Brewers Minor League Link Report (7/31): RHP Shane Smith Sets Career-High in Strikeouts; Wilken Smashes Game-Winning Three Run Blast; Adamczewski Shows Out

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• INF Yonny Hernández has been released by the Nashville Sounds 
• INF/OF Noah Campbell was activated by the Nashville Sounds
• LHP Nick Bennett was activated by the Nashville Sounds
• RHP Chase Costello was placed on the 7-Day IL by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• RHP Jeferson Figueroa was assigned to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers from the Carolina Mudcats
• LHP Tyler Jay was optioned to the Nashville Sounds from the Milwaukee Brewers

Final: Gwinnett (Braves) 6, Nashville 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):

Nashville Struggles in Late Innings Falling to Gwinnett - Wes Clarke Homers for Second Consecutive Night

Box Score / Game Log

All the damage against LHP DL Hall came in the first frame. It appeared by my eyes the batters were seeing and sitting on the heater - his off-speed was working quite well early and throughout. Several hard hit balls found the OF grass in the first frame, however, and if it weren't for a fantastic LF Tyler Black run down catch the damage could have been even worse. As a matter of fact, through 1 IP and the first batter in the second frame, Gwinnett had grabbed four of their five hits overall versus the southpaw. The front and back door sliders continued doing immense damage through it all. The curve ball had quite a bit of zesty movement tho it was only thrown sparingly (I'd love to see this pitch leaned into more - fantastic shape). I know all the discourse has been dominantly about Hall's fastball and its characteristics throughout the season. I consistently leave nearly every outing thinking his off-speed arsenal is vastly undersold and could very easily lead his way in any AB. Regardless, in 39 total swings versus 76 total deliveries, Hall produced 12 swing and misses. Only one of these came against his four-seamer which average 94.1 mph but touched 95.5 mph. He left with his team leading 3-2. He would not factor in the final decision.

Three Quick Strikes:

1) A second consecutive fantastic run down from LF Tyler Black. I continue to be affirmed: the outfield grass is a natural fit for his innate athletic gifts. I remain unconvinced the arm will play but, in fairness, I haven't had to see him uncork a throw of any particular meaning. I am unsure if he can unleash the type of throw needed to reach home plate but time will ultimately tell in this department. Regardless, he has yet to botch a read and he is showing plenty capable of covering ample ground while also deferring to his CF when need be. This has been an encouraging development all the way around.

2) How about another interesting positional versatility development: INF/OF Isaac Collins covered 3B tonight. This is his first ever game covering the hot corner as a Sound (he played 3B four times with three starts in Biloxi last season) and he looked quite comfortable doing it. He made a charging play up the third base line and threw a dart to Owen Miller at 1B. Given his offensive prowess and dynamism, it is very possible the MLB Brewers are looking for end of the bench spark plug candidates to spell the struggling INF Andruw Monasterio in Milwaukee. 

3) 1B Owen Miller stayed red hot with a 2-for-4 game but DH Wes Clarke hit his second homer in two nights. And, let me tell you: it was a 105 mph rocket launch into the windows above left field. Let's enjoy a fun moment in what ended up a frustrating loss overall:

This is the second time in 2024 Clarke has hit homers in back-to-back games versus Gwinnett. He did this back in early June as well. This was Clarke's 9th long ball of his season and his 36th and 37th RBI.

Final:  Biloxi 3, Rocket City (Angels) 2

Shuckers Tie Franchise Record for Steals in Loss to Trash Pandas - Shuckers Grab Eight Steals in Opener

Box Score / Game Log

Pre-Game Media Notes

RHP Shane Smith set a personal strikeout record with eight punch outs over four frames spanning 74 pitches (45 strikes). He was also credited with two wild pitches - as a direct aside, C Darrien Miller has behind the dish for every Shuckers wild pitch I've seen the past two weeks. Ineligible for the win, Smith received zero run support regardless as the Shuckers bats were shut down for the most part through seven innings. That's now 91 strikeouts over 74 2/3 IP for Smith in 2024. His WHIP is a fantastic 1.02 as well. He remains a very very serious candidate to be a Brewer down the line. It's hard not to be absolutely giddy about what he's putting forth in 2024 as a whole.

Three Quick Strikes:

1) This game was felt like a possible shutout until one 3B Brock Wilken came to to the plate with two on and two down in the bottom of the eighth. Wilken had already hit a double earlier in the evening but was left stranded. Let's just say after one swing of the bat, the final score was forever changed:

This was Wilken's sixth long ball in July (14 on the season) where he hit to a tune of 0.256 with an 0.874 OPS. Just as importantly, he walked 17 times to 17 strikeouts on the month - by far his most disciplined work at the dish this season. As I've opined throughout the month: it is palpable he is getting more and more comfortable the further he moves away from his broken face.

2) LHP Russ Smith put forth a fantastic two innings of relief piggy backing off of RHP Shane Smith's electric start. I particularly loved how he stranded the runner at third base to close his last inning of work in the sixth. He delivered an absolutely gorgeous 'drop the string' change-up on the outer black that dipped masterfully below the zone at the last second. He was fantastic. And, with the long hair pseudo-mullet look passing with flying colors we should all be excited about the season he continues to put together. 2 IP, 2 H, 0 BB, 2 K, 0 R of total work. He now has 35 K in 32 1/3 IP on his season with just 14 BB and 1 HB. This has been quite easily his best season of professional baseball. At 25 years of age, the former second round pick is stating his case for eventual appearances in the International League and consideration for future MLB bullpen work.

3) SS Casey Martin has struggled to find a real foothold of impact since becoming a regular player in the Shuckers line-up. We are now looking at a 95 AB sample size so this isn't peanuts. Batting ninth tonight, he put together AB's very much resembling a hitter managing a 0.116 BA and a 0.394 OPS. Martin's final strikeout was truly one of the more uncompetitive Double-A AB's I've seen all season. Three pitches. Three strikes. And a swing and miss on an extremely wasteful slider at least 3 feet outside the zone. My personal opinion is Martin is going to have a hard time finding any type of consistent playing time should, say, an Ethan Murray find health again in 2024

Final: South Bend (Cubs) 5, Wisconsin 1

Cubs Break Away from Wisconsin with Late Runs - Aquino's Scoreless Start All for Naught

Box Score / Game Log  

Pre-Game Media Notes

After nine consecutive bullpen appearances spanning all of June and the first three weeks of July, RHP Patricio Aquino has now  started two straight games. Today's outing was much like his entire body of work in July: excellent. 5 IP, 3 H, 0 BB, 1 K, 0 R on the day. 22 2/3 IP in the month of July allowing 14 H, 6 BB, 2 HB, 19 K and only 3 ER. This is a compilation of work allowing a 0.177 BAA and a fantastic 0.88 WHIP. Aquino handed a 0-0 game to his teammates and the T-Rats bullpen and, unfortunately, they weren't up to the task in the second game of this Home series. Wisconsin now trails the Cubs two games to zero. They remain in first place (not that it ultimately matters - they already secured a playoff berth) 2.5 G ahead the second place Cedar Rapids Kernels.

Full Game Highlights:

Post-Game Pod (Games 1 & 2):

(** Fun Luke Adams discourse in here ^^)

Three Quick Strikes:

1) I time-stamped a CF Luis Lara web gem at the deepest part of the ballpark last night where he made an incredible leaping catch into the wall. Today, he once again flashed his incredible speed and skill taking over and miraculously catching a ball everyone on the right side of the diamond wanted no part of. Just take a look at this mastery:

Just as announcer Chris Mehring states in this highlight, Lara easily has a Top 10 catches list all by his lonesome. His prowess on the outfield grass is absolutely gold glove worthy. Lara also ripped a double to the deep LF warning track and took a free pass and stole a base. His fingerprints were all over this game.

2) I said it last night. I said it in today's game thread. I'll say it again here: INF Luke Adams is very fast approaching untouchable prospect territory. He followed up my previous praise with his second long ball in his second consecutive game and 11th long ball overall. He also was hit by a pitch. He knocked his 52nd RBI across. He stole his 26th base. This man child continues to make his mark atop the Brewers prospect leaderboards. There is so much to be excited about here as he starts to add small amounts of polish to his highly competitive overall game.

3) We gushed over RHP Yerlin Rodriguez's masterful relief outing just one week ago and rightfully so And, tonight I unfortunately lament his most recent meltdown. The roller coaster continues - the talent is so electric the consistency is oh so elusive. Rodriguez's outing was much uglier than his final line reads (1/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 2 WP, 1 HB). It was an outing where not a single pitch felt safe. He was also saved from a couple WP by his catcher Ramon Rodríguez. He walked batters from 1-2 counts with very uncompetitive pitches. He was saved by batters swinging at breaking balls in the dirt. There was no flow. There was no rhythm. And, it was an outing that reminded me why a player with such immense gifts and raw tools is still in High-A. I will continue to hope he will find his groove and stack outings but blow ups like this certainly don't help his overall cause (or his team's bottom line). He is very lucky RHP Aaron Rund came aboard and struck two batters out with two down and the bases dripping.

Final: Carolina 9, Charleston (Rays) 8

Box Score / Game Log

Mudcats Rally Past Charleston In Extras - Adamczewski Makes His Mark in Just Second Low-A Game

RHP Enniel Cortez was pulled after 3 2/3 IP while surrendering 9 H, 3 BB, 2 K, and 5 ER. It's fair to say the wheels have fallen off the tracks a bit on the Cortez train in July. He had a great outing at Fredericksburg, to be fair, but he's allowing a 0.344 BAA with a 1.79 WHIP and a 7.47 ERA over 15 2/3 IP overall for the month. He's going to have to bounce back soon or he'll be pushed to the bullpen or the Development List.

Three Quicks Strikes:

1) 2B Josh Adamczewski. My goodness. I mentioned it in the evening's game thread, and I do not say this lightly, but I tell you folks Adamczewski reminds me of a young lefty poor man's Craig Biggio. Adamczewski has a compact 6'0" frame but a fairly dense build - he has an athletic and strong overall look. His bat-to-ball skills are absolutely legit via the eye test. He can find balls and he can turn on them in a hurry. He has now hit four XBH (3 2B, 1 HR) in just eight Low-A AB. What's more? He essentially won this game tonight. 3-for-4, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 2 2B, 1 HR. You can certainly visit the Mudcats twitter feed for their whole cornucopia of highlights, but a tight game-winning run is certainly something to celebrate:

2) RHP Dikember Sanchez continues to prove us ACL Brewers game log fan boys right for wondering aloud and pontificating about his fantastic K rates. He has arrived at Low-A Carolina and put forth absolutely fantastic bullpen work. He works fast. He is decisive. And, his offerings are tight and rarely inaccurate. Tonight was no different: 2 2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K, 0 R. He has fast become a late-inning stalwart for manager Nick Stanley's staff.

3) I could harp on the 2-for-17 with RISP and 14 men LOB. I could discuss an offensive box score littered with intriguing performances (take a look above). But, I'd rather point out I may have found a new lefty to fall in love with at Carolina. LHP Anfernny Reyes has some really intriguing off-speed offerings and a rising heater than can play off these looks. Lots of horizontal sweeping movement. Some induced vertical dip. Walks have been a problem to date in Low-A (1.74 WHIP at present), but, tonight, despite plunking his first batter, Reyes was very successful in a 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, and 2 K. More importantly, he looked good doing it. Let's see if he can build off this and find some more consistency in the zone. The impact tools are definitely there.

That's a wrap for my report duties this final week of July. We welcome August tomorrow with a full slate of games. Both DSL squads will take to their diamonds under the morning Dominican sun (hopefully). In the evening, I'll personally be tracking RHP K.C. Hunt and RHP Brett Wichrowski.

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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