Brewers Minor League Link Report (4/24): Biloxi and Wisconsin Offenses Erupt, While Woodruff Impresses

Transactions:

• RHP Cesar Espinal (recently acquired for Mark Canha) assigned to DSL Brewers Blue
• RHP Brandon Woodruff’s rehab shifted to AAA Nashville
• RHP Merwin Manrique (signed January 15) assigned to DSL Brewers Gold
• LHP Bryan Hudson optioned to AAA Sounds from MLB Brewers

Game Action:

Game One Final: Nashville 2, Durham 0 (in 7 innings)
Box Score and Game Log

Game Two Final: Durham 9, Nashville 7 (in 8 innings)
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 Split Thursday Twin Bill with Durham

Per the linked game report, the Sounds blanked the Bulls for 13 innings, nearly completing a 2-win, 2-shutout sweep, before things went awry in the final scheduled inning in the second game.

Terrific starts from rehabbing RHP Brandon Woodruff (5 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 5 Ks) and 23-year old RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez (5 1/3 IP, 3 H, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 8 Ks) were the story of the night, with both serving notice that they’re ready to contribute at the Major League level if called upon (health-permitting, of course).

Woodruff’s third rehab start saw him maintain his velocity (94.1mph peak) across 61 pitches (41 strikes), while the youngster Rodriguez baffled hitters across 78 pitches (52 strikes) with his 6-pitch mix of changeups, cutters, curve balls, sinkers, sliders and four-seamers (94.4mph peak).

Nashville recorded just two hits in the opening game victory, including C Jorge Alfaro’s (2-for-5 day, HR, walk, 2 RBIs, SB and most likely to selected in an NFL draft, per players’ poll) 6th blast of the young season: https://x.com/nashvillesounds/status/1915551204647604306

OF Jared Oliva added an insurance run (his 6th homer of 2025, to go with 13 stolen bases) in that opening game for good measure:

1B Wes Clarke had a productive day at the plate (2-for-6, 2 RBIs), nearly leading the offense to victory in the night cap:

SS/2B Andruw Monasterio (2-for-5, walk, RBI) and 3B Freddy Zamora were in give-and-take mode, with Zamora’s RBI extending the Game 2 lead to 6-0 before his game-tying error later in the same inning:

Sounds’ Extras:

• The box scores tells us that RHP Ryan Middendorf surrendered most of the damage in the Game 2 collapse (5 earned runs, 4 hits, 1 HBP against 6 batters), but the exit velocities were 73.2, 40.6, 75.9 and 90.2. Still leading 6-3 with 2-on, 1-out, RHP Vinny Nittoli attempted to close it out, but 2 singles and an error allowed 3 more runs across before RHP Jesus Liranzo conceded 3 runs (2 earned) in the extra frame.
• 3B/SS Oliver Dunn’s road back to MLB may have begun with his double (106.5mph) in the second game, part of a 1-for-6 day with a walk. Yes, he played shortstop in that late game.
• Regular Minor League Forum contributor @wiguy94 picked this nugget from Jeff Hem on the Sounds’ broadcast: “Ernesto is dealing with a right thumb issue so I was woefully off thinking it was a right thigh issue”, thus explaining 1B Ernesto Martinez Jr.’s absence from the two lineups.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Deivi Garcia (2.70 ERA, 11 Ks in 13 1/3 IP) is scheduled to start Game 4, with the team needing a win to even the home series at 2-2.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Biloxi 7, Montgomery 3
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Adams Celebrates 21st Birthday in Style with First Double-A Homer in Shuckers Win

Two wins and 17 runs in the last two games for the Shuckers? Is this still the pitcher-friendly Southern League? Clutch extra-base hits were the name of the game for Biloxi, with all 7 runs coming home on XHBs:

3B Brock Wilken (2-for-3, double, walk, RBI) got the scoring started and reached three times to lift his season OPS to .771 (with a .179 AVG):

SS Cooper Pratt and 1B Luke Adams had one hit each, but certainly made them count:

Also encouraging was RHP Coleman Crow (2 1/3 IP, 1 R, 2 Ks) making his 2nd start after a prolonged injury absence. Though it wasn't exactly smooth sailing (5 H), he got timely outs and other help (thanks C Ramon Rodriguez and RHP Stiven Cruz) to only concede 1 run.

