Ro Mueller

Yeah, just 13 innings in short season ball, so he wouldn’t show up as a qualifier in BaseballRef’s key stats. 29 1/3 IP in full season ball.

Amongst many quality pitching prospects in the Brewers’ four short-season squads this year, Kevin Briceno stood out for superb results across 12 appearances. Amongst many quality pitching prospects in the Brewers’ four short-season squads this year, Kevin Briceno stood out for superb results across 12 appearances. With the Dominican Summer League and Arizona Complex League only operating from June 6th through August 23rd, the window to impress coaches, Fanatics, and Brewers’ brass was quite narrow for short-season squad players, but RHP Kevin Briceno built on a solid foundation laid in 2021 to garner this award with consistent excellence in 2022. Pitcher of the Year: Kevin Briceno DSL/ACL Stats (12 G): 4-3 record, 2.02 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 48 K, 14 BB, 49 IP The 19-year-old Venezuelan started the season opener for DSL-Brewers1, ultimately making six starts for the club over five weeks and never conceding more than one earned run in any DSL start. In his 28 innings of DSL work, Briceno led all Brewers’ pitchers with a 1.29 ERA, although RHP Jeral Vizcaino (1.46) and LHP Anfernny Reyes (1.54) were also strong in this regard. More impressive was his 0.75 WHIP, which again led Brewer DSL pitchers and placed him in a tie for 9th overall in the entire 49-team league. On the back of a similarly successful 2021 season (3.12 ERA, 1.00 WHIP in 26 innings), Briceno’s promotion state-side to ACL Brewers Gold was overdue and finally came on July 15th. Not surprisingly, his first start in Arizona was a bit rough (4 ER in 3 1/3 IP against ACL Brewers Blue), but Briceno quickly adjusted and only conceded three earned runs over his final five appearances (17 2/3 IP). Briceno’s solid work in Arizona placed him second in ERA amongst all Brewer ACL pitchers (3.00 vs. LHP Leoni De La Cruz’s leading 2.33 figure) and third in WHIP (1.29 vs. RHP Arielbi Gonzalez’ 1.16 and De La Cruz’s 1.24). Signed in January 2021 as part of an international class that was headlined by Jackson Chourio, Kevin Briceno has quickly established himself as the leading pitching prospect of that class alongside RHP Alexander Vallecillo. Listed at a height of 6’1”, Briceno may not overwhelm hitters with a power arm, but his control and consistency should serve him well as he enters his age 20 season and beyond. We look forward to watching him perform at Low-A Carolina (hopefully commencing at that level) next season. Runner-Up: Osbriel Mogollon, LHP DSL Stats (12 G): 2-3 record, 2.74 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 57 K, 24 BB, 46 IP Signed from Venezuela in June 2022 just days before the season commenced, 18-year-old Mogollon was on the mound for DSL-Brewers1 by June 9th and moved into a starting role by June 21st. Despite slight concerns over walks, his star burned very brightly over the first two months (1.03 ERA and 37 Ks over initial 26 1/3 innings pitched), before something of an August fade (5.03 ERA and 20 Ks over final 19 2/3 innings). All in all, it was an exceptional debut season for the lefty power arm, who will not turn 19 until April 2023. Given the relatively young age, I’d expect that we’ll see Mogollon commence in Arizona next season, so we’re unlikely to see him again until June 2023. Second Runner-Up: Arielbi Gonzalez, RHP ACL Stats (11 G): 1-1 record, 3.22 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 47 K, 14 BB, 44 2/3 IP Signed from the Dominican Republic in mid-2021, Gonzalez put together a second straight excellent season with 11 appearances for ACL Brewers Blue followed by a late-season cup of coffee at Low-A Carolina. In addition to leading the Brewers’ Arizona pitchers in WHIP, he had the third-best ERA amongst the Brewers’ Arizona qualifiers. This was on the back of a similarly impressive 2021 season in the DSL (2.08 ERA in 43 1/3 innings). Still just 19 years old, Gonzalez unsurprisingly struggled in nine Low-A innings (8.00 ERA), so will look to adjust and dominate at that level in 2023, alongside the likes of Briceno, Vallecillo and Yujanyer Herrera. Honorable Mentions: Anfernny Reyes, LHP (DSL): 2-0 record, 1.54 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 48 K, 24 BB, 46 2/3 IP Signed from the Dominican Republic in August 2021, Reyes made his debut with DSL-Brewers2 in June this year and started all 11 games in which he pitched, a clear sign of how the organization ranks his prospect status. Just 18 years old, Reyes only conceded earned runs in four of his starts and posted a very encouraging 1.51 ground-outs to air-outs ratio. Yujanyer Herrera, RHP (ACL): 2-3 record, 5.36 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 46 K, 10 BB, 43 2/3 IP Signed from Venezuela in August 2019, Herrera wasn’t able to debut until July 2021, somewhat aggressively being placed directly in the ACL and predictably struggling. After some similar challenges in June 2022, Herrera’s potential started shining through with ACL Brewers Blue in July and August (3.57 ERA in 35 1/3 IP) before the Brewers promoted him to Low-A Carolina for his final four appearances of the season. He turned 19 in August. Jeral Vizcaino, RHP (DSL): 5-1 record, 1.46 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 38 K, 13 BB, 37 IP Similar to Mogollon above, Jeral Vizcaino was signed days before the 2022 season commenced and put to work immediately, debuting for DSL-Brewers2 on June 7th and eventually getting his first start on July 4th. A slightly older prospect (20 years old) from the Dominican Republic, Vizcaino’s off-season and 2023 spring training work may determine whether he starts next season in Arizona or makes a direct jump to Low-A Carolina. Note: LHP Leoni De La Cruz is a relief pitcher who threw more innings in Low-A ball (21 1/3 IP) than in short-season ball (19 1/3 IP in the ACL), so wasn’t included here. Which of the Brewers’ short-season pitching prospects are you most excited about? Would you have ranked the players differently? Your comments are welcome! View full article

- RHP Justin Topa recalled to MLB Brewers from AAA Nashville (replacing injured RHP Adrian Houser)

That’s okay. An 8-4 loss in the regular season finale doesn’t change the fact that Nashville has the best record in AAA, won this particular series 2-1 and is headed to Las Vegas to try to win the postseason crown. Saturday semi-final vs. the Durham Bulls!

Unfortunately, Memphis got to Trevor Kelley with 2 infield singles, then a 3-run homer. Tough to come back from an 8-3 final inning deficit.

…so of course we went 3-up, 3-down for the 4th straight inning. On to the 9th…

Trailing 5-3 since the 4th inning and with Sal Frelick already subbed out, this bottom of the 8th inning is probably the Sounds’ best chance for a comeback. Due up: Turang, Singleton, Wiemer, Dorrian, Devanney. Let’s goooo Nashville!

Nashville hosts Memphis in its regular season finale, with 23-year old LHP Robert Gasser making his 5th AAA start (3.38 ERA with 25 Ks in 21 1/3 AAA innings). LF Sal Frelick remains the big story on offense, carrying a 40-game on-base streak:

Thread will be utilized for any minor league news Wednesday, lineup updates, etc. 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

LF Sal Frelick (.945 OPS in AAA) and RF Joey Wiemer (.881 OPS in AAA) return to the Nashville lineup for their first action since September 22nd and September 24th, respectively, with Frelick sporting a 39-game on-base streak. RHP Jason Alexander (8-2 record, 2.72 ERA in 59 2/3 IP) gets the start at home against Memphis, as the Sounds seek a 2-0 series lead:

Expect OFs Sal Frelick and Joey Wiemer to return to AAA action in Nashville tonight:

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 Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth

Twenty Sounds' players saw action in Monday’s 11-inning come-from-behind victory, with Brice Turang coming through with a clutch two-run double. Image courtesy of Brewer Fanatic Twenty Sounds' players saw action in Monday’s 11-inning come-from-behind victory, with Brice Turang coming through with a clutch two-run double. Monday’s Game Balls go to the aforementioned Turang, as well as Esteury Ruiz and Jon Singleton. Transactions: OF Jonathan Davis outrighted to AAA Nashville from MLB Brewers C Nick Kahle assigned to AA Biloxi from AAA Nashville RHP Robbie Baker assigned to AA Biloxi from AAA Nashville Game Action: Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Nashville 6, Memphis 5 (final in 11 innings) 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 Walk-Off Redbirds, Win 90th Game Even if you’ve already clinched a spot in the postseason, it’s always great to defeat the Cardinals…er… Redbirds in this instance. RHP Victor Castaneda (3 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 3 Ks) struggled in his third AAA start of the season, escaping a two-on, nobody out situation in the 1st inning, working around a 2nd inning single and finally conceding three runs on three hits and two walks in the 3rd inning. Memphis’ lead grew to 4-0 in the top of the 6th inning as C Mario Feliciano allowed a passed ball (his 14th of 2022) for an unearned run. Through 5 ½ innings, the Sounds had mustered only one hit and three walks, all four of which were eliminated on the basepaths: a caught stealing and three ground ball double plays. However, surprisingly effective Redbird starting pitcher Garrett Williams thankfully exited after five shutout innings and Nashville immediately feasted on the Memphis bullpen. The Sounds first run came in without the benefit of a hit (walk, HBP, error), with SS Brice Turang then doubling in two runs and 1B Jon Singleton (0-for-1, 3 walks, RBI) knotting the game 4-4 with a booming sacrifice fly to score OF Esteury Ruiz (2-for-3, BB, HBP, 2 SBs). Thereafter, the next major opportunity in the game went to Memphis in the top of the 9th inning, with a leadoff single, stolen base and wild pitch (or a second Feliciano passed ball depending on your perspective) giving them a man on third base with nobody out. However, Justin Topa amazingly took care of business, retiring three straight batters on a line-out, dangerous Nolan Gorman on a strikeout swinging, then a groundout for a great escape. Two leadoff walks for Nashville in the bottom of the 9th inning unfortunately went for naught, as did a second and third, one-out opportunity in the bottom of the 10th inning. In the 11th inning, Memphis took its final lead 5-4 on a single to score a Manfred Man off RHP Trevor Kelley, before DH/INF Andruw Monasterio led off the bottom of the inning with a game-tying RBI single of his own. Monasterio had aggressively moved to second base on the throw home, then scored on Feliciano’s game-ending, one-out single. Check out the team’s Twitter feed for some impressive defensive highlights from the victory as well. Three Quick Strikes: After Castaneda’s early exit, eight different Nashville relievers each completed one inning of work, with the bullpen not conceding any earned runs. OFs Sal Frelick and Joey Wiemer were both absent from the lineup, in spite of the off-day on Sunday. As such, the worry-o-meter has notched up as we wait and hope they’ll both be available for the upcoming AAA playoffs scheduled for Saturday and Sunday (if Nashville wins on Saturday) in Las Vegas. 3B Cam Devanney also exited after the sixth inning, though hopefully this was just a planned time-share with Patrick Dorrian. Singleton now leads the minor leagues with 116 walks, while Ruiz tops the stolen base leaderboard with 83 on the season. Tuesday’s outlook: RHP Jason Alexander (8-2 record, 2.72 ERA in 59 2/3 AAA innings) is scheduled to make his 10th AAA start (13th appearance) in Game Two at home against the Redbirds. We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. Good luck on Tuesday in the penultimate regular season game! 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

- OF Jonathan Davis outrighted to AAA Nashville from MLB Brewers - C Nick Kahle assigned to AA Biloxi from AAA Nashville - RHP Robbie Baker assigned to AA Biloxi from AAA Nashville

Despite the loss. this happened tonight, with RHP Marcus Walden getting the honor of pushing the team past the record:

Well, the Sounds fell 6-4, but at least we made Louisville sweat a bit in the end. Go on home, men!

Nick Kahle singled in a run. Now we’ve got mini-slumping LF Esteury Ruiz (0-for-4 and actually 0-for-his-last-19) with the bases loaded in the 6-3 game.

Down 6-1 with 1 out in the 9th inning, Cam Devanney starts a potential rally with a double - his 3rd extra base hit of the game (and 56th XBH of the season). A few batters later, it’s 6-2 with the bases loaded and still just 1 out for C Nick Kahle.

- RHP Caden Lemons released from Low-A Carolina (last pitched in May 2021, after missing previous 2.5 seasons with injuries / Covid cancellation) - RHP Matt Hardy placed on AAA Nashville’s temporarily inactive list

Still 6-1, now going into the 7th inning. The good news is that RHP Marcus Walden has retired all 9 batters he’s faced.

RHP Luis Contreras retired 5 of 6 batters, but then ran out of gas and walked two in a row. After opting to allow him continue, he yielded a 3-run blast. 6-1 Bats lead the Sounds in the 3rd inning.

RF Joey Wiemer exits after 2 1/2 innings in favor of Jonathan Davis. So now we’ll have to watch Wiemer’s status during the upcoming Monday-Wednesday series.

Five of the first six Louisville batters got hits against RHP Robbie Baker, giving the Bats a 3-0 first inning lead. SS Cam Devanney continued his break-out campaign with a solo homer in the 2nd inning. Sounds trail 3-1.