Brewers Minor League Link Report (4/24): Biloxi and Wisconsin Offenses Erupt, While Woodruff Impresses

[Ro Mueller]

Woodruff and Rodriguez tossed shutout baseball in Nashville’s split doubleheader. Pratt, Adams and Wood had big homers for the Shuckers and Timber Rattlers. Jesus Made returned in Carolina’s close defeat.

Transactions:

• RHP Cesar Espinal (recently acquired for Mark Canha) assigned to DSL Brewers Blue
• RHP Brandon Woodruff’s rehab shifted to AAA Nashville
• RHP Merwin Manrique (signed January 15) assigned to DSL Brewers Gold
• LHP Bryan Hudson optioned to AAA Sounds from MLB Brewers

Game Action:

Game One Final: Nashville 2, Durham 0 (in 7 innings)
Box Score and Game Log

Game Two Final: Durham 9, Nashville 7 (in 8 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: Sounds Split Thursday Twin Bill with Durham

Per the linked game report, the Sounds blanked the Bulls for 13 innings, nearly completing a 2-win, 2-shutout sweep, before things went awry in the final scheduled inning in the second game.

Terrific starts from rehabbing RHP Brandon Woodruff (5 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 5 Ks) and 23-year old RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez (5 1/3 IP, 3 H, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 8 Ks) were the story of the night, with both serving notice that they’re ready to contribute at the Major League level if called upon (health-permitting, of course).

Woodruff’s third rehab start saw him maintain his velocity (94.1mph peak) across 61 pitches (41 strikes), while the youngster Rodriguez baffled hitters across 78 pitches (52 strikes) with his 6-pitch mix of changeups, cutters, curve balls, sinkers, sliders and four-seamers (94.4mph peak).

Nashville recorded just two hits in the opening game victory, including C Jorge Alfaro’s (2-for-5 day, HR, walk, 2 RBIs, SB and most likely to selected in an NFL draft, per players’ poll) 6th blast of the young season: https://x.com/nashvillesounds/status/1915551204647604306

OF Jared Oliva added an insurance run (his 6th homer of 2025, to go with 13 stolen bases) in that opening game for good measure:

1B Wes Clarke had a productive day at the plate (2-for-6, 2 RBIs), nearly leading the offense to victory in the night cap:

SS/2B Andruw Monasterio (2-for-5, walk, RBI) and 3B Freddy Zamora were in give-and-take mode, with Zamora’s RBI extending the Game 2 lead to 6-0 before his game-tying error later in the same inning:

Sounds’ Extras:

• The box scores tells us that RHP Ryan Middendorf surrendered most of the damage in the Game 2 collapse (5 earned runs, 4 hits, 1 HBP against 6 batters), but the exit velocities were 73.2, 40.6, 75.9 and 90.2. Still leading 6-3 with 2-on, 1-out, RHP Vinny Nittoli attempted to close it out, but 2 singles and an error allowed 3 more runs across before RHP Jesus Liranzo conceded 3 runs (2 earned) in the extra frame.
• 3B/SS Oliver Dunn’s road back to MLB may have begun with his double (106.5mph) in the second game, part of a 1-for-6 day with a walk. Yes, he played shortstop in that late game.
• Regular Minor League Forum contributor @wiguy94 picked this nugget from Jeff Hem on the Sounds’ broadcast: “Ernesto is dealing with a right thumb issue so I was woefully off thinking it was a right thigh issue”, thus explaining 1B Ernesto Martinez Jr.’s absence from the two lineups.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Deivi Garcia (2.70 ERA, 11 Ks in 13 1/3 IP) is scheduled to start Game 4, with the team needing a win to even the home series at 2-2.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Biloxi 7, Montgomery 3
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Adams Celebrates 21st Birthday in Style with First Double-A Homer in Shuckers Win

Two wins and 17 runs in the last two games for the Shuckers? Is this still the pitcher-friendly Southern League? Clutch extra-base hits were the name of the game for Biloxi, with all 7 runs coming home on XHBs:

3B Brock Wilken (2-for-3, double, walk, RBI) got the scoring started and reached three times to lift his season OPS to .771 (with a .179 AVG):

SS Cooper Pratt and 1B Luke Adams had one hit each, but certainly made them count:

Also encouraging was RHP Coleman Crow (2 1/3 IP, 1 R, 2 Ks) making his 2nd start after a prolonged injury absence. Though it wasn't exactly smooth sailing (5 H), he got timely outs and other help (thanks C Ramon Rodriguez and RHP Stiven Cruz) to only concede 1 run.

Find more video highlights on the Shuckers’ Twitter feed, including contributions from Garrett Spain and RHP Will Childers.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• Credit LHP Nate Peterson (4 IP, 1 R, 6 Ks) and RHP Will Childers (2 IP, 1 R, 4 Ks) will striking out 10 Biscuits over their combined 6 innings of solid work.
• Montgomery actually outhit the Shuckers 10-8 and matched them with 4 XBHs, but stranded 13 baserunners in a frustrating evening for them.
• In addition to his first AA homer, of course Adams also collected an HBP on his birthday.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Abdiel Mendoza (7.59 ERA, 10 Ks in 10 2/3 IP) gets the call to try to lead Biloxi to a 3-1 home series lead.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wisconsin 13, Cedar Rapids 5
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Rattlers Offense Pulls Away Late in Cedar Rapids

Though the final score doesn't suggest it, this was a tense affair through 8 innings.

Wisconsin's offense was certainly due for a breakout and it happened here on the road with 13 runs and 14 hits. Even stranding 11 baserunners (7-for-16 with runners in a scoring position) can be seen as a positive sign for a team that had lost 7 of 8 games coming in.

C Matt Wood's (featured in a timely Appleton Post-Crescent article) only hit of the night was a first-pitch biggie to give Wisconsin a 4-3 lead in the 3rd inning:

The linked game report by Chris Mehring captures the action beautifully, including the clutch 2-out RBI singles from the Garcia non-brothers (Eduardo – 2-for-5, walk, RBI; Yhoswar – 2-for-4, walk, RBI):

We’re blessed with more video highlights at the linked game report and Timber Rattlers’ Twitter feed, including Hedbert Perez (2-for-6, triple, 2 RBIs, SB) and Jheremy Vargas.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• Starting RHP Chandler Welch battled through 8 hits over 5 innings and 82 pitches, while RHP Zach Peek collected his 2nd win thanks to 2 pristine innings (6-up, 6-down, 3 Ks).
• Offensive leader SS Jadher Areinamo reached base 5 times (2 hits, 2 walks, 1 HBP) and DH/1B Blake Burke contributed a double and a single.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Bishop Letson (2.45 ERA, 13 Ks in 11 IP) is listed to make his 4th start of 2025, with Wisconsin needing a victory to even their road series at two games apiece.

Final: Columbia 2, Carolina 1
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Mudcats Drop Contest at Columbia

A second straight 1-run defeat has the talented Mudcats in unfamiliar territory, trailing 2-0 in their road series.

But that pales somewhat in importance to the return of 17-year old SS Jesus Made (1-for-4, 1 K) from injury and 5 solid innings from 19-year old starting RHP Bryce Meccage (4 1/3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 4Ks).

Carolina League OPS leader 2B Josh Adamczewski led the offense with a 3-for-4, 1 RBI day (.383 season AVG, 1.090 OPS in 74 PAs).

Long reliever RHP Tanner Gillis had his first challenging appearance, conceding the 2 runs on a double and 6 singles over 3 innings. The winning run came across on an 8th inning duffed infield grounder (rough luck).

Mudcats’ Extras:

• Gillis did register 4 strikeouts, part of a combined 10K/0BB day by Mudcats’ pitchers (including LHP Anfernny Reyes’s 2 Ks).
• Utility man and pleasant surprise Luiyin Alastre (right field in this game) contributed a double, walk and outfield assist.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Bryan Rivera (1.08 ERA, 9 Ks in 8 1/3 IP) is listed to start the first game of Carolina’s twin-bill, with RHP Melvin Hernandez (3.09 ERA, 10 Ks in 11 2/3 IP) and LHP Sam Garcia (2.38 ERA, 12 Ks in 11 1/3 IP) likely available for their second contest of the night.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. The Mudcats get Friday action started with Game 1 of their doubleheader at 4:35 CST, while the Milwaukee Brewers head to St. Louis for a 7:15pm start time.

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[Ro Mueller]

Jake McKibbon has a deeper dive on how Woodruff’s stuff and velocity held up (or didn’t): 

 

[jay87shot]

Carlos Rodriguez stuff in that clip looked really good, up to 95 with crisp breaking pitches and a deceptive changeup. I would think Woody needs 1 more rehab if he didn't maintain velocity but the results are good so if he was to get to the bigs with his next appearance I wouldn't be upset.

[Terry]

An article from BA today featuring Luis Peña and Braylon Payne. Here's a stat of Peña that caught my eyes. 👀👀👀

Quote

Year over year, his exit velocities have shown a significant early jump, as his 90th percentile EV is up more than five miles per hour.

 

[Playing Catch]

22 minutes ago, Terry said:

An article from BA today featuring Luis Peña and Braylon Payne. Here's a stat of Peña that caught my eyes. 👀👀👀

 

This quote caught my eyes...

"The biggest knock on Peña’s profile is his lack of fielding ability. He’s had five starts at shortstop this year and made four errors. He’s not a shortstop long term, but cleaning up his actions and fielding ability will be a point of emphasis as he advances."

This was the first I've heard that he's not a shortstop.

[Terry]

6 minutes ago, Playing Catch said:

This quote caught my eyes...

"The biggest knock on Peña’s profile is his lack of fielding ability. He’s had five starts at shortstop this year and made four errors. He’s not a shortstop long term, but cleaning up his actions and fielding ability will be a point of emphasis as he advances."

This was the first I've heard that he's not a shortstop.

I mean scouts were already divided on his long term defensive home last year, so perhaps not exactly new viewpoint?

[biedergb]

28 minutes ago, Playing Catch said:

This quote caught my eyes...

"The biggest knock on Peña’s profile is his lack of fielding ability. He’s had five starts at shortstop this year and made four errors. He’s not a shortstop long term, but cleaning up his actions and fielding ability will be a point of emphasis as he advances."

This was the first I've heard that he's not a shortstop.

From what I have watched from Peña is he is plenty athletic and can field the infield, footwork and his throws are erratic but the arm when he covered third was fine.  I think he can play in the infield if he works on footwork and gets the throws ok, and I’ll give him a pass as one the youngest players in A ball.  If he is still struggling with this next season or the seasons after I will start to worry, but the sky’s the limit still even defensively for him.  

[Playing Catch]

39 minutes ago, Terry said:

I mean scouts were already divided on his long term defensive home last year, so perhaps not exactly new viewpoint?

Yeah, I guess. I always figured that for teenagers, athleticism/tools trump present value when projecting a future defensive home. I always read those question marks as simply being a reflection of the development risk associated with any prospect. I suppose he may just look that raw defensively, with poor instincts/hands.

Perhaps I misjudge how much better a player can get defensively with reps.