Brewers Minor League Link Report (09/03): Affiliates Tally a 4-1 Mark; Several Notable Performances Across the System

[Joseph Zarr]

The T-Rats and Mudcats are in their home stretch tune-up stretch before next week's divisional playoff round. The Shuckers are on the road in Rocket City hoping to extend their 1/2 game lead over the Mississippi Braves (at the North division leading Tennessee Smokies) as both teams battle for the second half playoff berth. The Sounds are back home to take on the Gwinnett Stripers as both teams remain mathematically alive in their unlikely collective push for a playoff berth (5.0 and 6.0 games behind Columbus, respectively before tonight's tilt - more below). We'll get into all of Tuesday night's results below so, without further ado, let's get into the report!

Image courtesy of Brewer Fanatic

Transactions:

• RHP Shane Smith was assigned to the Nashville Sounds from the Biloxi Shuckers.
• RHP Chase Costello was assigned to the Biloxi Shuckers from the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.
• RHP Jason Woodward was placed on the 7-Day IL by the Carolina Mudcats.
• RHP Manuel Rodriguez was activated from the 7-Day IL by the Carolina Mudcats.
• RHP Elvis Peguero was recalled from the Nashville Sounds by the Milwaukee Brewers.
• LHP Bryan Hudson was optioned to the Nashville Sounds from the Milwaukee Brewers.
• RHP Enoli Paredes was assigned to the Nashville Sounds from the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (continued rehab assignment).

---

Final: Nashville 13, Gwinnett (Braves) 4 

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):

Rollers Homers Help Brewskis Roll Stripers - Nashville Bats Work 13 Walks in 13-4 Game One Triumph

Box Score / Game Log

Pre-Game Media Notes     

The Sounds moved to 32-24 in the second half and gained a game on the first place Columbus Clippers - they are 4.0 games back of a playoff berth. With 17 games to play, you're darn tootin' I'm still scoreboard watching. RHP Chad Patrick was once again not all that sharp - his second three-inning abbreviated outing over his last three starts. 

For a young pitcher who has been the bedrock of this Sounds pitching staff for the vast majority of this 2024 season, I'm more concerned about how this will impact his upcoming off-season as he's Rule 5 eligible. Hopefully, he can rebound in the month ahead. His final line reads: 3.0 IP, 5 H, 3 BB, 4 K, 4 ER and this stat line matched the eye test. It just wasn't a sharp evening on the bump.

Three Quick Strikes:

1) We typically tout CF Chris Roller's stalwart defense covering all gaps (and oftentimes the wall) throughout the center field terrain. After tonight's 2-for-4, 3 R, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 2 HR feasting I'm sure as heck hoping I can keep talking about his late-season bat. Two long balls over the left field fence - including a 406 bomb - and I'm suddenly realizing Roller has hit three of his seven homers in 2024 over the past week. Let's take a look at the 406 footer:

2) Every time I watch C Brian Navarreto man the Sounds' backstop, I come away with deepened appreciation for his toolkit. He caught another base runner attempting to steal second base with an accurate cannon directly in the runner's path. He is as savvy and as dependable as they come in the veteran Triple-A ranks, and he provides a massive deep insurance policy for the MLB ball club as well. I've said it before and I'll say it again: he has a unique propensity for producing at the dish in pivotal moments (despite his very pedestrian season offensive numbers as a whole). Navs will be a Minor League free agent when this season comes to a close. I sincerely hope the Brewers make it a priority to keep him in the ranks. He is a boon in the clubhouse and on the field

3) Speaking of appreciation, here's my weekly "INF/OF Isaac Collins is really good at baseball!" remark. A deep gapper right-CF triple off rehabbing RHP Huascar Ynoa got the talented MLB righty off on the wrong foot. Collins is playing everywhere in 2024 - 2B, 3B, LF, CF - expanding his utility tool kit. Tonight, batting lead-off, he showed out:  1-for-3, 3 R, 1 RBI, 3 BB, 0 K, 1 3B. 92 K-to-70 BB in 404 official AB's in 2024. This is an MLB player folks. Full stop. It's only a matter of time before he gets his rightful opportunity and I sure as heck it happens in a Brewers uniform. 

