Brewers Minor League Link Report (8/15): Henderson, Warren, Areinamo Come Through For Three Wins

[Ro Mueller]

Logan Henderson tossed six scoreless innings in Nashville’s victory. Zavier Warren’s walk-off homer gave Biloxi a doubleheader split. Jadher Areinamo led Wisconsin to a win, while Carolina was shut out.

Transactions:

• RHP Trevor Megill sent on rehab assignment to High-A Wisconsin
• RHP Enniel Cortez transferred to Low-A Carolina’s 60-day injured list from 7-day injured list

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Nashville 1, Durham 0
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 Blank Bulls, Toss Third Shutout in Last Five Games

While a lot of the online buzz centered on 22-year old RHP Jacob Misiorowski’s dominating two innings of relief (will we see him in the Milwaukee bullpen soon?), let’s start by recognizing the heavy lifting of starting RHP Logan Henderson (also 22) in only his second AAA start: 6 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0(!!) BB, 1 HBP, 8 Ks.

Henderson buckled down to work around leadoff hits in the 1st, 4th and 6th innings to keep a clean sheet. His velocity peaked at 94.1 mph.

Now back to Misiorowski and all the deserved accolades, as he topped out at 100.1 mph while retiring all six batters he faced (2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks – 20 strikes in 26 pitches):

 

 

Sounds’ Extras:

• For the second straight game, SS Freddy Zamora was a key contributor, this time delivering a 2-out RBI double in the 2nd inning as part of a 3-for-4 day. The 25-year old Zamora is only hitting .202 on the season, but has played the most innings at shortstop of any Nashville player, retaining his status as an intriguing prospect.
• Right fielder Brewer Hicklen has been in a rare funk (3 Ks in his first 3 ABs in this game), so his full count, 99.5mph single in the 8th inning had to feel good. Unfortunately, the Sounds stranded 2 runners in that inning (9 LOB in the game; 1-for-10 with RISP), but LHP Tyler Jay thankfully came through with a 3-up, 3-down 9th inning to close out the win.
• Congrats to RHP Craig Yoho on joining the “Dad” club (thus explaining his temporarily inactive roster status)! Kudos to @wiguy94 for catching his post on instagram.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez (another exciting 22-year old) gets the Game 4 start, with Nashville aiming to even the series 2-2.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Game One Final: Mississippi 4, Biloxi 3 (in 7 innings)
Box Score and Game Log

Game Two Final: Biloxi 5, Mississippi 3 (in 9 innings)
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Shuckers Split Doubleheader with Warren's Walk-Off Homer in After Dark Affair

This two ends of this doubleheader were basically mirror opposites, with Biloxi squandering a 2-0 early lead in Game One, then coming back from a 3-0 deficit to capture the night cap.

3B/1B Zavier Warren went 0-for-3 in the opener and only entered the second game when 1B Mike Boeve exited after a 5th inning groundout, but he was a ready-performer: singling in the bottom of the 7th inning (stranded), then hitting the 2-out walk-off blast in a 2-2 count in the second extra inning:

Both teams struggled with runners in scoring position in that contest (combined 6-for-32), with right fielder Lamar Sparks ultimately coming through with the RBI groundout (5th inning) and RBI double (6th inning), then scoring to tie the game on C Nick Kahle’s 2-out single.

The awesome work of RHPs Bo Bowman and Justin Yeager (combined 4 1/3 scoreless innings, including Yeager stranding two Manfred Men) gave Warren the chance to be play hero.

Dialing it back to the opening game, RHP Tyler Woessner made his first start since mid-June, working a scoreless first inning (one walk, no Ks) before back-to-back hits to open the second inning saw LHP Nate Peterson (4 2/3 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 6 H, 2 BB, 5 Ks) enter for long relief.

SS Eric Brown Jr. gaveth (RBI single in 3rd inning for a 3-2 lead), then taketh away (5th inning error to knot the game 3-3). Biloxi didn’t manage to get any runner as far as second base over the final 4 innings, though RHP Sam Carlson kept them in it (1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K) after Mississippi’s 6th inning solo homer off of Peterson.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• OF Connor Scott (.291 AVG, .847 OPS with Biloxi, after a miserable .160 AVG and .392 OPS with the Pirates’ AA affiliate earlier in the year) had another solid day at the plate, combining for a line of 2-for-5, with a double, 2 walks, RBI and run scored across the two games.
• No injury delay was noted in association with Boeve’s exit, but we’ll watch his availability going forward.
• Let’s give starting LHP Adam Seminaris credit for settling down in Game 2 after the first three Braves reached base and scored to put the team in an early hole. Seminaris ultimately struck out 7 hitters over 4 2/3 innings of work: 3 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 1 WP. 

 

Friday’s outlook: LHP Tate Kuehner has been solid since promotion to AA and will look to spur Biloxi to a series-tying victory.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wisconsin 6, Peoria 3
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Rattlers Rally in the Rain

We’re once again blessed with video highlights from Wisconsin’s terrific media team:

 

And don’t forget to listen to the 23-minute Mehring/Lobner post-game podcast, including comments from rehabbing RHP Trevor Megill and Manager Victor Estevez.

