Brewers Minor League Link Report (6/13): OF Jackson Chourio Gives Us the Night We've All Been Waiting For

Game Balls:

• Though RHP Edwin Jimenez was once again very solid out of the gate, RHP Ryan Brady gets the nod here. His 3 IP, 3 H, 0 BB, 4 K work was reminiscent of his very first outing of the year. Impressive. Attacking. Dominant.
• OF Yophery Rodriguez gets the nod here. When you are the highest-paid signing in an International class and you have a day like today you get a game ball. More below - this was Rodriguez's best game in the very early going of the DSL.
• OF Jackson Chourio delivered on that tantalizing thing called 'promise'. So many tools. So many tantalizing gifts. And, yet, coming into this tilt he hadn't hit all that many Double-A XBH's. Tonight, at least, that very much changed. Two very hard hit doubles pulled to left field. When all was said and done, Chourio became the first Shucker all season to amass four hits in a single game:
• A classic Chourio three-run smash over the RF wall on a high outside heater. Take a look: 
• Rehabbing OF Jesse Winker set the tone very early with his lead-off blast to RF. But, his night didn't end there whatsoever: 3-for-4, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 HR from the lead-off slot. A man's man leading off.
• C/DH Alex Jackson has demonstrated he can absolutely crush a baseball. Well, he certainly did it again tonight: 
  Goodness me oh my, can that man access some power. Like Winker, that certainly wasn't all: 3-for-4, 3 RBI, 3 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 HR. 

Transactions:

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Highlights from the Week that Was:

I share this first package to showcase INF Eduardo Garcia who continues to play absolutely phenomenal defense all over the left side of the infield dirt:

We've been talking about him for the past week plus. It's nice to finally see him get the publicity he deserves given his torrid streak at the plate:

Final: Nashville 11, Gwinnett (Braves) 3
Box Score / Game Log 

Game Notes 

Via the Sounds' site, game details, please visit and review:

Explosive Sounds Second Powers Big Win

LHP Robert Gasser and the Nashville Sounds were back home at First Horizon Park after last week's road series in Jacksonville. Gasser was looking to build on his recent run of truly fantastic outings. Personally, I was simply hoping for weather that allowed a full series after Jacksonville. Gasser was solid and effective overall as he continues to consistently pitch further into games. When all was said and done, Gasser completed a quality start: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 3 ER, 5 K. 

Three Quick Strikes:

1) I've said it before and I'll say it again as long as it keeps happening outing after outing: RHP J.C. Mejía is a completely different pitcher since his stint on the Development List awhile back. He's commanding the zone. The main difference I am seeing is the control of his fastball - we're seeing a very very effective sinker command the lower part of the zone. It's a really nice development for a young man who had been very up-and-down in his tenure as a Sound. Let's hope this keeps up!

2) With such a deep pool of infielders throughout the Sounds dugout - especially considering Brosseau and Turang were both just sent down - INF Cam Devanney is now taking innings at first base. Let me simply state: it's very much a work in progress. ? Bless his hard-working heart - anyone who knows Devanney's game knows he's an extremely talented infielder. However, it is quite clear he lacks familiarity with his pitching staff and situational positional awareness. Keep working Mr. Devanney. The bat is coming around and this will add to your quiver as you search out your first MLB opportunity.

3) More additions are coming Nashville way. And, these additions are fantastic Triple-A baseball players . Rejoice:

Final:  Biloxi 10, Montgomery (Rays) 8  
Box Score / Game Log

Game Notes 

Via the Shuckers' site, game details, please visit and review:

Chourio's Four-Hit, Four-RBI Day Leads Shuckers to 10-8 Win

Six back of first place Pensacola and holding a mere one game lead over the third place Montgomery Biscuits, RHP Christian Mejias was looking to give one of his patented solid 5 plus IP starts to manager Mike Guerrero and his teammates. Speaking of manager Mike Guerrero, remember fans: stay current with the ongoing Shuckers pre-game interview series with announcer Javik Blake (who continues to do a fantastic job offering a deep pool of coverage for us all) HERE - to conclude the recent Shuckers vs. Braves road series we see interviews with Guerrero, Development Coach Christian Correa, and Bullpen Coach Josh Spence. Very good stuff. 

Mejias was struggling with his command in the first inning throwing two wild pitches into the dirt and to the back stop. However, he limited damage and found the zone for a crucial punch out with two runners on and two down. The Shuckers headed to the second frame up 2-1. All in all, Mejias continues to give yeoman's efforts for manager Mike Guerrero and his club more often than not. I appreciate his competitiveness and I certainly appreciate the role he is filling for the pitching staff.

