Ro Mueller

3B Abraham Toro and LF Keston Hiura are 4-for-7 with 5 RBIs (and no Ks!) thus far today, as Nashville pours it on: 7-0 in the 6th inning. Janson Junk has thrown 79 pitches through 5 innings.

Pitching changes have shaken up two of the games: In the 5th inning, Peterson exited for LHP Jakob Brustoski, who gave up two singles and uncorked two wild pitches. It's Carolina 1, Down East 1 going into the 6th inning. Jacksonville replaced their starter after 4 shutout innings and Nashville has promptly responded with 4 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks. It's Nashville 4, Jacksonville 0 (being 1-hit by Janson Junk thus far), still in the 5th inning.

5'10" Nate Peterson is performing far better than one may have expected based on his 2 prior outings. Even when facing a bind with 1 out in the bottom of the 3rd inning (strikeout-reached-on-wild pitch; base hit), he forced two batters into opposite field fly outs to keep the Mudcats up 1-0. Unfortunately, his counterpart (19-year old 6'4" RHP Brock Porter - Rangers #5 prospect on mlb.com) has K'd 7 Mudcats in 13 at-bats through 4 innings. Peterson's staying in for the bottom of the 4th inning.

Friday action is underway, with Tayden Hall singling, Luke Adams walked on 4 pitches, then Matt Wood smacking an RBI single to left field for an early 1-0 Carolina lead. Wood also helped his pitcher by eliminating an attempted base stealer in the bottom half of the frame. Nate Peterson also K'd two Wood Ducks in the inning for a solid start. Go Mudcats!

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

The Low-A Mudcats are trying for a 5th consecutive win and 4th this week at Down East. 23-year old LHP Nate Peterson (12.00 ERA, 2.33 WHIP, 13.5 K/9 in 6 IP) is making his first MILB start since being drafted in the 8th round last year. 19-year old SS Daniel Guilarte has reached base in 15 straight games dating to last year.

The AAA Sounds snapped their skid yesterday, so a win today behind RHP Janson Junk (0.90 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 6.3 K/9 in 10 AAA IP) would level their series in Jacksonville 2-2. RF Skye Bolt returns to action after a recent injury.

AA Biloxi hands the ball to RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez (1.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 11.0 K/9 in 9 IP) for tonight's start in Rocket City, trailing the series 2-1. Switch-hitting LF Noah Campbell (.286 AVG, 1.095 OPS in 21 PAs) starts his 3rd consecutive game.

High-A Wisconsin has RHP Stiven Cruz (2.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 7.0 K/9 in 9 IP) on the mound tonight as they aim to even the series 2-2 in Quad Cities. C Alex Hall, who has 4 home runs and 7 RBIs in his last 3 games, gets his 3rd start of the year in left field tonight.

No, the claiming team picks up the full player's salary. This is how the Rockies (Dinelson Lamet) and Nationals (Jake McGee) saved the Brewers some coin with claims in August last year. And it's part of why Lindblom (about $3m/year) and Hiura ($2.2m this year) weren't claimed.

Alex Jackson’s three-run, ninth inning blast halted the Sounds’ five-game skid. Homers by Alex Hall (x2) and Noah Campbell weren’t enough for Wisconsin and Biloxi. Image courtesy of Biloxi Shuckers The four full season affiliates split their road games 2-2 on Thursday, maintaining their early season up-and-down form. Thursday’s Game Balls go to Jackson, Hall, Wood, Christian Mejias and Caleb Boushley, with honorable mentions to Yujanyer Herrera, Daniel Guilarte and Campbell. Nashville, Biloxi and Wisconsin each have .500 records thus far in the 2023 campaign, while Carolina moved into winning-record territory at 6-5. Transactions: INF Cam Devanney activated by AAA Nashville from 7-day injured list RHP J.B. Bukauskus placed on AAA Nashville's 7-day injured list OF Tyler Naquin placed on AAA Nashville's 7-day injured list INF Josh VanMeter placed on AAA Nashville's 7-day injured list RHP Pedro Rivas released by DSL Brewers-2 Game Action: Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Nashville 3, Jacksonville 1 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: Jackson's Ninth Inning Homer Helps Sounds End Losing Streak Fittingly, it took bounce-back games for two struggling Sounds to reverse a late 1-0 deficit and end the team’s five-game losing streak. RHP Caleb Boushley (5 1/3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 5 Ks) set aside two bad outings to give Nashville a chance, while C Alex Jackson (1-for-4, HR, 3 RBIs) didn’t let an 0-for-19 stretch at the plate stop him from blasting the one-out, 9th inning homer to win it. Nashville’s bullpen also returned to form in this game, with RHP Tyson Miller and LHP Bennett Sousa combining on 3 2/3 scoreless innings, with Sousa earning the win. Three Quick Strikes: Jackson also contributed defensively (and the team had no errors, after a rather terrible run of games), calling an excellent game (pitchers threw 84 strikes in 133 pitches) and gunning down both attempted basestealers (leadoff batter in bottom of the 5th inning; another runner for the second out of the 6th inning). INF Abraham Toro (2-for-4), has also turned around his early season slow start, now boasting an 8-game hitting streak and 13-game on-base streak. It wasn’t all roses, as INF Cam Devanney (first action, returning from injury), OF Keston Hiura (get used to seeing him in left field), INF Patrick Dorrian and OF Monte Harrison combined to go 0-for-16 with 10 strikeouts. Friday’s outlook: RHP Janson Junk (0.90 ERA in 10 IP in AAA) the scheduled starter in what should be his first action since April 12th in the majors, with Nashville requiring a win to even their series in Jacksonville 2-2. Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Rocket City 5, Biloxi 3 Box Score / Game Log Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Four-Run Inning Lifts Trash Pandas Past Shuckers, 5-3 Don’t blame RHP Christian Mejias (4 1/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 3 BB, 7 Ks, 1 WP, 1 balk) or DH/OF Noah Campbell (2-for-4, HR, 2 RBIs) for this loss, as both came to play and put Biloxi in a strong 3-1 position through four-plus innings. You’re not going to win many games with just four hits, accompanied by three errors in the field (two by left fielder Carlos D. Rodriguez). Hitters 1-3 and 7-9 were a combined 0-for-19 with 13 strikeouts. When you’re on the road in the minors, sometimes the main available video consists of lowlights: Three Quick Strikes: The switch-hitting Campbell was actually a last-minute replacement for OF Tristen Lutz, so let’s hope that Lutz is okay. Noah’s only garnered 21 plate appearances through the Shuckers’ first 12 games, but I suspect we’ll see the 23-year old and his 1.095 OPS in the lineup more regularly going forward. Tagged with the loss, this was LHP Nick Bennett’s (2 2/3 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 5 H, 1 BB, 1 K) second straight difficult outing, as he adjusts to a long relief role. Super-prospect OF Jackson Chourio (0-for-4, 2 Ks) saw his season average dip to .196 as he figures out AA-level pitching. Friday’s outlook: Exciting 21-year old RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez (1.00 ERA in 9 IP) leads the Shuckers, who need a victory to avoid a 3-1 deficit at Rocket City. Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Quad Cities 11, Wisconsin 4 Box Score / Game Log Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Slow Start Costs Wisconsin at Quad Cities RHP Cameron Wagoner’s (4 1/3 IP, 7 R, 4 H, 4 BB, 4 Ks) first inning went about as badly as you can imagine, hitting the first batter, walking the next on four pitches, giving up four singles and throwing a run-scoring wild pitch to put Wisconsin in an early 5-0 hole. C Alex Hall (2-for-4, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs) homered from both sides of the plate to give the Timber Rattlers a chance, but River Bandits’ right fielder River Town was essentially his equal in terms of impact, knocking in four runs of his own, stealing a base and saving two runs with a diving catch to end the top of the 5th inning when the score was 5-2. Three Quick Strikes: The 23-year old Hall now has four home runs over his last three games (and a 1.198 OPS through 23 PAs), as he proves that his awesome winter league season in Australia (1.066 OPS in 159 PAs) represents the Real Mr. Hall, rather than his difficult 2022 MILB campaign. Hitters 1-5 in the order went a combined 0-for-20 with 10 strikeouts. Most troubling is probably the case of 2022 first round pick INF Eric Brown Jr. (0-for-5), who saw his season average drop to .108. I can’t help but assume that he’s suffering serious teething issues with recent (necessary) swing adjustments. The good news for 23-year old RHP Max Lazar (3 IP, 4 R, 5 H, 0 BB, 5 Ks) is that he’s getting more punch-outs (9 Ks in 6 2/3 IP through three games), but the bad news is the rest of his line (6.75 early season ERA). Hopefully the craftsman (1.19 WHIP in 213 1/3 career innings) turns the corner soon to start putting up zeroes. Friday’s outlook: 21-year old RHP Stiven Cruz (2.00 ERA in 9 IP) looks for his second straight win, which Wisconsin needs to tie up this week’s series at Quad Cities. Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Carolina 8, Down East 3 Box Score / Game Log Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Streaking ‘Cats Win Fourth Straight 8-3 19-year old RHP Yujanyer Herrera (5 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 3 BB, 2 Ks; season ERA 2.84, though benefitting from a .241 BABIP) looked like an experienced veteran in grabbing his first victory of 2023. Center fielder Jace Avina (1-for-5, double, RBI) has had a rocky start to the season (.083 AVG), but his first-pitch RBI double gave Carolina a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning, which the Mudcats would not relinquish. C Matt Wood’s (2-for-3, HR, walk, 2 RBIs) first career minor league homer (in 41 career PAs) was a 2-run shot in the top of the 3rd inning to put Carolina comfortably in front 5-1. A 9th inning 2-run triple from 2B Daniel Guilarte (2-for-5, triple, 3 RBIs) restored the Mudcats’ breathing room after the Wood Ducks had cut the lead to 5-3. Kudos to @Mass Haas for finding 44 seconds of game highlights embedded at this link. Three Quick Strikes: What a difference a week makes! After averaging a minuscule 3.1 runs on 4.1 hits through their first 7 games of the season, the Mudcats offense has come to life with 6.3 runs and 8.3 hits per game over their 4-game winning streak. Credit Manager Victor Estevez and the players, as the team now owns a winning record (6-5) and can clinch their series in Down East with one more victory. Wood encapsulates the improvement, going 3-for-19 with zero RBIs in the early stretch and 5-for-9 with 5 RBIs during the winning streak. SS Gregory Barrios (2-for-5, double, RBI) and OF Eduarqui Fernandez (1-for-3, double, walk) have similarly turned things around after slow starts. Unlike many Low-A games, the teams combined for a solid defensive performance, including three outfield assists (with Avina nabbing a runner at third base), three double plays and a pick-off. Friday’s outlook: 2022 8th round draft pick LHP Nate Peterson (13.50 ERA in 6 IP) is scheduled for his first minor league start, as Carolina seeks to extend its 4-game winning streak. We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report! Good luck to all squads on Friday 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

The unsound (defensively thus far) AAA Sounds have dropped 5 straight games, the last 2 both one-run affairs. RHP Caleb Boushley (10.13 ERA, 2.44 WHIP, 6.8 K/9 in 10.2 IP) gets his 4th start of the season tonight in Jacksonville. A two-time Olympic silver medalist (speed skating, baseball), 33-year old Eddy Alvarez (.341 AVG) has an astounding 1.133 OPS through 57 PAs and starts in right field tonight.

The Low-A Carolina Mudcats have 3 consecutive victories, the last 2 to open their series in Down East. 19-year old Yujanyer Herrera (2.35 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 11.7 K/9 in 7.2 IP) makes his 3rd start of the young season tonight. RF Eduarqui Fernandez (.231 AVG / .429 OBP / .385 SLG in 35 PAs) is seeing the ball well lately, riding a 9-game on-base streak and 4-game hitting streak.

The AA Shuckers seek a win for a 2-1 series lead in Rocket City, with 23-year old RHP Christian Mejias aiming to emulate his last outing (5 IP, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 Ks). 1B Zavier Warren (.273 AVG / .375 OBP / .424 SLG in 40 PAs) has a 9-game on-base streak.

High-A Wisconsin is tied 1-1 in its series in Quad Cities, sending 21-year old RHP Cameron Wagoner (4.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 7.0 K/9 in 9 IP) to the hill tonight for his 3rd start of the season. 3B Ben Metzinger (.863 OPS in 41 PAs; team-leading 7 RBIs, 11 walks) has had a fabulous start to the year.

INF Cam Devanney activated by AAA Nashville from 7-day injured list RHP J.B. Bukauskus placed on AAA Nashville's 7-day injured list (what, did he get whiplash from being DFA'd and claimed?) OF Tyler Naquin placed on AAA Nashville's 7-day injured list INF Josh VanMeter placed on AAA Nashville's 7-day injured list

Our affiliates are a combined 24-24 as we enter the final game of the evening. Go Wisconsin!

OF Monte Harrison activated by AAA Nashville from Development List LHP Thomas Pannone activated by AAA Nashville from Development List (well, his player page reflects this change. Let's see if he actually plays as we've not heard much)

The Timber Rattlers, who need a victory tonight in Quad Cities to even up their series 1-1, send 22-year old RHP Joseph Hernandez (5.63 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 11.3 K/9 in 8 IP) out for his 3rd start. 21-year old 2B Robert Moore leads the team in a number of offensive categories (.583 SLG, 6 RBI, 2 HR, 5 R, .916 OPS).

Actually, Sal Frelick is out with a thumb issue, per @JeffHemPBP.

The AAA Sounds have unthinkably lost 4 straight contests, so also need a win today to tie their series in Jacksonville 1-1. 23-year old LHP Robert Gasser (1.93 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 9.6 K/9 in 9.1 IP) gets his 3rd start of 2023. CF Monte Harrison makes his season debut and the promotion-to-MLB suspense builds with both Sal Frelick and Blake Perkins absent from the lineup.

AA Biloxi also starts early today, needing a victory to end its 3-game skid and even up its series in Rocket City 1-1. RHP Tobias Myers (3.48 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 13.9 K/9 in 10.1 IP) makes his 3rd start of the young season. Can 3B Tyler Black (.280 AVG, 1.135 OPS in 33 PAs) homer for the 3rd consecutive game?

Nashville plays at 11am central time today, which is more than 2 days before the Brewers will likely announce a call-up for Friday’s home game. But let’s see whether Perkins or Frelick is conspicuously absent from the Nashville lineup today or Thursday evening (6:05pm central time start).

I think that the MLB taxi squad remains in effect (and will for many years), at least for MLB road games. This would explain the slightly over-loaded AAA roster (32 active at present, vs. 28 limit), as well as Janson Junk and Brian Navaretto not playing for several days. I suspect we’ll see a number of players move to the Development List by Friday, as the taxi squad returns, along with Payton Henry (recently outrighted) and JB Bukauskas (recently claimed) reporting.