Ro Mueller

The High-A game is under way in Appleton, with Joseph Hernandez hitting the first batter, then striking out three of the next four (walked one), with no damage. Go Rattlers!

Myers came out to attempt another inning, getting through 4 batters (double, 2 outs, RBI single) and now gives way with LHP Darrell Thompson. Shuckers down 4-2 in the top of the 5th inning, 2-on, 2-out.

Tobias Myers hasn't had his best stuff tonight, but at least he's kept throwing strikes (39 of 55 pitches through 4 innings). Biloxi trailed 3-0, but Zavier Warren just pulled a blast over the left field wall (2-run shot, scoring Ethan Murray) for his first homer of 2023. It's 3-2 now in the bottom of the 4th inning, with 1-on, 1-out and Felix Valerio up looking for his first hit.

Carolina welcomes 2022 second round pick RHP Jacob Misiorowski to Zebulon, where he's scheduled to start his first-ever Low-A game. The offense has been a disaster through four games (1-3 record), but tonight 20-year old two-way player Quinton Low (.756 OPS in 135 PAs in ACL last season) will get his first at-bats at this level. Let's beat Salem!

RHP Jacob Misiorowski activated by Low-A Carolina from Development List RHP Fernando Olguin transferred to Development List from Low-A Carolina

The High-A Timber Rattlers, tied 1-1 in their home series against Peoria, send 22-year old RHP Joseph Hernandez (4.50 ERA with 6 Ks in 4 IP) to the mound for his second start. Switch-hitting 21-year old INF Robert Moore has mashed over his last 3 games (6-for-12, 2 HR, 2 doubles, 6 RBIs).

RHP Colin Rea's contract selected by MLB Brewers from AAA Nashville RHP Janson Junk optioned to AAA Nashville from MLB Brewers C Payton Henry designated for assignment. If he clears waivers, the Brewers can outright him to keep him in the minors INF Patrick Dorrian activated by AAA Nashville from Development List

The AA Shuckers were rained out yesterday, so will host Pensacola for a doubleheader tonight. RHP Tobias Myers starts the opener - can the 24-year old dominate like in his last outing (5.2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 3 BB, 11 Ks)?

AAA Nashville seeks a third straight win over Norfolk at home, with 28-year old RHP Pedro Fernandez (0.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, 6.0 K/9 in 6 IP) getting the start. Hot-hitting 33-year old 3B Eddy Alvarez (.296 / .457 / .667) is batting 9th.

RHP James Meeker activated by AA Biloxi from Development List RHP Robbie Baker activated by AA Biloxi from Development List RHP Justin Yeager placed on AA Biloxi's 7-day injured list RHP Zach Vennaro placed on AA Biloxi's 7-day injured list

The AAA Sounds stunned Norfolk with a come-from-behind win yesterday and send 23-year old LHP Robert Gasser (4 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 4 BB, 1 HBP, 3 Ks in his first game) out tonight for his second start of 2023. LF Tyler Naquin comes enters the contest with a 7-game hitting streak.

AA Biloxi is 3-1 to start the season and welcomes LHP Adam Seminaris (acquired in the Hunter Renfroe trade) to the mound for his organizational debut. What does CF Jackson Chourio have in store for us today, after two blasts (including a walk-off) in yesterday’s win over Pensacola? LF Noah Campbell makes his first start of 2023.

The Timber Rattlers were looking to double their series lead over Peoria to 2-0 (spoiler: ‘twas a frustrating loss instead), with terrific 21-year old RHP Alexander Cornielle (3.03 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 11.0 K/9 in 119 IP last year) making his first start of 2023.

After losing the series opener, the Mudcats needed a victory to even the series against Salem 1-1 (spoiler alert: we didn’t succeed). 19-year old RHP Patricio Aquino (4.72 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 12.8 K/9 in 34.1 ACL innings last year) and 18-year old DH/3B Luke Adams (1.075 OPS in 41 ACL PAs in 2022) make their Low-A debuts.

Rounding out tonight's home openers is AA Biloxi, who welcome Marlins' affiliate Pensacola for a 6-game set. 23-year old RHP Justin Jarvis (3.83 ERA in 141 IP last year) makes his first start of 2023.

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers also have their home opener tonight, hosting Cardinals' affiliate Peoria. The team welcomes 2022 first round pick SS Eric Brown Jr. (.838 OPS in 117 PAs in 2022) atop the lineup, along with 2022 sixth round selection RHP Tyler Woessner (1.17 ERA in 7.2 IP last year), both of whom are making their debut in High-A ball.

AAA Nashville (5-4) faces a tough test against 7-1 Norfolk (Orioles affiliate) at home this week. RHP Caleb Boushley (1.42 ERA in 6.1 IP) makes his third start of the young season. C Alex Jackson is healthy and mashing thus far: 1.042 OPS with 2 HR in 24 plate appearances.

