Brewers Minor League Link Report (7/14): Hicklen, CD Rodriguez, Valerio, Castillo Lead Sunday Sweep

For the week, Nashville (5-1), Biloxi (4-2) and Wisconsin (5-0) were each victorious in their series, while Carolina fell 4 games to 2.

Transactions:

• RHP Joel Kuhnel’s contract selected by MLB Brewers from AAA Nashville

Of course, Sunday also saw the first two rounds of the 2024 MLB Draft take place, with the Brewers selecting three high schoolers (one outfielder, two pitchers) and one college bat (first baseman). BrewerFanatic will have plenty of information for you to digest on these players, as well as those who are selected in rounds 3-10 (Monday) and 11-20 (Tuesday).

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Nashville 3, Iowa 2
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: Hicklen Launches 19th Homer, Sounds Head Into All-Star Break with Victory

DH/OF Brewer Hicklen (1-for-3, HR, 2 RBIs, SB, 2 runs) once again led the offense, depositing a 2-run homer over the left field wall for a 2-1 lead in the 1st inning, then helping manufacture a vital insurance run in the 7th inning.

Starting RHP Garrett Stallings was effective over 5 1/3 innings, navigating around 2 doubles, 3 singles and 3 walks with 4 Ks, with RHP Janson Junk (2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 BB, 1 K) helping strand a baserunner in the 6th inning. The Miller-Capra middle infield combination was terrific in turning 4 double plays.

Things got extremely tricky in the 8th inning, with RHP Harold Chirino walking the first two batters he faced to load the bases with one out before inducing a Miller-Capra-Black GIDP.

That was so fun that the Sounds decided to pull off a similar feat in the top of the 9th inning, with RHP James Meeker (1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 Ks, Save) relieving Chirino with 2-on, nobody out, inducing a run-scoring ground out and the game-ending Miller-Capra-Black GIDP.

Sounds’ Extras:

• As the team only garnered 3 hits and left 1 on base, it’s no surprise that only offensive player to reach base twice (left fielder Isaac Collins: single, walk).
• Right fielder Joey Wiemer was ejected for arguing a checked swing call after he grounded out to end the 6th inning, going 1-for-3 in the game by legging out an infield grounder. Two of his at-bats had exit velocities just over 93mph.

Next week’s outlook: Nashville has a 10-hour drive east to face Orioles’ affiliate Norfolk for three games starting on Friday. Or will they fly?

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Biloxi 7, Chattanooga 5
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Seven Unanswered Runs Lead Way to Comeback Win in Series Finale for Shuckers

Despite starting RHP Bradley Blalock no-hitting the Lookouts for 4 innings, Biloxi found itself down 4-0 by the 7th inning, with a win probability of only 3.9%.

Center fielder Dylan O’Rae (0-for-0, 5 walks, 3 SBs, 2 runs) started the rally by drawing his 4th walk of the game with one out in the top of the 7th inning.

DH/OF Carlos D. Rodriguez reached base 4 times (2 singles, 2 walks, SB), singling and scoring on a bloop double by right fielder Connor Scott in that 7th inning, then notching a 2-run single in the top of the 8th inning to give the Shuckers their first lead at 6-4.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• Along with Blalock’s solid work (4 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 3 BB, 5 Ks) and the terrific late rally, RHP Bo Bowman needs to get a lot of credit for entering with 2-on, nobody out in the 5th inning and stranding both baserunners for Blalock, including fielding and throwing out the lead runner at 3rd base on a sacrifice bunt attempt.
• RHP Craig Yoho (1 2/3 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 3 H, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 3 Ks) got the Win in relief, but he’s be grateful to RHP Justin Yeager (1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks) for stranding 2 baserunners in the 8th inning before grabbing his 9th Save with a 3-up, 3-down 9th inning.
• 1B Ernesto Martinez Jr. also reached base 4 times (2 singles, 2 walks, RBI), singling in an insurance run.

