Brewers Minor League Link Report (7/20): Historic Rout for Shuckers; T-Rats & Mudcats with One-Run Wins

Mother Nature kicks off the report and impacts the transaction news - Devin Williams has had to arrange for one-night-extra hotel stays in first Appleton, and now, Norfolk, Virginia.

• Milwaukee Brewers sent RHP Devin Williams on a rehab assignment to Nashville Sounds.

Via the Sounds:

Norfolk, Va. – Saturday night’s game between the Nashville Sounds and Norfolk Tides (Orioles) has been postponed due to wet grounds and unplayable field conditions at Harbor Park. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Sunday, July 21.

The first pitch for Sunday’s pair of seven-inning games will be at 1:05 PM Central Time.

After tomorrow’s doubleheader, the Sounds will return to First Horizon Park to take on the Charlotte Knights, affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, on Tuesday, July 23 at 6:35 PM.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Biloxi 19, Montgomery (Rays) 1
Box Score and Game Log

Shuckers Rewrite Record Books in Dominant 19-1 Win over Biscuits - Biloxi sets single-game franchise record, Brown Jr. sets career-high with seven RBI

From the Media Notes (so prior to this game) -

BEST IN CLASS: Since dropping to 19-32 on the season on June 5, the Shuckers are 24-11, the best record in Double-A and the 2nd-best record in Minor League Baseball... Over that span, the Shuckers have averaged 5.54 runs per games, the 2nd-best mark in Double-A... The Shuckers are also 8th in Double-A with a 3.56 ERA over that span... Entering today, the Shuckers overall record is at .500 for the first time since May 11, when they were 
16-16.

After Saturday's game, the 36-game stretch has them averaging 5.91 games. Early AM math, always fun!

We mentioned yesterday that Eric Brown, Jr. had not played in the final two games before the All-Star break nor Friday's game. Well, folks, he played in this one. Be aware that in the very first highlight here, the double was with the bases-loaded, but the MiLB editing jumps to the man on first base (Darrien Miller) being thrown out.

EBJ (is there a reason we don't refer to Ernesto Martinez as EMJ?) - EBJ started the month of July 0-for-6. This is following up well-documented struggles in April (.581 OPS in 11 games), May (.382 OPS in 22 games), and June (.576 OPs, 21 games).

Brown, Jr. has 14 hits in his last 33 at-bats (.424), five of the 14 hits going for extra bases, 15 RBI, 5 BB, just 3 K's. He'll never be able to get those first three months of 2024 back, and regardless of how hot he remains, the final line on this season will be marred, however, we know attitude won't be an issue for Eric. Continued success, young man.

At 14-6 and with a three-game division lead, we know it's still early in the 2nd half. Yet it would be fun to see the Shuckers join both the Timber Rattlers and Mudcats in September's playoffs.

Biloxi put 30(!) men on base via H, BB, HBP (yes, of course Darrien Miller was plunked again). Miller and Dylan O'Rae each reached base four times. Brown and Connor Scott combined to drive in 12 runs. Brown and Carlos Rodriguez scored eight runs between them. Nine of the team's 15 hits were of the XBH variety. Slice up that offensive box score however you wish, enjoy the ride.

Not to be overlooked are clean team defense and the mound efforts (just one walk and nine punchies), led by still-just-21-year-old first-year pro Brett Wichrowski. The righty was pushed to AA after just four Timber Rattler starts, and while it hasn't always been smooth (1.39 Biloxi WHIP over 12 starts), the New Jersey native should benefit in the long run via the aggressive placement. Given the past two drafts, seems the organization has quite the pipeline of starting pitching talent from the NY/NJ area enroute to Milwaukee.

We don't have to tell you, the Biloxi "X" feed is loaded this AM.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes (download link)
Final: Wisconsin 4, Cedar Rapids (Twins) 3
Box Score and Game Log

Rattlers Survive Late Kernels Rally 

While not nearly as epic as the near four-hour marathon between these organizations on the big-league level Saturday night, this seemingly routine T-Rats winning performance for eight innings morphed into so much more.

Keep in mind, this was a road game, and in Cedar Rapids, where apparently MLB blackout rules also apply to the Kernels placing any video on their media feeds. Now, we get fine game summaries from other affiliates, especially at the two highest levels. But given the lack of other media being able to paint the picture, we dare you to read Chris Mehring's game summary linked above as he pretty much places us in the stands with his outstanding description of the game's events.

In particular, we learn via Chris of left fielder Jheremy Vargas' heroic effort and subsequent injury departure in the eventful 9th. So helpful, Chris, thanks.