The Low-A Mudcats have their home opener today, hosting Red Sox affiliate Salem for 6 games this week. 20-year old RHP Alexander Vallecillo (5.62 ERA last year in 57.2 IP) gets the start in his season debut, while Tayden Hall (3-for-7) and Jesus Parra (2-for-3 with 2 doubles) look to continue their strong starts.

Thread will be utilized for any minor league news Tuesday, lineup updates, etc.Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores

- RHP Alexander Vallecillo activated by Low-A Carolina from Development List - C Johnnys Cabrera transferred to Development List from Low-A Carolina

In addition to Leoni De La Cruz (mentioned above), a number of other ex-farmhands have recently signed or switched clubs in independent ball: Trevor Tietz – Gateway Grizzlies Arnaldo Hernandez – Frederick Baseball Club Robbie Hitt – Sussex County Miners Jon Beymer – Evansville Otters Noah Zavolas – York Revolution JT Hintzen – York Revolution Nate Peden – Frederick Baseball Club Freisis Adames – Sussex County Miners Jesus Lujano – Chicago Dogs Patrick Weigel – Kansas City Monarchs Nick Belzer – New Jersey Jackals Peyton Long – Rocky Mountain Vibes John LaRossa – Missoula Paddleheads Franklin Hernandez – Quebec Capitales Rodrigo Benoit – Generales de Durango Mitch Ghelfi – Charleston Dirty Birds Wilber Perez – Empire State Greys

Erceg, Andrews, Miller and Peguero give us four intriguing, seemingly MLB-capable relief arms in AAA. I hope Erceg doesn’t have an early opt-out!

Hats off to Arnold (Anderson, Winker, Contreras, Miley, Varland, Junk, Tyson Miller, Perkins, Peguero) and Counsell (he clearly wanted Turang and Wiemer up). Keep it up!!!

Spencer Michaelis has given us some excellent content regarding 20-year old two-way playing Mudcat RHP/1B Quinton Low, who covered two scoreless innings in Carolina’s opening game victory:

