Ro Mueller

The Low-A Mudcats are even 2-2 in their series at Kannapolis, with dominant RHP Logan Henderson getting the start tonight. LF Jace Avina has a .969 OPS over his last 38 games (153 PAs).

Good team effort in the 8-4 victory over ACL Guardians. Six different players with an RBI. Cooper Pratt reached base 4 times. Eric Brown Jr. homered for the 2nd straight game. The pitching did enough, though nobody stood out in particular. Brailin Rodriguez threw 2 scoreless innings for the win, Blake Whiting K’d 2 of 3 batters faced in the 9th inning. Anthony Perez gets a special shout-out for coming in and getting Jaison Chourio to pop out with the bases loaded and the game 7-4 in the 8th inning.

- INF Abraham Toro optioned to AAA Nashville from MLB Brewers

Hiura is below Santana, Tellez and Canha in the MLB pecking order, after unfortunately blowing his roster spot in Spring Training which caused the team to reluctantly keep Voit. If we covet Hiura’s offense enough to promote him, it would likely require a DFA of Anderson or Taylor (both solid defenders) or option of Wiemer (for service time manipulation purposes). But I assume any of those moves would infuriate Counsell. Yes, if we promote Hiura, we have no easy way of ever sending him down again. We inexplicably burned his final option near the 2022 trade deadline, then DFA’d him early this year. No MLB team picked up his guaranteed $2.2m salary, so we exercised a one-time right to send him to the minors. If we promote again, then DFA again, any other team could claim him, but even if he goes unclaimed he’d have the right to reject the assignment to the minors and become a free agent. Oddly, we believe there’s a special provision which allows us to keep him on his minor league contract for one more year (since he has not yet burned through 7 minor league seasons) at half his 2023 salary. So we can basically do nothing and watch him return for $1.1m next year (though perhaps another team could claim in the Rule 5 Draft(?) - I’m not sure). Truth be told, he’s not diminished his value over the last 9 months, in my opinion, since the time that we guaranteed the $2.2m salary. He’s one of the best hitters in AAA. And he’s played a fair amount of mediocre first base and left field, as expected. So if he was worth $2.2m last winter, he must definitely be worth $1.1m for 2024. But if we promote him to the Majors for this stretch run (e.g. when MLB active rosters expand on September 1), I’m guessing that would shift him into another round of offseason arbitration at higher cost for 2024. At least that’s my understanding. What’s the right thing to do? Well, get his bat on the MLB roster of course. How should we do it? Maybe we need to restructure his contract to agree a 2024 salary (e.g. $1.1m guaranteed, with another $0.3m incentives), then immediately promote him. Option Wiemer for 13 days if we have to (or DFA Taylor or Anderson or put one of them on the injured list), now that Counsell is finally comfortable enough to play Frelick in center field.

ACL Brewers blew a 4-0 lead (falling 7-4 to ACL Mariners) and their chance to clinch the Central division title, but thankfully the ACL Reds also lost. Magic number is now 1 game, with 2 regular season games left for the Crew and 3 left for the Reds. Rehabbing SS Eric Brown Jr. homered, walked. was hit-by-pitch and stole a base. Each of 2B/SS Cooper Pratt and RF Miguel Briceno doubled and singled. LHP Tate Kuehner started and faced the minimum over 2 innings, but got significant help (line out DP, CS, another out on batter interference). RHPs Josh Timmerman and Edrian Robinson added 3 scoreless innings. RHP Darling Solano and LHP Anfernny Reyes gave up 7 runs (4 earned) over 3 innings as the game slipped away.

I don’t really understand why MLB teams didn’t select many hitters in the last Rule 5 Draft, given that they’re now forced to have 13 position players on their roster. That said, INFs Cam Devanney and Patrick Dorrian are both making a case for selection this winter. But perhaps MLB teams will keep focusing 80%+ of their attention on pitchers.

Here’s to never seeing Chafin pitch with a lead again. Good win!

Miguel Briceno’s relativity limited playing time in the ACL suggests he’s not a favored prospect, while his high BABIP further suggests some luck. But his average is now .325 after a double and single today, after a .320 AVG last year. The recently-turned 20-year old is doing everything he can to beat the odds and be given more opportunities in 2024, including playing the corner outfield spots, third base and second base.

Cam Devanney (HR, 2B, RBI), Tyler Black (2B, 1B, BB, 2 RBIs) and Keston Hiura (2 singles, RBI) each had 2 hits to back up Robert Gasser’s sterling outing. Monte Harrison also homered, walked and stole a base. Sounds win their third straight, this one 5-1.

Eric Brown Jr. homered in his first plate appearance of the evening for ACL Brewers. And Eduarqui Fernandez followed with a single. They’re up 1-0 early.

Oh my. The Mudcats have a double, 2 singles and 4 walks in the first 2 innings, but scored just one run. Particularly tough start for Jadher Areinamo: K’d 1st inning; 1-2-3 GIDP in 2nd inning. Winning 1-0 though!

The Low-A Mudcats dropped a tough one yesterday, so need a victory to claw back to 2-2 at Kannapolis. 20-year old RHP Patricio Aquino (2.82 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 9.2 K/9 in 70.1 IP) gets the start. 2B Dylan O’Rae and RF Luis Castillo have hitting streaks of 11 and 8 games, respectively.

High-A Wisconsin needs a win to even their series in Cedar Rapids 2-2, with RHP Tyler Woessner (3.75 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 7.8 K/9 in 103.1 IP) making his 21st start. 2B Mike Boeve has a 5-game hitting streak and 8-game on-base streak.

AA Biloxi has a 4-game winning steak and RHP TJ Shook (7th start in 20th appearance) looks to keep the good times rolling at Mississippi. SS Ethan Murray comes in with a 13-game on-base streak.

AAA Nashville strives for a 3rd straight home win over Charlotte, with league-strikeout leader LHP Robert Gasser (133 Ks in 107.1 IP) getting the start. DH Keston Hiura has a 15-game on-base streak with 3 HRs in the past 2 games, including yesterday’s game-winner.

I suppose the stats for this aborted game may be tossed out, which is too bad for Ibarguen (2-for-2, triple, double, RBI), Espinal (1-for-1, triple, RBI), Di Turi (1-for-2, double) and Nadal (1-for-2). Starting RHP Jesus Broca will appreciate losing the runs (3 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 1 BB) but not the Ks (5).

- LHP Justin King placed on High-A Wisconsin’s 7-day injured list retroactive to August 17

Keston Hiura smacked his third homer in two days, this time a tie-breaking 2-run blast. Tobias Myers pitched 7 strong innings in Biloxi’s win. Carolina blew a 10-4 late lead and Wisconsin also fell. Image courtesy of BrewerFanatic Transactions: SS Eric Brown Jr. sent on rehab assignment to ACL Brewers OF Eduarqui Fernandez sent on rehab assignment to ACL Brewers Game Action: Final: Nashville 5, Charlotte 4 Box Score / Game Log Via the Sounds’ website, game details, and we encourage readers to review the affiliate write-up as part of their Link Report routine: Hiura's 20th Homer of Season Secures Sounds Comeback Win For the second game in a row, 1B Rowdy Tellez (2-for-3, double, walk, RBI) and DH Keston Hiura (1-for-4, HR, 2 RBIs) came through with the big hits to lead Nashville to a late comeback win. One can only imagine how they may have impacted a certain major league game in Los Angeles if they’d been called up already. In addition to Tellez’s game-tying double and Hiura’s game-winning 2-run homer in the bottom of the 8th inning, this game also featured starting RHP Colin Rea’s (5 IP, 3 R, 7 H, 0 BB, 6 Ks) first game action since being optioned by the Brewers 13 days earlier. See more highlights from the win at Nashville’s Twitter feed. Sounds’ Extras: 2B Patrick Dorrian actually sparked the turnaround with his organization-leading 20th home run of the season, a solo shot to cut the deficit to 3-2. Hiura’s blast brought him even with Dorrian at 20, with Keston doing it in just 73 games. A big credit goes to RHP Jason Alexander and LHP Darrell Thompson, who combined on three scoreless innings of relief while striking out five Knights. Every spot in the Sounds’ lineup reached base via hit or walk, including right fielder Josh VanMeter making it twice (single, walk) along with doubles for 3B Tyler Black and center fielder Monte Harrison. Per the article link above, this game was Manager Rick Sweet’s 300th win with Nashville. He has over 2,200 wins across several organizations in his storied managerial career. Friday’s outlook: LHP Robert Gasser (3.94 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 11.2 K/9 in 107 1/3 IP) is scheduled to hopefully lead Nashville to a 3-1 series advantage. Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Biloxi 6, Mississippi 3 Box Score / Game Log Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Tobias Myers Goes Seven Innings, Leads Shuckers to Fourth Straight Win After some struggles last week, the Shuckers have truly turned over a new leaf in grabbing a 3-0 series lead over Mississippi, led this time by RHP Tobias Myers’ 7-strong innings (7 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 3 BB, 9 Ks, 1 WP). The Sounds collected 11 hits on 10 singles and a double, including multi-hit games for center fielder Jackson Chourio (3-for-5), OF Carlos D. Rodriguez (2-for-5, 2 RBIs) and 3B Zavier Warren (2-for-4, RBI). You’ll find several video highlights at the Biloxi Twitter feed. Shuckers’ Extras: The Shuckers’ defense came through with timely plays, including Myers picking off a baserunner to end the 1st inning, C Jeferson Quero throwing out an attempted basestealer to end the 2nd inning, a GIDP to end the 5th inning and another double play (of the 1-4-3 variety led by Myers) to defuse a two-on, nobody out situation in the 7th inning. Left fielder Isaac Collins and 1B Wes Clarke each reached base three times on a single and two walks. As per the game link above, RHP Cam Robinson notched his 10th Save, with August being easily his best month (1.17 ERA, 1.04 WHIP in 6 games) after a largely difficult 2023 (7.88 ERA in 33 games prior to August). Friday’s outlook: RHP TJ Shook (5.48 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 11.1 K/9 in 65 2/3 IP) gets the call as Biloxi aims to clinch a series victory. Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Cedar Rapids 6, Wisconsin 2 Box Score / Game Log Via the Rattlers’ website, game details: Kernels Fifth Inning Too Much for Timber Rattlers Two runs weren’t going to be enough to defeat Cedar Rapids, but unfortunately the Timber Rattlers bats went quiet after the 5th inning. Prior to that fateful four-run 5th inning for the Kernels, starting RHP Alexander Cornielle (5 IP, 5 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 2 HBP, 2 Ks, 1 WP) had only allowed two hits – an infield single and an RBI double in the 1st inning. Timber Rattlers’ Extras: Left fielder Je’Von Ward (2-for-4, HR, RBI) and RHP Tanner Shears (2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 3 BB, 2 Ks) were Wisconsin’s players of the day. Shears entered an unenviable bases loaded, nobody out creation of LHP Karlos Morales in the 6th inning and needed only six pitches to escape (strikeout, ground ball double play) without any inherited runner scoring. Other than Ward, DH Brock Wilken was the only Timber Rattler to reach base twice (single, walk), including drawing the only base on balls issued by Cedar Rapids. Friday’s outlook: RHP Tyler Woessner leads Wisconsin in ERA (3.75 – minimum of 60 IP), so can’t be happy to be on a 5-game losing streak (with five other No Decisions). He gets the chance to end that personal streak and lead the Timber Rattlers to a 2-2 series tie. Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Kannapolis 11, Carolina 10 Box Score / Game Log Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Mudcats Waste Big Lead in 11-10 Walk-Off Loss We didn’t foresee this collapse – blowing a 10-4 lead in the 6th inning by giving up seven unanswered runs. Now the Mudcats have work to do, trailing 2-1 in this series. On the positive side, 3B Jadher Areinamo (4-for-5, double, RBI, SB) collected four hits and right fielder Jace Avina (3-for-4, HR, double, walk, 2 RBIs) continued his two-month surge. Avina also gunned down the leadoff batter in the bottom of the 5th inning, who was trying to stretch a double to a triple while trailing 10-4. Mudcats’ Extras: The negative side was unfortunately the pitching across the board, with each of starting RHP Yujanyer Herrera, RHP Jeison Pena, RHP Tyler Wehrle and RHP Chase Costello conceding at least two runs. The 23-year old Costello’s collapse was quite unexpected, coming in with a 7-1 record and 2.53 ERA. He did have only one save entering this game (and still has only one save to go along with this one blown save), typically working as a multi-inning reliever, so perhaps the closer’s mindset will need to be worked on. Back to positives and negatives – the Mudcats didn’t have any errors (vs. two for the Cannon Ballers), but had two runners caught stealing and another picked off. Two-hits games were achieved by DH Luke Adams, left fielder Tayden Hall (in his first outfield start of 2023, after two OF starts in 2022) and Gregory Barrios, while center fielder Kay-Lan Nicasia reached base three times (single, two walks) and 1B Jesus Chirinos had an early 2-run home run and also walked. Friday’s outlook: RHP Patricio Aquino (2.82 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 9.2 K/9 in 70 1/3 IP) will try to lead the Mudcats’ rebound, needing a win to tie the series 2-2. Arizona Complex League Action Final: ACL Royals 10, ACL Brewers 0 Box Score / Game Log Don’t fade on us now, ACL Brewers. Their magic number to clinch the ACL Central remains two games, after dropping their second contest in a row and seeing the ACL Reds come back from a big deficit for their third straight win. The division lead is suddenly just 2.5 games. Rehabbing starting LHP Adam Seminaris took the loss, but showed that he may be ready for a return to full season affiliate ball: 3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks. Will we see him back in Biloxi soon? Other rehabbers: SS Eric Brown Jr. went 0-for-2 with a strikeout in his first game since July 1 Center fielder Eduarqui Fernandez went 0-for-2 with a strikeout in his first game since June 28 RHP Joseph Hernandez gave up 4 runs in 2 1/3 innings pitched. This was his third rehab appearance The team’s lone hits were singles off the bats of 3B Juan Baez (.976 season OPS) and C Edgardo Ordonez (season OPS .761). INF Cooper Pratt led off and started at second base, going 0-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base. He shifted over to shortstop for the final four innings. INF Eric Bitonti also went 0-for-3 with a walk, DHing in this game. Dominican Summer League Action Final: DSL Guardians Blue 4, DSL Brewers-1 Squad 1 (in 7 innings) Box Score / Game Log The Uno squad finds itself back even at 25 wins and 25 losses after dropping this contest, with just five games left on their season. 18-year old LHP Anthony Flores (3 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 0 BB, 7 Ks) got the start and didn’t concede any walks or extra-base hits, but was nickeled and dimed via five singles. Left fielder (and sometimes pitcher – with 8 games to his credit) Argenis Aparicio reached base three times, including a double, single and walk. He also stole second base, was caught going for third base and threw out a baserunner of his own going for third base. 3B Gery Holguin also doubled, while 2B Eduardo Charles had a single, a walk and was caught stealing. Center fielder Yophery Rodriguez’s late season fade continues: 0-for-3 with a walk to drop his season OPS to .877. But that’s nothing compared to SS Kevin Ereu’s nightmare: 0-for-4 with 3 Ks, stranding six baserunners in his at-bats. He struck out to end the game, dropping his season OPS to .556. Final: DSL Brewers-2 Squad 12, DSL Dodgers Mega 3 (in 7 innings) Box Score / Game Log Center fielder Pedro Ibarguen, who just turned 17 years old last month, is clearly this year’s DSL Brewers’ breakout position player, going 2-for-3 with a home run (his third of 2023), triple, walk and 4 RBIs in this victory. Ibarguen signed for just $60,000, but did get a nod from Baseball America as a potential sleeper. His season AVG is now .306 and OPS is .884 and with the terrific offensive performance have come premium opportunities in center field, where he’s made 10 starts in his last 23 games, after making zero starts there in his first 18 contests. 17-year old starting RHP Melvin Hernandez was decent once again (2 IP, 2 R (0 ER), 3 H, 0 BB, 2 K) but pitched just two innings. As such, it was 19-year old RHP Elias Gonzalez who did the heavy lifting: 4 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 3 BB, 4 Ks. That’s Gonzalez’s first official Win. On the other side, Dodgers Mega had a relief pitcher issue four walks and six(!) wild pitches without retiring a batter. Oh my. While Ibarguen collected the only extra base hits that the Dos young men generated, the game did see 3B Demetrio Nadal record two singles and each of DH Filippo Di Turi (3 walks), 1B Danny Puerta (single, 2 walks) and left fielder Antony Gomez (3 walks) reach base three times. We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. Enjoy Friday’s 7-game slate! 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

Jace Avina has been a different player these past 2 months. 2-run shot here gives the Mudcats a 2-0 lead in the 2nd inning.

The AA Shuckers are going for a 3rd straight win at Mississippi, with RHP Tobias Myers (5.47 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 10.9 K/9 in 102 IP) on the mound. 1B Wes Clarke is tied for the organizational lead with 19 HRs.

Low-A Carolina aims to take a 2-1 series lead in Kannapolis, with birthday boy (now 20) RHP Yujanyer Herrera making his 11th start (18th appearance). This is Tayden Hall’s first start in the outfield in 2023, after two OF starts in 2022.

High-A Wisconsin is tied 1-1 in their series at Cedar Rapids, with RHP Alexander Cornielle (5.18 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 8.9 K/9 in 66 IP) getting tonight’s start. CF Luis Lara, DH Brock Wilken and 3B Mike Boeve are now fixtures atop and at the heart of the lineup.

RHP James Meeker's low walk rate is incredible and I hope he gets a taste of AAA ball this year, with an eventual MLB call-up in 2024. RHP Nick Merkel has also done a terrific job limiting walks (78 Ks vs. 17 BBs), although the 5.24 ERA in High-A ball and age (25) give some pause. His OPS against in High-A is just .699 after registering .643 in Low-A, so he's worth monitoring. RHP Shane Smith is also an interesting arm - 23 - Low-A/High-A - 1.99 ERA. 0.95 WHIP. 71 Ks vs. 16 BBs in 49.2 IP. This is all coming after barely pitching in 2021 (college) and 2022 (MILB) due to injury and recovery. RHP Ryan Brady is also doing special things in his first full minor league season - 24 - High-A/AA - 2.88 ERA. 1.11 WHIP. 66 Ks vs. 17 BBs in 68.2 IP. LHP Luis Amaya dominated High-A ball, but is now trying to figure out AA - 24 - High-A/AA - 3.35 ERA. 1.10 WHIP. 54 Ks vs. 15 BBs in 53.2 IP. RHP Chase Costello is still sitting in Low-A for some reason. It's tough to assess him and whether his low K-rate will inhibit him until he's given some time at Wisconsin - 23 - Low-A - 2.53 ERA. 0.95 WHIP. 44 Ks vs. 15 BBs in 57 IP. LHP Justin King didn't stand out in Australia, but was exceptional early in the year for Wisconsin, then has recently struggled since return from injury - 25 - High-A - 3.25 ERA. 1.59 WHIP. 51 Ks vs. 21 BBs in 27.2 IP. Yes, he's striking out 16.6 per 9 innings! RHP Tanner Shears - last but certainly not least as he's raising eyebrows and expectations in his first season in affiliated baseball after half a year in independent ball - 24 - High-A/Low-A - 1.54 ERA. 1.34 WHIP. 65 Ks vs. 31 BBs in 41 IP.

SS Eric Brown Jr. sent on rehab assignment to ACL Brewers OF Eduarqui Fernandez sent on rehab assignment to ACL Brewers