Brewers Minor League Link Report (9/3): Meccage Returns and K's Side in Lone Inning; Gasser Dazzles in Best Nashville Outing Yet

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• RHP Joel Payamps had his contract selected by the Milwaukee Brewers from the Nashville Sounds (RHP Shelby Miller was placed on the 60-Day IL by the Milwaukee Brewers as the corresponding move)

Final: Nashville 4, Norfolk (Orioles) 0

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):

Strong Pitching Leads Sounds to Sixth Straight Win - Gasser and Zimmerman Combine for 13 K's

Box Score/Game Log

Game Notes

The Sounds won their sixth in a row and they managed to shutout a Norfolk Tides team at their ballpark that had only been shutout twice at Home all season. It's a heck of an accomplishment. LHP Robert Gasser threw better than I've seen him throw it since, well, since 2024 really. 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 BB, 5 K, 0 R. 45 pitches thrown with 31 landing for strikes. It was a highly impressive outing. The change-up was working brilliantly. The sweeper was sweeping quite 'sweepily' (it's OK, you can use this dynamic alliterative license). When Gasser is pitching like he was pitching tonight, the MLB bullpen role is a matter of when not if. He averaged a smidge above 92 on the four-seamer. He averaged 92.5 mph on the sinker. He averaged 89.3 mph on the cutter. He leaned heaviest, as we might expect, on the sweeper followed by the four-seamer. The change-up really stood out in its impact though only thrown five times. He grabbed eight swings and misses in 22 total swings.

Three Quick Strikes:

1) LHP Bruce Zimmerman really had a couple very rough outings in August. However, his last two starts have been sublime. Tonight's 6.0 IP of 5 H, 1 BB, 8 K, 0 R work may have been the best I've seen him all season long. I've waxed poetic on Zimmerman's low velo savy several times in 2025 so I won't belabor it here. But, when he's dotting the edges and mixing his sinker, slider, curve, splitter, and four-seam (take a breath!) to perfection he's grabbing a near 33% whiff rate on 40 swings. Absolutely sublime performance. 

2) A night after lauding the recent work at 3B in addition to his scorching hot bat, the Sounds moved up-and-coming SS Raynel Delgado to, well, shortstop yet again. That's nine appearances manning the crucial shortstop position for the extremely versatile defender. Delgado is fielding at a 96 FP% or higher at every position he's played in 2025. Long gone are the days he's the primary second baseman. Oh, and another multi-hit effort in his 2-for-5, 1 RBI, 1 K work. That's now four consecutive multi-hit games.

3) It's always fascinating to see a long-tenured MLB vet return to the Triple-A level in the quest for another opportunity. 2B Luis Urías did not disappoint in his first game back as a Brewers 'prospect'. 3-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 B, 1 2B. Everything was quite smooth and easy throughout the contest for him. He was even credited with a stolen base of home. Urías can thank Delgado for getting caught in a rundown and then successfully sneaking his way back to 1B when the Tides' infielder mishandled a high throw. What can't Urías do?! 

Final: Biloxi 5, Pensacola (Marlins) 2

Lara Reaches 40 Stolen Bases Mark, Shuckers Reel in Wahoos with 5-2 Win - Shuckers Reach Base 21 Times, Record 40 Home Wins for First Time Since 2019

Game Notes

Box Score/Game Log

RHP Brett Wichrowski was solid if unspectacular in a 6.0 IP outing allowing 7 H, 2 BB, 1 HB, 1 E and 2 ER while punching out three. I did like the movement profile on the slider and curve, however, and he was touching 95 mph into the sixth frame. These are all good things. When all was said and done, Wichrowski gave his team a Quality Start though he did not ultimately factor into the final decision.  

Three Quick Strikes:

1) Double-A C Matt Wood very much continues to be a thing. As one of our daily game thread posters, @biedergb, opined (HERE) it's nice to discover bourgeoning catching depth beyond the big names in Quero and Dinges. 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K. Both pokes for RBI were extremely telling of the progress we've witnessed since arriving in the Biloxi clubhouse. He's experienced an uptick in very professional AB's. Take this oppo single into left field as an example. A 1-2 count. He's protecting the edge of the zone:

With his uptick in power, with his sudden prowess catching runners on the basepaths, and with increasingly more professional looks while in the batters box C Matt Wood is a prospect on the rise within the organization. 

2) The power hasn't quite arrive since his return, but this was the most impressive game I've seen yet from recently returned 3B Brock Wilken. He made a very slick charging backhand grab and cross-body throw to 1B for a slick out. He also went 2-for-2 with 1 R, 1 RBI, and 3 BB. I'd say the knee is looking much better.

3) What kind of season is CF Luis Lara having? I feel like we're asked this semi-regularly in the Minor League forums. How about this kind of season:

He's truly been phenomenal as a 20-year-old playing up in Double-A. He also leads the League in walks, fwiw. Does he hit long balls? Not really. But, he definitely hits doubles. He definitely steals bases. He covers an absurd amount of grass in center field with an incredible glove and arm. He takes free passes with the best of them. He's just a fantastic baseball player in nearly every facet. 2-for-3 with 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 3 SB on the evening batting lead-off. I mean, he has a mere 16.28 K % with a 13.66 BB %. There's so much to like with this favorite of Brewers manager Pat Murphy.

The downpour came with a fury when this was first delayed after completion of the top of the fourth inning. RHP Ryan Birchard had revisited his walk habits with three free passes through three frames. But, he also pitched an absolutely sublime first inning and earned four punch outs while surrendering just a single knock. I still politely contend there is far more positive happening in Birchard's progression than there is worrisome trends - I say this despite the elevated WHIP and the ongoing walks rearing their head. Lead-off 1B Luke Adams absolutely did Luke Adams things. He was plunked on the left butt cheek. He took a walk. He made a web gem catch over his shoulder sliding down the right field line. Adams' ridiculous athleticism is such a boon at the first base bag. DH Marco Dinges (2-for-2, 1 R, 1 RBI - including the strangest near home run RBI single you'll see in a while) and LF Luiyin Alastre (2-for-2, 1 RBI) sent across a run apiece. C Andrick Nava left the game early after an apparent throwing hand finger injury after a failed CS attempt thrown to third base. 

Final: Fredericksburg (Nationals) 4, Carolina 3 - Final/10 innings

Fredericksburg Rallies Past Mudcats - Mudcats Fail to Capitalize on Numerous Opportunities Ultimately Falling in Extras

Game Notes

Box Score/Game Log

What a golden opportunity squandered by the young Mudcats. The young Muddies demonstrated a failure to execute in numerous fashions on both sides of the ball. 3-for-14 with RISP. 13 men LOB. Strange base running sends and decisions. Pick your poison. And, given all this, they still led 2-0 headed to the bottom of the eighth inning and they still led 3-1 headed to the bottom of the ninth inning. In a season filled with untimely failed scenarios like this, ultimately, this was yet another one.

RHP Bryce Meccage returned after a month's absence and boy did he light it up in his sole inning pitched. 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 K - all swinging. Our man @Spencer Michaelis had us all covered, once again:

What a wonderful return to action. It's a shame the bullpen couldn't close the door when all was said and done.

I'm not going to belabor the collective inabilities of LHP Anferrny Reyes and RHP Jose Nova to close said door - their box scores tell the tale in this game and, really, their inconsistent seasons. We saw multi-hit efforts from 1B Eric Bitonti (2-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 2B, 1 CS), RF Jose Anderson (4-for-5, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 2B, 1 HR) and DH Braylon Payne (2-for-5, 1 SB). Finally, I turn my attention to one LF Tyler Rodriguez who appeared to suffer a fairly significant lower leg injury while running down the line to first base. The cart was indeed brought onto the field and he was carted off. All thoughts are with the young Rodriguez as he faces an unknown injury future. This event certainly added insult to injury when all was said and done. With the series knotted at 1-1, it will be up to the Mudcats to dig even deeper to pull out the 4-1 mark over the final five games. Can they start with a double-header sweep tomorrow? It's a tough ask but they have a tough task ahead regardless.

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