---

Game 1 Final:  Rocket City (Angels) 8, Biloxi 4   ** completing Aug. 4th Suspended Contest **
Box Score / Game Log 

Game 2 Final:  Biloxi 6, Rocket City (Angels) 3  ** scheduled 7-inning game due to double-header **
Box Score / Game Log

Warren's 3-RBI Game Helps Shuckers Split Doubleheader - Shuckers Lead Second Half Playoff Push by 1.0 G

Pre-Game Media Notes    

They said the Shuckers were pushing for a second half playoff push heading into game one tonight. It sure would have been nice if someone, anyone, stepped up to back this claim. LHP Tate Kuehner struggled for the second time in three outings - 5 2/3 IP, 4 H, 4 BB, 1 HB, 4 K, 1 HR, 4 R. He stepped in as the fill-in starter for a game one make-up (August 4th rain suspended game) to get things going (well, kind of) in the series-opening double-header. It's no secret the Shuckers pitching staff has been decimated by call-ups and injuries, but the team is going to need the young Kuehner to bring his 'A' game every night as one of the few actual starters on the staff. All this being said, the rose colored glasses tell me despite Kuehner battling through his accuracy issues he pitched 5 2/3 innings - this was a major boon to the overall health of the pitching staff. We'll roll with that for the game one pre-amble. As to game two, we saw some renewed heart and we saw the young men battle. RHP Nick Merkel once again shifted into his new found starting role and gave his squad 4.0 IP of 6 H, 1 BB, 2 K, 2 ER ball. Merkel hasn't had the same sharpness as a fill-in starter we've seen in his relief role. But, he's giving his team all he can as the patchwork starting pitching staff rollercoaster ride continues. 

Three Quick Strikes:

1) As mentioned above, game one featured a LHP Tate Kuehner struggling to find the zone. However, we also saw routine defensive miscues throughout game one that trickled into game two. These were infield miscues amongst 3B Zavier Warren, 1B Ernesto Martinez Jr. and 2B Ethan Murray - miscues that cost precious runs. This is the playoff push. All hands on deck. The young men have to be sharper with their gloves and their decision making. Thankfully, SS Eric Brown Jr. continues ascending as a defensive stalwart. He continues to make the difficult play look smooth and easy. Now, if we could just entirely remake that swing ?, That's an entirely different conversation.

2) We keep seeing glimpses of greatness from 3B Brock Wilken despite the prolonged late summer slump. Tonight, in game two trailing 3-2, we got the off-speed rocket over the left field fence to tie the game 3-3. 

The inning following this blast we saw a delicious charging gather and accurate rocket to first base on a weak dribbler to the 3B side. We can only hope he continues to show us more plays and games of this nature as we move further away from the month of August.

3) Huge congratulations are due for RHP Chase Costello. He debuted in a 3-3 ball game and proceeded to pound the zone to the tune of 2.0 IP of 0 H, 1 BB, 3 K, 0 R work. His pitches were moving late. He and C Darrien Miller were mixing the off-speed to perfection. It was a bang up Double-A debut. Oh, and hey, he picked up his first win in Double-A in the process. It was a fantastic night for the young Costello who continues to validate my faith in his game.

Special Shout-Out: Major kudos to 1B Zavi Warren who overcame his up-and-down game one inconsistencies at 3B to put forth a meaningful 3-for-3, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 HR batting out of the eighth spot. It was a huge boost and it was a testament to his fortitude.

---

Final:  Wisconsin 2, Cedar Rapids (Twins) 1

Valerio's Late Homer Lifts Rattlers to Win - Wisconsin Snaps Five-Game Losing Streak

Box Score / Game Log  

Pre-Game Media Notes

RHP Stiven Cruz continued his bounce back 2024 campaign with his second very solid appearance as a fill in starter for the dinged up T-Rats pitching staff. After tonight's fantastic 6.0 IP of 5 H, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 R (unearned) ball he brought his season ERA down to 3.48 in 62.0 IP overall. I'd like to remind you, when the calendar flipped to May and after his seventh relief appearance on May 5th Cruz was sitting with an unsightly 7.27 ERA and a 0.343 BAA. He's battle tested and he's come out as a reliable inning eater in manager Victor Estevez's pitching staff. What he's done these past two starts does not go unnoticed. Major kudos are deserved.

Three Quick Strikes:

1) I've seen LF Hedbert Perez rush and misplay two very makable gathers in the outfield grass since his return that have resulted in runs crossing home plate with no ball thrown by the talented outfielder. More importantly, these miscues have prevented Perez the opportunity for OF assists. Perez has an absolute cannon from that outfield grass and I've wanted to see it (and, I've wanted fans to see it as well). Well, Perez made up for his earlier miscue tonight - a miscue that very likely allowed the Kernels sole run to cross home plate - when he gathered a rocket off the LF wall and fired an absolute one-hop dart to INF Jadher Areinamo covering second base. In a 2-1 game, bottom of the ninth and nobody out, it was the type of play that wins a game. And, win the game the T-Rats did. Kudos to Areinamo, as well, on the play for putting down a rapid fire tag at second base.

2) Huge kudos are in order for 2B Felix Valerio who came on as a substitution for SS Eduardo Garcia in the fifth inning (unknown reasons) and proceeded to win the game with his bat in the top of the eighth. It was an off-speed pitch low and in and Valerio golfed it out for a moon shot over the left field wall. He also drew a free pass in his other AB. Despite what the above box score and game day tells you, it was all very much Valerio subbing in at 2B and hitting the long ball.

3) Special mention goes to the continued fantastic bullpen work from RHP's Jeferson Figueroa and Aaron Rund. Figueroa picked up his third High-A win in 2.0 IP of 2 H, 0 BB, 4 K, 0 R work. Rund picked up his 8th Save in ten opportunities with his 1.0 IP of 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K work. And, as alluded to above, the game may have gone differently had that ninth inning lead-off hit resulted in a double. None the less, Rund buckled down from there after Perez's fantastic effort from the deep LF grass.

---

Final: Carolina 11, Delmarva (Orioles) 3

Box Score / Game Log

Fast Start Leads to Mudcats Victory - Seven-Run First Paves the Way

RHP Daniel Corniel struggled some with free passes during a blowout Mudcats game one win, but despite those issues he still managed another shutout effort of his own in 4.0 IP of 3 H, 4 BB, 7 K, 0 R work. He was pulled at 74 pitches having thrown 42 strikes in the process. He was inconsistent but dominant at times throughout his innings - the seven punch outs attests to this. If we're looking toward the playoffs, we can confidently state: Corniel has pitched very well in five-of-six outings over the past month plus. He will be a pivotal arm in the opening divisional series and he may be rounding into form at the perfect time. 

Three Quick Strikes:

1) Despite giving up two earned runs in his three innings of work, LHP Jesus Broca came to the hill with a 9-0 lead in hand and did exactly what every manager wants in that position: he pounded the zone. 43 total pitches in his 3.0 IP of 3 H, 0 BB, 6 K, 2 ER work and 32 strikes. He struck out five of his first six batters faced. I loved what I saw from him in the middle innings. This was a big outing for the young lefty in that he only surrendered three pokes. Let's hope he can keep trending in this direction as his regular season comes to a close.

2) The Mudcats first inning of offense felt like a classic mid-summer DSL affair. Had the Shorebirds swapped jerseys with the DSL Orioles Black?! 63 pitches faced in the frame (the starter pulled after 35 pitches of his own), seven free passes, three wild pitches, two errors, one balk...oh, and two singles, a fly out, and two strikeouts. Seven Carolina runs crossed the dish. The game was essentially over at that point. 

3) INF Daniel Guilarte continues seeing better results with a better approach at the dish (2-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI) and 1B Eric Bitonti gets all the headlines for his massive power stroke (0-for-2, 2 R, 3 BB, 2 K), but I'm here to tell you: 3B Juan Baez is the heart and soul of this Mudcats team. He plays with a fire unmatched across the line-up. He continues to impress me nightly with his highly undervalued but extremely solid defense from the hot corner. He's harnessed his over-aggression on the base paths in the second half since returning from injury. He may not have found any semblance of a consistent power stroke in his young career, but Baez's attacking bat-to-ball style and high-level acumen in the batters box paired with his feisty demeanor tells me he is capable of even more in seasons ahead. 2-for-5 tonight with 1 R, 3 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K. He has a 31-to-28 K:BB ratio on the season. In my humble opinion, Baez remains a vastly underrated player within the great Brewers prospect ranks. OK, the base running aggression may still a work in progress ?:

---

All series continue tomorrow sans matinee games, no less! We'll see LHP Mason Molina on the bump for his second time as a Mudcat. RHP Alexander Cornielle looks to build off consecutive solid starts as he fine-tunes for the post-season. RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez will look to keep trending in the right direction in September after a fantastic August. And, in Rocket City, the shuffleboard that is the current Shuckers starting pitching staff is very much 'TBD' at this juncture.

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

[Ro Mueller]

Great report, Joseph. It'll be interesting to see who Biloxi goes with on the mound tonight - KC Hunt on 4 days' rest? Or a bullpen game led by Bo Bowman and Russell Smith?

It looks like we got Tayden Hall, Juan Baez, Manuel Rodriguez and Sam Carlson back yesterday, but may have lost Eduardo Garcia. Let's hope Garcia is okay and that we also see Luke Adams in action tonight!

[jay87shot]

Whenever Wilken hits a bomb his swing looks so smooth and he just feels like a guy who should be hitting .300 when you see the effortless power. Is there a specific hole in his swing or is he just trying to pull everything, any insight on the rough stretch and why he isn't finding hits?

[Joseph Zarr]

2 hours ago, jay87shot said:

Whenever Wilken hits a bomb his swing looks so smooth and he just feels like a guy who should be hitting .300 when you see the effortless power. Is there a specific hole in his swing or is he just trying to pull everything, any insight on the rough stretch and why he isn't finding hits?

Well, I would politely opine he's struggled with swing decisions and plate discipline in August. What is refreshing, in the very least, is we've seen significantly positive outings over the past two weeks on both sides of the ball. We still are lacking any consistency whatsoever. But, we have to start somewhere after his worst month of production as a professional baseball player. As a human being looking beyond what is merely happening from a baseball results standpoint in 2024 - in the Brock Wilken universe - I personally  look at two significant factors impacting his season not really quantifiable via stats or production. Firstly, he broke his face and he continued wearing a caged helmet until very recently - I believe it is off now but sometimes on the broadcasts and the video quality it's not so easy to tell😂. This obviously impacted Wilken the player from the get go and it took him, by my eyes, months to get remotely comfortable in the batters box again. Can we blame him for such a significant injury and its aftermath? I certainly can not and I just don't think any of us can truly understand what that does to anyone from a psychological pov back with bat in hand. Secondly, he is a father for the first time. Becoming a dad at his age has untold and unforeseen impacts on any man. We're all different. I have no idea how his new personal situation has impacted him as a baseball player but I do know I personally am giving him even more cushion to traverse the ups and downs. And, I do know that the arrival of his first born was happening in and around his massive slump.  I keep seeing the flashes of brilliance. I keep seeing the same signs that told me he was an everyday MLB third baseman when all is said and done. It may not be the path I foresaw to get there and his season may be seen as a disappointment as a whole, but I do believe he'll get there when all is said and done. And, I firmly believe he has all the raw tools to be quite good when he arrives.

My main 'concern' when it comes to the Biloxi Shuckers in 2024 is the Eric Brown Jr. swing dilemma. For lack of a better word, and I mean this in as benign a way as possible, his complete swing package really is a quagmire and it's a fairly big deal from an organizational perspective. On the plus side, his defense has gotten even better - it is truly elite at shortstop. I've always said it was vastly undersold. Well, it's even better in Double-A than it was in Wisconsin. It's Gold Glove caliber. BUT, that swing...oh, that swing...has somehow gotten worse and that's a pretty big issue. I just can't see it working at the MLB level in any fashion so I am left wondering: "What are they going to do here in the off-season?" There are just way too many timing mechanics going on. Way too many opposing motions. Way too deliberate a pre-swing build-up. The results, in this particular instance, absolutely match the eye test. That is my biggest story coming out of Biloxi this year. I don't know what the Brewers as an organization are going to do here. I don't know how entrenched EBJ is in this part of his baseball identity. But, something has to change.