Article: Brewers Minor League Link Report (6/6): INF Felix Valerio Continues His Red Hot Resurgence; Affiliates Win Five

[Joseph Zarr]

It was an action-packed full day of Brewers Minor League baseball. When all was said and done, the affiliates came away with a stalwart five victories in six contests. We had late game heroics in many a tilt - down in the ACL, in West Michigan, at Five County Stadium, and in Jacksonville. Let's get into the report!

Image courtesy of Brewer Fanatic

Game Balls:

• RHP James Meeker gets a nod for his five consecutive K's and giving his team a chance to steal one late
• OF Michael Reed for his pivotal XBH's - a key two-run blast and a two-run double late.
• C Payton Henry (more below) continued his scorching hot work at the plate while calling a fantastic bullpen effort
• DH Darrien Miller poked a key sac fly early and then hit a pivotal and game-winning two-rbi single in the 8th inning.
• INF Felix Valerio continues a scorching hot run at the dish: 1 3B, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 R, 2 RBI in a 3-for-4 evening.

Transactions:

•  RHP Jacob Misiorowski was promoted to High-A Wisconsin from Low-A Carolina
•  RHP Will Childers was promoted to Low-A Carolina from the ACL Brewers
•  LHP Wande Torres was placed on ACL Brewers’ full season injured list
•  RHP Aldrin Gonzales was placed on ACL Brewers’ full season injured list 
•  LHP Caden Vire was placed on ACL Brewers’ full season injured list

Highlights from the MONTH that Was:

INF Eric Brown Jr. was recognized as the Brewers Minor League Hitter in the Month for his May resurgence kickstarting the Timber Rattlers mini turnaround:

And, newly arriving High-A ace RHP Jacob Misiorowski was recognized as the Brewers Pitcher of the Month for his fabulous May in Low-A Carolina:

 

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Final: Nashville 11, Jacksonville (Marlins) 4
Box Score / Game Log

Game Notes 

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

Late Offensive Explosion Leads Sounds to Win

LHP Eric Lauer began his rehab tour as he looked to rebound from a disastrous start to his MLB campaign. The Sounds finally had a sixth starter in their clubhouse and I'm sure, rehab or not, manager Rick Sweet was pleased at the newfound flexibility heading into game 1 of a series. Lauer was actually fairly good early as he pounded the inside of the zone - no inning better than his second frame. However, as he has done most of 2023, he absolutely fell apart. He lost the zone up and away to righties consistently throughout. He gave up numerous liners and seeing eye hits. The 2-0 lead quickly evaporated to 2-3 and there was nobody out. He lasted a mere 2 2/3 IP. Thankfully, the Sounds bullpen simply shut it down from there. An incredible performance from the strength of the Sounds ball club. 

Three Quick Strikes:

1) Back to Lauer. A serious question could be asked at this point: Is Lauer in danger of a prolonged stay in Nashville? I only ask this given the same issues that have plagued him at the MLB level throughout 2023 were abundantly present tonight. He lacked control of his release point. He fell behind batters. He lacked any meaningful consistency. I know this is a rehab outing. I know the pitching staff up north is currently experiencing their own bout of injuries. But, I think it's fair to say Lauer needs to show something in Nashville. Tonight, he certainly did not.

2) C/DH Payton Henry continues his fantastic season for the Sounds. He has been on fire of late and that certainly didn't change tonight:

 

3) LHP Darrell Thompson's scoreless 1 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K effort was his third straight scoreless outing in June. You love to see these rebound efforts as he looks to find that shutdown success from his time in Biloxi up at Triple-A. Go take a look at that box score. There are big performances throughout - OF Michael Reed, INF Cam Devanney, LHP Clayton Andrews etc. The Sounds had 16 hits and every man in the line-up grabbed at least one knock. The 7-for-14 effort with RISP certainly helped.

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Final: Mississippi (Braves) 9, Biloxi 8
Box Score / Game Log

Game Notes 

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

Shuckers Tally Eight Runs, 13 Hits in Series-Opening Loss to M-Braves

The feel good story of RHP Tobias Myers' very early season has transitioned to a question of "Is he at risk of seeing his season get away from him?" I've mentioned in recent starts his fastball has appeared to completely level off - it has become a very hittable pitch. I proposed in the game thread tonight his recent success, though fleeting, has largely arisen when he relegates that heater to a third offering or a pitch he simply mixes in. Well, tonight, Myers couldn't quite find what worked. He lost the Shuckers lead in his fifth and final inning - granted this was aided and abetted by LHP Russ Smith giving up a long ball in relief. This was very much a game the Shuckers could have won had they gotten just a little bit more from Myers or Smith.