Next week’s outlook: Biloxi hosts Rays’ affiliate Montgomery for three games, commencing on Friday.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wisconsin 5, West Michigan 3
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Rattlers Top Whitecaps to Win Sixth Straight

Catch video highlights of Wisconsin’s victory which clinched a sweep for the week:

And we also have the 22-minute Mehring/Lobner post-game podcast, featuring comments from Devin Williams and Manager Victor Estevez.

This game actually picked up from the start of the 2nd inning tied 0-0 after a rain delay on Saturday, with 4,980 fans treated to mostly solid performances up-and-down the lineup.

I’m sure the Timber Rattlers 4-run 5th inning put Williams at ease before his 14-pitch rehab inning (3 batters = 3 strikeouts). Each of center fielder Luis Lara, SS Eduardo Garcia and left fielder Felix Valerio had two hits in the game and contributed key hits in that fifth inning. Will Garcia and/or the mustachioed Valerio be seeing action back in AA ball soon?

While Williams looked supremely confident on the mound, you could also see RHP Alexander Cornielle happily toying with opposing hitters: 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks, Win. The 22-year old with a 2.78 season ERA has played at this High-A level for nearly 2 years and must be itching for the move to AA.

From the video highlights, you can see that this was actually a game of inches, with Lara making the awesome catch to end the top of the 7th inning still leading 5-3, then 3B Luke Adams winning a sprint to tag 3rd base to end the game with the bases loaded.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• Per the podcast, Wisconsin is now 26 games over .500 on the season, the first time they’ve achieved this feat since 2001.
• Again from the podcast: “Hopefully I’ll be back in a few weeks”, said Devin Williams, along with “I’m already pitching without pain.”
• 25-year old C Ramon Rodriguez had the pleasure of catching Williams, Cornielle and five other Wisconsin pitchers on Saturday and Sunday, while also reaching base 4 times: 2 singles, walk, HBP.

Next week’s outlook: Wisconsin will take the 4-hour drive southwest to Twins’ affiliate Cedar Rapids for three games from Friday.

Final: Carolina 7, Fredericksburg 4
Box Score and Game Log 

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Mudcats Swept In Doubleheader

After dropping 4 straight games and being shut out in 3 of them, Carolina may have felt some of the pressure come off of them when a Fredericksburg first inning error scored 2 runs instead of stranding the baserunners.

Each of center fielder Yophery Rodriguez and right fielder Luis Castillo reached base 3 times (2 hits, 1 walk). Castillo doubled twice and led off Carolina’s 4-run fourth inning with a walk, before Rodriguez notched a 2-run, 2-out single to push the lead to 4-1.

On the mound, Manager Nick Stanley was able to use nine pitchers, with starting RHP Josh Timmerman covering 2 frames (32 pitches) in his second game back since a month-long injury. No other Mudcat pitcher faced more than 5 batters or covered more than an inning.

Mudcats’ Extras:

• RHP Jeferson Figueroa (2.67 season ERA) did make things interesting for the 3,003 road crowd, walking two batters to bring the potential game-tying run to the plate before ending the game with a strikeout and groundout.
• The game log noted injury delays in the 5th and 6th innings, so we’ll have to be watchful on the status of RHPs Harrison Durow and Jeison Pena.
• C David Garcia also reached base 3 times (2 walks, 1 single), while 3B Miguel Briceno collected 2 singles and left fielder Yhoswar Garcia stole 2 bases (that’s 43 SBs on the season for Yhoswar).

Next week’s outlook: Carolina will host Guardians’ affiliate Lynchburg for a 3-game series starting Friday.

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. On Monday, only our two Dominican Summer League squads will be in action from 10:00am CST, while the Milwaukee Brewers are also on their All-Star break. From Tuesday-Thursday, only the Rookie League clubs are playing (DSL Brewers-1, DSL Brewers-2, ACL Brewers).

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