Brewers Minor League Link Report (4/13): Pratt, Hardin and Payne Lead Affiliates to 3-Win Sunday

For the week, Carolina (5-1) and Nashville (4-2) were series winners, Wisconsin (3-3) managed a road split and Biloxi (2-4) came up on the short end at home.

Transactions:

• RHP Coleman Crow assigned to AA Biloxi from ACL Brewers. Some may recall that Crow was originally acquired from the Mets in December 2023, but has not pitched in an official game since April 2023

Game Action:

Final: Memphis 5, Nashville 1
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: Sounds Drop Series Finale to Memphis

The Sounds had already captured the home series victory with Saturday’s win, so I’ll mainly focus on positives despite Sunday’s defeat.

Starting RHP Tobias Myers (5 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 1 K) tossed 60 pitches (42 strikes) in his second rehab start. 

A 2-run homer in the 3rd inning was the first hard hit ball off of him before more significant contact in the 5th frame. His velocity peaked at 94.6mph on his 57th pitch, exiting down 3-1.

DH Caleb Durbin and 1B Ernesto Martinez Jr. led the day’s limited offense, each singling and walking.

Dominant RHP Craig Yoho handled the 9th inning, conceding a 2-out hard-hit triple on a cutter before throwing 5 change ups and a sweeper to strike out his final batter (season ERA 0.00 through 7 1/3 IP).

Sounds’ Extras:

• Two 7th inning runs (1 earned) conceded by LHP Bruce Zimmermann and the defense pushed the deficit to 5-1, essentially sealing the result.
• OF Daz Cameron also provided more signs that he’s a keeper, singling and throwing out a player trying to stretch a single.

Next week’s outlook: Nashville heads 6 hours east to take on White Sox affiliate Charlotte for a six-game series starting Tuesday. Although the Game 1 starter has not yet been named, RHP Logan Henderson is the most likely candidate.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Biloxi 9, Columbus 8
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Homer Happy Shuckers Win Wild Series Finale Against Clingstones

A roller-coaster Sunday contest in front of 1,604 home fans saw the Shuckers come back from two early deficits, concede 15 hits and ultimately close it out for just their 2nd victory of the 2025 season.

Starting 26-year old RHP Abdiel Mendoza was not able to dance around trouble as effectively as his debut performance last week, conceding 5 earned runs on 9 hits through 2 1/3 innings before inducing a first-pitch ground ball double play to escape that frame down only 5-2.

Four pitches later, OF Luis Lara (1-for-5, double) and SS Cooper Pratt (2-for-5, HR, 2 RBIs) had already cut the deficit to 5-4 on a double and 2-run homer. These efforts were part of 6 consecutive Biloxi hitters reaching base, before Columbus’ starting pitcher mercifully exited after a 1B Zavier Warren (1-for-3, sac fly, 3 RBIs) 2-run single gave the Shuckers a 6-5 advantage. 

24-year old, 6’7” LHP Brian Fitzpatrick made a successful AA debut with 4 strikeouts over 3 innings of shutout work, before passing the torch to the high-wire duo of RHPs Stiven Cruz and Justin Yeager (combined 3 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 1 WP, 3 Ks).

Thankfully 2B Eric Brown Jr.’s defensive and offensive contributions had helped Biloxi grow its lead to 9-5, so they could ultimately hold on to the 9-8 victory.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• Credit Biloxi for going 4-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Meanwhile, Columbus’ 7-for-19 day in that category tells you how much pressure the Shuckers’ staff was under all game.
• Turning 3 double plays and going 3-for-3 in stolen base attempts contributed to Biloxi’s win.
• 7 of 9 Shuckers collected at least one hit, with DH Brock Wilken also walking twice. OF/INF Ethan Murray came through with a 2-for-3, 2 RBI day, including a sacrifice fly.

