Thurs. 4/18 - Ashby Tries Again, Blalock Seeks to Extend His 0.00 ERA Season

[Jim Goulart]

Thread will be utilized for any minor league news Thursday, lineup updates, etc.

Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores

[Ro Mueller]

Given the relatively quick turnarounds being asked of our starting pitchers in Nashville, I was hoping we might be able to fast-track RHP Vladimir Gutierrez’s DFA/Waiver period, but he was outrighted in October last year so is probably more likely to become a free agent.

The team really needs Gasser or McKendry to return to action.

[Joseph Zarr]

1 hour ago, damuelle said:

Given the relatively quick turnarounds being asked of our starting pitchers in Nashville, I was hoping we might be able to fast-track RHP Vladimir Gutierrez’s DFA/Waiver period, but he was outrighted in October last year so is probably more likely to become a free agent.

The team really needs Gasser or McKendry to return to action.

It's just this scenario - so early in the season, to boot - where the Sounds really miss a healthy RHP Tyler Herb or the quality inning-eating capacities of one RHP Caleb Boushley.

Maybe we get a surprise RHP Josh Lindblom return from retirement!

[Jim Goulart]

Regarding the current lack of a CF camera view from Biloxi, the staff there is definitely efforting to overcome a prior water leak that damaged equipment. Perhaps by the next Shuckers homestand, if not sooner.

[Ro Mueller]

The AAA Nashville and Omaha series is tied 1-1 after 2 one-run games. LHP Aaron Ashby makes his 3rd start in 11 days and the team welcomes INF Christian Arroyo (992 MLB PAs over last 7 seasons - .693 OPS) for his 2024 debut. 

[Ro Mueller]

22-year old RHP Will Rudy (4.2 scoreless innings last week) makes his 2nd High-A start, as Wisconsin seeks a 2-1 home series lead over Cedar Rapids. C Matt Wood has reached base 13 times (7 H, 6 BB) in 23 PAs. 

[Ro Mueller]

The AA Shuckers aim for a 6th straight win as they host the 3rd game of this week’s series against Chattanooga. 23-year old RHP Bradley Blalock (0.00 ERA with 9 Ks in 11 IP) gets the start and C Andy Zerzy plays for the first time in one week. 

[wiguy94]

3 minutes ago, damuelle said:

The AA Shuckers aim for a 6th straight win as they host the 3rd game of this week’s series against Chattanooga. 23-year old RHP Bradley Blalock (0.00 ERA with 9 Ks in 11 IP) gets the start and C Andy Zerzy plays for the first time in one week. 

3 straight games without Clarke. Definitely seems like there's an injury there.

[Ro Mueller]

16 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

3 straight games without Clarke. Definitely seems like there's an injury there.

Good point. With Wilken not replaced and Brown likely out, Darrien Miller may be the only spare position player.

[Ro Mueller]

19-year old RHP Bishop Letson gets his 2nd start for Low-A Carolina after throwing 2.2 scoreless IP with 6 Ks last week. Low-A Carolina needs a win at Augusta to break a 1-1 series tie. Switch-hitting RF Kay-Lan Nicasia looks to homer for a 3rd straight game. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Castillo hit a 3-run jack to open a 3-0 lead for the Mudcats. 

[wiguy94]

Eduardo Garcia leaves the game after being hit in the hand with a pitch. Biloxi currently has 0 healthy position players on the bench.

[markedman5]

Ashby 1 run through 3 but 77 pitches which includes 4 walks and 4 strikeouts……….

[BrewerFan]

1 hour ago, damuelle said:

19-year old RHP Bishop Letson gets his 2nd start for Low-A Carolina after throwing 2.2 scoreless IP with 6 Ks last week. Low-A Carolina needs a win at Augusta to break a 1-1 series tie. Switch-hitting RF Kay-Lan Nicasia looks to homer for a 3rd straight game. 

Is he getting overlooked a little bit? To step right into full-season ball a year out of HS and be dominant? And from a guy who's from a cold-weather state?

Has pitching become if not the strength of this system, at least on equal footing with the position prospects(I'm not including anyone on the MLB roster). 

