Brewers Minor League Link Report (5/30): Letson and Robinson Serve Note in Three-Win Thursday

1 hour ago, damuelle said:

Bishop Letson and Hayden Robinson were terrific in wins for Carolina and the ACL crew, while Wisconsin snatched a late victory. CF Rodriguez and Jacob Misiorowski were solid, though Nashville and Biloxi fell.

Transactions:

• RHP Kevin Herget recalled to MLB Brewers from AAA Nashville
• RHP Craig Yoho promoted to AA Biloxi from High-A Wisconsin
• RHP Bayden Root promoted to High-A Wisconsin from Low-A Carolina
• LHP Russell Smith placed on AA Biloxi’s 7-day injured list retroactive to 5/29
• RHP Edwin Jimenez placed on High-A Wisconsin's 7-day injured list
• C Satchell Norman sent on rehab assignment to ACL Brewers
• LHP Caden Vire placed on ACL Brewers' 7-day injured list

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Memphis 3, Nashville 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: Rodriguez Stellar in Start, Sounds Fall to Redbirds

Is that a unicorn we’re seeing? No, it’s just 22-year old RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez (6 2/3 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 Ks) topping 100 pitches for the 4th time in his career. Unfortunately, the last 11 pitches were a battle that ended with a double to right field with 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th inning, with Memphis’ Luken Baker then taking LHP Rob Zastryzny deep on the first pitch he threw for the 3-1 lead which would hold up.

Nashville’s pitchers needed to be perfect, as the offense struggled: 5 hits, 0 walks, 1 run, 1 LOB. The math isn’t “mathing” because we hit into three double plays.

The lone offensive highlight, C Eric Haase’s 6th homer of 2024 was a 105.1mph, 380-foot blast which tied the game 1-1 in the top of the 6th inning.

Sounds’ Extras:

• Despite the uncharacteristically poor result (0.1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 Ks), Zastryzny’s numbers are still looking great for 2024: 1.83 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, 12.4 K/9 in 19 2/3 IP.
• RHP Ryan Middendorf pitched a scoreless 8th inning to give the offense a chance, but the final 7 Sounds were retired in order.

Friday’s outlook: LHP Aaron Ashby gets the chance to build on a positive last start (5 1/3 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 3 Ks), with Nashville needing a win to even the road series at two games apiece.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Pensacola 7, Biloxi 3
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Misiorowski Strikes Out Seven, Shuckers Fall to Pensacola

Uber-talented RHP Jacob Misiorowski was terrific (4 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 3 H – all singles, 3 BB, 7 Ks), but Pensacola’s patient approach saw him have to exit after 4 innings at 84 total pitches (50 strikes).

Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has understandably taken issue with one of the runs and walks and runs charged to Misiorowski’s line:

The first run which the Blue Wahoos pushed in the top of the 2nd inning was also of the cheap variety: infield single, error on 3B Brock Wilken, move to 3rd on a fly out, score on a wild pitch.

Yes, SS Eric Brown Jr. came through with the clutch 2-out, 2-run double to tie the game at 2-2 in the 4th inning, but the Shuckers were out-hit 9-to-3 on the day as the offensive struggles continue.

Just like Zastryzny above, the first pitch thrown by RHP Bo Bowman (1 1/3 IP, 5 R (4 ER)) in relief of Misiorowski was sent out of the ballpark to give the Blue Wahoos right back the lead at 3-2.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• Pensacola’s manager was ejected shortly after they re-took the lead, so he didn’t get to see the 4 runs and 4 hits his team recorded the following inning, with Bowman hindering his cause with a throwing error. It was a surprising blip for Bowman, who’s season ERA is still excellent at 2.05.
• In addition to Brown’s double and DH Ernesto Martinez’s homer, right fielder Lamar Sparks reached base 3 times: 1-for-2 with a single and 2 walks.
• Well done to RHPs Nick Merkel and Justin Yeager, who combined for this line: 3 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 6 Ks.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Brett Wichrowski (4.15 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 10.4 K/9 in 30 1/3 IP) takes his shot at ending Biloxi’s 10-game losing streak.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wisconsin 6, Fort Wayne 3
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Comeback Rattlers Rally Again to Beat Fort Wayne

We’re once again blessed with video highlights from Wisconsin’s media team:

 

And don’t forget to catch the Mehring/Lobner post-game podcast featuring nuggets from KC Hunt, Gregory Barrios and Manager Victor Estevez.

Despite some poor luck earlier in the game, the Timber Rattlers kept giving themselves opportunities until they finally paid off in the 7th and 8th inning, going 5-for-14 with runners in scoring position versus the TinCaps 1-for-3.

Starting RHP Will Rudy (5 1/3 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks) only faced 17 hitters over the first 5 innings, though one scored on a triple and sacrifice fly to knot the score 1-1 in the 5th inning.

