Brewers Minor League Link Report (7/3): Dominant Starting Pitching the Theme in 3-1 Affiliate Evening

[Joseph Zarr]

We saw some dazzling starts from RHP Jesus Rivero (well, we didn't 'see' the young Rivero), RHP K.C. Hunt, RHP Brett Wichrowski, and RHP Chad Patrick. Ultimately, the Shuckers bullpen caved in two blow-up innings while their bats stayed fast asleep. The Sounds and Mudcats both won in extra innings. The Timber Rattlers cruised to a 2-0 victory as the bullpen efforts of RHP Stiven Cruz and RHP Aaron Rund shut it down after Hunt's fantastic effort. Let's get into the report!

Image courtesy of Brewer Fanatic

Transactions: 

• INF Vinny Capra has been recalled from the Nashville Sounds by the Milwaukee Brewers
• RHP Janson Junk has been recalled from the Nashville Sounds by the Milwaukee Brewers
• RHP Blake Holub has been assigned to the Nashville Sounds from the Biloxi Shuckers
• INF Adam Hall was activated by the Biloxi Shuckers off the 7-Day IL

---

Final:  Nashville 4, Memphis (Cardinals) 3

Via the Sounds' website, please be sure to click and read each of the affiliate write-ups as part of your season-long Link Report routine (believe me, it's worth it):

Sounds Outlast Redbirds in Extras - Nashville Takes Control of Series

Box Score / Game Log

Pre-Game Media Notes

The Redbirds and Sounds combined for a woeful 6-for-31 with RISP. And, hence, we saw a 4-3 end result. Thankfully, we can celebrate the good guys pulling it out in extras! I have seen a vast number of RHP Chad Patrick's 2024 starts for the Sounds and I honestly think this may have been his best performance. The majority of the Redbirds threatening noise came in his final frame of work but, for the most part, he was absolutely in control throughout. He remains a legitimate threat to crack an MLB rotation or pitching staff in the not so distant future. All told, Patrick's final line reads 5 2/3 IP, 7 H, 0 BB, 6 K, 1 ER. He now sports a 2.80 ERA on his season and he is very much looking the part of those numbers as the season progresses. The only unfortunate component of Patrick's outing: he didn't pick up the 'W'. He absolutely deserved it. 

Three Quick Strikes:

1) I continue to endure the ups-and-downs of RHP Tyler Woessner's Triple-A work with Nashville. Tonight, Woessner came aboard with a 2-1 lead in the eighth frame and proceeded to throw 13 balls to just a single strike. It was an ugly performance. He's credited with 1/3 IP but even that is only because C Brian Navarreto threw out a runner at 2B to end the threat in the seventh inning. Woessner's consistent lack of execution in or around the zone, his fluctuating velocities, and his overall performances speak to a pitcher who is all over the map. It's very fair to call this season what it is: a sizable step back. 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 3 BB. The final line doesn't even speak to how poor the outing looked. It was uncompetitive. 

2) OF Joey Wiemer continues to make confusing routine mishaps in the outfield grass (primarily in his gather and transfer - likely rushing plays in an attempt to make something happen), but we are starting to see possible signs of an early shift in approach and results at the dish. After last night's two XBH's, Wiemer followed up with a 4-for-5 night with 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB and 0 K. As alluded to above, he was also credited with a fielding error (he had another mishandle that wasn't scored). Getting him back on track would be a huge boon to Nashville's second half chances. 

3) 1B Tyler Black again showed off his incredible bat-to-ball skills in a 2-for-6 showing, but he also showed his ongoing defensive inconsistencies. Early in the contest, he made a nice scoop for an out at 1B on a one-hop throw. He also misread a routine ground ball - not recognizing the base runner (Victor Scott II) and situation - and failed to get the ball to Patrick on time. He then butchered a catch of a routine double play deflecting a very catchable ball to the dugout. Somehow, he wasn't credited with an error. The struggle is oh so real on the defensive side of the ball. I remain befuddled someone with as much agility, hand-to-eye coordination, and overall athleticism can be so inefficient in the field. 

