Ro Mueller

I say "Go big or go home!" Byron Buxton for a package centered on one of our lefty starters (Eric Lauer, Aaron Ashby, Ethan Small)...

In case you're wondering where some top prospects are: - SS Eduardo Garcia exited Sunday's Carolina Mudcat game early (more playing time for Jheremy Vargas and Alberis Ferrer) - SS Freddy Zamora is on Biloxi's 7-day injured list (big chance for Cam Devanney) - OF Garrett Mitchell is also on Biloxi's 7-day injured list (see more of Tristen Lutz) - OF Micah Bello left Saturday's Wisconsin game early (Gray, Rodriguez and Peters have the OF covered) - LHP Russell Smith has not pitched for Wisconsin since May 7th (more room for recently promoted Ryne Moore)

The 24-11 Sounds host Reds' affiliate Louisville this week, having won an amazing 6 straight series to start the 2022 season. RHP Caleb Boushley has been effective (4.28 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 8.3 K/9 in 33 2/3 innings), but needs to cut down on the long balls given up (1.6 per 9 innings vs. league average of 1.1). 3B Mark Mathias has been making his case for an MLB chance (.338 AVG / .407 OBP, .545 SLG in 86 plate appearances):

The 16-17 Shuckers have won 3 games in a row and travel 163.3 miles on US49 North to face Braves' affiliate Mississippi (14-19) this week. LHP Nick Bennett (5.28 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 6.5 K/9 in 29 innings) starts Game One, while Super Joey Wiemer (5 home runs in 6 games last week) can be found playing right field and batting 2nd in the lineup: 1 - Sal Frelick - CF 2 - Joey Wiemer - RF 3 - Felix Valerio - DH 4 - Thomas Dillard - 1B 5 - Jakson Reetz - C 6 - Tristen Lutz - LF 7 - Cam Devanney - SS 8 - Gabe Holt - 2B 9 - Yeison Coca - 3B X - Nick Bennett - P

The 22-11 Timber Rattlers host Cubs' affiliate South Bend (20-13) this week, with LHP stud Antoine Kelly (2.30 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 11.5 K/9 in 27 1/3 innings) starting the opener. 2B Tyler Black is coming off of an exceptional week (1.300 OPS in 30 plate appearances) and leads off today:

The 17-16 Mudcats host Rangers' affiliate Down East (14-19) this week. Solid RHP Edwin Jimenez (3.81 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 8.7 K/9 in 26 innings) starts the opening game. CF Jackson Chourio leads the offense with consistent contact (.372 AVG / .413 OBP / .605 SLG in 46 plate appearances; just 6 strikeouts and 3 walks):

- RHP Trevor Kelley's contract selected by MLB Brewers from AAA Nashville Kelley's replacing J.C. Mejia, who must serve an 80-game suspension My money was on Mr. Kelley for promotion anyway, given that he and fellow RHP Peter Strzelecki have the highest K/9 ratios (11.8 for Kelley, 13.5 for Strzeleck) amongst Nashville's terrific bullpen, with Kelley having pitched in the majors twice previously (Boston - 8 1/3 innings in 2019, Philadelphia - 3 1/3 innings in 2020). Go get 'em Trevor!

- RHP TJ Shook promoted from High-A Wisconsin to AA Biloxi Woo hoo! Well-earned Mr. Shook!!

- RHP Cristian Sierra released by High-A Wisconsin A 24-year old from the Dominican Republic, Sierra signed in July 2017, but did not debut until 2019 in High-Rookie Ball (Rocky Mountain Vibes), where he put up a relatively encouraging line: 4.87 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 9.5 K/9 in 44 1/3 innings. In 2021, he again put up reasonable numbers despite jumping to High-A ball in Wisconsin: 4.30 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 10.1 K/9 in 60 2/3 innings. However, assigned back to High-A Wisconsin in 2022, he's gotten off to a rough start over his first 6 appearances (7.56 ERA, 2.40 WHIP, 8.6 K/9 in 8 1/3 innings), so Cristian is unfortunately being let loose at this time. We wish him success in his next venture, whether inside or outside of baseball. Good luck Cristian!

