Brewers Minor League Link Report (5/2): Rudy, Rivero and Bowman Lead Squads to Three Wins

Transactions:

• RHP Tyler Woessner promoted to AAA Nashville from AA Biloxi
• C Eric Haase placed on Taxi Squad (technically still on AAA Nashville's roster but inactive, pending Brewers’ evaluation of C Gary Sanchez's health)
• LHP Bjorn Johnson (12th round pick of 2023 draft) activated by ACL Brewers
• RHP Hayden Robinson (14th round pick of 2023 draft) activated by ACL Brewers
• Sixteen players were also promoted from the Dominican Summer League to the Arizona Complex League (whose season starts on Saturday evening), headlined by five starting pitchers, SS Filippo Di Turi and OF/INF Pedro Ibarguen

Game Action:
Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Norfolk 10, Nashville 6
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 Swamped by Tides For Third Straight Loss

Before this home series against Norfolk commenced, my colleague Joseph Zarr openly wondered how the Tides could have an inferior record to the Sounds, given Norfolk’s uber-talented offense. Unfortunately, the records have now reversed and that talent got to take aim at newly-promoted RHP Tyler Woessner.

Five of the Tides’ first six batters produced exit velocities above 90mph in their 2-homer, 3-run first inning, before Woessner almost recovered in the 2nd frame. After recording his first strikeout with the bases loaded (2 BB, weak single) for the second out of the 2nd inning, Woessner grooved a first pitch sinker to Coby Mayo for a bases-clearing double to knot the game at 6-6. Back-to-back walks followed and Tyler’s day was done after just 1 2/3 innings (8 ER, 5 H, 4 BB, 1 K) and 55 pitches.

Two walks, then four consecutive extra base hits had given the Sounds a 6-3 advantage in the bottom of the 1st inning, chasing the Tides’ starter after just 1/3 of an inning. However, Nashville was shutout over the final 8 2/3 innings of the contest, leaving just three men on base.

RHP James Meeker (1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks) will regret being unable to retire the first batter he faced, allowing two inherited runners to score (single to center field) on an 0-2 pitch to give Norfolk back the lead at 8-6, but he retired four of the next five hitters he faced.

Sounds’ Extras:

• 1B Owen Miller wasn’t moping in his first playing action since being optioned by the Brewers on Tuesday: 2-for-3, triple, walk, 2 RBIs.
• At the other end of the spectrum is 3B Patrick Dorrian, who’s in a soul-crushing 1-for-54 slump. I’d recommend that Dorrian speak to INF Yonny Hernandez, who went 2-for-49 in winter ball, but snapped out of it before this season started.
• The MLB press corps noted LHP Jared Koenig as being in the Brewers’ clubhouse on Tuesday, but here he was back in Nashville on Thursday: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks (1.26 combined ERA in MLB/AAA).
• Credit Norfolk with turning three double plays, committing zero errors and throwing out the Sounds’ only attempted basestealer.
• Yes, utility man Isaac Collins can actually handle himself in center field:

Friday’s outlook: RHP Chad Patrick (4.91 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 7.4 K/9 in 18 1/3 IP) is the scheduled starter, with Nashville needing to turn this troubling series around.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Game One Final: Tennessee 5, Biloxi 3 (in 7 innings)
Box Score and Game Log
Game Two Final: Biloxi 7, Tennessee 5 (in 7 innings)
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Five Multi-Hit Performances Power Biloxi to Doubleheader Split with Smokies

Biloxi’s hitters showed no fear against rehabbing Kyle Hendricks in the first game of the day, hitting four balls in the air in the first inning, then putting two baserunners aboard with one out in the 2nd inning. Unfortunately, they had nothing to show for it on the scoreboard, going 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position up to that point. For the game, the Shuckers stranded 8 baserunners vs. only 1 by the Smokies.

Meanwhile, starting RHP TJ Shook (5 IP, 5 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks) retired the first 9 Smokies he faced, before they figured him out the second time going through the order (walk, 4 singles, solo homer), taking a commanding 5-0 lead to secure that victory.

Game Two looked freakily like more of the same, with Biloxi stranding 7 baserunners in the first 4 innings to leave themselves trailing 3-2. However, singles by 1B Ernesto Martinez and center fielder Justin Dirden to open the 5th inning put pressure on Tennessee’s relief corps, who responded by walking 5 of the next 7 batters to concede a 6-3 advantage.

RHP Kaleb “Bo” Bowman (3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 ground outs, 3 pop outs, 1 GIDP) had the pitching effort of the day for Biloxi, delivering three crucial scoreless frames to earn the Win in the night cap. The Shuckers truly needed Bowman’s lock-down innings, as they ultimately went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position in Game Two.

