Minors

Some Brewers prospects performed very well in 2022. Jackson Chourio and Jace Avina, for instance, have excelled. Other well-known prospects, though, have something to prove this year, as some big decisions are coming down the pike. So, what might some well-known prospects have to prove in 2023?

The Brewers drafted right-handed pitcher Cameron Wagoner in the 11th round out of Eastern Michigan University. Recently I had the chance to chat with the hard-throwing righty about his background, getting drafted, and much more. 

Five days after the conclusion of the World Series, minor league players who have reached the end of their seven-year commitment on their initial professional contract finally get to test free agent waters. In some cases, this is an opportunity to net a contract in the low six-figure range, which is not significant compared to big-league money, yet certainly can compare favorably to career earnings to date. While some players signed for considerable up-front money (hello, Corey Ray), many others did not.

With the minor league seasons wrapping up soon, we can begin to predict who the Brewers will be adding to their 40-man roster by November (or sooner) in order to prevent other organizations from plucking them in December's Rule 5 draft. All MLB teams need to finalize their Rule 5 protection "reserve" lists by November 20th. 

Nashville wins and maintains its game-and-a-half lead through 69 games in a season that isn't split in half. Biloxi is victorious but their win won't count towards a playoff chase as their 2nd season doesn't begin until Tuesday. Nice triumph for Wisconsin and the Timber Rattlers can place that on their playoff ledger as they move to 1-0, while the Mudcats, feeling the sting of this week's disappointing results and the loss of their first half division lead, continued to stumble due to an ill-timed offensive funk to fall to 0-1.

Left-handed pitcher Brandon Knarr pitched very well in Wisconsin and Biloxi in 2022. Recently, he joined us for a three-part Brewers Spotlight. In Part 1 today, we hear about growing up in Pennsylvania, learning a pitch from a Hall of Famer, his hitting ability, spending a season at Notre Dame and a big year at the College of Central Florida. 

The Nashville, Biloxi and Wisconsin bullpens were dominant in Wednesday’s victories, retiring the final 11, 11 and 9 batters of their games, respectively. Carolina also led 4-0 before rain halted action in the 5th inning.

Even throughout the down years, the Brewers always seemed to find excellent pitchers who could close out the rare games when they had a lead in the late innings. These days, while many Brewers fans celebrated the rotation and closer Josh Hader, the real unsung heroes were other bullpen pitchers who got the ball to Hader to slam the door.

The Sounds have blessed fans all season long with their exciting winning ways, and that was the case again on Friday night. As for the rest of the chain, not so much, and especially at the lower levels, where offensive production, or lack thereof, was glaring. Just because the fun ends after AAA, be sure to stick with the report to the end, thanks as always!

On Friday, Nashville was victorious while the other Brewers full-season affiliate outposts all took losses. On Saturday, the opposite occurred. Despite the Sounds' defeat, Nashville maintains a slim two-game lead in the standings at 66-43, as the Guardians' Columbus squad has had a similarly strong season. Let's check in on that very competitive AAA game as well as see how all the current one-game winning streaks began!

Oh, by the way, you'll read that on three occasions below I refer to consulting MiLB TV archives for play reviews. There is a "move ahead 15 seconds" feature. With the advent of the pitch clock, this feature is truly amazing. You literally bounce from one pitch to the next with a single seamless click. I find it much too remarkable (not to take away from all the fine broadcast work that happens in that industry, especially in the Brewers system).

Welcome back, yet again, as I delve into the 11-to-20 spots in my Overlooked Brewers Minor Leaguers. Today, I present you players 11 through 15 who aren't getting the praise they deserve.

Super young Mudcats, including a new coach! Zero weaknesses were detected in Wisconsin. Biloxi is booming again after one down year. 38 Sounds on the AAA roster?!