Brewers Minor League Link Report (7/19): T-Rats Rout Highlights the Day

[Jim Goulart]

Image courtesy of BrewerFanatic

Transactions: 

• Milwaukee Brewers sent LHP Robert Gasser on a rehab assignment to ACL Brewers.
• Milwaukee Brewers signed free agent LHP Bruce Zimmermann to a minor league contract and assigned him to Nashville Sounds.

Zimmermann quickly resigns after his opt-out allowed him to test free agent waters.

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Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Nashville 7, Indianapolis (Pirates) 4
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Sounds, game details, and we encourage readers to review affiliate write-ups as part of their Link Report routine:

Sounds Score Three Unanswered to Take Series Over Indians 

Chad Patrick needed 90 pitches to navigate five innings of three-run ball (two earned), and the bullpen was solid over the final four frames. Nice for the Brewers to have Craig Yoho in their back pocket for MLB depth, it's hoped his stuff (and MiLB results) will better translate to the big-league stage when called upon next.

The linked game summary spotlighted Bobby Dalbec's first-ever four-walk game, he played third base here. If anything (hope not) were to happen to Andrew Vaughn, Dalbec's RH bat and profile would make sense to find room on the 40-man for.

There was another Nashville sombrero of the golden variety, but it was a win on the night, so rather than a call-out here, we'll leave your box score curiosity to click away.

Do not be concerned by Jeferson Quero's exit for a pinch-runner after a late-game HBP. It was a standard situation in a tight ballgame.

Oliver Dunn played second base for the 4th time in 2025. He has a .572 OPS vs. LHP's in 56 ABs, so this hit was big - find a couple of other highlights at the team's "X" timeline:

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Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Montgomery (Rays) 1, Biloxi 0
Box Score and Game Log

Catch up with the latest Biloxi pre-game audio interview archives

Kuehner Turns in Strong Start in Shuckers Loss to Biscuits - Shuckers lefty tosses 5.2 shutout innings, strikes out six, lowers ERA to 2.45

There were only 12 baserunners combined in this game, just five for Biloxi. Matt Wood doubled on a line drive to right field with one out in the 1st. Cooper Pratt flied out to center, Zavier Warren popped out, and that was that. Those would be the Shuckers' only two at-bats with RISP all night long.

The Biscuits' one-run 8th inning "rally" began when a leadoff bunt back to LH reliever Brian Fitzpatrick resulted in in a single. Another bunt sacrificed that runner to second base, then this:

But Mommy, we just got here!

• T: 1:52.
• Att: 3,304.

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Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes (download link)
Final: Wisconsin 10, Cedar Rapids (Twins) 0
Box Score and Game Log

Wisconsin Wins Big in Cedar Rapids - Hall homers twice as Rodriguez pitches five scoreless in 10-0 victory

Enjoy that game summary, folks, as much as the T-Rats enjoyed performing in this game.

About that "enjoy", it's a nice collection of highlights awaiting at the team's "X" timeline, especially if former longtime big league catcher Toby Hall wants to catch both of his son's home runs. As for the direct video we'll say hello to newcomer catcher Andrick Nava, who finished 2-for-5 and given the final score, had no problem acclimating himself to new-for-him pitchers.

About those pitchers, way to go Manuel Rodriguez, Anthony Flores, and Aaron Rund. 

Rodriguez is still 19 years old for a couple more weeks, while the southpaw Flores is age 20 for this season. My goodness, since joining the Mudcats in 2024, in 135.1 innings, Rodriguez has allowed only 113 hits and 27 free passes (19 walks, 8 HBP's), a WHIP of 0.97.

At first, I didn't think the 2025 Rattlers had won many blowout games, but this was actually the 9th time they had won by six runs or more (game-by-game results).

We see you (again), Jadher. Likely so are 29 other organizations.

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Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Carolina 3, Delmarva (Orioles) 2
Box Score and Game Log

Mudcats Rally Past Delmarva

Except for a change at catcher in the nine-hole, Manager Nick Stanley rolled out the same big-name starting nine as on Friday night, and while the output generated just three runs for a successive night, there were 12 baserunners Saturday, although Braylon Payne's double (he also singled) was the lone extra base knock. These 'Cats also fanned 13 times at the plate. But Jesus Made and Luis Pena, along with LF Tyler Rodriguez, joined Payne in the multi-hit club.

Speed merchant updates:

Luis Pena now with 37 stolen bases in 44 attempts (one in this game)

Jesus Made now with 39 stolen bases in 46 attempts - however, Made hit the trifecta here, one SB, one CS, one pickoff. My box score beef - it's the same singular play!

• CS: Made (7, 3rd base by Menard/Tuft)
• PO: Made (2nd base by Menard).

Kudos to all three Mudcats arms - LHP Bjorn Johnson was excellent through 3.2 innings behind a mainly effective Wande Torres. While Johnson did allow one inherited runner to score, it was hardly a line drive -

Along with RHP Jose Nova for the save, the Carolina trio only walked one all night, fanning six.

Without Carolina player video for this one, it's worth your while to examine the top of the 7th and 8th inning game logs to get a sense of how those rallies netted the win.

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Final: ACL Brewers 5, ACL Guardians 0
Box Score and Game Log

Seems crazy, but the formal Complex League schedule for the Maryvale Brewers ends this Wednesday the 23rd. The team is currently only carrying three extra position players, two of whom are catchers. There will still be plenty of activity at American Family Fields of Phoenix, but if any big-league Brewers head there to rehab, we won't see formal lines in box scores after Wednesday.

The A-Crew managed just two singles, but they stranded nine thanks to six walks and two HBP's. Five at-bats came with RISP (0-for-5).