---

Final: Mississippi (Braves) 8, Biloxi  1

Shuckers Drop Series Finale to M-Braves in Front of Season-Best Crowd - Wichrowski Sets Career-High with Six Shutout Frames

Box Score / Game Log

Pre-Game Media Notes

RHP Brett Wichrowski set a career high in innings and he looked better and better as each inning passed. With a young pitcher with so many tools at his disposal, and threatening velocity to boot, it's truly all about the ongoing commitment to fine-tuning his mix and improving his ability to execute. Even in a dominant start like this, there were still several off-speed deliveries that went awry. However, when it clicks? You can see the hype in real time. The most promising component of this start, by my eyes, was the maturation and composure and effectiveness that evolved within the start itself. Let's hope this is a stepping stone toward more consistent impactful production. Wichrowski ended his night with no decision in 6 IP of 2 H, 0 BB, 4 K, 1 HB, 0 R ball. I would opine that as he matures (let’s remember he is 21 years old until August 15th), and as he fine-tunes his pitch kit and mix, he is going to demonstrate quite a bit more swing and miss in his outings. The raw materials are too good to not dream bigger.

 

Three Quick Strikes:

1) Let's start with a positive note here. Top of the fifth frame. Zero outs. Man on first. SS Eric Brown Jr. and 2B Casey Martin executed as flashy a double play as we'll likely see in Double-A ball:

 

An absolute web gem. In impactful starts, oftentimes a defensive play like this can lead to an eventual victory.

2) LHP Nate Peterson came aboard for his first action since last Friday and was, simply put, not sharp at all. He hung two sliders for well hit singles to start his frame. And, then the wheels fell off in the form of free passes. His final line read 1/3 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 3 R (2 ER), 1 K. The scoreless tie ended after a single out. He can thank RHP Will Childers for striking out consecutive batters to preserve some of his ERA.

3) This was likely the worst performance we've seen from 3B Brock Wilken all season. He botched two hard hit grounders (both to the glove hand side) resulting in two fielding errors. He looked uncomfortable at the dish in an 0-for-3, 1 BB, 2 K performance. In what has been a disappointing season overall, I am certainly left wondering: what would this season look like if he hadn't broken his face. Always an important reminder: none of us know what the recovery process and playing with the injury after effects feels like. Let's practice patience here.

---

Final: Wisconsin 2, Beloit (Marlins) 0

Hunt Strikes Out Ten as Rattlers Shut Out Beloit 2-0 - Areinamo Homers to Extend Hitting Streak

Box Score / Game Log  

Pre-Game Media Notes

Having definitively been this website's original KC Hunt 'superfan' - sending DM's to our prospect mavens in the early going of Hunt's Low-A time in 2024 😅, I can tell you he's doing the same thing at High-A that he was doing at Low-A: dominating. Beloit had absolutely zero answers for Hunt's filthy blend of off-speed offerings. Despite reaching 60 pitches through a mere 3 IP, Hunt had still grabbed seven punch outs. He also still managed to pitch into the sixth inning. Hunt has so much 'come get me' in his off-speed arsenal. And, those pitches are just so very rarely hung in a hittable portion of the plate:

When he's dialed, as he most definitely was tonight, he legitimately can treat his heater as a pitch to keep batters honest. I love when a pitcher can pitch to his strengths. And, with Hunt, I just love everything about his presence on the mound. He knows he has tools. He knows he's a force to reckon with. If you do not know his name by now, you absolutely should know it today and moving forward. We got an absolute un-drafted steal in this young man. Hunt now has a ridiculous 82 punch outs in 53 1/3 IP in 2024. Tonight's gem: 5 1/3 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 10 K, 0 R. My goodness.

Three Quick Strikes:

1) Hey let's celebrate yet another under-recognized and (somehow) under-touted player in INF Jadher Areinamo. A player I've been going to the prospect plate for, with my well worn gavel in hand, for two years now. What I love most about Areinamo is he is an extremely young player who already knows who he is - and, it certainly doesn't hurt to have the innate defensive qualities he has (quick hands, hand-eye coordination, field awareness, baseball intelligence etc). He is artful and savvy on the defensive side of the ball. He's aggressive but with ridiculously advanced bat-to-ball skills and an improving capacity to launch balls:

He extended his hitting streak to 16 games on that swing. He is batting 0.314 on the season with an 0.808 OPS with 47 RBI. He is 20 years old until late November. What more do you need to hop aboard this bandwagon?!?

2) First ground ball to SS in the post-Gregory Barrios Timber Rattler era? INF Eduardo Garcia airmailed an absolutely routine play. Sigh. I nearly laughed - what unfair karma! It's been a rough couple of games for Garcia. He botched several plays at 3B last night. And that error tonight certainly did no favors to get him back on track. With all the middle infield competition developing in Low-A Carolina and the rookie leagues, Garcia is really going to need to make a run of excellent play to get back in the conversation. My how long gone are those early days of the 2022 season. Thankfully, he's still just 21 years old - at least, until July 10th. 0-for-4 with 1 RBI and 2 K. He still struggles mightily recognizing off-speed anything low and away. 

