Brewers Minor League Link Report (4/8): RHP Tobias Myers Begins a Healthy Rehab; Mudcats Absolutely Throttle Cubs Low-A Affiliate

[Joseph Zarr]

A new week begins and we're officially fully into six-game standard series slates. How did the teams fare? Well, RHP Tobias Myers (as alluded to above) began his rehab so we were already working with House money. There was a distinct point late in the evening where it looked as though the affiliates may complete a round of four victorious shutouts - which, well, is quite a thing! And, then, well, the Shuckers happened and they squandered their 6-0 lead late and their Home opener in the process. Dang. Let's not dwell on that loss, however, there was too much good in the system at large to worry about the early struggles down in Biloxi. Let's get into the report!

Image courtesy of Brewer Fanatic

Transactions:

• OF Kay-Lan Nicasia was assigned to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers from the Carolina Mudcats
• INF/OF Tyler Rodriguez was assigned to the Carolina Mudcats from the ACL Brewers
• RHP Kaleb Bowman was placed on the 7-Day IL by the Biloxi Shuckers
• OF Daz Cameron was optioned to the Nashville Sounds by the Milwaukee Brewers (LHP Grant Wolfram trade)
• RHP Tobias Myers was sent on a Rehab Assignment to the Nashville Sounds by the Milwaukee Brewers
• RHP Nick Mears was reinstated from the 15-Day IL by the Milwaukee Brewers (he had been rehabbing with Nashville)

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Final: Nashville 8, Memphis (Cardinals) 0

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):

Nashville Cruises Past Memphis in Myers Return to the Mound - Sounds Earn First Shutout Win of the Season

Box Score / Game Log

RHP Tobias Myers was a sight for sore eyes. Let's get right to what matters: he looked calm, in-shape, comfortable and healthy. I never got the impression Brewers workhorse was really pulling back and letting it rip in his first rehab stint (and why would he?), but he was comfortably sitting 92-to-94 mph and just generally looked fluid on the bump. He reached his targeted pitch count of 45 and pitched into the fourth frame with a little bit of harmless action on the base paths. All in all, this has to be seen as a massive first step toward his eventual return to Milwaukee's starting staff. Let us all keep his continued ramp up health in our thoughts and baseball prayers. Be sure to click that Sounds post-game article - you'll discover the numbers behind the Sounds Triple-A leading pitching staff.

Three Quick Strikes:

1) Let's get this party started right. 1B Ernesto Martinez Jr. launched his first Triple-A nuke. A nearly 400 ' bomb to right field over the dog area (Bark in the Park nights, folks) in right field is just a mammoth shot. Enjoy:

A really fantastic night at the dish as a whole for EMJ: 2-for-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, 1 HR, 1 BB. You love to see it.

2) CF Jared Oliva had a truly impactful game and it is worthy of mention. First he made an extremely challenging diving catch early to help his rehabber in Myers settle more easily into his second frame of work:

He then followed that epic piece of defensive work with his second long ball in two games ripping a two-run jack over the left field wall in the bottom of the same frame. That 2-0 lead held and was added to throughout. Oliva continues to apply his dangerous speed all over the baseball diamond and has quickly become a valuable asset for manager Rick Sweet and his staff. He finished 2-for-3 with 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 BB, and 1 K. 

3) SS Andruw Monasterio found a bit of much needed success at the dish with a 2-for-5, 1 R, 1 K evening. BUT, there's a fairly worrisome ongoing development with Monasterio's defensive regression dating back to his MLB time last season. Monasterio now has two contests with two errors apiece at the shortstop position - tonight's two-pack included a fielding error to his glove hand side on a liner and a routine throwing error airmailing EMJ at first base - not easy to do.  'Mona' really can't have that type of sloppy play moving forward lest he fall further down the organizational call-up depth chart. 

Special Shout Out: DH Wes Clarke ripped a ground ball double down the left field line in a 1-for-2 evening. More importantly, he managed to earn three walks to zero strikeouts. Huge. Worthy of praise.

