Brewers Minor League Link Report (6/23): Smith Dazzles, Haase and Hicklen Come Through on Sunday

For the week, Biloxi (5-1) and Carolina (5-2) were series winners, while Wisconsin and Nashville both split their contests (3-3).

Transactions:

• LHP Jesus Broca promoted to ACL Brewers from DSL Brewers-2
• RHP Fabian Reyes assigned to DSL Brewers-2 from DSL Brewers-1
• RHP Francisco Guevara assigned to DSL Brewers-2 from DSL Brewers-1

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Nashville 5, Durham 4
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: Late Rally Propels Hot Chickens to Victory in Series Finale

Early season offensive stud Brewer Hicklen (3-for-4, HR, 3 RBIs, 2 SBs) had his first multi-hit game since returning from an injury on June 15, singling home 2 runs to tie the game in the bottom of the 1st inning and later leading off the bottom of the 8th inning with a 108.7mph, 423-foot blast to knot things back up again at 4-4.

C Eric Haase wasn’t ramping back up after an injury, but he still had a right to be rusty after sitting on the Major League taxi squad for the past week. Instead, he collected 2 hits including mashing the first pitch he saw 440 feet to give the Sounds the only lead they’d need at 5-4.

With every Nashville starting pitcher auditioning for a call-up to the Show, RHP Garrett Stallings’ (5 IP, 4 R, 5 H, 3 BB, 4 Ks) second start of the week didn’t go as well as his first, conceding 2-run homers in the 1st and 4th innings to exit trailing 4-3.

Struggling right-handed reliever Mitch White (3 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 HBP, 3 Ks) may have turned an important corner just in time, going from a bases loaded, nobody out jam in the top of the 6th inning to ultimately covering 3 1/3 scoreless innings. High heat (96mph) was an effective weapon on this night.

Sounds’ Extras:

• Three of the four batters who reached against White were by hit-by-pitch, but that didn’t stop Bulls’ hitters from swinging early in seemingly every at-bat. He needed just 3 pitches to escape the bases loaded, nobody out situation in the 6th inning, then only 5 pitches to record 3 outs in the 8th frame.
• SS Vinny Capra went 0-for-3 with 3 Ks and a walk, but he was part of each of the Sounds’ 3 double plays defensively, including crucial ones to end the 6th and 9th innings.
• Center fielder Garrett Mitchell reached twice (single, walk), while DH Joey Wiemer doubled and stole a base.

Next week’s outlook: Nashville heads to Jacksonville (hopefully by airplane; otherwise it’s an 8 1/2-hour drive) to face the Marlins’ affiliate this week.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Biloxi 4, Rocket City 2
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Shuckers End First Half on High Note Behind Dominant Outing from Shane Smith

Making his second start of the week didn’t faze 24-year old RHP Shane Smith, as he simply mowed down the opposition more efficiently than ever, retiring 17 of 18 batters faced, including 7 by strikeout. Smith needed only 68 pitches to cover 5 2/3 innings, with his sole blemish being a solo homer yielded to Rocket City number 9 hitter.

3B Brock Wilken (2-for-4, HR, 2 RBIs) and 1B Zavier Warren gave Smith and the Shuckers’ bullpen all the runs they would require, contributing 2-run shots on each side of the Trash Pandas solo homer to lead 4-1 by the 4th inning.

Each team stranded just 3 baserunners as opportunities were relatively limited. But RHP Blake Holub ended up facing Rocket City’s potential game-winning run with 2-on, 2-out in the bottom of the 9th inning, striking him out on 5 pitches.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• Smith was not drafted, folks. Signed in July 2021, he basically needed one injury year, one recovery year (just 3 IP in 2022), 1.2 years relieving and is now dominating after shifting to long inning work since May 1.
• Holub has yielded no earned runs over his last 11 games (13 IP with 15 Ks and 2 BB). He’s obviously rediscovered his confidence and form since returning to AA ball, registering 5 saves and a Win over his last 7 outings.
• LHP Nate Peterson (1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 1 K) was unfortunately not very sharp in relief this time out, but he navigated around his traffic in the 7th and 8th innings before Holub stranded his leadoff walk in the final frame.

Next week’s outlook: Biloxi’s home this week, taking on Marlins’ affiliate Pensacola as the squads kick off the second half of the AA season. RHP Jacob Misiorowski is the scheduled starter for Tuesday’s opening game.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Fort Wayne 6, Wisconsin 5
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Road Trip Ends with Close Loss to TinCaps

As the game link indicates, Wisconsin nearly pulled off the 9th-inning comeback, though this felt like a painful lesson in the perils of procrastination.

Credit the opposing TinCaps with recovering from their inning-opening error and two hits (Jadher Areinamo, Luke Adams) to induce the ground ball double play (Matt Wood) and then strikeout Felix Valerio to preserve their win and forge a 3-3 series tie.

Starting RHP Alexander Cornielle (5 IP, 5 R (3 ER), 6 H, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 4 Ks) wasn’t as effective as we’re used to seeing, although a Fort Wayne error allowed 3 Wisconsin unearned runs to score in the 3rd inning, essentially evening the scales.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• Every Timber Rattler in the lineup reached base via hit or walk, except leadoff center fielder Luis Lara. Areinamo (single, 2 walks) and Adams (single, 2 HBPs) each came aboard three times. Adams also stole his 18th base.
• Did you click on the box score? Wisconsin had zero RBIs, yet still scored 5 runs. That’s what errors, wild pitches and double plays will do.

Next week’s outlook: Wisconsin returns home after two weeks on the road, with LHP Mark Manfredi expected to start the opening game against Cubs’ affiliate South Bend.

Final: Columbia 5, Carolina 3
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Mudcats Fall To Fireflies

Similar to the Sounds and T-Rats, the Mudcats also waited until late to attempt a comeback. In this case, their best shot came and went in the top of the 8th inning. SS Cooper Pratt (DHing here) had a rare rough spurt (2 Ks, a GIDP) before following up a Yophery Rodriguez walk with a single to extend his on-base streak to 30 games. Unfortunately, 3B Daniel Guilarte and Walling were not able to produce a game-tying hit.

Some hours before that, starting RHP Jesus Rivero reminded us of all of the great and maddening things he’s capable of on the mound. He struck out the side in the 2nd inning, then went triple, HBP, BB, WP, BB, K before exiting down 2-1 in the 3rd inning.

This was Rivero’s first start since a blowup outing on May 1st (six relief appearances since), but he was perhaps pushed into action due to the unavailability of RHP Bishop Letson (last pitched June 14; no injury placement or word on status).

Each of 1B Reece Walling, left fielder Yhoswar Garcia (2-for-3, walk, SB) and right fielder Luis Castillo (2-for-4, RBI) doubled and scored to keep Carolina in the game. Notably, Garcia exited the game mid-at bat in the top of the 9th inning, so we’ll be watching his health status. Although the team went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position, two of those outs produced runs (well, one “out” was a reached-on-error).

Mudcats’ Extras:

• Old man (relative to teammates) RHP Jeferson Figueroa unfortunately didn’t have his best stuff, conceding 2 solo homers in the 5th inning to take the loss.
• Recent signee 25-year old RHP Tyler Bryant’s organizational debut was a success, stranding a baserunner for Rivero and pitching a scoreless inning of his own.
• Credit RHPs Aidan Maldonado and Harrison Durow with 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to give the offense a chance, retiring all 7 batters faced.

Next week’s outlook: Carolina comes home to battle Guardians’ affiliate Lynchburg, whom the Mudcats held off to claim the season’s first half division title.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. The three Rookie squads are in action on Monday, starting with DSL Brewers1 vs. DSL Brewers2 at 10:00am CST, followed by ACL Brewers hosting the ACL Reds at 8:00pm.

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