Brewers Minor League Link Report (5/10): Carlos Rodriguez and Brett Wichrowski Shine in Gasser's Shadow

[Jim Goulart]

On a night when so many throughout the Brewers organization could bask in the cumulative collective efforts culminating in a spectacular Robert Gasser big-league debut, fellow prized starters Carlos F. Rodriguez and Brett Wichrowski reminded us they will hopefully follow similar paths. It was three up, two down on the farm, let's break it down.

Image courtesy of BrewerFanatic

Reminder - our "as it happened" Minor League Forum thread will provide you multiple additional insights!

 

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Transactions:

- LHP Robert Gasser’s contract selected by MLB Brewers from AAA Nashville
- RHP Janson Junk recalled to MLB Brewers from AAA Nashville
- RHP Tobias Myers optioned to AAA Nashville from MLB Brewers
- RHP Corbin Martin (presently with AAA Nashville) designated for assignment
- LHP Adam Seminaris placed on AA Biloxi’s 7-day injured list, retroactive to May 9

 

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Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
*Check out Page 12 of the notes (Sounds transactions) - it's only May 11th!

Final: Nashville 7, Durham (Rays) 1
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 Hang On For Another Extra Inning Win Over Bulls - Nick Kahle and Tyler Black add RBI hits, Nolan Blackwood escapes jam as Nashville edges Durham 3-2 in 10 innings

Ninety-five pitches and a wonderful 64 strikes through six one-run innings for Carlos Rodriguez, one walk, one HBP. Let's see, it was another weekend effort for C-Rod, meaning the umpire's made the initial ball-and-strike calls within the ABS challenge-only system. That has seemed to favor Rodriguez's ability to work successfully just off the edges. If there is room for the organization to align their better starting pitcher candidates on Friday's, Saturday's and Sunday's, then they should, rather than the ABS-only weekday contests.

Upon walking four times here, shortstop Yonny Hernandez has nearly as many free passes (21) as strikeouts (22). As a 26-year-old with 69 MLB games of experience and not requiring a 40-man roster spot, Hernandez has been a suitable everyday infielder for the Crew's AAA squad.

As was noted in the referenced forum thread, Tyler Black took a foul ball off his ankle in the top of the 1st. Black played first base in the bottom of the first but was swapped out the next frame.

Abner Uribe, effective for four outs (one hit, one K), grazed old friend Tristan Peters' jersey on an inside pitch that deflected into the umpire's arm, causing a brief injury delay.

RH reliever Enoli Paredes has been a rock star for Nashville, but his lack of remaining options doesn't allow him to be yo-yoed like others. His agent didn't negotiate an opt-out, or perhaps it's forthcoming.

 

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Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Biloxi 10, Montgomery (Rays) 2
Box Score and Game Log

Wilken Grand Slam, Two Home Run Game from Clarke Leads Shuckers to Win - Shuckers blast three home runs, Wichrowski notches first professional win

Catch up with the Biloxi pre-game audio archive page - RHP TJ Shook is among the latest entries.

 

 

You know, I was somewhat blown away by that note - since 2015's initial season, 24 Shuckers players debuted in the Show for organizations other than Milwaukee? Had the Brewers traded away that many prospects of note? This "Shuckers in MLB" page maintained by Biloxi provides the answers, it's a fun review!

Starter Brett Wichrowski walked three, so while his outing wasn't as clean as Carlos "F" in Nashville, it was still significant with just one run allowed. Twenty-one years old and just his 6th MiLB appearance (all starts).

Night and day, with Mr. Wilken and Mr. Clarke back, no?

Here are your many video highlights via the Shuckers.

Handling all six chances, this was Eric Brown, Jr.'s first game at second base in 2024. Fifty-five at-bats in, we will withhold commentary on the small-sample .470 OPS.

