Brewers Minor League Link Report (7/16): Collins, Chourio and Shook Lead Biloxi to Series Win, But Three Affiliates Fall

In their rare 3-game series, Biloxi (2-1) was the sole winner. Wisconsin and Carolina dropped their series 2-1 each, while Nashville was swept 3-0 in Louisville.

Transactions:

• OF/INF Jahmai Jones recalled to MLB Brewers from AAA Nashville
• LHP Robert Gasser of AAA Nashville activated from suspended list
• LHP Brandon Knarr transferred to 60-day injured list from 7-day injured list
• RHP Harold Chirino transferred to 60-day injured list from 7-day injured list
• RHP Miguel Segura transferred to 60-day injured list from 7-day injured list
• RHP Kevin Briceno transferred to 60-day injured list from 7-day injured list
• RHP Jared Albir transferred to 60-day injured list from 7-day injured list
• RHP Domingo Mejia transferred to 60-day injured list from 7-day injured list

Of the above six injured players, only Knarr (12 IP) and Chirino (14 IP) have actually played this season, while Mejia last played in June 2022.

Game Action:

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Louisville 8, Nashville 5 (final in 10 innings)
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Sounds’ website, game details, and we encourage readers to review the affiliate write-up as part of their Link Report routine: Sounds Swept By Bats With Ten-Inning Loss

As much as we love our aspiring minor leaguers, if we have to split a 6-game MLB/AAA series with the Reds, we’ll still take the 3-0 Major League sweep over Cincinnati even if it means Nashville drops a 3-0 sweep at Louisville.

The Sounds battled back to tie in the 4th inning and grab leads in each of the 5th and 10th innings, but were unable to secure victory. Each team scored their ghost runner on a sacrifice fly (despite Nashville not collecting a hit or walk in the 10th inning), but the Bats got the 2-out, 3-run homer off LHP Darrell Thompson to win it.

Sounds’ Extras:

• Given his one-pitch HBP outing on July 7, subsequent suspension and the All-Star break, starting LHP Robert Gasser (5 IP, 3 R, 9 H, 1 BB, 8 Ks) hadn’t really played since July 1, but did well to work around two doubles and seven singles to potentially grab a win.
• 3B Luis Urias (1-for-1, 4 walks) singled and walked four times as he tries to earn a call-up back to MLB. But his teammates only brought him home once, stranding 10 baserunners in the game. C Brian Navarreto arguably contributed more with a solo homer, sacrifice fly and a key pick-off defensively at second base. Navaretto had the Sounds’ sole extra-base hit.
• Others on Promotion Watch: Abraham Toro: two singles, Sal Frelick: two singles + sac fly + stolen base, Keston Hiura: single + HBP, RHPs Jake Cousins and Peter Strzelecki: one scoreless inning each, rehabbing LHP Justin Wilson – allowed tying solo homer amongst three batters faced.
• Center fielder Monte Harrison (1-for-4) hadn’t played since June 11, but the exits of Eddy Alvarez (opt-out release), Michael Reed (release), Tyrone Taylor (reinstated to MLB) and Jahmai Jones (recalled to MLB) saw him back in action.

Next week’s outlook: The Sounds (48-40) return home to play Marlins’ affiliate Jacksonville (40-49). RHP Justin Jarvis (3.65 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 10.7 K/9 in 79 IP this year) will make his 2nd start in AAA ball on Tuesday.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Biloxi 7, Rocket City 3
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Shuckers Explode for 16 Hits, Seven Runs to Take Series Over Rocket City

If you want results, 19-year old center fielder Jackson Chourio (3-for-5, RBI) will give you results: first inning line drive single, third inning line drive RBI single, fourth inning single to left field, extending his multi-hit game streak to four games.

But we’re also excited about 25-year old RHP TJ Shook (5 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 4 Ks), delivering his second terrific start in three appearances, of course sandwiched around an 8-run (7 earned), 2 1/3 IP atrocity that we’re blaming on short rest.

