Brewers Minor League Link Report (4/16): Reversal of Fortune: Affiliates Drop 3 Contests on Thursday

[Ro Mueller]

Image courtesy of BrewerFanatic

Transactions:

• RHP Junior Fernandez acquired from Arizona and placed on Nashville’s Development List
• LHP Thomas Pannone activated from AAA Nashville’s 7-day injured list
• OF Jordyn Adams activated from AA Biloxi’s 7-day injured list

This one isn’t a transaction, but it’s a helpful update from Maryvale on two recent draft picks and a Major Leaguer: https://x.com/Jesus_Cano88/status/2044867625357083020

@Jesus_Cano88 actually published a number of videos and notes from that Extended Spring Training game, in his final day at Baseball America. We are grateful.

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Suspended: Worcester 0, Nashville 0 in the 4th inning
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Sounds’ website, rainout details: Rain Suspends Thursday Tilt With Worcester

Starting LHP Thomas Pannone’s first official game since 2024 was a success, as he tossed three innings of shutout ball (3 H, 0 BB, 1 Ks) on 39 pitches (27 strikes). Congrats to him after missing the 2025 season with a torn flexor tendon in his forearm.

Back-to-back singles by DH Jeferson Quero and 1B Brock Wilken (infield variety) to start the bottom of the 2nd inning unfortunately went for naught, so the teams were scoreless before the rains suspended play.

Friday’s outlook: Nashville leads the home series 2-0 and the teams are due to resume play on Friday in the top of the 4th inning. LHP Robert Gasser (9 IP, 4 R, 15 Ks through 2 starts in 2026) is then scheduled to start a fresh 7-inning game as nightcap.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Columbus 5, Biloxi 1
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details and we encourage readers to review affiliate write-ups as part of their Link Report routine: Tayden Hall Hits First Double-A Home Run in 5-1 Loss to Clingstones

Talented 21-year old starting RHP Bishop Letson came into the game in a rut (8 runs allowed (6 earned) in first 2 starts, totaling 2 2/3 IP), then unfortunately commenced this road game by conceding 2 walks and a 3-run homer amongst the first 4 batters he faced.

However, he and the staff really bounced back from there, only allowing 5 more baserunners (3 hits, 2 walks) over the remaining 8 2/3 innings.

RHPs Stiven Cruz (1 IP, 0 R, 2 Ks) and Tanner Gillis (3 IP, 2 R, 5 Ks) and LHP Mark Manfredi Sr. (1 IP, 0 R, 3 Ks) combined with Letson to record 13 strikeouts. Manfredi has now struck out 13 of 21 batters faced in 2026, allowing 1 hit and 3 walks (no runs) through 6 innings.

Unfortunately, Biloxi’s batters only produced 4 hits, led by DH Tayden Hall’s solo shot. At least 2B Dylan O’Rae continued his red-hot start to the 2026 season with a 1-for-3 effort with a double and a walk. O’Rae has reached base safely in 11 straight games and hit safely in 10 of them.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• Let’s hope that OF/INF Mike Boeve’s 0-for-4, 4K performance is the nadir on his 2026 campaign, with a turnaround on the way.
• OF Jordyn Adams’ return from injury didn’t go exactly as he hoped: 0-for-4, ejected while making the final out of the game.

Friday’s outlook: 24-year old RHP Tyson Hardin (6 IP, 8 R, 12 Ks through 2 starts) will toe the slab as Biloxi needs a win to even the series 2-2.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Peoria 24, Wisconsin 7
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Wisconsin Drops Decision to Peoria

Video highlights of the touchdowns and field goals accumulated in this high-scoring affair were thankfully put together by Wisconsin’s terrific media team: 

19-year old RHP Ethan Dorchies was hoping for a better outing than last week (2 1/3 IP, 5 R), but he allowed 8 hits (including a 2-run homer and 3 doubles) over his 4 innings of work (6 R (4 ER), 2 BB, 3 Ks), exiting down 6-3 after 77 pitches (42 strikes).

The box score details the 21 hits for Chiefs’ batters, 20 of which came against Wisconsin pitchers (and 1 off of position player Juan Baez). They also earned 12 walks.

Three errors, a passed ball and balk didn’t help the Timber Rattlers’ cause, but the offense did put up 11 hits, led by SS Daniel Dickinson (3-for-5). In fact, every Wisconsin batter reached base via hit or walk in the contest, which would produce a victory most days.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• Kudos again to OF Braylon Payne for reaching base 4 times (2-for-3, 2 walks) and delivering his second homer of 2026, as well as 3B Andrew Fischer (3 RBIs) and C Blayberg Diaz (2 RBIs) for productive days at the plate.
• Readers will have to check the box score to review the combined 17 earned runs allowed by LHP Bjorn Johnson, RHP Yerlin Rodriguez and RHP Jose Nova over 4 innings of work.
• 13 Peoria batters came to the plate in their 10-run 7th inning, followed by a grand slam in the following frame. I think they’ll remember this game for a few decades to come.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Bryce Meccage is scheduled to make his 3rd start of 2026 (6 2/3 IP, 3 R, 4 Ks in first 2 outings), with Wisconsin aiming to set aside Thursday’s debacle to claim a 3-1 series lead.

Wilson Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Hill City 14, Wilson 1
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Warbirds’ website, game details: Big Innings Lead Hill City Past Wilson

19-year old starting RHP Enniel Cortez, who was making his 3rd appearance since missing the entire 2025 season with an injury, unfortunately exited after 1 1/3 innings with an accompanying “injury delay” in the game log. We hope that there’s been no physical setback for the young hurler.

In contrast to the Wisconsin game, Wilson’s pitchers only allowed 2 touchdowns on 17 hits and 7 walks in this one. Cortez (6 R (5 ER), 6 H, 2 BB, 2 Ks) and RHP Joshua Quezada (1 1/3 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 1 K) had the most difficult time getting outs this time around.

19-year old LHP Enderson Mercado did the heavy lifting, throwing 90 pitches over 4 2/3 innings, with all of the damage (5 runs, 2 earned) coming with 2 outs in the 5th and 7th innings. RHP Ayendy Bravo also managed to toss 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run (0 H, 2 BB, 1 K).

Our main highlight to share comes via a bit of generosity from Brewers’ legend Prince Fielder:

Warbirds’ Extras:

• We’re not sure why C Luis Corobo, 2B Luis Lameda and OF Nick Monile had been absent from action for the prior 5-6 days, but we’re glad to see that they’re healthy. The experienced Lameda went 1-for-3 with a walk and also pitched a scoreless 9th inning. Monile had an outfield assist, drew a walk and scored.
• Wilson’s 5 hits were all singles, but that included a base hit by SS Brady Ebel to center field in the 5th inning to end his 1-for-34 drought at the plate. 1B Frederi Montero produced a 1-for-3 day, plus a hit-by-pitch.
• Two errors, two wild pitches, a passed ball and a pick-off obviously didn’t help Wilson’s cause.

Friday’s outlook: 20-year old RHP Jarrette Bonet has impressed in 2 starts (7 IP, 1 R, 10 Ks) and gets the chance to lead Wilson back to a 2-2 series tie in his third outing of 2026.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. On Friday, five minor league games are on the slate, including Nashville’s quasi-doubleheader starting at 6:05pm CST. The Milwaukee Brewers also kick off their new series at the Marlins from 6:10pm CST.

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Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth

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[Joseph Zarr]

Some unbelievably lopsided scores. I can't remember the last time we had two affiliates lose by such monstrous double digits. Yikes!

[Ben Lepak]

We out here letting up touchdowns 😩