Brewers Farm System 2024 Preview: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

[Harold Hutchison]

Last year, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers saw some players bounce back big time while others soared to serious heights and persevered through difficult years. What is in store for them in 2024? Let’s take a look.

Image courtesy of © Wm. Glasheen/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK

Starting Pitching
The 2024 Timber Rattlers rotation includes 2023 13th-round pick Brett Wichrowski, who debuted on Friday. While the absence of Logan Henderson and Joseph Hernandez is a surprise, given Henderson’s superb 2023 performance in Zebulon and Hernandez’s solid 2023, the Rattlers have a lot of depth behind Wichrowski, whose stuff looks to be on par with Henderson’s.

Carolina Mudcats starters Patricio Aquino, Will Rudy, and Brian Fitzpatrick have advanced to Appleton, joining Alexander Cornielle and Stiven Cruz, who persevered through rough 2023 campaigns. Aquino and Rudy quietly posted solid numbers for the Mudcats in 2023, while Fitzpatrick took a big step up in Brisbane over the winter. Cornielle put things together near the last half of 2023, while Cruz is looking to rebound after posting a 6.90 ERA.

Will Childers, Edwin Jiminez, and Tate Kuehner also made some starts in 2023, while Cameron Wagoner will miss the 2024 season after rebounding from a rough start in 2023.

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Bullpen
The Brewers have decided to challenge some of their 2023 draft picks by having them serve as firemen. Kuehner saw some brief action in the ACL in 2023, while Craig Yoho and Mark Manfredi will make their pro full-season debuts in Appleton. Kuehner looks to be an intriguing option for replacing Hoby Milner down the road. Yoho and Manfredi look very intriguing, with expanded arsenals that may land them in the rotation.

While Tanner Shears will be on the injured list all season, Yerlin Rodriguez, who posted 11 saves in 2023, can lock down the ninth inning. Undrafted free agent Aaron Rund made his pro debut Friday, while Chase Costello was solid as a multi-inning option for the Mudcats in 2023. Jacob Polancic is an intriguing signing after three years in independent ball, while Miguel Guerrero and Tyler Wehrle are coming off solid seasons.

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Catcher
Matthew Wood returns to Appleton as the primary catcher after a 2023 campaign that saw him dominate at Carolina and display superb OBP skills in Wisconsin. Whether the left-handed pop that Wood displayed in Carolina returns will be something to watch, and it could determine whether he moves up the ladder or remains behind Wes Clarke and Damien Miller in the pecking order.

He will be backed up by Ramon Rodriguez and Alejandro Rodriguez. Ramon has been a long-time pro and has been as high as Triple-A. Alejandro saw action with the ACL champs in Maryvale during the 2023 season.

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Infielders
The Rattlers’ roster is a little misleading. Dylan O’Rae, listed as an outfielder, started at second base on Opening Day. The speedster with superb OBP skills will be worth watching as the Brewers try to figure out what they have. Jesus Chirinos returns to Appleton after a rough 2023 with the Rattlers (he was solid with the Mudcats that season) to be part of the first base mix.

Mike Boeve, Luke Adams, and Ben Metzinger will compete for playing time at the hot corner, with all three likely to see action at other positions (Boeve played some second base, Adams and Metzinger saw time at first base). Metzinger did see some action behind the plate in college, while Adams has some corner outfield experience in professional baseball.

Jose Acosta, Jadher Areinamo, and Jheremy Vargas have all primarily played second base in professional baseball, but each has a different skill set. Acosta brings some pop to the plate, while Vargas has an intriguing OBP/speed skillset. Areinamo has a high-contact bat.

Gregory Barrios will handle shortstop.

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Outfield
The Rattlers have four outfielders listed on the roster. Luis Lara returns to man center field and could move up to Biloxi sometime soon if he plays like he did in 2023. Lara has speed, defense, and the ability to hit for contact to the plate.

Eduarqi Fernandez has flashed some power, while Terrence Dotson is looking to find some traction after being drafted in 2019. Dylan O’Rae, while listed as an outfielder, has primarily played infield to date in his pro career.

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Overview
The strength of this Timber Rattlers team looks to be their pitching staff, which has a lot of depth, particularly in the rotation, while the bullpen could have some real gems. This is not to say there aren’t some potential offensive stars in Boeve, Adams, and Lara, but this is a team that will count on its pitching to win games.

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[biedergb]

Logan Henderson is on the IL, right? And will probably join Wisconsin once healthy I would presume.

[wiguy94]

21 minutes ago, biedergb said:

Logan Henderson is on the IL, right? And will probably join Wisconsin once healthy I would presume.

Yes he’s on Wisconsin’s IL right now 

[ClosetBrewerFan]

Do we have any news on Joseph Hernandez?  I dont see him on any roster