Brewers Minor League Link Report (4/17): Carlos Rodriguez and Blayberg Diaz Lead 2-Win Thursday

[Ro Mueller]

Carlos Rodriguez registered 7 strikeouts and Blayberg Diaz had 4 hits in wins for Nashville and Carolina. Jadher Areinamo and Ramon Rodriguez homered in losses for Wisconsin and Biloxi.

Image courtesy of Biloxi Shuckers

Transactions:

• INF Oliver Dunn optioned from MLB Brewers to AAA Nashville
• (not official) INF Caleb Durbin promoted to MLB Brewers from AAA Nashville

Game Action:

Final: Nashville 5, Charlotte 4
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 Score Early and Hold On Late in Win Over Charlotte

Outside of a 2nd inning bases loaded double play, starting RHP Carlos Rodriguez (4 2/3 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 5 BB, 1 WP, 7 Ks) largely cruised through 4 innings before yielding some 5th inning damage. In all, he reached the century mark (100 pitches, 56 strikes), exiting with a 5-2 lead with an assist from RHP Easton McGee (stranded two baserunners).

Despite being outhit 9-6 and only going 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position, the Sounds’ offense was powered by 4 extra base hits, including solo homers from DH Wes Clarke (1-for-3, BB) and OF Jared Oliva (2-for-3, 2 BB, SB).

McGee stayed in after a leadoff 6th inning single deflected off of him, allowing one run and stranding two more. RHP Vinny Nittoli also allowed a run and stranded 2 baserunners in the 7th inning, handing a tight 5-4 game to LHP Tyler Jay (2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K, first save) for the final two frames.

Sounds’ Extras:

• 3B Raynel Delgado reached base 3 times (single, 2 BB), scored a run and contributed an RBI. 1B Ernesto Martinez Jr. (1-for-4, BB) also contributed an RBI double.
• C Anthony Seigler’s mini-funk continued with an 0-for-5 day to drop his average to .152 (small sample warning).

Friday’s outlook: Rehabbing RHP Tobias Myers gets the ball, looking to prove he’s ready for a return to Milwaukee, as Nashville aims to clinch a series win.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Birmingham 4, Biloxi 1
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Rodríguez Smashes First Homer of the Year in Shuckers Loss to Barons

Biloxi’s 3-game win streak came to an end despite outhitting the Barons 6-4, undone by grounding into 3 double plays, committing 2 errors and allowing 4 stolen bases.

RHP KC Hunt was solid through 5 innings (2 runs, 2 hits, 7 Ks) before the first three batters reached base in the 6th (walk, 2 singles), with LHP Brian Fitzpatrick stranding one baserunner for Hunt as part of 2 scoreless innings of work (0 H, 2 BB, 3 Ks).

The first 10 Shuckers were retired in order before a OF Luis Lara (2-for-3, BB) single in the 4th inning and C Ramon Rodriguez (2-for-3) solo homer in the 5th frame.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• Kudos to RHP Chase Costello for a 2-K, 3-up, 3-down 9th inning.
• For the game, the team went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.

Friday’s outlook: 24-year old RHP Coleman Crow starts Game 4 of the series, representing his first official baseball action since April 2023 with AA Rocket City, as injuries have limited him since.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Lansing 4, Wisconsin 3
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Wisconsin Comeback Thwarted by Lansing

Wisconsin may have come out on the short end of this tight loss, but their wonderful media team have us covered with video highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYH4bj-_uVc

And don’t forget to listen to the insightful 15-minute Mehring/Lobner post-game podcast, including comments from Brewers’ Director of Player Development (and Acting Wisconsin Manager) Spencer Allen and Jadher Areinamo (with translation by Hedbert Perez).

As you’ve now read, seen and heard from the above links, Wisconsin had their top hitter at the plate, trailing 4-3 with the bases loaded, 2-down in the bottom of the 9th inning, but 2B Jadher Areinamo (2-for-4, HR, BB, RBI) wasn’t able to tie it up this time.

The team also stranded the bases loaded back in the 5th inning, though they managed to cut the deficit to 3-2 on 2 singles (OF Jheremy Vargas, DH Tayden Hall) and a wild pitch in that frame.

20-year old LHP Anthony Flores (4 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 4 Ks) commenced with 3 scoreless innings in his first-ever High-A start (3rd appearance).

The bullpen of RHP Patricio Aquino and Jeferson Figueroa were terrific, conceding only 1 (wind-assisted) run over 5 innings.