3) Kudos to the collective bullpen work of RHP Stiven Cruz and Aaron Rund - 3 2/3 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 4 K, 0 R combined. Cruz, in particular, really dug deep in the seventh frame. After striking out two to start the inning, he loaded the bases via a single and two walks. He didn't panic. He induced a jam shot dribbler to the mound. He calmly underhanded the throw to 1B. Rund's extremely clean ninth inning ending the game with a gorgeous tailing sinker for a swinging strikeout was equally impressive. He picked up his third save.

---

Final: Carolina 4, Down East (Rangers) 3

Box Score / Game Log

As if I already didn't detest the Down East ongoing media blackout, they've now deprived me of a Reece Walling long ball? I cry foul! Well, thankfully, the hit was fair. When RHP Jesus Rivero is good, he is really good. Tonight we witnessed (via live Game Logs) 4 IP of 3 H, 0 BB, 6 K ball. His sole blemish was a balk. These are the types of outings I've seen enough times to continue to stay in the believer camp. I've said it before and I'll say it again now: Rivero has immense talent. He simply needs to work on narrowing the gap of his extremes to become a more serious prospect. The raw tools are absolutely all there and then some.

In a game where Down East was 0-for-8 with RISP, the Mudcats really can't brag about their 1-for-12 effort. RHP Aidan Maldonado had a chance to close the game out in regulation, but he gave up a lead-off homer to start the ninth inning - his fourth blown Save of 2024. More importantly he squandered, albeit briefly, the 2 IP of 0 H, 1 BB, 5 K work from RHP Jeferson Figueroa. At 23 years of age, and in his third season at Carolina, Figueroa remains a multiple inning bedrock for the Mudcats pitching staff. I have to imagine, at some point in time over the course of the next year, Figueroa is going to be heading North to Wisconsin to receive an opportunity. He turns 24 on August 22nd. The Mudcats improved to 6-6 in their second half.

---

 

That's a wrap for me for this first week of July. Both DSL squads and the ACL Crew will be playing morning or matinee slates. In the evening all four full-season affiliates will be back at it. RHP Logan Henderson will showcase his wares once again for Biloxi. Let's hope he keeps humming. LHP DL Hall will make another rehab start for Nashville. LHP Brian Fitzpatrick will take the hill vs Beloit and young RHP Enniel Cortez will take the mound for his third GS as a Mudcat.

As always, thanks for reading and thanks for supporting Milwaukee Brewers Minor League baseball and the many players deserving of our time and recognition. 

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

 

 

View full article

[James Zumstein]

Great write-up as always, Joseph.  I went to the T-Rats game last night in Beloit, and your description of the game was spot-on.  Hunt was absolutely dominant, and I'm also stoked for what the future holds for him,  As for Arienamo, you had already convinced this reader to jump on his bandwagon before last night.  After seeing him in person, I'm even more convinced.  This kid just knows how to play ball, period.  I wouldn't be shocked to see Pratt get brought up to Wisconsin to replace Barrios, which would open a spot for Bitonti at Carolina.  They both appear to be ready for those next steps.

[Joseph Zarr]

3 hours ago, James Zumstein said:

Great write-up as always, Joseph.  I went to the T-Rats game last night in Beloit, and your description of the game was spot-on.  Hunt was absolutely dominant, and I'm also stoked for what the future holds for him,  As for Arienamo, you had already convinced this reader to jump on his bandwagon before last night.  After seeing him in person, I'm even more convinced.  This kid just knows how to play ball, period.  I wouldn't be shocked to see Pratt get brought up to Wisconsin to replace Barrios, which would open a spot for Bitonti at Carolina.  They both appear to be ready for those next steps.

Thanks James! Glad to hear you both saw the T-Rats live (epic!) and also got to see what I've been seeing in Areinamo. Such a fun and advanced player. Watching him as much as I have, I have come to appreciate what it is the Brewers have there. Baseball players like Areinamo, with as much natural and intrinsic game sense as he possess - a real 'joie de vivre' and artfulness on the diamond - quite simply do not grow on trees. He truly is a special player in every respect.  

[Joseph Zarr]

BTW, that was the Marlins consensus #1 ranked prospect on the mound - RHP Noble Meyer. 19-year-old. Marlins 1st round pick just last year (10th overall). In other words, that isn't your typical long ball.