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Final: Columbus (Braves) 7, Biloxi 6

Pratt, Lara Homer, Mendoza Stars in Shuckers Extra-Innings Loss to Clingstones - Shuckers Fall to 0-4 Despite 6-0 Lead Late

Box Score / Game Log

Game Notes

Looking beyond the final score, and the multiple avenues in which the Shuckers find ways lose seemingly every season, there was quite a meaningful debut tonight for one RHP Abdiel Mendoza. I have to be honest, I briefly looked at Mendoza's peripherals before coming into the 2025 season, but I was definitely not prepared for the diversity of movements I saw within his pitching kit. Sporting a sinker dipping arm side a good 17" and more sitting 92 mph and touching 94 mph, a sweeper and curveball mixing shapes cutting away from bats, and a cutter tossed in for great impact it was a sublimely impressive 3 2/3 IP debut. I say all this despite some control issues throughout - a HB and four free passes speak to this. It's hard to over-invest given his first frame and pitch count was marred by an uncharacteristic error from SS Cooper Pratt in shallow LF failing to track a pop fly over his throwing shoulder. I left his 3 2/3 IP, 3 H, 4 BB, 7 K, 1 HB, 0 R outing more impressed and looking for more than I was filled with any type of pause. IF he could fine-tune his four-seamer to greater impact - this is the lone pitch the Clingstone bats were tracking and hitting with any meaning - we are looking at a free agent pick-up with a legitimate 4-to-5 pitch mix who may surprise us all when it is all said and done. I'll be tuning in early and often in the weeks ahead to see how this new storyline develops down yonder.

By the way, can we briefly talk about that centerfield camera angle? What is going on in that lens?! 

Three Quick Strikes:

1) C Darrien Miller had a first AB passed ball. He also was called for catcher's interference. However, and as someone who has been critical of Miller's defense throughout his Brewers career, this young man was also responsible for holding things together despite the final tally. Miller adeptly sniffed out several (and I mean several) errant throws high and wide and in the dirt. His glove was sure when his struggling hurlers needed him most. He also threw out old farmhand friend OF Carlos D. Rodriguez attempting to sneak into scoring position after the Clingstones had tied the game in the ninth frame. Had his long fly not fallen just feet shy of the right field wall in the tenth inning, Miller also could have been the walk-off hero collecting his first hit of his season. Unfortunately, it was not to be. As I so often say: there is so much more to these games than the box scores would indicate. 

2) The Shuckers were a woeful 1-for-10 with RISP. They left seven men on base. The Clingstones? They were a paltry 6-for-26 with RISP. They left 16 men on base. The teams combined to strike out 21 times. They walked a combined 15 times. There were moments but this was a sloppy baseball game between two previously winless ball clubs. And, yet, the Shuckers led 6-0 headed into the eight frame. This loss absolutely stung in more ways than one. When you are commanding a formidable lead in your Home opener against a team consistently incapable of driving across runs, you need to take that 'W' and build toward better days. This one is going to sting.

3) Let's end on a positive note: the results don't really speak to this but the eyes do and I'll share it here. I appreciate 3B Brock Wilken and INF Eric Brown Jr's approach and look at the plate early in 2025. I can see both young men are pressing but both their approaches look more patient and more in control.  Wilken is laying off more sliders away - the League clearly has scouted his 2024 glaring weakness. EBJ has calmed his mechanics down immensely. We are still lacking that elusive heavy barrel contact but I'm pretty much looking for anything to give me meaningful optimism offensively with both players. What I see is two men who could find some success if they continue to trust their process. 1B Luke Adams on the other hand? That's very very much a work in progress as I suspected it would be. 

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Final: Wisconsin 4, Quad Cities (Royals) 0

Hardin Shines in Rattler Debut, Wisconsin Beats Quad Cities - Young Ace Goes Five No Hit Innings

Box Score / Game Log

Game Notes

A new wrinkle in 2025's T-Rats season appears to be a Monday off-day podcast offering with Chris Mehring. In this week's Monday Pod, Chris interviewed MLB's Minor League Prospect Guru, Sam Dykstra, for thoughts on the 2025 Timber Rattlers season and Brewers prospects on their opening roster.

** Keep in mind, this interview was recorded before the Yophery Rodriguez departure to the Red Sox in the Quinn Priester trade. **

*** A brief message to all National Prospect Gurus: Can we please stop referring to INF Jadher Areinamo's defense in casual terms? This is actually a plea. I've heard enough and it is time to laud Areinamo's glove work for what it is: gold glove caliber.

