Sun. 8/24: Hit the Gasser Pedal - But in Milwaukee or Nashville?

[Jim Goulart]

This thread will be utilized for any minor league news Sunday. 

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[Joseph Zarr]

Two banger thread titles in a row. We are so back!

[battlekow]

I sat next to a five-year-old girl from near Appleton on my flight from Milwaukee to Kansas City today. She was on her way to Montgomery to see her favorite player, Jadher Areinamo, play his former organization. It was surreal to chat prospects with a kindergartner. She knew her stuff! She calls Marco Dinges "Marco Dingers", and granted I'm not super plugged-in anymore, but if that's not his official nickname already it should be.

[Ro Mueller]

The Low-A Mudcats are underway in Sunday action, needing a win at Salem to salvage a 3-3 series draw. 18-year old RHP Tyler Renz (3.26 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 8.0 K/9 in 60.2 Low-A/ACL IP) starts and fellow 18-year old C Kevin Garcia has a 6-game hitting streak. 

[Ro Mueller]

High-A Wisconsin also needs a win at Beloit to forge a 3-3 series tie. RHP Travis Smith is on a solid 8-game run (1.54 ERA with 30 Ks in 41 Low-A/High-A IP). 2B Jesus Made has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games. 

[Ro Mueller]

Sorry, but it feels like playoff-chasing malpractice to sit Ragsdale 2 of the last 3 games, but of course maybe I’m missing some important context.

Mudcats have been no-hit thru 5 innings and have 3 errors. They trail 2-0.

In fact, 7 of the first 9 Carolina batters struck out.

The teams are in a rain delay halfway thru the 5th inning.

[Ro Mueller]

The AA Shuckers have won 3 in a row and can capture the home series over Chattanooga today. RHP Alexander Cornielle’s coming off 2 rough starts (combined 8 IP, 12 R, 16 H, 6 BB, 1 HBP, 5 Ks). DH Luis Lara has a .400 SLG in 88 August PAs. Zavier Warren is the likely 3rd baseman.

[Ro Mueller]

After the rain delay, the Mudcats tied it up with 3 singles and 2 walks in the 7th inning.

Unfortunately, their 6 errors were too much to overcome, allowing a 2nd unearned run of the game in the 8th inning to ultimately lose 3-2.

Tyler Renz, Bryan Rivera and Michael Fowler combined to allow 1 earned run over 9 innings. Gery Holguin broke his slump to register 2 singles and an RBI.

Carolina stranded 2 in the 6th, 3 in the 7th and 2 in the 9th to drop a tough game and series.

[Ro Mueller]

Clutch 2-out hits from Tayden Hall (solo homer in 6th inning), Josh Adamczewski (2-run double in 7th) and Luis Pena (RBI single in 7th) staked Wisconsin to a 4-0 lead.

 

Travis Smith. Stiven Cruz, Anthony Flores and Yerlin Rodriguez combined on 7 innings of shutout ball.

However, Beloit’s coming back against Rodriguez and Aaron Rund in the bottom of the 8th. Now 4-3, with a runner on 2nd base and 1 out.

[Ro Mueller]

15 minutes ago, Ro Mueller said:

Clutch 2-out hits from Tayden Hall (solo homer in 6th inning), Josh Adamczewski (2-run double in 7th) and Luis Pena (RBI single in 7th) staked Wisconsin to a 4-0 lead.

Travis Smith. Stiven Cruz, Anthony Flores and Yerlin Rodriguez combined on 7 innings of shutout ball.

However, Beloit’s coming back against Rodriguez and Aaron Rund in the bottom of the 8th. Now 4-3, with a runner on 2nd base and 1 out.

Aaron Rund got back-to-back Ks to escape the 8th, but a 1-out HBP and 2-run homer gave Beloit a walk-off 5-4 win and 4-2 series victory over Wisconsin

[Ro Mueller]

LHP Robert Gasser makes his 8th rehab start (4 IP, 0 R, 2 Ks in 52 pitches on Tuesday this week), aiming to help AAA Nashville finish off a 5-1 home series win over Louisville. Rehabbing DH Rhys Hoskins has homered in 2 of his last 3 games. 

