Brewers Minor League Link Report (6/18): Shuckers Win First Division Title Since 2019 Behind RHP Tyson Hardin's Double-A Debut

[Joseph Zarr]

Image courtesy of Brewer Fanatic

Transactions:

• RHP Coleman Crow was assigned to the Nashville Sounds from the Biloxi Shuckers
• RHP Tyson Hardin was assigned to the Biloxi Shuckers from the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• RHP Easton McGee was assigned to the MLB Taxi Squad from the Nashville Sounds
• LHP Brian Fitzpatrick was activated from the 7-Day IL by the Biloxi Shuckers
• C Victor Torres was placed on the Development List by the Biloxi Shuckers

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Final: Iowa (Cubs) 5,  Nashville 4

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):

Sounds Fall to Iowa on Wednesday Night - Dalbec Has Third Straight Multi-Hit Game

Box Score/Game Log

Game Notes

RHP Garrett Stallings almost completed five frames - 4 2/3 IP of 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K, 3 ER work. Stallings has truly been a master of his craft as the do-everything utility arm in the Sounds pitching staff. He's come quite a long way since 2024's ho-hum work. The sinkerballer is on top of his game and I have enjoyed many of his innings this season. He was pulled at 66 pitches having thrown 43 strikes. Not quite a starter, no. But, he'll fill the roles needed to help round the rough edges in and amongst the Sounds starting rotation. He continues to be a success story as we near the end of the first half.

Three Quick Strikes:

1) Is there a hotter hitter in the Brewers system than in-season free agent pick up RF Bobby Dalbec? I can not think of one. He's on an absolute heater and he doesn't appear to be slowing down. Two more doubles tonight in a 3-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K night. This is the type of the bat the Brewers may ultimately use depending on what shakes out at the MLB trade deadline. I loved him before he was a Sound. I continue to love him in a Sounds jersey. He is the very consummate definition of a veteran pro. 

2) Having watched all of two games from 1B Andrew Vaughn, and now that the debut grand slam has faded more than 24 hours into a past sunset, I can only say: Vaughn very much matches the Brewers recent love of small in stature players. I personally have a hard time getting super excited about a shorter version; far less productive player (and quite a bit more positionally limited); with the same build as old one-time Brewers Kevin Mench. Vaughn is completely restricted to first base and the DH spot. Was the trade of, essentially, RHP Aaron Civale; INF Gregory Barrios; and Wes Clarke for cash and Andrew Vaughn worth it? It's obviously way too early to tell. My early sentiments are a neutral take on shuffling deck chairs. Vaughn is going to have to get on some type of prolonged heater to get my temperature up and I personally am not all that in favor of taking those first base innings from Ernesto Martinez Jr. and Dalbec. 1-for-5, 1 RBI, 1 K on the evening. 

3) 3B/C Anthony Seigler (both in one game) is truly something special. He handled his work at the hot corner with relative ease and smoothness through five innings. He switched behind the backstop when C Jeferson Quero was pulled for the hour weather delay. He handled his work behind the dish like he never missed a beat (even though he is working as a backstop far less these days). I don't know if he earns a call-up in 2025. I certainly hope he does and I certainly think he's earned it. I don't know if he signed a one or a two year Minor League free agent deal. But, as a fan of Minor League players I am incredibly excited Seigler has completely rebuilt his MLB call-up resume in just one half season within the Brewers organization. He makes watching the Sounds a better experience. For that, I am grateful. 

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Final: Biloxi 6, Knoxville (Cubs) 2

Hardin Leads Shuckers to South Division Title in Double-A Debut - Shuckers Clinch First Division Title Since 2019

Box Score/Game Log

Game Notes

It truly is remarkable to juxtapose the 2025 version of RHP Tyson Hardin we are seeing versus the just-drafted version of RHP Tyson Hardin in the late summer of 2024. It's truly remarkable. Given the organizational importance of this late first-half game two versus the Knoxville Smokes, to see Hardin debut and pitch six complete frames allowing a mere four hits and one walk? Just fantastic. 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 HB, 1 HR (solo shot), 2 ER. 79 pitches throw. 54 pitches landed for strikes. The peripherals hint at a player ready for the moment. Having watched the game in entirety, I can avow: the eye test matches the box score. 

