Ro Mueller

RHP Ryan Birchard tossed 7 impeccable scoreless, hitless innings last week (1 BB, 8 Ks) and now makes his final start of the 2025 campaign, aiming to lead High-A Wisconsin to a 2-0 series lead at South Bend. SS Jesus Made is 12-for-24 over his last 6 games and RF Kay-Lan Nicasia has homered in 2 straight contests.

Nice referral from Adam McCalvy. Now let’s win.

The AA Shuckers look to grab a 2-0 home series lead over Pensacola, with RHP Brett Wichrowski making his 21st start (3.53 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 6.6 K/9 in 89.1 IP). RF Garrett Spain has 7 homers over his last 18 games.

2B Luis Urias and CF Brandon Lockridge make their first 2025 appearance for AAA Nashville, who seek a 6th straight win and 2-0 series lead at Norfolk. LHP Robert Gasser threw 5 innings and 78 pitches 5 days ago, but is said to be transitioning to long relief.

It’s a quick turnaround for Low-A Carolina after last night’s victory at Fredericksburg, with RHP Bryce Meccage (4.41 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 8.6 K/9 in 69.1 IP) returning for his first game action in 33 days. 1B Eric Bitonti reached base in all 5 plate appearances yesterday (2B, 1B, 3 BB). The Mudcats are 1 game out of first place with 6 games remaining.

The High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are in South Bend to play the Cubs’ affiliate for their final series of 2025. RHP Tanner Gillis has had an exceptional campaign (2.44 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 6.8 K/9 in 84.2 High-A/Low-A IP). 1B Luke Adams is making his 4th rehab start and DH Marco Dinges is back in the lineup after being a late scratch on Sunday.

2 hours south of Fredericksburg, AAA Nashville are in Norfolk to battle the Orioles’ affiliate. LHP Tucker Davidson makes his 3rd start after spending most of 2025 in Korea (where his replacement Vince Velasquez has an 8.05 ERA). 3B Raynel Delgado had a 1.021 OPS in August, while C Jeferson Quero posted a .999.

The Carolina Mudcats’ final series as the Low-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers (as they’re moving to Wilson, NC next year) has them battling the Nationals’ affiliate in Fredericksburg, VA with a playoff spot up for grabs this week. Stalwart Nicaraguan RHP Melvin Hernandez (2.09 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 7.1 K/9 in 116 IP) gets the start in Game 1. SS Brady Ebel is hitting .323 over his last 8 games (10-for-31).

RHP Jake Polancic released by High-A Wisconsin

Jesus MadeLogan HendersonLuis PenaJeferson QueroRobert GasserCooper PrattLuis LaraLuke AdamsMarco DingesBrock WilkenBlake BurkeBraylon PayneCraig YohoColeman CrowAndrew FischerJosh AdamczewskiManuel RodriguezJosh KnothBishop LetsonEthan Dorchies

Elsewhere, Fayetteville lost 8-5 at Salem to drop back into a second place tie with the Carolina Mudcats, 2 games behind first place Fredericksburg. It’s a long shot, but a 5-2 week at Fredericksburg (including Thursday’s doubleheader) would likely give Carolina a playoff berth.

After an infield single brought the potential game-trying batter to the plate for Pensacola, RHP Abdiel Mendoza made a heckuva play to finish off the 6-3 win:

AA Biloxi has a rare Monday game, as they aim to shake off a 6-game losing streak. RHP Tyson Hardin gets the home start against Marlins’ affiliate Pensacola, his 3rd outing since a 6-week injury absence (2 IP, 0 R, 2 Ks in 31 pitches on Wednesday). SS Cooper Pratt had an .842 OPS in 112 August PAs.

Maybe pressing too much?: 2-for-last-39, 1 BB, 7 Ks. All the more reason to have him commence 2026 in Appleton.