Three Quick Strikes:

1) On a night where LHP Russ Smith and RHP Tobias Myers continued to work through their ongoing issues, it was RHP James Meeker who demonstrated how far he has come in a year's time. Showcasing that new-look sexy curveball, sprinkling in a very effective slider and change-up, and changing levels throughout every AB with his low 90's heater Meeker calmly struck out the side in the bottom of the seventh inning after OF Jackson Chourio had left the bags dripping with a swinging strikeout of his own. Meeker continues to show the confidence and poise you look for as well as an ability to grow. I remain a big fan.

2) OF Jackson Chourio, INF/OF Tyler Black, and C Jeferson Quero get the vast majority of the public accolades and notoriety, but I'm going to point out the ongoing improved play and offensive output of INF Felix Valerio; INF Ethan Murray; and 1B/C Wes Clarke. Their play of late should absolutely not go unnoticed. All three men have been coming on in various ways over the past few weeks. All three men filled the stat sheet tonight. 

3) Ok. Back to the accolades and the top ranked prospects. INF Tyler Black did tie the Shuckers franchise record tonight with his 27th consecutive game on base after ripping a triple high off the CF wall in the top of the fifth frame. There's a reason we love him so. Unfortunately, for the Shuckers, they just couldn't pull this one out. The game was very much a 9-8 affair and both teams had ample chances.

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Final: Wisconsin 4, West Michigan (Tigers) 2
Box Score / Game Log

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

It's Miller Time for Wisconsin

RHP Edwin Jimenez came to the hill with quite a bit less control than we've grown accustomed to - control he's demonstrated throughout the 2023 season to date. He fell to 3-0 on his first batter. He fell to 3-1 after an 0-1 count on his second batter. This was the first action I've seen from him all year where he regressed to his 2022 form. He managed to really locate the change-up, however, and found his way out of the jam with two punch outs and a weak pop fly to shallow CF. A really nice recovery. All in all, however, it wasn't a sharp outing by his 2023 standards. But, it's a testament to his resilience he managed to complete 5 IP and limit the damage: 7 H, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, 2 ER. 

Three Quick Strikes:

1) The T-Rats drove the Whitecaps starting pitcher from the game after 2/3 IP. They drove his pitch count to 30 after INF Eduardo Garcia grounded into a force out at 2B. They led 2-0. They had men on the corners with two down. It could have been much worse, as well, when DH Darrien Miller crushed a potential grand slam down the RF that hooked foul by a matter of feet. Regardless, it's a fairly big win when you can drive the starter before the first inning is over. I don't imagine this was in the Whitecaps' game plan. Thankfully, Miller got his payback on that foul ball when he knocked in the winning runs in the eighth inning.

2) In a random bit of Brewers Minor League history, it's quite the thing to consider rehabbing INF Wily Adames played for the Tigers' West Michigan Whitecaps back in 2014. I wonder what was going through his mind as he visited his old stomping grounds from nine years back. He's had quite the journey since and I can't imagine he had this roadtrip on his baseball itinerary for 2023.

3) This was likely the best game I've seen from INF Robert Moore in over a month. He was everywhere on the infield. He was taking healthy swings at the dish. It was wonderful to witness. When he was in his funk, his swing was a proverbial mess. When he's at his best, like he was tonight, his swing is easy; level; and with limited movement. The double in the first inning was hit very well. He made a key diving stop to end an early inning threat with the toss to Adames at 2B. It's games like these that remind us how talented he is. Miles to go, but this was a nice bounceback outing. He ends his evening 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. He did get caught stealing for the sixth time on the young season - a surprising tally.

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Final:  Carolina 7, Fayetteville (Astros) 6
Box Score / Game Log

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

Perez and Perez Power Mudcats to Comeback Victory

Clinging to a 0.5 game lead over red hot Down East with just 16 days before the first half is over, the Mudcats were looking for some home cooking versus Carolina League South's last place Fayetteville Woodpeckers. It's hard to believe, but the Mudcats are only 0.500 at their home park. 

RHP Will Rudy looked to stake his claim as the Mudcats first half Ace now that Misiorowski is up north in Wisconsin. He was a tad rusty to start things off but, boy, he found the zone early and often in the second frame. He grabbed two K's in the inning and also benefited from a fantastic sliding catch by RF Kaylan Nicasia down the shallow RF foul line. 

Rudy did give up his first home run on his young season via a two-run shot down the right field line as the Woodpeckers grabbed a 2-0 lead in the third frame. They tacked on another run in the fourth inning on an extremely weakly hit dribbler that found its way into the LF grass. Having given up only two runs on the season, Rudy suddenly saw an 0-3 deficit on the scoreboard. It was his least productive outing in terms of end result but, aside from the two-run blast (a no doubter), I would simply state the contact wasn't really worrisome. He'll look to sharpen his tools for his next trip to the hill. But, really, he'll look for better luck.

Three Quick Strikes:

1) It didn't look good early for the Mudcats' bats with Woodpeckers starter RHP Jose Fleury keeping the entire lineup off balance and on their heels with an extremely good blend of a curveball to change-up all over the zone. He kept the Mudcats batters guessing further with some heat sprinkled in for good measure. There just wasn't a lot to hit. A tip of the cap is due for Fleury. He was very very good early. But, as the Mudcats have done all season, they started putting in professional AB's and they drove him from the game before the fifth frame was over.

2) It was OF Hedbert Perez and his line drive two-run blast over the RF wall that got the tying rally going in the 9th inning. It was a classic Perez liner. Easy swing. Great launch angle. Line drive. Suddenly, with his second homer of 2023, it was a mere 5-6 deficit. 

Pivotal two-out knocks by INF Gregory Barrios and Alexander Perez (with the automatic double) tied the game at six runs apiece. We were on to Extras!

3) Before the start of the 10th inning, Mudcats announcer Greg Young shared the Woodpeckers had yet to score a run in extra innings on the year. They failed to do so again tonight when their 10th frame ended in a 6-4-3 double play. If you want to look at reasons why Fayetteville started their early season in first place and now find themselves with the worst record in the Carolina League, that's certainly one place to look. That is an extremely tough situational hitting pill to swallow for any manager.

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Final: ACL Brewers 2, ACL Rangers 1 
Box Score/Game Log

Two DSL pitching standouts from 2022 debuted tonight in the ACL achieving very similar successes. 19-year-old LHP Osbriel Mogollon grabbed the starting nod and pitched a very effective 5 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 3 K, 1 ER outing. His stablemate, 19-year-old LHP Anfernny Reyes, was perhaps even more impressive in his stellar 2 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 4 K. INF Juan Baez continued his clutch ways of the very early going knocking in OF Reidy Mercado for the go-ahead run on a single in the eighth inning. RHP Darling Solano struggled with free passes giving up 4 BB's in 1 1/3 IP late. It was up to 20-year-old RHP Jose Chavez, in his third year in the Brewers ACL, to try and end a two men on and one out scenario in relief of Solano in the 9th and the ACL Brewers clinging to a 2-1 lead. He was very much up to the challenge striking out the only two batters he faced. 

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Final: DSL Brewers #1 5, DSL Brewers #2 0
Box Score/Game Log

Well, someone had to lose.

The DSL Brewers Uno y Dos clashed head-to-head in just their second game of the DSL season. The Brewers Uno prevailed 5-0 - all runs came in the first two innings and held for the duration. The DSL Brewers #1 pitching staff - led by 17-year-old Nicaraguan starter RHP Enniel Crotez's 5 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K, 0 ER - held the Brewers #2 to a single hit over a standard DSL 7-inning affair. 19-year-old RHP Yeferson Tales did manage to grab the Save after RHP Roman Perez (now pitching in his second DSL Brewers season) walked the bases full in the 6th frame. Tales went 1 1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K. INF Kevin Ereu continued impacting the end result in just his second game: 1-for-2, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 SB (his 3rd in two games). Contrary to yesterday's struggle with RISP, the DSL Brewers #1 capitalized on a 4-for-8 mark with RISP.

An interesting aside, as our very own @damuellementioned HERE with his astute baseball eyes, we do appear to have our second two-way prospect (RHP/1B/DH Quinton Low in Low-A Carolina being the other) in the DSL: 17-year-old RHP Argenis Aparicio is also, apparently, a switch-hitter. He went 0-for-2 with a BB in the DH spot today for the DSL Brewers #1.

The DSL Brewers (and the ACL Brewers) return to action Thursday.

