Brewers Minor League Link Report (5/3): Encarnacion’s Blast, Nashville Bullpen Key Two Sunday Victories

For the week, Wilson (4-2) was the sole series winner and Nashville (3-3) managed a draw. Wisconsin (2-4) and Biloxi (1-5) battled but dropped their series.

Transactions:

• RHP Logan Henderson recalled to MLB Brewers from
• RHP Easton McGee optioned to AAA Nashville from MLB Brewers
• C Andrick Nava activated by AAA Nashville from Development List

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Nashville 5, Norfolk (Orioles) 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: Five Different Sounds Earn RBI to Split Series with Norfolk

While the story of this game centered on Sounds’ middle relievers LHP Drew Rom (2 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks) and RHP Craig Yoho (2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks) carving up the Tides, internet watchers were primarily curious about SS Cooper Pratt’s late scratch from the starting lineup. If and when we have an update on Pratt’s status, we’d be sure to share it.

After starting RHP Carlos Rodriguez successfully navigated relatively heavy traffic (2 2/3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 4 BB, 3 Ks), Rom and Yoho retired 13 of the next 14 batters while the offense took advantage of 8 walks and a hit-by-pitch to grab a 5-0 lead.

Rom’s entry with the bases loaded, 2 outs and the game scoreless in the top of the 3rd inning was particularly pivotal, getting ahead 0-and-2 before inducing a shallow fly out to help Rodriguez escape the jam.

Leadoff hitter 2B Eddys Leonard (2-for-5) set the table well on Sunday, singling but stranded in the first inning, singling and scoring in a 2-run third inning, then adding an RBI groundout to extend the lead to 4-0 in the 6th frame.

OFs Luis Matos (2-for-3, walk) and Luis Lara (1-for-2, walk, HBP) both reached base thrice, though Matos was caught stealing and also thrown out attempting to go first-to-third on a Lara single to end the 6th inning.

Sounds’ Extras:

• Rodriguez (58 pitches on Sunday after 42 pitches on Wednesday) is one of a number of Sounds’ bulk innings men who are not quite fully stretched out, including Robert Gasser, Thomas Pannone and rehabbing Quinn Priester. Henderson was part of that list before he threw a season-high 76 pitches for the Brewers on Sunday.
• RHP Blake Holub (2 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 4 Ks) was Nashville’s hardest thrower on the afternoon (peak velocity 96.7mph), striking out 4 of 8 batters faced.

Next week’s outlook: Nashville travel to Louisville to battle the Reds’ affiliate for 6 games, with the series commencing on Tuesday.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Pensacola (Marlins) 9, Biloxi 4
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Keith Continues First Inning Terror, Shuckers Drop Finale to Blue Wahoos

This was an active and exciting affair through 4 1/2 innings (tied 3-3 by that point), with the teams trading extra-base hits and extra outs on the bases. OF Damon Keith had the loudest blast, while SS Jesus Made had already singled, been picked off, made an error and homered by that point of the game.

Starting 21-year old RHP Bishop Letson wasn’t able to stack success (4 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 2 HBP, 4 Ks; 76 pitches), though he was throwing on 4 days’ rest for the first time this season (5 IP, 1 R, 6 Ks on Tuesday). He also helped himself out in the first inning by initiating a 1-4-3 ground ball double play after loading the bases with nobody out.

C Darrien Miller can be happy with his 7th inning solo shot and the caught stealing in the 3rd inning, but he’ll probably be disappointed with the Blue Wahoos’ six stolen bases in the contest.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• After starting the 2026 campaign on the injured list, RHP Nick Merkel’s second outing went a lot better than his season debut last week, as he retired all 4 batters faced (1 1/3 IP, 1 K).
• LHP Mark Manfredi (2 IP, 3 R, 3 Ks) commenced the season blistering hot (8 Ks, 0 runs in first 3 innings pitched), but has now conceded at least one earned run in 4 of his last 5 games. LHP Anthony Flores also struggled (2/3 IP, 3 R, 0 Ks), taking the Loss in this game.
• Jheremy Vargas, who has principally been an infielder in his minor league career, struggled a bit in left field this time out. He’ll learn and improve of course.

