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    Brewers Minor League Link Report (4/30): Mudcats Keep Churning

    Joseph Zarr

    By Joseph Zarr

    Biloxi was postponed due to an over-saturated ballpark. Meanwhile, as alluded to above, the Mudcats won game one while the Sounds were blown out by Norfolk and the Timber Rattlers couldn't hold on to their early 4-1 lead over suddenly red hot Great Lakes. I saw two fantastic LHP Robert Gasser innings and, predictably in this ongoing media-challenged 2024 Sounds Home season, then Nashville's video feed went kaput. Gasser apparently lost his bearings during that black out.

    Let's get into the report!

    Image courtesy of Brewer Fanatic

    Brewers Video

    Transactions:

    • The Milwaukee Brewers selected the contract of INF/OF Tyler Black from the Nashville Sounds
    • INF/OF Owen Miller was optioned by the Milwaukee Brewers to the Nashville Sounds
    • RHP Yujanyer Herrera was assigned to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers from the Carolina Mudcats
    • RHP Brett Wichrowski was assigned to the Biloxi Shuckers from the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
    • INF Tyler Rodriguez was assigned to the ACL Brewers from the DSL Brewers 1

    Unofficially: RHP Tyler Woessner appears headed to Nashville from Biloxi and is slated to pitch vs Norfolk this week

    Final: Norfolk (Orioles) 11, Sounds 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):

    Sounds Drop Series Opener Versus Norfolk - Tides Hit Four Homers, Take Down Nashville 11-5

    Pre-Game Media Notes 

    Box Score / Game Log

    LHP Robert Gasser looked absolutely fantastic through two innings pitched and then the Sounds video feed was shot for near two innings and I missed three Norfolk long balls and a sudden 4-0 deficit. 😅 So, this being said, I'll stick to the positive with Gasser: he was hitting 95 consistently on the gun. His sweeper was playing very well. Take a look at his lead-off K to one INF Jackson Holliday:

     

    That was number one - he struck out the side in the first frame. In the absolute very least, I see a MLB bullpen arm that can help the Brewers. At the very best, he can work his way into, and grab a hold of, a spot in the Brewers starting rotation. We'll simply have to stay tuned in the days and weeks ahead. Again, I didn't see the long balls. What I saw? Dominant.

    Three Quick Strikes:

    1) I said it before this game one began, but I found it hard to believe - given the immense offensive firepower on the Tides - the Sounds had a better record. This is going to be a tough series for the Sounds given their lack of pop at the dish especially with the sudden promotion of Tyler Black. The Sounds are going to need to rely on their trusty bullpen, hope they get some solid starting pitching, and hope they can get hot or they can scrap and claw runs across the dish. This is no easy task. Despite their record, the Tides have immense firepower in the meat of their line-up. 

    2) With INF Patrick Dorrian benched while mired in a truly unfortunate season-long slump, INF/LF Isaac Collins kept his bat sizzling hot. 1-for-3 with 1 R, 1 BB, and 1 K (16:16 on the season), Collins continues to maintain an overall OPS north of 1.000. These aren't run of the mill bloopers and flares either. Collins is ripping the ball to all parts of the park. He remains a name to keep an eye on. What you don't believe me? From the post-game article above:

    Quote
    • Isaac Collins extended his hitting streak to eight games with a single late. He’s batting .393 (11-for-28) with six extra-base hits, nine walks, a .541 on-base percentage and 1.362 OPS since April 21. Collins’ hitting streak is tied for the third longest active streak in the league.

    Plus, let me also remind you dear readers, Collins did just take home 'International League Player of the Week' honors: 

     

    3) It would be easy to get down on Gasser and Herget after their combined nine runs allowed. BUT, perspective matters in the long game that is a baseball season: Gasser hadn't conceded three home runs in a single outing in exactly a year's time (April 30, 2023 vs Omaha). Herget hadn't conceded a single run in his last 11 2/3 IP. Sometimes, it just isn't your night despite some moments of brilliance. I'll continue to focus on what is absolutely consistently true: both men are definitively two of the better pitchers on the Sounds staff. I expect them to bounce back in impactful ways in their next outings.

    Biloxi and Tennessee were rained out (as mentioned above) AND we do not know when the make-up date is at this time:

     

    Final: Great Lakes (Dodgers) 6, Wisconsin 4

    Loons Rally to End Wisconsin's Win Streak - Great Lakes Beats Timber Rattlers 6-4 to Open Series

    Box Score / Game Log  

    Pre-Game Media Notes

    LHP Tate Kuehner was quite effective through 3 IP - his mix of well place off-speed pitches kept hitters honest while he could work in his heat. I've said it previously: despite his ERA (after this game sits 7.36), Kuehner definitely has weapons to work with. I'd personally like to see more deception in his delivery. Because he is working from a conventional lefty arm slot and isn't a blazer (though he can touch 94-95 mph), he relies on impeccable location and mix and changing eye levels. When he runs into trouble it's typically because his mistakes are a bit tastier to hitters. Regardless, 4 IP of 5 H, 1 BB, 1 HR, 4 K baseball is not a bad outing. It simply wasn't quite good enough. 

    Post-Game Full Highlights:

    **Note: Because the T-Rats play a matinee affair tomorrow, there is no post-game Podcast**

    Three Quick Strikes:

    1) This game likely should just be subtitled 'The Noah Miller Game'. He may not be on the Cedar Rapids Kernels any longer (traded to the Dodgers organization late this past February), but Miller is clearly still impacting the Midwest League. The T-Rats staff had trouble with Miller all evening: 3-for-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, 1 HR. More importantly, he got the Loons rally going and the Loons have now won seven straight.

    2) I've previously spoken at length on the defensive of prowess of both OF Luis Lara and INF Jadher Areinamo. They are absolutely defensive dynamos on the baseball diamond. Let's appreciate a good look at the two working together to squash further threat on the basepaths after Kuehner had conceded his third run of his outing:

     

    3) INF Gregory Barrios stayed sizzling hot. He smacked his 10th double (!!) and hit to a 2-for-4 evening - 1 2B, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 SB. Having watched his struggles at the dish all last season in Zebulon, I can't really describe to you how absolutely awesome this run of play is to witness. With Guilarte beginning to really come on back with the same Mudcats, it's very clear to see: the middle infield depth remains extremely solid at the lower levels. Let's pray these young men stay healthy!

     Final: Carolina 8, Columbia (Royals) 3

    Mudcats Claim Opener from Fireflies 

    Box Score / Game Log

    RHP Manuel Rodriguez not only tied his season high with 7 K, but he looked masterful in doing so. This is becoming a pattern. This young man absolutely pitches years beyond his mere 18 years of age. He is controlled, poised, and dialed on the bump. Spinning his high 80's/low 90's heater in the 2700-2800 realm helps but, tonight at least, it was all about the bevy of curves and breaking balls sprinkled with an adept change-up to keep hitters honest. Rodriguez has a plan. He knows his tools. And, quite simply, he knows how to pitch. He's fast becoming one of the early surprises of 2024 as month one comes to a close. 

    Three Quick Strikes:
     
    1) I alluded to INF Daniel Guilarte above when discussing INF Gregory Barrios. The two were infield stablemates last season in Zebulon. Guilarte, much like Barrios now, was hotter than New York City pavement in July in the early going for the Mudcats in 2023. However, injuries quickly derailed what was a promising season. He's back now and fully healthy. Tonight, we got a glimpse of his full potential. He began things with a 103 mph lead-off triple deep of the right center field wall. He ended his evening 2-for-4, 4 R, 1 BB. He played fantastic defense at second base. He was a problem. We know the talent is there. Let's see if he can take off.
     
    2) OF Kay-Lan Nicasia not only stole three more bags - 9-for-9 in 2024 - and he gave us his patented fabulous all out defense to end the sixth frame (replay at 2:34:34). I'm going to keep pounding this drum: Yes, he's streaky, but the bat is ascending. The power stroke has sneakily snuck onto the doorstep. He makes good pitch decisions regardless of the results. The defense is always plus and the arm follows suit. What's more, he impacts the base paths. Nicasia is a classic case of a player who likely flies under the vast majority of prospect followers' radars but always finds a way to stay on it when you watch the games. Tonight was again no different. 
     
    3) RHP Harrison Durow picked up his fourth Save in as many tries as he held down the fort for 2 IP of 1 H, 1 BB, 0 R ball. Paying a bit more close attention in tonight's outing, I can share with you: his impact relies heavily on his 3,000 + RPM curveball. With 6'3" - 6'5" extension on the mound and that type of spin? It's fair to say, Low-A hitters are having to make decisions faster than they would like to. Given the very plus nature of that offering alone, this is an arm to absolutely keep an eye on in this wild n' wooly year of Brewers pitching ascension.
     
    ** Special Shout Out to INF Juan Baez and this highlight where he isn't thrown out on the base paths (😅)
    Baez is electric in the batters box with his gifted bat-to-ball skills. He's a much better 3B defender than advertised (seriously, he can handle the hot corner). But, man oh man, he gets thrown out at a ridiculous rate on the base paths. We discussed it briefly in our game thread HERE

    A reminder we have a Wisconsin matinee mid day slate tomorrow. RHP Patricio Aquino will look to bounce back while also trying to end Great Lakes' seven game winning streak. RHP Bradley Blalock will look to get back to scoreless outings for Biloxi. LHP Aaron Ashby will look to get his ERA below single digits - let's start there for Mr. Ashby (yeeeesh). We have yet to learn who will take the hill for the Mudcats.

    As always, thanks for reading and thanks for supporting Milwaukee Brewers Minor League baseball and the many players deserving of our time and recognition.

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    Joseph Zarr has loved following the Brewers since he turned 4 years old during their World Series run in the 1982 season. Growing up just outside Milwaukee, WI he called the state of Wisconsin his home until he left for higher learning at the age of 18. You will not find him on Social Media, a true rarity these days, but you can find him discussing topics here on Brewer Fanatic and, if you're feeling adventurous, in the fields and forests on his farm in Eastern Washington near the Idaho border north of Spokane.

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    Joseph Zarr

    Joseph Zarr 10,749

  • Brewer Fanatic Contributor

    • Posted

    The original headline to this write-up was a tip of the proverbial cap to RHP Manuel Rodriguez. Apparently, the editor(s) desired to keep it short and sweet - understandable. That headline sentiment still stands: make a point to watch a Rodriguez start or two, if you can. At 18 years old (August 8th birthday), he pitches in a manner more reminiscent of a veteran of the affiliated ranks. He just has an innate ability to play with his Pitch Mix and locate - his ACL and DSL numbers absolutely couldn't lead us to this realization. This is another example of a young arm who is telling you velocity isn't the be all end all - he was getting swings and misses aplenty on an 89 mph 'heater'😅. Just excellent stuff in back-to-back outings now. Two-of-Four starts he has compiled 7 K. Here is a quick look at his last road start at Augusta (another 1 R, 7 K performance). Note how his off-speed movement and bat-launching deception helps his upper-80's/low 90's heater play quite a bit more effectively:

     

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