Ro Mueller

I’m assuming they’ll call him up to MLB before he spends 20 days and thus burns his first option year. But I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

Wisconsin has the early game today, counting on RHP Israel Puello (5.54 ERA) to lead the team to a 2-0 series lead at home against Beloit. C Jeferson Quero (.776 OPS) comes in with a 7-game hitting streak, including homers in 3 games during this stretch:

I didn't watch the debacle; just woke up to the disastrous box score. Obviously, the 3-batter relief rule is designed to increase the probability of a high-scoring late inning (along with supposedly speeding up the game, but that runs counter to the first point in my opinion). But with a 14-man pitching staff and a starter which just threw 7 innings, was there any logical reason for allowing Perdomo to pitch to a 4th batter? Isn't the manager supposed to be relieved to finally get through 3 rough at-bats and make the switch?

Hehe. I guess my mind is all over the place! Thanks. Either way, yes, it was Cruz' second start of the week, so a short Sunday start wasn't a surprise. For additional comfort, Cruz is listed in today's game notes as the expected starter on Saturday, September 10th.

Biloxi hosts Braves' AA affiliate Mississippi in their final home series of the season this week (though still headed to take on Pensacola next week) and has RHP TJ Shook (4.25 ERA in 106 High-A/AA innings) ready to handle the opening game. C Jason Lopez has put together an 8-game on-base streak:

Jeez, I was imaging that the Cam Devanney promotion to AAA may signal an intention to promote Brice Turang to the big leagues (swapping with Mitchell), but then I saw Mitchell in today's Brewers' starting lineup and here we find out that Turang's nursing a day-to-day ankle injury. Nashville leads the International League West Division by 4.5 games over Columbus and plays at White Sox AAA affiliate Charlotte this week. RHP Marcus Walden (5.53 ERA in 40 2/3 IP) is a surprise starter after RHP Josh Lindblom was listed in the game notes. CF Sal Frelick and RF Joey Wiemer come in with on-base streaks of 23 games and 14 games, respectively.

Yeah, I'd expected a short Stiven Cruz start on Sunday, since it was his 2nd outing of the week.

Carolina's final series of 2022 is on the road against Cubs' affiliate Myrtle Beach, with the Mudcats 5.5 games out of first place for the 2nd half title and 4.5 games out of first place for the best full season record in the Carolina League North division. 19-year old Arielbi Gonzalez (3.88 ERA in 48 2/3 ACL/Low-A innings) makes his first-ever start in Low-A ball, but it may be a short one (relieved 4 days ago). RF Luis Castillo has a 16-game on-base streak:

Wisconsin hosts Marlins' High-A affiliate Beloit in their final series of the year, trailing the Snapp...er...uh... Sky Carp by 2 games for 2nd place in the second half of the Midwest League West division. After 99 consecutive relief appearances, RHP Brady Schanuel now makes his 5th straight start (3.20 season ERA; 0.69 ERA in 13 innings over 4 starts). Rehabbing major leaguer Mike Brosseau is manning the hot corner and 1B Ernesto Martinez has a 10-game on-base streak:

- INF Ethan Murray promoted to AA Biloxi from High-A Wisconsin - RHP Logan Henderson completed rehab and remains with Low-A Carolina - 3B Mike Brosseau sent on rehab assignment from MLB Brewers to High-A Wisconsin

- SS Cam Devanney promoted to AAA Nashville from AA Biloxi

- RHP Jeison Pena assigned to Low-A Carolina from High-A Wisconsin - RHP Miguel Segura placed on Low-A Carolina's 7-day injured list

Wonderful write up! Thank you CheeseheadInQC.

Thank you. But I feel the need to say, "Mario, Mario, wherefore art thou Mario?" I'm not sure how MLB.com kept 23-year old C Mario Feliciano out of the Top 30 prospects...either he graduated or they got tired of him. With a 26-man MLB roster, 13-pitcher limit and two of Feliciano's option years already burned, I think there's a 75% chance he starts and ends 2023 on the MLB roster. Starting pitchers LHP Russell Smith, RHP Logan Henderson and RHP Victor Castaneda show up on that Top 30 list as well: 23-year old Smith has struggled in his inaugural minor league season at High-A Wisconsin (and is now shut down with an injury) 20-year old Henderson has only made a few recent appearances at Low-A Carolina after a year-long injury 24-year old Castaneda has been a dependable leader in AA Biloxi Smith and Henderson should be expected to make major progress in 2023, with Henderson (I think) also being a candidate for the upcoming Arizona Fall League. Castaneda's obviously ready to try his luck in AAA ball next year. And then we've got three other starting pitchers definitely nipping at this list: 22-year old RHP Justin Jarvis (just promoted to AA), 20-year old RHP Stiven Cruz (doing terrific since recent promotion to High-A) and 21-year old RHP Alexander Cornielle (also recently promoted to High-A). Each has flashed dominance at times this season, with Cruz especially finishing strong.