Image courtesy of Biloxi Shuckers For the week, Nashville (4-2) was the sole series winner, while Biloxi was swept (0-6). The Carolina Mudcats (1-5 week) played their last Zebulon home game as a Milwaukee Brewers’ affiliate, given the move to nearby Wilson next year. Thus also concludes the 2025 home slate for Wisconsin (1-5 week). Transactions: Signed 2B/3B Luis Urias to a minor league contract Game Action: Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Nashville 7, Charlotte 0 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 End August with 7-0 Shutout Over Charlotte Winter free agent-to-be RHP Garrett Stallings (6 IP, 0 R, 2 H – singles, 0 BB, 7 Ks) ended his otherwise difficult August on a dominant note, retiring 18 of 20 batters faced over 6 scoreless innings to lead Nashville to its series-clinching win. In fact, he retired 12 consecutive Knights before exiting at 78 pitches. By contrast, the Sounds’ offense only needed 1 pitch to get on the board, with OF Daz Cameron re-taking the team lead in homers: 2-out RBI hits off the bats of OF Jared Oliva (2-for-4, 2 RBIs, 2 SBs to reach 47 this year) and DH Ernesto Martinez Jr. (2-for-4, double, RBI) essentially put the game away in the 1st inning, which was of course unbeknownst to the 7,996 home fans at the time. To pitch a 9-inning shutout typically requires some solid defense, which Oliva, OF Tyler Black and 3B Raynel Delgado (2-for-4, RBI) were happy to provide: Sounds’ Extras: MLB Readiness Watch: 1B Rhys Hoskins drew walks in the 1st and 2nd innings before lining out and flying out in the 5th and 7th frames. Kudos to the bullpen work of LHP Brian Fitzpatrick and RHPs Jesus Liranzo and Blake Holub, each registering one strikeout in one inning of scoreless relief. Charlotte’s starting pitcher Chase Plymell exited after just 6 batters and an injury delay, so we hope he’s healthy or recovers quickly. Next week’s outlook: Nashville hits the road to battler Orioles’ affiliate Norfolk this week, with the series commencing on Tuesday. Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Montgomery 12, Biloxi 5 Box Score and Game Log Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Pratt Finishes August with 3-Hit Performance, Shuckers Drop Finale to Biscuits Starting RHP KC Hunt (4 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 1 BB, 2 WP, 3 Ks) was throwing on 4 days’ rest, then did well to recover from a 2-run, 4-hit first inning to grind through three more frames and exit with the game tied 2-2. You’d think that 10 hits, a 5-for-16 effort with runners in scoring position and 4-for-4 day in stolen base attempts would produce more than 5 runs, but Biloxi stranded a runner in scoring position in 6 of the 9 innings. However, SS Cooper Pratt’s 3-for-5, 3 RBI, 2 SB day lifted his season average to .250 (.717 OPS), which is quite respectable in the offense-challenged Southern League LHP Raul Alcantara didn’t allow any hits, but still conceded 5 earned runs against 6 batters faced in the 5th inning, as he simply could not locate the zone (3 BB, 2 HBP). Thrust into action, LHP Jesus Broca unfortunately (understandably?) didn’t fare much better initially (double, single, 2 BB), as the first four Biscuits reached base in that 8-run frame. Shuckers’ Extras: Broca did recover to retire 5 of the last 7 batters he faced, yielding to RHP Austin Roberts, who allowed 3 consecutive hits to push the deficit to 12-2 before settling in himself to retire the last 6 Montgomery batters in order. Eight of the nine Shuckers’ batters reached base via hit or walk in the game, including OF Bladimir Restituyo’s 2-for-4, 1 SB outing and OF Garrett Spain’s 1-for-3 day with a double and walk. Next week’s outlook: Biloxi returns home to face Marlins’ affiliate Pensacola for six games, including a rare Monday start to the series with RHP Tyson Hardin (2.68 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 9.2 K/9 in 87 1/3 Low-A/AA IP) scheduled to go. Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Quad Cities 4, Wisconsin 2 Box Score and Game Log Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Rattlers Fall in Home Finale As they’ve done so admirably throughout the season, Wisconsin’s media team has put together video highlights of Sunday’s tight contest: And don’t miss the last Mehring/Lobner post-game podcast of 2025, a 28-minute recap featuring RHP Manuel Rodriguez and Manager Victor Estevez 20-year old starting RHP Manuel Rodriguez continued his terrific campaign (6 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 0 BB, 6 Ks; season ERA 3.03) and Wisconsin dominated in terms of opportunities (1-for-11 with RISP vs. 0-for-4 for the River Bandits), but the Timber Rattlers unfortunately weren’t able to conclude their 2025 home campaign with a victory for the 6,079 fans in attendance. Chasing a playoff berth (now 1.5 games behind Beloit), the River Bandits managed to push across 3 runs on just 1 hit in the 7th inning, benefitting from 2 walks and an everybody’s safe fielder’s choice against RHP Aaron Rund. Three consecutive walks to open the 8th inning lifted Wisconsin’s win probability to 51% despite trailing 4-2, but a quick pitching change resulted in a home force out and consecutive strike outs. Rehabbing 1B Luke Adams perhaps had dreams of a walk-off blast with 2-on, 2-out in the bottom of the 9th inning, but fell behind 0-and-2 before lining out to right field. Each of OF Kay-Lan Nicasia (3-for-4, HR), 2B Jesus Made (1-for-2, 3 walks, SB), DH Josh Adamczewski (1-for-3, walk) and OF Daniel Guilarte (1-for-3, HBP) had decent offensive days, but the team stranded 10 baserunners. Timber Rattlers’ Extras: 20-year old LHP Anthony Flores tossed 2 scoreless innings of relief (3 Ks), extending his terrific run of form: just 1 ER with 24 Ks in last 20 IP. We’ve got to tip our caps to the Quad Cities’ defense for turning two timely double plays to mitigate Wisconsin threats in the 5th and 7th innings, while also getting a caught stealing in that 5th inning and the key home force out with the bases loaded in the 8th inning. Next week’s outlook: Wisconsin goes on the road for their final series of 2025, taking on Cubs’ affiliate South Bend from Tuesday, with RHP Tanner Gillis (2.44 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 6.8 K/9 in 84 2/3 High-A/Low-A IP) scheduled to start the opening game. Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Delmarva 1, Carolina 0 Box Score and Game Log Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Mudcats Drop Home Finale The Carolina Mudcats’ Five County Stadium finale was a mix of gratitude, tears and squandered opportunities as the potential game-winning runs were left on base in the 9th inning for the second consecutive game, this time in front of 5,877 home fans in Zebulon. The lack of clutch hitting left 18-year old RHP Carlos Carra as the unfortunate losing pitcher despite an impeccable full season affiliate debut: 6 IP, 1 R, 6 H, 0 BB, 1 WP, 5 Ks in 74 pitches. Twelve Mudcats reached base (4 singles, 5 walks, 1 HBP, 2 via error), but the team stranded 11 baserunners in going 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position. DH Brady Ebel had the top offensive line (2-for-4, BB), singling to give the team a 2-on, 1-out opportunity in the 5th inning and 2-on, 2-out chance in the 7th inning. OF Josiah Ragsdale reached base via 2 errors and a walk earlier in the game, while also recording two stolen bases and being picked off. Then his 1-on, 2-out single in the 9th inning extended the team’s life, but Ebel’s ground out ended the shutout. Mudcats’ Extras: Well done to LHP Anfernny Reyes and RHPs Jose Nova and Michael Fowler for following up Carra’s terrific start with three scoreless frames and one strikeout each. The team’s 4 through 9 batters combined on an 0-for-24 outing, though SS Filippo Di Turi drew 2 walks and threw out a baserunner at home, while OF Handelfry Encarnacion recorded an outfield assist. Next week’s outlook: Carolina will take a 3-hour drive north to battle Nationals’ affiliate Fredericksburg for their final series of the 2025 season, with the Mudcats needing to win the series 5 games to 2 (and hope that Fayetteville struggles elsewhere) to snatch a second half playoff berth. We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. On Monday, the Milwaukee Brewers host the Phillies at 3:10pm CST and the Biloxi Shuckers also play at 6:35pm CST. 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

AAA Nashville can be our sole minor league series winner this week with a Sunday home victory over Charlotte. RHP Garrett Stallings seeks a better outcome than his Tuesday start (2.2 IP, 6 R, 2 Ks). 3B Raynel Delgado is 17-for-29 with 6 extra-base hits, 6 walks and 7 SB over his last 9 games.

Sadly, 12 baserunners (4 singles, 5 walks, 1 HBP, 2 reached via error) wasn’t enough to produce any runs. Solid pitching by Carra, Reyes, Nova and Fowler. The staff and fans deserved better than a 1-0 defeat. Let’s hope for a 180-degree turnaround next week.

AA Biloxi need a Sunday victory at Montgomery behind RHP KC Hunt (4.54 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 9.1 K/9 in 107 IP) to avoid a 6-game sweep. 1B Blake Burke has a .982 OPS in 106 PAs since promotion.

The High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers’ final home game of 2025 has them seeking a turnaround after losing 7 of 8 games. 20-year old RHP Manuel Rodriguez makes his 2nd start of the week against Quad Cities (4.2 IP, 3 R, 6 Ks in 96 pitches on Tuesday). 2B Jesus Made has a .968 OPS in 94 PAs since being promoted.

Somebody asked about the playoff tiebreaker in another thread and this is what I found. Regardless of today’s result, Carolina probably needs to go 5-2 at Fredericksburg next week: “In the event of any ties, the following tiebreakers will apply in the order below: 1. Head-to-head record between the clubs in the respective half (if three or more Clubs, best winning percentage in games among the Clubs). 2. If the Clubs remain tied, best overall winning percentage over the last 20 games. 3. If the Clubs remain tied, best overall winning percentage over an additional game (i.e., the last 21 games, the last 22 games, etc.) until one emerges with a better winning percentage in that span of games.”

The final Carolina Mudcats’ home game at Five County Stadium sees 18-year old RHP Carlos Carra (4.79 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 9.6 K/9 in 41.1 ACL IP) make his Low-A debut as they try to salvage a 2-4 week against Delmarva. RF Jose Anderson has doubled in 3 consecutive games.

I’d think that Adamczewski and Boeve should play in the AFL to get some defensive work. Linebacker Adams would probably destroy AFL pitching, though I guess it’s worked out for Durbin. Kind of wish we could send Adams to Dominican Winter Ball to face older pitching.