Wisconsin is now 15-7 and in first place in the second half standings. There's nothing but bragging rights at play for the Rattlers, but of course Cedar Rapids is in 2nd place, because the Kernels always make the playoffs. So, we could be seeing more matchups like this in the postseason.

Solid mound efforts (scoreless, so clearly pretty solid) from southpaws Tate Kuehner and Mark Manfredi. Did you catch the feature article on Kuehner we linked to on our forum this week - Kuehner’s homecoming - Former Bobcat makes local stops ahead of weekend series in Cedar Rapids

Shoutout to catcher Matt Wood (though DH'ing in this one) for his double and two singles (sweet OBP of .373 on the season).

UPDATE: One of our readers with first-hand observations.

Final, Game One: Carolina 2, Lynchburg (Guardians) 1
Box Score and Game Log

Suspended, Game Two: Carolina 3, Lynchburg 3, through three innings
Box Score and Game Log (thus far)

Carolina Beats Lynchburg, Second Game Suspended

18-year-old RHP Josh Knoth hasn't missed a start in his debut season, now with 16. Knoth walked the first batter of the game, who was promptly thrown out by catcher David Garcia on a steal attempt. Knoth would retire the next 11 batters to complete his outing having thus faced the minimum number of batters. The youngster was then pulled after four innings with just 47 pitches, but we won't make any rash conclusions on the rather early exit. With a seven-inning game and coming off the All-Star break, other pitchers need work as well. Can't quibble with the Brewers' handling of Knoth thus far (part of that northeast pitcher factory mentioned above).

Cooper Pratt was 21-of-23 in stolen base attempts after snagging one here. Sneaking ahead to a highlight from Game Two, Pratt would make it 22-of-24 and then show off his wheels further here - keep in mind he couldn't initially advance on the play:

Speaking of highlights from Game Two:

21-year-old Venezuelan RHP Jesus Rivero is a talent, but you simply can't have 31 walks and 16 HBP's through 46.2 innings. More math, that's one free baserunner each and every inning. Rivero only recorded five outs in the scheduled nightcap and can thank RHP Harrison Durow for stranding three of his baserunners with a 4-3 groundout.

Final: ACL Dodgers 11, ACL Brewers 8, seven innings as scheduled
Box Score and Game Log

These two teams will meet again this coming Wednesday the 24th in the regular season finale day for the Arizona Complex League. The Brewers' entry will not qualify for the brief postseason. MiLB's wish to avoid late July and August heat will impact the status of the 2024 Brewers draft picks, the likely promotions of a few players to Carolina, and the subsequent chain-of-reaction moves that will commence. You can bet, however, that the Maryvale complex will still be teeming with activity beyond Wednesday, just not the official game action variety.

The few friends, families and/or scouts in attendance (109 degrees, but partly cloudy - yeah, like that'll help) were treated over the first three innings to a ton of action, as things were knotted at 8-8 at that point.

The game saw seven errors, unfortunately five committed by the A-Crew (so, not on their A-game). Each of the first three Maryvale pitchers allowed a single unearned run among the earned runs that also crossed home plate. The YTD ERA's in the box score are an indication of the hyper-offensive environment in the league, but also some ineffectiveness, can't chalk all the runs allowed up to environment only.

Shortstop Tyler Rodriguez comes from the Darrien Miller / Luke Adams school of HBP. In 62 pro games almost evenly split between the DSL and Maryvale, Rodriguez has been plunked 18 times, to go along with 35 walks, leading to a pro OBP of .437. Rodriguez was hit in all three plate appearances here and was pulled off the basepaths for pinch runner Luiyin Alastre in the 4th. Hopefully Rodriguez is just fine and only counting bruises.

Naturally, in his own first plate appearance in the 6th, Alastre was HBP'd himself. It must be terrifying facing complex-level power arms, it's almost shocking so many big-league clubs allow their prized big-money players to get rehab bats at that level.

Second baseman Josh Adamczewski has been consistently excellent (.941 OPS in June, .931 OPS in July). Plus, it seems he has a new locker mate, or is about to (click photo for full view):

Kids are so online talented these days. Couldn't be a Photoshop effort, right?

I'd like to personally thank the Dominican Summer League for the Saturday All-Star Break reprieve, shortening my duties here by two contests. 

Good luck to these four Cerveceros in their home park at the Brewers' new complex!

Follow that box score and Gameday as of 11:30 AM Central here.

My fellow Link Reporter Daniel gets a heavier Sunday slate than normal - Sounds play twice, Mudcats make-up game, plus the island All-Star Game. He'll be up to the task, 80-grade linking :).

Enjoy your summer Sunday, everyone!

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!