Brewers Minor League Link Report (4/30): Crow and Wilken Lead Nashville to Sole Affiliate Thursday Win

[Ro Mueller]

Image courtesy of BrewerFanatic

Transactions:

• {Not official, but from trusted source}: INF Moises Polanco promoted to ACL Brewers from DSL Brewers Blue

 

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Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Game One Final: Norfolk 5, Nashville 2 (in 7 innings)
Box Score and Game Log
Game Two Final: Nashville 3, Norfolk 1 (in 7 innings)
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: Crow Spins Gem to Help Sounds Split Twin Bill

The linked game report covers the solid starts by LHP Robert Gasser (2 2/3 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 5 Ks; 58 pitches) and RHP Coleman Crow (5 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 7 Ks) and 1B Brock Wilken’s 2-run homer which keyed the Game 2 victory, including video.

Crow’s return to form was a particularly welcome sight, looking a lot more like the pitcher who wowed us in his Major League debut on April 17 (5 1/3 IP, 2 R, 4 Ks) than the one who struggled in his return to AAA ball last Friday (3 2/3 IP, 8 R, 5 Ks).

With Wilken’s first homer since April 10, observers can begin to appreciate his recent work: .283 average with 10 walks and 7 extra-base hits over his last 14 games (57 plate appearances).

Though they only had 6 innings to achieve it in the second game, all 9 Sounds’ position players reached base via hit or walk, led by SS Cooper Pratt’s 1-for-2 (triple), 2-walk effort. Pratt also singled and had a sacrifice fly in the opening game.

Rehabbing OF Jackson Chourio and 1B Andrew Vaughn featured in the first game, each reaching base twice, but the squad was outhit 10-5, with their last 2 hits of the infield variety. LHP Tate Kuehner (4 IP, 4 R, 6 H, 4 BB, 4 Ks) uncharacteristically struggled, walking the opening batter in his first two innings of relief and also allowing 4 singles in his final frame.

Sounds’ Extras:

• The team had taken a careful approach with Gasser to this point, with 14-15 days between outings, so it’s encouraging that he was able to return to the mound and throw 58 pitches (36 strikes) with a peak velocity of 94.5mph five days after his last outing on Saturday (32 pitches).
• 2B Freddy Zamora’s day was shorter than most, ejected in the 4th inning after a strikeout in the 4th inning of the first contest.
• Several more video highlights are available via Nashville’s video page, including RBI hits by OF Eddys Leonard (2-for-3) and C Ramon Rodriguez (1-for-3).

Friday’s outlook: RHP Quinn Priester is scheduled to make his 3rd rehab start of 2026 after pitching 2 1/3 innings on Sunday (45 pitches). Nashville can extend their series lead to 3-1 with a victory.

 

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Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Pensacola 9, Biloxi 6
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Shuckers Beat by Blue Wahoos 9-6

A 5-0 lead with RHP Jaron DeBerry on the mound is usually a recipe for success, but DeBerry didn’t make it out of the 1st inning and the Shuckers’ bats fell silent by the middle of the second inning (no hits amongst final 25 batters) while leading 6-3 at that point.

That opening sequence was quite fun though, with RBI doubles off the bats of OF Damon Keith (1-for-3, walk), C Matt Wood (1-for-3, walk) and 1B Blake Burke, along with DH Mike Boeve’s RBI single.

The early DeBerry exit (2/3 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 0 Ks; 37 pitches) essentially forced Manager Mike Guerrero into a bullpen game, with no pitcher covering more than 2 2/3 frames.

RHP Tanner Gillis (2 2/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 3 BB, 1 K) worked around traffic to limit damage, while 24-year-old RHP Stiven Cruz was the most impressive (1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 4 Ks) reliever. That continues Cruz’s 6-game run of stellar form, as he exited after the 5th inning with Biloxi still holding a 6-4 advantage.

Unfortunately, RHP Edwin Jimenez’s first rough outing of 2026 came at a truly inopportune time, as he allowed 2 homers and a double to the first 5 batters faced to concede the lead, but he did bounce back to retire the final 5 batters he faced, the last 3 by strikeout.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• Still 18 years old, SS Jesus Made had a 2-for-4 day, with 2 runs scored and a stolen base. However, he also had an error which led to an unearned run while Jimenez was on the mound.
• Now in his 6th minor league season after being acquired from the Dodgers in spring training, Keith (.346 AVG, 1.106 OPS in 62 plate appearances) must be chomping at the bit to reach AAA ball for the first time.

Friday’s outlook: 20-year-old RHP Manuel Rodriguez (5.12 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 7.4 K/9 in 19 1/3 IP) is ready for his 5th start of 2026, with Biloxi presently trailing 2-1 in their series at Pensacola.

 

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Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Game One Final: Quad Cities 11, Wisconsin 5 (in 7 innings)
Box Score and Game Log
Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Bandits Beat Wisconsin in Game One

Game Two Final: Quad Cities 8, Wisconsin 0 (in 7 innings)
Box Score and Game Log
More game details from the Timber Rattlers: Bandits Shut Out Wisconsin in Nightcap

We thank the terrific Wisconsin media team for 2 detailed game write-ups and extensive video highlights, even as the results weren’t in our favor.

Perhaps the return to 47-degree weather was the challenge for Game One starting pitcher RHP Bryce Meccage (1 1/3 IP, 7 R, 3 H, 5 BB, 1 K), who walked 4 of the first 6 batters he faced before allowing the back-breaking 3-run double for a 4-0 deficit before Wisconsin batters came to the plate.

In that opening contest, Wisconsin did not record its second hit until they trailed 11-1 with 2 outs in the bottom of the 5th inning but did well to ultimately reach 8 hits and 5 runs scored.

Unfortunately, that momentum did not carry over to the 2nd game, as Royals’ #3 prospect LHP David Shields limited the team to only 2 singles.

Though the team already trailed 7-0 when he entered the second game, RHP Yerlin Rodriguez (1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 3 Ks) was a relative bright spot in that contest, allowing only one walk and no hits amongst the six batters he faced.

• We’ll accord the same frozen fingers excuse to RHP Bryan Rivera (2 2/3 IP, 4 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 2 Ks) who conceded homers to 3 of the first 4 River Bandits he faced in the opening game.
• On a brighter note, RHP Chandler Welch had his second 3-inning scoreless relief outing of April (3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 3 BB, 4 Ks).
• Each of starting LHP Wande Torres (3 IP, 3 R, 2 Ks), LHP Bjorn Johnson (2 IP, 2 R, 0 Ks) and RHP Michael Fowler (2/3 IP, 3 R, 2 Ks) struggled to record zeros on Thursday.

Friday’s outlook: It’s Luis Pena bobblehead day, which could be made a million times better if it coincides with Pena’s return to the lineup (last played April 22, when he passed out in the dugout, spent the night in a Fort Wayne hospital and was released the next morning). RHP Yorman Galindez (7.27 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 10.4 K/9 in 8 2/3 IP) gets the start, with Wisconsin needing to come back from an 0-3 series deficit.

 

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Wilson Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Salem 10, Wilson 5
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Warbirds’ website, game details: Salem Surges Past Wilson

Despite missing a number of run-scoring opportunities (1-for-12 with runners in scoring position), Wilson appeared to be sailing to a comfortable victory with its 5-2 advantage through 7 innings before the wheels fell off.

After wasting a bases loaded, nobody out 2nd inning opportunity and stranding 2 more in the 3rd inning, outfielders Handelfry Encarnacion (2-for-5, 2 RBIs), Jose Anderson (1-for-3, walk, RBI) and Jadyn Fielder came through with a 2-out, 2-run double and 2 solo homers for a 5-1 advantage by the 6th inning.

Starting 6’6” LHP Andrew Healy allowed back-to-back singles to open the game (erased by a caught stealing and pick-off) before turning in his best outing to date: 3 innings of shutout ball, striking out 5 while allowing 3 singles and no walks.

Bulk reliever of the day RHP Carlos Carra (4 2/3 IP, 5 Ks) started very strong, retiring 11 of the first 13 batters he faced, allowing a 5th inning walk and 6th inning solo homer.

After a lineout for the first out of the 8th inning, Carra had reached 68 pitches and Wilson led 5-2 with nobody on base and 5 outs remaining for victory, but the gameplan demanded 20 more pitches: HBP, 2-run homer, single, single, force out, walk, single. 19-year-old Carra was ultimately charged with 7 earned runs, but that’s why it’s important to look beyond the box score.

Warbirds’ Extras:

• Salem had 12 hits but only had 3 opportunities with runners in scoring position (2-for-3). 7 of their 10 runs came via the long ball, including a 3-run shot off of RHP Joshua Quezada (1 1/3 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 1 K; allowed 2 inherited runners to score) in the 9th inning to effectively put the game away.
• 2B Juan Ortuno (3-for-4, 2 doubles, SB) and 3B Filippo Di Turi (infield single, walk, SB) had positive days offensively.
• The Warbirds committed no errors vs. 2 for the RidgeYaks. 3 of Wilson’s 5 runs were unearned.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Tyler Renz (2.45 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 9.8 K/9 in 18 1/3 IP) is scheduled for his 6th appearance (5th start), as Wilson look for a win to even their home series at 2 games apiece.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. On Friday, the Milwaukee Brewers have the earliest start time (5:45pm CST at the Nationals), followed by Biloxi and Wilson (6:05pm), Nashville (6:35pm) and Wisconsin (6:40pm).

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Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth 

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[Jim Goulart]

Re: Biloxi:

Look for any "Lowlights" dated April 30th on the Pensacola video page for unfortunate pitches - DeBerry, Jimenez (two HR's), Corbett (HR).