Brewers Video
Transactions:
- (7/29) INF Eric Bitonti was assigned to the Carolina Mudcats from the ACL Brewers
- (7/29) INF Josh Adamczewski was assigned to the Carolina Mudcats from the ACL Brewers
- (7/29) SS Cooper Pratt was assigned to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers from the Carolina Mudcats
- (7/29) LHP Tyler Jay was recalled by the Milwaukee Brewers from the Nashville Sounds
- (7/29) LHP Anthony Flores was assigned to the Carolina Mudcats from the ACL Brewers
- (7/29) RHP Tyler Bryant was assigned to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers from the Carolina Mudcats
Final: Nashville 9, Gwinnett (Braves) 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):
Sounds Smash Stripers to Start Series - Owen Miller and Wes Clarke Homer
The Sounds and RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez (4 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HB, 1 WP) were absolutely sailing through four complete innings. They led 8-0. They faced a position player in the fourth frame (hello tired Stripers arms?). AND, then the weather delay hit in the top of the fifth. This delay lasted over an hour ending Rodriguez's work far too early. He was extremely effective in and around the zone while throwing his complete mix of pitches. Seven whiffs on 24 total swings is a very healthy number and the results speak to that impact. This was a fantastic Cargo outing and it was a pleasure to watch.
Three Quick Strikes:
1) INF/OF Owen Miller continues to make a case he should be the end-of-the-bench utility man in the Brewers dugout. He simply has not missed a single beat since missing a week due to DFA limbo. Tonight was emblematic of his consistent productivity since being re-assigned to Triple-A. Before tonight's two-run bomb and double to start his evening 2-for-3, Miller had been hitting a scorching 0.381 BA with a 0.921 OPS in 47 July AB's. After his evening's output he is sitting 0.383 with a 1.005 OPS - ridiculous output. He continues to state his case.
2) With OF Joey Wiemer now back in his college stomping grounds of Cincinnati, we will likely be seeing more OF Tyler Black on a consistent basis. I am absolutely here for it as I've been opining on more than one occasion of late. I can report two routine fly balls handled, well, routinely. We even got a little pseudo chicken-strut kind of grab for the second out. I am absolutely ready for consistent clean plays with confidence being made by such a talented offensive player. I'll say it again: it's late in the game but the outfield grass is likely Black's best defensive locale. I don't care about organizational depth charts, I care about setting a player up for their best chance at success. Three singles and three walks just honestly feels like a casual night's work with Black at the dish - the Brewers have to find ways to get that bat in their line-up down the line.
3) I am very happy to report RHP J.B. Bukauskas has put his lat issues from earlier this season behind him for the time being. Fingers are definitely crossed. The sinker was sitting low 94's touching 94.5 mph. He induced weak contact. The highest exit velocity allowed was a 98 mph reach line out to 3B for the final out of his one hit (line drive single to RF) inning of work. Stay healthy, young man. That Brewers bullpen will likely need you in the near future the way this 2024 season has gone.
Final: Rocket City (Angels) 9, Biloxi 5
Shuckers Tie Franchise Record for Steals in Loss to Trash Pandas - Shuckers Grab Eight Steals in Opener
LHP Nate Peterson has struggled finishing his outings all season. He certainly pitches effectively throughout, don't get me wrong, but he consistently has an inning akin to his last frame tonight: Solo HR, single, Two-Run HR. He has now given up 16 HR on his season. That's nine more long balls surrendered already in 2024 on 10 less innings overall than his entire 2024. Granted, that was Low-A and High-A; this is the Double-A Southern League. The Shuckers had no video feed (the media issues very much continue down in Biloxi, sadly), but if I had to gather a guess I would imagine Peterson hung a belt high breaking ball or two. This type of failed pitch has consistently been his Southern League kryptonite. Peterson fell to 2-7 overall on his season and left tonight's game before recording an out in the fourth inning. His final line reads: 3 IP, 6 H, 1 BB, 3 K, 4 ER, 2 HR.
Three Quick Strikes:
1) In a game where every Shuckers pitcher struggled to meet the big moment, RHP Nick Merkel rose to his. His 2 2/3 IP of 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K, 0 R work bridged the gap from a 7-3 game to a 7-5 game. He stranded the bases loaded in the eighth inning to boot - like I said, he met his moment. Without his Yeoman's effort (ERA back under 4.00 now at 3.83 on his season), they wouldn't have had a serious threat in the eight frame. More below. If you toss three May outings out the window (13 ER over 4 IP), you are talking about what I consistently see in Merkel: a very legitimate arm who consistently performs and, yet, is consistently overlooked. Don't sleep on Merkel.
2) It's a testament to 2B Dylan O'Rae he has 16 SB already in just 32 Double-A games. This is a total tied with both 1B Ernesto Martinez Jr. and SS Eric Brown Jr who have 80 and 72 games under their belts in 2024, respectively. With O'Rae's BB:K ratio (27:33) now ascending back to normalcy we can wait for a possible increase in BABIP (from 0.250 currently to an unknown at this point) or an off-season to hopefully get stronger. Even in the comforts of High-A, O'Rae's line drives almost never reached the warning track. His deep flies essentially fall short. If he is going to see balls consistently find gaps at Double-A and higher, he simply needs to get stronger. Hopefully, oh so hopefully, this will come with age. Let's remember, this diminutive spark plug is 20 years old until mid-February of 2025.
3) A failed opportunity in the bottom of the eighth inning ultimately sealed the Shuckers fate. CF Carlos D. Rodriguez led off with a line drive single to LF. 3B Brock Wilken followed with a walk. The Shuckers left them stranded on second and third base. Ultimately, this led to RHP Tyler Woessner struggling through another inefficient relief inning of work - 1 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 ER, 2 K in 34 pitches with a 17/17 split balls to strikes. You'd be hard pressed to find a pitcher struggling harder and more consistently in the Brewers system than Woessner in 2024. It's an unfortunate truth. Is it RHP Mitch White bad? Not exactly. But, a 6.20 ERA through 61 IP with a 1.80 WHIP absolutely matches the eye tests.
Final: South Bend (Cubs) 14, Wisconsin 9
Return Home Unkind to Rattlers - South Bend Beats Rattlers 14-9
RHP Alexander had one of those outings. Let's put it this way: Cornielle gave up more runs in 4 2/3 IP (12 earned runs on 11 hits and three long balls - yikes) than he had over 11 outings and 10 GS over the past 2 1/2 months. That's a tough pill to swallow for a young man who had been absolutely fantastic since scuffling a bit in the opening month. There's not much else to say and we'll leave it at that. Hopefully, he can bounce back and continue his 2024 resurgence as scheduled. Hopefully, the Timber Rattlers will give us some live telecasts in addition to their usual epic full game highlights. This is all the video we'll get tonight as MiLB.TV subscribers:
Three Quick Strikes:
1) SS Cooper Pratt debuted in High-A. Cooper Pratt hit his first home run in High-A. And, the Timber Rattlers had no live feed? Was this strictly a Bally game? I have absolutely no idea but the link via MiLB.TV absolutely went to a non-viewing experience. Par for the course in my collective 2024 Brewers Minor League viewing experience - every night an adventure; every stream an absolute unknown. Pratt finished 1-for-4 with 1 R, 2 RBI, 2 K, 1 HR. We didn't see it live, but we certainly can see it now. My goodness:
2) 3B Luke Adams is fast approaching untouchable status. The plate discipline (69 BB-to-70 K). The athleticism (25 SB). The power (10 HR and 14 2B; 51 RBI). He is currently sporting a ridiculous 0.449 OBP with a 0.237 BA. His OPS is now up to 0.871 on the season. He finished tonight's game with a classic Adams line: 1-for-2, 3 R, 1 RBI, 3 BB, 1 HR. His defense is subtly improving at 3B (tho, admittedly, I have been known to take issue with his free bird mentality of hopping unnecessarily to throw across his body off his lead leg) and he plays a more than adequate 1B. In other words, in his age 20 season we can all take a bow: the early glimmers via 2022 late summer game logs and box scores were indeed accurate. Luke Adams is playing beyond his years and excelling while doing it.
3) Kudos to RF Eduarqui Fernandez for continuing to find mentions despite his continued offensive flaws - high K rate and propensity for mini-slumps. Early in the year, I lamented he was making hard outs. I personally consistently struggle with "Is Fernandez essentially Eduardo Garcia on the outfield grass?" as a Brewers prospect thought exercise. None the less, he absolutely consistently keeps my attention. Tonight's 2-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K effort deserves a tip of the ol' ball cap.
Final: Charleston (Rays) 6, Carolina 1
Charleston Takes Opener From Mudcats - River Dog's Gill Hill Dominates Mudcats' Bats
RHP Manuel Rodriguez suffered from a few things in his game one outing versus the River Dogs - some poor defense, some poor run support (what's new?) and a few hanging breaking balls to lefty bats. Several balls were misplayed by his young teammates and several breaking balls were hit hard - one over the right field wall - but he still held the River Dogs to a mere two earned runs (one an inherited runner allowed by RHP Brailin Rodriguez) and pitched six complete frames yet again. This young man will only be 18 years old for nine more days. I implore you to take a moment in your Brewers Minor League fandom to give this young man the appropriate respect he deserves - he took the loss falling to 4-6 overall but, I am absolutely here to tell you that just does not even remotely tell the story of his truly fantastic season. His final line will read 6.0 IP, 5 H, 0 BB, 3 K, 2 ER, 1 HR (a solo shot over the RF wall early on a hanging breaking ball belt high - his only real damaging mistake of his outing).
Three Quick Strikes:
1) Let's chat about the Low-A debut of 1B Eric Bitonti (yes, he debuted at 1B) This was a very challenging debut, mind you, given the caliber of arm he was facing in the Ray's rising RHP 19-year-old Gary Gill Hill - a truly impressive young arm with a legitimate five pitch mix. Bitonti K'd twice but battled quite well throughout those AB's. He grounded out to second base. And, he walked. He looked very natural and smooth at 1B - extremely impressive considering he hadn't played a single inning there in his ACL season - and appear to be a very healthy 6'4" (if not more). I would say there weren't any truly hard hit balls in his AB but the face he looked as though he belonged was the most important sign. Defensively, his performance at 1B given his size and athleticism was a big plus. Let's simply hope he gets more comfortable in each successive AB.
2) Let's also chat about 2B Josh Adamczewski. Adamczewski certainly moved quite athletically side-to-side and effortlessly covered 2B. He was charged with an error on a hard hit chopper in the hole but the camera never gave us an actual look. In the plays I did see, I saw smooth sure hands and an urgency to the gather and throw. He also looks more than capable at the dish golfing a low dipping off-speed pitch deep to the RF wall. It was a very impressive poke. He finished his evening 1-for-4 with 1 2B and 2 K. I sense we have a player here, folks. There are clear indicators in just one outing.
3) For all intents and purposes, this should have been a 1-1 game as the Mudcats headed to the seventh frame. With that being said, with the sloppy defense and the bullpen incapable of keeping it close, let's celebrate the two-hit efforts from RF Reece Walling and DH Daniel Guilarte. In a game filled with ineffectiveness, we'll take the positives from these two young men who have had very up-and-down seasons for the Mudcats.
Final: DSL Brewers #1 12, DSL Cleveland Mendoza 1
Box Score / Game Log
I wrote extensively in today's Minor League Game Thread HERE. I'll summarize within this report as well for you dear readers. Despite the extremely rare 0-for-4, 1 K outing from perennial stud INF Luis Pena (who was also pulled late - we'll have to monitor in the days and games ahead), we saw several a multiple hit game elsewhere on this stacked talented squad:
- SS Jesus Made: 2-for-4, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 3B - his 4th of his summer; what a debut season for Made who is now hitting 0.357 with a 1.057 OPS in 130 AB)
- 1B Juan Ortuno: 3-for-5, 3 R, 2 RBI, 1 3B - his 3rd 3-bagger and just a heck of a season for Ortuno as he eclipses 100 official AB today and is batting 0.350 with a 0.968 OPS
- 2B Juan Martinez: 3-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 3B - his 4th of his summer, 1 SB - big bounceback game for the clearly talented Martinez.
- CF Engel Paulino: 2-for-4, 3 R, 4 RBI, 1 HR, 1 K - his first long ball of his summer was a 2-out special!
On the pitching side of things, 17-year-old Dominican RHP Ayendy Bravo (who we've brought up multiple times this summer) did the heavy lifting with 4 2/3 IP scoreless frames allowing a mere 1 H, 3 BB with 1 K. We also saw scoreless relief appearances from LHP Idalberto Santiesteban (1 1/3 IP, 2 H, 0 BB, 0 K. 0 R) and RHP Ramwell Smith (1/3 IP, 1 H, 1 K, 0 BB, 0 R). The DSL Brewers Uno moved to 25-13 on the summer keeping pace with the red hot DSL Orioles Orange (7-game winning streak) at 1.5 GB their division leaders.
Final: DSL Dodgers Mega 9, DSL Brewers #2 8
Box Score / Game Log
This game was certainly a back-and-forth battle. The Brewers Dos lost a 6-2 lead in the third. The game remained tied 6-6 until the Brewers Dos plated a run in the top of the seventh inning. Unfortunately, talented 18-year-old Dominican RHP Oliver Camilo couldn't keep the Mega off the board after two outs as the Mega pushed the tying run across via a single, SB, and double. Credit to Camilo, however, for stranding the bases full in the bottom of the ninth. Ultimately, both squads plated a run in the 10th inning and the Mega were finally able to steal victory with a bases loaded walk to plate the winning run - ah, yes, the echoes of a true 'DSL Special'. I elaborated about the game, in detail, starting in the day's Minor League Game Thread HERE. Ultimately, the Brewers Dos had two-hit games from CF Jose Anderson (2-for-5, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 SB), 3B Frederi Montero (2-for-6, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 K, 1 SB), RF Pedro Tovar (2-for-6, 2 RBI, 1 K, 1 2B, 1 SB), and C Yoneiker Lugo (2-for-4, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB). Its' a shame the young squad couldn't pull this out given their pitching staff's 17 K-to-6 BB and the 11 BB's they achieved in their AB's. You pair these results with an acceptable 6-for-21 with RISP and 14 SB's and you would think - you would think - that was certainly enough to pull out the victory. Alas, it wasn't the case. Special mentions go to the relief efforts of two young men:
- 18-year-old Dominican RHP Justin Lugo who gave crucial middle innings 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 K. That's now 21 K in 14 IP for Lugo on the season. Zero walks in this one is massive as those have clearly been an issue.
- 19-year-old RHP Dominican Fabian Reyes who held serve following Lugo with 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, and 3 K of his own. Reyes now holds a very impressive 19 K in 14 IP on his season. He has been very good out of the Pen to date.
As I mentioned way above, the Brewers Dos have now lost three straight (and their second consecutive extra innings loss at that) as they fall closer and closer to 0.500. They now sit at 20-19 overall and have fallen to 7.5 GB the first place DSL Cleveland Goryl.
(7/29) Final: DSL Brewers #1 5, DSL Brewers #2 4
Box Score / Game Log
This contest was knotted up at throughout. 0-0 through four complete and 3-3 from the sixth frame until the tenth. There were definitely some notable performances in what appears to have been a very well played and pitched competitive DSL tilt. C Luis Corobo tied the game with a two-run blast in the sixth inning. He also caught two steal attempts. That's now 19-of-40 CS for a ridiculous 47.5% CS rate - 23% points higher than the DSL League average. It absolutely appears those early reports of Quero-like defense may be spot on. The standouts, in addition to Corobo:
- SS Luis Pena - 2-for-5, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 2B (12th of his season)
- C Kevin Garcia - 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
- 1B Joandrew Pena - 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
- 3B Jonathan Rangel - 0-for-2, 1 BB, 1 K, 2 SB
- LF Pedro Tovar - 1-for-4, 1 R, 1 K, 2 SB
Naturally, in a tight game such as this there were several pitching performances of note (thanks to @sveumrules for making this quite neat and tidy for the eyes):
RHP Manuel Moreno
4.1 IP | 1 ER | 1 H | 0 BB | 3 K
RHP Saul Sanchez
2.0 IP | 0 ER | 0 H | 0 BB | 1 K
RHP Aldrin Gonzalez
2.0 IP | 0 ER | 1 H | 2 BB | 0 K
RHP Johan Zapata
2.0 IP | 0 ER | 0 H | 0 BB | 1 K
RHP Ever Urena
1.0 IP | 0 ER | 0 H | 0 BB | 1 K
We are back to a four-game full-season affiliate slate of games on Wednesday. The T-Rats will look to bounce back in a matinee while Carolina and Biloxi will also look to bounce back in the evening hours. Nashville will look to keep things rolling at Gwinnett in the evening as well. Hopefully, if we're lucky, will have camera feeds for all.
As always, thanks for reading and thanks for supporting Milwaukee Brewers Minor League baseball and the many players deserving of our time and recognition.
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