How about that casual stretch from one (also vastly underrated defensively) 1B Blake Burke? ***

2025 RHP Tyson Hardin certainly appears to be a problem. In all the best of ways for we Brewers fans. Those control issues of late 2024 as a Mudcat? Toss them in the trash. This debut High-A outing was extremely eye-opening. 5.0 IP. 51 pitches. 0 H. 4 K. 1 BB. If this young man was ramped up? We're legitimately talking about a serious 'No-No' bid. The River Bandits had absolutely nothing for Hardin for the vast majority of this contest. He was absolutely painting black. The heater came in aggressively. The off-speed was masterfully placed and dipping late in the zone. The hitters were entirely off-balance throughout. We appear to have an extremely tantalizing potential 2024 draft gem here. Stay tuned. 

Three Quick Strikes:

1) It was the CF Eduardo Garcia breakout game. Well, not exactly. Thankfully, on what appeared to be a blustery night, Garcia wasn't asked to make many plays on the center field grass in his first action since talented CF Yophery Rodriguez was shipped to Boston. In Garcia's 1-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K evening I can earnestly say he tallied an RBI in one of his most impressive AB's I've seen since he's been a Brewer. He laid off a slider down and in - his kryptonite - and worked a count 2-2. He fouled one back. He reach blooped an RBI single into right field. Hit it where it's pitched. It was just an encouraging AB. After he had an extremely encouraging Winter League performance, I'm looking for signs he can sustain any semblance of offensive output stateside. I'm looking for signs he can showcase real hitting discipline. Tonight, he took a small step into earning my confidence.

2) C Darrien Miller praise above. C Matt Wood praise below. This is the best I've seen C Matt Wood look since he's been on the Timber Rattlers roster. He looks much more comfortable and poised at the dish with a look he may just sustain this level of output. After a 2-for-4, 1 2B, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB night he boosted his early season OPS up to 0.862. However, as we know, these sample sizes are still way too early and generally over-inflated in either direction. His clean glove behind the dish is what bolsters his lines. If he can continue catching balls clean where I honestly don't even notice him behind the dish and he can swing a free and steady bat? We're talking about a completely different level of prospect than I've ever given him credit for. In the past he's dropped balls, struggled to catch clean, and generally suffered through defensive inconsistencies. There may just be more gas in this tank.

3) Can we talk about this 387 foot 107 mph RF Hedbert Perez nuke into the Mississippi River? My goodness. The dream lives on.

I know I was somewhat critical of Perez when he returned last season as he endured some defensive miscues. Those criticisms were warranted given the nature of the miscues. However, if I'm being truthful, those criticisms also arose because of the immense talent he still possesses in his compact and powerful frame. I expect more and I continue to believe there is more upside waiting to be tapped into. He has to keep cutting back the strikeout. I'm desperately hoping the young Perez, who is still just 22 years old, can stay healthy and tap into more of his greatness in 2025. The runway is clear.

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Final: Carolina 14, Myrtle Beach (Cubs) 0

Mudcats Soar Past Myrtle Beach in Series Opener - Offense Breaks Open in 14-Run Effort

Box Score / Game Log

Is there a more beautiful score in all of baseball than a Brewers team absolutely throttling a Cubs team? Let's all enjoy that score for a few moments longer. 

Come on. Just a few moments more. 

There. Isn't that just better? Let that joy spread throughout your body now. That's the sweet stuff. That is the sweet stuff.

Hilariously, the Myrtle Beach video feed cut out during phenom 2B Josh Adamczewski's first AB in the top of the first frame. To that god-awful tune, not a single one of us witnessed the grandiose walloping between two formerly undefeated teams. The Mudcats most definitely improved to 4-0 on their season. The Pelicans plummeted from flight and landed with a thud at 3-1 overall. Please look through that glorious box score and smile brightly throughout this 22 hit slug fest opus.

Speaking of which, I think these lads like winning:

(Image Source: HERE)

Three Quick Strikes:

1) Seriously, go ahead and look at the output from the 1-through-5 spots of that Mudcats batting order. My goodness. They're all teenagers! Ok, fine. Here. Take a look:

I mean, come on folks. The next wave is coming and we certainly don't want to get in its way. For me personally, I may be more tickled pink for the start of one INF FIlippo Di Turi over any other player here given my concerns that arose after last season's prolonged slump and speed of play. His early season output and performance is a massive development for his confidence and could be a major boon to the greater infield depth in the system. I can't even fathom inserting a hungry Jesus Made into this mix. Baseball gods be good, we are beyond blessed with this young group! 

