Brewers Minor League Link Report (7/6): Rookie Clubs Take Two of Three, Including a Rare Piggyback DSL Shutout

[Jim Goulart]

Image courtesy of BrewerFanatic

Transaction: 

• RHP JB Bukauskas placed on AAA Nashville’s 7-day injured list

On Saturday, Bukauskas threw five pitches and retired his only batter faced on a 104 MPH lineout to left field, stranding three inherited runners.

I pulled up the game video archive, and there wasn't an obvious shot of Bukauskas being in pain at all. He fell behind 3-0 on non-competitive pitches before ending the at-bat on the 3-1 pitch. Nashville's score bug does not include speed readings.

 

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Final: ACL Brewers 6, ACL Guardians 5
Box Score and Game Log

The A-Crew rode a five-run 6th inning to a 6-2 lead, where it remained until a Cleveland three-run bottom of the 9th that ended with runners on 2nd and 3rd, oh my.

21-year-old non-drafted RHP Caleb Nieman (Central Arizona JC) was very good in relief of starter Ma'Kale Holden. Entering with one out in the 5th, Nieman stranded an inherited runner and would toss scoreless ball in the 6th, 7th and 8th. Tasked with closing things out, Nieman was one out away from completing a scoreless 9th. Your game log review will show how precipitous that final frame then became, including the entry of RHP Ayendy Bravo who would walk two and throw a run-scoring wild pitch before escaping with a game-ending strikeout swinging.

Holden only allowed two runs in his 4.1 innings, but danced with danger, walking six and plunking another.

Center fielder Brailyn Antunez was 1-for-5, but his "1" was a 3rd inning home run that tied the game at 1-1. It was Antunez' 9th home run, tied for 3rd most in the league for the $1 million January 2025 signing.

You'll want to review the log for that five-run 6th, of course. the big blow being an opposite field three-run home run to right for 19-year-old catcher Malachai Halterman, his first round-tripper as a pro. Congrats! Halterman singled earlier in the game and stole his 9th base in 12 tries. Halterman's next theft will make him the 7th Maryvale player with double-digit steals, as shown here for the 24-24 ball club.

18-year-old shortstop CJ Hughes, batting 3rd in the lineup, had four of the five team walks.

Right-fielder Kenny Fenelon foul-popped out to end the top of the 9th and did not go out for defense in the bottom of the inning. Just a note in case there is a subsequent extended absence.

 

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Final: DSL Brewers Gold 7, DSL Orioles Orange 0
Box Score and Game Log

The red-hot Gold squad is at 12-13, and .500 is within reach, that didn't seem a strong possibility a couple of weeks ago.

17-year-old first-year RHP Joan Gonzalez has now made six appearances in his pro career, including three starts. At this point in the season often a review of a pitcher's game log is helpful, and Gonzalez is showing signs of progression, having allowed only three earned runs over his four most recent outings, covering 16 innings (eight walks, 17 strikeouts).

Second-year RHP Derlin Garcia, 19, faced one over the minimum over the final four innings, allowing just one lonely single. Just a masterful combination effort on the mound by the two youngsters.

Gold batters worked nine walks, which proved helpful, as the team only had five base hits, although both catcher Moises Salazar (still just 16 years old, by the way) and switch-hitting 17-year-old infielder (DH'ing here) Josue Rodriguez both doubled.

Salazar also worked two walks, joining third baseman Osiris Ramirez as players reaching in three plate appearances, while Rodriguez' double broke the game open in the 4th, a bases-clearing three-run line drive to center field.

 

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Final: DSL Tampa Bay 11, DSL Brewers Blue 6
Box Score and Game Log

The now 15-11 Blue Crew saw the Rays' kids score eight runs in the 3rd, scored four of their own in the 6th to halve the deficit, but fell in the end.

Surprisingly only two pitchers saw action for Blue, RHP's Carlos Galindo, 18 and Jordy Brache, 16.

You'll want to review those two mentioned half-innings. Not sure how Galindo remained in the contest, there must have been several at-bats with small pitch counts so as not to over-stretch him within that one frame. 

As for the offense in the 6th, the inning began with two quick outs.

Scintillating Leanders Matos, playing second base, showed he is not a cyborg, as he was 0-for-5 with two K's.

Link Reporter Emeritus @Joseph Zarr took note of third-year DSL'er Frandy Lafond, who was in right field, batting 5th.

 

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On Tuesday, the traditional schedule returns with all seven affiliates in action, with the island teams playing morning ball and the other clubs under the lights.

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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