Tale of the Tape: Per the podcast, SS Eduardo Garcia’s homer (first of 2025) went 400 feet with an exit velocity of 108.8mph and Areinamo’s game-tying 8th inning blast went 365 feet at 105mph.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• Dropping their 3rd straight game, the team stranded 9 baserunners (vs. 7 for the Lugnuts) but only had 3 opportunities with runners in scoring position (0-for-3).
• Hall, Areinamo and Eduardo Garcia combined for 6 of the squad’s 8 hits.
• Per the podcast, Manager Victor Estevez is presently in the Dominican Republic with family for Easter.

Friday’s outlook: Rehabbing RHP Brandon Woodruff will start the first game of Wisconsin’s Friday doubleheader, after which the stadium will be cleared before RHP Chandler Welch takes the mound for the night cap.

Final: Carolina 10, Delmarva 1
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Offense Lifts Mudcats Past Delmarva

After a rare defeat, the Mudcats re-asserted their authority by grabbing a 6-1 lead by the 4th inning and now lead the series 3 games to 1.

While the Biloxi and Wisconsin offenses presently struggle to push runs across, here we saw Carolina’s 8 (C Blayberg Diaz) and 9 (OF Luiyin Alastre) batters combine for 6 hits, 4 RBIs, 5 runs scored and a stolen base.

Diaz’ RBI single gave the Mudcats their first lead at 2-1 in the 2nd inning, before he followed up with an RBI double for a 3-1 advantage in the 4th inning. Alastre then singled home 2 more runs and also scored on a SS Jesus Made single to lead 6-1.

19-year old RHP Bryce Meccage’s 3rd start of 2025 went far better than his last outing, tossing 55 pitches this time out (3 2/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 Ks), with LHP Anfernny Reyes stranding one baserunner for him to enable Meccage exit with a 2-1 advantage.

However, the real pitching story of this game was the scoreless relief work of RHP Tanner Gillis (4 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 5 Ks).

Of some concern, OF Braylon Payne (2 walks, 1-for-2 on stolen base attempts) exited in the 7th inning after reaching on an error and moving to 2nd base on a walk. Hopefully, this was purely a precautionary move while leading 7-1.

Mudcats’ Extras:

• Every spot in the Mudcats’ lineup reached base via hit or walk, including 1B Eric Bitonti (1-for-3, 2 walks) and 3B Filippo Di Turi reaching base three times (1-for-2, walk, HBP, 2 runs).
• Of course, 1100+ OPS man 2B Josh Adamczewski also contributed with a double and a sac fly. Made also had 2 RBIs and a stolen base.
• From left field, Alastre earned an outfield assist by gunning down a player at second base in the 6th inning.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Travis Smith (3.60 ERA with 5 Ks in 5 IP) is scheduled to make his 3rd start of 2025, as Carolina aims to extend its home series lead to 3 games to 1.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. On Good Friday, 5 Brewers’ Minor League games are on top, starting with the first game of the Timber Rattlers’ doubleheader at 1:10pm CST. The Milwaukee Brewers also host the Athletics at 7:10pm.

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Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth

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[Joseph Zarr]

Of Note:

Remember: Triple-A squads have all played three more games than the Mudcats. Such a special special squad.

[wiguy94]

1 hour ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Of Note:

Remember: Triple-A squads have all played three more games than the Mudcats. Such a special special squad.

It’s actually 6 more games that AAA have played. Remember they started a week earlier so Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday all before A to AA started.

[Joseph Zarr]

3 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

It’s actually 6 more games that AAA have played. Remember they started a week earlier so Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday all before A to AA started.

That's right! Holy heck. I completely forgot they played that Tues-through-Thurs before the lower levels picked up on debut Fridays. Absolutely nuts what this squad has done to date. Thanks for reminding me.

[Joseph Zarr]

Not only 10 Wins...Let's turn it up a notch. Congrats to the Muddies and the Brewers!

And, here's Chris Edwards with the call. And, is it just me, or does the way INF Jesus Made walks even give off Vibes?!? 

(I did say just two reports ago: It's all Mudcats. All the Time. Sorry. Not sorry😅)

[wiguy94]

4 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

That's right! Holy heck. I completely forgot they played that Tues-through-Thurs before the lower levels picked up on debut Fridays. Absolutely nuts what this squad has done to date. Thanks for reminding me.

There’s only 9 AAA teams with 10 wins and from all of A to AA there are only 3 other teams that have 9 wins. Carolina have been incredible.

[Joseph Zarr]

Can I also just say: Since I called for C/DH Ramón Rodríguez (Wednesday morning's report) to start getting back into the line-up (and, hopefully, on a more regular basis): 4-for-7, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 HR. I'm just saying, and have been saying, he is a sneakily very good bat and AB. Gotta have that in the line up with more regularity given the limitations of the Shuckers line up. There's no need to over think this. He's a veteran. He's a disciplined hitter. He has some power. He is not an easy out.