Brewers Minor League Link Report (7/26): Devin and D.L. Have Productive Rehab Appearances

[Jim Goulart]

Devin Williams is looking to make short order of his rehab stint; a test will be making back-to-back appearances (or will he even need to do that with Nashville?) As for DL Hall, the longest-winding multi-injury rehab journey in recent memory fared well on Friday night. 

Image courtesy of BrewerFanatic

We always go top-of-the-system down in our reports, so first some transaction updates, and then the rehab news items await.

 

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Transactions:

 

• Milwaukee Brewers recalled RHP Janson Junk from Nashville Sounds.
• Nashville Sounds activated RHP Kevin Herget from the temporarily inactive list.
• DSL Brewers 1 activated SS Jhoanjel Saez from the 7-day injured list.
• DSL Brewers 1 activated RHP Miqueas Mercedes from the restricted list.

 

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Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Nashville 9, Charlotte (White Sox) 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:

Brewskis Pile On in 9-1 Win Over Knights - Devin Williams, DL Hall turn in successful outings on MLB rehab assignment

Rehabbers have fine nights -

 

 

Devin looks awesome in the Brewskis jersey via that linked game summary above!

I love the fact that our affiliate announcers provide specific in-game rehab updates like Jeff did above. They are aware that so many, from Milwaukee's front office staff to all the fans, are craving the timely specific news they provide. Chris Mehring is very good at this also, as is Javik Blake in Biloxi for the rare Shuckers rehab stint.

Viewing the Williams photo isn't the only reason to review the game story -

First AAA game since April 25th and just the 4th overall at the level for veteran Christian Arroyo, who also singled twice, his first hits above the Maryvale level in 2024 (now 2-for-12).

Manager Rick Sweet is dealing with the rare very full bench, especially in the infield - Tyler Black received the night off after running wild (3 SB's) on Thursday, Yonny Hernandez has been a 2024 stalwart, and Patrick Dorrian and Freddy Zamora are on-hand. Catcher Brian Navarreto backed up Francisco Mejia.

Back on July 1st, Joey Wiemer went 0-for-5, one K. He singled and walked three times Friday night. His July OPS, even including that empty opening game, now sits at 1.051, and it's even more impressive to look at the stat line in those 17 games - .351/.507/.544. He has 17 walks vs. 12 K's in this stretch. Just a wonderful development if it can continue (well, not to this extent, but you know what I mean...)

A bunch more video via the Sounds on their "X" feed.

 

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Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Pensacola (Marlins) 8, Biloxi 4
Box Score and Game Log

Four Shuckers Tally Multiple Hits in Loss to Blue Wahoos - Martinez, Brown, Rodriguez, Sparks all tally multi-hit performances, Martinez raises July average to .444

It's as if 1B Ernesto Martinez read the article "Which Brewers Farmhands are Minor League Free Agents at Season's End?" early this week, and is telling the Brewers, "hell yeah, don't forget me!". Because Martinez is certainly giving the parent club pause when considering a 40-man roster spot this October. Please review the most recent nine games (starting July 12th) in Martinez' game log, it's the reason the mind blown emoji was invented. Ernesto reached in all four trips here.

Versatile Adam Hall, the 2017 2nd round pick of the Orioles who signed on with the Crew on May 31st, has been solid, though 0-for-4 here. Need to see more pop, he just hasn't been able to produce XBH's at the AA level with either organization. 22 of 25 Shuckers hits are singles (three doubles), but the .309 AVG and .408 OBP shine the edges over his 23 Biloxi games. He found the highlight reel in a different way here:

Brock Wilken and Connor Scott were 0-for-8 in the #3&4 slots in the lineup, which offset much of the multi-hit production from those noted in the game summary. With Hall and struggling Casey Martin also 0-for-8 at the bottom of the lineup, sometimes you'd prefer to see us post the old "contributions from all" for a given box score.

Mike Boeve last played on June 30th, shoulder injuries are serious business, no new updates at all. If he rehabs in unofficial game action in Maryvale, we'll have no record of it with the complex season ending so early.

RHP Brett Wichrowski took a step back with his line here, no doubt. Still just 21 for a few more weeks, we wonder if a 2024 debut season spent primarily in Appleton would have been more beneficial.

Umpires: - HP: Denver Dangerfield. 1B: Nate Starr. 3B: Tre Jester.

That is an 80-grade collection of umpire names, has to be the best in baseball currently as a group.

 

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Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes (download link)
Final: Beloit (Marlins) 5, Wisconsin 4
Box Score and Game Log

Beloit’s Walkoff Blast Beats Wisconsin - Coley ends game with solo homer to top Timber Rattlers

Big leagues, AA, High-A - the Marlins' were celebrating over the Brewers on Friday night at each level.

Credit where it is due to the Beloit leadoff man here, and note that fireballing Yerlin Rodriguez' 3-2 pitch was not a 100 MPH fastball -

You can't throw the heat every pitch, and Rodriguez's hop-skip reaction upon contact tells us he knew it was trouble.

I want to say this with as much respect as a now 60-33 Wisconsin club deserves, because in terms of wins and losses, this Rattlers squad has been absolutely tremendous. But kudos to Manager Victor Estevez and staff, because this team is so very much more than the sum of its parts. Hoping Jadher Areinamo is fine, as he sat out after exiting Thursday's game in the 8th inning (he was pinch run for in a tight ballgame after dropping in a fly ball single to right).

The Brewers need to supplement this position player group like ASAP. With Areinamo sidelined, the Wisconsin bench was catcher Matt Wood and never-used catcher Victor Torres.