Jadyn Fielder, playing left field here, was on base three times, walking twice and getting plunked for the 10th time in this, his debut pro season. His OBP now sits at .426, and along with SS Jorge Quintana and RF Handelfry Encarnacion, can make the case to see action in Carolina down the stretch.

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The four full-season affiliates are in action Sunday, with the Timber Rattlers playing a traditional early-afternoon affair, others late-afternoon or in the case of Logan Henderson and Nashville, evening.

Look for the DSL All-Star Game box score here. Catcher Jonathan Rangel, RHP Steven Duran and LHP Joan Pena represent the Crew. Rangel is 18 years old, Pena 17, and Duran is just 16 years old, although he turns 17 this Thursday.

Have a nice day, everybody. Go Brewers in LA! 

Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores
Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth
Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth

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[biedergb]

4 minutes ago, Jim Goulart said:

• Milwaukee Brewers sent LHP Robert Gasser on a rehab assignment to ACL Brewers.
• Milwaukee Brewers signed free agent LHP Bruce Zimmermann to a minor league contract and assigned him to Nashville Sounds.

As alluded to yesterday - the starting pitching depth at the big league and AAA level is going to get more crowded with Zimmerman as AAA depth again, and Gasser joining C. Rodriguez and Cortes in rehabbing.  Still a lot of season to go, but a solid 5 man rotation at the bigs for now, and already 5 men in AAA with Cortes, it’s nice to see the potential of getting healthy and having a full complement of starters.

 

16 minutes ago, Jim Goulart said:

Nice for the Brewers to have Craig Yoho in their back pocket for MLB depth,

And Yoho looked sharp. First two pitches missed, but then threw 11 strikes (4 foul balls) of the next 13 pitches.  Had the first guy fooled on a change for a weak pop up, and the last struck out on a change I believe.

 

Still trying to figure out the plan with Bjorn Johnson as a multi inning reliever but not true piggyback set up either.  We will see. 

[Wicki]

When do you think we’ll see some promotions? Feel like there are a lot of players that should be promoted at every level right now. Kind of frustrating having a bunch of non prospects at AAA holding everything up. The whole dang infield could move up from Carolina, jahdier and Burke should be moved up, Pratt and Murray should be moved up and Adams and wilken too when they’re finally healthy. 
 

also has there been any news on letsons injury? 

[Joseph Zarr]

58 minutes ago, Wicki said:

When do you think we’ll see some promotions? Feel like there are a lot of players that should be promoted at every level right now. Kind of frustrating having a bunch of non prospects at AAA holding everything up. The whole dang infield could move up from Carolina, jahdier and Burke should be moved up, Pratt and Murray should be moved up and Adams and wilken too when they’re finally healthy. 
 

also has there been any news on letsons injury? 

Letson's original injury was considered mild shoulder discomfort. He was set to come off the IL, was throwing early week successful bullpen sessions (they even spoke about it in the T-Rats podcast) at the time. He was scheduled to come off IL and pitch on a Saturday. And, here we are. Clearly, his body - and, more importantly, his throwing shoulder - did not respond favorably enough after those early bullpen sessions. Obviously a real bummer but we never got further updates or news beyond that early road to recovery hiccup.

[Ro Mueller]

1 hour ago, Wicki said:

When do you think we’ll see some promotions? Feel like there are a lot of players that should be promoted at every level right now. Kind of frustrating having a bunch of non prospects at AAA holding everything up. The whole dang infield could move up from Carolina, jahdier and Burke should be moved up, Pratt and Murray should be moved up and Adams and wilken too when they’re finally healthy. 
 

also has there been any news on letsons injury? 

Last year, the main promotions took place in the period 5-15 days after the ACL season ended.

If this year follows a similar plan, we’ll see promotions starting from July 28, in advance of the games on July 29. 

[wiguy94]

I seem to be alone on the island that Blake Burke really doesn't deserve a promotion. This is a guy who is hitting for basically no power and still has an uncomfortable amount of swing and miss in his game.

[Joseph Zarr]

17 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

I seem to be alone on the island that Blake Burke really doesn't deserve a promotion. This is a guy who is hitting for basically no power and still has an uncomfortable amount of swing and miss in his game.

I don't disagree with you. He obviously has power and has had moments where he has accessed the power but he certainly hasn't done so in a consistent manner. I agree on the swing and miss as well - certainly not Wes Clarke problematic but he misses more in the zone than we'd like. However, I think we can also point to numerous times in the past several seasons when prospects have been promoted when their underlying numbers might say they should have stayed in their respective levels. Burke is at least hitting even if we are looking for a different quality. Did Murray 'deserve' his original call up? Did Zamora 'deserve' the Triple-A call up? For me, Burke would qualify first and foremost as a numbers game replacement promotion - ie if a Warren, for example, got a call up or Adams is out much longer than anticipated. Regardless, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if he got the call. And, as you are pointing out, it also wouldn't surprise me in the least if he spent the entire year in Wisconsin. It also wouldn't surprise me in the least if he was traded at the Deadline. If anyone truly deserves the call-up from the T-Rats, that person continues to be Jadher for me - who also may be traded at the deadline 😅. I think we're just in that liminal stage where the draft signings and the deadline simply need to pass before we actually have any semblance of clarity.

[jay87shot]

25 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

I seem to be alone on the island that Blake Burke really doesn't deserve a promotion. This is a guy who is hitting for basically no power and still has an uncomfortable amount of swing and miss in his game.

He is hitting over .300 with a near .400 obp. He does have 20 2B, if I remember correctly his exit velo has been fine just not lifting the ball. He can still work on that in AA. The strikeouts are a little high averaging 1 per game but not aggregish.

 

Lots of good things from yesterday, get Gasser back, Payne staying hot (Made/Pena multi hit), Kuehner and ManRod's great starts, and others.