Brewers Minor League Link Report (6/19): DSL Brewers Uno y Dos Swept by the Dodgers; ACL Crew Steal One Late

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Final:  DSL Dodgers Mega 6, DSL Brewers #1 2 
Box Score/Game Log

That's right the Brewers Uno were bested by the Mega - I don't quite know what's going on with these LA monikers but it is what it is. There's really not all that much to say about either DSL tilt this fine late June Monday. Like the Dos (more below), the Uno were trailing from the get go. However, after the Uno fall to 7-4 overall, let's just key in a few highlights despite the loss :

1)  17-year-old Dominican INF Gery Holguin hit his first long ball of his young season. For a young man who clearly has plate discipline (6 K: 5 BB), there appears to be the old nemesis of a BABIP (0.214) knocking down the statistical side of what is likely a big second DSL year leap. This young man is definitely on my under-the-radar DSL Brewers list.

2) 18-year-old Venezuelan OF Brian Sanchez (turns 19 July 4th), in his first season with the Brewers DSL, is definitely turning heads very early in his tenure. The obvious addendum with all these spotlights, given the season only started in early June, is these sample sizes are so small they are merely a blip on the season's radar. But, with Sanchez, it's a really good small sample. After today's 2-for-3 performance with a double, Sanchez is now in the midst of a five-game on base streak. And, that's all five games he's played as a DSL Uno team member. 13 AB, 7 H, 2 2B, 1 3B, 5 R, 4 RBI, 4 RBI, 5 BB, 1 K, 2 S, 1 CS. I don't know about you, but I am looking forward to more.

3) Nicaraguan RHP Nestor Mena is also in his first season as a DSL Brewer. And, like Sanchez, he is absolutely balling in his very brief tenure. After a very uncharacteristic off-outing for Venezuelan LHP Anthony Flores, Mena shut things down over the final three innings: 3 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K, 0 ER. That's now 7 1/3 IP over three outings - 4 H, 1 BB, 8 K, 1 HB, 1 HR, 1 ER, 0.154 BAA, 0.65 WHIP, 1.23 ER. A really intriguing beginning.

Final: DSL Dodgers Bautista 7, DSL Brewers #2 1 
Box Score/Game Log

The Brewers Dos faced perhaps the most formidable squad in the entire DSL. The Dodgers Bautista came into this tilt 10-0 and they sent two runs across on what looks like a failed double play in the top of the first inning. Not the start the Dos were looking for. Contrary to the final score, that 2-0 lead held into the sixth inning of a seven inning knock, and all five runs came after two outs. I'd say, glancing the play-by-play, this was a lot closer game than the final score indicates. With that being said, we can highlight a few performances:

1) Let's start with the lone Brewers Dos run. This came in the bottom of the sixth frame. Trailing 7-0, the inning began with a single and a walk. DH Pedro Ibarguen sent a line drive single into CF sending across his 4th RBI of his season in the process. Unfortunately, that feel good rally stopped there. A double play ball off the bat of 1B Smarlin Espinal led to the first two outs. LF Danny Puerta grounded out to the pitcher stranding a runner at third base. 

2) 18-year-old Nicarguan RHP Bryan Rivera is continuing to make strides in the early going of his second season with the Brewers. After today's 5 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 2 ER, 3 K performance, he is looking at a season-long output of 3 GS, 14 1/3 IP, 11 H, 6 BB, 19 K, 1 HB, 2 HR, 6 ER, 0.220 BAA, 1.19 WHIP. This is a solid start that has me intrigued. Let's hope his fourth outing proves to be a difference maker.

3)  The Dodgers Bautista were 3-for-9 with RISP and the Brewers Dos were 1-for-10. Interestingly, the Brewers Dos were outhit 10-to-5. The Brewers Dos left eight men on base to the Dodgers Bautista 6. The Brewers Dos pitchers walked four and hit two batters. The Dodgers Bautista walked five and did not hit a batter. This reads very much like a 2-0 game into the late innings that broke open by some opportunistic moments. At least that's how I'm reading the baseball tea leaves.

Final: ACL Brewers 4, ACL Rangers 3
Box Score/Game Log

I recommend you find a moment to listen to Sal Frelick discussing his recent rehab outings for the Brewers ACL (HERE). A couple of things pop out in his interview with Jeff Hem regarding the ACL: the young men down yonder treat every game like their World Series and they are playing in front of essentially no fans in the back fields of a baseball complex. Take a moment to appreciate the journey so many of these young professionals experience. 

The ACL Crew jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first frame. The Rangers chipped away shortly thereafter and the two teams were tied 3-3 headed into the final innings.  

1) Recognition is due to last year's 15th round pick, C Satchell Norman. He seems to be making the most of every opportunity he receives in his second stint in the ACL. Tonight, he hit his first long ball in a 2-for-3 performance - 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HR. He also picked off a runner at first base to end the Rangers eighth inning - always a key play when you are clinging to a one run lead. He has reached base in all six games he's played and he has multi-hit games in three of these. My curiosity is piqued.

2) In his most dominant outing to date, Venezuelan RHP Gerson Calzadilla (4 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 5 K, 0 ER) definitely showed savvy. After allowing a lead-off ground rule double to start the 7th in a 3-3 tie ball game, he didn't flinch. It was the type of inning that might lead to higher-leverage outings in the days ahead. He followed that double with a ground out, a walk, and two consecutive strikeouts. The Crew scored the go-ahead run two AB's later. 

3) Dylan O'Rae may not have the BA or the OPS to turn heads, but watching along in the play-by-play it certainly seems like he is making winning plays. He hit the go-ahead sac fly after OF Reidy Mercado's seventh inning lead-off triple. His sole knock of his evening in a 1-for-3 night came in the first inning - he quickly stole his 11th base and then scored. And, he turned the game-ending double play to seal the Crew's victory. Not eye-popping but those are all winning plays.

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