Brewers Minor League Link Report (8/24): Making the Case for Taking in the Available Interviews

The audio interview archives.

I have always contended that we as fans and Brewers' prospect followers will always learn more within the five-to-seven minute pre- or postgame chats than we would through any game summary or prospect ranking article. Whether it's learning what modifications a pitcher is making, or the thoughts of a player on the day-to-day grind of a season, or simply getting to know a young man's background better, why wouldn't we all find time to listen to the linked interviews we provide on our forum regularly? (Focus on the "Your Teamname" threads).

A highlight of my week is the Monday release of Jeff Hem's Nashville pre-game interviews from the just-completed prior series. Jeff is so dang smooth and has to be on a short list for the rare broadcast opportunities throughout MLB. Biloxi's Javik Blake brings his youthful exuberance to each and every chat - he manages to work the word "fun" into most conversations, and rightly so. How many of you listened to him speak with Acting Manager Fidel Pena via our linked post this week. If you did, you learned why Brock Wilken's lengthy consecutive games streak was recently halted - Brock's a new Dad! (You didn't read that in a game summary.)

What can we say about Wisconsin's production value? What other MiLB club is releasing full-length podcast analysis after the majority of home games, including interview subjects? Kyle Lobner's "T-Rat Talk" feature articles provide fantastic background. And we're hopeful that the 2026 move to the new Carolina ballpark in Wilson will lead to a more comprehensive media presentation there, we'll see.

Point being, don't just gloss over the audio-related posts on our Minor League Forum or when you come across the affiliate posts on "X". They will always be worth your time.

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Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Jacksonville (Marlins) 10, Nashville 1
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Sounds’ website, game details, and we encourage readers to review affiliate write-ups as part of their Link Report routine:

Misiorowski, and Yoho Toss Scoreless Innings, Sounds Fall to Jacksonville - Nashville needs win to clinch series tomorrow after 10-1 loss

Especially late in the season, the MLB and AAA storylines are so intertwined, perhaps not more so within the big league landscape currently than between Milwaukee and Nashville. A doubleheader next Friday in Cincinnati will mean the availability of a 27th man roster spot, if only for a day. The September 1st expansion to 28 players (from 26) and 14 pitchers (from 13) is making for quite the discussion topic.

DL Hall did himself no favors on Saturday. Neither did LH reliever Tyler Jay in the quest to maintain a 40-man roster spot. Meanwhile --

It's going to be fascinating down the stretch with this Brewers roster, folks. Absolutely fascinating!

Congrats to Brewer Hicklen on his 40th stolen base! But why do I feel it has as much relevance as Tyler Black's 55 thefts in 2023? Just doesn't translate to the highest level cleanly. Apples, meet oranges?

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Birmingham (White Sox) 3, Biloxi 2
Box Score and Game Log

Shuckers Drop Heartbreaker to Barons in Walk-Off Loss - Hunt strikes out seven in longest start of the season with Biloxi, Warren records multi-hit night

Pretty sure that if any one of the Milwaukee farm teams had a walkoff steal of home, they would post video of it. Yet Birmingham lazily did not (or any video for that matter, must be college football season and all the cameras were pre-occupied). Anyhow, perhaps it's for the better that we didn't see that unfortunate ending.

We can count on Javik however, even for road contests, to oblige on the positive. Go to the club's "X" feed for two additional clips beyond this one:

Hunt (WHIP at 0.98 in three AA starts) couldn't quite hold the rare 2-0 lead he was provided, yet still shined with seven K's vs. 1 BB over 5.2 frames.

We may lament the lack of firepower in the Shuckers' lineup, but we've tried to impress upon you that it's a Southern League thing. Biloxi is actually second in the eight-team league in OBP at .329. The team is 4th in batting average at .229, 3rd in OPS at .671. You can have your own click fun with the sortable columns here.

Time is growing short for Eric Brown, Jr. to find any semblance of goodness in what his 2024 numbers will be. A bit of a head-scratcher...

Brock Wilken has five walks in his last four games (but no base hits).

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes (download link) 
NOTE: Those are actually notes for Sunday's game - Chris is up early this morning!
Final: Great Lakes (Dodgers) 7, Wisconsin 0
Box Score and Game Log

Rattlers Shut Out By Great Lakes - Wisconsin held to two hits in 7-0 loss

Hey, remember Friday's 14-1 Rattlers win? Yeah, this wasn't that.

Thank you, Great Lakes, for following Birmingham's lead and not posting any celebratory video.

Wisconsin had a mini–All-Star Team on its bench for this one - Cooper Pratt, Blake Burke, Luke Adams, Jadher Areinamo, Ramon Rodriguez. Saturday's lineup managed two singles, a walk and an HBP.

Mound wise, RHP Ryan Birchard still rounding into early form for him, only one hit and no runs allowed through three innings - four walks, six K's.

Fireballing Yerlin Rodriguez' line looks pretty, but he could not strand two inherited runners for Bayden Root, when a lone out would have done so.

With an off-day Monday, we can anticipate more nursing of boo-boo's on Sunday, we'll see once the lineups are announced,

Final: Augusta (Braves) 5, Carolina 3
Box Score and Game Log

Augusta Rallies Past Mudcats

A 3-2 lead heading to the 7th was not maintained. A leadoff walk, a one-out infield single (though it was a line drive), a double that scored two, but the second run was the result of a throwing error by LF Yhoswar Garcia, his 7th miscue on the season.

Carolina was 0-for-2 with a man on 2nd base in the 7th and went down in order in the final two innings.

Hello to 21-year-old Venezuelan RHP Gerson Calzadilla, that sporty 0.00 Mudcats ERA might have caught your box score reviewing eye. This was his second appearance of the week after he opened the season on the 60-day IL, and then struggled in three of four July Maryvale games before his return to full-season ball. Calzadilla dazzled in Maryvale in 2023, then saw action in two August games with Carolina, where he was placed on the IL late that month. So, it's likely he was sidelined nearly 11 months if that was the initial injury date.

Knock wood, it seems RHP Bishop Letson, like teammate Josh Knoth, is going to make it through 2024 unscathed, though Letson's appearance schedule has seen slight gaps whereas Knoth's weekly outings have been paced like clockwork.

Two early afternoon affairs Sunday, plus staggered late afternoon and evening starts, so you should manage to sneak in peeks throughout your Brewers-centric day. Go brooms in Oakland!

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!