Brewers Minor League Link Report (7/3): Crow, Wichrowski and Smith All Solid, But Affiliates Drop 4 of 6

[Ro Mueller]

Image courtesy of Biloxi Shuckers

The United States of America is 249 years old! Happy Independence Day and holiday weekend to all readers.

Transactions:

• RHP Coleman Crow activated from AAA Nashville’s 7-day injured list
• RHP Craig Yoho optioned to AAA Nashville from MLB Brewers

INF Luis Pena appears to have avoided the worst from his Wednesday hit-by-pitch, so hopefully we’ll see him return to Carolina’s lineup relatively soon. 

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Memphis 7, Nashville 6
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: Lead Slips From Sounds on Thursday Night

26 months after RHP Coleman Crow’s injury with the AA Rocket City Trash Pandas put his career on pause, and 19 days since his last appearance of 2025 (due to a brief injured list stint), Crow finally made his AAA debut – a highly impressive one though limited to 56 pitches over 4 shutout innings:

Ernesto Martinez Jr. has been struggling to regain his early season form, but lifted a 3-0 pitch into right field here for an early 1-0 lead:

3B Bobby Dalbec (2-for-4, RBI; .923 OPS with the Sounds) continues to make his case for a return to the Show, pushing Nashville’s lead to 3-0 here in the 3rd inning by plating OF Jared Oliva (0-for-1, 3 walks, SB):

Nashville had control of this game, leading 6-1 in front of 11,415 home fans after 5 innings, but three Redbirds’ homers in the 6th and 7th fully turned the tide, the last a 2-out grand slam off RHP Vinny Nittoli (1 2/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) to score three runners inherited from LHP Bryan Hudson (1 1/3, 4 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks).

Sounds’ Extras:

• Nashville was out-hit 10-6 (all singles for the Sounds) and only produced two walks over the final 3 innings.
• OF Tyler Black (1-for-3, 2 RBIs) and DH Andrew Vaughn (1-for-3) each reached base with a single and walk.
• RHP Jesus Liranzo conceded 2 runs in 1 IP before handing over to Hudson, but LHP Tyler Jay delivered a 3-up, 3-down 9th inning.

Friday’s outlook: Nashville and Memphis will drive 3 hours west, where Memphis will host 3 games over this holiday weekend. RHP Tobias Myers (1.57 ERA with 16 Ks over last 17 IP) is scheduled to start tonight, with Nashville trailing this week’s series 2 games to 1.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Pensacola 2, Biloxi 1
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Shuckers Earn Series Win Behind Hardin's Five Shutout Innings

Biloxi out-hit Pensacola 7-5, had more extra-base hits (2-0) and stranded more baserunners (8 vs. 5), but struggled to get the clutch hit this time around.

22-year old RHP Brett Wichrowski had his second straight solid start, delivering 90 pitches and unfairly taking the Loss despite allowing only one earned run (5 2/3 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 5 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks).

@Terry analyzed Wichrowski's performance in the Minor League Forum, noting "Control is a lot better lately, and he is better than average in terms of generating whiffs (Whiff%/Swstr%). But the strikeouts are low because he struggles to put hitters away."

3B Zavier Warren added a 10th homer to his season that already has 10 stolen bases, giving Biloxi a 2nd inning lead:

He also had an interesting catch later in the contest:  

A very rare fielding error (just his 2nd of 2025) from OF Luis Lara on a single to center field helped the Blue Wahoos put the potential game-winning run in scoring position with nobody out in the bottom of the 6th inning, scoring on a single for a 2-1 deficit 2 batters later.

Strikeouts were Biloxi’s real undoing in this defeat, as they K’d 15 times versus just 5 for Pensacola.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• Well done to the bullpen of RHP Abdiel Mendoza and LHP Mark Manfredi to give the offense a chance to get back into it. They retired all 7 batters they faced, each striking out one.
• The Shuckers best opportunity to tack on more runs came via 1-out singles from C Darrien Miller (1-for-2, 2 walks) and Garrett Spain after Warren’s 2nd inning homer, but both were stranded (K, ground out). SS Cooper Pratt’s 3rd inning triple also went for naught.
• The only late opportunity came via 1B Mike Boeve (single – 2-for-4) and Warren (error) reaching base with 2 outs in the 8th inning, but Miller wasn’t able to bring ‘em home (K swinging)

Friday’s outlook: The Shuckers and Blue Wahoos travel west back to Biloxi for three games, with LHP Tate Kuehner (2.64 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 10.2 K/9 in 71 2/3 IP) set for the 4th of July start.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Beloit 12, Wisconsin 5
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Rattlers Go Out of Control in Loss at Beloit

Down to 13 active pitchers on the roster, this was not the outing that Wisconsin needed, as starting RHP Ryan Birchard struggled over 1 2/3 IP, RHP Jack Seppings walked in 2 inherited runners and RHP Miles Langhorne retired none of the 5 hitters he faced.