[Joseph Zarr]

4 hours ago, Ro Mueller said:

Sorry, but it feels like playoff-chasing malpractice to sit Ragsdale 2 of the last 3 games, but of course maybe I’m missing some important context.

Mudcats have been no-hit thru 5 innings and have 3 errors. They trail 2-0.

In fact, 7 of the first 9 Carolina batters struck out.

The teams are in a rain delay halfway thru the 5th inning.

It's strange indeed but the reality is they are trying to find out what they have in their youth group. Ragsdale probably should be in High- taking innings from Alastre/Nicasia/Guilarte. Which gets into the fairly sobering low end depth of that Wisconsin OF at large. This was before Luis Castillo's likely injury and the challenges he was already facing vs High-A arms. What we've really been grappling with, however (from my vantage point), if I keep waxing unsolicitedly (😅)  is we see a very top heavy system and we also have some serious regressions happening. A large percentage of the youngest players have really found their current limitations and challenge - they are playing up in years, yes, but this is their trajectory and their paths within the org and they have often met their current plateaus. With some major injuries to key players before and during the season the depth is being severely tested. Many of the players have simply not stepped up to the challenge. We also are witnessing a system that just really hasn't played any semblance of consistent winning baseball stateside throughout the second half. The Mudcats were essentially the only winning team and they've seen their heavy hitters promoted to a team in Wisconsin that has had an underperforming pitching staff essentially all season long. As one example: How long can the Brewers continue to validate rostering the RHP Yerlin Rodriguez sideshow? Another 4.0 WHIP inning. At least no wild pitches or hit batters? Is that our success matrix here? The man has wellllllll more than nine lives. It's extremely strange to see the massive amount of opportunities he is given - and high leverage opportunities no less. It's extremely  fair and honest to opine there is zero consistency or lasting improvements here. The narrative, for me personally, around him is just a bit tired at this point. RHP Aaron Rund is a 26-year-old struggling in his second season at Wisconsin. Etc. etc.

These are depth issues and a multitude of regression issues from my vantage point.

[Ro Mueller]

31 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

What we've really been grappling with,

...is 3 tough one-run losses in a row today! 😥 - Mudcats, Timber Rattlers, Brewers.

C'mon Shuckers and Sounds!

[Ro Mueller]

Blake Burke opposite field solo homer: 

 

[Ro Mueller]

Blake Burke grand slam!! 

 

[Ro Mueller]

Terrific outing by Alexander Cornielle: 5 IP, 0 runs, 5 singles, 0 BB, 0 HBP, 2 Ks in 71 pitches.

[Joseph Zarr]

45 minutes ago, Ro Mueller said:

Blake Burke grand slam!! 

 

What are we going to ignore the first Double-A stolen base?! 🤭

[Joseph Zarr]

Liranzo's first earned run allowed since July 3rd allowed today in the 9th. That was a 16 outing stretch. Heck of a run!

[biedergb]

Does Biloxi have something in the water or is there some tonic there - DeBerry and Burke both doing the things that they couldn’t in Wisconsin - DeBerry it was his WHIP (or really a big inning) and Burke HRs - so that is a nice development.

But a bunch of close losses particularly by two teams in playoff contention- the top and lowest rung teams - have me feeling blue. 

[biedergb]

14 hours ago, Joseph Zarr said:

These are depth issues and a multitude of regression issues

Regression will always happen.  And the depth issue is one that is real, but while there is a real true depth of prospects, there is a dearth of depth in the actual rosters - many a night we have witnessed depleted bullpens or non-existent benches.  The drafting strategy is certainly clear and may be ideal to serve the organization as a whole (at least the parent club), but limits the affiliates, particularly at the lower level with the lack of some older bats or added arms.

Yerlin is a good example @Joseph Zarr - clearly an electric arm and maybe just maybe he can turn it around but he hasn’t in now 2 full seasons.  Alastre on the position player side is my example, as he was doing well in Carolina but had to be bumped up early in the season (I can’t remember what injury prompted that) and has been mostly overmatched, and this had led to the even younger Lameda/Rodriguez seeing regular playing time as opposed to being bench roles.

I have wondered if this aggressive placement (age wise) is a possible detriment- and there are pros and cons. As Bill Parcells once said “If they don’t bite when they’re puppies, they usually won’t bite” so maybe if they don’t succeed we know earlier and then plan accordingly?

Maybe I’m just down from watching a lot of non-competitive TRats and Mudacts games while the pro club is mired in its first real ,losing streak since May. (Yikes I moved my daughter out from college in May and mid May they start winning; I’m moving her back up and a week ago the losing commenced - sheesh it’s me 😳)

And I may not be alone as this seems like the slowest week in the minor league forum in a while. August has brought some great minor league memories and developments, and this year seems a little slower (a lot of that due to injuries), and perhaps expectations.  Oh well, this old man will end his rant. Let’s go Brewers, Sounds, Shuckers, Timber Rattlers, and Mudacts.

[SF70]

42 minutes ago, biedergb said:

Regression will always happen.  And the depth issue is one that is real, but while there is a real true depth of prospects, there is a dearth of depth in the actual rosters - many a night we have witnessed depleted bullpens or non-existent benches.  The drafting strategy is certainly clear and may be ideal to serve the organization as a whole (at least the parent club), but limits the affiliates, particularly at the lower level with the lack of some older bats or added arms.

Yerlin is a good example @Joseph Zarr - clearly an electric arm and maybe just maybe he can turn it around but he hasn’t in now 2 full seasons.  Alastre on the position player side is my example, as he was doing well in Carolina but had to be bumped up early in the season (I can’t remember what injury prompted that) and has been mostly overmatched, and this had led to the even younger Lameda/Rodriguez seeing regular playing time as opposed to being bench roles.

I have wondered if this aggressive placement (age wise) is a possible detriment- and there are pros and cons. As Bill Parcells once said “If they don’t bite when they’re puppies, they usually won’t bite” so maybe if they don’t succeed we know earlier and then plan accordingly?

Maybe I’m just down from watching a lot of non-competitive TRats and Mudacts games while the pro club is mired in its first real ,losing streak since May. (Yikes I moved my daughter out from college in May and mid May they start winning; I’m moving her back up and a week ago the losing commenced - sheesh it’s me 😳)

And I may not be alone as this seems like the slowest week in the minor league forum in a while. August has brought some great minor league memories and developments, and this year seems a little slower (a lot of that due to injuries), and perhaps expectations.  Oh well, this old man will end his rant. Let’s go Brewers, Sounds, Shuckers, Timber Rattlers, and Mudacts.

Agree with your take here.

Organizational needs take precedence and with so much young prospect talent and unusually large numbers of injuries to top positional prospects that has left rosters short-handed at times, but that’s ok in the grand scheme of what the farm is for — development of prospect, talent for the big league team.

 

[biedergb]

41 minutes ago, SF70 said:

but that’s ok in the grand scheme of what the farm is for

Oh absolutely- I know  

but I want the farm system to be about me and my entertainment wishes 😂. let’s get them all back to winning games, and ideally wining by like 10-0 margins is what I request 😉

[Joseph Zarr]

1 hour ago, biedergb said:

Oh well, this old man will end his rant. Let’s go Brewers, Sounds, Shuckers, Timber Rattlers, and Mudacts.

You always were one of the more passionate T-Ray and Mudacts fans out there. I can respect a pioneer.😘

[snoogans8056]

2 hours ago, SF70 said:

Agree with your take here.

Organizational needs take precedence and with so much young prospect talent and unusually large numbers of injuries to top positional prospects that has left rosters short-handed at times, but that’s ok in the grand scheme of what the farm is for — development of prospect, talent for the big league team.

 

It also feels like the young guys are all burning out as the year goes on.

Let’s just get through with no more injuries and take it into the offseason.

Will be interesting to see if our draft strategy shifts a bit as we’ve got an absolute butt ton of young pitching, and not a lot of bats outside of the Dominican Complex.

[wibadgers23]

12 hours ago, biedergb said:

Does Biloxi have something in the water or is there some tonic there - DeBerry and Burke both doing the things that they couldn’t in Wisconsin - DeBerry it was his WHIP (or really a big inning) and Burke HRs - so that is a nice development.

It's strange because typically hitters go to Biloxi and really struggle but Burke has flourished since joining the Shuckers.