Biloxi pitchers struck out 14 batters in their series-clinching win. Robert Moore’s big day went for naught for Wisconsin, while Shane Smith helped the Carolina escape with a series split. Image courtesy of BrewerFanatic Biloxi pitchers struck out 14 batters in their series-clinching win. Robert Moore’s big day went for naught for Wisconsin, while Shane Smith helped the Carolina escape with a series split. Sunday Game Balls go to Carlos F. Rodriguez, Shane Smith, Robert Moore, Lamar Sparks and Jesus Parra. Nick Bennett and newcomer Darrell Thompson also had big days in Biloxi’s impressive 2-hit shutout. For the week, Nashville (3-3) and Carolina (1-1) split their respective series, while the Shuckers came out winners (2-1) and Wisconsin lost a tight one (1-2). All four full season affiliates will return home for six games starting Tuesday, including home openers for Biloxi, Wisconsin and Carolina. Transactions: LHP Bennett Sousa acquired from Reds for cash and international bonus money, then assigned to AAA Nashville RHP Tyler Herb placed on AAA Nashville’s 7-day injured list RHP Luis Contreras activated by AAA Nashville from Development List Game Action: Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Memphis 6, Nashville 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: Sounds Settle For Series Split With Sunday Loss in Memphis A win would have given Nashville their second straight series win, but unfortunately this game went off the rails from the word “go”. Starting RHP Robert Stock (1 IP, 5 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 HBP, 1 WP) hit the leadoff batter in the bottom of the first inning, conceding three runs in the frame on an array of singles, walks and a wild pitch. After a game off, Keston Hiura (1-for-4, HR, RBI) manned first base, pulling a run back in the 2nd inning with his second homer of 2023, but Stock’s nightmare worsened as the first four batters reached in the bottom of the second inning. Entering with the bases loaded and nobody out, RHP Luis Contreras did well to only allow one inherited runner to score. However, Contreras then allowed a run of his own via a walk and RBI double in the bottom of the 3rd inning, as the Redbirds built their unassailable 6-1 lead. The loss meant the teams spilt the series 3-3. This game wasn’t remotely competitive, partly evidenced by Nashville going 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position, versus Memphis going 2-for-17 in this department. Seven Sounds pitchers saw action, with LHP Clayton Andrews and RHP Elvis Peguero probably the most impressive (combined 1.2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks). LHP Ethan Small also struck out three batters after allowing a double. Three Quick Strikes: After seeing action in the majors four straight seasons (2018-2021), then throwing 165 IP in Korea last year, 33-year old Stock is clearly a capable pitcher, but he needs to right his 2023 ship in a hurry. He has two losses and a 24.30 ERA, retiring just 10 of 25 batters that he’s faced. OF Sal Frelick had his second straight 0-for-4 game. We’re not likely to see many slumps for the 22-year old, so the bright side is that this is happening in AAA, not MLB. He still has only three strikeouts in 35 plate appearances, so the plus contact rate remains. Not only did Memphis outhit Nashville 8-3, they also ran the Sounds ragged: 6-for-6 in stolen base attempts against four pitchers, including two swipes of third base. Trust C Payton Henry and other Sounds’ catchers to be on a mission to improve next week. This week’s outlook: The Sounds (5-4) return home to face Norfolk (7-1), with RHP Caleb Boushley (1.42 ERA in 6 1/3 IP) scheduled to make his third start of 2023. Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Biloxi 4, Mississippi 0 Box Score / Game Log Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Carlos Rodriguez, Nick Bennett, Darrell Thompson Pave Way to 4-0 Shuckers Win It wasn’t exactly Super Bowl-level hype, but we were certainly psyched for 21-year old RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez’s debut in AA ball and he did not disappoint, retiring 10 of the first 11 batters he faced, including five consecutive strikeouts during one stretch. Pulled after 66 pitches, he struck out eight hitters in four innings of scoreless work, only yielding a single and three walks. After putting three runners on base in the first two innings but failing to score, the Shuckers’ offense came through with clutch two-out extra base hits in the top of the 3rd inning: OF Lamar Sparks RBI double, 3B Zavier Warren RBI triple, OF Tristen Lutz RBI double. The 3-0 lead was more than Biloxi’s stellar hurlers would require on Sunday. Led by Rodriguez, LHP Nick Bennett (credited with the win) and LHP Darrell Thompson, Biloxi dominated the Braves in all facets of the series-clinching game, striking out 14 batters, outhitting them 8-2, limiting them to one at-bat with runners in scoring position (0-for-1) and throwing out their only basestealer (well done C Jeferson Quero). The win gave the Shuckers a 2-1 series victory. Three Quick Strikes: Seven dominant starts in High-A ball last year was sufficient for the Brewers to give 21-year old Nicaraguan Rodriguez the quick promotion to AA. His only difficulty was with a tight strike zone, issuing three walks on full counts, the last loading the bases in the bottom of the 4th inning. He didn’t back down, however, striking his final batter swinging on four pitches. Sparks’ third inning double was his first hit in affiliated baseball since September 2021, as the former fifth round pick spent 2022 in independent baseball following a release by the Orioles. These kinds of performances (2-for-4, double, walk, RBI, SB) will likely earn him more playing time. Speaking of independent ball, Darrell Thompson must be the organization’s resident expert on the subject. A 2016 graduate of Shenandoah University (Virginia), Thompson spent 2016-2022 playing for four independent clubs in four different leagues! What a debut for this “young” man (he’s actually 28): 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 4 Ks). Let’s keep an eye on his progress and Nick Bennett as well (3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 Ks). Most of Rodriguez’s strikeouts came on high heat. Here's the call on the last one: This week’s outlook: Biloxi (2-1) has its first home series of the year, hosting Pensacola (1-2). RHP Justin Jarvis (3.83 ERA in 141 IP last year) is expected to make his first start of 2023. Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Beloit 5, Wisconsin 4 (in 10 innings) Box Score / Game Log Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Beloit Tops Wisconsin in the Tenth for a 5-4 win The Timber Rattlers and Sky Carp battled hard in this series-deciding game, with Wisconsin falling just short, particularly hampered by going 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position and also having two runners caught on the basepaths. Seventh-year minor leaguer 1B Ernesto Martinez (1-for-2, HR, 2 walks, RBI) opened the scoring with an opposite field solo blast in the 2nd inning before starting RHP Stiven Cruz (4 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 3 Ks) found trouble in the bottom half in conceding two runs on two singles, a walk and a sacrifice fly. SS Robert Moore (2-for-4, HR, double, walk, 2 RBIs) immediately responded with a deep 2-run blast to center field in the top of the 3rd inning, his first homer of 2023, followed by a Joe Gray Jr. RBI double for a 4-2 lead. Cruz settled down for the next two innings, not allowing any runners past first base, but normally-reliable RHP Brannon Jordan was hit hard in one inning of work: 2 runs on 2 doubles and 2 singles, with the game only remaining tied 4-4 thanks to a Sky Carp baserunner returning to third base due to a ground rule double. Independent league signing RHP Kaleb “Bo” Bowman only got to throw two pitches in his organizational debut, giving up a walk-off single to right field to the only batter he faced in the bottom of the 10th inning. Three Quick Strikes: RHPs Joey Matulovich and Taylor Floyd were terrific in keeping Wisconsin in the game with their relief work, combining to cover four scoreless innings (4 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 Ks, one balk, one pick-off by Matulovich). OF Je’Von Ward collected his first hit since August 2021 with a leadoff double in the 9th inning, but was unfortunately stranded as the team followed with a sacrifice bunt, 2-0 pop-up to the catcher, then Moore striking out on the 9th pitch of a gutty at-bat. Interpreting hints on Twitter can be difficult, but it seems clear that the team expects 2022 first round pick SS Eric Brown Jr. to join the lineup this week. This week’s outlook: The Timber Rattlers (1-2) head back to Appleton for their home opener, with Peoria (0-3) coming to town. 2022 first round draft pick SS Eric Brown Jr. is expected to make his 2023 debut and RHP Tyler Woessner (1.17 ERA in 7 2/3 IP in 2022) is scheduled for his first start of the season. Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes Game One (Resumption) Final: Carolina 5, Fayetteville 3 (in 10 innings) Box Score / Game Log Game Two Final: Fayetteville 7, Carolina 1 Box Score / Game Log Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Mudcats Open With Split in Fayetteville In a continuation of Friday’s rain-suspended game from the top of the 6th inning with the score tied 1-1, Carolina immediately knocked in two runs for a 3-1 lead on a 1B Tayden Hall single, 3B Daniel Guilarte RBI single and 2B Jadher Areinamo sacrifice fly. However, the Mudcats regretted failing to take advantage of inning-opening walks in the 8th and 9th innings when RHP Jeison Pena fell apart in the bottom of the 9th inning, allowing the first four batters to reach and tie the game 3-3 with two on and nobody out. With another nine innings to play in the second game of the day, Manager Victor Estevez appeared set to allow Pena to wear this one, but C Matthew Wood caught a foul tip strikeout for the first out before Jeison hit his second batter of the inning to load the bases. In trotted RHP Shane Smith (1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 0 Ks) for his season debut and his very first pitch was a grounder to Areinamo, which triggered a 4-2-3 double play great escape! Some typical low minors ugliness by the Woodpeckers in the 10th inning (two errors, hit-by-pitch to give Mudcats a 5-3 lead in the top half; ghost runner caught stealing in the bottom half) helped Smith earn a deserved win. Highlights can be difficult to find on the road, but Carolina’s media team came through: 19-year old RHP Yujanyer Herrera (3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 4 BB, 4 Ks, 1 WP) started the nightcap, which was scoreless and hitless through three innings. However, the game was all Woodpeckers from there, as they managed to get seven runs across despite going 3-for-16 with RISP while stranding 10 runners. The Mudcats were even worse in the clutch department, going 1-for-11 with RISP while stranding 12 on the basepaths. The second contest was a game of debuts, as RHPs Chase Costello and Tanner Shears (both independent ball signings) made their first official appearances, along with 2022 eighth round draft pick LHP Nate Peterson. Peterson was hit hard, tagged with the loss after giving up 5 runs on 6 hits in 2 innings of work. RHP Nick Merkel also saw his first action in Low-A, striking out the first two batters before giving up two runs on two hits and a walk in the 8th inning. Here's Areinamo helping Costello throw a clean inning: Three Quick Strikes: We weren’t sure how serious the Tayden Hall catching experiment was after he never featured as the starting catcher in any of the spring training lineup cards (thank you @BrewersPD), but he was the man behind the plate for nine innings on this night. Statistically, he allowed three passed balls and two stolen bases, while his pitchers also threw three wild pitches. We know the 6’4” Hall can hit (3-for-7, 2 walks, RBI over two games), but it’s to-be-determined whether he catches or plays first base. We do our best to read the tea leaves in spring training, but those snippets were telling me that 20-year old 1B Jesus Parra was likely on his way out the door, as he was given the “last-gasp treatment”, starting a number of ST games with the AAA/AA squads, after coming off an 8 BB / 47 K season with ACL Brewers Gold last year. However, Parra beat the odds to make the opening day Mudcats’ roster and continued his resurgence this evening: 2-for-3, 2 doubles, walk, stolen base. Herrera and Shears must have drunk some magic potion to not yield any runs. Herrera put runners on 2nd and 3rd with nobody out in the bottom of the 1st inning (2 walks, wild pitch), yet escaped. Shears gave up three walks, hit a batter, threw a wild pitch and gave up a stolen base, all in the bottom of the 7th inning, but escaped, helping himself with a pick-off. This week’s outlook: The Mudcats (1-1) will host Salem (1-2) for six games. Although no starting pitcher has been named for the home opener, possibilities include RHPs Patricio Aquino, Fernando Olguin or Tyler Wehrle. We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report! Rest up on Monday’s Minor League off-day before 24 games over six days starting 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 View full article