Ro Mueller

High-A Wisconsin has its last home game of the regular season, aiming to patch together a win to salvage a 2-4 series defeat to likely semi-final playoff opponent Quad Cities. LHP Mark Manfredi gets the start, but we’ll see how far he goes after tossing 45 pitches in Tuesday’s contest. The bench today comprises L. Adams, C. Pratt, R. Rodriguez, F. Valerio and T. Hall.

- RHP Aidan Maldonado activated from High-A Wisconsin's 7-day injured list

- RHP Bishop Letson placed on Low-A Carolina’s 7-day injured list, retroactive to August 28 - OF/INF Noah Campbell activated by AAA Nashville from Development List - LHP Hoby Milner sent on rehab assignment to High-A Wisconsin

INF Juan Baez also exited Carolina’s win early with an “injury delay” next to his last at-bat. Gulp

It’s the AAA Sounds turn for their doubleheader, with RHP Evan McKendry (5.28 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 7.0 K/9 in 75 IP) starting today’s opening game at Charlotte. C Francisco Mejia has a 1.081 OPS in 65 August PAs.

With the reduced level of Mudcat media in 2024 vs. 2023 (remember the Manager Estevez interviews?), I think it’s more difficult to get the pulse of what’s going on. Is it possible that Yhoswar was only signed for one season (like Dylan Moore some years ago)? Garcia’s production dropped in the second half of the season, but I couldn’t help but wonder if that was tied to disappointment at the lack of a promotion (ditto Alexander Cornielle one level up).

