Brewers Minor League Link Report (8/28): Birchard Dominates, Adams Returns and Zimmermann Wins in Thursday Action

[Ro Mueller]

Transactions:

• 1B/3B Luke Adams sent on rehab assignment to High-A Wisconsin

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Nashville 5, Charlotte 2
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: Sounds End Four-Game Skid Behind Zimmermann's Strong Start

C Jeferson Quero (2-for-4, double, RBI) continued his offensive surge and starting LHP Bruce Zimmermann (6 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 7 Ks in 93 pitches) cruised after escaping a first inning jam (stranded bases loaded), as the Sounds clawed back into their home series in front of 4,944 home fans.

Batting second, OF Tyler Black played the catalyst role well, reaching base three times (1-for-2, 2 walks), stealing a base and driving in a run to push Nashville’s lead to 4-0 by the 2nd inning. 1B Ernesto Martinez Jr. and 2B Ethan Murray also had solid days, combining to go 4-for-8 with a double and 3 RBIs.

RHP Craig Yoho gave the Knights a chance by walking 2 batters and allowing 2 singles in the top of the 7th inning, but he got a swinging K against dangerous Tim Elko (28 homers in 2025) to end that bases loaded threat with the game 5-2.

Sounds’ Extras:

• On the all-important MLB-readiness front, Jackson Chourio had a rest day and DH Rhys Hoskins went 0-for-4 with 2 Ks and a ground ball double play, so no, they would not likely have made a difference against the Diamondbacks on Thursday.
• Solid bullpen work by RHPs Blake Holub and Joel Payamps did not go unnoticed: combined 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 5 Ks.
• Nashville was 5-for-5 on stolen base attempts, with OF Jared Oliva and SS Raynel Delgado (1-for-2, 2 walks) each swiping a pair, though Delgado was also picked off by old friend Bryan Hudson. By contrast, Quero threw out the Knights’ only attempted base stealer to end the 6th inning.

Friday’s outlook: LHP Robert Gasser will throw again on 4 days’ rest, having gone 4 2/3 IP (2 R, 4 Ks) in 64 pitches on Sunday. Nashville needs a win to even this week’s series at two games apiece.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Montgomery 3, Biloxi 1
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Shuckers Drop Thursday Game to Biscuits in Montgomery

A third consecutive defeat at Montgomery might dishearten most clubs, but the Shuckers are getting healthy (welcome back DH Mike Boeve – first game in 3 weeks – 1-for-4 Thursday) and will be in the Southern League playoffs on September 16 regardless of what happens this week.

Starting RHP Brett Wichrowski allowed 3 runs for the 7th consecutive game, but was solid overall apart from the back-breaking 2-run homer in the 5th inning: 6 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 1 HBP, 3 Ks.

Rays’ prospect TJ Nichols was rather dominant, striking out 10 of 23 Shuckers, including the final 3 batters he faced in the 7th inning after SS Cooper Pratt (1-for-3, walk) had led off the inning with a double.

A Boeve single and Pratt walk with 1 out in the top of the 9th inning gave Biloxi a solid chance, but 1B Blake Burke ground into a double play to end it.

When teams combine to go 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position, the little things are magnified:

• 2nd inning error by Burke, which contributed to an unearned run
• Biloxi: 0-for-2 on stolen base attempts vs. 1-1 for Montgomery

Shuckers’ Extras:

• Kudos to RHP Abdiel Mendoza for two solid innings of relief: 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 4 Ks.
• About those playoffs, the results this week have put Montgomery in the second half driver’s seat, so Biloxi may well face old friends Jadher Areinamo and Gregory Barrios again in mid-September.
• We do have one defensive highlight:

Friday’s outlook: 2024 third round pick RHP Jaron DeBerry has found a new gear since his August 5th promotion (1.50 ERA with 26 Ks in 24 IP in AA ball), including tossing 7 scoreless innings with 9 Ks last week. He’s scheduled to start and help lead Biloxi back from its 3-0 series deficit.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wisconsin 3, Quad Cities 2
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Wisconsin Snaps Losing Skid with 3-2 win

Wisconsin’s media team has put together video highlights from their series-altering home win on the first night of Bratoberfest:

Also be sure to catch the 27-minute Mehring/Lobner post-game podcast, featuring rehabbing 1B Luke Adams, RHP Ryan Birchard and Manager Victor Estevez

5,200 home fans were treated to a Win, the return of hard-charging Adams (2-for-3, 2 doubles, walk, 2 RBIs in his first game since June 19) and 22-year old RHP Ryan Birchard’s best outing of 2-year minor league career: 7 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 8 Ks in 83 pitches.

In every facet, 18-year old SS Jesus Made (3-for-5, double) reminded us yet again that he is the real deal, singling and scoring in the 5th inning to give Wisconsin the lead after flashing some defensive chops an inning earlier.

Of course, with Wisconsin scoring just 3.97 runs/game in 2025, things were bound to get interesting late and RHP Yerlin Rodriguez (2 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 WP) and LHP Anthony Flores obliged with adventurous 8th and 9th innings. Thankfully Flores induced the game-ending fly out to strand 2 baserunners.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• Out-hitting the opposition 10 to 2 means that Wisconsin had a number of other offensive contributions (e.g. DH Andrew Fischer single, walk, HBP, SB; C Andrick Nava double, walk; 3B Juan Baez single, walk) and that they stranded many (12 left-on-base vs. 3 for the River Bandits).
• Although Adams was thrown out at home in the 5th inning, at least he protected his recently-healed shoulder (injured in a home plate collision in June) and should be ready to go for subsequent games.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Bishop Letson (1.45 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 10.2 K/9 in 31 IP) is scheduled for his 3rd start since his return from injury, with the Wisconsin needing a win to even this week’s series.

Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Delmarva 6, Carolina 2
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Big Innings Lifts Delmarva Past Mudcats

One bad inning (a 5-run second frame, with 7 consecutive batters reaching) was too much for Carolina to overcome, despite striking out a whopping 17 Shorebirds (vs. 6 Ks for the Mudcats).

Starting 18-year old RHP Ethan Dorchies was helped by 2 outs on the bases to escape that rough 2nd inning (OF Braylon Payne outfield assist, C Kevin Garcia caught stealing), ultimately rebounding to get through 5 innings (6 R, 6 H, 3 BB, 8 Ks).

OF Tyler Rodriguez’s 2-out double was Carolina’s only extra-base hit and brought home 2 runs in the 4th inning, but the Shorebirds gunned down a baserunner at home on the play to maintain a formidable 4-run advantage. From that point, Carolina put at least one baserunner on in each of the 5th through the 8th innings, but clutch hits were lacking on a 3-for-29 evening at the plate.

RHPs Bryan Rivera (3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 8 Ks) and Garrett Hodges (1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K) were stellar in relief and will hopefully be rewarded with Wins and Saves in future dominant outings.

Mudcats’ Extras:

• You’d think that dropping 6 of 8 games might have dented Carolina’s playoff chances, but Fredericksburg and Fayetteville also lost, so Carolina remains tied atop the standings with 10 games remaining.
• That said, the Mudcats really need to pick things up, especially understanding that the next 3 home games are the last ones in Zebulon before the club moves to Wilson, North Carolina in 2026.

Friday’s outlook: LHP Wande Torres (5.26 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 9.4 K/9 in 77 IP) is due to make his 22nd start of 2025, still seeking that elusive consistency: 3 2/3 IP, 2 R, 5 Ks in 76 pitches last week. A victory for Carolina would even up this week’s series.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. On Friday, Carolina starts things off with a 5:30pm CST contest and the Milwaukee Brewers play at Toronto in a battle of heavyweights at 6:07pm CST.

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[Joseph Zarr]

Luke Adam back is the gift we need for the Biloxi playoff experience. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Areinamo is so far 0-for-12 with 5 K vs his old organization. And, I already regret typing this. 4-for-4, 1 2B, 1 HR incoming.

[Ro Mueller]

38 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Luke Adam back is the gift we need for the Biloxi playoff experience. 

I’m unnaturally excited to see that playoff lineup: Adams, Pratt, Wilken, Burke, Lara, Boeve, Spain, Wood, Warren (last played Sunday), etc…

[Joseph Zarr]

2 minutes ago, Ro Mueller said:

I’m unnaturally excited to see that playoff lineup: Adams, Pratt, Wilken, Burke, Lara, Boeve, Spain, Wood, Warren (last played Sunday), etc…

Frankly, I am most unnaturally excited by the possibility Made and Fischer are sent upon season's to form the Super Line-Up😅 I mean EBJ is back on the IL. They 'need' the bodies.

[biedergb]

12 hours ago, Ro Mueller said:

5,200 home fans were treated to a Win, the return of hard-charging Adams (2-for-3, 2 doubles, walk, 2 RBIs in his first game since June 19) and 22-year old RHP Ryan Birchard’s best outing of 2-year minor league career: 7 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 8 Ks in 83 pitches.

@Ro Mueller- I will quibble here. You go with the standard headline, and 4 paragraphs in before mentioning that stat line. Birchard was throwing a no-hitter for 7 innings, and I honestly think he could have gone for the 8th innings (he could do 95ish pitches), but no need to risk anything for him and get him out on a high note sure.

I watched maybe 4th inning on, and was in awe of how he was  last night. He had his Birchard-esque moments of non-competitive pitches with a little drift away or sometimes too high. But man 80% of the time he was locked in, and the batters were just fooled. What an incredible night by a guy who has often received the criticism/critiques because of high pitch count and too many walks (and non-competitive or wayward pitches that drift away)

[Ro Mueller]

5 hours ago, biedergb said:

@Ro Mueller- I will quibble here. You go with the standard headline, and 4 paragraphs in before mentioning that stat line. Birchard was throwing a no-hitter for 7 innings, and I honestly think he could have gone for the 8th innings (he could do 95ish pitches), but no need to risk anything for him and get him out on a high note sure.

I watched maybe 4th inning on, and was in awe of how he was  last night. He had his Birchard-esque moments of non-competitive pitches with a little drift away or sometimes too high. But man 80% of the time he was locked in, and the batters were just fooled. What an incredible night by a guy who has often received the criticism/critiques because of high pitch count and too many walks (and non-competitive or wayward pitches that drift away)

The post-game interviews were interesting as well, where Manager Estevez agreed that Birchard could throw 10-12 more pitches, but Pitching Coach O'Neal cautioned him that 7 innings was enough.

Birchard was relatively low-key (exhausted?) in his interview, saying that he couldn't pin-point exactly why everything clicked this particular day.

Sorry I didn't say more in the write-up. I figured the headline and youtube highlights told the main story!