Next week’s outlook: Biloxi host Braves’ affiliate Columbus this week, with the Shuckers needing to snap their 5-game skid.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Quad Cities (Royals) 12, Wisconsin 3
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Bandits End Series with 12-3 Win over Wisconsin

Though the team came up short, the talented Wisconsin media team still have the video highlights packaged for us:

Be sure to also listen to the Chris Mehring and Jonathan Timm recap podcast, featuring Manager Nick Stanley. Of particular note is the commentary on RHP Jason Woodward’s early exit, including the scare of a 106mph line drive off of his pitching forearm and Stanley’s relatively encouraging quote that he doesn’t think it will be “anything major”.

Starting RHP Ethan Dorchies (4 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 6 H, 1 BB, 5 Ks), making his 2nd start of the week, was effective through 3 frames before the Quad Cities’ 4th and 5th batters opened their 3-run 4th inning with a triple and a double to grab a 4-2 lead.

OF Josh Adamczewski keeps making his case for a possible promotion (2-for-3, walk, RBI), while OF Josiah Ragsdale continued his excellent run of form (2-for-4 Sunday with a double; 17-for-45 over last 14 games).

The contest was 5-2 by the time Woodward (3 batters faced) departed and 7-2 before RHP Michael Fowler (2 1/3 IP, 3 R (1 ER), 3 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks) could really settle in, creating too wide a gap to make up in front of 3,556 home fans on a 63-degree afternoon.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• Stalwarts 3B Andrew Fischer (1-for-15 last 4 games) and C Marco Dinges (1-for-19 last 5 games) ended the series on tough stretches.
• Quad Cities seriously put the hurting on Wisconsin pitching in their 4 wins, scoring 45 runs in 32 innings on those contests. Late inning relievers LHP Bjorn Johnson and RHP Quinton Low conceded 3 runs in their combined 2 1/3 IP in this game.

Next week’s outlook: Wisconsin head down to Illinois to take on Cardinals’ affiliate Peoria for six games, with RHP Chandler Welch (4.09 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 8.2 K/9 in 11.0 IP) scheduled to make his first start since June 2025 in a Tuesday matinee.

Wilson Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wilson 4, Salem (Red Sox) 3 (in 10 innings)
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Warbirds’ website, game details: Walk-Off Win Secures Series for Wilson

18-year old OF Handelfry Encarnacion (2-for-4, HR, double, walk, 2 RBIs) is rightfully the lead story for his 2-run walk-off blast (homering for a 3rd straight day) on a 2-0 count as the first batter of the bottom of the 10th inning:

We also need to credit the terrific work of Wilson’s bullpen, as LHP Anfernny Reyes (2/3 IP), LHP Enderson Mercado (3 IP, 5 Ks), RHP Eric Prado (2 IP, 2 Ks) and RHP Joshua Quezada (1 IP, 3 Ks) combined to allow no earned runs over 6 2/3 innings, while striking out 10 RidgeYaks along the way.

This tight Sunday contest had to go to extras after both teams missed numerous opportunities to grab an extra run, with a combined 5 caught stealings hurting their causes. Salem also went 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position, stranding 11 baserunners.

1,660 home fans got to see Salem fail to score in the 8th inning despite 2 walks and 2 hit-by-pitches, with Salem stranding a runner at 2nd base in the 9th inning and the Warbirds stranding Eric Martinez (who’d doubled) at 3rd base to end the 9th inning.

An error, hit-by-pitch and passed ball weren’t too much for Quezada to overcome in the top of the 10th inning, as only the Manfred Man came around to score for Salem.

Wilson’s ‘X’ page has more video highlights, including another angle of Encarnacion’s walk-off and a nice double play converted by SS Brady Ebel.

Warbirds’ Extras:

• Starting RHP Miqueas Mercedes (3 1/3 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks) exited after a strikeout and injury delay in the top of the 4th inning. Hopefully he’s okay and was simply on a pitch limit (51, with 36 strikes), given that he was throwing on 4 days’ rest.
• Wilson’s box score batting averages are beginning to look healthier, with 3B Luis Lameda (1-for-3, walk) at .320, DH Pedro Ibarguen (2-for-4) at .289, 2B Juan Ortuno (1-for-3, walk) at .220 and Encarnacion at .214. The team average is now .193 through 27 games, with a .620 team OPS.
• That said, OF Jose Anderson is in a 2-for-35 drought at the plate, while C Kevin Garcia is 0-for-12 after joining the squad late due to a minor injury.

Next week’s outlook: Wilson go back on the road, travelling to Astros’ affiliate Fayetteville for six games starting Tuesday.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. On Monday, the ACL Brewers have the sole minor league affiliate game, hosting the ACL Padres at 8:00 pm CST. The Milwaukee Brewers also commence their series at St. Louis at 6:45pm CST.

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