Brewers Minor League Link Report (9/14): Rodriguez Makes AA Debut and Dunn Slams Nashville to Victory

[Ro Mueller]

For the week, Nashville was a 5-1 series winner over Gwinnett and Biloxi captured their final series of the regular season 4 games to 2 at Birmingham.

Transactions:

• RHP Manuel Rodriguez promoted to AA Biloxi from High-A Wisconsin
• RHP Stiven Cruz assigned to High-A Wisconsin from AA Biloxi

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Nashville 7, Gwinnett 2
Box Score and Game Log

Via a Sounds’ press release, game details and we encourage readers to review affiliate write-ups as part of their Link Report routine: Dunn's Grand Slam Hoists Sounds Over Stripers in Final Home Game of the Year

Although they’d already captured the series over Gwinnett with Saturday’s victory and LHP Bruce Zimmermann was starting on 4 days’ rest, Zimmermann and his teammates stepped out to trounce the Stripers in front of 7,549 Nashville fans enjoying their last home game of the 2025 campaign.

As Zimmermann cruised through 5 uber-efficient innings (1 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 4 Ks in just 51 pitches), C Jeferson Quero was the first Sounds’ batter to reach base with a walk to leadoff the bottom of the 2nd inning, culminating in DH Oliver Dunn’s 104.7mph, 378-foot grand slam.

Seeing rare action at first base in this game, INF Raynel Delgado is only 25 years old and potentially earned himself a Major League contract this winter with his terrific last 54 games: .900 OPS in 203 plate appearances with 5 homers and 18 stolen bases:

Sounds’ Extras:

• LHP Brian Fitzpatrick (3-up, 3-down 6th inning), RHP Blake Holub (scoreless 7th inning) and Easton McGee all did their parts to keep Gwinnett’s bats quiet. With his 10-pitch, 3-strike out swinging 9th inning (peak velocity 93.7mph), McGee served notice that he’s ready to contribute in the MLB playoffs if called upon.
• Each of Dunn (2-for-3, HR walk, 4 RBIs), Delgado (1-for-2, walk, HBP, 2 RBIs, SB) and 2B Anthony Seigler (3-for-4, double, RBI) reached base 3 times, while OF Tyler Black also had 2 singles and 2 stolen bases.

Next week’s outlook: Nashville’s final series of the 2025 campaign takes them to Louisville to battle the Reds’ affiliate, with RHP Alexander Cornielle (3.81 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 8.7 K/9 in 127 2/3 IP) scheduled to make his second AAA start in Tuesday’s series opener.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Biloxi 3, Birmingham 2
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Late Heroics Lift Shuckers to Comeback Win in Regular Season Finale

Through 8 innings, the Shuckers had managed to produce only two singles, the first of which (by OF Bladimir Restituyo in the 3rd inning) was eliminated by a pick-off and the second (by 2B Eduardo Garcia in the 8th inning) was erased by a ground ball double play, unknowingly setting the stage for Biloxi’s 9th inning comeback.

Long before the comeback, starting RHP Manuel Rodriguez became the youngest pitcher (20 years, 37 days) in Biloxi franchise history (i.e. since 2015), impressing over 6 innings (2 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 4 Ks in 67 pitches) while helping the Shuckers preserve arms for their upcoming playoff series.

Birmingham manufactured a run in the 4th inning (HBP, SB, RBI ground out) and knocked a solo homer in Rodriguez’s final frame. 1B Luke Adams’ leadoff single in the 9th inning ignited the comeback, followed by DH Mike Boeve’s 1-out single and late-game substitute C Darrien Miller’s game-tying hit with the team down to its final strike.

Of course, OF Garrett Spain joined the party to give Biloxi the only lead they’d require as they clinched the series in front of 1,998 shocked road fans.

Excellent job by LHP Raul Alcantara (1 IP, 0 R, 2 Ks) and RHP Austin Roberts (2 IP, 0 R, 2 Ks) to lock down the final 3 innings, with Roberts striking out the final two batters to strand the potential game-tying runner at second base.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• Something of a master of control (88 Ks, 15 BB, 2 HBP in 89 2/3 IP this season), Rodriguez will likely be hoping to add some velocity this offseason to make himself a Rule 5 selection target in December 2026.
• Red-hot 1B Blake Burke and always-reliable OF Luis Lara rested on Sunday, while we’ve not gotten any word on SS Cooper Pratt’s health since exiting Wednesday’s game early. C Matt Wood departed this victory after 7 innings, though my colleague @Joseph Zarr thankfully didn’t note anything abnormal as Wood walked off the field after walking and being stranded in the 7th inning.
• SS Jesus Made had a rare 0-for-4, 2 K game, while OF Eric Brown Jr. went 0-for-3 while hitting into two ground ball double plays. The team will be counting on Made to come through in the playoffs, while it faces a difficult decision on the second base job (assuming Pratt remains out).

Next week’s outlook: The Shuckers’ best-of-3 playoff semifinal commences on Tuesday in Montgomery (6:35pm CST) before the teams return to Biloxi for games on Thursday and (if necessary) Friday. Expect RHP Brett Wichrowski (3.44 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 6.5 K/9 in 99 1/3 IP) to start the series opener.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. Monday is a rest day at all levels, before Nashville kicks off Tuesday action at 5:35pm CST.

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

View full article