Ro Mueller

He’s hitting for a much higher average than I’d expected given all the talk about power, power, power at draft time.

Payton Henry, Chris Roller and Monte Harrison had consecutive hits to knot Nashville’s game 2-2. In their second time through, Josh Donaldson fouled off a pitch and popped out to first. Keston Hiura swung at the first pitch and grounded out.

Dylan O’Rae has 2 hits through 3 innings, the second of which drives in Tayden Hall for the first run of the game. Carolina 1, Down East 0, now in the 4th inning.

Josh Donaldson watched all 6 pitches in his first plate appearance. Then Keston Hiura watched all 5 in his own PA. Both walked, but the Sounds didn’t score. Trailing 2-0 already headed to 2nd inning.

Donaldson makes his first start for Nashville today, so I guess we can now predict how long before we’ll see him with the Brewers. Would we let him play against the Yankees (Sep 8-10)? We’re probably targeting Monday, Sep 11 at home against the Marlins.

Always tough to predict, but I’d think Hendry Mendez, Eric Brown Jr. and Adam Seminaris are decent bets. Quinton Low if healthy…

3B Josh Donaldson joins the AAA Nashville lineup, as they look for a win to salvage a 2-4 series loss at Durham. RHP Janson Junk (4.29 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 5.9 K/9 in 115.1 IP) pitches his 23rd game.

High-A Wisconsin can also complete a 6-game road sweep of Beloit with a win today, as RHP Edwin Jimenez (4.15 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 8.6 K/9 in 108.1 IP) makes his 6th straight Sunday start. 3B Brock Wilken has hit safely in 14 of his last 15 games.

AA Biloxi seeks to complete a 6-game road sweep of Tennessee, with RHP Tobias Myers ready to replicate his Tuesday output (6 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 7 Ks). CF Jackson Chourio’s hitting streak is 13 games, while INF/OF Isaac Collins apparently remains unavailable.

Low-A Carolina can clinch a 4-2 home series win over Down East with a victory today. RHP Will Childers (6.17 ERA in 54 IP) gets the start. 19-year old CF Dylan O’Rae and his 32-game on-base streak are back in the lineup.

True. Black, Campbell, Chourio, Clarke, Collins and Quero should all be positioned for AAA next year, while on the pitching side Carlos Rodriguez and James Meeker may be the only locks for promotion to Nashville.

Eric Brown Jr.’s 3-run blast keyed Wisconsin’s come-from-behind win. Jesus Chirinos’ grand slam supported a dominant Logan Henderson for Carolina. Lamar Sparks had two homers in Biloxi’s win, while Nashville lost badly. Image courtesy of Biloxi Shuckers & Joshua Sumrall - Lamar Sparks Pictured Transactions: RHP Colin Rea recalled by MLB Brewers from AAA Nashville RHP J.B. Bukauskas optioned to AAA Nashville from MLB Brewers 3B Josh Donaldson activated by AAA Nashville LHP Aaron Ashby sent on rehab to High-A Wisconsin Game Action: Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Durham 10, Nashville 2 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: Sounds Bulldozed by Bulls It was an all-or-nothing start for LHP Eric Lauer (4 2/3 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 3 BB, 8 Ks), who struck out eight Bulls but also conceded three home runs in his 101-pitch effort, exiting with Nashville trailing 3-2. However, things only got worse from there, as LHP Alex Claudio and RHP Luis Contreras combined to allow seven earned runs in 3 1/3 innings of work. The loss marks the sixth defeat in the Sounds’ last seven games, quickly dissipating their playoff hopes. The team now sits tied for 9th place in the second half division standings, 4 ½ games behind the leaders with 19 games remaining on the season. Rehabbing 1B Jesse Winker grounded into a double play to end the top of the 1st inning, then immediately exited the game. Is he injured again, getting a surprise call-back to MLB or is this the last that we’ll see of him in the Brewers’ organization? Winker’s 20-day rehab stint is scheduled to end on Sunday. Sunday’s outlook: Recently-signed 3B Josh Donaldson is expected to make his organizational debut, while RHP Janson Junk is the scheduled starter. Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Biloxi 7, Tennessee 5 Box Score / Game Log Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Shuckers Hold On, Sparks Smashes Two Homers in Wild, 7-5, Win Right fielder Lamar Sparks (2-for-4, 2 HRs, walk, 4 RBIs) pushed the Shuckers out to a fast start with two homers and four RBIs in the first two innings, then Biloxi held on in a nervy 9th inning. 3B Zavier Warren (2-for-4, HR, double, 2 RBIs) also had a nice game and center fielder Jackson Chourio stole his 36th and 37th bases of the year. RHP Christian Mejias (5 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks, 1 balk) put in a respectable start, while RHP Bo Bowman (first appearance since a July 8 injury) and Nick Bennett were solid in relief. After some struggles from LHP Luis Amaya and RHP Zach Vennaro, Tennessee had the potential game-tying runs on second and third base before Vennaro struck out the final hitter to earn his fourth Save of 2023. However, despite their sixth straight victory, the Shuckers actually fell a half game back in the playoff race as Montgomery swept a doubleheader. The two teams will face off in a 6-game regular season-ending series in Biloxi from September 12-17. Sunday’s outlook: RHP Tobias Myers gets the chance to lead Biloxi to a potential 6-game sweep of formidable Tennessee. Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Wisconsin 7, Beloit 1 Box Score / Game Log Via the Rattlers’ website, game details: Brown’s Seventh-Inning Blast Sends Wisconsin to Seventh Straight Win The final score is not indicative of how tense and competitive this game was, as the Timber Rattlers trailed 1-0 with two outs in the top of the 7th inning before right fielder Eduarqui Fernandez drew a walk and SS Eric Brown Jr. (4-for-5, HR, 3 RBIs, SB) smacked a 3-run homer on an 0-2 pitch to completely turn the tide. LHP Aaron Ashby had a mixed first rehab appearance, walking two and striking out two in just one inning of work. RHP Tyler Woessner then did the heavy lifting to give Wisconsin a chance: 5 IP, 1 R, 6 H, 3 BB, 7 Ks. RHP Nick Merkel was excellent over the final innings to grab his first Save in High-A ball: 3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks. Elsewhere, Peoria finally dropped a game, so the Timber Rattlers have clawed to within 3 games of a playoff spot. Unfortunately, there are only 7 games remaining on the season and the Chiefs hold the tiebreaker. Sunday’s outlook: RHP Edwin Jimenez aims to keep the streak and playoff dreams alive, as Wisconsin goes for a series sweep of Beloit and their 8th straight victory. Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Carolina 13, Down East 1 Box Score / Game Log Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Henderson Totals 10 Ks in 13-1 Defeat of Down East After a number of down-to-the-wire games, Carolina finally blew the doors off and cruised to a win, with 1B Jesus Chirinos (1-for-2, HR, 3 walks, 4 RBIs) providing the big breathing room via a 3rd inning grand slam. RHP Logan Henderson (6 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 10 Ks) returned to his customary domination, while the offense seemed to threaten every inning with 13 hits, 7 walks and an HBP. Even RHP Jeferson Figueroa made his mark with three hitless innings of relief and his first Save of 2023. The results look even better with Lynchburg losing its game, thus putting the Mudcats 3 games ahead of Lynchburg and 3 ½ games ahead of Fredericksburg in the race for a playoff spot, with 7 regular season games left in 2023. Don't miss the post-game interview with Manager Victor Estevez, which can also be found in the game story link above. Sunday’s outlook: RHP Will Childers gets the start as Carolina needs a victory to clinch a 4-2 series win over Down East and keep the two playoff chasers at bay. We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. Good luck to the four clubs in their series finales on Sunday! 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

Well that was nerve-racking in Tennessee. Luis Amaya and Zach Vennaro struggled to close out the win for Biloxi, conceding 2 runs on 2 hits and 2 walks. The potential game-tying runs were on 2nd and 3rd base, but Vennaro gets the final K to preserve a 7-5 victory. Whew!

And SS Eric Brown Jr. does more than just knock Wood home. He hits a clutch 3-run homer with 2 outs in the top of the 7th inning. That’s Brown’s 3rd hit of the game. Wisconsin takes the lead 3-1! Win it!!!

3B Zavier Warren smacks a solo homer for a Biloxi insurance run (now up 6-2) and the Smokies manager gets ejected for the 2nd straight game. Keep it up Shuckers!

They're 2/3rds of the way through Wisconsin's game in Beloit, with the good guys trailing 1-0. C Matt Wood leads off the 7th inning with a single.

RHP Kaleb "Bo" Bowman makes his first appearance for AA Biloxi since a July 8 injury, retiring 2 of 4 batters with Biloxi leading 5-2 in the bottom of the 6th inning. LHP Nick Bennett is coming in to hopefully get the third out in this frame.

The wheels fell off rather abruptly in Durham - 4 runs off Alex Claudio, 3 runs off Luis Contreras. Sounds trail 10-2...

It was feast or famine for LHP Eric Lauer, who strikes out 8 Bulls in 4.2 innings pitched, but also conceded 3 home runs. Sounds trail 3-2 in the 6th inning. They're missing key opportunities: 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position Tyler Black grounded out with the bases loaded to end the 3rd inning Monte Harrison was thrown out trying to steal 3rd base to end the 5th inning

For Nashville, 1B Jesse Winker grounded into a double play to end the top of the 1st inning, then immediately exited the game. With his 20-day rehab assignment ending tomorrow, that was likely either: His last plate appearance in the organization; His last plate appearance in the minors before a surprise reinstatement to the MLB roster on Sunday or Monday; OR A new injury which could extend his time on the MLB injured list

In Aaron Ashby's first rehab outing, he throws just one inning: 18 pitches (9 strikes). After a ground out and two walks, he remembered he's facing High-A hitters and struck the next two batters out. RHP Tyler Woessner (4.14 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 8.0 K/9 in 111 IP) has come in the 2nd inning for long relief. Scoreless game between Wisconsin and Beloit thus far.

Heckuva start for RF Lamar Sparks: 2 homers and 4 RBIs in the first 2 innings. Shuckers lead 5-0 in the 3rd inning.

AAA Nashville have lost 5 of 6 games and look to LHP Eric Lauer (3.60 ERA with 32 Ks in last 20 IP) to turn things around. SS Cam Devanney has an 11-game hitting streak.

The High-A Timber Rattlers have won 6 consecutive games and have rehabbing LHP Aaron Ashby starting tonight. INF Mike Boeve is absent from the lineup for a 3rd straight day.