Thank you. But I feel the need to say, "Mario, Mario, wherefore art thou Mario?" I'm not sure how MLB.com kept 23-year old C Mario Feliciano out of the Top 30 prospects...either he graduated or they got tired of him. With a 26-man MLB roster, 13-pitcher limit and two of Feliciano's option years already burned, I think there's a 75% chance he starts and ends 2023 on the MLB roster. Starting pitchers LHP Russell Smith, RHP Logan Henderson and RHP Victor Castaneda show up on that Top 30 list as well: 23-year old Smith has struggled in his inaugural minor league season at High-A Wisconsin (and is now shut down with an injury) 20-year old Henderson has only made a few recent appearances at Low-A Carolina after a year-long injury 24-year old Castaneda has been a dependable leader in AA Biloxi Smith and Henderson should be expected to make major progress in 2023, with Henderson (I think) also being a candidate for the upcoming Arizona Fall League. Castaneda's obviously ready to try his luck in AAA ball next year. And then we've got three other starting pitchers definitely nipping at this list: 22-year old RHP Justin Jarvis (just promoted to AA), 20-year old RHP Stiven Cruz (doing terrific since recent promotion to High-A) and 21-year old RHP Alexander Cornielle (also recently promoted to High-A). Each has flashed dominance at times this season, with Cruz especially finishing strong.

I thought he’d become a minor league free agent and do the common route of taking a minor league contract with spring training invite. He’s rather consistently had a nice K/9 rate, but lost several years due to injury. He stepped up his game this year, including a nice scoreless streak from mid-June to late July, but he’s only made 2 career appearances in AAA, which I didn’t believe was enough to make anyone’s 40-man MLB roster. But maybe the Angels were bowled over by his work against their AA affiliate Rocket City 3 weeks ago and they decided to make the cash offer.

Trying to read between the lines is tricky. I'd speculate that a negative seed was sown prior to the 2020 season...something along the lines of a planned reduction in playing time in light of the team having Braun, Yelich, Cain, Garcia and Gamel going into that 2020 season.

