Wed. 5/22: Super-early Start for the Rattlers

[Jim Goulart]

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

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

MiLB Audio Links

[Ro Mueller]

Who’s ready for 10:05am baseball? The High-A T-Rats had better be, as they need a win this morning behind LHP Tate Kuehner (4.74 ERA, 1.74 WHIP, 11.8 K/9 in 19 IP) to even their series at South Bend 1-1. 

[wiguy94]

Yerlin Rodriguez unfortunately continues to ride the struggle bus. It's 20 grade command with him these days. 4 BB in 1.1 IP today. He's up to 18 BB in 14 IP on the year. 

[wiguy94]

Costello comes in and strands Yerlin's inherited runners after a couple nervy AB's. 4-1 lead as we head to the 8th inning.

[wiguy94]

Watching Craig Yoho immediately following Costello really emphasizes how nasty Yoho is. They have pretty similar pitch mixes and Yoho just gets so much nastier movement on his stuff. I really don't understand why this guy is still in A+ at this point.

[Joseph Zarr]

1 hour ago, wiguy94 said:

Yerlin Rodriguez unfortunately continues to ride the struggle bus. It's 20 grade command with him these days. 4 BB in 1.1 IP today. He's up to 18 BB in 14 IP on the year. 

It's his Achilles' heel. This is why I've compared him to an even raw-er version of Abner Uribe (without the emotional unpredictability and volatility). You can really date these walk struggles back to August 12th of last season vs Delmarva. It's kind of where it all began. Before that point, even though his ERA was a bit elevated he was dominating batters and it was clear to see the ERA just didn't tell the story. In 2024, even when he was dealing in the earlier part of this T-Rats season, he was still walking guys but his stuff is so good when he's within himself it didn't matter outing-to-outing. 

There is still high-leverage reliever in his arsenal. It's blatantly obvious. BUT, none of that matters if you can't own the zone and control your stuff. You can essentially group Rodriguez with Rivero and Low. All three guys have electric stuff. All three guys reallly realllllllly struggle to replicate success for long periods of time. Thankfully they are all 22 and younger. So much talent there. Many many miles to go. 

[Joseph Zarr]

43 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

Watching Craig Yoho immediately following Costello really emphasizes how nasty Yoho is. They have pretty similar pitch mixes and Yoho just gets so much nastier movement on his stuff. I really don't understand why this guy is still in A+ at this point.

Been saying this same very thing for over a month. I mean, I am dead serious when I say this:

I think Yoho is an MLB pitcher today. Full stop. His stuff is that absolutely filthy. I wouldn't think twice to get his feet wet vs MLB hitters in mop-up duty to see how his stuff plays. So much movement. High-A hitters have absolutely no chance. None.

And, for all us Yoho stans, don't forget to check out his 'T-Rats Talk'

Quote

“Just getting ahead early,” Yoho said when asked for the key to his hot start. “If I can get to two strikes I know it’s basically over for the hitter, and that’s been my focus is getting to two strikes as quick as possible and then putting guys away.”

[Joseph Zarr]

Here's our first 2024 look at Bitonti's smooth as silk swing. My goodness. That swing path and fluidity? Lotttttta gorgeous sounds of that lumber.

 

[Jim Goulart]

VIDEO: Tell us what you really think, Jeff! Love the passion…

 

[Joseph Zarr]

12 minutes ago, Mass Haas said:

VIDEO: Tell us what you really think, Jeff! Love the passion…

 

I have had this very same take since about 3 months into the ABS and Challenge system implemented in the International League last season (Jeff speaks to it here). Everything he says and then some. ABS is rigid; takes away framing as an art; is inconsistent ballpark-to-ballpark where each park has its own system - ie the zones are not uniform they are contextual to the the set up in the ballpark. The Challenge system is a complete no-brainer...which, in professional sports, typically means the powers that be will make the wrong choice. Goodness me oh my, please MLB show some competence: Challenge system 24-7 365.

[Ro Mueller]

Playing at home against Myrtle Beach, Low-A Carolina turns to RHP Daniel Corniel (2.83 ERA, 1.19 WHIP. 9.4 K/9 in 28.2 IP) as they aim to snap their 5-game losing streak. The Mudcats have K’d 419 hitters while only striking out 325 times themselves. 

[Ro Mueller]

AA Biloxi has won just 8 of its last 26 games and has RHP Shane Smith (3.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 13.3 K/9 in 21 IP) starting on 4 days’ rest at home against Birmingham tonight. DH Ernesto Martinez has hit safely in 13 of his last 14 games. 

[Ro Mueller]

FYI: The AAA Sounds will play a doubleheader on Thursday: 

 

[Ro Mueller]

RHP Logan Henderson's rehab stints with ACL Brewers were on May 9 and May 16, so one might expect him to throw for them again tomorrow, Thursday May 23.

However, the Timber Rattlers media notes are showing their starting pitcher for Friday, May 24 as TBA. So let's see when and where Logan ultimately throws this week.

[Ro Mueller]

Yophery Rodriguez's 3rd inning RBI triple cut Carolina's deficit to 3-2. Cooper Pratt and Juan Baez also have RBI singles, while Daniel Guilarte has singled and scored twice. Daniel Corniel has given up a 2-run double and a solo homer. It's now 3-3 in the 4th inning. Go Mudcats! 

 

[Ro Mueller]

Daniel Corniel averages 77 pitches per start and gets a mound visit after reaching 78 pitches and 4.2 IP tonight. The last batter reached on an infield single. It's still 3-3 Corniel's staying in for now.

[Ro Mueller]

Brock Wilken gets a much-needed hit (AVG .214, OPS .586) and Biloxi has 2-on with 1-out in the 1st inning, trailing 2-0 after the first 3 batters reached against Shane Smith in the top half.

[Ro Mueller]

CD Rodriguez grounds into a double play, so there goes the early Biloxi threat.

[Ro Mueller]

Myrtle Beach goes to their bullpen in the bottom of the 5th inning and Dominic Hambley proceeds to hit 3 of the first 6 Mudcats he faces. We score 4 runs without the benefit of a hit to the outfield. Carolina 7, Myrtle Beach 3.

[Ro Mueller]

Ernesto Martinez grabs a run back for the Shuckers in the 2nd inning with a looong homer. They trail 2-1.

 

[Ro Mueller]

Carolina has blown it open in the 6th inning: 2-RBI double from Juan Baez, RBI single from Yhoswar Garcia. 10-3 Mudcats.

[Ro Mueller]

Shane Smith has surpassed his previous career high-pitch total of 59, reaching 60 pitches here in the top of the 4th inning. Shuckers trail 2-1.

[Ro Mueller]

Shane Smith exits after 4 innings and 69 pitches. LHP Adam Seminaris comes in for his first game action since May 4. Biloxi trails 2-1 in the 5th inning.