Brewers Minor League Link Report (6/11): An 0-4 Night Caps an 0-5 Day as an Organization; Black Returns to Nashville in LF; Dubanewicz Debuts in Low-A

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• RHP Merwin Manrique was activated from the 7-Day IL by the DSL Brewers Blue
• INF Ethan Murray was activated from the 7-Day IL by the Biloxi Shuckers
• RHP Tyler Woessner (despite what the Biloxi Shuckers media team posted on their twitter page) has been re-assigned to the Nashville Sounds from the Biloxi Shuckers. He is listed 'Active' on the Sounds roster page. He is listed as moving back to the Sound staff on his MiLB player page and the Nashville Transactions page.
• INF/OF Tyler Black was activated from the 7-Day IL by the Nashville Sounds

In 0-5 organizational day, in order to fuel me through the motions of an early summer mid-week report, I'm going to change things up. I'm going to break up the doldrums of watching errors, strikeouts, and an inability organization-wide to capitalize in the key moments of the games across the board. I don't begrudge the young men (and, at the MLB Brewers level, the men). Baseball is a brutally hard game. You lose more battles than you win and that is just the baseball gods' honest truth. We all know this. However, when, as a viewing Fanatic, you take it on the chin for five games there has to be some type of reward. My reward, dear readers, for this Minor League report is entirely changing my approach and how I deliver you the goods of what I saw. To that end, I am going to give you all four scores; post-game articles; Game Notes etc. in rapid fire succession as I typically do. Surprise! We lost them all. However, then I am going to give you a long-form version of my patented 'Three Quick Strike' moniker I've been using for several years. I'm going to wax a bit poetic on the state of Brewers prospects and Brewers baseball as we approach the first half close (only 10 more games remain!) as it pertains to each game and each affiliate. It's going to be an homage, if you will. More than that, it's going to help me decompress.

Final: Norfolk (Orioles) 5, Nashville 2

Box Score/Game Log

Sounds Held to Two Runs in Loss to Tides - Bobby Dalbec Has Three Hits

Game Notes

Where for art thou 2024 RHP Tobias Myers. Man, I miss that feel good Myers train I was riding from late summer 2023 alllllll through 2024. Where is that player? Myers is traditionally a low-key understated individual. He rarely shows a ton of emotion. But, I can't help but wonder if something is just a shade off in 2025. Are things good off the field? The body language just gives me a bit of the indifferent vibe. OR, let's go from another angle: perhaps this is just me spinning into ridiculous thoughts after the organization goes 0-5 on a Wednesday in early June. It's hard to say. Are things good in my life?!? Whoa. Let's put on some brakes. Myers remains a tough read in 2025. Actually, he remains a Triple-A pitcher and, well, that's where he is and it suits him just fine until he finds some semblance of consistency. Consistency that doesn't entail getting ahead 0-2 with two outs; uncorking two pitches to the back stop; beaning that batter in the back on the next pitch; and then beaning the next batter in the face on the next pitch. No, seriously, that was the sequence. His 6.0 IP of 9 H, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, 2 WP, 2 HB (should have been 3. YES 3 - Scorers. I swear. Minor League scorers. The vendetta continues. They list solely 1), 5 ER absolutely looked the part.

Which gets me into AAAA vets and how danged hard it is to make in the Major Leagues. DH Bobby Dalbec comes to mind. A player I've waxed poetic on numerous times before he even became a Sound in 2025. He hit a double. He hit a triple. He is hitting 0.286 with a very nice 0.858 OPS. We know he has the power. BUT, can he ever do it at the MLB level? I love these players and I love me some Bobby Dalbec but, danged, he's reaching that upper 20's age-level and he has struggled to produce in the Big Leagues. 3-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 K on his evening.

Oh, hey LF Tyler Black was back. He looked ok out there. He kind of also looked like Tyler Black playing defense anywhere as well - some surprisingly kind of smooth plays and an OF assist; and a questionable jump and gather that led to a batter taking an extra base. Nothing is really ever consistently smooth for Black defensively unless he's chasing a fly ball down like a racing greyhound chasing a lure. I've come to accept this. So, the outfield grass absolutely remains his best place to not hurt a team's chances of winning ball games. However, at this juncture, I'm equally worried about Black's bat. I haven't liked the contact results, really, for about a year. I just no longer know what the Brewers have here and it pains me to say it. 0-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 BB.

As each series passes I continue to be amazed 3B Oliver Dunn was the Brewers starting third baseman. 0-for-4, 3K. He is hitting 0.173. He has a 30.76 % K rate in the International League. The one word I have to describe Oliver Dunn the baseball player as I see him in 2025: 'jumpy'.

