Brewers Minor League Link Report (4/5): Pratt Shines as Affiliates Split Four Games on Busy Opening Day

[Ro Mueller]

Cooper Pratt’s amazing night led Carolina to victory. Ernesto Martinez walked off a crazy Biloxi win. Brett Wichrowski and Francisco Mejia had solid debuts, but errors sent Wisconsin and Nashville to defeat.

Image courtesy of Phrake Photography

Defense is the theme of this Link Report, largely determining the outcome of all four Friday contests, three of which were one-run affairs with the fourth settled in extra innings. It was a wild and wacky Opening Night for Biloxi, Wisconsin and Carolina, with the chaos extending Nashville’s game as well.

Transactions:

• Signed C Francisco Mejia and assigned him to AAA Nashville
• INF Daniel Guilarte assigned to ACL Brewers from Low-A Carolina
• RHP Chad Patrick promoted to AAA Nashville from AA Biloxi
• C Blayberg Diaz assigned to Low-A Carolina from AAA Nashville
• C Alejandro Rodriguez placed on Development List
• INF Ben Metzinger placed on Development List
• C/1B Brayan Oropeza released by DSL Brewers-1
• OF Irving Igualas released by DSL Brewers-1
• RHP Nestor Mena released by DSL Brewers-1
• LHP Pedro Quintana released by DSL Brewers-2
• LHP Wade Miley sent on rehab assignment to AAA Nashville
• RHP Vladimir Gutierrez claimed from Marlins and optioned to AAA Nashville

We've also been informed by a Verified BrewerFantic Member and reliable contributor that RHP Kevin Briceno has been released from the ACL Brewers - he of the MILB career 2.40 ERA and 0.99 WHIP, but he missed last season due to injury. Released but healthy, though we await official confirmation.

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: St. Paul 6, Nashville 5
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Sounds’ website, game details, and we encourage readers to review affiliate write-ups as part of their Link Report routine: Sounds Slip Up in Loss to St. Paul

LHP Wade Miley (3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 Ks – 55 pitches) was effective in his rehab start and the Sounds out-hit St. Paul, but untimely errors and two outs on the basepaths thwarted Nashville’s comeback.

Center fielder Joey Wiemer (2-for-3, double, 2 walks, RBI) had his best offensive game in some time, knocking in the Sounds’ first run as he reached base four times in five plate appearances. Unfortunately, his teammates weren’t able to bring him home after his lead-off 9th inning double.

 

3B Tyler Black needs to chalk this night up to a difficult learning experience and go get the next one. In his first game at third base this season, his errors in the 5th and 7th innings contributed to three unearned runs off of RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez (4 IP, 5 R (2 ER), 4 H, 4 BB, 4 Ks). Things didn’t go any better at the plate for Black, unfortunately, as his 0-for-5 night attests.

Sounds’ Extras:

• I couldn’t help but wonder if the signing of C Francisco Mejia meant that fellow C Eric Haase might not actually be ready to play (e.g. injured, headed to Japan?), but both made their Sounds’ debuts, hitting fifth and sixth in the lineup while contributing a combined 4-for-9 night with 2 RBIs. Welcome gentlemen!
• The 22-year old Rodriguez registered four strikeouts, but wasn’t sharp in his second outing of the season. Unlike other levels of minor league ball, MILB.com game center’s pitch locations are relatively accurate at the AAA level, revealing that many of Carlos’ called balls are far outside the zone.
• Let’s recognize the solid work of RHPs Rob Zastryzny and Ryan Middendorf, delivering a combined 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 5 Ks.
• Great night Joey, but let’s not attempt to steal third base (caught in the 1st inning) when Brewer Hicklen (1-for-4, walk, 2 SBs) is at the plate (singled into the abyss).

Saturday’s outlook: RHP Tobias Myers is scheduled to make his second start of this young season as Nashville looks to grab a 3-2 series lead.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Biloxi 8, Montgomery 7
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Martinez Jr. Caps off Improbable Comeback for Walk-Off Win

You win some, you lose some and then sometimes the opposing team just crumbles for no discernable reason. Credit this Biloxi Opening Day win to the latter category.

