Brewers Minor League Link Report (6/26): Nashville Blows Massive Lead; Absolute Madness with the Rookie Teams

[Jim Goulart]

Image courtesy of BrewerFanatic

A Biloxi split and another rout by red-hot Wisconsin were the only "normal" parts of Friday night's action. Can we have a serious discussion about the playing conditions in Arizona, especially for one 19-year-old catcher in particular?

 

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Transactions: 

• Nashville Sounds returned LHP Jared Koenig to Milwaukee from rehab
• Nashville Sounds placed C Ramón Rodríguez on the 7-day injured list
• Nashville Sounds activated C Andrick Nava from the Development List

 

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Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes 
Final: Gwinnett (Braves) 13, Nashville 10
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Sounds, game details, and we encourage readers to always review affiliate write-ups as part of their Link Report routine:

Sounds Squander Eight-Run Lead Falling to Gwinnett - Luke Adams Belts Fifth Career Grand Slam

Just going to copy this portion of the first paragraph of the linked game summary above in case you didn't visit immediately:

"Gwinnett then scored 11 unanswered runs over the final five innings as the Sounds saw their lead vanish in the ninth."

A Tale of Two Tweets:

"Full-Fledged Rout" (3rd inning):

Ouch. The game summary included more of the positive side of the video, including Luke Adams' grand slam, so be sure to visit the write-up. But it's also worthwhile to view this below in its entirety. Gwinnett picked up all the calls of the Voice of the Sounds' Jeff Hem, such a pro but like those in attendance, was in a bit of disbelief. Some weak but productive contact, some misplaced pitches, and insurance runs that didn't matter in the end but quite the drop in left field by Luis Matos.

One of my favorite parts of the Nashville write-ups is the often-creative sub headers. This one, on this night, was perfect:

"FUN TIL IT WASN'T"

On base 14 times in his last six games, Luis Lara has his OPS for June up to .674 after a really rough start to the month.

Had to investigate this on the archived game video (03:50:00 hour/minute mark):

Ejections: Sounds center fielder Luis Lara ejected by HP umpire Jacob Metz (9th); Sounds right fielder Greg Jones ejected by HP umpire Jacob Metz (9th); Sounds manager Rick Sweet ejected by HP umpire Jacob Metz (9th).

With one out and nobody on in the bottom of the 9th, Lara said something to the umpire as he walked away from home plate after being called out on a breaking pitch on the outside corner and was ejected. Nashville had a challenge left but Lara did not use it, puzzling. Tyler Black took ball one in the next at-bat, but there was yapping from the Sounds dugout and Jones, who struck out swinging in the prior at-bat to Lara, was tossed. Jones was skeptical of the first strike called against him in his at-bat. Out of the dugout came Sweet with a classic in-the-umpire-face confrontation with plenty of finger-pointing that quickly found the skipper in the clubhouse. Black would also strike out looking to end the game, Black challenged the final pitch, but it was wholly within the zone.

Wild night in Nashville!

 

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Each game below was seven innings as scheduled.

Biloxi pre-game media notes
Final, Game One: Montgomery (Rays) 6, Biloxi 3
Box Score and Game Log

Final, Game Two: Biloxi 6, Montgomery 3
Box Score and Game Log

Shuckers Split Twin Bill with Biscuits - Biloxi Breaks Even in Doubleheader at Montgomery

An old friend got things going:

Areinamo had three hits plus a walk in the twinbill, however the 22-year-old only sports a .308 OBP on the season.

Also from Game One, we all have interest in Cameron Wagoner, but it was a high fastball that was pulled out against him as he surrendered late runs for the Biscuits:

From the nightcap:

There are more clips via the Shuckers 'X' feed.

Jesús Made sat out the nightcap after an 0-for-4 in Game One.

There are inconsistencies in both box scores that MiLB will need to clean up. From the opener, Mark Coley II did not pinch-run twice. He did run for Mike Boeve, who had singled twice and walked up to that point.

In the Game Two box, it shows starter Manuel Rodriguez getting the win but throwing only 2.1 innings (69 pitches). Reliever Nick Merkel will eventually be assigned the statistical victory. Once again, it was worth dipping into the MiLB.TV archive (go to the 01:06:00 hour/minute mark for the start of that half-inning). The first batter of the 3rd inning worked a 14-pitch walk, and it was a ten-pitch at-bat (RBI single) that ended Rodriguez' night. The heavy workload within that inning needed to be addressed and Rodriguez was pulled.

 

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Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes (download link)
Final: Wisconsin 10, Cedar Rapids (Twins) 1
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers, game details: 

Rattlers Win Sixth Straight Game - 6-0 in the second half is the best start to a half in team history

We might as well say that "Read, Watch and Listen" is the equivalent of "Stop, Drop and Roll" because the Timber Rattlers (uh, Udder Tuggers) are on fire. So, with that, you're familiar with the home game routine - game summary above, video package and podcast below. Enjoy!

Postgame Podcast with Braylon Payne, Manager Nick Stanley and Wande Torres

Somehow yours truly is nailing the Minor League Forum Pre-Game Thread titles this week. Friday night's choice was "Wisconsin Hopes to Wave Magic Wand(e) to Sixth Straight Second Half Win"

21-year-old southpaw Torres looked dejected after surrendering the 2nd inning home run you just watched to give the Kernels a 1-0 second inning lead, but goodness, he buckled down after that. Torres' game log will reveal that in his last two starts he has been dominant - as referred to in the game summary, 11.2 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 11 K. Corner fully turned and full steam ahead, hopefully.