Next week’s outlook: Biloxi will travel 4.5 hours north to battle White Sox affiliate Birmingham for 6 games, with RHP Alexander Cornielle the most likely starter for Tuesday’s opener.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wisconsin 5, Quad Cities 1
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Rattlers Bust Out Late to Beat Bandits

As you’ve read in the detailed game report, 23-year old RHP Tyson Hardin delivered his 2nd terrific start of 2025, keeping his season ERA at 0.00 with 4 shutout innings and 5 strikeouts.

Each spot in the batting order collected exactly 1 hit, including C David Garcia singling and scoring on a 2-out 2B Juan Baez single in the 6th inning (1-0 lead) and DH Tayden Hall singling and scoring on a 3B Jadher Areinamo 2-run double (3-1 advantage) in the 8th inning.

Read the link again for details on the stellar bullpen work and down-to-the-wire nature of nearly every contest in this week’s 6-game road series. Of particular note, RHP Yerlin Rodriguez struck out 3 River Bandits swinging while only conceding an infield single. The 23-year old flame-throwing Rodriguez now has 10 Ks, 0 walks and 0 HBPs through 5 innings of 2025 work (1.80 ERA, 0.60 WHIP).

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• Hall reached base 3 times (1-for-3, 2 walks) as he makes the most of the opportunity in the leadoff role.
• The team went just 1-for-4 on steal attempts, with 6’3”, 236-pound 1B Blake Burke the sole to succeed.

Next week’s outlook: The Timber Rattlers get to return home to square off against Athletics’ affiliate Lansing, with RHP Ryan Birchard scheduled to start the opening game of the series on Tuesday.

Final: Carolina 8, Myrtle Beach 6
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Late Rally Propels Mudcats Past Myrtle Beach

A see-saw game in front of 4,729 road fans saw the Mudcats come out on top, limiting Myrtle Beach to 4 hits behind the tag-team duo of 19-year old starting RHP Bryan Rivera (3 1/3 IP, 2 R (0 ER), 1 H, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 4 Ks) and 18-year old RHP Melvin Hernandez (3 2/3 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 2 HBP, 3 Ks).

OF Braylon Payne put together the most complete offensive line (2-for-5, triple, 2 RBIs, SB), with game-tying RBI hits in the 4th and 6th innings:

Every Mudcat reached base via hit or walk in the contest, though we’re awaiting word on the early exit of DH/C Dinges, who doubled in the 1st inning and was replaced by Filippo Di Turi in the 3rd inning. Di Turi’s 2-out 7th inning single tied the game at 5-5 and he had an RBI walk to add an insurance run in the 9th inning.

Any time SS Luis Pena (2-for-5, 3 SBs, 2 runs) reaches base, he’s a menace for the other team:

• 6th inning single, steals 2nd, scores on Payne’s single for a 4-4 game
• 8th inning infield single, steals 2nd and 3rd, scores on OF Demetrio Nadal’s groundout for a 6-5 advantage

Mudcats’ Extras:

• Congrats to 21-year old LHP Anfernny Reyes on his 4-out save, his first save of 2025. He stranded a baserunner for Hernandez in the 8th, then promptly loaded the bases on 2 walks and an HBP to start the 9th inning. A Made-to-Eric Bitonti ground ball eliminated two baserunners as well as Pelicans Manager Yovanny Cuevas (ejected) before a first-pitch pop out ended the contest.
• Issuing 8 walks, 4 hit-by-pitches and 4 errors (as Carolina did in this contest) won’t win many games, so Manager Nick Stanley will certainly have the young squad work to clean things up. 17-year old Jesus Made (1-for-5, double) committed 2 of the 4 errors in his first 2025 action at 3rd base.

Next week’s outlook: The Mudcats are also returning home, in their case to face Orioles’ affiliate Delmarva commencing on Tuesday. RHP John Holobetz or LHP Wande Torres are the best bets to start the first game of the series.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. As usual, there will be no Minor League games on Monday, but the Brewers host the Tigers at 6:40 CST.

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

Interested in learning more about the Milwaukee Brewers' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!