Brewers Minor League Link Report (4/28): Black, Misiorowski, O’Rae, Timmerman Shine in Near-Sunday Sweep

Wisconsin was the only series winner this week (5-1 over Peoria). Carolina drew 3 games apiece with Salem, while Nashville (2-4) and Biloxi (1-5) dropped their series to Louisville and Pensacola, respectively.

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Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes (not yet available at press time)
Final: Nashville 7, Louisville 4
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: Black Homers Twice, Sounds Take Series Finale in Louisville

Leadoff 1B Tyler Black (2-for-5, 2 HR, 2 RBIs) took an aggressive approach at the plate, swinging at four of the first five pitches he saw. His second swing put an inside fastball over the right field wall to start the game, then his fourth hack smacked an outside corner changeup over the fence in left center to push Nashville’s advantage to 6-0 by the 4th inning. 

That should have been enough for the Sounds to cruise to victory, but it was a tale of two different games for 22-year old starting pitcher RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez.

• Through 4 innings, Rodriguez located extremely well, including largely weak contact as only one of the first 13 batters had an exit velocity above 91.5mph through 3 1/3 scoreless innings.
• However, four walks in the 5th inning allowed Louisville to score 2 runs, then a leadoff walk in the 6th inning probably should have been enough to send him to the showers at 84 pitches. Instead, a 3-0 count double and first-pitch, 2-RBI single followed and it was suddenly a ballgame at 6-4 with the potential game-tying run at the plate with nobody out.

Thankfully, RHP Harold Chirino (2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K) cleaned up that inning (K, walk, GIDP), then worked around two 7th inning singles to keep the Bats down. His velocity topped out at 96.6mph.

Sounds’ Extras:

• Isaac Collins, starting in center field for the 3rd straight game, helped swing the momentum back in Nashville’s favor with his 4th long ball of 2024 for a 7-4 advantage. The homer also extended Collins’ hitting streak to 7 games and lifted his season OPS to 1.095 in 86 plate appearances.
• The teams went a combined 2-for-20 with runners in scoring position, but some stats were still racked up: C Francisco Mejia 2-RBI double, right fielder Brewer Hicklen 2 hits, SS Andruw Monasterio reached 3 times (single, 2 walks) and stole 2 bases, 3 GIDPs turned by the Sounds’ defense, DH Eric Haase 5 strikeouts (okay, that’s not the stat we like).
• LHP Darrell Thompson (scoreless 8th inning) pitched for the first time in 11 days after a short stint on the injured list, while RHP Corbin Martin (scoreless 9th) collected his first save since High-A ball in 2018.

Next week’s outlook: The Sounds (13-14) come back home to host Orioles’ affiliate Norfolk (12-15) and their top prospect INF Jackson Holliday. The opening game starting pitcher has not yet been announced. Will it be LHP Robert Gasser throwing on 5 days’ rest, LHP Aaron Ashby going on 4 days’ rest or a surprise?

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Pensacola 3, Biloxi 2 (in 10 innings)
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Misiorowski Shines with Six Strikeouts, Shuckers Fall to Blue Wahoos in 10

Biloxi demonstrated first-hand how you can seemingly dominate a game and still lose.

RHP Jacob Misiorowski (3 2/3 IP, 1 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 6 Ks) was as exciting as ever over 3 2/3 hitless innings, although one walk and two wild pitches allowed the Blue Wahoos to put one across in the 2nd inning. Per the article link above, his fastball registered 99mph severally as Pensacola was rather helpless in the box. We don’t know how Javik Blake produces so much road content, but we’re extremely grateful. 

As this was Misiorowski’s second start of the week, it made sense to pull him after just 47 pitches (32 strikes), with LHP Adam Seminaris also impressing in long relief: 3 2/3 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 5 Ks. 43 of Seminaris’ 53 pitches were strikes and he lowered his season ERA to 1.84, only to end up with a blown save to his credit.

1B Ernesto Martinez singled and scored to tie the game in the 3rd inning, then crushed his solo homer for a 2-1 advantage in the 5th inning. However, his chance to put the Shuckers back in front in the top of the 9th inning with 2-on, 1-out ended with a strikeout looking. 

In fact, the Shuckers failed to score in the 8th, 9th and 10 innings despite having a runner on second base with nobody out in each frame. Their 2-for-13 hitting with runners in scoring position was their downfall. Click here to see the lame walk-off nubber.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• Credit the Blue Wahoos with turning three critical double plays: right field to home to end the 2nd inning, a GIDP to erase 3B Mike Boeve’s leadoff single in the 4th inning, then a back-breaking unassisted line out double play to first base in the top of the 10th inning.
• LHP Justin King only threw 4 pitches, but he did strand two inherited baserunners from Seminaris.
• 2B Ethan Murray’s slump pushed him to the 9th spot in the batting order and he responded: 2-for-3, triple, double, walk, RBI. 

Next week’s outlook: Biloxi (11-10) stays on the road, this time heading to the suburbs of Knoxville, Tennessee to take on the Cubs’ affiliate (11-9). Expect RHP Bradley Blalock (1.35 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 6.8 K/9 in 20 IP) to start the series opener, although no starter has been announced.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wisconsin 14, Peoria 6
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Rattlers Offense Relentless in 14-6 Win

Wisconsin was indeed relentless indeed in this game. You really expected them to score every inning and they nearly did, collecting 14 hits and coming up 18 times with runners in scoring position (6-for-18 in those situations).

Per the game link, Timber Rattlers’ leadoff man 2B Dylan O’Rae (3-for-4, triple, walk, HBP, RBI, 2 SBs) scored 5 runs, while 3B Luke Adams (2-for-3, double, 3 walks, 2 RBIs) matched him in terms of reaching base 5 times. Adams’ 5th inning double tied the game at 5-5, then his 2-out RBI single pushed the lead to 8-6 in the top of the 8th inning.

Right fielder Eduarqui Fernandez’s (1-for-3, HR, 2 walks, RBI) hot streak continued with his second homer in three games cutting the Chiefs’ lead to 4-3 in the 4th inning. Later SS Jadher Areinamo (1-for-5, HR, 3 RBIs; .260 AVG, .643 OPS) showed some much-needed pop with a 3-run blast to put the game out of reach at 12-6.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• Peoria managed to tag RHP Edwin Jimenez for 6 runs on 9 hits, but he still managed to get through five innings (with 1 BB and 2 Ks) over 93 pitches (63 strikes). The Chiefs had no such luck against RHPs Tyler Wehrle, Aaron Rund and Chase Costello, going scoreless and hitless over the final 4 innings.
• Center fielder Luis Lara (3-for-5, double, walk, 2 RBIs, SB) also had an excellent day at the plate, while DH Gregory Barrios nearly had a rare 2-RBI, zero hit day (2 sac flies). Instead, Barrios’ 2-run double in the 9th inning gave him a 4-RBI day and restored him atop the Midwest League doubles board with nine on the young season.
• Manager Victor Estevez was very committed to aggression on the basepaths, with the team going 3-for-6 in stolen base attempts.

Next week’s outlook: Midwest League leaders square off as Wisconsin (15-6) returns home to take on Dodgers’ affiliate Great Lakes (14-7), with 23-year old LHP Tate Kuehner (7.71 ERA with 12 Ks in 7 IP) scheduled to make his 2nd start (4th appearance) in the series opener.

Final: Carolina 4, Salem 3
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Guilarte, Garcia Homer As Mudcats Snap Losing Streak in Series Finale

19-year old RHP Bishop Letson (3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks) got the start and was solid over 3 innings and 49 pitches, but 21-year old RHP Josh Timmerman put in the most noteworthy performance to earn the win in long relief: 4 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 6 Ks.

Right fielder Yhoswar Garcia may lead the Carolina League in stolen bases (11 in 16 games played) and have come in with only two career homers over nearly three years in minor league ball, but he knew that this ball was headed out for a 3-2 lead in the 5th inning. 

3B Juan Baez seemed to be in the middle of everything, walking, stealing and scoring to tie the game 1-1 in the 2nd inning, singling in a run for a 4-2 lead in the 8th inning, booting a ball to start the 9th inning, then helping turn the game-ending double play when Carolina was precariously holding on up 4-3 with the bases loaded.

Mudcats’ Extras:

• Timmerman had thrown 66-73 pitches in his earlier 3 outings, so it was a relative surprise to see him pulled at 49 pitches (33 strikes) in favor of RHP Morris Austin in the 9th inning. Fortunately, Austin was able to overcome 2 singles, a walk and Baez’s error to induce the GIDP to close it out for his first save.
• DH Tayden Hall (3-for-4, triple, double) continues to serve notice that he’s ready for the move to High-A ball, nearly hitting for the cycle while lifting his season average to .400 and OPS to 1.067.
• I’m sure that 2B Daniel Guilarte (solo homer in 3rd inning for a 2-1 lead) also has his eye on a promotion, but he probably needs to keep grinding and pushing his OPS toward .800 (.214 AVG, .634 OPS at this point). 

Next week’s outlook: Carolina (15-6) gets to stay home for another week, hosting Royals’ affiliate Columbia (12-8). 18-year old RHP Manuel Rodriguez (3.77 ERA in 14 1/3 IP) is most likely to start Game One of the series.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. The minor league squads are off on Monday, so root on the Brewers to get back on track at home against the Rays.

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