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The DSL and ACL Brewers may have off tomorrow but, fear not, we have two double-headers for Nashville and Carolina as they seek to make-up previously postponed contests - no rest for us weary Minor League aficionados. Looking at the listed starters for tomorrow's tilts, I have to say I'm leaning heavy toward Carolina (yet again) with their RHP Quinton Low and RHP Aidan Maldonado pairing. As always, thanks for reading. And, thank you for supporting Brewers Minor League baseball!

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[Jake McKibbin]

Just checked the Savant page, and at least one plus is that Lauer had 14 swings and misses (more than anyone else in Triple A) across the short number of innings. SO control might be a little off, it usually is for him after any sort of a break, but the stuff being there is big. He's really missed that

[Jim Goulart]

Post-Game Interview: Carolina Manager Victor Estevez

***

Several Chourio highlights within on a busy night despite the loss:

***

Darrien Miller's two-run go-ahead single caps off this road report on the T-Rats game.

 

[wiguy94]

4 hours ago, Jake McKibbin said:

Just checked the Savant page, and at least one plus is that Lauer had 14 swings and misses (more than anyone else in Triple A) across the short number of innings. SO control might be a little off, it usually is for him after any sort of a break, but the stuff being there is big. He's really missed that

Didn’t really seem like Lauer was actually pitching to win. 59 pitches and 46 of them being FB when they couldn’t touch his secondaries feels like he’s just trying to mechanically get right and get the velo back on his FB. He averaged 92 last night which is between the 93 last year and 91 on the season which I think is an alright start.

[wibadgers23]

How fantastic would it be if Valerio returned to his pre-2022 days!

[Playing Catch]

Is he still just 5'5"?

[wibadgers23]

1 hour ago, Playing Catch said:

Is he still just 5'5"?

Good question - he's still listed as such.  Not sure how often a player's measurements are updated.

[wiguy94]

1 hour ago, wibadgers23 said:

How fantastic would it be if Valerio returned to his pre-2022 days!

Over his last 50 PA he's slashing .378/.420/.556 with 5 XBH and a 164 wRC+.

[wibadgers23]

2 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

Over his last 50 PA he's slashing .378/.420/.556 with 5 XBH and a 164 wRC+.

Yeah, and I think people tend to forget he's still just 22 years old and will be all season.

[Joseph Zarr]

Valerio's ongoing 'issue' is quite simply: defensive limitations render his bat an absolute must. Last year's numbers were extremely skewed by a prolonged slump and then, really, just unfortunate results. He was really getting a hold of balls in late summer and they very very often just went right to someone. The bat has to play. But, thankfully, it can - he can absolutely rake.

[Joseph Zarr]

3 hours ago, wiguy94 said:

Didn’t really seem like Lauer was actually pitching to win. 59 pitches and 46 of them being FB when they couldn’t touch his secondaries feels like he’s just trying to mechanically get right and get the velo back on his FB. He averaged 92 last night which is between the 93 last year and 91 on the season which I think is an alright start.

This is fair. This being said, I would still propose he didn't look all that good working on his fastball. 🤣

That sailing release point is something I saw all last year with LHP Russ Smith - and, no, I am not comparing the two. 

I would love if the Brewers had a month to spare so Lauer could keep working on his toolkit to the tune of 4-5 outings. Then see where the dust has settled. Unfortunately, given the way the injury-laden season has gone they really don't have that luxury.

[wiguy94]

3 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

This is fair. This being said, I would still propose he didn't look all that good working on his fastball. 🤣

That sailing release point is something I saw all last year with LHP Russ Smith - and, no, I am not comparing the two. 

I would love if the Brewers had a month to spare so Lauer could keep working on his toolkit to the tune of 4-5 outings. Then see where the dust has settled. Unfortunately, given the way the injury-laden season has gone they really don't have that luxury.

I think they can give him all the time in the world. (Lauer himself said he expects the rehab assignment to be longer). Teheran and Rea have both been solid as depth guys. Miley makes a rehab start on Sunday and has said he only expects himself to need the 1 rehab assignment. With Miley back in the next two weeks, Lauer can take all the time he needs.

[Joseph Zarr]

2 hours ago, wiguy94 said:

I think they can give him all the time in the world. (Lauer himself said he expects the rehab assignment to be longer). Teheran and Rea have both been solid as depth guys. Miley makes a rehab start on Sunday and has said he only expects himself to need the 1 rehab assignment. With Miley back in the next two weeks, Lauer can take all the time he needs.

This is what I needed to hear, partner. <insert Clint Eastwood hat tip gif here>