[wiguy94]

Ernesto Martinez just hit a 109 EV, 447ft HR to right center. I've watched a lot of Biloxi baseball and I don't think I have ever seen a ball hit out that deep to right center. Should mention Javik said the usual wind blowing in from RF is non-existent today so that could be helping.

[Joseph Zarr]

Rough start for RHP Will Rudy but some truly fine relief work from RHP Mark Manfredi (3IP, 0H, 0BB, 6K) has allowed the T-Rats a fighting chance. They trail 6-4 in their half of the 7th.

Rally caps, men!

(Also: Boeve is currently 2-for-2 - another dub- and his BA is back above 0.500 😯)

[Joseph Zarr]

O'Rae just hit his 2nd double to right center and then took 3rd on a WP. Lara at the dish. Zero outs.

[Joseph Zarr]

INF Gregory Barrios is easily one of the more pleasant surprises in early 2024. He did some work this off-season. Trust me. I would opine (with no data but the eyes over a year plus) he likely added 5-10 lbs of mass and may have grown an inch. The results seem to be following suit. Really intriguing peripheral storyline I was absolutely not anticipating.

[Joseph Zarr]

Boeve singled up the middle. 0.528 BA. 1.231 OPS through what will be 12 games.

T-Rats head to the 8th trailing 6-5.

[Joseph Zarr]

The answer to the thread title:

YES RHP Bradley Blalock will maintain the 0.00 ERA (6IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K, 0 R)

Shuckers win 4-0. Old trusty slingin' RHP Sam Gardner was back in Brisbane. 2 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 4 K. LHP Justin King closed the shutout w 1 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 2K.

Shuckers win their 6th straight (and they didn't even need a comeback to do it!) moving to 8-4 overall.

OF Noah Campbell continued his torrid start smacking a triple and finishing 2-for-3.

[Joseph Zarr]

Two more K's for Manfredi in the 8th. Sheeeesh: 4 IP, 8 K.

[Joseph Zarr]

Another Isaac Collins two-bagger tonight?! He already has 7 dubs on the season. Goodness.

Have I mentioned how incredible this Sounds bullpen is? I believe I may have mentioned it a couple times? They lead 5-1 in the bottom of the 8th. 4 2/3 scoreless IP combined between Zastryzny, Myers, and Blackwood so far.

[Joseph Zarr]

3 W 1 L. The system keeps churning - unfortunately, Wisconsin couldn't overcome Rudy's rough start.

Let me simply share visually what I am talking about with the system-wide bullpen dominance we are seeing in 2024. Oh hey! what's that? Another scoreless 2K inning from RHP Craig Yoho - stud. Ho hum.

Tonight, the combined bullpen performances across all four affiliates:

19 2/3 IP
2 ER (all credited to RHP Yujanyer Herrera who, oh btw, has 21K in 12 2/3 IP overall)
9 H (6 of these attributed to Herrera)
3 BB
32 K

PITCHING. PITCHING. PITCHING.

Absurd

[wiguy94]

15 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

3 W 1 L. The system keeps churning - unfortunately, Wisconsin couldn't overcome Rudy's rough start.

Let me simply share visually what I am talking about with the system-wide bullpen dominance we are seeing in 2024. Oh hey! what's that? Another scoreless 2K inning from RHP Craig Yoho - stud. Ho hum.

Tonight, the combined bullpen performances across all four affiliates:

19 2/3 IP
2 ER (all credited to RHP Yujanyer Herrera who, oh btw, has 21K in 12 2/3 IP overall)
9 H (6 of these attributed to Herrera)
3 BB
32 K

PITCHING. PITCHING. PITCHING.

Absurd

I want to highlight Justin King who has only pitched 3 innings this year for whatever reason. He has gone 1-2-3 in all 3 innings and has struck out 7 of the 9 hitters he has faced. He's absolutely dominated.

[wiguy94]

Also Mark Manfredi might be a Brent Suter disciple. His delivery is so similar to Suter's.

Here is Manfredi's leg kick: 

 

Here is Suter's leg kick: