Ro Mueller

Carolina recorded its first series win of 2023, 5-1 over Down East. Biloxi took its second straight series, 4-2 over Rocket City. Defeats resulted in series losses for Nashville and Wisconsin at Jacksonville and Quad Cities. Sunday’s Game Balls go to Luke Adams, Tyler Black, Adrian Houser, Alexander Cornielle and Alexander Vallecillo, with an honorable mention to Patricio Aquino. Transactions: RHP Alexander Cornielle activated from High-A Wisconsin’s 7-day injured list OF Hendry Mendez placed on High-A Wisconsin's 7-day injured list C Jhonnys Cabrera activated by Low-A Carolina from Development List LHP Jakob Brustoski transferred to Development List from Low-A Carolina RHP JC Mejia transferred to Development List from AAA Nashville Game Action: Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Jacksonville 3, 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: Miscues Cost Sounds in Series Finale at Jacksonville The Sounds defense has been a noticeable weak spot through the season’s first 3.5 weeks and reared its head again on Sunday, as two errors led to two unearned runs, costing Nashville the series 3-2 in Jacksonville. Things unravelled in the bottom of the 7th inning, as 1B Jon Singleton couldn’t make the play on grounder (ruled a hit), then right fielder Skye Bolt dropped a fly ball to put two men on with nobody out. Unnerved, normally reliable RHP Tyson Miller (1 IP, 2 R (0 ER), 1 H, 2 BB, 1 K) then walked two batters as Jacksonville took a 2-1 lead. The Monte Harrison-Brewers reunion tour is off to a bad start. Along with doing nothing at the plate (0-for-4, 3 Ks; .133 AVG), the center fielder had a costly late inning error for the second time in just four games played. This time, a one-out single in the 8th inning advanced to second base on his throwing gaffe, later scoring on a sacrifice fly to give the Jumbo Shrimp their 3-2 final advantage. RHP Cam Robinson (2/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 0 Ks; 7.71 ERA) took the loss. Three Quick Strikes: Rehabbing RHP Adrian Houser (4 2/3 IP, 0 R, 6 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks) was solid if not spectacular in throwing 69 pitches (46 strikes) over nearly five scoreless innings, yielding six singles and zero walks. I’d imagine the Brewers would like to give him one more AAA rehab outing, but Houser’s activation to the 26-man MLB roster may come sooner if there’s a pitching shakeup. 2B Cam Devanney (1-for-3, HR, walk, RBI), left fielder Keston Hiura (3-for-4) and C Payton Henry (2-for-3, walk) were bright spots for the offense, with Devanney smacking his first homer of 2023. Henry led off the 9th inning with a single, but the team was unable to bring the tying run home. On the down side, Hiura was also caught stealing and struck out with two-on, nobody out in the top of the 8th inning. Another positive sign was the season debut of 28-year old LHP Thomas Pannone (1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks; 12 strikes in 15 pitches), who covered the middle innings in this game. He’ll likely serve as a lefty long man, giving the organization some depth in light of Aaron Ashby’s absence and Ethan Small’s move to the 'pen. Next week’s outlook: Nashville (10-10) returns home to face Royals’ affiliate Omaha (8-11). 23-year old LHP Robert Gasser (2.77 ERA in 13 IP) is scheduled to start the opener on Tuesday. Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Biloxi 7, Rocket City 3 Box Score / Game Log Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Chourio, Black Lead Shuckers to Series Win against Trash Pandas Rocket City got off to a fast start in the series finale, but starting LHP Adam Seminaris (5 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 6 Ks) eventually settled down before 3B Tyler Black (1-for-3, HR, walk, HBP, 3 RBIs) turned the contest on its head with one big swing. In the top of the 9th inning, center fielder Jackson Chourio (2-for-5, double, 3 RBIs) broke open the tense 4-3 affair with a bases clearing double, pulling a 99mph pitch from the Trash Pandas wild reliever. Clutch Chourio now has 14 RBIs in just 15 games on the season, though his .250 AV, .732 OPS and 27.9% K-rate reveal some work to do. Three Quick Strikes: It took Seminaris 2.5 games to find some semblance of his quality form, but hopefully it’s fully clicked now for the 24-year old. Down 3-1 in the bottom of the 2nd inning, he proceeded to retire eight straight batters before working around a full count walk and infield single in the bottom of the 5th inning. RHP Ryan Middendorf (2 IP, 3 Ks) and LHP Darrell Thompson (2 IP, 4 Ks) were also lock down in this game, eliminating all twelve batters they faced. These hurlers have proven to be some amazing signings from independent ball. The battle for Biloxi’s second base job is not exactly heating up: Felix Valerio (.143 AVG, .476 OPS), Isaac Collins (.160 AVG, .582 OPS), Ethan Murray (.177 AVG, .516 OPS). Valerio was hit by pitch and later scored as part of the 9th inning in this game, somehow leading to the ejection of Rocket City’s pitching coach. Next week’s outlook: Biloxi (9-6) hosts the Mississippi Braves (5-10), with RHP 24-year old Tobias Myers (2.81 ERA in 16 IP with 24 Ks) expected to start the first game of the series. Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Quad Cities 9, Wisconsin 2 Box Score / Game Log Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Bandits Bash Their Way Past Wisconsin Wisconsin dropped back to a losing season record with Sunday’s pummelling, but don’t blame starting 21-year old RHP Alexander Cornielle (4 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 6 Ks) who exited with the score tied 1-1. Three Quick Strikes: Two prior solid outings for 24-year old LHP Russell Smith (1 2/3 IP, 4 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 2 Ks; 4.32 ERA) fell by the wayside on Sunday, as 8 of 13 River Bandit hitters reached base and he took the loss. C/OF Alex Hall (2-for-4, double; 1.149 OPS) played left field in this game, continuing to hit and even gunning down a runner at home to keep it a 1-0 game in the 3rd inning. SS Eric Brown Jr. (0-for-3, walk, SB; .102 AVG, .287 OPS) can’t buy a hit at the moment (I’ll blame swing adjustments for the entire season if I have to), but one cannot fault his effort in other facets. He walked, stole second, advanced to third base on an error and scored on a wild pitch in a very active 4th inning before the game went awry. Next week’s outlook: The Timber Rattlers (7-8) head home to face Marlins’ affiliate Beloit (10-5), seeking revenge after losing the season opening series on the road. RHP Joseph Hernandez (3.21 ERA in 14 IP) is scheduled to make his fourth start in the opener. Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes Game One Final: Carolina 3, Down East 2 (in eight innings) Box Score / Game Log Game Two Final: Carolina 4, Down East 3 (in seven innings) Box Score / Game Log Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Adams and Avina Homer as Mudcats Sweep Twin-Bill After squandering a late lead in their last game, the Mudcats squeaked out two victories to impressively take the road series at Down East 5-1. The teams combined for just seven hits over eight innings in the opening game, with Carolina registering none from the second through the sixth innings. However, 3B/1B Luke Adams (2-for-6, 2 HR, walk, 3 RBIs on the day; .207 AVG, 1.038 OPS) did the early damage with a 2-run, 1st inning blast. 19-year old RHP Patricio Aquino (3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 Ks) didn’t get the strikeouts, but only needed 26 pitches to get through three innings in the opening game. C Blayberg Diaz came through late with an RBI single to score the ghost runner in the top of the 8th inning. In the night cap, 20-year old RHP Alexander Vallecillo (4 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 7 Ks) dominated and the team led comfortably 4-1 before hanging on for dear life in the 6th and 7th innings. Three Quick Strikes: Hitting 10-for-52 would not get it done on most days, but Down East wasn’t any better in going 9-for-52. Up and down the lineup, many of the batting averages are unfortunately weak: Barrios .175, Perez .108, Fernandez .216, Avina .121, Parra .160, Areinamo .171, Nicasia .067, Diaz .182. OF Jace Avina (1-for-5, HR, walk, 2 RBIs, but with 4 Ks on the day) did manage to hit his first home run of 2023, however. RHPs Miguel Guerrero (1 IP, 2 Ks) and Jeison Pena (2 IP, 5 Ks) took care of the K department, striking out seven Wood Ducks over three hitless, scoreless innings to close it out, although Pena hit two batters to load the bases alongside the ghost runner. In a similarly stressful close to the second game, RHP Tyler Wehrle (2 IP, 2 ER, 2 Ks) stranded the tying run at second base in the penultimate inning, then RHP Tanner Shears (1 IP, 2 Ks) allowed a double and a walk before striking out the final batter to end the doubleheader sweep. RHP Aidan Maldonado (2 IP, 2 R (0 ER), 2 H, 2 BB, 1 K) had an uncharacteristically challenging day in the opening game, balking in a run and giving up an infield RBI single to tie it, though was helped out when a second runner tried and failed to score on that infield single. Next week’s outlook: The Mudcats (8-6) return home to take on White Sox affiliate Kannapolis (10-4). Tuesday’s starter is unclear, though RHPs Edwin Jimenez or Jacob Misiorowski look like the safest bets. We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report! Enjoy the travel day before action heats up again on Tuesday. 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

Nashville evened their series 2-2 in Jacksonville, while Wisconsin dropped to 1-3 on the week and Carolina’s 4-game winning streak was halted on a walk-off blast. Biloxi will play two on Saturday after a rainout. Friday’s Game Balls go to Junk, Peterson, Hall, Quinton Low and Abraham Toro. Transactions: OF Sal Frelick placed on AAA Nashville's 7-day injured list OF Skye Bolt activated by AAA Nashville from 7-day injured list OF Tristen Lutz placed on AA Biloxi's 7-day injured list Game Action: Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Nashville 7, Jacksonville 0 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: Big Innings Back Junk In Sounds Shutout Win RHP Janson Junk (5 2/3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 4 BB, 5 Ks) shook off any rust from not playing since April 12th, matching Jacksonville starter Ronald Bolanos pitch for pitch through the first four scoreless innings. When Bolanos exited after just 63 pitches, the Sounds took advantage with seven consecutive batters reaching base (four singles, three walks) against the Jumbo Shrimp bullpen in the top of the 5th inning. Three Quick Strikes: Cruise control games are nice every once in a while. As little as Jacksonville did against Junk, they were hopelessly bad against Nashville bullpen, as RHPs Pedro Fernandez, Jake Cousins and Luis Contreras combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings, with eight strikeouts. 33-year old 2B Eddy Alvarez (2-for-4, double, walk, RBI) wants that International League MVP award, lifting his average to .353 and OPS to 1.132 in yet another sterling game. He did, however, get caught stealing and record his third error of the season. After struggling defensively at first base and second base early in the season, INF/OF Keston Hiura (2-for-5, double, 2 RBIs; .246 AVG, .931 OPS) may very well be settling into the left field job, as he recorded his sixth start there in 2023. The injuries to Garrett Mitchell (shoulder – potentially season-ending) and Sal Frelick (thumb – expected to be short-term) have removed competition for outfield spots. Saturday’s outlook: RHP Robert Stock (10.45 ERA, in 10 1/3 IP) is scheduled to make his 3rd start of 2023 in his 5th appearance, as Nashville seeks its third straight win over Jacksonville. Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes Rained Out – To be made up in Saturday doubleheader Via the Shuckers’ website, rainout details: Shuckers, Trash Pandas Postponed on Friday Night Saturday’s outlook: Exciting 21-year old RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez (1.00 ERA in 9 IP) and red-hot RHP Justin Jarvis (2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 10.6 K/9 in 11 IP) are your expected starters in two, 7-inning affairs. Winning the twin-bill would reverse Biloxi’s current 2-1 series deficit in Rocket City. Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Quad Cities 6, Wisconsin 4 Box Score / Game Log Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Late Defensive Lapse is Costly for Wisconsin Wisconsin battled back twice in this game, but did just enough to lose it in the end. RHP Stiven Cruz (4 IP, 4 R, 3 H, 4 BB, 5 Ks, 1 WP) wasn’t his usual sharp self, giving up homers in the 1st and 3rd innings and exiting with his team down 4-2. Yet another C/OF Alex Hall blast (a 2-run shot) tied the game 4-4 in the 6th inning, but the Timber Rattlers only recorded one hit thereafter, with Quad Cities “out-clutching” them in this tight battle. An error to allow C Darrien Miller to reach base opened the door in the 9th inning, with DH/1B Jesus Chirinos singling to get him to third base with one out. Unfortunately, neither Micah Bello nor Robert Moore could get the base knock to drive in the two necessary runs. Three Quick Strikes: RHP Ryan Brady (3 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 2 H, 0 BB, 5 Ks) retired the first seven batters he faced (four via strikeout) before a single and his own error undid his fine effort. He was immediately punished for his errant throw past second base on a potential inning-ending double play in the 7th inning, as the next pitch was lined into left field for a 2-run double. Give credit to Quad Cities for working counts to eventually get to Cruz, forcing him to throw 33 pitches against seven hitters in their 3-run 3rd inning. Although Hall (2-for-4, HR, 2 RBIs) is unstoppable in High-A ball at the moment, hitting his fifth homer in his last four games, the Brewers have to consider the ripple effect of a promotion to AA Biloxi – e.g. would Wes Clarke play more first base and one of Tyler Black, Isaac Collins or Noah Campbell get promoted to AAA? Saturday’s outlook: 23-year old RHP Tyler Woessner (1.80 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 11.7 K/9 in 10 IP) will aim for another strong starting effort and his third win of 2023, as the Timber Rattlers try to claw back to 3-2 in Quad Cities. Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Down East 4, Carolina 3 Box Score / Game Log Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Wood Ducks Walk-Off Mudcats 4-3 Carolina appeared to have its fifth consecutive win in the bag, before a stunning turnaround when Down East was down to its last out. Starting LHP Nate Peterson (4 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 7 Ks, 1 WP) set aside two rough outings to put in a fabulous first start in the Brewers’ organization, exiting with the Mudcats leading 1-0 on a C Matt Wood (2-for-4, RBI) RBI single. Tied 1-1 going into the 9th inning, Carolina confidently followed their recent script, with 2B Jadher Areinamo, INF/OF Jheremy Vargas and SS Daniel Guilarte (1-for-3, 2 walks, RBI, 2 SB) connecting for back-to-back-to-back hits and a 3-1 advantage. This allowed Manager Victor Estevez to get to normally-reliable RHP Shane Smith (2/3 IP, 3 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 Ks), but a double, walk and 3-run walk-off blast to Yosy Galan stunned the Mudcats. Three Quick Strikes: RHP Quinton Low (3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 6 Ks) was exceptional in keeping the game tied over three innings, mowing down Wood Ducks with ease to lower his season ERA to 1.23. If the hitting thing doesn’t work out for this two-way player, an MLB career as a pitcher wouldn’t be such a bad thing. Many Carolina players will believe they should have done more to win this one, outhitting Down East 10-7, leaving nine men on base (vs. five for Down East) and having three baserunners nabbed (two caught stealing, one picked off). The 22-year old Wood appears to have figured out Low-A pitching (.313 AVG, .919 OPS) and he also went 1-for-2 in throwing out basestealers. Keeping up this pace should ultimately force a promotion to High-A ball and maybe force the Brewers hand on the aforementioned Alex Hall as well. Saturday’s outlook: RHP Alexander Vallecillo (1.80 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 10.8 K/9 in 5 IP) will try to put Carolina back on the winning track, as they’re one victory away from clinching their first series win of 2023. We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report! Good luck to all squads on Saturday, including Biloxi’s doubleheader. Carolina and Biloxi commence at about 4:00pm central time, while Wisconsin has a late 6:30pm start. 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