Brewers Minor League Link Report (4/17): In a Day Filled with Big Moments, All Thoughts Still Remain with Eric Brown Jr.

Transactions:

• RHP Tobias Myers' contract was selected from the Nashville Sounds by the Milwaukee Brewers
• INF Christian Arroyo was activated off the 7-Day IL by the Nashville Sounds
• LHP Jared Koenig was optioned to the Nashville Sounds from the Milwaukee Brewers
• RHP Vladimir Gutierrez was Designated for Assignment by the Milwaukee Brewers

Final: Sounds 6, Omaha (Royals) 5

Via the Sounds' website, please be sure to click and read each of the affiliate write-ups as part of your season-long Link Report routine (believe me, it's worth it):

Collins Walk-Off in 10th Wins it for the Sounds - Andruw Monasterio Adds Two RBI and Carlos Rodriguez has Quality Start in 6-5 Win

Pre-Game Media Notes 

Box Score / Game Log

I still don't quite know what to make of RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez's start to 2024. Tonight, he pitched into the seventh frame for crying out loud, was still hitting 94-95 mph on the radar gun, and I was still left somewhat dumbfounded. That velocity that deep into a game is really a fantastic sign. And, yet, I am still looking for the complete Rodriguez I know is in there. Perhaps, that's being unfair to the talented young 22-year-old hurler. My main 'contention' is the off-speed location and, actually, in general, location consistency. So, I shift to the positive and acknowledge the obvious: this is a mere three starts. Walks have been an issue in the past and he kept those to a bare minimum tonight: one walk total. He did, however, surrender two very well hit long balls. That obviously can't continue - especially with men on base. I digress. A 6 1/3 IP, 6 H, 1 BB, 4 K, 3 ER, 2 HR outing in 2024 is quite palatable when all is said and done. I hope he continues to strive for the mastery I know he has in his toolkit. Like I said, I don't quite know how to read these results in the early going. In the end, he absolutely gave his team and bullpen everything they needed to make a game of a tight contest. 

Three Quick Strikes:

1) Oh hey, it's yet another INF/OF Isaac Collins key moment:

The man simply continues to get better. The exit velocities he is putting forth routinely right now? Very hard hit balls. This wasn't a casual walk off flare. He crushed that off-speed pitch. He's just seeing the ball incredibly well. What a difference a year makes for this young man. Long gone is the 2023 call-up when Collins looked out of place in Triple-A and uncomfortable in left field. This young man absolutely belongs. I continue to share it: big things are on this horizon. The future is bright. 

2) In other injury news: LHP Darrell Thompson was set to take the bump in the top of the 10th inning. The newly christened father (congratulations, Mr. Thompson!), had just come off the temporarily inactive list (now we know why). He threw his warm-up pitches. And, then, well he was visited by pitching coach Jeremy Accardo and the Sounds trainer. He was pulled from the mound with an unknown diagnosis. We'll have to monitor this one in the days ahead. Tough break for Thompson and the Sounds staff. AND, a huge kudos to RHP Harold Chirino who came in with no notice while keeping Omaha scoreless - he struck out two in the process. It is absolutely rare when 97-98 mph comes out of a hand looking effortless. Chirino throws an effortless amount of high 90's heat. You have to see it to understand what I'm talking about. With that effortless release, however, comes locked knees and a buckling curve:

3) The 1B Tyler Black experiment continues. The mixed bag absolutely still exists. He snared a hard hit liner. He hit a poke triple (yes, a poke). He went 3-for-5. And, he almost ruined an inning with his glove. It just is what it is at this point. He wasn't charged an error on either play but he failed to snare a 99 mph liner off his glove and he failed to help Cappra complete the put out on a difficult deep grounder that one hopped and escaped Black's glove. IF he is going to be a serious first baseman moving forward - given the offensive exploits we all know are there - he is going to simply have to start making some of these plays. It's as simple as that. 

** Special shout out to RHP Enoli Paredes. Oftentimes the box scores lie. He will be credited with a blown Save and two earned runs. He suffered several paper cuts via absurdly slow dribblers. The tying RBI, for crying out loud, didn't even hit 60 mph off the bat. Baseball is often cruel. Paredes suffered cruel fate in the ninth frame.