Mario Feliciano and Jon Singleton combined for 10 RBIs in another Nashville win. Fernando Olguin and Logan Henderson pitched a 12K shutout for Carolina. Wisconsin lost a close one and Biloxi is still looking for its offense. Image courtesy of BrewerFanatic Mario Feliciano and Jon Singleton combined for 10 RBIs in another Nashville win. Fernando Olguin and Logan Henderson pitched a 12K shutout for Carolina. Wisconsin lost a close one and Biloxi is still looking for its offense. Mario Feliciano drove in seven runs, including breaking a 3-3 deadlock with a grand slam to lead the Sounds to a 12-4 victory in Memphis. On the mound, Fernando Olguin threw six shutout innings, while getting support from homers by Jace Avina and Eduarqui Fernandez who combined to drive in five runs in a 6-0 defeat of Columbia. Sunday’s Game Balls go to the aforementioned Feliciano, Olguin, Singleton, Avina and Fernandez Transactions: RHP Nash Walters traded to MLB Angels from AAA Nashville for cash considerations 1B Ernesto Martinez activated from High-A Wisconsin’s 7-day injured list Game Action: Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Nashville 12, Memphis 4 Box Score / Game Log Via the Sounds’ website, game details, and we encourage readers to review each of the affiliate write-ups as part of their Link Report routine: Feliciano Tallies 7 RBI, Sounds Crush Memphis C Mario Feliciano (2-for-5, HR, 7 RBIs) had an answer for everything Memphis threw at the Sounds on Sunday, knocking in two runs with a 1st inning single to tie the game 2-2, gunning down the Redbirds’ only stolen base attempt in the 5th inning, then blasting a grand slam on a full count with two outs in the 5th inning to break a 3-3 deadlock. If not for Feliciano, we’d likely be talking about 1B Jon Singleton (1-for-3, HR, 2 walks, 3 RBIs), who apparently terrified Memphis to such a degree that they walked him twice with the bases loaded, the first tying the game 3-3 in the 5th inning and the latter extending Nashville’s lead to 9-3 in the 6th inning. Of course, their fear was justified, as Singleton then mashed a solo homer in the 8th inning, his 23rd of the season to go along with 102 walks. The victory completed a 5-1 week for the Sounds, who lead the International League’s West Division by 4.5 games over Columbus. The team is now an incredible 30 games over .500 on the season. Three Quick Strikes: With RHP Dylan File apparently injured (though no official word) and RHP Caleb Boushley easing his way back after an injury of his own, Sunday had a “bullpen game” feel to it: Three innings from Boushley (2 ER), one from RHP Lucas Erceg (1 ER), two from RHP Jake Cousins (3 hits, no runs), then one inning each from RHPs Zach Brown, JC Mejia and Cam Robinson . DH Pedro Severino (2-for-4, HR, double, walk, RBI) and OF Sal Frelick (2-for-4, walk, SB) each reached base three times in Nashville’s dominant victory. Still just 23 years of age and hitting .293 on the season, the Brewers had better make a permanent place on the MLB roster for Feliciano in 2023 or else they’ll end up burning his final remaining option year. Next week’s outlook: Nashville (79-49) heads to Charlotte (50-79) to play the White Sox’s AAA affiliate. Veteran RHP Josh Lindblom (4.64 ERA) is scheduled to be the starter for the first game of the series. Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Rocket City 5, Biloxi 1 Box Score / Game Log Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Shuckers Drop Series Finale After being no-hit on Saturday, the good news is that Biloxi collected seven hits on this day and even scored a run. Of course, the run was scored while already down 5-0, while the team went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position and also committed two errors which led to three unearned runs. Yeah, it’s a rough time in Biloxi at the moment, as they’re really struggling to adapt after losing seven of their top 11 offensive contributors (five to promotion, two to injury). The loss completes a 1-5 week against Rocket City, despite the Shuckers’ starting pitchers only conceding 18 earned runs over the six games. A walk and RBI double opened the scoring for the Trash Pandas against starting LHP Nick Bennett in the 3rd inning, but the real damage came in the 4th inning, when C Brent Diaz dropped an out at home plate to extend Rocket City’s lead to 2-0, which was followed by an RBI single, “sacrifice squeeze” and another RBI single. SS Cam Devanney (1-for-4, HR, RBI) smacked his 20th home run of the year in the 6th inning to cut the deficit to 5-1, then the Shuckers loaded the bases with two outs in the 8th inning but 3B Yeison Coca wasn’t able to come through in the clutch (first pitch grounder force out). Three Quick Strikes: This was Bennett’s (5 IP, 5 R (2 ER), 7 H, 3 BB, 1 WP, 3 Ks) second start of the week, but this one was more difficult as he dealt with traffic every inning. Rehabbing LHP Clayton Andrews (1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks) had a nice bounce-back effort, combining with RHPs Ryan Middendorf and Luis Contreras on three innings of scoreless relief to give the Shuckers a chance. Perhaps adding injury to insult, Diaz was hit by a pitch in the top of the 6th inning and exited the game in the bottom half of the frame. Next week’s outlook: Biloxi (58-65) hosts Braves’ AA affiliate Mississippi (57-67). Expect RHP TJ Shook (4.25 ERA in High-A/AA) to start the opener. Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Peoria 4, Wisconsin 3 Box Score / Game Log Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, details: Seventh Inning Decisive in Peoria’s Win Over Wisconsin With Saturday’s victory, Wisconsin had already wrapped up a road series win, then grabbed a 1-0 lead early on Sunday, but a pivotal 7th inning went the way of the Chiefs. DH/C Jeferson Quero (2-for-4, double, RBI) knocked in OF Jackson Chourio (0-for-3, walk) with an RBI double in the 1st inning, while RHP Stiven Cruz (3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 0 Ks) went about lowering his High-A ERA to a miniscule 0.47 with three shutout innings of work. However, being his second start of the week, this was a short outing for Cruz, who made way for RHP Zach Mort (3 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 1 K). Mort gave up four hits in the 4th inning (but just one run) before settling down. A Peoria error and OF/2B Zack Raabe walk to open the 7th inning gave Wisconsin a golden opportunity, but they were unable to cash in, even after a C Darrien Miller infield single with two outs to load the bases. Peoria then made the Timber Rattlers pay in the bottom half of the frame by scoring three runs off of RHP Brannon Jordan on two hits, a hit batsmen and an error on 3B Ben Metzinger to take a 4-1 lead. Three Quick Strikes: After RHP Miguel Guerrero pitched a scoreless 8th inning, Wisconsin grabbed two runs in the 9th inning on a SS Eduardo Garcia walk and 2B Ethan Murray (1-for-3, HR, walk, 2 RBIs) two-run homer, but unfortunately didn’t get another runner aboard. This game marked the injury return of 1B Ernesto Martinez , who doubled to lead off the 4th inning but was left stranded. Despite playing two infielders in the outfield (Raabe, Jose Acosta), the Timber Rattlers defense had been a solid plus until the 7th inning gaffe, completing ground ball double plays in the 1st and 3rd innings, while Acosta threw out a runner at second base from right field in the 4th inning to help out Mort. Next week’s outlook: Wisconsin (65-60) hosts Marlins’ High-A affiliate Beloit (62-63). RHP Brady Schanuel (3.20 ERA) is scheduled to get yet another short start (~50 pitches) in Game One of the series. Carolina Pre-Game Notes Final: Carolina 6, Columbia 0 Box Score / Game Log Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Mudcats Earn Series Splitting 6-0 Victory in Home Finale Carolina got the win they needed to even their home series against Columbia 3-3 and did it in convincing fashion. It was a very encouraging start for 2021 fourth round selection RHP Logan Henderson (3 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 6 Ks), who’s still building up strength after a long injury layoff. He pitched three scoreless innings here, exiting with a 1-0 lead before giving way to RHP Fernando Olguin. The first Mudcat run was of the manufactured variety, with 2B Robert Moore (1-for-3, double, walk, 2 SBs) drawing a walk, stealing second and third base, then coming home on an RBI groundout. That run was ultimately the only one which Henderson and Olguin would require, as the 21-year old Olguin (6 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 6 Ks) had his best performance of the season, conceding just two hits and no walks over six scoreless innings. While Carolina’s pitchers remained dominant, OFs Eduarqui Fernandez (2-for-3, HR, walk, 2 RBIs, SB) and Jace Avina hit their eighth and 15th home runs of 2022 to increase the lead to 3-0 in the 4th inning and 4-0 in the 6th inning, with Avina collecting two more RBIs with a 7th inning single to complete the scoring. Three Quick Strikes: 2022 first round selection SS Eric Brown Jr. (1-for-3, walk, 2 SBs) was a problem for the Fireflies, getting on base twice and stealing two bases, as Carolina stole five bases on the afternoon without any runner caught. This game marked the return of 3B Jheremy Vargas from a recent injury (last played August 25), though it’s been a tough season (.178 average, .567 OS) for the promising 19-year old. DH/INF Branlyn Jaraba and C Alex Hall might not look back as fondly at this game, as they combined to go 0-for-8 with six strikeouts. Next week’s outlook: Carolina (64-56) travels to face Cubs’ Low-A affiliate Myrtle Beach (75-51). Expect RHP Miguel Segura (4.38 ERA; last pitched August 26) or RHP Edwin Jimenez (4.55 ERA; last pitched August 31) to start the first game of the series. We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. All eyes will need to be on the Big Club on Monday, as the minor leaguers have a travel day. Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores Links for affiliate audio Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth View full article