Down 7-2 with one out in the bottom of the 8th inning despite outhitting the Biscuits 8-7 by that point, Biloxi scored five unanswered runs in that same inning. How? Well, you know, the usual fashion: run-scoring balk, run-scoring error, run-scoring wild pitch, another error to score two runs. That’s right, no hits were required to re-set the game at 7-7 entering the 9th inning.

 

After RHP Shane Smith (1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K – Win) dispatched three Montgomery hitters in the top half of the inning, let’s queue Ernesto Martinez (2-for-5, double, 3 RBIs), the Shuckers’ talented 24-year old first baseman who re-upped with the Brewers’ organization for his 8th minor league season:

 

Things had started in more customary fashion, with RHP Jacob Misiorowski (4 1/3 IP, 4 R, 2 H, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 7 Ks) striking out consecutive batters to open the game and cruising through his first 2 1/3 innings. However, a walk, double and wild pitch cost Misiorowski two runs in the 3rd inning and he was somewhat surprisingly extended to a fifth frame (K, two walks – both of whom ultimately scored), exiting after throwing 75 pitches (42 strikes).

 

If you like defense, enjoy this stellar play from SS Eric Brown Jr. (1-for-5, double) in the top of the 6th inning:

 

Shuckers’ Extras:

• Power-hitting 3B Brock Wilken hit third and should be pleased to start the season with a 2-for-5 day. Unfortunately, we don’t have readings on exit velocity at this level, so we’ve got to get on the MILB.TV app or interpret game logs (e.g. “sharp line drive”)
• 2B Ethan Murray continues to get the job done whenever called upon and clearly has no intention of giving up a starting infield job: 2-for-3, 2 HBPs.
• 25-year old RHP Sam Carlson (1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K) is also in his 8th minor league season, joining the Brewers’ organization via free agency. He immediately contributed in the first AA action he’s seen in his career, stranding three baserunners inherited from LHP Adam Seminaris (1 2/3 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 1 K) via a swinging strikeout to end the top of the 7th inning and retiring four of the five batters he faced.
• Despite hitting 26 homers last year, C Wes Clarke (0-for-4, walk) is back in AA ball to presumably work on his defense. He had two passed balls in this contest, while throwing out one of two attempted basestealers.

Saturday’s outlook: 23-year old RHP Bradley Blalock (acquired for Luis Urias last season) is scheduled to make his first-ever AA start.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Peoria 2, Wisconsin 1
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Chiefs Chill Out Timber Rattlers

Producing one hit while committing three errors won’t win any games and 21-year old RHP Brett Wichrowski (3 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 1 H, 1 BB, 4 Ks) had to unfortunately take the loss despite a solid first official game in the Brewers’ system.

A 13th round draft pick in 2023 who received the lowest signing bonus in that round ($100,000), Wichrowski shone brightly in spring training and did nothing to dent his rise in this game, conceding just an infield hit and issuing one walk.

 

As the game link details (read it!), the Timber Rattlers actually led this game 1-0 thanks to three walks and a hit-by-pitch in the first inning.

Piggy-backing starters is a common feature of minor league baseball, with 23-year old LHP Brian Fitzpatrick (4 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks) retiring 12 of 13 batters faced in the first High-A game of his young career.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• C Matt Wood was nearly Wisconsin’s entire offense, garnering the team’s only hit (a single), knocking in their only run (an RBI walk) and reaching base in all four trips to the plate (1-for-1, 3 walks). Of course, he’ll wish he threw out more than just one of six attempted basestealers.
• Defensive whiz Jadher Areinamo was the DH in this contest, while errors were committed by Wood, left fielder Jheremy Vargas and SS Gregory Barrios. Manager Victor Estevez may re-think the plan for Areinamo after digesting this result.
• High-A debuts for Barrios, 2B Dylan O’Rae and 1B Luke Adams resulted in a combined 0-for-10 day, but O’Rae walked, stole a base and scored the team’s only run.
• 24-year old Aaron Rund was signed out of independent ball and should be pleased after covering the 4th inning in his debut: 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 Ks. 2023 eighth round pick RHP Craig Yoho also pitched in his first game at full season affiliate level and can be encouraged with the result: 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks.

Saturday’s outlook: 22-year old RHP Alexander Cornielle (4.55 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 9.3 K/9 in 89.0 IP last season) is back in High-A ball and ready to make his first start of 2024.