Mitch White’s start and Bryan Rivera’s middle relief work propelled Nashville and Carolina to victories. Biloxi and Wisconsin battled hard but couldn’t complete their comebacks. Transactions: RHP Garrett Stallings activated by AAA Nashville from Development List RHP Isaiah Jackson released by ACL Brewers RHP Brett Wichrowski placed on AA Biloxi’s 7-day injured list, retroactive to 8/28 3B Ben Metzinger activated by AA Biloxi from Development List Game Action: Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Nashville 5, Charlotte 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: White, Collins Help Sounds Conquer Knights With Friday doubleheaders looming for both the Brewers and the Sounds, Nashville was counting on starting RHP Mitch White to provide extended innings and boy did he deliver. White’s 85 pitches over six innings (1 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 7 Ks) topped his previous season high of 69, keeping the Knights principally on the ground (peak line drive or fly out exit velocity of 91mph) and exiting with a 3-1 lead. Per the linked game report, 3B Isaac Collins (2-for-4, HR, walk, RBI, 2 runs) led off the contest with a solo homer, while C Francisco Mejia (3-for-4, walk) and DH Christian Arroyo (2-for-5, 2 RBIs) rounded out a solid top three of the order. After struggling to record strikes in his last outing, RHP Craig Yoho had no difficulty this time in a 3-up, 3-down 7th inning: 9 pitches (8 strikes) – soft liner, weak fly out, routine ground out. Sounds’ Extras: MLB roster expansion watch: 1B Tyler Black 0-for-4, right fielder Brewer Hicklen 0-for-3, walk, SB, run Well done to RHP Ryan Middendorf to keep the Knights off the board in the final two frames, inducing two ground ball double plays to help overcome two singles and two walks. After spending most of the 2021 and 2022 seasons in the Majors, then struggling with injuries in 2023 but ending that season strong enough in AAA to get the Blue Jays to re-select his contract in November to keep him off the market, White is now making the case to potentially earn a Major League contract this winter. Friday’s outlook: RHPs Evan McKendry and Taylor Clarke are the scheduled starters for Nashville’s pivotal doubleheader. They really need a sweep in order to start making up ground on red-hot Columbus (6 games ahead of the Sounds). Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Montgomery 7, Biloxi 4 Box Score and Game Log Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Biscuits Pull Away with Late Homer, Shuckers Fall 7-4 With Wichrowski placed on the injured list, the call went to middle reliever Nick Merkel (3 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 2 Ks) to make his first start since his 2022 independent league days, despite throwing on 3 days’ rest. Unsurprisingly, the result was the end of Merkel’s 12 inning scoreless streak, but he did well enough to keep Biloxi in the game against a solid Montgomery squad (season record now 71-52), exiting after three innings and a season-high 59 pitches down 2-1. A 1-for-10 effort with runners in scoring position with 15 strikeouts isn’t going to win many games, but 1B Ernesto Martinez Jr. (2-for-4, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs, run) and right fielder Connor Scott (2-for-4, double, run) continue to be dependable bats Shuckers’ Extras: Biloxi also lost the battle of roster attrition in this one, ending up with Ben Metzinger and Nick Kahle getting rare key at-bats following the 5th inning ejection of center fielder Adam Hall (arguing his caught stealing to end the 4th inning with Martinez on 3rd base) and somewhat surprising late exit of DH Brock Wilken 0-for-4, 4 Ks). In his first game action since June 11, Metzinger K’d twice to help strand three baserunners, while Kahle flew out to end the game with two baserunners on. Normally-reliable RHP Bo Bowman (3 IP, 3 R, 5 Ks) and LHP Russell Smith (3 IP, 2 R, 3 Ks) were unfortunately done in by a 3-run homer and 2-run shot, respectively, though still boast sub-3.00 season ERAs. Friday’s outlook: Biloxi remains in playoff position, but needs to start winning again. RHP KC Hunt is due to make his fourth start at the AA level (3.31 ERA with 23 Ks in 16 1/3 IP thus far), with the Shuckers needing a win to even the series 2-2. Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Quad Cities 4, Wisconsin 2 Box Score and Game Log Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: River Bandits Slam Wisconsin Despite the loss, we’re still blessed with video highlights from the Wisconsin media team: Continuing the Thursday theme of relievers thrust into starting roles, RHP Tyler Wehrle made his first start of the 2024 season, giving Wisconsin 4 2/3 innings and a season-high 76 pitches. The grand slam immediately followed an infield error which loaded the bases with one out, after which Wehrle retired 10 of the next 12 hitters. After narrowing the deficit to 4-2 by the 4th inning, Wisconsin had two baserunners on in the 5th inning and the leadoff man aboard in the 6th inning (C Ramon Rodriguez – 2-for-4) before their final 12 batters went down in order. As mentioned in the game report, the night’s highlight was really the terrific High-A debuts of relief pitchers Brailin Rodriguez and Dikember Sanchez: combined 4 1/3 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks. Both are excellent stories, with 22-year old Rodriguez successfully making a long road back from injuries and 20-year old Sanchez casting aside middling results over three DSL seasons to impress throughout 2024. Timber Rattlers’ Extras: Well done to right fielder Eduarqui Fernandez to collect two hits and two stolen bases (19 thus far in 2024) as he attempts to dig out of a long funk at the plate (.190 season average, .606 OPS). Although Wehrle only allowed runs in one inning, it was a serious effort as he worked around the leadoff batter reaching base in the 1st, 3rd and 4th frames. Friday’s outlook: RHP Ryan Birchard is scheduled to make his fourth start, with Wisconsin needing a victory to even the series 2-2. Final: Carolina 7, Lynchburg 1 Box Score and Game Log Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Mudcats Race Past Lynchburg 2024 seventh round pick LHP Mason Molina (2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks) made a successful Brewers’ organizational debut by starting and throwing two scoreless innings, but the real game story was 19-year RHP Bryan Rivera dominating over 6 frames and 81 pitches: 1 R (0 ER), 1 H, 2 BB, 4 Ks. Carolina’s 4-run fourth inning opened the scoring and basically put the game away, though the runs came home in unorthodox fashion (DH Marco Dinges infield RBI single, RBI ground out, 2-run “double” for 3B Miguel Briceno after a fly ball fell in between two conflicted outfielders). 1B Eric Bitonti had another solid game, reaching base four times (2-for-3, walk, HBP, RBI), while each of Dinges (3-for-5, double, RBI) and Briceno (3-for-3, double, SF, 3 RBIs) came aboard three times. Mudcats’ Extras: Center fielder Yhoswar Garcia stole three more bases to bring his total to 61 on the year, though he was also picked off in what was technically his 11th caught stealing. Carolina dominated in most respects, outhitting Lynchburg 11-3 while also taking advantage of three errors, 4 wild pitches and a balk by the Hillcats. RHP Gerson Calzadilla impressed in 2023 but missed most of the 2024 season with an injury, so the 1-2-3 ninth inning (2 ground outs, 1 fly out) had to feel nice. Friday’s outlook: RHP Jason Woodward is set to make his 3rd start in Low-A ball, as Carolina can clinch a series win with a victory. We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. The Milwaukee Brewers will kick off our Friday with their doubleheader in Cincinnati commencing at 11:40am CST, while the Sounds will get the 5-game MILB slate going at 4:30pm CST. Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth View full article

- RHP Garrett Stallings activated by AAA Nashville from Development List - RHP Isaiah Jackson released by ACL Brewers

Terrific job by Bayden Root to bounce back from his 7 R (6 ER) in 1.2 IP effort 4 days ago, despite allowing 2 singles on 3 pitches to open the 7th inning. He escapes (ground out, K swinging, BB, K swinging) to keep it a 3-1 deficit.

Singles from Chirinos, Hedbert (infield) and Felix Valerio (2-for-2, RBI) netted 1 run in the 5th. But Yerlin conceded a run back in the top of the 6th (HBP, WP, RBI single). Still not a bad 2 innings from Yerlin (4 Ks). T-Rays trail 3-1.

Excellent job by Yerlin Rodriguez to help strand 2 baserunners inherited from Stiven Cruz with nobody out in the 5th inning (K swinging, K swinging, fly out). Cruz had probably been pushed a bit too hard (84 pitches on 4 days’ rest) but did well to limit the River Bandits to 2 runs in 4 innings. Quad Cities’ starter Henry Williams was dominant (4 shutout innings, 1 single, 0 walks; 34 strikes in 43 pitches), but he’s exited the game now so it’s time to blast off. Timber Rattlers trail 2-0 in the 5th.

RHP Rafael Garcia released by ACL Brewers

- 1B Blake Burke placed on High-A Wisconsin’s 7-day injured list retroactive to August 25

Chad Patrick and Will Rudy were solid in victories for Nashville and Wisconsin, while Lamar Sparks and Luis Castillo helped power Biloxi and Carolina to Sunday wins as part of a 4-0 sweep. For the week, Nashville and Carolina each won their series 4-2, while Biloxi and Wisconsin managed 3-3 series draws. Transactions: LHP Aaron Ashby recalled by MLB Brewers from AAA Nashville Game Action: Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Nashville 10, Jacksonville 0 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: Sounds Slam Jumbo Shrimp, Take Series with Finale Win RHP Chad Patrick started on 4 days’ rest for the third time of 2024, setting aside a difficult Tuesday (5 R in 3 IP) to earn his 12th win in impressive fashion on Sunday (6 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 8 Ks). Nashville grabbed a 5-0 lead by the 3rd inning, with every Sound hitting over walking over the 9 innings. The game report told you about the key contributions of center fielder Carlos D. Rodriguez, C Francisco Mejia and DH Vinny Capra, but videos are fun to watch too: Sounds’ Extras: Leading from start to finish, the Sounds’ staff was able to pound the zone, with 4 pitchers combining for 83 strikes in 116 pitches in the efficient 2-hour, 24-minute game. Proving his hit tool plays at every level of baseball, it will be interesting to see if the 23-year old Rodriguez (10-game hitting streak) ends up on a 40-man MLB roster this winter. MLB roster expansion watch: While left fielder Tyler Black and right fielder Brewer Hicklen didn’t do much to help their case (combined 0-for-6, 2 walks, 1 SB), RHPs Kevin Herget (1.1 IP, 1 single) and Elvis Peguero (1 IP, 1 infield single erased by GIDP) were solid. Next week’s outlook: Nashville travels to Charlotte for a six-game set against the White Sox affiliate, with RHP Logan Henderson scheduled to start on Tuesday. Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Biloxi 5, Birmingham 1 Box Score and Game Log Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Sparks' 3-RBI Day Leads Shuckers to 5-1 Win in Series Finale to Earn Split 25-year old left fielder Lamar Sparks has been the Sounds most consistent bat over the past 3.5 months (.847 OPS in his last 262 PAs), reaching base 4 times (HR, 2 singles, walk, 3 RBIs) in this contest. Starting LHP Nate Peterson (2 2/3 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 2 H, 2 BB, 6 Ks) retired 6 of the first 7 batters he faced, before an error and double put him in trouble in the 3rd inning. He and RHP Nick Merkel ultimately limited the damage to one run, with Peterson notching 2 Ks and Merkel getting the inning-ending pop-out after Peterson walked two to load the bases. Shuckers’ Extras: The game report and box score shows that Merkel and fellow righties Bo Bowman, Will Childers, Blake Holub and Justin Yeager combined on 6 1/3 scoreless innings, though there was some tension as the Barons had 2 -on with less than 2-out in each of the 6th, 7th and 8th innings. Well done ‘pen to get the clutch outs each time. 1B Ernesto Martinez Jr. was out of the lineup for a 4th straight game, but he’s not on the injured list. Hopefully he’ll be back to mashing soon. Zavier Warren (1-for-3, HR, walk) capably handled first base duties and opened the scoring with this no-doubter: Next week’s outlook: Biloxi comes home to face Rays’ affiliate Montgomery. Although my colleague @Joseph Zarr has been advocating for Peterson and fellow south-paw Adam Seminaris to come out of the ‘pen, roster limitations continue to force them to start. Seminaris is listed as the man to take the hill in Tuesday’s series opener. Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Wisconsin 5, Great Lakes 2 Box Score and Game Log Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Wisconsin Gets Series Split with Sunday Win RHP Will Rudy (4 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 4 Ks) wasn’t fazed by making his 3rd start in 11 days, putting in a solid outing over 64 pitches (41 strikes). We don’t have video of the solo shot by right fielder Hedbert Perez (2-for-4) which pushed Wisconsin’s lead to 4-1, but BrewerFanatic Minor League Forum watchers noted it was a 108mph nuke. While the Great Lakes’ two errors helped Wisconsin to 2 unearned runs, RHP Jeferson Figueroa was able to work around an error in the 5th inning which put him in a 2-on, 1-out situation with the game still 3-1 at that point. Two fly outs ended that threat, then he worked around 2 walks in the next frame and a double in his third inning of relief work. Timber Rattlers’ Extras: It’s not every day you see two teams go a combined 0-for-23 with runners in scoring position and still produce a 7-run game. With another 2 singles and a double, 20-year old 2B Jadher Areinamo sits nicely as first in the 12-team Midwest League in doubles (29) and second in hits (121). Remember that he’s also a defensive whiz, in terms of the tool which pops most often. Next week’s outlook: Wisconsin returns home to take on Royals’ affiliate Quad Cities, with RHP Alexander Cornielle expected to get the starting nod for Tuesday's opening game. Final: Carolina 7, Augusta 5 Box Score and Game Log Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Big Inning Lifts Mudcats To Series Win Over Augusta The Mudcats had little to show for 3 hits, a walk and a playing reaching on error in the 2nd/3rd innings, each of which ended in a double play, before erupting in the 6-run 5th frame. Five Mudcats registered 2-hit games, including right fielder Luis Castillo with 2 doubles and 2 RBIs and SS Daniel Guilarte with two singles and an RBI. 19-year old starting LHP Anthony Flores was able to deliver 5 innings (3 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 6 Ks), while RHPs Harrison Durow (retired 6 of 7) and Dikember Sanchez (retired 3 of 4) were nearly lights out in relief. Mudcats’ Extras: The box score will show that 20-year old LHP Anfernny Reyes struggled in one inning of work to tighten the game at 7-5 in the 8th inning. However, he did well to buckle down after the first 4 batters reached against him on a single and 3 walks, escaping with a GIDP and swinging K. The other Mudcats with 2 hits on the day included center fielder Yophery Rodriguez (double, single), DH Marco Dinges (double, single) and 3B Eric Bitonti (2 singles, 2 RBIs). Next week’s outlook: Carolina will take the bus over to Lynchburg, Virginia to battle the Guardians’ affiliate for six games commencing on Tuesday. We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. Monday’s an off day for the entire organization, with everyone back in action on Tuesday evening. Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth View full article

26-year old RHP Chad Patrick makes his 2nd start of the week as AAA Nashville gets a 2nd chance to complete a home series win over Jacksonville. CF Carlos D. Rodriguez’s hitting streak is up to 9 games

After a tough loss yesterday, AA Biloxi needs a victory behind LHP Nate Peterson (4.40 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 9.2 K/9 in 73.2 IP) in the series finale to even their series at Birmingham. 1B Ernesto Martinez Jr. is out of the lineup for a 4th consecutive game. LF Lamar Sparks’ has had a solid 3.5 months at the plate (.821 OPS in last 257 PAs, though supported by a .416 BABIP).

After having little to show for big opportunities in the 2nd and 3rd innings, Carolina puts up a 6-spot in the 5th inning to grab a 7-3 lead. Eric Bitonti, Luis Castillo and Daniel Guilarte are 6-for-9 with 5 RBIs.