Brewers Minor League Link Report (7/23): Misiorowski Struggles in Wild Start; Bitonti Continues to Charge Toward Zebulon

[Joseph Zarr]

The DSL squads split in the early-going - more below.  Carolina was rained out after seven complete so the game was called a Mudcats victory - we'll take it! Wisconsin led 2-0 late, fell behind 3-2 and couldn't come back, falling by the same score in Beloit. In Pensacola, the red hot Shuckers endured a Misiorowski relapse and a general result akin to their ill-fated first half. It was ugly for the most part despite their mini-rally in the ninth inning. Nashville never got things going at home versus Charlotte falling 7-2. And late night in the desert, the ACL Crew lost a 2-0 lead but came back and hung on to win it 5-4. Let's get into the report!

Image courtesy of Brewer Fanatic

Transactions:

• INF Freddy Zamora was activated off the 7-Day IL by the Nashville Sounds
• RHP Kevin Herget was placed on the Temporarily Inactive List by the Nashville Sounds
• RHP Jesus Rivero was moved to the 7-Day IL by the Carolina Mudcats
• RHP Rosmel Reyes was moved to the Full-Season IL by the Carolina Mudcats

 

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Final:  Charlotte (White Sox) 7, Nashville 2

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 Can't Hold on to Early Lead Versus Knights in Opener - Wiemer has RBI Single and Web Gem Catch in CF

Box Score / Game Log

Pre-Game Media Notes

RHP Taylor Clarke definitely deserved better than being credited with his third loss as a Sounds pitcher. He went 4 IP with 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K, and 2 R (1 earned). It certainly isn't easy when the first batter you face in a game rips a very playable grounder to your first baseman and he botches it for a two-base error. No matter, Clarke buckled down and escaped that first threat unscathed. It was C Brian Navarreto's two out catcher interference in Clarke's fourth and final inning that was his slight undoing. The next batter hit a bases clearing double to right field. The Sounds suddenly trailed 2-1 and they never recovered. It should be mentioned, Clarke was the beneficiary of some fantastic CF Joey Wiemer defense to escape the third frame unharmed:

Three Quick Strikes:

1) Speaking of CF Joey Wiemer, we are watching a much different and much more comfortable player at present than we did at any point in the early going of 2024. Whatever mental hurdles were occurring at the dish have fallen to the wayside. Wiemer went 2-for-4 with his 19th RBI of his season in there for good measure. All this being said, I would love it if Wiems would use a challenge on questionable strikeout calls. He took a change-up inside and off the plate for a called strike three looking with a man on second base facing a 4-2 deficit. Both challenges were in the pocket. Why not use it there to try and keep that AB alive? It was a pivotal moment. I've seen this from the young man on more than one occasion.

2) RHP Garrett Stallings was listed as the scheduled starter last night. This obviously was not how the game played out in the end. Stallings came on as the final workhorse of the evening and had a very ineffective 4 IP of 7 H, 2 BB, 2 K, 4 ER ball. In nine outings since the Brewers acquired Stallings from Norfolk, the 26-year-old had conceded at least one run in seven appearances. In 12 2/3 IP in July, batters are peppering him to a 0.292 BAA. 

3) Black was responsible for the early error when he misplayed a one-hop sharp hit grounder to his glove hand side down the first base line. However, it should also be noted the young man still made two very high quality plays later in the contest. The consistency absolutely remains elusive but it is still worth mentioning he also makes the web gem defensive play from time-to-time:

 

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Final: Pensacola (Marlins) 8, Biloxi 4

Shuckers Mount Comeback Attempt in Ninth, Drop Series-Opener to Blue Wahoos - Multi-Hit Games for Sparks and Martinez Jr.

Box Score / Game Log

Pre-Game Media Notes

Firstly, a BIG shoutout to Shuckers manager Joe Ayrault. He has been absent for some time now and during tonight's Pensacola broadcast we were told he continues to watch all the Shuckers games as he tends to an undisclosed personal matter. From the Wahoos organization and from us here at Brewer Fanatic, we wish you all the best skipper and get back soon!

This being said, I can only imagine what he was thinking watching from afar in game one by the Pensacola waterside. RHP Jacob Misiorowski looked just fine early. Really, he did. He was humming:

After a high pitch-count third frame with some premonitions of wildness, things completely fell apart for 'The Miz' in his fourth and final inning of work. It certainly wasn't entirely his culpability - some questionable glove work from C Darrien Miller and a suddenly tightly squeezed strikezone in key counts played their parts - but the final line of 3 2/3 IP, 3 H, 6 BB, 5 WP, 4 K, 6 ER was absolutely as unsightly overall as that final line reads. The 5 recorded WP tied a Southern League record that hadn't been touched in nine years. Once again, the young and talented hurler will look to bounce back.

Three Quick Strikes:

1) Adding insult to injury for Misiorowski, his Rolaids relief partner in RHP Kaleb Bowman allowed all his inherited runners to score. His 1 1/3 IP of 3 H, 1 BB, 0 K, 0 ER ball isn't all that accurate when all was said and done. He walked in a run to start his outing. He gave up consecutive hard hit line drive RBI pokes to RF to clear the bases. 

2) LHP Nate Peterson continues to be bit by his unfortunate habit of leaving hangers up in the zone. Tonight, he surrendered his 14th long ball in a pitcher's count on an inside belt high hanger. It was a two-run jack pushing the Shuckers deficit to 8-0. These pitches seem to happen on a semi-regular basis and they are indicative of a young pitcher learning the art of what works when and where in and around the zone. 

3) In a night where lead-off man 2B Dylan O'Rae struck out four times, we'll point to the two XBH's from RF Lamar Sparks and 1B Ernesto Martinez Jr. In a truly lackluster Shuckers effort overall, at least we were able to see a brief half-inning of entertainment in the batters box. They'll look to rebound in game 2. Let's just file this one as a 'Loss' and not over-invest in the quality of the result.

 

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Final: Beloit (Marlins) 3, Wisconsin 2

Beloit Beats Wisconsin with Late Rally - Sky Carp Score Three in Seventh Inning to Beat Rattlers 3-2

Box Score / Game Log  

Pre-Game Media Notes

Unfortunately, in the end RHP Alexander Cornielle's 5 IP of 4 H, 1 BB, 4 K, 0 R ball was wasted as a 'No Decision'. Cornielle was savvy and in control throughout. Unfortunately, it was RHP Chase Costello's second inning of work that bit the T-Rats in the end. Costello adeptly worked around a two-out single in the sixth inning by getting a swinging punch out to end the threat - his second such result in his first inning of work. However, he led off the seventh inning with a single and a 100 mph line drive two-run jack just over the right field wall and suddenly we had a tie game on our screens. An unfortunate bloop goose snort just beyond the reach of a sprinting 3B Luke Adams in very shallow left field put the next runner aboard and the next batter ripped a deep double to left field. That 3-2 deficit stood for the remainder of the game. Credit to Costello for stranding that runner at second base with nobody down at the time. 

Three Quick Strikes:

1) We could harp on a brief pitching hiccup from the otherwise very reliable and capable aforementioned RHP Chase Costello, but, I'll point to the T-Rats 1-for-12 with RISP and 8 men LOB. That was the difference in this contest. They had chances to break the game open. Credit to Beloit for opportunistically escaping these threats and putting forth a meaningful game-winning rally of their own.

2) RHP Aidan Maldonado absolutely is passing my eye test of 'belongs in High-A'. I had been saying this for over a month when he was excelling in the Low-A Carolina League. Now in a more age-appropriate environment, he is meeting the challenge by executing the same tricky delivery with his blend of off-speed and heat. His final line read 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K. However, he was absolutely robbed of a first AB strikeout on a gorgeous pitch that painted the outer black. He got the out anyhow on the next pitch but I certainly know what I saw.

3) I don't quite understand how a player as quick and speedy as Luis Lara gets thrown out stealing at a 25% clip. Actually, in 2024, he's being thrown out a 28% clip. I would love a mini deep dive as to what is going on here in terms of finer details. Is it the jump? Reading the pitchers? Slide timing? Do we over-estimate his speed and he actually just reads the ball much better from the outfield grass? It remains a mystery for me. He was caught stealing for the 11th time in 39 attempts tonight. Not an egregious lack of execution by any stretch but one would think we would see better here.

 

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Final: Carolina 9, Fredericksburg (Red Sox) 4

Box Score / Game Log

Carolina Wins Rain-Shortened Contest Over Salem - Five-Run Second Inning the Big Difference

RHP Manuel Rodriguez had a rare off night but even in an 'off' night, so to speak, he was still effective. When your team runs out to a 7-1 lead, I would rather the starting pitcher attack the zone even if that means some hard contact and some runs. This is precisely what happened in the early-going when the Sox plated three in their half of the third frame. But, as Rodriguez so often does, he buckled down from there. All told, his final line read 5 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 4 ER. He still picked up the 'W' moving to 4-5 on his season. I'll take it as good karma for the numerous dominant starts where he received no run support and either a loss or a no decision.

Three Quick Strikes:

1) CF Yophery Rodriguez has had a fantastic July if you haven't paid full attention. He added to that tonight in his 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 2B (his 17th) effort in the lead-off spot. 

Overall, in the month, he's hitting to the tune of a 0.340 BA in 47 official AB and a fantastic 1.000 OPS to boot after tonight's effort. BUT, as funny as this may sound, that isn't what I want to discuss. What has remained constant through all the months (heck, he hit 0.237 in June) is his defensive effort and awareness. He simply continues to shine in that department. He made several very challenging plays look routine once again tonight. He made a catch in deep left center field as he ran up against the plywood wall. He made a deep line drive fly out look routine even though it turned him around once or twice. He is just smooth high effort on nearly every play on that center field grass. As the bat continues to develop, it is absolutely awesome to know the defense is already there.

2) This Mudcats line-up is simply more dangerous with 3B Juan Baez back in the fold. When you can push the highly impactful LF Yhoswar Garcia (1-for-2, 2 R, 2 BB, 1 CS) down the batting order into the bottom-half it simply changes the mathematics. It allows manager Nick Stanley to play a little bit of baseball chess with his players' attributes and tendencies throughout. Like, say, putting the power bat of RF Luis Castillo in the nine-hole. Baez finished with a 1-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 2B mark in just his third game back with the Muddies since returning from his ACL rehab. It's a sight for sore eyes for this Mudcats Fanatic.

3) Don't look now (well, you're not going to have to 🤭) but RHP Jeison Pena has now gone six consecutive relief outings without surrendering a run dating back to June 25th. This is a fantastic turn of events for the young 21-year-old right-hander. In these six scoreless appearances, Pena has pitched 10 1/3 innings of 5 H, 4 BB, 0 HB, 7 K ball. In the month of July, he's only allowing a very meager 0.150 BAA with a fantastic 0.79 WHIP. I did not have this on my early second half bingo card, but I am absolutely here for it and am enjoying every pitch. Keep grinding, young man! 

 

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Final: ACL Brewers 5, ACL Padres 4
Box Score / Game Log

If you want to make sense of the late ACL-season effectiveness of the young ACL Brewers, look no further than three players: INF Josh Adamczewski, 3B Eric Bitonti, and 1B Johan Barrios. All three young men have had their moments over the past month and they are largely the reasons why the offense has remained so competitive. Tonight was no different. The three young stallions combined for a 6-for-13, 3 R, 5 RBI, 2 BB, 2 K effort. Bitonti grabbed a double and a HR (his eighth of the summer) while Barrios grabbed his second triple - they were responsible for all five runs.

On the pitching end of things, the Brewers received a fantastic start from young 19-year-old Nicaraguan RHP Bryan Rivera - 5 IP, 1 H, 3 BB, and 5 K. Though he left with a 2-0 lead, he did not pick up the decision. RHP Caden Vire pitched his third (of four) scoreless outings of July with a 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K relief inning. 20-year-old Mexican LHP Jesus Broca once again showed late-inning prowess closing it down over 2.0 IP of 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 R (unearned) work, getting the save (his third), ending the contest by stranding the tying runner at third base. The ACL Crew have moved back to five games under 0.500 yet again at 27-32 overall.

 

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Final: DSL Orioles Black 1, DSL Brewers #1 0
Box Score / Game Log

With the DSL Cerveceros Uno down two games in the 'games played' column (weather), the DSL Orioles Orange's battery mates on the Orioles Black did them a solid. The Crew Uno now trail the Orange by a full game as they reside in second place at 21-12 overall. The Brewers Uno sprinkled four hits amongst their 12 strikeouts. 3B Jesus Made managed to single and take two free passes while swiping two bags in the process - he was also charged with an error (missed catch) for his sixth such foible of his season. And, it appears that missed catch allowed what was the sole winning run to score (tho, honestly, go ahead and try to make sense of the Orioles Black bottom of the 9th).

On the pitching side of the ledger, RHP's Carlos Carra (3 1/3 IP, 1 H, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 3 K) and Ayendy Bravo (4 IP, 2 H, 0 BB, 3 K) both recorded multiple scoreless inning outings. Unfortunately, in a game as tight as this, it wasn't enough. 

 

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Final: DSL Brewers #2 6, DSL Red Sox Blue 3 - 7-Inning Contest
Box Score / Game Log

The DSL Cerveceros Dos move to four games above 0.500 at 19-15 overall. They've won two straight and yet, they still trail the DSL Pirates Gold (23-9) by 5.0 G. SS Jorge Quintana went 2-for-4 batting second in the line up with 1 R in the process.  The majority of the damage appears to have come from the crucial run-producing 3-through-5 spots. 2B Jonathan Rangel was 1-for-4 with 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 2B (his third of the summer), and 1 SB (his sixth overall); 1B Frederi Montero was 1-for-3 with 2 R, 1 BB, 1 2B (his sixth overall), and 1 SB (his ninth overall); and C Luis Corobo continues to make a difference of late with a 2-for-3 mark - 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB (his ninth overall) and 1 CS, respectively.

17-year-old Nicaraguan RHP Lonell Downs picked up the win (his first of his summer in seven appearances) by pitching the final three innings to a 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K, HB, Balk, 1 ER final line. With yesterday's rain-cancelled game apparently in the books as of this morning (it was originally postponed after four innings), RF Frandy Lafond took out his frustrations with a rare 0-for-3 and 2 K performance at the dish.

 

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The DSL Crew squads will take a scheduled mid-week rest while the ACL Crew gift us a matinee, in what is also Maryvale's season finale, a result of changes made by MiLB this year. (The season both began and ends earlier.)

All four full-season affiliates will take to the diamond in the evening hours. RHP Bradley Blalock will look to keep his improved play going on the mound for the Shuckers. RHP Joe Ross will look to have a much different rehab outing than his last. And, RHP Yujanyer Herrera will be back as a starting pitcher for the T-Rats. 

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

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[biedergb]

This is the thing with Misiorowski. He will have some great starts, and then this. His consistency is the key. I know a lot of clamoring to get him up to AAA or the MLB, and his stuff will suceed there, but in the long term he will need to figure out how to manage these yips innings where things can fall apart quickly. 

I don't know if it is a mental thing (Burnes has talked openly about how much of pitching is mental), or a mechanical issues with his long limbs that he can look dominant and then the wheels fall off. I think this is the key to his development and I hope this can continue to develop.

And I didn't watch any of the game yet, but Alexander Cornielle seems ready to move up. His stats have been relatively consistent, and even without dominant stuff he is effective and now in his second year at high A and soon to turn 23. I look forward to him in Biloxi in the near future.

Finally, the Muddies still remain my favorite team to watch (or tied with the TRats). So incredibly young (DiTuri, Baez, Pratt, and the pitching crew all the ages that most ACL and some DSL players are!).
One of those kids, Yophery, even with his lower OPS/BA in June, he was cutting down on the K and improving his walk rate compared the earlier part of the season, So along with ongoing power (2B and HR), excellent defense, and now his OPS in July, this is what you are excited to see. This is what you want to see in an 18 year old in his first year in stateside ball.
Also M. Rodriguez, with what would be a "bad outing" for him, I will watch his outing later this week, but he gets 4-6 innings per start, walks only about 1 per start, and will give up hits and get some strikeouts. His stuff is not overpowering, but he is usually in command and typically composed on the mound. If the pitching labs can squeeze a few MPH, or get him to find a pitch with some elite movement he could be an absolute gem. Even if not, like Cornielle, pitchers who are successful in getting players out can still have a lot of value.

[Stealofhome]

9 hours ago, Joseph Zarr said:

All this being said, I would love it if Wiems would use a challenge on questionable strikeout calls. He took a change-up inside and off the plate for a called strike three looking with a man on second base facing a 4-2 deficit. Both challenges were in the pocket. Why not use it there to try and keep that AB alive? It was a pivotal moment. I've seen this from the young man on more than one occasion.

I wonder if the players on the 40-man are taught or feel more pressure to not use the challenge system, since it doesn't exist in the Major Leagues? I've thought about that with Tyler Black, too. It seems that he uses it well but then struggles with the strike zone in the Majors since he can't challenge any more. 

It is good to see Weimer hitting, though, with a 1.053 OPS in July, after two straight months of .510 and .570.

[Joseph Zarr]

57 minutes ago, Stealofhome said:

I wonder if the players on the 40-man are taught or feel more pressure to not use the challenge system, since it doesn't exist in the Major Leagues? I've thought about that with Tyler Black, too. It seems that he uses it well but then struggles with the strike zone in the Majors since he can't challenge any more. 

Black definitely has some of the best plate recognition in the system and the Challenge system is absolutely in his wheelhouse - he thrives there (and won a challenge before Wiemer failed to execute a challenge himself). I think it's a fair question to ask here. MLB umps (just like their Minor League counterparts) are anything  but consistent in portraying the actual strikezone. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Speaking of a charging Bitonti. Brewers PD delivers on the Johnny!

 

[Playing Catch]

23 hours ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Speaking of a charging Bitonti. Brewers PD delivers on the Johnny!

 

Do we know how he's looked in the field?

[Joseph Zarr]

1 hour ago, Playing Catch said:

Do we know how he's looked in the field?

We do not, no. However, going off basic Defensive stats page listings we know he played 307 1/3 innings at the Hot Corner this ACL season. He was charged with 7 Errors and given a 91% FPCT. This is ACL statistics so we can't invest too heavily here but as a baseline this is indicating the perception of at least an average defender with possible a perception he has limited range. What is interesting is we now have 3 6'4" 3B candidates in the system in Wilken, Adams, and Bitonti. We won't really know anything, however, until we see him in the full-season levels. For example, the perception of Baez coming from the ACL last season was we possibly had a very sketchy defensive player but he has been more than fine playing the hot corner at Carolina. 

[Joseph Zarr]

I wasn't lying: Bitonti is debuting at 1B in Zebulon tonight Tuesday 7/30. 🥰