Brewers Minor League Link Report (9/5): Payne Debuts, White Dominates but Only Biloxi Wins

[Ro Mueller]

Biloxi won a nail-biter to stay in playoff position. First round pick Braylon Payne tripled on his first swing and Mitch White was solid, but Carolina and Nashville fell. Wisconsin couldn’t catch up.

Transactions:

• INF Jose Acosta assigned to High-A Wisconsin from Low-A Carolina
• OF Braylon Payne promoted to Low-A Carolina from ACL Brewers
• RHP Eric Prado promoted to Low-A Carolina from ACL Brewers

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Gwinnett 9, Nashville 2
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: White Tosses Third Consecutive Quality Start, Sounds Fall to Stripers

A bunt single and 10-pitch walk to open the game failed to derail starting RHP Mitch White (6 IP, 1 R, 4 H – all singles, 2 BB, 6 Ks), who recorded the 4th dominant start in his last 5 outings, further turning heads by hitting 97.9mph on the radar gun.

 

 

Unfortunately, the Nashville bats were quiet this time out, so White exited with the game tied 1-1 and the Sounds’ bullpen was duly shellacked from there.

22-year old RHP Jacob Misiorowski walked the first batter he faced on 4 pitches in a troubling 7th inning where only 7 of his 21 pitches were strikes, exiting down 2-1 with the bases loaded and 1 out before the wheels fell off in a 5-run frame.

Sounds’ Extras:

• LHP Tyler Jay and RHP Ryan Middendorf covered the final 2 2/3 innings, with Jay allowing 3 inherited runners to score (one unearned) and Middendorf then allowing 3 runs of his own.
• The Sounds’ 5 hits and 6 walks were spread around, with only DH Wes Clarke distinguishing himself: 1-for-2, HR, 2 walks.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Evan McKendry gets the start, with Nashville leading the series 2-1 but trailing Columbus by 4.5 games for a playoff spot.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Biloxi 3, Rocket City 2
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Bullpen Combines for 5.0 Shutout Innings, Defense Stars in Shuckers One-Run Win

This felt like a playoff game, with both teams struggling to push runs across. 3B Brock Wilken got the clutch 2-run double to grab an early lead, but it was the bullpen and defense who truly shined.

 

1B Ernesto Martinez’ legs and glove proved invaluable, as he drew a 1-out walk in the 8th inning, then with 2 outs took 2nd base on a wild pitch and scored on left fielder Adam Hall’s opposite field base hit for a 3-2 advantage.

RHP Harold Chirino set aside his miserable August (11 ER in 6 1/3 IP) to deliver 2 scoreless middle innings and set the tone for the Biloxi ‘pen.

The defense of Martinez and 2B Ethan Murray made big stops to help RHP Blake Holub escape the 8th inning before RHP Justin Yeager shut the door.

 

 

Shuckers’ Extras:

• Starting RHP KC Hunt battled, allowing the leadoff man aboard in each of the first three innings, ultimately conceding 2 runs and needing 84 pitches to scale through 4 frames (2 R, 3 H, 5 BB, 4 Ks).
• The Biloxi offense recorded just 3 hits, but 2 were clutch as outlined above and the third was a double by DH Lamar Sparks in the 2nd inning. Rocket City only produced 6 singles against the Shuckers’ stout staff.

Friday’s outlook: LHP Nate Peterson aims to repeat his terrific work of last week (6 shutout innings), as Biloxi aims to grab a 3-2 series lead.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Cedar Rapids 5, Wisconsin 3
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Early Deficit Burns Wisconsin in Cedar Rapids

Starting RHP Ryan Birchard magically escaped the first two frames (aided by a double play and an Eduarqui Fernandez outfield assist) before giving up two runs in the 3rd inning as he easily-exceeded his highest game pitch total of the season (69 pitches, 35 strikes).

After Wisconsin failed to bring home 2B Felix Valerio from second base with nobody out in the 3rd inning, Cedar Rapids used the long ball and benefited from an error to bring home 5 runs against Birchard and RHP Brailin Rodriguez by the 5th inning.

Two Timber Rattler solo homers (3B Jadher Areinamo – see video, DH Ramon Rodriguez – 2-for-4), a sac fly and a Fernandez walk narrowed the gap to 5-3 and brought potential game-tying run to the plate with 1 outs in the top of the 9th inning, but Wisconsin could not get any closer.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• Brailin managed to toss a scoreless 6th inning, with RHPs Aidan Maldonado and Bayden Root following with 2 scoreless frames to give the team a chance.
• Manager Victor Estevez tried a role reversal, with 1B Tayden Hall leading off and center fielder Luis Lara batting cleanup, though they combined for an 0-for-5 day with 3 walks.
• 3B Luke Adams unsurprisingly rested after returning from injury on Wednesday. Hopefully he’ll be a regular from Friday and SS Cooper Pratt will also return by the weekend.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Will Rudy needs to shake off last week’s rough start (5 ER in 5 IP) and lead Wisconsin to even the series at 2-2.

Final: Delmarva 12, Carolina 6
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Delmarva Rolls Past Mudcats

An error and infield single to start the game gifted Delmarva a 2-0 lead against starting 19-year old RHP Bryan Rivera (4 2/3 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 8 H, 3 BB, 1 WP, 2 Ks), but Carolina immediately responded with 2 runs on 3 hits, the last coming on 2024 first round pick DH Braylon Payne’s first official minor league swing in his debut:

 

In the third inning, the recently-turned 18-year old Payne watched 5 pitches for a full count before taking the ball the other way for a fly out to left. He then opened the 5th inning with a strikeout via pitch clock violation, then grounded out in the 8th with the game far out of reach.

Two infield singles and a 2-run triple restored Delmarva’s lead in the 3rd inning against Rivera. In relief, RHP Morris Austin (2 1/3 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 1 WP, 2 Ks) retired the first 4 batters he faced before allowing 2 runs on 3 singles and a walk in the 7th inning.

Nine Mudcat hits through 7 innings had only produced 3 runs, as they trailed 6-3 before Delmarva erupted in the 8th inning to put the game away.

Mudcats’ Extras:

• The first 6 Shorebirds reached against RHP Jack Seppings in the 8th inning (2 doubles, 2 singles, 1 BB, 1 error), but he retired the next 3 and will obviously expect better results in future outings.
• 8 of the 9 Mudcats’ batters recorded hits, led by left fielder Miguel Briceno (3-for-4, RBI, SB), right fielder Reece Walling (2-for-3, double, BB), 2B Juan Baez (2-for-5, RBI, SB) and SS Daniel Guilarte (2-for-5). Briceno also went to the mound to throw a scoreless 9th inning, recording his first strikeout in his 7th career mop-up inning.
• Per Gold Caretaker @sveumrules, Payne’s debut makes him the youngest player in the Carolina League.

Friday’s outlook: Carolina lead’s this week’s series 2-1 and looks to continue staying sharp and healthy in advance of the playoffs next week.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. The big club Milwaukee Brewers will kick off Friday action at home against the Rockies at 5:10pm CST, with Carolina following at 5:30pm and the three other minor league squads commencing at 6:35pm.

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Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth

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