Brewers Minor League Link Report (7/26): Nice Wins at the Upper Levels

[Jim Goulart]

Image courtesy of BrewerFanatic

Transactions: 

• Milwaukee Brewers optioned 3B Tyler Black to Nashville Sounds.

Also, while not yet an official injured list transaction:

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Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Nashville 5, Charlotte (White Sox) 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 End Scoreless Streak in Nail-Biting Win Over Knights - Delgado collects first home run, Dalbec notches another multi-hit game

First of all, hello to all, and I know you're out there, who remember those 2005 Link Reports via these keyboard hands. Make time for this.

Manager Frank Kremblas was a bit of a young renegade. He'd later manage in the Pirates' system, but only through 2013. He's just 58 today, wonder what he's up to and hope he's doing well.

The linked game summary does well to convey that Logan Henderson has hit a bit of a soft patch despite continuing to rack up victories. Nothing egregious, as his game log indicates, just uneven. Hopefully once the trade deadline passes, all will exhale, and we'll see renewed excellence from the 23-year-old.

In the "don't be fooled by the 3.33 ERA" category, RHP Elvis Peguero has inherited eight baserunners at AAA this year, and all eight have scored, including Henderson's two baserunners here. Nightmare flashbacks to the Crew's 2024 season. Peguero would be a clear candidate should the 40-man roster be in need of a removal, although it appears the organization managed to not utilize his 2024 option (by a day), and Fangraphs still shows him with an option year remaining.

Magic wand, please? If we could only flip Bobby Dalbec into a left-handed batter, he'd slot in perfectly alongside Andrew Vaughn (the Brewers only rostered first baseman at the moment) and Caleb Durbin, not to mention corner outfield support.

You'll find a few video clips at the Nashville "X" timeline from this contest.

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Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Biloxi 7, Rocket City (Angels) 2
Box Score and Game Log

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

Pitching Stars, Pratt Reaches Five Times as Shuckers Clinch Series Win - Wood crushes fourth home run in comeback win

Yeah, yeah, yeah, there was a game. Can we focus on this for a moment?

Re-visit that Media Notes link above, always glorious when viewed with the "Beach Chickens" color overlay. The Miz bobble would be wonderful even without the seagull-themed palette, but it's magnificent with. I am not a collector but am now inspired to obtain this singular item. Early pricing is spiked, however.

Pardon the upcoming mini rant. The Mrs. is a registered nurse, so I get the whole HIPPA privacy thing. It's the specific reason the Brewers media guide (now sadly online only) no longer lists the specific injury each player missed time for. (Side note - it's also why MiLB came up with the "Development List", rather than the phantom IL list.)

Mike Boeve is on the active roster but last played two weeks ago today. Luke Adams' sliding into home plate shoulder contusion happened over five weeks ago on June 19th. Reliever Chase Costello wasn't a Pipeline 30 guy, but a valued member of the pen and we know how those guys can vault into prominence with dominant stretches. He's been sidelined since his May 23rd appearance. Do we even know exactly what Eric Brown Jr.'s long-term injury has been? Tyson Hardin's IL stint as of earlier this week is understandably recent for details, but don't hold your breath. And that's just part of the names associated with Biloxi - we could look up and down the system for other examples. 

I'm not sure what I'm even asking for beyond an escape from the curiosity. I do know I'm asking for health and maximizing potential for all the young men. End of rant.

Cooper Pratt's OBP was lifted to .343 with his big night (plus he stole his 21st base in 24 tries). Matt Wood, Darrien Miller, Nate Peterson and Zach Peek all had big games. Via the Shuckers "X" feed, they all looked amazing performing as such. It was a good game, read about it via the link above ?.

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Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes (download link)
Final: Wisconsin 6, Quad Cities (Royals) 3, 7.5 innings, rain
Box Score and Game Log

Five-Run Second Inning Jump Starts Rattlers - Wisconsin wins rain-shortened game over the River Bandits

Chris' Brewers-specific relationship began with the 2009 affiliation change, but his ties to the Appleton franchise pre-date that by quite a bit. Thanks for your dedication, wow!

With an extended road stretch, there's been a mini drought of extended Timber Rattlers media. That was rectified late this week.

Beyond that, yes, there was a game Saturday and the team's "X" file of highlights is up as well.

And yes, because today's Link Report is focusing on all the supplemental media, be sure to enjoy the linked game summary and box score above. Rattlers win!

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Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Kannapolis (White Sox) 5, Carolina 4, ten innings
Box Score and Game Log

Kannapolis Downs Mudcats in Extra Innings

Man, we were on a winning roll there. 

A Sunday lineup on a Saturday? Didn't play: Jesus Made, Luis Pena, Braylon Payne. Not in the starting line-up (pinch ran): Jose Anderson.

Yet the game was tied 4-4 through seven before the fateful 10th. Must have been tempting to look at those dugout choices late.

In many years, we'd see a top three of Adamczewski, Eric Bitonti and Filippo Di Turi and think that was sufficient top-end depth. Shows us how amazing this Mudcats roster is overall.

That being said, Reece Walling (playing right field) walked, and he's very good at that. But it was otherwise a rough day at the plate, as the Latin-hat themed "K" column will show you. As this forum post informs, batting Walling in the cleanup spot was indeed a choice, hopefully to spark the 21-year-old moving forward.

Now we anxiously await the true Sunday lineup. It is the final pre-trade deadline weekend, after all.

That's three consecutive very solid starts for 19-year-old 2024 2nd round right-hander Bryce Meccage, as his game log indicates.

This didn't help matters:

• Team RISP: 2-for-12.
• Team LOB: 10

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DSL Red Sox Red 15, DSL Brewers Blue 2
Box Score and Game Log

This was a rematch from Friday's game. Isn't it ironic (hi, Alanis) that Friday's 2-0 Blue loss was a seven-inning game where more chances would have been nice, while this blowout went the full nine?

All-Star RHP Steven Duran met difficulty for the first time. Five walks and four HBP's? Yeah, that qualifies as difficulty. This was Duran's first outing as a 17-year-old. Similar to Jacob Misiorowski, Duran had only made five appearances before his All-Star nod. You do wonder if the organization nudges the league into certain player choices.

I was wondering if any of those HBP's led to injury exits for Red Sox players. Their leadoff man was replaced after the first inning, but he had grounded out, so no related outcome there.

Brewer relievers inherited five baserunners, all scored. Gotta pick up your buddies occasionally.

Outfielder Gerlyn Payano, a $350,000 2025 signing out of the Dominican Republic, turned 17 in June. The left-handed bat last played back on July 8th. He was pulled after striking out swinging in the 6th inning of that day's game.

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DSL Cleveland Mendoza 8, DSL Brewers Gold 3, ten innings
Box Score and Game Log

Similar to Friday, a loss to a Guardians club, but this was a different flavor of the Cleveland DSL collection. Similar to Friday, the Gold was touched for eight runs, but in this game five of those markers came in the disastrous extra frame.

With the ghost runner aboard, this was a very DSL-ish top of the 10th. 

• Walk
• Walk
• HBP
• Walk
• Pitching Change
• Walk
• K
• Run-scoring fielder's choice
• Double-steal, including home plate
• Wild Pitch
• Walk
• Merciful flyout

19-year-old Venezuelan RHP Albert Vargas, in his first year, had by far the strongest of his ten relief outings thus far, with three scoreless.

Second-year 2B/3B Juan Martinez, an 18-year-old out of Venezuela, has had a fantastic .299/.429/.964 season, but did not come out for the 10th inning after being out at the plate in the 8th in a wild sequence. (He apparently did play defense in the top of the 9th.) Something to monitor next week...

Jonathan Rangel grounds into a double play, first baseman Luis Galan to second baseman Luis Garcia to third baseman Jose Riera to catcher Hiverson López to shortstop Jefferson Vargas. Juan Martinez out at home. Isais Chavez to 3rd. Jonathan Rangel out at 1st.

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It's series finale day for the four full-season affiliates. Daniel of our team will have you covered when you wake up Monday AM. Have a great Sunday, everyone!

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]

22 minutes ago, Jim Goulart said:

I'm not sure what I'm even asking for beyond an escape from the curiosity. I do know I'm asking for health and maximizing potential for all the young men. End of rant.

I hear you Mass.  I know what I’m asking for - just to hear “yeah they’ll be ok, we just want them fully healthy when they are back but all is good”. And I know if with details we will never be fully reassured, but as a fan that’s what I really want to know- that these kids I’ve watching, rooted for and ‘pencil’ into my 202x brewers line up will be be good to go, good as new, and hopefully even better.

Quero injury - ugh. But that is his other shoulder -  non-throwing arm, so less long term ramifications I would hope.

 

And amazing Iron Man streak for Chris Mehring. Anyone who watches knows he is totally vested into the team. His excitement is contagious, and you do have to turn the volume down on some of those calls 😃

 

27 minutes ago, Jim Goulart said:

In many years, we'd see a top three of Adamczewski, Eric Bitonti and Filippo Di Turi and think that was sufficient top-end depth. Shows us how amazing this Mudcats roster is overall.

Seriously.  And that team is really a HS / or college freshman squad too, all key players are 18-20 years old. 
 

once again great write up.  Thanks to Jim, Joseph, Dan and Ben for these detailed and incredibly informative write ups - did I miss someone ?

[Jim Goulart]

The other factor with injury frustration is now that the Arizona Complex League is done, any rehabbers sent to Am-Fam Phoenix won’t be in formal transaction rehabs, though they could “invisibly” be nearing activation.

[Joseph Zarr]

Quote

Mike Boeve is on the active roster but last played two weeks ago today. Luke Adams' sliding into home plate shoulder contusion happened over five weeks ago on June 19th. Reliever Chase Costello wasn't a Pipeline 30 guy, but a valued member of the pen and we know how those guys can vault into prominence with dominant stretches. He's been sidelined since his May 23rd appearance. Do we even know exactly what Eric Brown Jr.'s long-term injury has been? Tyson Hardin's IL stint as of earlier this week is understandably recent for details, but don't hold your breath. And that's just part of the names associated with Biloxi - we could look up and down the system for other examples. 

I'm not sure what I'm even asking for beyond an escape from the curiosity. I do know I'm asking for health and maximizing potential for all the young men. End of rant.

Mike Boeve shelved for a multi-week absence you say? Isn't that an annual tradition at this point? Tis why he sadly left my arbitrarily weekly changing Top 20 List. If he can't stay healthy (and can't play defense at this point in time) that lack of availability impacts his reputation and status. Sadly, the same can be said for EBJ despite a better start to 2025. These two talented young men have earned that unsavory label of 'injury prone' as Brewers. It obviously isn't their fault but it definitely is what it is.