3B Jadher Areinamo (2-for-3) may be a defensive whiz, but he came into this game leading the 12-team Midwest League in hits and doubles, ranking third in RBIs, then simply added to his tallies throughout:

• 2-out RBI double for a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning
• Leadoff 4th inning single – scoring to cut the deficit to 3-2
• Leadoff 8th inning walk – scoring for a 5-3 advantage

RHP Trevor Megill’s first rehab start was encouraging as he pounded the zone. Hopefully he feels great in the aftermath and remains on course to re-join the big league bullpen soon:

 

2B Eduardo Garcia (2-for-4) was obviously right there behind Areinamo in the lineup, singling and scoring in the 4th inning, then doubling and scoring in the 8th.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• RHP Will Rudy (5 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 1 WP, 5 Ks) unfortunately continues to give up runs (5.01 ERA) despite a respectable WHIP (1.21) and improving K-rate (8.4 K/9), falling behind 3-1 before the efforts of Areinamo, Garcia and others restored Wisconsin’s advantage by the 4th inning.
• LHP Mark Manfredi and RHP Aaron Rund were impenetrable as usual in relief, inheriting a 4-3 lead and combining on 3 hitless, scoreless innings to preserve it (2 BB – one picked off; 3 Ks).
• Big congrats to left fielder Hedbert Perez (2-for-4) on his first hits and RBIs in High-A ball (as shown in the video highlights) after missing nearly 13 months due to an injury in July 2023.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Alexander Cornielle seeks to put aside his recent struggles to lead Wisconsin to a 3-1 series advantage, with Major Leaguer RHP Enoli Paredes also expected to make his first rehab appearance.

Final: Delmarva 8, Carolina 0
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Mudcats Shutout By Shorebirds

Despite the one-sided final score, the Mudcats had their chances early, out-hitting Delmarva 4-0 through 2 ½ innings as they had a runner thrown out at home to end the 1st inning and an inning-ending double play erase their 1st and 3rd opportunity in the 3rd inning.

Starting RHP Josh Timmerman (3 IP, 1 R (0 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 4 Ks) wasn’t fazed by consecutive infield singles which helped load the bases with nobody out in the 3rd inning, recording three straight swinging strikeouts to strand them all and keep it a 1-0 game at that point.

Unfortunately, everything fell apart in the 4th inning, as 19-year RHP Jesus Flores struggled to find the strike zone in his second-ever low-A appearance: 1 IP, 4 R, 1 H, 4 BB, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 1 K.

Mudcats’ Extras:

• Joining Flores on the 2024 Dominican Summer League to Arizona Complex League to Low-A Carolina League train was 20-year old LHP Jesus Broca. Congrats to Broca (from Mexico) on his debut in full season affiliate baseball: 2 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 2 Ks.
• Carolina was only outhit 11-to-8 in the game, but also “out-walked” 8-to-1. SS Daniel Guilarte (2-for-4, double) and left fielder Miguel Briceno (2-for-4) contributed half the team’s hits.
• Don’t blame Briceno for the loss, as he also contributed a scoreless 8th inning on the mound.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Josh Knoth needs a bounceback outing after a rough 6-game stretch (21 ER in last 23 IP), hoping to lead Carolina to a 3-1 series lead.

Game One Final: DSL Brewers Uno 8, DSL Cubs Red 0
Box Score and Game Log

Game Two Final: DSL Cubs Red 11, DSL Brewers Uno 0
Box Score and Game Log

Let’s give a Big Thanks to my colleague @Joseph Zarr for putting together the bulk of these DSL game write-ups.

The long awaited end to the recent DSL Brewers Uno six-game losing streak is over. In game one of their two-game scheduled seven-inning double header, the young Brewers Uno received masterful pitching performances from LHP Wande Torres (3.0 IP of 1 H, 1 BB, 7K, 1 WP, 1 HB, 0 R) and RHP Joshua Quezada (4.0 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 HB, 0 R) as the offense poured it on scoring runs in four of their final six innings. Despite only outhitting the Cubs Red 7-to-4, the Brewers #1 created quite a bit more scoring opportunities in their 3-for-10 mark with RISP. Torres and Quezada absolutely were dealing as they held the Cubs Red to an 0-for-2 mark with RISP. This game was as lopsided as the score would indicate.

Offensively, we see several noticeable performances in the game log and box score:

• SS Jesus Made continued doing adept work as the lead-off man walking twice more (that's five free passes in the last two games from atop the order) in an 0-for-2, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 SB outing (27 SB on the season)
• CF Handelfry Encarnacion continued his recent run of impact play with his 1-for-2, 2 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 1 2B (his fifth of the summer) day at the dish
• RF Engel Paulino showed out for the second consecutive game with a 2-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 SB (13 on the season) performance
• And three insurance runs were added in the final seventh frame when LF Juan Ortuno (1-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBI, 2 K, 1 HR - his 3rd of 2024) and 3B Joandrew Pena (1-for-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 HR, 1 K) sent long balls over the fence. 

With the victory the young DSL Brewers Uno moved back to nine games over 0.500 at 30-21 though they are all but mathematically eliminated from the DSL Playoffs at this juncture. They looked to complete the double-header sweep playing game two just shortly after this contest completed.