Again, we don’t know how Biloxi Media Relations man Javik Blake does it on these road trips, but their Twitter feed once again has numerous videos from Thursday’s games.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• As outlined in the game story link above, left fielder Carlos D. Rodriguez, 3B Mike Boeve, 3B Zavier Warren, Martinez and Dirden all make key offensive contributions, combining to go 18-for-38 with a triple, double, 3 walks, 4 RBIs, 5 SBs and 6 runs scored.
• LHP Nate Peterson (3 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 Ks) was the starter in that second game, pitching on 4 days’ rest for the third time in five starts thus far in 2024.
• Hendricks’ final line will show two earned runs allowed in the opening game, but those stemmed from two infield singles which ultimately scored off his relief pitcher.
• INF Freddy Zamora was conspicuously absent from both games, meaning that Manager Joe Ayrault was likely managing with only 10 position players available.

Friday’s outlook: Fast-moving and even faster-throwing 21-year RHP Brett Wichrowski makes his AA debut after playing just 4 games of High-A ball, with Biloxi aiming to extend its current 2-1 series lead.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wisconsin 4, Great Lakes 1
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Rudy & Herrera Turn In Stellar Pitching Performances for Rattlers Victory

As is customary for nearly all Rattlers’ home games, enjoy the extensive video highlights:

Be sure to also check out the Mehring/Lobner 20-minute post-game podcast, including comments from the Manager and two sterling pitchers.

After coming up just short on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Timber Rattlers showed their mettle by dominating all phases of Thursday’s victory, led of course by 22-year old RHP Will Rudy’s (6 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 5 Ks) best start since being promoted to High-A ball.

20-year old RHP Yujanyer Herrera (3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 6 Ks) looks like a new man in 2024, retiring opposing hitters with ease and aplomb, this time in his magnificent High-A debut. From that video, I’m guessing he weighs more than the 175lbs stated in his player profile.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• The Timber Rattlers may have only collected 5 hits, but their 7 walks, 3 HBPs and 6 stolen bases (in 7 attempts) gave them activity on the basepaths in nearly every inning. The offense was a collective effort, with each player in the lineup reaching base via hit or walk, but nobody reaching base more than twice.
• Rudy and Herrera combined to walk Zero Loons. Zero. Awesome. And Wisconsin committed Zero errors in the game, threw no wild pitches and had no passed balls. These figures must thrill Manager Victor Estevez.
• This was only the 3rd time in 22 career MILB starts that Rudy has gone beyond five innings. What’s the key? He only needed 67 pitches (50 strikes) to get through six frame in this game.
• Wisconsin now leads the 12-team Midwest League in batting average (.272), on-base percentage (.377), hits (208), stolen bases (62), hit-by-pitch (25) and sacrifice flies (16), despite having the second-youngest offense in the league.

Friday’s outlook: LHP Brian Fitzpatrick (2.77 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 9.0 K/9 in 13 IP) gets the chance to help Wisconsin even this week’s home series at two games apiece.

Final: Carolina 16, Columbia 2
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Mudcats Soar Past Columbia

Unless the offense erupts in the 1st inning, to me these games start with the performance of the young man on the mound. In this case, 20-year old RHP Jesus Rivero (5 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 6 Ks) delivered the most dominant start of his 4-year minor league career.

Center fielder Yophery Rodriguez’s 3rd inning RBI triple restored the Mudcats’ earlier 1-run advantage and really got the party started.

Before it finished, eight Carolina batters had notched at least two hits (poor 3B Miguel Briceno could only muster a homer in his hit column), with three players really racking up the stats: 2B Daniel Guilarte 4-for-4 day, 1B Tayden Hall 5 RBIs, Briceno 4 RBIs.

Mudcats’ Extras:

• In addition to their 21 hits and going 12-for-21 with runners in scoring position, Carolina was solid defensively, committing no errors (vs. 4 for Columbia) and converting two double plays.
• The offensive outburst will really push the Mudcats up that side of the Carolina League ledger, but their 18-6 record has stemmed largely from their league-leading pitching: 3.42 ERA (second place 3.91), 1.18 WHIP (second place 1.26), 277 Ks (second place 269).
• Kudos to the Mudcats’ media team for the extensive video highlights.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Josh Knoth (3.09 ERA with 16 Ks in 11 2/3 IP) is due to make his 5th start as a Carolina Mudcat, probably throwing in the 53-60 total pitch range like his other outings, as the team strives to already clinch their series 4-0.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. There’s an exciting Friday night in store, with the Brewers playing at Wrigley Field and four minor league teams in action.

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