Brewers Minor League Link Report (4/9): Burke, Made and Leonard Star in Wins for Biloxi and Nashville

[Ro Mueller]

Image courtesy of BrewerFanatic

Transactions:

• LHP Shane Drohan optioned to AAA Nashville from MLB Brewers
• INF Ethan Murray placed on AAA Nashville’s 7-day injured list
• C Andrick Nava activated by AAA Nashville from Development List

You’ll also find some health updates on RHP Jacob Morrison, RHP Melvin Hernandez and INF/OF Eduardo Garcia thanks to @ARobsBrewCrew in the Minor League Forum.

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Nashville 6, Gwinnett 3
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: Leonard Homers Twice in Sounds Win Over Gwinnett

While Nashville out-hit the Stripers 13-to-6 and also won the strikeout battle with 13 Ks for Sounds’ pitchers, they nearly got too far behind as RHP Coleman Crow allowed 3 runs in the 5th inning to trail 3-1 before allowing a leadoff walk and double in the bottom of the 6th inning.

Thankfully Crow (5 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 7 Ks in relief) buckled down to register back-to-back Ks and a pop out to escape that 6th inning jam and SS Jett Williams (2-for-4, walk), OF Luis Lara (3-for-4, walk, SB) and Nashville’s offense immediately responded to tie the game half an inning later, with some help from a Gwinnett error.

Obviously, starting RHP Logan Henderson (3 1/3 scoreless, hitless innings with 5 Ks and 2 BB in 53 pitches) and 2B Eddys Leonard (2 solo homers to give Nashville leads of 1-0 and 4-3) were the standout performers in this contest.

OF Greg Jones (2-for-5, RBI), DH Ramon Rodriguez (2-for-4, double) and RHP Will Childers (retired both batters faced to lift his scoreless inning total to 4 this season, after 5 scoreless innings in MLB Spring Training) keep quietly getting the job done.

Sounds’ Extras:

• This was Henderson’s third outing in 10 days, after a 45-pitch effort on March 31 for Nashville and a 35-pitch spot start for the Brewers on April 4.
• After the Stripers ran wild on C Jeferson Quero (1-for-4, walk) and the staff on Tuesday (10 stolen bases), they only had one steal in this contest.
• The two teams combined to go 2-for-18 with runners in scoring position and strand 16 baserunners, but Gwinnett hurt themselves with 2 errors, an ill-timed wild pitch (extending the Sounds’ lead to 5-3 in the top of the 9th inning) and a balk.

Friday’s outlook: Though he was reportedly working through some bicep/tricep muscle soreness, LHP Robert Gasser (5 2/3 scoreless innings with 11 Ks in his last outing) is expected to make his first start since March 27, per the linked game report. Nashville aims to even the series at two games apiece.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Biloxi 15, Pensacola 3
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Shuckers Score 15 Runs in Blowout Victory over Blue Wahoos

As you’ve read, 22-year old 1B Blake Burke (3-for-5, 2 HR, double, 4 RBIs, SB) and 18-year old SS Jesus Made (3-for-6, 2 triples, 4 RBIs) continue to sizzle, leading the charge in this game to bring Biloxi back into the series after dropping the first two games.

22-year old RHP Ryan Birchard’s first career AA start (2nd appearance) was initially nerve-wracking as he allowed 4 walks and an infield single in the first 2 frames to trail 1-0, but he settled in nicely to retire his last 4 batters faced. Having a 6-1 lead can apparently calm a pitcher’s nerves.

There are plenty more offensive highlights on the Shuckers’ ‘X’ feed, as you’d expect when 2B Dylan O’Rae reaches base 4 times and has 2 RBIs, 3B Eric Brown Jr. reaches base thrice with 3 RBIs and every Biloxi starter reaches via hit or walk in their big win. The good guys even stole 6 bases in the contest.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• RHP Brett Wichrowski conceded 2 solo homers, but those were his only true blemishes in 5 innings of solid relief work (2 R, 7 H, 2 BB, 5 Ks). RHP Sam Garcia also tossed a 1-2-3 final inning to bounce back from a rough first outing of 2026 back on April 5.
• This was Mike Boeve’s first career Minor League appearance in the outfield since being drafted in the second round in 2023. If he keeps hitting (1-for-3, 2 walks, SB), the organization will find a way to get him on the field. Per the game log, only one baseball made found its way out to him in left field (a 7th inning single), so I guess the baseball gods decided to ease him in.
• The offense dominated despite red-hot OF Damon Keith (1.343 OPS through 23 PAs) getting a rest day. He had exited Wednesday’s contest in the 5th inning for a pinch runner after legging out an infield hit. Hopefully he’ll be back in action quickly.

Friday’s outlook: 21-year old RHP Bishop Letson looks to bounce back from his last start (1 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 1 K) and lead Biloxi to a 4-0 series-clinching win.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Quad Cities 11, Wisconsin 1
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Wisconsin Falls at Quad Cities

After Wisconsin lashed Quad Cities 9-1 on Wednesday, I guess the River Bandits decided to return the favor.

Starting 19-year old RHP Ethan Dorchies (2 1/3 IP, 5 R, 7 H, 0 BB, 2 HBP, 2 Ks) faced 11 batters in the first inning, but did eventually get out of it and even retire 5 straight Quad Cities batters at one point, before exiting after an infield single.

The Timber Rattlers nearly made a game of it when DH Marco Dinges singled and OF Josh Adamczewski walked to open the 4th inning with 2-on, nobody out, trailing 5-1, but Quad Cities went to their bullpen to escape that jam unscathed. In fact, they retired 10 straight Timber Rattlers before Wisconsin had a 2-on, 1-out opportunity in the 7th inning while still trailing 5-1 (a ground ball double play ended that threat).

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• Kudos to RHPs Yerlin Rodriguez (2/3 scoreless IP), Quinton Low (2 scoreless IP, 3 Ks) and Michael Fowler (1 2/3 scoreless IP, 4 Ks) for solid bullpen work. Unfortunately, RHP Bryan Rivera (1 1/3 IP, 6 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 1 K) couldn’t join them in that vein.
• Somehow 4 Wisconsin errors did not result in any unearned runs. Quad Cities was clean on the defensive side of the ball and even turned 3 double plays and had an outfield assist in a solid all-around game for them.
• Wisconsin’s offense produced just 4 singles, 3 walks and an 0-for-6 effort with runners in scoring position, as they’re saving up runs for the remaining 3 games of the series.

Friday’s outlook: 20-year old RHP Bryce Meccage will try to bounce back from his first outing (2 2/3 IP, 3 R, 1 K) and lead Wisconsin to a 3-1 series lead on the road.

Wilson Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Salem 2, Wilson 1
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Warbirds’ website, game details: Warbirds Drop Third Straight to Salem

The Warbirds certainly had their opportunities in this contest, going 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position, including coming up empty on bases loaded, nobody out opportunities in the 2nd and 7th innings.

Striking out 18 times versus just 5 Ks for the RidgeYaks was the big difference in this tight 2-1 contest.

19-year old RHP Miqueas Mercedes (4 1/3 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 3 BB, 4 Ks in 75 pitches) put in his second solid start of 2026, while RHP Garrett Hodges (3 2/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 3 BB, 1 K in 48 pitches) took the tough luck loss.

After a wild pitch gave Salem its first lead at 2-1 in the bottom of the 8th inning, 3B Filippo Di Turi did well to throw out a baserunner at home to keep it a 1-run contest. Unfortunately, a 3-up, 3-down top of the 9th inning followed to end it.

Warbirds’ Extras:

• The team’s 4 singles came from their 5 thru 9 batters in the lineup, as Wilson’s 1-5 hitters combined to go 0-for-17 with 4 walks and 13 strikeouts.
• OF Luiyin Alastre and 1B Eric Martinez each reached via a hit and a walk. Martinez’s infield single did score a run to produce a brief 1-0 lead, though it was unearned due to a Salem error.

Friday’s outlook: 19-year old LHP Enderson Mercado is scheduled to make his first start (second appearance) of 2026 (3 1/3 IP, 4 R, 4 Ks in his first outing), as the Warbirds need a win to prevent Salem from winning this week’s series.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. On Friday, Wilson gets the action started at 5:35pm CST, followed by Nashville (6:05pm), Wisconsin (6:30pm) and Biloxi (6:35pm). The Milwaukee Brewers host the Nationals at 6:40pm.

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[jay87shot]

Burke has some Yordan Alverez going on in his swing. I know it is too early for a call up but if he keeps this up for another week I would think he would force the issue.

 

[igor67]

I would think so as well for Burke he has just abused the Southern League. Basically a HR every 10 ABs. Bauers hasn't done much offensively other than the 2 HRs, so trying to see what we might have for options latter in the season at 1st is good.

[brewmann04]

I can't believe how bad Wilken is struggling it might benefit him with  some time off

[wibadgers23]

Burke missed a 3rd homerun last night by about two feet. Smacked a loud double to deep CF. I think the guy is ready for Nashville.

[Ro Mueller]

Here’s the video of Wilson’s lone run in yesterday’s contest (on an infield single and error).

[Ro Mueller]

And here’s video of Wisconsin’s lone run in Thursday’s affair, also of the infield variety.