Brewers Minor League Link Report (4/18): Mudcats Now 11-2, Outscoring Opponents 101-58

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Final: Charlotte (White Sox) 2, 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 First Game of Series in Charlotte on Friday Night - Tobias Myers Works Five Scoreless in Third Rehab Start

See, this is why we suggest you always read the game summaries:

It's hard to mourn a walk-off loss when your team scores only one run on four singles (although seven walks were also gleaned but not taken advantage of, 0-for-7 RISP, 8 LOB).

This was Ryan Middendorf's 6th appearance, and these were the first two earned runs he's allowed. You can't say the hits were cheap, as evidenced here and here. 

Andruw Monasterio made an attempt at an extra-base hit with one out in the 8th -

Ernesto Martinez had one of the four singles, and well, he's just ridiculous with the big-boy-strength, because it was lined to center at 110.1 MPH. This follows up from the day before:

5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K, 76 pitches (48 strikes). Simply put, see you in San Francisco, Tobias Myers. Rehab mission accomplished.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes 
Final: Biloxi 4, Birmingham (White Sox) 1
Box Score and Game Log

Crow Returns to the Mound with a Dominant Start in a 4-1 Shuckers Win - Peterson strikes out a career-high 8, staff combines for 15 strikeouts

Sorry, but you will never see me not pushing investment in the pre-game interview audio that's available. My goodness, they are seven-minute mini-sacrifices of your time. Among the most recent entries, for sure tune into Eric Brown, Jr. discussing his plate adjustments, and it was very cool to hear from Jace Peterson, now a Player Development Consultant. 

The Shuckers are going with a one-man bench beyond the catcher position. On Friday, outfielder Bladimir Restituyo sat. That can't be the case long. It's nice to see the ten base knocks (all singles however, thus just the four runs) plus the seven walks, filling the bases throughout this one, as everyone reached at least once (Luis Lara, Brock Wilken, and Luke Adams thrice each). But some days off are going to need to be scheduled, not to mention the likely need for an injury emergency fill-in. Jheremy Vargas' transfer down to Wisconsin seemed innocuous, but he was capable of providing support in multiple spots on the diamond.

My goodness this is a very big number via the opening to the linked game summary:

Coleman Crow’s first pitching appearance in 723 days

So yes, there was a very rehab-ish Arizona Fall League stint in 2024, but this was the real deal, and how do you come back after that layoff and just pick up where you left off regarding ridiculous spin:

Not only did LHP Nate Peterson strand the two Coleman Crow baserunners in the 4th (coming in with no outs), but after walking six in his most recent outing, Peterson was amazing here with eight K's and zero free passes. He ran with a 3-0 lead and stood it up tall. More of this, please, or at least anything vaguely resembling this. What an effort.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes (download link) 
Final, Game One: Lansing (Athletics) 8, Wisconsin 4, seven innings as scheduled
Box Score and Game Log

Lansing Claims Series Win in 8-4 Game One Victory over Rattlers - Lugnuts score five insurance runs with two outs to build 8-1 lead

I was able to watch every pitch of this one, and we're linking to the postgame podcast audio below (highly recommended) which includes all of Brandon Woodruff's comments on his day. Simply put, Woodruff's outing was underwhelming to this viewer, and you'll hear Woody comment that it doesn't really matter whether he's facing the kids in High-A or not, but well, it kind of does, and there was no intimidation or domination evident. I invite you to review the linked game log - you'll see the words "sharply" and "line drive" throughout Woodruff's four frames, including several of the outs. His 30-day rehab stint officially kicked off on April 12th, and he'll need every bit of those 30 days, but we all anticipated that. Nothing will be rushed. 

Kudos to the 9th inning "rally", but that was a bit of lipstick on a pig, entering that final frame down 8-1. The Rattlers had only five baserunners through the first six frames. Reliever Bayden Root was atypically wild and I was fearing for Lansing batters (two were plunked and several other pitchers nearly clipped). Fellow bullpen arm Dikember Sanchez was, we'll call it, more "typically" wild.

On to the non-completed nightcap -

Suspended, Game Two: Lansing 3, Wisconsin 2, one out in the top of the 4th
Box Score and Game Log

Rattlers and Lugnuts Night Game is Suspended by Weather - Lugnuts leading 3-2 in fifth when rain halted play

Even for a suspended game, Chris Mehring's recap provides you plenty of detail. We'll enhance things when the game goes final on Saturday, plus we should get video beyond just this as well:

Props to starting RHP Chandler Welch for fighting through the elements, regardless of the soured results in the final soaking frame.

Final: Carolina 10, Delmarva (Orioles) 1
Box Score and Game Log

Offense Propels Mudcats to Victory 

A 1-1 game through five innings? No problem for this lineup.

Do you know what is becoming a problem? Carolina position players seemingly exiting mid-game on a regular basis. On Friday, it was Josh Adamczewski's turn. He walked in the 1st, was HBP in the 2nd, then left the game after striking out swinging in the 4th. The HBP was on his right elbow (LH batter). On the final swing of his subsequent K, Adamczewski can be seen flexing that elbow on his way back to the dugout (for MiLB.TV subscribers, the 02:26:00 hour/minute mark here).

So far, Carolina position players have avoided the seven-day IL. Infielder Luis Pena last played on Sunday the 13th. Demetrio Nadal left Wednesday's game, Braylon Payne left Thursday's. Adamczewski's exit kicked off a myriad of position changes when catcher Blayberg Diaz entered as a first baseman (now with 33 games at the cold corner). Hopefully things all remain just day-to-day on the "owie" front.

Outside of an 0-for-5 and golden sombrero for Filippo Di Turi (still sporting a .411 OBP), everyone contributed. Enjoy the box, as per usual with this group.

So close to HR #1, but the OPS is still wonderful at .885:

The Mudcat "X" timeline is full of all kinds of video for you, from the up-close and standard varieties.

RHP Travis Smith and LHP Sam Garcia are combining nicely in their tandem efforts, and 21-year-old LH Mexico native Jesus Broca bridged the gap between the 22-year-olds nicely. By the way, guess which team is a strong 3rd in ERA and 2nd in WHIP in the 12-team Carolina League ERA? That's right, your Carolina Mudcats. The main reason? They don't have to pitch to your Carolina Mudcats.

Nearly 2,800 in Zebulon for this one, love to see it, these youngsters deserve it. Sure, there were fireworks, but the players have provided many of their own.

My opinion - the Wisconsin Saturday nightcap game should be a nine-inning affair, but it'll be seven, like the completion of the suspended game. Regardless, that's your afternoon action in Appleton. The Mudcats kick off at 4:00 Central, the Sounds at 5:05, and the Shuckers at 6:30 in conveniently staggered affairs. Enjoy!

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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