Final: Biloxi 5, Chattanooga (Reds) 4

Shuckers Extend Win Streak to Five with Third Straight Comeback Win - Campbell's Two-RBI Single in the Eighth Gives Shuckers Late Lead in 5-4 Win

Pre-Game Media Notes 

Box Score / Game Log  

We are at a point, early in 2024, where we simply don't know what we're getting when uber-talented young RHP Jacob Misiorowski throws a pitch. 3 IP, 1 H, 5 BB, 3 WP, 2 ER. It was as ugly as it gets in his third and final inning of work. It's truly a shame to see this type of regression after the immense amount of progress we witnessed in 2023. But, this currently is a real element of his starts to date. What's more? His velocity is down. He is now sitting 95-96 and touching 97 mph on his heat. Early, at least, we are not witnessing the patented 98-100 mph heat of 2023. There is just too much talent in this young man's game to get overly worried at this juncture of the season. But, I do think it's fair to wonder what is going on. You certainly don't expect to see the bullpen cover six innings when Misiorowski takes the hill. I am actually curious, at this point, if we end up seeing him take a stint on the Developmental List should these wild swings continue. 

Three Quick Strikes:

1) Let's get to the Eric Brown Jr. injury. In the bottom of the first frame, EBJ was hit on a high inside heater off his elbow pad to lead off his evening (and the Shuckers first at bats). There was no residual damage here from what the eyes can see. He took first base. While taking his leads, however, on two distinct occasions, he was seen clearly grimacing in pain after dives back to the first base bag. I noticed it instantly. To view these pick-off attempts and EBJ's actions go to 1:15:11 and 1:16:58, respectively, of the MiLB.TV feed. He actually remains in the game and steals second base! EBJ returns for the top of the second where we see him test his shoulder and arm on a fantastic charging scoop and toss to first base. This play occurs at 1:24:10 (again time-stamped for the MiLB.TV replay for subscribers). It was an instantaneous reaction of pain and clear frustration and disgust. Let's simply leave room for the possibility this was a fluke occurrence and nothing major. My fingers are crossed. And, I'm very concerned this could be yet another absolute freak injury to an upper-tier highly touted uber-talented prospect. ?

2) Brewer Fanatic long-time favorite, OF Noah Campbell continued his run of plus play across the diamond and at the dish. He missed a crucial opportunity in the fourth inning, however, with the bases dripping and two down. Campbell was caught looking at an inside heater and went down without a swing and the ball game remained knotted at 2-2. Fast forward to the eighth frame. With the bags dripping yet again with two down, Campbell would not be denied. After fighting off four consecutive 100 mph + pitches (not a typo), Campbell muscled a line drive shot into RF. It was a heck of an AB in as high-leverage a spot as there gets. 

3) I did not have LHP Adam Seminaris out-performing RHP Shane Smith on my bingo card in early 2024. BUT, here we are. Seminaris is absolutely dealing. Smith is battling through some inconsistencies outing-to-outing. Seminaris threw 3 1/3 IP of 1 H, 0 BB, 4 K ball tonight. Just confident and dealing Aces. Smith stumbled through his 1 IP (2 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K) and is still searching for that 2023 top-tier form. This is essentially the parable of the 2024 season, however: the unheralded and under-recognized players are absolutely stepping up. Many a marquis player is either injured or battling inconsistencies. To this end, special shout out to LHP Russ Smith who continues to build upon last season's late surge. After another scoreless inning of work (3 K), Smith further solidified his 0.00 ERA. That's 4 1/3 IP overall - 9 K, 1 BB, 0 ER, 0.188 BAA. You have to think this is the Smith the Brewers envisioned when they drafted him in the second round in 2021. Let's simply hope he keeps it churning. 

Game 1 Final: Wisconsin 5, Cedar Rapids (Twins) 4
Box Score / Game Log  
Game 2 Final: Cedar Rapids (Twins) 8, Wisconsin 2
Box Score / Game Log 

Game 1 Post-Game Write-Up:

Adams Homers & Drives in Three for Rattlers in Game 1 Win - Wisconsin Beats Cedar Rapids 5-3

Game 2 Post-Game Write-Up:

Rattlers Drop Nightcap 8-2 to Cedar Rapids - Wisconsin and Kernels Split a Doubleheader

Pre-Game Media Notes

Game 1 Full Highlight Package:

 Game 2 Full Highlight Package:

Post-Game(s) Podcast:

< PAUSE >

Whewwww. Those Timber Rattlers sure do take care of us Fanatics, eh? Incredible output as per usual up North. Thank you Chris and Kyle and the T-Rats helping hands that put these homestand packages together. A true delight.

Three Quick Strikes:

1) In case you don't want to sift through the full highlight reels above, take in 1B Luke Adams' second long ball in as many games. Note: Adams has calmed down his hands action in his approach at the dish. Like Wiemer, it would appear, they have calmed some things down. The leg lift is still prominent but I see a more repeatable appraoch here. This is a very exciting development as I see it:

2) Despite the unfavorable end result and unsightly ERA for LHP Tate Kuehner, I actually liked what I saw. Let's forget the third frame. He showcased he has some tools to work with through the first two frames. He was sitting 91-94 on his heat. He has some decent off-speed offerings to work with - a breaking ball and a change-up that sat 78-86 mph depending. I saw more than enough in this brief stint to see the forest for the trees. I'll be looking to future starts to see if he can string together more innings and execute pitches at a higher mark.

3) 3B Mike Boeve may have seen his on-base streak end at 10 games after his 0-for-3 performance in game two but let's take a moment to celebrate the hottest bat in all the Brewers Minor Leagues through the early portion of 2024. Even with the 0-for-3 evening at the dish, Boeve is still hitting a wild 0.484 with a 1.132 OPS. He's been absolutely tremendous. So, let's get greedy: can you give us a long ball Mr. Boeve? Please? That'd really put the ribbon on a fantastic April. Thanks in advance.

Final: Carolina 7, Augusta (Braves) 3

Nicasia Homers Again as Mudcats Even Series - Carolina Outfielder Hits Third Home Run of Season, Second in as Many Nights

Box Score / Game Log

Let me just remind you all: It is Kay-Lan Nicasia's world in 2024 and we are just living in it. Now that I have that out of the way (more below, oh don't you worry!), let's quickly discuss RHP Daniel Corniel's start. Corniel looked very much the part of a talented 19-year-old. He struggled with location - hanging sliders, primarily. His body language showed it to boot. 19 years old, after all. Corniel's slider is actually a plus pitch - his best pitch by my eyes. It can drop sharply. He can throw it with velocity or he can turn it back down a notch. It's a crafty pitch. BUT, a crafty pitch can turn pedestrian when it is hung dead center cut. This was Corniel's primary flaw in his limited outing: 3 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 4 K, 3 ER. This outing will lift his WHIP some (1.57 on the season). Like Kuehner above for the T-Rats, I see plenty in the toolkit and plenty in the tank. I expect better innings ahead. He'll need to find the zone and the better parts of it.

Three Quick Strikes:

1) Your 'Nicasia Moment of Zen'. I am relentless in my pursuit of 'Prospect Justice'. Throw away those Top 20 lists. I bow before the Unheralded Ones.

2) Very impressive bounce back outing for RHP Bayden Root. It matched the final line: 2 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 5 K. A much needed rebound to start getting that K:BB ratio back to where he wants it. It was nice to see Root extremely confident and attacking the zone. Keep it up, young man! Additionally, I said it before and I'll say it again: RHP KC Hunt is an intriguing arm. Another scoreless extended relief outing: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 4 K. He has a plan in each AB and he has a real bevy of tools to work with - multiple off-speed deliveries (really tasty curveball) and he is unafraid to play in all parts of the zone. He's one of my most pleasant surprise watches in early 2024: 7 IP, 11 K, 2 BB, 0.115 BAA. These numbers don't lie - take a chance to catch him on the bump if you can. 

3) It appeared manager Nick Stanley and staff put out a missive to swing early in the count in every AB of the first inning. To a man, every batter swung at the first pitch. It was intentionally aggressive by my eyes and clearly sent with the batters to the plate. Honestly, for lack of a better word, it felt 'off' and too deliberate? Baez caught them with his lead-off well hit double to left field but it all fizzled from there and it kept the Augusta's starter pitch count absurdly low. Sometime novel ideas or approaches end up better left in the folder titled 'Ideas'. I'll be curious to see how they approach first innings in the final four games of this series. 

We are back to an all evening slate tomorrow. Four games apiece - no double headers. Can RHP Bradley Blalock continue dealing and help Biloxi extend their win streak to six games? What does RHP Will Rudy have in store in his second start for Wisconsin? Can LHP Aaron Ashby put his poor start his last time out behind him? Ashby is sorely in need of a feel good outing. Let's hope he gets one!

As always, thanks for reading and thanks for supporting Milwaukee Brewers Minor League baseball and the many players deserving of our time and recognition. I now pass the baton to Daniel and Jim for the remainder of these ongoing series.

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