Kudos to RHP Sam McWilliams for a scoreless 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K return from the not-so-coveted 'Development List'. That's not an easy thing to do. He looked good in so doing.

If you would like to visit the feel good moments on the Nashville Sounds twitter page please visit HERE

Final: Chattanooga 6, Biloxi 5

Box Score/Game Log

Shuckers Fall to Lookouts on Late Comeback - Kuehner Turns in Strong Start, Pratt Record Multiple Hits

Game Notes

Fear not, we Shuckers fans of present day! The Shuckers are still 5.0 G in their divisional lead. We can take solace. They shall not back into the palyoffs for a second year in a row. Seriously. Right? RIGHT?!? We've all heard that lamentable and clichéd baseball phrase: "It's a game of samples." No kidding.

Well, look no further than Tate Kuehner. And, hey, another way of saying this (stop me if you've heard me say this before) is: baseball is really really hard. And, it is my opinion, finding an extremely consistent baseball pitcher is akin to finding a very good PGA golfer. They just do not grow on trees. And, well, Tate Kuehner pretty much began this season like he ended his last with Biloxi: in a bit of a funk. However, then the LHP Tate Kuehner we have seen now for well over a month is back to being a really solid Double-A starting pitcher. Tonight was another solid showing: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 1 R (unearned - second consecutive game with a Wilken fielding error...ruh roh!), 5K.

Kuehner handed the ball to newly re-assigned RHP Ryan Middendorf. Mistake! Take the ball back, Tate! Tell him to wait a game! Shoot. We can't do that can we? And, well Middendorf unraveled after a 1B Luke Adams throwing error (who, by the way, was plunked yet again!). Now, in fairness to Luke, Middendorf had already given up a run on consecutive knocks to start his Double-A assignment. He faced nine batters in his 2/3 IP. It was, shall we say, a challenging walk to the Shuckers dugout and who knows where else from there. Middendorf 'capped' his evening's work off with a two out three-run game-sealing jack over the right field wall. He lasted that mere 2/3 IP of 3 H, 5 R (1 earned), 2 BB, 1 HR ball. He threw 32 pitches. Landed 18 strikes. That was that.

Much like in Nashville, the bullpen arms that followed had great bounce back performances: Mark Manfredi and Zach Peek were both very good in their 2 1/3 IP.

Which gets me to Chattanoogs's announcer, in his 36th year, Larry Ward. As far as I am concerned, he is a national treasure. Can he read the names on his roster card? Barely. We saw 'Mark Manfred'. We saw ' Ryan Middleton'. We saw a young undisciplined hitting Biloxi left fielder with the last name of 'Resüto'. Never change, Larry. You are the baseball grandpa I never had. And, I mean that in the most sincerest and loving of ways. Baseball is America's game. You are Minor League's 'Voice'.

The Shuckers made a valiant go of it in the ninth inning when SS Cooper Pratt fought off a high inside heater for a 1-2 single into shallow right field. Then, 3B Brock Wilken was absolutely robbed with a stunning catch in the right field alley:

Lara grounded out weakly to second base and that was ball game. Another gut-wrenching tough loss where the Shuckers blew a lead in the late innings. Let's hope they bounce back in game three!

Final: Great Lakes (Dodgers) 4, Wisconsin 2

Box Score/Game Log

Loons End Wisconsin Win Streak - Wisconsin Gets to Loons Bullpen But Can't Capitalize to Victory

Game Notes

Coming into RHP Eriq Swan's senior year at Middle Tennessee State, he had only pitched five innings in his collegiate baseball career. He was a shortstop. The Dodgers took him with a compensatory selection in the fourth round compensatory pick in the 2023 draft based on upside and potential. Man, did I see the vision tonight. Swan absolutely dominated the Timber Rattlers bats during his 6.0 IP of 2 H, 2 BB, 1 ER, 8 K work. He can reach back and sling high 90's heat (he has touched 103 mph!), he features a cutter/slider in the low 90's and his sweeper is straight deadly in the low 80's. He grabbed several swinging K's on that pitch tonight. I don't know if I've seen a more impressive arm outside the organization beyond one RHP Travis Sykora (who is thankfully no longer in the Carolina League). He has it all if he can ever find a semblance of consistent control.

RHP Tyson Hardin was actually fairly impressive himself despite some challenging moments. I felt he was squeezed out of a couple K's (I think Hardin would agree) in his 5.0 IP of 7 H, 2 BB, 5 K, 4 R (2 earned - a rare Areinamo 'twofer'; throwing and fielding).

Hats off to LF Yhoswar Garcia for swiping four bags, taking two free passes, and scoring two runs. Garcia really leaves a lot to be desired with his approach at the dish. But, given his limitations he still finds ways onto the base paths where he really does his damage.

The real missed opportunity in this game came in the top of the eighth inning when C Marco Dinges had the bases juiced and he ripped a bit of a jam shot grounder to the left side. The Loons shortstop adeptly charged the ball and threw to second across his body beating the sliding 1B Blake Burke by a good foot or more.

Kudos to the scoreless combined work we saw from the always 'interesting' RHP Yerlin Rodriguez (2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 2 K) and RHP Bayden Root (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K). With the loss and the Kernels victory vs Peoria, the T-Rats are back to 4.5 GB of first place.

Final: Lynchburg (Guardians) 3, Carolina 2

Box Score/Game Log

Longballs Lift Lynchburg Past Mudcats - Dubanewicz Impresses in Low-A Debut

Game Notes

The Mudcats are indeed reeling and they are now 1.0 GB of first place Lynchburg. Despite this, and given the high stakes of this series, we laud RHP Jayden Dubanewicz's efforts in his Low-A debut: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, 2 ER. He threw 77 pitches with 52 strikes. He earned 10 groundouts to two fly outs. Everything Dubanewicz throws, for the most part (outside his four-seamer), fades and dips. He is a classic sinker baller. He sat 90-91 mph throughout. He has a ridiculously long set of legs. @wiguy94opined he reminded him of RHP Bronson Arroyo. I can see it. Lots to fill out in that frame. I imagine extension will always be a part of his deception game as he evolves and matures.

RHP Bryan Rivera came aboard in the sixth inning and immediately gave up what was ultimately the game-deciding run on a first pitch home run over the left field wall. It has been a tough stretch for Rivera, no doubt. But, he did buckle down from there in his 3.0 IP of 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, 1 ER work.

The real ongoing story of the Mudcats current stretch is the bats. They have mostly fallen asleep. And, where for art thou INF Luis Lameda?!? Is he hurt? He is one of the hottest bats in the line up and he hasn't touched the dirt in these first two games.

CF Braylon Payne continues to be a hot mess by my eyes - yes, despite the recent home run and a double late last series his approach is very much broken at present. He'll wear a golden sombrero tonight with his not so miraculous 0-for-4, 4 K performance. He has struck out seven times in just nine AB through two games. Yikes is very much the word. Yikes is very much what I say throughout the majority of his present swing decisions and swing looks. I do not know where we go from here. But, if there is a player who could benefit from a first half break it is very much CF Braylon Payne.

Kudos to C Edgardo Ordonez (and nine-hole hitter) for providing the sole Mudcats runs on an early two-run jack over the right field wall - his first of the season.

For the second consecutive game SS Jesus Made made a costly and unnecessary out on the base paths. Tonight's was a wayyyyyy too wide turn off a rocket two-out opposite field double off the high left center field wall in the seventh inning. He was tagged out five-to-six feet off the bag on the relay throw into the infield. He tried to proclaim interference. He simply made a young and, frankly, unnecessary mistake. That just can not happen in these high leverage moments. But, honestly, who are we kidding? Payne likely strikes out to end it there, regardless, at this juncture. Woe is me. Hurt me!

RF José Anderson has had two rough nights to start this series. He had the botched diving catch last night that ultimately cost the Mudcats dearly. He misplayed a ball in the deep right field corner that allowed a runner to reach third base as a result. Had he wanted a throw home, it wasn't possible due to the misplay but he also missed the cut-off men waiting first base side. It was a mess. He followed that up with an 0-for-4, 3 K night at the dish.

Did I say the Mudcats are reeling? They truly are. Their youthful roster is finally showing its inexperience. Will they rebound and show us their grit and fight over the next 10 games? Adversity can be a good thing. This is the first real adversity these young Mudcats and Manager Nick Stanley have faced this entire season outside the inevitable injuries. All I can say at this juncture is: boy, 2B Josh Adamczewski's bat could heal a lot of woes right now. Hurt me!

We are back to a full seven-game slate tomorrow. Both DSL squads hit the diamond in the Dominican morning air. RHP Garrett Stallings will take the bump at Norfolk - contrary to my original publication, he will not be pitching to C Jacob Stallings and C Jacob Stallings will most definitely not be pitching for the Sounds tonight 🫣. RHP Bryce Meccage will look to bring his shutdown best in a key Mudcats tilt. RHP Jaron DeBerry will look to try and get the Timber Rattlers back in the Win column. RHP K.C. Hunt will look to prevent the Lookouts from coming back yet again. And, the ACL Brewers will take on the ACL Dodgers late in the desert.

As always, thanks for reading and thanks for supporting Brewers Minor League baseball.

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