 

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Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes (download link)
Final: Quad Cities (Royals) 7, Wisconsin 3
Box Score and Game Log

Bandits Get Another Big Blast to Beat Wisconsin - Fifth-inning grand slam turns game in Quad Cities favor

RHP Yujanyer Herrera's first High-A start wasn't stellar, but a taxing first inning from a pitch count standpoint (Herrera would likely have been lifted if he hadn't retired the final batter of the inning), could have spelled actual doom. Navigating 4.1 frames allowing just two earned runs instead made for a worthwhile effort, though his line included three walks and three wild pitches.

Normally stout reliever Chase Costello hadn't experienced a rough night since his penultimate 2023 outing September 1st.

It's been a slow start for Jheremy Vargas in 2024, but if you're going to hit a home run, even in a team defeat, it may as well be on your 21st birthday.

First baseman Jesus Chirinos' OBP is only .273 through 19 games (vs. .365 in his pro career), but he did draw three of the T-Rats' five walks here.

Quiet night otherwise.

 

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Final: Fayetteville (Astros) 6, Carolina 0
Box Score and Game Log

Woodpeckers Shutout Mudcats

The Mudcats' Twitter feed likely sums up things nicely. Their social media team has included highlights from road games, but for Friday night, you'll find the lineup post followed by the final score post. That's it, and that's about right, actually.

Juan Baez, playing second base in this one, was successful on a stolen base attempt in the 1st. Maybe Baez has been working on something in that regard, as he's now 5-for-13 on the season. Keep plugging, Juan!

Nearly two weeks since he last pitched, with Mother Nature contributing slightly to that gap, RHP Bishop Letson followed fellow righty Josh Knoth. Knoth's game ERA was fine, Letson's K:BB ratio was nice, and both young men continue to be healthy and perform. The more spectacular days await.

 

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Final: ACL Brewers 7, ACL Mariners 4
Box Score and Game Log

The A-Crew moves to 2-3 on the young rookie level season.

Pretty entertaining affair, actually, for the friends and family members on site. The Seattle kids scored three in the top of the 8th to tie the game at 4-4, and the Brewers responded immediately with three to reflect the final score. Those three Maryvale runs late came after the first two batters were retired (single, walk, single, error, single).

RHP Brailin Rodriguez (he of the Flying "Rodriguez" Brothers in the system, all 11 of them) was first signed in September 2018, was briefly a Carolina Mudcat in 2021, missed all of 2022, and is back in Maryvale for a follow-up to his 2023. It's a dedicated journey.

Now that's he's 18 for this season, as opposed to his age 17 2023 stint in Maryvale, wonder how huge Eric Bitonti is, considering he's still in his growing years, so to speak. Was listed at 6'4", 218 upon signing. Two singles and an RBI here, on base six times in his last two games, including Thursday's home run.

Shortstop Filippo Di Turi doubled, singled twice, walked and stole a base. Like Bitonti, he's 18 years old for the entirety of the 2024 campaign. OBP is .500 through these five games.

 

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Finally, for you this AM:

A Trio of Free Baseball America General Articles of Note

 

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Enjoy your Saturday, all. Catch you Sunday AM.

Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores
Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth
Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth

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[biedergb]

Starting to wonder if the tacked ball last year really helped Rodriguez. His AA start was solid maybe aided by the tack ball, then he developed and improved. And this year he is going through the normal adjustments?

Either way encouraging to see him get two solid starts in a row.

Wichrowski had a great bounce back. He’s got a tiny bit of helium in his stock. Fingers crossed on him.

Carolina and Wisconsin with what 5 hits between them. Oof. Biloxi passed the offensive struggles (which they had for a few weeks) on to A ball clubs last night.

Both A ball clubs are too talented to have too many of those nights. But also so young, and therefore inconsistency is expected. Carolina has been boom or bust this week, Wisconsin, on the other hand, has had only two really string offensive games in the past week or two. I think Mike Boeve really powered that line up. Now it is up to Lara, G. Barrios, O’Rae, Adams to take control of the offense. They can do it but I have to remember that all of those guys are 20 (or younger as Lara is still just 19!) in high A and they are routinely facing 21-23 year olds most nights. 

[brooks_quichenick]

Not sure if this has been shared elsewhere yet, but here's a nice home plate angle of Carlos Rodriguez's start last night from Josh Norris of Baseball America: