Ro Mueller

RF Brewer Hicklen (.983 OPS in 201 PAs) returns from injury. RHP Chad Patrick (2.83 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 9.1 K/9 in 60.1 IP) is on the mound. It’s time for the AAA Sounds to claw back from a 3-1 series deficit at Gwinnett.

High-A Wisconsin’s magic number to clinch the first half title is 2 games (with 5 remaining). They’re even 2-2 in this week’s series at West Michigan. 20-year old RHP Yujanyer Herrera (3.61 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 11.5 K/9 in 42.1 IP) is on the hill. T-Rats’ hitters have easily the fewest strikeouts in the league (410 vs. 466 second place).

Low-A Carolina has dropped 2 in a row at home against Fredericksburg, so has work to do to clinch the first half title (magic number = 3 with 7 games left). 18-year old RHP Josh Knoth (4.00 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 10.5 K/9 in 36 IP) gets tonight’s start. LF Yhoswar Garcia is tied for the league lead in stolen bases (26) and 3rd in AVG (.331).

If they’re healthy, we might as well let Eduardo Garcia and Felix Valerio play middle infield again for AA Biloxi, in my opinion, but let’s see how it plays out.

- LHP Darrell Thompson transferred to Development List from AAA Nashville - RHP Nolan Blackwood transferred to Development List from AAA Nashville

- OF Brewer Hicklen activated from AAA Nashville’s 7-day injured list - RHP James Meeker outrighted to AAA Nashville (where he’d already been optioned to on June 8 before being designated for assignment on June 11)

Assuming the Martin acquisition is legit (details pending), I suspect it’s in response to AA Biloxi’s Eric Brown Jr. (not yet on IL) and Ethan Murray (on 7-day IL) being injured, with the organization having no interest in demoting Freddy Zamora from AAA or promoting Jadher Areinamo or Gregory Barrios from High-A at this time.

- Acquired INF Casey Martin from the Phillies and assigned to AA Biloxi - INF Christian Arroyo of AAA Nashville sent on rehab assignment to ACL Brewers - OF Handelfry Encarnacion placed on DSL Brewers-1’s 7-day injured list

I thought I'd take a peek around the league to see if any DSL players have been promoted stateside over the past week: Yes, 7 DSL players have been promoted stateside over the past week (2 Phillies, 1 Met, 1 Guardian, 1 Padre, 1 Red, 1 Marlin), but they were all 2021-2023 signings. 6 of them played in the DSL in prior years and the 7th was injured for several seasons and is already 21 years old Amongst the DSL ranks, other than any presently-injured older players returning, I assume these are our only in-season promotion candidates: RHP Joshua Quezada (20) - K'd 6 of 18 batters faced; 2 BB, 1 HBP, 1 single, 1 GIDP RHP Wenderlyn King (18) - K'd 16 of 36 batters faced; 0 BB, 3 HBP, 5 singles, 1 double LHP Jesus Broca (20) - K'd 9 of 16 batters faced; 1 BB, 0 HBP, 4 singles, 1 double, 1 triple RHP Jesus Flores (19) - K'd 9 of 19 batters faced; 2 BB, 0 HBP, 2 singles, 1 double INF Kevin Ereu (18) - 1.000 OPS in 27 PAs with 8 BB / 3K - signed for $1.4m last year and presently sits 2 levels below fellow mega-signers Yophery and Filippo Almost any catcher to support ACL depth - e.g. C Freider Rojas (18), C Ludwin Tejada (18), Kegnnalex Seijas (18), Luis Garcia (19) Of course, we may see a dozen players move stateside unofficially once the formal ACL season concludes (last scheduled game July 25; then playoffs July 27-30) and they shift to the informal Extended Summer League. Finally, if we’re to promote SS Luis Pena and/or CF Jose Anderson, they’d immediately become the youngest stateside player(s) in the minors, which is presently SS Angel Arredondo of the Rangers.

Woke up to bad box scores everywhere. Jeez. At least Will Rudy had his best game in some time (1 single, 1 HBP in 5 IP) and Enniel Cortez did okay. Does anyone know why Eric Brown Jr. was pulled to start the 3rd inning? Gut check time for Carolina and Wisconsin, who both lead by 3.5 games.

Bad 2nd inning for Letson, unfortunately. 4 runs have come across thus far.

Yhoswar Garcia singles home Filippo Di Turi (singled) and Cooper Pratt (walked) in the 1st, which is 2 more runs that Carolina scored yesterday. Go Mudcats!

RHP Bradley Blalock (3.83 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 7.7 K/9 in 47 IP) and AA Biloxi will try to make it back-to-back home wins over Tennessee, this time against old friend Trey Supak. 3B Mike Boeve (.297) and CF Carlos D. Rodriguez (.294) are 4th and 8th in the 8-team Southern League in AVG (min. 126 PAs).

19-year old RHP Bishop Letson (3.10 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 10.6 K/9 in 29 IP) and Low-A Carolina look to get back to winning after a minor hiccup yesterday. They lead their home series against Fredericksburg 2-1 and 2nd place Down East by 4.5 games. SS Cooper Pratt’s on-base streak is 22 games.

RHP Evan McKendry has been steadily ramping up since an April injury, hitting 65 pitches last outing (4 IP, 0 R, 6 Ks). He starts for AAA Nashville tonight, who need a win to even their series in Gwinnett. 3B Owen Miller’s last 4 games: 7-for-15 with 2 HR, 3 doubles, 5 walks, 6 RBIs.

The 2024 campaign has been a struggle for RHP Will Rudy (6.31 ERA in 41.1 IP). He looks to turn it around and lead High-A Wisconsin to a 3-1 series lead at West Michigan. Despite a .233 AVG, 3B Luke Adams has the 4th-highest OBP (.421) in the 12-team Midwest League.

KC Hunt registered 8 Ks in Wisconsin’s victory. Biloxi came back four times in an exciting walk-off. Yorman Galindez pitched superbly, but Carolina didn’t score. Nashville fell too far behind to catch up. Transactions: Purchased the contract of RHP Tyler Bryant from Quebec Capitales of the Frontier League and assigned to ACL Brewers LHP DL Hall sent on rehab assignment to AAA Nashville OF Garrett Mitchell sent on rehab assignment to AAA Nashville RHP JB Bukauskas sent on rehab assignment to AAA Nashville C Brian Navarreto of AAA Nashville sent on rehab assignment to ACL Brewers INF/OF Eduardo Garcia of AA Biloxi sent on rehab assignment to ACL Brewers INF Ethan Murray placed on AA Biloxi’s 7-day injured list Game Action: Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Gwinnett 8, Nashville 7 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' Late Rally Falls Short in Gwinnett LHP DL Hall’s first rehab appearance in three weeks saw him face five batters, peaking at 95.5mph velocity, with three hitters smacking balls into play with more pace than that (105.5mph single, 102.7mph 2-run homer, 103.3mph fly out hit 382 feet). Hall conceded two runs to cough up an early 2-0 lead (Wes Clarke RBI double, Eric Haase RBI infield single) before RHP Tyler Woessner took on the heavy load (4 1/3 IP, 5 R, 7 H, 2 BB, 2 Ks). Woessner was respectable, pitching 4 scoreless innings before yielding a 2-run homer as the Stripers re-tied the game 4-4 in the bottom of the 5th inning. Sounds’ Extras: Unfortunately, Woessner’s velocity tailed off substantially (basically from 94mph to 90mph) against the final five hitters he faced, the last three of whom ultimately scored as he look the loss. Center fielder Garrett Mitchell (1-for-4) had his rehab shifted to Nashville, contributing an RBI double to push the Sounds’ temporary lead to 4-2 in the 4th inning. RHP JB Bukauskas also put in his first rehab game work, giving up an infield single, ground rule double and hitting a batter (1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 0 Ks). 3B Owen Miller and left fielder Isaac Collins largely carried the offense, combining to go 2-for-6 with 2 HRs, 3 walks, 4 RBIs, 1 SB and 3 runs scored. Collins’ 2-run homer cut the deficit to one run in the bottom of the 9th inning, but Haase, 2B Yonny Hernandez and right fielder Chris Roller were not able to tie it up. Friday’s outlook: RHP Evan McKendry moves back into a starting role after many long relief appearances, with the Sounds trailing 2-1 in this week’s series. Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Biloxi 4, Tennessee 3 (in 11 innings) Box Score and Game Log Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Martinez Jr. Plays Hero, Shuckers Defeat Smokies in 11 After loading the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the 11th inning, Biloxi can thank a bobble from the shortstop for enabling them to walk it off on an RBI groundout. Starting RHP Brett Wichrowski (4 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 2 Ks) put up three innings of zeros after falling behind 1-0 in the 1st inning. He helped himself out of a 2nd and 3rd, 1-out jam in the 3rd inning, credited with an unassisted tag out at home. 3B Brock Wilken made sure to even the score in the bottom of the 1st inning: The Shuckers answered every challenge, tying the game three times before pushing the winning run across in the bottom of the 11th inning. Right fielder Lamar Sparks came through in the bottom of the 6th inning to re-knot the game at 2-2. After squandering a 2-on, 1-out opportunity in the bottom of the 8th inning (Wilken K, C Darrien Miller K), Biloxi found itself trailing 3-2 and down to their final out in the bottom of the 10th inning, when center fielder Carlos D. Rodriguez hit the first pitch he saw into center field for a game-tying RBI single. Rodriguez went 4-for-5 on the night with this RBI and a stolen base. Shuckers’ Extras: RHP Blake Holub was solid in the 10th (ghost runner scored on a wild pitch) and 11th innings to earn the win, following solid outings by RHPs Bo Bowman and TJ Shook. The three relievers didn’t allow any earned runs over 7 innings of work (a passed ball allowed an unearned run off Bowman) while striking out 6. Biloxi pitchers danced through trouble all night, keeping Tennessee at bay: 2-for-21 with runners in scoring position. Recently-signed 25-year old speedster 2B Adam Hall (ex-Orioles’ 2017 second round pick) made his Shuckers’ debut, but went 0-for-5. Friday’s outlook: RHP Bradley Blalock gets the ball with Biloxi aiming to tie the home series 2-2. Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Wisconsin 6, West Michigan 1 Box Score and Game Log Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Wisconsin Hunting Down a Playoff Spot 6’3” 23-year old RHP KC Hunt (6 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 8 Ks) is obviously a special player, signed as a non-draftee out of Mississippi State in July 2023 and utterly dominating the Low-A and High-A levels less than a year later, even after converting to starting. Two runs on three hits in the top of the 1st inning were more than Hunt and the bullpen required on this day, but it was still nice to tack on 4 insurance runs on 2 hits (including a 1B Jesus Chirinos potential stadium-record bomb) in the 8th inning. Prior to Chirinos’ blast, 3B Luke Adams (2-for-3, 2 doubles, 2 walks, SB) and SS Jadher Areinamo (2-for-4, double, 3 RBIs) had carried the offense. Timber Rattlers’ Extras: In the ‘pen, RHP Bayden Root (1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks) turned a corner after recent struggles, RHP Chase Costello (1 IP, 3 Ks) was steady as always (when not closing) and RHP Tyler Wehrle had another blip. Five stolen bases in five attempts added to Wisconsin’s fun, while the WhiteCaps had zero attempts. 2B Dylan O’Rae (1-for-4, walk, RBI, stolen base number 32) started new hitting and on-base streaks after seeing them snapped the day before. DH/SS Gregory Barrios may have gone hitless but it was a win just having him back healthy after missing 10 days. Friday’s outlook: RHP Will Rudy is the scheduled starter, with Wisconsin aiming for a 3-1 series advantage. Final: Fredericksburg 1, Carolina 0 Box Score and Game Log Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Mudcats’ Offense Stifled in 1-0 Defeat When 21-year old RHP Yorman Galindez (4 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 8 Ks) had a successful start on an atypical 4 days’ rest (he’d thrown just 62 pitches in his last start, so this looks like a planned experiment), giving Carolina a great chance to go up 3-0 in the series. Unfortunately the offense wasn’t clicking on this day (1 double, 3 singles, 2 walks, 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position. Opportunities were few and far between, so the Mudcats will look to right fielder Reidy Mercado’s out at third base on a 2B Filippo Di Turi single in the bottom of the 6th inning as their main blown chance. Mudcats’ Extras: At least SS Cooper Pratt managed to extend his hitting (10) and on-base (21) streaks with a single with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th inning. Credit RHPs Aidan Maldonado (2 IP) and Blake Whiting (1 IP) with scoreless relief outings and left fielder Yhoswar Garcia with a 2-for-3 day at the plate (with a double). Friday’s outlook: Carolina gets a second crack at taking a 3-1 series lead, with either Josh Knoth or Bishop Letson likely to get the start. Final: ACL Reds 10, ACL Brewers 3 Box Score and Game Log 17-year old RHP Melvin Hernandez (once again, the youngest pitcher in the 15-team ACL) cruised through 4 innings and was still scoreless through 5 frames, but venturing into the 6th inning was a bridge too far. Of the six hits, four came from rehabbing players as the ACL Brewers’ bats were too quiet on this night – left fielder Felix Valerio (3-for-5, double), DH Brian Navaretto (1-for-3, double, RBI). Center fielder Eduardo Garcia went hitless in his first rehab outing, while each of right fielder Pedro Ibarguen and C Edgardo Ordonez collected two hits. RHP Samuel Valerio did not have a pleasant relief appearance, failing to retire any of 6 batters faced, while allowing 2 of Hernandez’s inherited runners to score. Final: DSL Brewers Uno 3, DSL Padres Brown 1 (in 7 innings as scheduled) Box Score and Game Log It’s still very early in the DSL season, but the exceptional performances of RHP Wenderlyn King, SS Luis Pena and C Kevin Garcia continue to turn our heads. 18-year old King followed up his 6K, 4 2/3 shutout innings debut with a 10K, 5 IP, 1 ER follow-up. He allowed 3 singles and hit 2 batters, but has yet to give a free pass thru 2 dominant games. 17-year old Pena went 2-for-3 with a double and 2 more stolen bases, scoring on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 3rd inning to give the Uno men a 2-1 lead. He has 15 SBs in 7 career games and a 1.414 OPS. And 16-year old Garcia (1-for-1, HR, walk, HBP, RBI) hit his 3rd homer in his 4th game, producing the game’s final run in the bottom of the 6th inning. He has 3 hits (yes, all homer runs) in 10 career at-bats. Final: DSL Brewers Dos 10, DSL Tampa Bay 6 Box Score and Game Log The Dos squad was glad to play the full 9 innings, finding itself trailing 4-0 after 5 frames and 5-1 entering the 7th inning. SS Moises Polanco (2-for-5, SB, 2 runs) started the rally by doubling and scoring in the 6th inning, then singling with 2 outs in the 7th inning, stealing a base and scoring on center fielder Jose Anderson’s 3-run blast to tie the game 5-5. That’s Anderson’s 4th banger in 23 career at-bats – he went 3-for-4 with a homer, walk and 4 RBIs. After relying on small ball to take the lead in the top of the 8th inning (right fielder Roderick Flores single, wild pitch, scored on sac fly), the Dos crew thought it prudent to add 4 more runs in the same frame, capped off by an Anderson RBI single. The starting pitcher in this game was former(?) 2-way player, 18-year old RHP Argenis Aparicio (5 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 1 WP, 5 Ks). We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. There are six games for seven minor league squads on Friday, as DSL Brewers Uno and DSL Brewers Dos square off. The Milwaukee Brewers are also home to take on the Cincinnati Reds. 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

Galindez has K’d 5 of the first 7 batters he’s faced thus far. Nice start.

25-year old 2B Adam Hall joins AA Biloxi, having stolen 101 bases in 118 attempts across 340 minor league games. RHP Brett Wichrowski (4.58 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 10.1 K/9 in 37.1 IP) makes his 11th start of 2024.

Low-A Carolina shoots for a 6th consecutive win, with RHP Yorman Galindez (2.67 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 13.9 K/9 in 33.2 IP) experimenting on 4 days’ rest (62 pitches last outing). SS Cooper Pratt’s hitting streak is 9 games.

LHP DL Hall makes his first rehab appearance in 3 weeks and CF Garrett Mitchell joins him as AAA Nashville seeks 2-1 series lead in Gwinnett. LF Isaac Collins (.911 OPS in 239 PAs) returns to the lineup as well.