It's not like Josiah Ragsdale is ancient. The 2025 7th round pick out of Boston College turns 23 in December. Kudos to Northeast Regional scout Steve DiTrolio and subsequently the player development staff, and of course, Ragsdale himself. Have to imagine scouts from across the baseball landscape are taking note of the versatile outfielder (20 games in CF, 37 in RF in 2026), forcing the Brewers to fully assess what they have in this young man. Trade piece or long-term homegrown Brewer, keep building value, Josiah.

Not about to gloss over the exploits of others here, because Braylon Payne (HR, single), Eric Bitonti (double, single, three stolen bases), Luis Castillo (double, walk, sacrifice fly) all deserve their due, and every man in the lineup contributed.

This video featured on the Brewers website is excellent because not only does it feature all four of Luis Pena's stolen bases (how's that hamstring, Luis?), but it shows how he reached base prior to each instance.

 

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Suspended: Wilson 1, Fredericksburg (Nationals) 1, top of the 4th in Fredericksburg
Box Score and Game Log (Thus Far)

The Warbirds have men on 1st and 2nd with one out. 

"The action will resume Saturday with the same time and score at 5:05 PM (4:05 Central). The two teams will see out all nine innings of the first game and then play a seven-inning contest immediately after."

Alexander Frias walked with two outs in the first inning, stole second, but was stranded.

In the 4th, Frias grounded a sharp single to center to drive in Brady Ebel, who walked to open the inning. Frias then again attempted to steal second but was unsuccessful this time.

Jose Anderson then lined a single to left and Rylan Mills walked before the umps called it a night for all.

Southpaw Andrew Healy's only run allowed was on this home run.

 

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Final: ACL Royals 16, ACL Brewers 13
Box Score and Game Log

And it was 13-13 going to the top of the 9th in Maryvale!

The Royals, save for one passed ball, played clean defense, The Brewers were charged with five errors, two of those coming on catcher interference calls against 19-year-old Malachai Halterman, also charged with two passed balls. 

Now, let's chat. Halterman caught all nine innings of this game. First pitch temperature was 106 degrees. Halterman was behind the plate for all 219 pitches thrown by the five Maryvale pitchers, including four pitches officially ruled as "wild". Catcher Eric Martinez remained in the bullpen throughout. Game time three hours, 52 minutes.

I don't care what the official defensive stats will show, young Mr. Halterman, but there had better be some serious discussions among Brewers Player Development this morning for what you endured Friday night. It's just plain wrong and dangerous.

By the way, at the plate, Halterman singled twice, drove in a run, and stole his 8th base of the season (11 attempts). Props.

A box score like this lends itself to all you diehards dissecting every bit of data - the three home runs in the game (all off Maryvale bats) and well, the combined 26 free passes via HBP's and walks, etc.

Excuse me for not breaking it all down here, it's simply too much.

Hope the postgame IV drip went well, Malachi.

 

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Final: DSL Brewers Gold 11, DSL CLE Mendoza (Guardians) 10
Box Score and Game Log

Are you kidding with these Rookie-level games Friday night?

After eight innings, Team Gold had a comfortable 7-3 lead. 18-year-old first-year RHP Jean Rivero opened the 9th looking for a four-inning save. Rivero pitched scoreless ball in the 6th, 7th and 8th allowing one single and one walk. only. 

The 9th began single, double, walk and reliever Dalvin Bodre was called upon and even retired his first batter on a lineout to first base. A bases loaded walk and sacrifice fly made it a 7-5 game, but hey, there were two outs, Next batter homered to put Gold in an 8-7 hole. More madness ensued and a third pitcher in the frame, Carlos Canales managed to strand two of the three runners he inherited from Bodre. It was now 10-7 heading to the bottom of the 9h.

Needing four to win, Guardian pitchers obliged without retiring a single Gold batter: walk, double, wild pitch, walk, walk, pitching change, game-winning walk-off three-run double by just-turned 17-year-old shortstop Santiago Garcia, his third hit and second double of the contest. Ballgame. Walkoff winner!

Three hours and 40 minutes of more rookie ball madness. Enjoy your box score dissection.

 

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Final: DSL Padres Gold 8, DSL Brewers Blue 7, eight innings (scheduled for seven)
Box Score and Game Log

A walkoff loss with both teams scoring multiple runs in the 10th?

Again, are you kidding with these Rookie-level games Friday night?

What did I tell you a few moments ago:

Three hours and 27 minutes of more rookie ball madness. Enjoy your box score dissection.

Despite the loss, have fun with the box score. Knock yourself out with the game log. As for me on this Saturday morning, I'm getting too old for this stuff. Kidding. Kind of.

 

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Oh joy, all three Rookie Complex teams play Saturday (day games). At least the two DSL squads face each other and can wreak havoc internally on each other. Wilson has the quasi-doubleheader. We'll see Bishop Letson and Jayden Dubanewicz on mounds today, nice.

If you made it this far, congratulations! Catch your breath and hope you all enjoy your day. Coincidentally and prior to Friday's action, I had arranged to shift tonight's Link Report duties to "Ro" Mueller, he'll take good care of you, I'm going to take a nap now.

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

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