Three Quick Strikes:

1) Oh, hey, INF Tyler Black extended his on base streak to 33 games. Yawn. The man is such a heady and disciplined bat - nobody in the system can reach and poke weak infield singles on off-speed pitches off the plate in tough counts like Black can. It's a skill that you will never see in a box score but with the surging power to all fields and his speed (he swiped two, count them, two more stolen bases - that's now 35 steals on the season) it's just another thing opposing teams have to be ready for when he's at the dish. 

2) RHP Luis Contreras rightfully was given the opportunity to shut this one down. Let's challenge a young man who has been, by and large, extremely good all year long. Unfortunately, he didn't have it tonight. He was battling his slider - typically a very good pitch - as it was high and outside or it was in the dirt. His heater was sailing on him but, then again, he uses that to play off the slider. It was a rough outing overall as he was pulled after 2/3 IP and the bases juiced after he walked them full in a 3-0 pitch clock violation. On to the next, Señor Contreras - you deserve a mulligan.

3) Aside from the bullpen meltdowns of LHP Nick Bennett and RHP Luis Contreras, there were also sloppy plays throughout for the Shuckers. Chourio botched a routine scoop in CF allowing runners to advance to second and third bases. Mejias threw a pick-off attempt wide. Zamora sailed a classic push throw up the 1B line during a routine grounder. And Quero rushed a throw on a Contreras wild pitch sailing the ball into CF. It was not a clean baseball game by any measure. Let's be thankful the Shuckers scored more runs?

Game Notes  
 
Via the Timber Rattlers' site, game details, please visit and review:

Wisconsin Opens Series with a Win over the Loons

Fresh off their series win versus the West Michigan Whitecaps, the surging Timber Rattlers began their road series versus the extremely formidable Great Lakes Loons. It was RHP Edwin Jimenez who set the tone early, as he has done so often in 2023. Though he only completed four innings, they were indeed tone-setting. He fought through 81 pitches. He gave very very little. He completed his outing with a 5 H, 0 BB, 1 ER, 1 HR, 6 K line. RHP Ryan Brady picked up where he left off preserving the early 3-1 Rattler lead and providing the cushion for those improving T-Rats batters and at-bats to keep adding runs. My main takeaway for you is this: the T-Rats are playing a much better brand of baseball at present. Let's give thanks they've turned a corner. Obviously, we don't know how long this pleasing run of play will last but this is why we keep watching. Lastly, any day you beat a Dodgers organizational anything it is simply a fantastic day of baseball. 

Three Quick Strikes:

1) I think it is more than fair to state: the greater pool of Timber Rattlers bats lack high end depth or blue chip upside beyond a very select number of names. However, this should never take away from the improved approaches we are seeing across the board. The T-Rats lineup is making things harder on opposing pitching staffs - a true breath of fresh air. They are chasing far less. They are working counts. It's a pleasure to watch and I'm here for it.

2) RHP Michele Vassalotti had a fantastic WBC for Team Italy. There was quite a bit of intrigue coming into his 2023 High-A season given his solid 2022. However, his first full High-A season has been fairly wild and erratic. Today, with a 7-1 lead and the bases empty in the bottom of the eighth frame, I watched Vassalotti hit a Loons batter on his knee on a slider that never slid; toss two wild pitches (Wood likely should have caught the second pitch); walk two batters; and strike a batter out. It was an inning emblematic of his season to date. Frankly, it's a confounding development. Vassalotti has  solid offerings warranting challenging hitters in the zone. But, at present, he just doesn't have any control of his stuff. Hopefully, this changes over the summer months.

3) The Brewers are one of the better teams in all of the MLB in identifying and signing Independent League pitching talent. I've now seen RHP Sam Gardner in both his High-A outings since signing from the Gateway Grizzlies. Though he can throw 94-95 mph, I haven't seen anything in Gardner's two outings demonstrating he can consistently find the zone. Two wild pitches today. Multiple 2-0 and 3-0 counts. His off-speed offerings were a wild adventure. This is obviously a very very small sample and this could obviously be entirely nerves, but if Gardner wants to stick in affiliated ball he is going to have to start tightening the bolts on his pitching toolkit.

Final: Augusta (Braves) 4, Carolina 3
Box Score / Game Log 

Game Notes 
  
Via the Mudcats' site, game details, please visit and review both game summaries:

Mudcats Allow Four Solo Homers in 4-3 Loss

Fresh off a truly ugly 1-6 home series versus the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, the Mudcats were looking to rebound on the road at the Augusta Greenjackets. The Mudcats entered their home knocks against those mighty Woodpeckers last week clinging to a 1/2 game lead over the Down East Wood Ducks. They enter this series at Augusts 4.0 game back the division leading Ducks. Ouch. That's what we call a tough stretch. After three very overmatched AB's for the Mudcats in the top of the first frame, it was RHP Quinton Low who took the hill in the bottom half. He induced two sky-high infield pop flies to grab his first outs. With a 1-2 count, he threw his fourth slider in his third batter faced and he hung that pitch dead center. It was crushed over the wall in LF. The Mudcats trailed 1-0 early and they never recovered. The Mudcats are now losers of seven straight contests. Quite the fall from first place grace.