Promising RHP Wenderlyn King got the start in Game Two, but was quickly done in by a walk, two infield singles and an error, ultimately giving up a 3-run homer for a 4-0 deficit in the 1st inning. He completed another 3 scoreless innings, recording 6 strikeouts but took the loss (4 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 6 H, 2 BB, 6 Ks).

Four singles weren’t enough to plate any runs, while RHP Johan Zapata had his second straight disastrous relief outing (1/3 IP, 6 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 0 Ks).

Final: DSL Brewers Dos 11, DSL Cubs Blue 3
Box Score and Game Log

While the DSL Brewers #1 have lost seven-of-eight games fading down the stretch of their playoff push, the DSL Brewers #2 Squad has absolutely risen to the occasion of finishing out strong. Winners of four straight, the DSL Brewers Dos are now seven games above 0.500 at 28-21 overall and 8-2 over their last 10 contests. What's been most enjoyable about this run is the improved pitching results and the contributions throughout their line-up. 

Like the game one showing from the DSL Brewers Uno staff, the Brewers Dos received all they needed in a two-pitcher piggy back performance from German 17-year-old RHP Paul Hoff (4.0 IP, 3 H, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HB, 0 R) and Venezuelan 18-year-old RHP Argenis Aparicio (5 IP, 5 H, 0 BB, 5 K, 2 HR, 3 ER). Hoff's start was pivotal as it gave his teammates the scoreless work needed to open an 8-0 lead. And, much like the bottom line of the DSL Brewers #1 game one performance, both Hoff and Aparicio greatly limited the Cubs Blue scoring opportunities as the Brewers #2 went 4-for-15 with RISP while Hoff and Aparicio held the Cubs to an 0-for-3 mark. 

Breaking down the offensive side of the ball we see numerous notable performances contributing to the double digit run output:

• C Yoeniker Lugo continues to catch my eye in nearly every game he handles the backstop duties: 1-for-3, 1 R, 2 BB
• Batting lead-off, 3B Frederi Montero managed a 2-for-5, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 K, 1 SB (the 11th of his summer) output
• 2024 International Class headliner, SS Jorge Quintana, continues coming on over his final week plus of play with his 1-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 1 2B (his 12th overall) day at the plate
• CF Frandy Lafond continues to pique my interest on the regular with todays 2-for-4, 1 R, 1 2B (his second overall), 2 K effort
• Second year DSL'er RF Pedro Tovar continues stating his case for a stateside promotion in 2025 with his ongoing much improved output this summer and today's 1-for-5, 1 R, 2 RBI, 2 K, 1 SB (his 7th overall) mark
• 2023 International Free Agent headliner, 2B Kevin Ereu, helped his respectable summer showing with a 2-for-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 1 2B (his sixth overall). 1 SB (his 7th of 2024) day
• DH Moises Polanco continued flying under the radar with a solid 2-for-4, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 2B (his 10th of the summer) showing in the unheralded but important ninth spot in the line-up.

The DSL Brewers #2 Squad will look to keep their much-improved play rolling when they take on the team just ahead of them divisionally in the DSL Pirates Gold (29-21) tomorrow morning. 

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. On Friday, the DSL squads get things started at 9:00am CST (Equipo Dos) and 10:00am (Equipo Uno) before the four full season affiliates play in the evening. The Milwaukee Brewers host the league-leading Cleveland Guardians at 7:10pm.

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[CheeseheadInQC]

I am irrationally excited about Torres for a guy whose stuff I have heard zero about. Hopefully he is brought over for instructs and we get a report.

[Joseph Zarr]

1 hour ago, CheeseheadInQC said:

I am irrationally excited about Torres for a guy whose stuff I have heard zero about. Hopefully he is brought over for instructs and we get a report.

I know this feeling:

😅

[Joseph Zarr]

LHP Nate Peterson has now given up 17 HR in 72 2/3 IP in 2024. This would be tied with ol' friend RHP Caleb Boushley in 2024 at the 16th highest mark in all the Minor Leagues (RHP Will Rudy is knocking at that doorstep himself having surrendered 16 long balls). However, Peterson has also pitched 30 less innings than Boushley - actually, he's pitched at least 20 fewer innings than essentially every man in the top 15. What's my point here? Peterson has hung way too many pitches this season and I've spoken to it on more than one occasion - he is averaging nearly 1 HR / outing. That just isn't a sustainable mark and I'm sure he knows it. It's essentially a RHP Robbie Baker pace (if any of you remember Robbie's last affiliated season in 2024 in which he allowed 16 long balls in 54 1/3 IP) - who is now pitching (quite well, might I add) in the Atlantic League for the Staten Island FerryHawks. Regardless, something has to change with Peterson and his breaking ball. It's pretty much that simple. Heater has plenty of life. Breaking ball way too often slowly finds its way belt high dead center.

[Playing Catch]

I don't want to say this, but I'm beginning to believe what KLaw and others have predicted about Misiorowski ending up in the pen. I still want the Brewers to continue to develop him as a starter next season, but he really does "look" like a reliever.