Brewers Minor League Link Report (5/2): Henderson, Cornielle, Letson Shine in Starting Mound Efforts

Transactions:
- LHP DL Hall sent on rehab assignment to ACL Brewers
- 3B Mike Boeve sent on rehab assignment to ACL Brewers
- RHP Tanner Shears sent on rehab assignment to ACL Brewers
- LHP Russell Smith placed on the ACL Brewers 7-day injured list.

We also learned, via Curt Hogg of the Journal-Sentinel, that Carolina Mudcats infielder Luis Pena's 7-day IL stint is for a mild right hamstring strain.

Final: Nashville 4, Gwinnett (Braves) 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:

Logan Henderson Spins Another Quality Start in Sounds Win over Gwinnett - Second Straight Quality Start with Nashville, Third Consecutive Overall

Do you think Henderson's one big league start - six glorious innings, one run allowed, one BB, nine K, has given him supreme confidence since despite the quick demotion back to Nashville? Two starts - 12 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 14 K. Let's say what seems obvious - a swap for Quinn Priester seems like a prudent move at this point.

Bryan Hudson has not walked a batter in his three one-inning scoreless outings since his arrival in Nashville, more good news to help sweeten a sour evening on the MLB front.

Dunn has five hits in his last three games, and he walked twice in the game prior to that. Baby steps.

Andruw Monasterio doubled, walked and stole a base. He'd be no godsend by any means, but the Vinny Capra saga has been difficult to watch despite some better (yet still fruitless) at-bats on that MLB front.

Maybe we should all learn about fruit bats instead.

Final: Biloxi 7, Columbus (Braves) 4
Box Score and Game Log

Catch up on Biloxi Pre-Game Audio Interviews

Via the Shuckers' website, game details, and we encourage readers to review affiliate write-ups as part of their Link Report routine:

Rodríguez's 3 RBI Night, Fitzpatrick's Dominant Outing Leads Shuckers to Wild Win - Rodríguez smashes second home run of the year, Fitzpatrick lowers ERA to 0.69 through 13.0 innings

There's a contest we haven't fully followed - and that's the nightly mentions of any of the Rodriguez' in the Brewers system (there are seven of them) vs. the Garcia's (a whopping nine). At the minimum, we're suggesting a big Family Feud matchup in Maryvale next spring training.

In his second season in the Brewers system, 26-year-old Ramon Rodriguez is an interesting cat. The proud father of three, and a pro since age 17 (Dodgers draft pick, subsequent time in the Orioles' chain), he can be heard in a wonderful interview with Javik Blake via the link above. He's enjoying a hot stretch at the moment, and you can add his sacrifice fly to your box score perusal this morning.

Speaking of sacrifice flies:

SF: Pratt; Rodríguez, R; Vargas; Warren.

The most sacrifice flies by a team in one game in Major League Baseball (MLB) is five; the record was established by the Seattle Mariners in 1988, tied by the Colorado Rockies in 2006, and tied again by the Mariners in 2008.

Back to Rodriguez, and you can find a couple of additional video highlights for the Shuckers on their "X" feed here:

There weren't enough prospect rankers among you to place RHP Alexander Cornielle on BrewerFanatic's Top 20, but I know I did my part (several others voted for him as well). The flashes of brilliance we saw at Wisconsin have turned into a beacon of brightness (and a spiffy 0.42 ERA) through his first five starts at the AA level. 

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes (download link)
Final: Wisconsin 6, West Michigan (Tigers) 1
Box Score and Game Log

Letson Ks Nine as Wisconsin Beats West Michigan - Rattlers jump to early lead with four runs in first inning

Enjoy reading the summary, watching the highlights (see the "frosty" fans huddle in their coats as we hear Chris Mehring mention "Frosty K's" often - I'm sure we won't tire of that by season's end, good job by the Wendy's name brand placement team), and then listen to the podcast.

Importantly, we learn that Juan Baez's HBP exit - hit his helmet - was precautionary in nature. The Timber Rattlers have only one bench body who is a non-catcher, as the organization continues to skate on thin roster ice at various levels from time to time.

Going into the evening, we saw a sterling list of planned starters in Henderson, Cornielle, Letson, and we didn't sleep on 18-year-old Melvin Hernandez in Carolina. No one disappointed and just add Letson to the list of upper-Midwest Ginger Poulson draft finds.

Blake Burke trips around the bases after a home run are just mesmerizing. It's just a body type that is so unlike 99% (unscientific estimate) of those we see on a daily basis. It works for him, and we're all here for it.

Final: Myrtle Beach (Cubs) 7, Carolina 6
Box Score and Game Log

Mudcats Rally Comes Up Short 

Oh, those Cubs on this Friday night.

It's a shame that the 9th inning went awry for 19-year-old RHP Bryan Rivera, because the Nicaraguan native had tossed three innings of one-run ball prior. That led to the Mudcats being down 7-2 entering the bottom of the frame, and the rally fell one Eric Bitonti fly ball to center field short.

Three hits including a double and a sacrifice fly here, so May is off to a fine start for Adam as well (oh hi, Ginger!).

18-year-old Braylon Payne was on base three times and is now 14-for-16 in SB attempts. That "surprise" draft pick status continues to reflect very well on Brewers brass.

The previously alluded to Melvin Hernandez did not walk a batter in his 4.2 innings, and the youngest pitcher in all of full-season ball continues to acquit himself well.

What's that, you say? You'll be able to see a box score and game log from Maryvale today starting at 1:00 Central? Darn right, and best wishes to the Arizona Complex League kids (roster and staff listed here).

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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