Find more video highlights on the Shuckers’ Twitter feed, including contributions from Garrett Spain and RHP Will Childers.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• Credit LHP Nate Peterson (4 IP, 1 R, 6 Ks) and RHP Will Childers (2 IP, 1 R, 4 Ks) will striking out 10 Biscuits over their combined 6 innings of solid work.
• Montgomery actually outhit the Shuckers 10-8 and matched them with 4 XBHs, but stranded 13 baserunners in a frustrating evening for them.
• In addition to his first AA homer, of course Adams also collected an HBP on his birthday.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Abdiel Mendoza (7.59 ERA, 10 Ks in 10 2/3 IP) gets the call to try to lead Biloxi to a 3-1 home series lead.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wisconsin 13, Cedar Rapids 5
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Rattlers Offense Pulls Away Late in Cedar Rapids

Though the final score doesn't suggest it, this was a tense affair through 8 innings.

Wisconsin's offense was certainly due for a breakout and it happened here on the road with 13 runs and 14 hits. Even stranding 11 baserunners (7-for-16 with runners in a scoring position) can be seen as a positive sign for a team that had lost 7 of 8 games coming in.

C Matt Wood's (featured in a timely Appleton Post-Crescent article) only hit of the night was a first-pitch biggie to give Wisconsin a 4-3 lead in the 3rd inning:

The linked game report by Chris Mehring captures the action beautifully, including the clutch 2-out RBI singles from the Garcia non-brothers (Eduardo – 2-for-5, walk, RBI; Yhoswar – 2-for-4, walk, RBI):

We’re blessed with more video highlights at the linked game report and Timber Rattlers’ Twitter feed, including Hedbert Perez (2-for-6, triple, 2 RBIs, SB) and Jheremy Vargas.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• Starting RHP Chandler Welch battled through 8 hits over 5 innings and 82 pitches, while RHP Zach Peek collected his 2nd win thanks to 2 pristine innings (6-up, 6-down, 3 Ks).
• Offensive leader SS Jadher Areinamo reached base 5 times (2 hits, 2 walks, 1 HBP) and DH/1B Blake Burke contributed a double and a single.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Bishop Letson (2.45 ERA, 13 Ks in 11 IP) is listed to make his 4th start of 2025, with Wisconsin needing a victory to even their road series at two games apiece.

Final: Columbia 2, Carolina 1
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Mudcats Drop Contest at Columbia

A second straight 1-run defeat has the talented Mudcats in unfamiliar territory, trailing 2-0 in their road series.

But that pales somewhat in importance to the return of 17-year old SS Jesus Made (1-for-4, 1 K) from injury and 5 solid innings from 19-year old starting RHP Bryce Meccage (4 1/3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 4Ks).

Carolina League OPS leader 2B Josh Adamczewski led the offense with a 3-for-4, 1 RBI day (.383 season AVG, 1.090 OPS in 74 PAs).

Long reliever RHP Tanner Gillis had his first challenging appearance, conceding the 2 runs on a double and 6 singles over 3 innings. The winning run came across on an 8th inning duffed infield grounder (rough luck).

Mudcats’ Extras:

• Gillis did register 4 strikeouts, part of a combined 10K/0BB day by Mudcats’ pitchers (including LHP Anfernny Reyes’s 2 Ks).
• Utility man and pleasant surprise Luiyin Alastre (right field in this game) contributed a double, walk and outfield assist.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Bryan Rivera (1.08 ERA, 9 Ks in 8 1/3 IP) is listed to start the first game of Carolina’s twin-bill, with RHP Melvin Hernandez (3.09 ERA, 10 Ks in 11 2/3 IP) and LHP Sam Garcia (2.38 ERA, 12 Ks in 11 1/3 IP) likely available for their second contest of the night.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. The Mudcats get Friday action started with Game 1 of their doubleheader at 4:35 CST, while the Milwaukee Brewers head to St. Louis for a 7:15pm start time.

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