Three Quick Strikes:

1) C Matt Wood had a passed ball - it wasn't a very pretty passed ball at that. C Matt Wood went 0-3 with 1 R, 1 BB, and 1 K at the dish. And, I am here to tell you, C Matt Wood absolutely impacted this game in massive ways with two gorgeous throws to 2B in consecutive middle innings to nab would be base stealers for the second out. Double-A C Matt Wood is playing at another level. I am absolutely here to give him his flowers:

 

That is how you boost your hurler's Double-A debut, Mr. Wood. Well done!

2) RHP Tyler Bryant continues to be must watch relief work out of the Shuckers bullpen. He is fast becoming my favorite relief arm in the entire system in 2025. With his high-riding 95-97 mph heater - a pitch he can level out; his disgusting slider; and his sneakily effective low 80's curve (all thrown with his fierce violent delivery and identical arm release) he has many ways he can mow you down. Another clean 1.0 IP of 1 H, 0 BB, and 2 K scoreless work. He has allowed one run since May 3rd over 15 outings and 19 1/3 IP. He has struck out 24 over that span. He has walked 9. He has high leverage written all over his arsenal. The continued development of his second and third pitches in his now second year in the system is one of my favorite stories over the past year and a half.

3) I tip my cap to you Mr. Dependable, 2B Zavier Warren, for your adept glove work and 2-for-4, 1 R, 1 K night at the dish. You are a symbol of the first half division title. A long-tenured player often lost in the greater discourse of the Brewers prospect realm but putting in a sublime season as one of the veterans on the Shuckers club. Diving deeper into this brand of thought, LHP Brian Fitzpatrick came off the 7-Day IL and immediately impacted tonight's victory with a masterful 1.0 IP of 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K work. Seeing the trimmed down and highly motivated Fitzpatrick in 2025 has been a beautiful sight. He is in complete control of his three pitch arsenal and he is enforcing his will on the game. The Shuckers that begun their season with a woeful 1-7 mark truly became a team in every facet by tonight's division clinching win. Is there anyone more deserving than manager Joe Ayrault? I can't think of one. Congratulations, Joe! We're all incredibly proud of the job you and the team have done. Keep going.

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Final: Columbia (Royals) 7, Carolina 4

Late Rally Lifts Columbia Past Mudcats - Meccage Denied His First Professional Victory in Loss

Box Score/Game Log

Game Notes

I've watched young RHP Bryce Meccage now throughout the first half and have seen nearly every start. Tonight was a very solid 6.0 IP of 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K, 2 ER work. He threw 74 pitches with 49 strikes. Meccage continues to sit comfortably in that 94-97 mph range. The four-seamer is a go to offering for him. He also uses quite a bit of the curveball and it can be a very very good pitch. And, I say all this to also say: Meccage is still quite raw. It's a refined raw, yes, in that he has two go-to strikeout pitches. However, in the game of professional baseball development - and given the breadth of Minor League games I have watched in my days - there is a path Meccage will likely have to travel down in off-seasons and seasons ahead. Firstly, he will absolutely need to continue developing his slider and change-up. He has them in his bag. They are not developed pitches at this juncture. These off-speed offerings are typically thrown in or sprinkled in the mix. IF he can fine tune these and add them to the 'plus' profile it truly opens everything. I would also casually opine: he could really use another heater profile. I would absolutely love if he could counter the four-seamer with a sinker. This is a marathon not a sprint. I'm personally investing in this hypothetical plan in my imaginary world as a Brewers developmental pitching scout. 

Three Quick Strikes:

1) I continue to love the evolution of INF Jesus Made's complete game. We may not be seeing long balls in bunches but we are seeing much much improved defensive execution and it truly has rounded out his complete game. His shortstop work has looked fluid and smooth for over a month - his actions and his hands are truly special. With his 1-for-2, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 2B, 2 SB night at the dish he showcased his full range of gifts from both sides of the plate. He now has 31 SB on his season to just 5 CS. His full breadth of talent is coming through at the near midway point to this season. 

