning pitched - though, it is worth noting this was indeed his first opportunity to pitch into the third frame. All in all, Misiorowski left after 2 1/3 IP, 2 BB, 1 WP, 0 H, 2 ER, 3 K. The young hurler, simply put, remains must watch baseball television. I am here for every part of his journey.

 

Three Quick Strikes:

 

1) It remains C Matthew Wood season in Carolina. He continues to deliver clutch XBH's while he maintains a steady presence behind the dish. This young man really plays a smooth brand of baseball - a steady play style that, IMHO, will most likely see its way to High-A before too long. We already know he had a very good month of April. A game-winning three-run home run in a tightly contested contest today is what we call 'getting it done': 

(Side note: the high walls in the Carolina League always surprise me. That looks like a two-story house for crying out loud)

2) I've seen the following situational play more than enough in every level of the Minor Leagues in the early 2023 season: 

I mentioned a comparable play above when describing how T-Rats C Darrien Miller airmailed a delivery into CF. With the new base running rules so vastly in favor of the runners, clearly coaching staffs across organizational baseball have a conundrum on their hands. Do they concede the free base every time runners stand on the corners? Well, having seen this fail significantly more than it has succeeded for defensive teams, it's clear they need to do something different. It's a bang-bang play, yes, but too many runs are crossing the dish and it places far too much on the catcher's arm. I would offer - either fake the throw out by throwing to the pitcher not the SS or 2B or simply do not throw that ball at all toward second base. Eat it, throw it to third base, what have you, but force the opposing team to hit the ball in play to advance the runner home. To me, this is just too easy and, the last I looked, runs do matter in baseball games.

3) INF Daniel Guilarte has now reached base safely in all 19 games he's played as a Mudcat. I don't know about you, but that's quite an achievement by my book. When we add 13 SB in 16 attempts, a very steady glove all across the infield dirt, and the fact he's a mere 19 years old I think it's fair to say: Guillarte is definitively one of the more exciting stories of the Brewers 2023 Minor League season. It's a long season, as we know, but we just might have a special talent growing up before our eyes here. I'll be tuning in regularly to see how the months ahead compare to what was already a fantastic April for the young and talented Venezuelan.

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Tune in early once again tomorrow as Biloxi and Wisconsin swap matinee places with Nashville and Carolina. We'll get another opportunity to see young and talented RHP Carlos Rodriguez in the early going for Biloxi (new pre-game audio interview with Carlos archived here). Additionally, in the evening, we'll get another opportunity to see what LHP Thomas Pannone has brought to the Nashville Sounds pitching staff as well as the Brewers organization in just his third outing of 2023. As always, thanks for reading and thank you for supporting Brewers Minor League baseball.

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