RHP Bayden Root was the team’s biggest bright spot, retiring 9 of 10 batters faced (0 BB, 2 Ks), during which Wisconsin cut the gap from 7-0 to 7-3. Root was also credited with an extra out and stranding 2 inherited runners, thanks to Beloit’s failed double steal to end the 4th inning.

Four walks and 2 hit-by-pitches (no hits) produced the 3 Wisconsin runs in the 6th inning, but they stranded the bases loaded down 7-3.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• Per the linked game report, Langhorne was visited by three coaches after his uncharacteristic 8th inning struggles. We hope he’s healthy and back getting big outs soon. Until then, might we see RHP Nick Merkel shift his rehab from the Arizona Complex League to Wisconsin?
• OF Kay-Lan Nicasia reached base 3 times (2 walks, 1 HBP, SB), while each of 1B Blake Burke (double, single, RBI), 3B Jadher Areinamo (single, walk, RBI) and OF Luiyin Alastre (single, HBP, RBI) came aboard twice. Alastre also came to the mound to get the final 3 outs of the 8th inning, including a K swinging.
• This was C Victor Torres’ 2nd game of the 2025 season. Principally the Biloxi bullpen coacher this year, Marco Dinges’ hamstring injury has forced Torres into action.

Friday’s outlook: Wisconsin and Beloit head up to Grand Chute for 3 games hosted by the Timber Rattlers, with RHP Jaron DeBerry (3.49 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 10.2 K/9 in 38 2/3 IP in Low-A and High-A) scheduled to start tonight.

Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Carolina 3, Fayetteville 1
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Pitching Lifts Mudcats Past Fayetteville

Pushed to season highs of 81 pitches and 6 innings, starting RHP Travis Smith worked around a game-opening walk and faced just 18 batters over the first 5 frames.

3B Filippo Di Turi’s 2-out RBI single gave Carolina a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning, through a throwing error and balk allowed the Woodpeckers to tie the contest in the top of the 6th inning.

OF Jose Anderson doubled and scored on OF Tyler Rodriguez’s sac fly in the bottom of the 6th inning to ultimately give Smith (6 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 4 H, 3 BB, 5 Ks) his first professional Win.

Four walks and a SS Jesus Made infield single produced just one run in the Mudcats’ 7th inning, but that gave some breathing for bullpen of RHPs Bryan Rivera (2 IP, 3 Ks) and LHP Anfernny Reyes.

Rivera and Reyes both allowed a double and walk in the 8th and 9th innings, but escaped via a ground out and K swinging, respectively.

Mudcats’ Extras:

• Every Carolina batter reached base via hit, walk or HBP to keep the pressure on Fayetteville.
• DH Reece Walling (0-for-2, 2 walks) returned to action for the first time since exiting early on June 24. He now has 26 hits and an astounding 50 walks on the season.
• 1B Eric Bitonti went 0-for-3, but walked and stole 2 bases to give him 14 SBs in 2025.

Friday’s outlook: Carolina and Fayetteville head one hour south, where Fayetteville will host 3 more games in this week’s series. 18-year old RHP Ethan Dorchies (1.96 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 11.5 K/9 in 36 2/3 IP in the ACL and Low-A) is set for tonight’s start, with Carolina aiming for a 3-1 series lead.

Final: DSL Brewers Blue 10, DSL CLE Mendoza 2
Box Score and Game Log

Borrowing a few notes from @Jim Goulart in the Brewer Fanatic Minor League Forum:

Blue romped 10-2 behind five perfect innings for 17-year-old Colombian RHP Carlos Galindo (1 K) in his start. Another 17-year-old, second baseman Leonard Rijo, was a home run shy of a cycle (3-for-4, HBP, 2 RBIs).

OF Frandy Lafond had a similar line with a 3-for-4 day, double, HBP and 2 RBIs, while 1B Jefer Lista went 2-for-3 with 2 walks and an RBI. Lafond also added an outfield assist.

The Blue squad’s 4-run 6th inning, which started via 2 walks and 2 HBPs essentially put the game out of reach, highlighted by 3B Joan Gutierrez’s 2-run single (2-for-4 day for him).

18-year old RHP Lukas Gonzalez conceded 2 runs over 3 innings (season ERA 3.72), but did produce 4 strikeouts. The Blue Men improved to 11-11 on the season and the teams will square off again at 10:00am on Friday.

Final: DSL Rojos 6, DSL Brewers Gold 3
Box Score and Game Log

C Isais Chavez doubled and scored to give the Golden Men a 1-0 lead in the 2nd inning, but that was the team’s only hit through 5 1/3 innings. 18-year old RHP Jose Arias got the start and produced a respectable line over 4 frames: 2 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 5 Ks.

OF Alexander Frias (2-for-4, SB) singled home 1B Jonathan Rangel (1-for-3, walk, RBI, SB) to cut the deficit to 4-2 in the bottom of the 6th inning and put the potential game-tying runners on 2nd and 3rd base with 1 out. Alas, 2 swinging strikeouts followed and they were amongst 10 stranded baserunners (vs. 6 LOB for Los Rojos).

DH Kenny Fenelon (1-for-5) doubled and scored on Rangel’s single to get within 4-3 with 2 outs in the 7th inning, but Rangel’s pinch runner was left at 2nd base and 2 more were stranded in the bottom of the 8th.

19-year old RHP Carlos Canales (3 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 1 H, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 4 Ks) retired 6 straight batters in relief, but also allowed a 9th inning RBI triple. The teams combined on 10 hits and 6 errors, while the Gold team falling to a record of 9-13.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. On Independence Day, 8 Brewers Minor League games are scheduled, commencing with a doubleheader for DSL Brewers Gold against DSL CLE Goryl at 9:00am CST. The ACL Brewers play at the ACL White Sox at 12:00pm CST, while the full season affiliates have late starts. The Milwaukee Brewers play at the Marlins at 6:10pm CST.

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[Jim Goulart]

"Birchard walked the next batter to load the bases before getting the second out of the frame on a flyout to center with the runners holding their spots. However, that was Birchard’s 35^th pitch of the inning and 49^th of the game. Wisconsin went to the bullpen for Jack Seppings to try to get out of the frame."

I contend that's got to be one of the toughest situations for a reliever, most likely with insufficient time to prepare - a manager can't easily foresee a starter inning pitch count buildup in time to get an arm properly ready. As the game summary and box score reveals, it all led to a 23rd birthday outing that Seppings will wish to forget.

[Jim Goulart]

From June 1st - 24th, LHP Bryan Hudson had eight of nine outings scoreless with AAA Nashville. But in his last two appearances, 1.2 IP, 6 H, 9 R, 3 BB.

[biedergb]

With Crow and Hardin pitching well recently, and moving up the chain they seem like current front runners for minor league pitchers of the year (like Hunt and Yoho had a lot of buzz this time last year). Which begs the question of is this a good thing? I mean yes it is, but there is not a lot of great success from the recent Pitcher of Year (or co-pitchers) in the past few seasons. 

In 2015 - 2017 there were three pitchers who had good success (even if Lopez was delayed and not with the Brew Crew

2015: Jorge Lopez
2016: Brandon Woodruff
2017: Corbin Burnes

Then in 2018 it was Zac Brown, who did not have an MLB career at all
2019 was Andy Ashby with mixed results in his mostly injured riddled career.
And 2020 none was awarded

But from 2021 on it has been given to pitchers whose subsequent seasons have not fared as well as hoped:

2021: Ethan Small - struggled in 2022 and eventually traded out of the organization. A bit more success than Zac Brown, but nowhere near what we would expect from a 1st rounder and Pitcher of the Year.
2022: Carlos Rodriguez - did well and was an award winner the next year.
2023: Carlos Rodriguez & Robert Gasser (co-pitchers of the year) - Carlos' MLB debut was less than encouraging (probably too early but injuries made him a call up) and Gasser got hurt last year after a very promising start.
2024: Craig Yoho & KC Hunt (co-pitchers of the year) - Yoho made his MLB debut but has had limited action and is trying to find his command and try to become the elite reliever he looked like last year, and Hunt has not been able to replicate his rise last year, and is still struggling with consistency in AA where he excelled late last year.

Maybe 2024 and on will start a trend like 2015 - 2017. But feels like a mini-"Madden" curse for the pitchers.

(FWIW - the hitters have mixed results with the obvious of Chourio winning in '22 along, and '23 with Black who has struggled, and '21 was Wiemer with a good season in '23, but the '24 awardees are holding their own this year, and will not name them because I'll blamed myself for jinxing them if I say anything )

[Jim Goulart]