Four doubles from DH Ramon Rodriguez, right fielder Eduarqui Fernandez and SS Gregory Barrios (3-for-4, RBI) in the 7th and 8th innings turned the tide, with Rodriguez's second such double plating 2 runs for a 5-3 lead.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• After giving up a hit in each of his first 7 relief outings in a tough start to his 2024 season, RHP Stiven Cruz (2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 Ks) has only conceded 1 hit (and no runs) in his last 5 games. Way to turn it around, young man! He also recorded two outs to keep an inherited runner from scoring in the 6th inning, keeping the score close at 3-1.
• 23-year old RHP KC Hunt needed only 33 pitches to blow through the 7th through 9th innings, earning the Win for his efforts. Undrafted in 2023, the Brewers signed him in July 2023 and he continues to be lights out: 2.70 career MILB ERA with 54 Ks in 33 1/3 IP.
• The Timber Rattlers had 11 hits, including a 3-for-4 day by center fielder Dylan O’Rae, but made no steal attempts? Maybe we’re in player protection mode after some injuries on the bases across the system.

Friday’s outlook: RHP Logan Henderson makes his second High-A start, with Wisconsin positioned to clinch the series with a win. He threw 59 pitches last week in 2 2/3 IP.

Final: Carolina 6, Delmarva 5
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Carolina Rallies Past Delmarva

Seeing a 3-0 lead entering the 6th evaporate and become a 5-3 deficit by the 8th inning may have been unnerving to the 799 in attendance at Five County Stadium, but the Mudcats were up for the challenge.

I think that it’s worth starting from that bottom of the 8th inning: Wednesday’s grand slam hero 1B Luis Castillo (2-for-5) opened the frame with a single and speedy left fielder Yhoswar Garcia (2-for-3, 22nd stolen base) walked with 1 out to put the pressure on. A wild pitch meant a single could tie the game, but it worked out any way with a 3B Miguel Briceno (3 RBIs) sacrifice fly, then 1B Blayberg Diaz’s (2-for-4) clutch 2-out, game-tying single.

When 2B Daniel Guilarte and center fielder Yophery Rodriguez drew back-to-back walks to open the bottom of the 9th inning, the game was essentially over. Consecutive nobody out fielders’ choices followed with Castillo knocking in the game-winning run.

 

Taking it back to the beginning, 19-year old RHP Bishop Letson was exceptional: 4 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 Ks, as the 2023 draft class continues to amaze.

Mudcats’ Extras:

• After Letson’s exit at 62 pitches, the middle relieving tandem of RHPs Brailin Rodriguez and Aidan Maldonado ran into challenges: 3 2/3 IP, 5 R (4 ER), 5 H, 1 BB, 5 Ks, including 2 homers allowed by Maldonado. Aidan had entered on a good stretch – 5 2/3 scoreless innings with 8 Ks.
• Reversing Maldonado’s case, RHP Cristopher Carrasco was roughed up in a loss last week, then turned it around with a 1-2-3 top of the 9th inning here with 1 strikeout, ultimately earning the Win.
• Here are some highlights of the Mudcats scoring 3 runs earlier in the game:

 

Friday’s outlook: 18-year old RHP Josh Knoth (4.50 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 11.4 K/9 in 26 IP) is slated to make his 9th start of 2024, with Carolina poised to clinch a home series win.

ACL Brewers 12, ACL Athletics 2
Box Score and Game Log

The Brewers may have found yet another special pitcher in last year’s draft, this time in the form of 18-year old, 14th round pick RHP Hayden Robinson. He dominated here, allowing just 1 run on 2 singles, 1 walk and 1 HBP, with 9 strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings of solid work, lowering his season ERA to 2.93 in 15 1/3 IP.

After conceding a run in the top of the 1st inning, the offense immediately responded: 3B Eric Bitonti (leading off in this game) doubled and scored on SS Filippo Di Turi’s RBI single, with Di Turi then stealing 3rd base and scoring on a ground-out for a 2-1 lead which the ACL Brewers kept adding to.

Three runs in the 2nd inning and four runs in the 3rd inning put the Brewers ahead 9-1 at that point.

1B Johan Barrios and left fielder Luiyin Alastre each had 3 hits, with Barrios tripling and knocking in 2 runs and Alastre collecting a stolen base. Bitonti and Ramon Moreno each had 2 hits, while Bitonti also walked and Moreno stole a base.

In the ‘pen, RHP Felipe De Los Santos showed some promise after several tough outings (1 R in 2 2/3 IP with 5 Ks – lowering his season ERA to 16.76), while RHP Jose Nova was also solid (1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 0 Ks).

After a rough start to the season (3 losses by a combined 26-9), our young men in Arizona have fully re-grouped and now stand very respectfully at a record of 9-and-11. And they’ve achieved this despite apparently being down to 24 healthy players on the roster, plus rehabbing C Satchell Norman (0-for-2 with a walk, playing 5 innings behind the plate).

The ACL Brewers will be back in action on Friday, hosting the ACL White Sox (8-10).

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. Enjoy the system’s five MILB games scheduled for Friday, as well as the Milwaukee Brewers (RHP Tobias Myers starting) hosting the Chicago White Sox.

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Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth
Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth

 

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The ‘23 draft-class does continue to “amaze”, especially on the pitching side.

Hayden Robinson now joining the long list of pitchers performing at a high level.

Letson could be the most impressive of all. The stuff has exploded. The command seems to be there. Could be their most talented SP.

Why has Brewer Hicklen been out of the lineup in Nashville the last few games? Also, why don’t the Brewers add him to the 40-man roster and give him a shot. His right-handed power could be helpful.

Very, very happy to see Yoho bumped up to Biloxi. And I hope Norman makes it back to Carolina in short order; I was looking forward to seeing how his bat would play in A-ball.