Final: Carolina 6, Salem 4 (in 10 innings)
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Mudcats’: Mudcats Rally in Ninth, Explode in Extras to Win 2024 Opener

Although many eyes were focused on RHP Josh Knoth (the 33rd overall draft pick of 2023 made his organizational debut) and center fielder Yophery Rodriguez (making the huge leap from the Dominican Summer League to Low-A ball), it was 19-year old SS Cooper Pratt who stole the show.

Pratt nearly hit for the cycle in a 3-for-4, 2 RBI day, saving the Mudcats with a game-tying triple with two outs in the top of the 9th inning, then converting a double play in the bottom half of the inning to help send the game to extras when all hope appeared lost.

 

Knoth (3 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 Ks – 53 pitches) conceded two runs in the 2nd inning, but finished strong by striking out the final two batters he faced in the 3rd inning. The pitch count may be a sign that new Mudcats Manager Nick Stanley has the green light to allow Knoth go deeper into games than Misiorowski and Logan Henderson did at the start of their careers.

20-year old RHP Yujanyer Herrera (3 2/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 3 BB, 6 Ks – 64 pitches) was solid over the middle innings. Similar to Misiorowski’s line above, don’t let walks to the final two batters he faced tarnish the solid work. Being his third consecutive year in Low-A ball, Herrera is undoubtedly targeting a promotion.

After Pratt twice gave Carolina new life, the team took advantage of an error and two walks in the 10th inning, with right fielder Kay-Lan Nicasia and 2B Miguel Briceno then delivering RBI singles to grab a 6-3 lead.

 

RHPs Morris Austin and Blake Whiting can be pleased with their first appearances of the season, combining on 2 1/3 scoreless innings, 3 Ks and a save for Whiting.

Mudcats’ Extras:

• Putting 24-year old C David Garcia in Low-A ball after playing in AA for the Rangers the last two seasons is perhaps geared toward giving the young Carolina pitchers a veteran presence to guide them. In this game, Garcia also contributed to the victory by gunning down both stolen base attempts and reaching base himself a few times (walk, HBP).
• Rodriguez may not be thrilled with his 0-for-5 day, but he did draw a walk and have no problems manning center field.
• The greater concern may be 20-year old left fielder Luis Castillo, who also went 0-for-5, stranding seven runners on the basepaths. He’d have stranded eight if not for a Salem throwing error which enabled ghost runner 1B Tayden Hall (2-for-4, walk, RBI – carrying over nicely from a solid showing in Australia) to score in the top of the 10th inning for a 4-3 lead.
• The Mudcats appear short-handed in the infield after promotions of O’Rae and Barrios, but the remedy (Daniel Guilarte repeating a level?, surprise promotion of Eric Bitonti, Johan Barrios or Demetrio Nadal?) is unclear.

Saturday’s outlook: 20-year old RHP Ryan Birchard (2023 fifth round pick) will make his organizational debut in Game 2 of Carolina’s series in Salem.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. Good luck to all teams on Saturday!

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Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth

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[Ro Mueller]

Get your Craig Yoho appreciation right here: 

 

[Joseph Zarr]

Stat heads will get giddy over the 2 XBH's for Pratt. It's obviously nice to see that line drive power. But, I'll simply share what I was most excited about with Pratt at the dish was that reach single poke to shallow left CF. That was a professional, man is in scoring position, knock on a very tough pitch. It was at that moment where I officially submitted my work slip in to the Prospect Station for the Cooper Pratt Hype Train. He is such a fun player. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Quote

• The Mudcats appear short-handed in the infield after promotions of O’Rae and Barrios, but the remedy (Daniel Guilarte repeating a level?, surprise promotion of Eric Bitonti, Johan Barrios or Demetrio Nadal?) is unclear.

I was wondering about this as well. And, then the Guilarte assigned to the ACL news? I can't help but wonder if he is still essentially working through the same set of injuries that popped up last year. I think it's quite clear, to anyone who watches the games regularly, he has quite a bit more tools and innate 'danger' to his game than some of the infielders at higher levels. But, so far, he's struggled to maintain health in his limited time in affiliated ball. 

[Jim Goulart]