As the sole home game amongst the group, you’ll have to get all of your video highlights from this Biloxi game, which thankfully was a win. Within, you’ll find a particularly good view of Chourio catching a line drive against the wall in center field to help his starting pitcher out. 

Shuckers’ Extras:

• 25-year old utility man Isaac Collins (3-for-4, HR, 3 RBIs, SB) is proving that he’s not just a speedster (17 stolen bases in 21 attempts), as he connected on his fourth home run of 2023, a 3-run shot to give the Shuckers a nice cushion in the 4th inning. He also pulled off a rare double play for a left fielder, catching a line drive and doubling a runner off first base to end the top of the 4th inning.
• Each of right fielder Noah Campbell, C Wes Clarke, 1B Zavier Warren and SS Ethan Murray had two hits on the evening, with Clarke notching a double and Warren driving in two runs. 3B Tyler Black singled, walked and stole his 42nd base. Let me also make a positive note of RHP Max Lazar’s two scoreless, hitless innings.
• Ready or not, Shook and James Meeker look like they’re starting pitchers now for Manager Mike Guerrero, in part due to limited other options available. Let’s hope that they continue to make the most of this exciting opportunity.

Next week’s outlook: The Shuckers (41-43) hit the road to play Rays’ affiliate Montgomery (43-40).

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Peoria 13, Wisconsin 8
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Rattlers’ website, game details: Peoria Outslugs Wisconsin in Series Finale

21-year old starting RHP Edwin Jimenez (3 IP, 7 R, 9 H, 3 BB, 0 Ks, 1 WP) is going through a rough patch, as the hurler hadn’t allowed more than two earned runs in any of his first 12 games (each between 3 and 6 innings), but he’s now allowed three or more in each of his last five contests.

However, his teammates nearly picked him up, scoring five unanswered runs to knot the score at 7-7 by the 6th inning, before Peoria poured it on late.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• Solo home runs from 1B Ernesto Martinez (2-for-5, HR, 2 RBIs) and right fielder Je’Von Ward were part of the initial comeback, along with a 2-run double from 3B Ben Metzinger (1-for-3, double, walk, 2 RBIs). SS Robert Moore also reached base three times via a double and two hit-by-pitches.
• In this one, individual development took priority over wins and losses in my opinion, as Jimenez was sent out for a third inning of work despite struggling to get through the first two frames, allowing seven runners aboard in the first two innings and being bailed out with two ground ball double plays. Predictably, a 3-2 deficit quickly ballooned to 7-2 in that fateful bottom of the 3rd inning, with the first five batters reaching via a double and four singles. To his credit, Jimenez was able to retire the final three batters on fly outs.
• RHP Nick Merkel (2 2/3 IP, 3 R, 2 H, 4 BB, 2 Ks) took the reins from Jimenez and kept a clean sheet for two innings before a back-breaking 2-out, 3-run homer in the bottom of the 6th inning.

Next week’s outlook: Wisconsin (35-47) heads to Dayton (42-42) to play the Reds’ affiliate there. RHP Stiven Cruz (6.39 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, 7.7 K/9 in 62 IP) is the scheduled starter for Tuesday's opener.

Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Myrtle Beach 8, Carolina 0
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Carolina Held to One Hit in 8-0 Loss to Pelicans

This series finale was a beat-down in all respects, with only two highlights for the Mudcats:

• RHP Jeferson Figueroa delivered three scoreless, hitless innings of relief to lower his season ERA to 2.45.
• Left fielder Hedbert Perez singled to lead off the 8th inning, thus avoiding a no-hitter.

As to the rest of the game, RHP Will Childers got the start and was only down 2-0 with two outs in the bottom of the 4th inning, before the wheels fell off (wild pitch, single, single, walk). RHP Jose Chavez also didn’t acquit himself well in relief (HBP, balk, 3-run homer) in that 6-run frame.

Next week’s outlook: The Mudcats (41-39) host White Sox affiliate Kannapolis (45-38).

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. Catch your breath after that amazing Brewers sweep of the Reds, while checking in on our Rookie level teams playing on Monday (two DSL games at 10:00am central time, ACL Brewers at 8:00pm).

Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores
Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth
Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth