Brewers Minor League Link Report (7/29): Gasser Absolutely Dazzles in 4 K Rehab Outing; Bitonti Mashes 16th Tater Before Renz's Low-A Debut

Transactions:

• RHP Craig Yoho was optioned to the Nashville Sounds by the Milwaukee Brewers
• RHP Easton McGee was recalled by the Milwaukee Brewers from the Nashville Sounds
• RHP Dikember Sanchez was released by the Carolina Mudcats
• RHP Michael Fowler (of the Frontier League's Mississippi Mud Monsters) has signed a Minor League contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. He has yet to be assigned to an affiliate. 

Final: Nashville 7, Scranton Wilkes-Barre (Yankees) 3

Via the Sounds website, please be sure to click and read each of the affiliate write-ups as part of your season-long Link Report routine (believe me, it's worth it):

Zamora's Clutch Ninth-Inning Base Hit Lifts Sounds Over RailRiders - Zimmerman Earns 4th Quality Start

Box Score/Game Log

Game Notes

LHP Bruce Zimmerman continues to age like fine wine for the 2025 Nashville Sounds. I'm starting to sound like a broken record at this point, but the savvy lefty just continues to put out good results. Tuesday may have been his most impressive outing as a Sound given the opponent and the environment. Though he was robbed of a decision by his veteran bullpen, he still gave his team all they needed with 6.0 IP of 4 H, 1 BB, 3 K work. He threw 72 pitches with 49 landing as strikes (or miss barrels as such). His sinker was staying low in the zone and even though it sits 88-91 mph on most nights, it continues to play masterfully off his off-speed. His change-up string drop was his most impactful tonight. He grabbed 11 ground outs to just three fly outs. He deserved the win though he'll obviously take the team victory. If you have not seen Zimmerman pitch, I suggest it. It's an old school approach but it works in all the best ways and I do believe he is finding levels to his shapes. Like RHP Garrett Stallings, he's been a true joy to watch.

Three Quick Strikes:

1) C Jorge Alfaro gets the nod right off the bat. You are going to win most nights when your seven spot hitter goes 3-for-4 with 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 HR, and 1 K. The veteran backstop continues to show leadership and pop at the dish. His oppo taco was a fantastic piece of patient hitting on an outer half off-speed offering:

Alfaro has stepped in and admirably filled that veteran void for the Sounds with the departures of C Alex Jackson, C Payton Henry, and C Brian Navarreto. He also continues to majority handle one of the best pitching staffs at large in all of Triple-A.

2) SS Freddy Zamora got the headline above and for good reason: he poked another clutch hit by the opposing defense. Zamora hasn't wowed with any consistent type of elite contact all season, but this doesn't mean he isn't positively impacting games on a regular basis. If we put that lack of gap power aside, he's become a high-performing veteran in 2025. This truly wasn't in the cards until this season. Kudos are deserved. This is not the first clutch run-scoring hit I've seen off Zamora's bat this season. The moments are not too big:

If I had to hazard a guess, I would tend to think he's become a favorite of manager Rick Sweet.

3) 1B Tyler Black giveth and he taketh. Black ripped a convincing line drive triple to the right field corner showing off those wheels we grew to love over the years. However, Black continues to absolutely baffle defensively. I don't want to say Black is non-chalant - he has a wide gait and an elite level of athleticism that can come across as casual. But I also stand firmly in the camp of: Tyler Black is simply not going to help your team win on the defensive side of the field. He had two questionable misplays at first base - one was ruled a double to the opponent and the other a pick-off throwing error from LHP Bruce Zimmerman. Both balls hit his glove and ricocheted on by. Were they easy plays? Absolutely not. Were they plays a solid defending first baseman makes? I think so. 

With the victory, the Sounds gained back a game on International League leading Scranton Wilkes-Barre. They now sit 5.5 GB the League leaders at 16-12 in their second half.

Final: Biloxi 7, Pensacola (Marlins) 3

Vargas' 3-RBI Night, Season-High 14 Hits Leads Shuckers to Win Over Wahoos - Hunt Pitches Five Shutout Frames

Game Notes

Despite a couple rough outings earlier in July, RHP KC Hunt has stacked two consecutive plus outings. This shouldn't be taken for granted in 2025 - a season that has proven eventful, to say the least. What's perhaps most impressive about Hunt's 5.0 IP of mere 3 H, 1 BB, 4 K, 0 R, 1 WP work (76 pitches. 50 strikes) is the fact he withstood two rain delays - one to start the game and one after three frames that lasted a good hour. It's a testament to Hunt's ongoing grit he kept warm and earned this victory. He improved to 6-6 on his season. There is still runway left to close out 2025 in a fashion that reminds us of the pitcher who won Co-Pitcher of the Year for the Brewers system in 2024. 

Three Quick Strikes:

1) We'll want to monitor C Matt Wood through the rest of this series. Wood left the game in the middle of the seventh inning (about the 5 hour and 17 minute mark on the replay) when he took a hard hit foul ball directly on his upper right arm. Manager Joe Ayrault and the Shuckers trainer visited with Wood for a minute or so and it was quite clear he would not stay in the game. Is it a shoulder? A clavicle? It was hard to say. But, he was very very obviously in pain. Given the number of injuries we've witnessed in 2025, and given the up-level in play we've continued to see from early Double-A Matt Wood this could be a real downer. Let's hope for the best in the interim. C Eric Martinez replaced Wood in the line up with Darrien Miller already in the line up as the DH.

2) 2B Jheremy Vargas grabbed the headline but, despite the three-RBI double he punched out three times in a 1-for-5, 3 RBI, 1 2B, 3 K outing. Instead, I will once again turn your attention to my favorite utility player in the upper levels: 3B Ethan Murray. 3-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, and 1 K. We are now looking at an 0.842 OPS player after 237 PA's in Double-A with a very acceptable 23.62% K rate and corresponding 14.76 BB %. Given his plus defense at literally any position he plays on the infield dirt, and given his absolute cannon of an arm, I will again remind you: INF Ethan Murray is perhaps the most slept on MLB-caliber player in the Brewers system.

3) With the departures of RHP Blake Holub, RHP Justin Yeager, and RHP WIll Childers to Triple-A Nashville over the course of the season the late-inning Shuckers bullpen appears to be a committee approach. With RHP Bayden Root struggling mightily in his second inning of work (2.0 IP, 4 H, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, 1 WP, 1 Balk, 3 ER), it was up to RHP Kaleb Bowman to finish the game. And, finish it he did. Bowman picked up his fifth Save of 2025 in his 2.0 IP of 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K work. He pounded the zone with 17 strikes in 28 total pitches. It is truly wonderful to see Bowman bounce back strong in 2025 after some challenges and inconsistencies in 2024. He's reclaimed his standing within the organization. The 28-year-old well-traveled journeyman is 5-for-6 in SVO's and he has an extremely solid 1.01 WHIP to support his 3.69 ERA over 31 2/3 relief IP. Bowman is definitely one of the more overlooked arms in the Shuckers bullpen. I suggest you take notice.

With the game one road victory, the Shuckers improved to 0.500 in their second half at 14-14.

Final: Wisconsin 4, Lake County (Guardians) 3

Rattlers Victorious in Return Home - Wisconsin Erases 3-0 Deficit with Late Runs to Win 4-3

Game Notes

Every once in a blue moon, a player returns from injury and I am reminded of just how special they are. This appears to be the case with one LHP Robert Gasser who absolutely dazzled in his 2.0 IP of 1 H, 0 BB, 4 K, 0 R work. He was absurdly efficient in his 22 pitch, 16 strike rehab appearance. He was sitting 92-93 mph and was touching 95 mph. The sweeper? Oh, the sweeper. That strikeout pitch remains an absolutely special unicorn:

I had forgotten just how many times Pitching Ninja was highlighting Gasser's sweeper in 2024. Tonight brought me back to just how ridiculously good Gasser is on the bump.

Full Game Highlights:

Post-Game Podcast:

Three Quick Strikes:

1) With the departure of INF Jadher Areinamo to the Rays organization (for those wondering, Areinamo has been placed on the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits roster - the Shuckers play the Biscuits again the final week of August, btw), it is most definitely going to have to be a team wide approach to turn the Timber Rattlers ship around. Tonight fit that bill with both SS Eduardo Garcia and CF Yhoswar Garcia providing key sparks to ensure the victory. Each had multiple stolen bases (hey, were you aware Eduardo Garcia has successfully swiped 35 bags in 2025?!) and each provided key AB's in key spots in the rally. With his 22nd double, Eduardo Garcia is definitely going to need to take on a bigger role moving forward. I personally think he is up for the challenge. This is a new Garcia in his 22-year-old season.

2) As 1B Blake Burke continues struggling to find his power stroke, he hasn't lost his ability to impact games it appears. 0-for-1, 1 R, and 4 BB on his evening. I do wonder what is going to become of his timeshare (and struggling Tayden Hall's, for that matter) when Andrew Fischer inevitably joins the Timber Rattlers this season - I personally think that's a foregone conclusion. And, given the challenges this Timber Rattlers lineup faces on a nightly basis it will be a very welcome addition. Hopefully, it will be a case of iron sharpening iron. Burke has showcased immense power in 2025, but it has been seldom seen of late. I personally hope Fischer's presence will push Burke to rediscover what gave him his reputation of a slugger.

3) The score may not have indicated as such (with a 3-0 deficit heading into the seventh inning, but one could definitely argue the Timber Rattlers were playing the more disruptive brand of baseball throughout. The Captains committed two errors and walked eight Rattlers hitters. The T-Rats earned 13 scoring opportunities to just six for the Captains. In the end, this was a well-earned victory and a welcome relief amidst a fairly unimpressive road trip.

With the game one victory, the Timber Rattlers 'improved' to 10-21 in their second half. They are 8.5 GB first place Quad Cities (18-12).

Final: Carolina 5, Augusta (Braves) 2

Game Notes

RHP Melvin Hernandez earned the victory and improved to 7-4 overall in 2025. What an impressive debut Low-A season of work! 5.0 IP of 2 H, 3 BB, 5 K, 1 HB, 1 Balk, 1 ER work. He managed to pull this off amidst bouts of pouring rain before the game was ultimately delayed due to weather before the sixth inning. It's hard to say how the intermittent showers were impacting the ball so I won't speak to that but you know the drill by now: Hernandez is absurdly poised and savvy given his scrappy diminutive stature. If there is one player in the upcoming off-season who will benefit from a strength and conditioning program it is likely the young Hernandez. He threw 73 pitches total over his five frames. He landed 43 for strikes. He earned an equal 4:4 split flyouts:groundout.

Three Quick Strikes:

1) Let's get straight to the headliner. 1B Eric Bitonti continues to showcase he can absolutely mash. Here's his 111 mph laser shot over the right field wall. This ball left in a hurry. Upon second and third viewings, I can confirm: I did not see the ball.

A lot has been made about Bitonti being a strict 1B in 2025. I am here to put those concerns to rest: it doesn't matter. He has a developing pure glove at the position and his former work at third base also gives him the cannon needed to execute plays like the back pick attempt from C Yannic Walther that brought him off the bag. It didn't matter. Bitonti gunned an absolute accurate rifle shot to SS Jesus Made at 2B. It was a key out and a highly impressive play. His fluid athleticism is a treat at the first base bag. Despite the high 34.15 K% in the Carolina League at age 19 (Bitonti will turn 20 in late November), and this is a concern, I remain more bullish on Bitonti than most. I consistently see too many positives and too much real raw power to overly concern myself at this point in time. I also know from within the Brewers organization he is a known film junky. He lives the game. I'll trust the process here and continue to deeply enjoy these rocket launches.

2) RHP Tyler Renz's outing was far more impressive than his final line would indicate: 3 2/3 IP, 2 H, 5 BB, 6 K, 1 WP, 1 ER. Renz showcased a really nice array of at least four pitches by my eyes. All offerings appear to have quite favorable shapes and despite his 88-91 mph four-seamer velocity average at present (or at least this outing - I've heard he has touched 95 mph in bullpen sessions) he misses quite a few barrels with its innately high-riding IVB heavy movement. I came away extremely impressed. AND, in the ninth and final inning - just before Renz was pulled - the homeplate umpire blew the count and extended what should have been a final AB strikeout swinging. It was an absurd moment - a moment that cannot happen. Instead of 7 K and 3 BB we get the 5 BB and 6 K in the record books. It is what it is. And, as you readers know, once again: the box score simply does not tell the tale. Here's a peak at Renz's stuff from his ACL work for those wanting a peak:

3) With a 2-for-3, 2 RBI, 1 BB night at the dish one CF Jose Anderson has officially crested and surpassed the Mendoza Line. Be still my heart. I still go back to Anderson's 11 pitch battle I saw late in a game some weeks ago that I truly believe was his turning point. Naturally, he K'd three times the following evening. Baseball is funny like that. More importantly, I continue to see a maturing player. He isn't a one trick player like several outfield prospects I've seen come through Carolina and Wisconsin in the past several season. As RF Pedro Ibarguen may be coming back to Earth (0-for-3, 3 K), I personally see Anderson beginning to figure some things out (10 for his last 27, for example). It's the small things like this that give the deeper qualities to each and every Brewers Minor League season. I'm rooting for this young man to close out strong and re-establish his prospect status after a rough Low-A transition. 

With the game one road victory, the red hot Mudcats improved to 20-9 on their second half. They hold a 3.5 G lead over second place Fredericksburg (Nationals).

Final: DSL Brewers Blue 7, DSL Dodgers Mega 2
Box Score/Game Log

After some recent hiccups, it was nice to see a DSL Brewers squad back in the win column. The DSL Brewers Blue improved to 21-18 with their victory but they remain on the outside looking in at the Wild Card scenario at third place in their DSL Northwest division. Let's do a quick run down of what we can glean from the day's Logs and Box:

• Multi-Hit games for RF Frandy Lafond (2-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 2B, and 1 K), 2B Moises Polanco (2-for-3, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 3B)
• 2B Moises Polanco is, perhaps, having the best season of all Brewers DSL'ers. In his second season, he continues to impress on a near daily basis
• An impressive combined pitching performance from 18-year-old RHP Lonell Downs (5.0 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 HB, 2 ER) and 18-year-old RHP Jean Rodriguez (4.0 IP, 3 H, 5 K, 1 WP, 0 R). Rodriguez grabbed the victory improving to 2-1 overall.
• The Crew were 0-for-2 in SB attempts and were picked off first base
• The Crew were extremely advantageous with RISP (much like the Sounds) at a 3-for-6 mark whereas the Dodgers Mega were a mere 1-for-9.
• CF Brailyn Antunez continues to hover above the Mendoza Line but he is definitely only hovering. With a 1-for-5, 1 R, 2 K day at the dish Antunez is sitting with a 0.207 BA and a 0.622 OPS over 174 PA's. He does have a solid 19.54 K% and a very palatable 34 K-to-22 BB. There are glimmers here in what would have to be considered a relatively unimpressive season as a whole for this headliner.

Final: DSL Pirates Gold 3, DSL Brewers Gold 2
Box Score/Game Log

A single run is what may have prevented us from enjoying a rare unblemished day throughout the Brewers organization. And, so it goes. In a 3-2 game like this, I take great notice that each team's bullpen shut down their opponents in the make-or-break late innings. Not a single run was scored after the fifth inning. On the Brewers side of the ledger this means 17-year-old RHP Daniel Garcia pitched 3.0 IP of scoreless 1 H, 2 K work. Extremely impressive stuff for the youngster. We also see 17-year-old RHP Raymond Sarmiento with a fairly impressive start as well: 4 2/3 IP of 6 H, 0 BB, 5 K, 1 WP, 2 ER. Despite a mere 1-for-5 with RISP, the Brewers Gold still managed to see two players with multiple hits. Lead-off 2B Juan Martinez continued his red-hot season with a 2-for-4, 1 K effort. LF Alexander Frias managed a 2-for-3, 2 R, 1 BB effort as well. CF Kenny Fenelon (still hovering just below the Mendoza Line at 0.195 on his season) managed the lone XBH with his triple in a 1-for-4, 2 K, 1 3B day at the dish. With the loss, the Brewers Gold fell to six games below 0.500 at 17-23. Their inability to reach that 0.500 mark and waffle in this three-to-six games below mark is very reminiscent of the 2024 ACL Brewers. 

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