Brewers Minor League Link Report (4/4): Payne Powers Carolina Victory in First 4-Game 2025 Minor League Action

[Ro Mueller]

Braylon Payne blasted his first career homer in Carolina’s Opening Day win and Manuel Rodriguez dominated with 11 Ks for Wisconsin, but quiet bats led to a 1-3 organizational record.

Image courtesy of Biloxi Shuckers (Brock Wilken)

It was Opening Day for three Brewers' Minor League affiliates, with great pitching performances the theme of the day. Carolina was our sole winner, though we're awaiting news on two early exits from their game (fingers crossed). Let's get into the report!

Transactions:

• LHP Daniel Garcia assigned to DSL-Brewers2

Game Action:

Final: Gwinnett 2, Nashville 1 (in 11 innings)
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: Scoreless Through Nine, Sounds Fall in Extras to Gwinnett

27-year old starting RHP Evan McKendry (4 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 2 Ks) needed just 45 pitches to blaze through 4 scoreless innings, escaping bases loaded trouble in the 2nd frame by including a ground ball double play, one of a whopping 5 DPs turned by the Sounds’ defense in Game 4 of their road series. His toolbox approach of four seamers, cutters, sinkers, change ups and sweepers kept Stripers’ bats guessing.

Rehabbing Gwinnett starting RHP Spencer Strider allowed just 2 Sounds to reach base (both via walk) over 5 1/3 innings, but McKendry and the bullpen gave Nashville’s offense every chance to grab a victory.

Instead, 3B Caleb Durbin’s no-hitter breaking infield single to lead off the 7th inning was immediately erased by a ground ball double play and OF Jared Oliva’s single to open the 11th inning frustratingly ended with zero runs pushed across (not even the ghost runner).

As you read at the game link, a throwing error by RHP Blake Holub was enough to allow the Stripers’ game winning run to scamper home in the bottom of the 11th. Neither team registered any extra-base hits in the game, as the Sounds fell to a 3-1 series deficit.

Sounds’ Extras:

• Kudos again to the bullpen of RHPs Jesus Liranzo, rehabbing Nick Mears, Ryan Middendorf and Craig Yoho, combining to allow just one run (unearned) over 6 innings. Mears’ velocity peaked at 96mph as he worked around a 2-out walk, including 2 groundouts and a shallow fly out.
• Despite being outhit 5-2 over 11 innings of tense baseball, the Sounds actually had more opportunities, going 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranding 5 baserunners (vs. 1-for-3, with 3 LOB for Gwinnett). The clutch hit or mistake just didn’t go Nashville’s way, as a 2-for-33 offense with 16 Ks isn’t going to win many games.
• Nashville went 3-for-3 in stolen base attempts vs. 0-1 for the opposition, while each team had one pickoff.
• DH/C Jorge Alfaro is left to wonder how his 109mph exit velocity 10th inning rocket stayed in the ballpark, temporarily giving the Sounds a 1-0 advantage.

Saturday’s outlook: 23-year old RHP Jacob Misiorowski (5 scoreless innings last week) is scheduled to make his 2nd start of 2025, as Nashville strives to claw back in their road series.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Pensacola 4, Biloxi 0
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Shuckers Fall to Pensacola, 4-0, on Opening Day

Three 3rd inning singles (two of the infield variety) and 3 walks allowed Pensacola to grab a 3-0 fourth inning advantage, which was too much for a Shuckers’ offense which only managed 4 singles and 1 walk in this Opening Day game.

Starting 24-year old LHP Tate Kuehner (3 1/3 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 0 Ks) had cruised through 3 scoreless innings before handing over to RHP Nick Merkel with 1-in, 2-on, 1 out in that 4th inning. Merkel will wish he fared better than walking home 2 baserunners.

AA debutants OF Luis Lara (0-for-4, 4 Ks) and 1B Luke Adams (0-for-4, 1 K) will definitely see better days ahead. After playing in the AA playoffs in 2024, SS Cooper Pratt made his regular season debut at this level, going 1-for-4 with an infield single.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• 3B Brock Wilken was the closest thing to a bright spot for the offense, reaching base via walk and 9th inning single. The only time Biloxi managed to get 2 runners aboard at the same time was with 2 outs in the 2nd inning, aided by a strikeout wild pitch.
• RHP Will Childers had the team’s best pitching line, throwing a scoreless 8th inning with 1 strikeout. However, Biloxi’s staff only managed to register 2 strikeouts against an evidently-capable Pensacola offense.
• The defense was stellar, including 2B Eric Brown Jr. relaying out a Blue Wahoo at home and Adams showing a nice reaction here:

 

Saturday’s outlook: 25-year old LHP Nate Peterson gets the call in Game 2 of Biloxi’s road series.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Cedar Rapids 4, Wisconsin 1
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Kernels Spoil Rattlers Season Opener

Wisconsin may have been unable to pull out a victory in their season opener, but their terrific media team have us covered with video highlights nonetheless:

And don’t forget to listen to the insightful Mehring/Lobner post-game podcast, including comments from RHP Manuel Rodriguez, Matt Wood and Manager Victor Estevez.

Craving even more content? How about 2 hours and 21 minutes from The Show with Balky Live from Fox Cities Stadium, including discussions with pitching coach Michael O’Neal, 1B Tayden Hall, Rattlers’ President Rob Zerjav and more from Wood and Estevez?

As you’ve read and heard at the links above, what a High-A debut for 19-year old RHP Manuel Rodriguez(!), dominating the Kernels by registering 11 strikeouts and allowing zero earned runs over 70 pitches and 4 1/3 innings. Unfortunately, he was credited with the loss due to a 4th inning fielding error, one of four errors by the squad in a 46-degree Opening Day in front of 2,493 excited home fans.

After failing to cash in on a 2-on, nobody out opportunity in the 1st inning, the linked game report will tell you that Wisconsin’s offense went to sleep for a while: “the Rattlers only had four baserunners from the second through the eighth innings with three walk and a runner reaching on an error.”

C Matt Wood did his part, going 1-for-3 with a walk and also throwing out 1-of-2 basestealers. His leadoff 9th inning single ultimately led to the potential game-tying run coming to the plate in the form of OF Hedbert Perez, who struck out swinging to end it.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• Five singles, four walks and a 1-for-7 result with runners in scoring position weren’t enough to help a Timber Rattler staff which registered 17 strikeouts on this day, including 4 Ks from late inning reliever RHP Aidan Maldonado (2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 HBP, 1 WP). RH reliever Aaron Rund retired both hitters he faced.
• 19-year old 3B Juan Baez (1-for-4) and 21-year old OF Luis Castillo (0-for-4) got their first taste of High-A action, while leadoff 19-year old OF Yophery Rodriguez (1-for-4) made his regular season debut at this level after being promoted for last year’s playoffs. DH/1B Tayden Hall (1-for-3, walk) joined Wood in reaching base twice.
• After a stellar 2024 campaign (2.69 ERA in 70 1/3 High-A innings), perhaps 24-year old LHP Brian Fitzpatrick (2 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 4 H, 2 BB, 2 Ks) stayed at this level to focus on relief work. Time will tell.

Saturday’s outlook: 20-year old RHP Bishop Letson is set for his High-A debut, with Wisconsin aiming to even the series at one game apiece.

Final: Carolina 5, Fredericksburg 2
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Mudcats Claim Opening Day Win Over Nationals

We’re excited for Carolina’s season and so are Manager Nick Stanley and Mudcats media man Chris Edwards:

 

Our sole winners (along with the parent club, of course) of the day are the young Carolina Mudcats, though they’ve also created the most concern with two key prospects exiting early with injuries.

Nerves may have been at play for both teams early, as the game saw 2 errors, an infield single and a pickoff over the first 5 batters, with Fredericksburg grabbing a 1-0 lead (unearned) off starting RHP Jack Hostetler before 2024 first round draft pick OF Braylon Payne (1-for-3, HR, walk, 2 RBIs) crushed the second pitch he saw to give Carolina a 2-1 lead which it would never relinquish.

 

The undrafted 21-year old Hostetler (signed as a free agent out of Whitman College) made his organizational debut, backing up the Spring Training excitement as he issued zero walks or HBPs, ultimately covering 5 innings over 66 pitches (43 strikes). A 4th inning double and two infield singles led to his first earned run, though he nearly escaped after garnering consecutive strikeouts.

A Payne walk, 1B Eric Bitonti (2-for-4) single and C Marco Dinges RBI double (1-for-2, walk, HBP) pushed Carolina’s lead to 4-1. Dinges also threw out one of two attempted basestealers.

 

After RHP Jesus Flores escaped 2-on, 2-out situations in the 6th and 7th innings, 2B Josh Adamczewski tripled and scored in the bottom of the 7th inning, but unfortunately our attention has to be on the exit of Dinges due to hit-by-pitch. Per viewer biedergb in our Minor League Forum: “Also of note, Dinges looked good as a C, handled the pitchers well, and had a CS. But bad HBP on his hand, I hope it is nothing serious but he knew right away he was hurt. Ugh.”

Payne’s big day also ended early after he fielded a 2-out single in the top of the 8th inning, with viewer Jastro giving us this nugget: “Payne had the trainer come out to center and was pulled. Looked like they were checking out his right hamstring.”

Let’s watch and wait for updates on Dinges and Payne, while still cherishing that Minor League Baseball is Back.

Mudcats’ Extras:

• 17-year old SS Jesus Made managed a walk, stolen base and run scored in an 0-for-4 Low-A debut. Fellow first timers at this level fared slightly better, with 18-year old 3B Luis Pena (1-for-5) singling and stealing a base in the 7th inning and 20-year old OF/INF Demetrio Nadal going 1-for-2 with a walk, HBP and stolen base.
• Kudos to the bullpen of Flores and Jack Seppings, combining on 4 scoreless innings despite allowing 5 singles and 3 walks, aided by 4 clutch strikeouts. Seppings earned his first career Minor League save for his effort.
• We’re thrilled to see talented OF Kay-Lan Nicasia back in action for the first time since an injury in May 2024, doing his part to erase a 6th inning threat:

 

Saturday’s outlook: 19-year old, 6’4” RHP Bryce Meccage (2024 second round draft pick) is ready for his Brewers’ organizational debut in Saturday action.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. On Saturday, the Timber Rattlers have the sole early game (1:10 CST start time), with other start times as follows: Nashville 5:05pm, Carolina 5:30pm, Biloxi 6:05pm, Milwaukee Brewers 6:10pm.

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

 

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[biedergb]

First of all - awesome job it is so nice to see a Full Minor League Report. Baseball is back :)

 

2 hours ago, Ro Mueller said:

relaying out a Striper at home

So I read this - and with a full week of Nashville vs Gwinnett, the Stripers were on your mind 😂, but I went to look up Pensacola's team name and found some interesting info in the Wikipedia page including that this franchise is essentially the same as the Carolina Mudcats (complicated business deals in the Wikipedia link), and that a Wahoo is a fish, which is all I was trying to learn, but check this out for the team's complex history:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pensacola_Blue_Wahoos

 

2 hours ago, Ro Mueller said:

A 4th inning double and two infield singles led to his first earned run

This doesn't completely explain it - as the double was in the gap but I think could have been caught by the RF (Nicasia) who looked like he took a bad angle and the ball went right over his glove. Not sure how hard some of the hits were as the camera angles were pretty poor for some of these hits, but it seems a couple of his infield hits allowed were either not fielded well or solidly hit. He did have the batters off balance once he settled in during the 2nd/3rd inning.

 

And thanks for the shout out on Dinges comments - he did look good -  and boy I hope he is OK after that HBP on the hand.

[Jim Goulart]

6 hours ago, Ro Mueller said:

And don’t forget to listen to the insightful Mehring/Lobner post-game podcast, including comments from RHP Manuel Rodriguez, Matt Wood and Manager Victor Estevez.

Craving even more content? How about 2 hours and 21 minutes from The Show with Balky Live from Fox Cities Stadium, including discussions with pitching coach Michael O’Neal, 1B Tayden Hall, Rattlers’ President Rob Zerjav and more from Wood and Estevez?

 

This will help you locate specific interviews:

Pitching Coach Michael O'Neal - 36:20 minute mark

First Baseman Tayden Hall - 53:20 minute mark

Manager Victor Estevez - 01:20:00 hour/minute mark

Catcher Matt Wood - 01:37:35 hour/minute mark

Timber Rattlers President Rob Zerjav - 02:07:00 hour/minute mark

 

---

 

• After a stellar 2024 campaign (2.69 ERA in 70 1/3 High-A innings), perhaps 24-year old LHP Brian Fitzpatrick (2 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 4 H, 2 BB, 2 Ks) stayed at this level to focus on relief work. Time will tell.

Yes, Fitzpatrick is being converted to relief, as Victor Estevez indicates within audio clips linked above.

[jay87shot]

Good to see all clubs in action. It seems to me that especially in the minors, it takes a couple weeks for the bats to get going. It is nice to see Manny Rodriguez with that outing, any notes on how hard he was throwing, his breaking pitch looked especially nasty and he seemed to add some good weight.

 

[yfinn6]

I was looking forward to the minors getting going last year but this year it's on another level of excitement and anticipation for me. Thanks to all of you who put the information together. Good stuff.