Wisconsin plays a late one tonight, striving for a 5th win out of 6 games in Peoria. 20-year old RHP Stiven Cruz makes his 2nd start of the week and 4th overall start in High-A ball (4.60 ERA in 72 1/3 IP in Low-A; 0.56 ERA through 16 IP in High-A). 1B Ernesto Martinez returns from injury to play his first game since August 18th and DH/C Jeferson Quero has a 5-game hitting streak:

- RHP Nash Walters traded to MLB Angels from AAA Nashville for cash considerations (Congrats to Nash!) - 1B Ernesto Martinez activated from High-A Wisconsin’s 7-day injured list

The Shuckers no-hit yesterday and trail 4-1 in their road series against Rocket City, but have LHP Nick Bennett (5.13 ERA in AA ball) starting tonight and looking to replicate his last outing (4 2/3 scoreless innings, 6 Ks). DH/1B/C Wes Clarke has a 10-game on-base streak:

AAA Nashville leads their home series against Memphis 4-1 and has RHP Caleb Boushley (355. ERA) back to make his 2nd start since an early August injury (2 scoreless innings in last outing). DH/C Pedro Severino and C Mario Feliciano both have 7-game hitting streaks:

The Carolina Mudcats kick off our Sunday in need of a win to split this week's home series against Columbia 3-3, with RHP Logan Henderson making his 4th start for the club (2 innings each in his prior previous outings). 3B Jheremy Vargas returns for his first action since exiting a game early on August 25. 1B Jesus Chirinos has a 19-game on-base streak:

Rough time for Biloxi after losing Wiemer, Frelick, Mitchell, Reetz, Monasterio, Lutz and Campbell. It should be really interesting to see how Carlos F. Rodriguez fares in AA ball next year. Will he pick up a few ticks of speed through offseason work?