You have to go all the way back to June 19th to find the last time Luke Adams did not reach base (that streak ended as he was 0-for-4 here). I'm also giving him credit for July 20th when he didn't reach base but contributed a sacrifice fly. The point is, last night was a rarity.

 

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Final: Carolina 9, Salem (Red Sox) 3
Box Score and Game Log

Big Inning Lifts Mudcats Past Red Sox 

With the Salem Red Sox connection (no, not Salem, Massachusetts, we're in Virginia here), we'll digress for a moment so you can learn more than you ever imagined about Salem, the cat from Sabrina, the Teenage Witch fame. The last name is a baseball connection.

OK, my apology to LF Luis Castillo for billing a fictional witch/cat over him here. What a performance, and yes, cycles are so overrated when you can statistically top one:

Castillo is an interesting, if I may say, cat.

Castillo won't turn 21 until October. He played in 40 games with Carolina in 2023 but slugged only .322. His 2024 average is being dragged down by a .242 BABIP. He's striking out 25% of the time here in 2024, which is passable given 23 of his 60 knocks have gone for extra bases. He is walking 11% of the time. The Dominican native has been charged with six errors in 57 games in the corner OF spots (40 games in LF, 17 in RF, three miscues at each). Castillo, also a LH thrower, is one strong dude, with a flair for the dramatic and a bit of self-HR admiration. It's an intriguing package.

Cooper Pratt singled, walked, and was HBP, stole two bases, and is now 25-for-27 in that department. What were we saying about the Wisconsin roster being thin?!

Speedster (48-for-58 in SB attempts) Yhoswar Garcia netted only his 2nd triple of the season. For that matter, the .300 batter has only nine doubles (66 singles, one home run). I'm not quibbling, just thought that he would have found third base more often at this point in the season.

Yophery Rodriguez remains idle since exiting after grounding out leading off Wednesday's game. Personally hoping for the best here. Can't wait for teammates Yo. Rodriguez (Yophery) and bullpenning Ye. Rodriguez (Yerlin) to be wearing such named uniforms at the big-league level.

Josh Knoth (I am contractually bound to note that Knoth is still 18 years old for another two weeks) allowed only his 4th home run of his debut season, in 66 innings. Impressive! Knoth also allowed six singles (but only one walk) in his 3.2 IP, but his solid and healthy season rolls on.

 

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Final: DSL Guardians Mendoza 7, DSL Brewers #1 Squad 6, ten innings
Box Score and Game Log

Yikes, what a game. A first-inning Team Uno run held up through five innings. RHP Joshua Quezada, the 20-year-old Nicaragua starter acquired from the Yankees - thanks, Clayton Andrews! - dazzled through five scoreless, no walks, six K's.

A three-run Ceveceros 6th and a two-run top of the 9th and things stood pretty at 6-2, good guys.

Second-year pro, 6'5" RHP Linbel Jimenez, a 19-year-old out of the D.R., was brought in for his first appearance since June 21st and only his 4th outing in 2024. Jimenez immediately got a groundout for out #1. The game log here will tell you the rest of the story. In a game-tying four-run bottom of the 9th, first-year RHP Jhosep Ospino allowed two of Jimenez' runners to score, and only an inning-ending outfield assist by LF Joan Guttierez kept things tied.

The Brewers Uno did not advance the ghost runner in the 10th, as studs Jesus Made fanned with one out and Luis Pena flied out to center. A one-out base hit off Ospino ended the game.

Made's 10th inning K was the only time he was retired - two singles, two walks, two stolen bases. We can only ask so much of the 1.058 OPS 17-year-old.

Game in and game out, the demarcation between the production at the top and the bottom of the order is stark. This club is carried by the wunderkids we've discussed all season - Made, Pena, and Juan Ortuno.

 

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Final: DSL Brewers #2 Squad 5, DSL Rays 4
Box Score and Game Log

The Tampa organization does actually carry two clubs - named DSL Tampa and DSL Rays. Oh, they're tricky. The Brewers and Tigers are the only clubs that go the #1 and #2 route, if you were wondering.

If you check out the linescore and how the runs were distributed, you'd see you have the makings of a tight, entertaining game for all those in island attendance.

Two singles and two stolen bases for the Brewers' top 2024 bonus baby in terms of dollars, shortstop Jorge Quintana. The 17-year-old sits now at .235/.329/.346 (.675 OPS). Room to grow, and tough to play in the shadow of the DSL 1 newbie studs and teammate slugger Jose Anderson, who also reached twice in this game.

Shoutout to 17-year-old Venezuela southpaw Enderson Mercado for his four innings to close things out (one unearned run, no walks). Mercado has started five of his eight outings, and it's always nice to see a lefty performing at this level. Mercado is the sole southpaw on Team Dos, and only two (Victor Garcia, Wande Torres) throw for Team Uno.

 

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We get to do this all over again Sunday AM, with the same six teams in action Saturday. Here's hoping Biloxi's Logan Henderson can return to a dominating version of himself after shaky outings in his last two starts. Enjoy your summer Saturday!

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

MiLB Audio Links
Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth
Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth

 

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[Trax]

Bring Cooper Pratt up to Appleton from Carolina!

[Joseph Zarr]

That was the best LHP DL Hall has looked since I've seen him in any kind of Brewers uniform. Probably since early ST back field sessions in which his teammates were raving? Let's just hope this sticks. We've been teased so many times throughout this season on comeback trails. I'm really holding out hope here - we all know the Brewers pitching staff needs a feel good story or two (or three).