Three Quick Strikes:

1) Given the ongoing and sudden struggles of our beloved Mudcats, it's important to drink a healthy dose of perspective: these young men have lost nearly all their most potent bats and their two best pitchers of 2023 to promotion or injury. Lara is on the shelf. Guilarte is still on the shelf (now into his third week out of the line-up). Wood is in Wisconsin. Eduarqui Fernandez is in Wisconsin. You get the point. This may be a rough patch, but, it also gives the current roster an opportunity to take the reins. Patience plays at the lowest affiliated levels. The first half outlook may suddenly be bleak but there is still plenty of reason to keep tuning in.

2) Until I see something different, I'm going to continue pointing out: if RHP Will Childers is aiming for success in the Minor League level he is going to have to improve his heater. It's really that simple. He has delicious off-speed offerings. They are extremely effective all throughout the zone. But, the heater, as it currently stands is a problem. It is hit hard. And, it is hit hard often. He surrendered two solo jacks on the night in a solid relief effort. But, several other flat, still, hangers were hit quite hard to deep parts of the park. He's shown he can attack that upper part of the zone with the same pitch, however, if that pitch is in the zone it poses a serious risk of very hard contact. I'll be tracking this moving forward. Hopefully, it improves or he learns he simply can't located that pitch in any part of the center cut. He ended his relief innings with 4 2/3 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 HR, 5 K. A solid effort, overall, but plenty to work on.

3) The name of this loss would have to be: "The Four Double Plays that Ended Nearly Every Threat". Quite the working title, I know. A double play in the second inning with the bases juice ended the first serious Mudcats threat. A double play after a lead-off Barrios single later in the game killed any notion of a run-scoring inning. The hardest pill to swallow was the double play that ended the eighth inning. Trailing 4-3, having already scored twice and with runners on the corners, OF Hedbert Perez hit an absolute screamer directly to the 1B who had stepped off the bag and forward. INF Luke Adams was off the bag. The inning was over. OF Jace Avina managed to smack a double to RF with one down in the ninth frame but pop fly outs off the bat of 1B Jesus Chirinos and DH Jheremy Vargas ended any notions of a comeback. So it goes when you are in the midst of a prolonged losing streak.

Final: DSL Brewers #1 17, DSL Braves 8
Box Score/Game Log

There are stand-out offensive performances of note up and down this box score. Go ahead and take a look - it's very pleasing to the eyes. This is to be expected, however, when your team goes 9-for-25 with RISP. 13 walks by the opposing pitching staff will do that for a squad - which is to take nothing for the Brewers Uno bats. In a box score filled with intriguing outings, we will highlight this years top International signing, OF Yophery Rodriguez, and fellow 2023 International signee 16-year-old (!!) OF Pedro Tovar:

• Rodriguez: 3-for-3, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 CS, 1 OF assist
• Tovar: 3-for-5, 1 3B, 4 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 CS

Fantastic days for these two young men. However, they were two of many - a reminder to check that box score! On the pitching side, despite the 8 runs conceded, Nicaraguan RHP Enniel Cortez did pitch 5 IP of 6 H, 0 BB, 2 ER, 1 HR, 6 K ball. Additionally, fellow Nicaraguan RHP Nestor Mena pitched 3 IP, 1 ER, 1 HR, 2 H, 0 BB, 4 K effectively. The DSL Uno move to 5-2 on their young season.

Final: DSL Red Sox 2, DSL Brewers #2 1
Box Score/Game Log

The Brewers Dos lost a heartbreaker in a hard-fought 2-1 loss. The 0-for-7 mark with RISP was likely the leading cause of today's effort falling short. RHP Dikember Sanchez had his best outing of his young season going 2 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 2 BB, 5 K in a middle relief role. A much needed effort from the 19-year-old Venezuelan in his third year with the Brewers in the DSL.  We also see, in the ninth and final frame, the young Brewers had runners on 2nd and 3rd base with one down. And, we presume the young men were running on contact as 1B Roman La Torre flied out to CF and the game ended in a double play at second base. That's a tough way to fall. Of note, offensively, is INF Demetrio Nadal's 1 3B, 1 BB, and 1 SB in a 1-for-3 effort as well as 16-year-old DH Roderick Flore's 2-for-3 effort with 1 2B, 1 BB, and 1 K. The Brewers Dos fall to 3-4 on their young season

Interested in learning more about the Milwaukee Brewers' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!