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The good news - possibly a higher draft pick in the 2026 draft - I mean there is that right? But Wilken HR? That is joy. Love to hear about that - and hopefully see that soon. I may be able to get online to watch soon.

@Joseph Zarr Thanks for the play-by-play. I'm watching the forum and looking at score - can't watch games tonight due to work, but keep 'em coming, you got @duewizard and @sveumrules following along at mininum as well. Let's go Shuckers and T-Rats!

Oh boy Yeah hopeful it is nothing more than a GI viral thing and maybe felt poorly and drained, he needed time to ramp back up - didn't we have a pitcher (maybe in the bigs) last year who lost weight from a GI bug and was IL'd due to it?? But certainly makes anyone worry when young pitchers disappear of the schedule like that.

Yeah the Contreras deal was a masterpiece. I was saying since that offseason (which was transition), we haven't seen much that has moved the needle. And I completely ignored the extension, since I was most focused on trades/FA. So yes the Chourio extension (knowing and believing enough to do that) is a signature move, so I stand corrected on that. But the other FA, trades are all lower level, but in reality the much despised (at the time) Hader trade has been so much better than the other trades (Hader led to Contreras via Ruiz; and also netted us Gasser). I hear you, and Myers was in that winter '22 / spring '23 that I put in that transition, along with Rea, Miley, Megill, Payamps, Perkins so I was feeling that after that inital period his moves have more 'meh'. Even Civale, has been good, but not great. And the Teheran, Ross, Paredes, Junis are the types of moves that fill innings and keep the team running, and are very solid moves. And I am not saying that he is not a good or even great GM, but that his moves over the past 18 months for example have left a lot to be desired. The Toro for Patrick swap was great, but he has had many moves too that haven't netted much (Dunn, Clarke, Bauers as noted; even Hudson had one great 1/2 season last year). Koenig was a great find and another of the ones I missed. So very good, but definitely worth criticism if we look at the meager returns for Burnes/Williams who were premium pitchers, the loss of Smith, and the minimal return on multiple prospects (who themselves may not pan out, but could have gotten more). And I hope to be proven wrong, or see the next move as the one that is a signature move that gives the '25 or '26 team that key ingredient.

I have given him a fair bit of criticism, and I think he is good, but sometimes GMs get too much credit (like coaches) for the successes, and sometimes too much blame for the disappointments. I think the criticisms are valid for Arnold - as I still contend his best moves took place immediately after taking over in late 2022 (Contreras deal; Megill trade, T. Myers signing), but really he has not done that great. Looking at the return for Burnes and Williams has been pretty low, and we have traded several assets for many players who haven't worked out (Clarke, Bauers, Dunn) or still to be determined (Hudson, Priester). The draft/IFA has done really well, but he did not necessarily set up those teams. And Mark A. budget limits this team so very much. But still Arnold has missed on trades or had trades where the net has not added up to much, and we really haven't seen that great impact deal (FA, trade) that has moved the needle.

OK. Mudcats get shutout, and that has to be rare with that line-up but after what 16 runs last night I'll let it slide. Let's keep it going in Peoria, and see if the T-Rats can hold on to win. And Nashville needs to wake the offense up. I'll check in later.

Matt Childers (the other closer) comes in and gets a ground out and a single Then a sharp grounder to 2B and Warren bobbles but gets it to Pratt and he throws a dart to first and it's a game ending GIDP! Shuckers win. From 1-7 to 20-13 that is just remarkable. Oh yeah they are in first place. And it's the prospects (Adams, Boeve, Pratt, Wilken and Lara) who go 7-17 accounting for all the hits and runs, led by a 3-4 day by Wilken. Kuener goes 5 solid, followed by Cruz, Costello, Bryant and Childers.

Wilken with a very nice play at 3B, steps on the bag, and throws to first and it's a 5-3 double play. Noice. And Costello and Bryant come in for an inning each (so far as Bryant could pitch the 9th) as I alluded to them as possible late inning relievers should Yeager move up some day soon. Shuckers if they hold on here, could take the series 5-1. 3 more outs to go, and the bottom of 8th - maybe the Shuckers can add on to the lead even more? Hey I can get really greedy here can't I

Biloxi - Adams a single he stretches to a double to lead off. Boeve K's But Pratt doubles to LF and it's 3-1 Shuckers. Wilken then crushes a hit at 107EV, 390 feet for a 2 run HR! 5-1 Sound!! I like the versions of Adams-Pratt-Wilken-Lara we have been seeing the last 2-3 weeks.

I'm going to assume that Woody was dialing it back and maybe working on off speed stuff knowing it was his last rehab start. Threw a fair bit of off-speed from what I can tell, and left after 40 pitches on a K in the 3rd inning. He looked OK walking off with a lot of high fives around. So I'm going to call that a last tune up of spring training start where you don't do too much and keep yourself fresh for the next start. Reasonable?

Anyone watching the Nashville/Norfolk game. GameDay has Woody mostly throwing 88-90 mph fastballs? Either he is dialing it back. Or there is major dip in velocity.

Well I jinxed him. Started off the 5th with a walk. But ends the 5th on a K. Still just one run and Shuckers up 2-1. Stiven Cruz in the top of 6 to try to hold the lead. Looks like T-Rays have taken the lead.

And through 4 IP, he has done just that. 5 K and 0 BB. One run allowed, not sure why it's earned as it appeared to happen on a play that incurred an error - I didn't watch but the description sounded like a double play ball but error by Adams on the play.

Mudcats get the bases loaded with no outs. Pitching change - and Made strikes out swinging on a really good breaking ball. Then next pitch Pena flies to RF, and Lameda goes home (not sure if a late break or what), but he is out by a mile. End of inning, end of threat, and it's 1-0 Kannapolis still. Yeesh. That's not Carolina Mudcat baseball.

We could have 3 teams with 20 wins soon - how many organizations can say that (Nashville as AAA has a leg up; Carolina already eclipsed 20; Biloxi’s next win will be #20), and all three are at least in a share of division lead.

I agree here 100%. My only caution is the others on the list - are you thinking now, or later? I mean Blake Burke is having his first real stint (last season was cut short with injury) and a bump up creates the log jam on Wilken/Adams/Boeve. But he is next if he keeps going. The rest are still too early on. Last year we saw Woessner, O’Rae and a few other (I’m too lazy to look up now but will later) early promotions that did not pan out as the first month or so of baseball. And maybe last year was a little aggressive- and I’m going off memory/subjective feeling, as I do need to look that up. First month last year Blalock, Woessner looked like solid prospects (as did Yoho and Hunt) so it’s still early . Some like Peña/Made still are so young and adjusting to ball stateside. Adamczewski needs to stay healthy. Dinges - could use more time at low A to work on catching if that is the route for him, but if they are going to move the bat and not worry about D, then he can move for sure. Pitching wise I do think college arms like Gillis, Langhorne (UDFA) could move quickly. I think mid-season would be great for a guy like Hardin who was a reliever in college (at least last year) so first year starting in pro ball should give him time, But overall yes if they stay consistent I’d hope all these guys get a promotion at some point. Meccage would like,y take the Knoth/Letson track of low A all year.

And there is a closer already there in Childers, and possible other candidates like Tyler Bryant and Chase Costello who have the repertoire and demeanor to be late inning guys, although their 2025 seasons haven’t started as hot or consistent.

I didn’t watch games prior to last year, so I only know Jarvik as trying to make these 3-1, low hit games (that’s what a generic 2024 Shuckers games felt like) sound exciting. But now that games are exciting, it is truly infectious - good call Jim. It really has been a team effort, as it’s not just a hot streak by a couple of players, or just great pitching, it has been a mix - timely hitting, great defensive plays, and good pitching. Seems like every hitter gets in the action at some point during the week. On pitching- right now it’s a 6 man rotation, and two closers. They won’t go 18-6 perpetually, but there is more life in this team as long as they are together. Not a lot of hitting reinforcements outside of Areinamo & Burke if/when a Shuckers player gets promoted. Enjoy this group. And is it a coincidence that Luke Adams teams (Carolina ‘23, Wisconsin ‘24 and Biloxi ‘25) have had success and seem to have a lot of fun doing it?

Whoops one of those Kuener’s is Mendoza - you know they look almost identical 🙄

It's 18 wins in 24 games for Biloxi. and 4 straight against Pensacola to tie for the division lead. Amazing. Total team effort on the offense led by the prospects Pratt, Lara, Wilken, Adams, along with Mayor of Biloxi Warren, and efforts by Rodriguez, Spain, Murray. And solid pitching with a very good 6-man rotation now: Cornielle-Crow-Kuener-Hunt-Wichrowski-Kuener. And the duo of closers in Childers and Yeager.

Peoria gets a coupes of runs back. It's 9-5. And T-Rats get some base runners but nothing doing and it through 8 and a half in Peoria. Biloxi has Bowman out to try to close it out. Pratt fielder choice, and Wilken sac fly get 2 runs back and a 7-4 Shuckers lead in the top of the 7th.

ANd Bowman gives up a homer to the first batter he sees. 5-4 lead now, but he strikes out the next batter to keep it 5-4 heading to bottom of 6 [EDIT: I keep forgetting that Biloxi is the home team] Mudcats closed it out. Nashville falls 4-1. And I look away and T-Rats try to get back into the game with a 4-run 7th, as they close the deficit to 7-5.

Dang it. Cornielle was so close. A grounder off the pitcher that could have been a double play, but just a force out. Then a hot shot up the 1B line that was inches from being out #3, but just foul as Warren fielded it. Two pitches later it is a no doubter home run to right and it's 5-3. Cornielle's night is done. Shoot, so close to getting through 6. But Biloxi still has a lead 5-3.

OH no Caden Vire - was stuggling to get the zone, but is out of the game after a walk And they check his arm, and he walks off holding his left elbow. Just awful to see. Let's hope that this is nothing serious, hopeful he is OK and can get back on the mound again

Cornielle with a called strike three. To be honest it was a clear ball off the plate. But two pitches early strike three was called ball three instead. Karma. Cornielle 5 IP, only the 1 run allowed, 4 hits, 1 walk, 3 K and 66 pitches through 5. He should be good for at least 6 innings I hope. And in the Mudcats game, position player Mikey Kane in to pitch again. But with a 16-1 lead I hope we don't have a repeat of last night.