2) Young RHP Melvin Hernandez seems to have impressed in 3.0 IP with a mere 2 H, 1 BB and 3 K. 2024 UDFA Miles Langhorne, in his second outing with the Mudcats, appears to have hit his stride: 1 2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, and 3 K. It sure would have been nice to see his form given his opponents. Unfortunately, Myrtle Beach conspired early and throughout with their lack of visuals. I will say, though, RHP Bryan Rivera ended with a clean scoresheet but he certainly seems to have suffered through some control issues: 2 WP, 2 HB, 4 BB in 2 1/3 IP. 0 H and 5 K helps avert disaster here.

3) It's not all roses in this stacked Mudcats line-up. After missing all of 2024's ACL season due to injury, INF/OF Demetrio Nadal is seeing his first competitive baseball since 2023 - it's understandable he could be quite rusty. Nadal has only mustered one hit so far but in a mere 13 AB. Tonight's 0-for-6, 3 K output had to have been extremely frustrating amidst 22 hits as a team. With INF/OF Tyler Rodriguez coming to the Mudcats clubhouse any day now and with OF Jose Anderson waiting in the wings, I am merely pointing out the full season leashes may be shorter amidst the logjam of the most talented age group in the Brewers system. Let's hope the young promising Nadal can find his footing and see more productivity in the days and weeks ahead.

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Game two of these six-game sets will commence tomorrow - be aware Biloxi and Columbus square off in the mid-day matinee slate. Let me remind us: LHP Wande Torres debuts for us all tomorrow. My goodness how several of us have waited for this moment! No pressure, Wande. RHP Ryan Birchard begins his 2025 season in Quad Cities tomorrow. May he find more success and more of the zone in 2025. RHP Alexander Cornielle will try to give the Shuckers another shot at their first elusive victory. And, RHP Logan Henderson will continue to try to find his best more-controlled version on the bump for the Sounds tomorrow night. This will be Henderson's third appearance starting for the Sounds.

As always, thanks for reading and thanks for supporting Brewers Minor League baseball.

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[jay87shot]

Great day in the minors. It would be nice to kind of keep that highlighted portion (plus Made) of Carolina together promotion wise it could be amazing come say 2027 when they might be all ready to break into the big show.

Who would you say are some of the top guys that could be due for an early season May-ish promotion? My thoughts would be Burke, Wood, Bitonti, Arienamo, Hedbert, maybe some of the 2024 pitching draft picks (UDFA) from college last year, I am I forgetting anyone else? 

[Jake McKibbin]

Ernesto Martinez Jr has an in zone contact rate of over 95%. And a hard hit rate of 60%. This is absurd

I do think he generate more top spin that back spin on some of his batted balls, as well as getting underneath them a bit too much early doors but hot damn are the raw tools still LOUD

 

 

 

[Austin Tatious]

Wisconsin is easily the most fun team to follow this year.  Ridiculous upside with several of our favorite players.  It’s crazy early so I’m hesitant to make proclamations but it’s hard not to be exuberant.

Do we know what the situation is with Made?

Great to see Durbin working at third.  I’m skeptical about his projection at third just based on his profile but maybe he can be adequate.  He’s been rock solid at the plate.  Good to have that in-house with shaky coverage in Milwaukee.   

Some solid starts up and down as guys are getting stretched out.  I am frankly not familiar with some of the starters but nice to see them put up zero earned runs.  

Great to see Martinez and Pratt pop too.  

Wilken and Brown, Jr.  Not sure what to say but we can only hope it’s early. 

[Joseph Zarr]

1 hour ago, Austin Tatious said:

Wisconsin is easily the most fun team to follow this year.  Ridiculous upside with several of our favorite players.  It’s crazy early so I’m hesitant to make proclamations but it’s hard not to be exuberant.

Wisconsin is a good watch, for sure but I believe you mean exuberant when talking about Carolina? Maybe not which is fine too.

[Austin Tatious]

35 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Wisconsin is a good watch, for sure but I believe you mean exuberant when talking about Carolina? Maybe not which is fine too.

You’re right.  I’m still getting used to the reversal of the affiliates between low A and high A.  It’s a mental block even though it’s been a year!

[Joseph Zarr]

44 minutes ago, Austin Tatious said:

You’re right.  I’m still getting used to the reversal of the affiliates between low A and high A.  It’s a mental block even though it’s been a year!

Fear not, just as you finally familiarize yourself and get real comfy...these same Carolina Mudcats will suddenly be the Wilson Warbirds. 

[Jim Goulart]

VIDEO: Shuckers right-hander Abdiel Mendoza strikes out seven