 

2) 15 strikeouts to just three free passes for the Mudcats offense as a whole. Multiple strikeout games from 2B Luis Peña, 1B Eric Bitonti, CF José Anderson, 3B Filippo Di Turi, RF Reece Walling, and C Yannic Walther. Many of these strikeouts were not all that pretty. Are there good strikeouts? I believe there are. The majority of these were either overmatched looks or forcing the issue. Which brings me to: we were obscenely blessed with the Mudcats baseball we witnessed in April and then into early May. What we have seen repeatedly of late is how young this team truly is. If the Mudcats are going to get themselves back in contention in the second half they truly will need to improve their collective approaches at the dish. Currently they are leaning very heavily on players struggling to stay above water.

3) LHP Bjorn Johnson was absolutely cruising. Until he wasn't. I've seen this strange type of bullpen management approach from Nick Stanley throughout the past two seasons - nobody was even warming in the Mudcats pen to start the ninth inning. Stanley often leaves his young arms in challenging scenarios pushing their limits and sometimes, well, that backfires. The Mudcats led 3-2 and Johnson had been scoreless through two frames. Two hard hit doubles began the ninth frame putting runners on second and third. And, then 1B Eric Bitonti dropped a very catchable ball from SS Jesus Made that loaded the bags with nobody out. AND, well, just like that I'm back at odds with Minor League scorers: Bitonti has to catch that ball. Naturally, the scorer charged the error to Made who very adroitly kept both runners at their bases and in that dance fired a slightly rushed throw over to first base. The ball was slightly down the 1B line so Bitonti had to cross his frame. BUT, in my books, if a ball hits your webbing? You have to catch it. Given the situation, you absolutely have to catch it. The ninth inning was just a mini meltdown across the board and ultimately the Mudcats earned their loss. They may have ended their losing streak last night. The way they lost tonight's game reminded us they simply haven't been playing very good baseball for several weeks. And, given their youth, that's OK. We'll roll with the punches.

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We are back to a full seven game slate tomorrow as both the DSL squads and ACL Brewers are back playing. Later in the day, LHP Wande Torres will try to help the Mudcats jump to a 2-1 series lead. LHP Anthony Flores will look to bring his best facing the challenging West Michigan line-up. Must-watch RHP Logan Henderson takes the mound for Nashville. And in Biloxi, RHP K.C. Hunt looks to keep his positive momentum trending toward a 3-0 Shuckers series lead. 

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

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[jay87shot]

As always great report.

What is up with Jose Anderson. I thought the org. did a great job of promoting him early from Rookie ball especially with some outfield help in Carolina needed. Is he chasing to many pitches or just struggling in general. With him only at 18 and not yet 100 ab's in Carolina I am not to worried.

Love the Hardin call up to AA as well, very similar to Wichrowski last year. Hopefully he can keep the success going.

What do you all feel the plan for Bjorn is. It kind of seems like he has been getting like the last 3 innings when he is ready. Is it that they aren't sure if he will start or be a pen arm so they are hedging. Is it just that he would be the 6/7 starter so they are trying to keep him stretched out. He is young so I don't mind the middle ground right now but it would be nice to see him move either to a straight starter, traditional multi-inning reliever, or just late inning reliever by the end of the year.

[biedergb]

20 minutes ago, jay87shot said:

What is up with Jose Anderson.

I think he is going through the expected growing pains you would expect from a kid who would be a HS player right now, who is spending his first year in the States.  Aggressive promotion, but he was excelling in the Complex as noted. He is overmatched, and will either adjust this year and could be a second half break out player, or he may continue to struggle this year and hope to work on those aspects (pitch recognition for example) in the offseason. He is a good player as noted by his early ACL success, being highlighted in the Prospect Showcase game, but he is also not at the same level as Made, Pena, and even Lara or Yophery yet.

 

24 minutes ago, jay87shot said:

What do you all feel the plan for Bjorn is. It kind of seems like he has been getting like the last 3 innings when he is ready.

I have been trying to figure this one out too.  I wonder if it is that they want him to log more innings on a more regular basis so reliever in a pseudo-piggyback role. I don't recall another prospect doing that recently, and I would have to look at his actual games last year in the ACL and see if the first innings were a problem for him, or if it an issue facing batters the 2nd time around, and they are trying to build him up for success now, and then test him more later.

If they viewed him as only a reliever he is not getting typical reliever outings as noted. And it would odd for a draft HS pitcher to be relegated to just a middle/long reliever at such a low level so early in his career. I suspect there is a plan, and I would hope he will be tried as a starter this year or next.