- RHP Fernando Olguin promoted to Low-A Carolina from ACL Brewers Gold A 21-year old from Mexico, Olguin signed with the Brewers in 2018, debuting in 2019. He's principally been a multi-inning guy (2019 in DSL; 2021 in Arizona): combined 74 1/3 innings over 26 games; 3.27 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 10.0 K/9. He also recently threw 12 innings in the Mexican Winter League: 1.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 8.3 K/9. https://mailchi.mp/15011bf89311/game-recap-1542121

Biloxi crushes a team record six home runs in support of Noah Zavolas’ 2022 debut. A phenomenal eight-K, three-inning shutout debut for Stiven Cruz led Carolina to victory. Nashville racks up 11 runs for a comfortable win. Brandon Knarr is once-again dominant for Wisconsin, with ten strikeouts in seven shutout innings. Image courtesy of Brewer Fanatic Biloxi crushes a team record six home runs in support of Noah Zavolas’ 2022 debut. A phenomenal eight-K, three-inning shutout debut for Stiven Cruz led Carolina to victory. Nashville racks up 11 runs for a comfortable win. Brandon Knarr is once-again dominant for Wisconsin, with ten strikeouts in seven shutout innings. What a terrific Sunday for our minor league affiliates, as each and every one jumped out to early leads which held up nicely: Nashville Sounds – 8-4 by the 4th inning Biloxi Shuckers – 4-1 by the 4th inning and 7-1 by the 5th inning Wisconsin Timber Rattlers – 3-0 through 5; 4-0 through 6 Carolina Mudcats – 5-0 in the 2nd inning; 9-1 in the 5th inning And let’s give a shoutout to the minor league staffers and players obviously working hard in extended spring training in Arizona. If the fabulous initial performances of OF Jackson Chourio and RHP Stiven Cruz are anything to go by, there’s some serious competition and development going on down there. The recently-promoted 20-year old Cruz had a scintillating debut for Carolina, striking out eight of the 11 batters he faced, whilst otherwise only conceding a walk, fly out and “soft line drive” single to right field. Who does he think he is, Brandon Knarr? Well, that’d be something special, as Knarr dazzled for Wisconsin on Sunday by shutting out the opposition over seven innings of three-hit, one-walk, ten-strikeout ball. Or if dominant pitching is too boring for you, Sunday saw a team-record six home runs for our Biloxi Shuckers, including two each for Joey Wiemer and Cam Devanney. Oh, and Alberis Ferrer jacked a grand slam for Carolina ?. Coupled with a Brewers’ victory, Sunday, May 15, 2022 almost went down in history as a perfect Wisconsin sports day. Almost… Sunday’s Game Balls go to the aforementioned Knarr, Wiemer, Devanney, Cruz and Nashville’s Weston Wilson (three hits, four RBIs). Sorry Alberis – your grand slam would have been enough on any other day. Transactions: · None Game Action: Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Carolina 12, Fayetteville 6 Box Score / Game Log Via the Mudcats’ website, game details, and we encourage readers to review each of the affiliate write-ups as part of their Link Report routine: Cruz Totals 8 Ks; Ferrer Hits Grand Slam in 12-6 Victory It’s Stiven Cruz’s world and we’re all just enjoying living in it. The 20-year old Nicaraguan was more-than-ready for his 2022 debut, striking out the side in the first inning and then working around a 2nd inning walk to K the next three hitters. In all, he threw 60 pitches over three innings, with no runner reaching 2nd base. On this day, the opposing starter was not quite as sharp, to say the least. Five walks, a single and a wild pitch in the 2nd inning gave Carolina a 3-0 lead before OF Jackson Chourio lined a single to left field to extend the lead to 5-0. At 5-1 with two outs in the top of the 5th inning, 3B Alberis Ferrer blasted a grand slam to left field for his third home run of 2022, seemingly giving the team sufficient cushion. However, some scuffling by RHPs Trevor Tietz and Miguel Segura enabled Fayetteville to claw back to 9-6 in the 7th inning, before LHP Jakob Brustoski calmed nerves by striking out the side in the 8th inning. Thankfully, the Mudcats tacked on another three runs in the 9th inning to put the game out of reach, aided by four walks and a hit-by-pitch. Carolina’s win was enough to draw the week’s series 3-3 with Fayetteville and keep the Mudcats’ record above .500 in 2022. The main downside in this game was SS Eduardo Garcia’s early exit after a fielding error in the 7th inning. Hopefully he’ll be back in the lineup early this week. Performances of Note: Jackson Chourio – 2-5, double, 2 RBIs Jeferson Quero – 2-3, 2 BBs, 2 SBs Alberis Ferrer – 1-3, HR, BB, HBP, 6 RBIs Eduardo Garcia – 1-3, BB, RBI Jesus Chirinos – 1-2, 3 BBs Stiven Cruz – 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 8 Ks Junior Montero (Win) – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 BBs, 2 Ks Jakob Brustoski – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BBs, 3 Ks Christian Tripp – 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BBs, 3 Ks Next week’s outlook: The 17-16 Mudcats return home to face Down East (14-19) in the third series of 2022 between these rivals. Expect RHPs Edwin Jimenez and Israel Puello to start the opener of the six-game series. Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Wisconsin 4, Quad Cities 1 Box Score / Game Log Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Knarr Quiets Quad Cities with Ten Ks LHP Brandon Knarr doesn’t ask for much from his offense, so Joe Gray Jr.’s two-run shot to left field in the 3rd inning surely had him smiling with a 2-0 lead. After working around a one-out single and walk in the first inning, Knarr only allowed two more River Bandits to reach base over his seven innings of work. This was Knarr’s 5th consecutive win. Of course, Quad Cities players and fans must have been excited upon seeing Knarr remain in the dugout in the 8th inning and their prayers seemed to be answered when RHP Joey Matulovich allowed the first three hitters to reach base (two hit-by-pitch, single). Matulovich nearly escaped unscathed, but a two-out walk brought the potential game-winning run to the plate. Timber Rattler Manager Joe Ayrault wasn’t messing around in this one, pulling Matulovich after 23 pitches to have RHP James Meeker end Quad Cities’ threat with a strikeout. Meeker remained in the game to cover the 9th inning, earning his 3rd save of 2022. Wisconsin’s victory gave them a second-consecutive 5-1 series win over their opponent, which is huge in light of 3rd place South Bend coming to town next week. Performances of Note: Tyler Black – 3-5, double, RBI Joe Gray Jr. – 1-5, HR, 2 RBIs Darrien Miller – 1-4, double, HBP, RBI Zavier Warren – 1-3, double, 2 BBs Tristan Peters – 1-4, double Brandon Knarr (Win) – 7 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 10Ks James Meeker (Save) – 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks Next week’s outlook: The 22-11 Timber Rattlers return home for their second series of the year against South Bend (20-13). LHP Antoine Kelly is listed as the Game One starter, but don’t be surprised if LHP Russell Smith (last pitched May 7th) or RHP Ryne Moore (recently promoted to High-A) get in some work as well. Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Biloxi 8, Birmingham 3 Box Score / Game Log Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: History Again! Biloxi Launches Franchise-Record Six Home Runs The Shuckers won their series! The Shuckers won their series! After a frustrating month, Biloxi’s bats have woken up and the squad notched a 4-2 series win over the Birmingham Barons, their first series victory since April 17th. RHP Noah Zavolas apparently does not subscribe to my “rust” theory, where I give athletes a few mulligans after a long lay-off. (Remember Michael Jordan putting his shorts on backwards and shooting 7-for-28 in his grand mid-season return to the Chicago Bulls?) Zavolas was cool, calm and collected through three innings of work in his 2022 debut, retiring nine of the ten batters he faced and getting the boost he needed when OF Joey Wiemer smacked his 8th homer of 2022 for a 1-0 Biloxi lead in the 3rd inning. However, the 4th inning looked like trouble, with a Birmingham single and two walks opening the frame. To my shock, Zavolas remained in the game, striking out dangerous veteran left-handed hitter Craig Dedelow (eight home runs in 2022) before then being lifted for RHP JT Hintzen. Hintzen was up to the task in this one, inducing a sacrifice fly and a ground out to keep the contest tight at 1-1. In the bottom half of the 4th inning, the Shuckers decided to make a winner of Hintzen, with Jakson Reetz connecting on his 7th home run of 2022 (for the 3rd consecutive day!) and then Cam Devanney blasting a 2-run homer to give Biloxi a 4-1 lead. The shock and awe kept coming, as Wiemer (two-run shot) and Felix Valerio went back-to-back in the 5th inning and Devanney added his 2nd of the game (and 4th of the year) in the 6th inning. The team decided to give RHP Victor Castaneda a bit of work in this one and he was unlucky to give up two runs in the 7th inning on a walk, infield hit and deflected single into left field. That said, Castaneda still struck out six batters over three innings and the Barons never seriously threatened. Performances of Note: Joey Wiemer – 3-5, 2 HRs, 3 RBIs Cam Devanney – 2-4, 2 HRs, 3 RBIs Jakson Reetz – 2-4, HR, RBI Tristen Lutz – 2-3, BB Sal Frelick – 2-5 Felix Valerio – 1-5, HR, RBI Noah Zavolas – 3 1/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 2 BBs, 3 Ks JT Hintzen (Win) – 2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BBs, 0 Ks Nash Walters – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BBs, 1 K Arnaldo Hernandez – 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K Next week’s outlook: The 16-17 Shuckers travel to face the 14-19 Mississippi Braves. LHP Nick Bennett (5.28 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 6.5 K/9 in 29 innings) is scheduled to get the first crack at the Mississippi lineup. Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Nashville 11, Jacksonville 6 Box Score / Game Log Via the Sounds’ website, game details: Sounds Take Sixth Straight Series With Sunday Win Nashville had won five straight series entering this game and wasn’t ready to entertain any possibility of a 3-3 draw with Jacksonville this week, jumping out to a 4-0 first inning lead on two-out doubles by 3B Weston Wilson and OF Pablo Reyes. However, starting RHP Alec Bettinger is still rounding into 2022 form and was unfortunately roughed up in the 2nd inning (thus re-proving my rust theory), giving up three hits, a walk and sacrifice fly to quickly re-knot the contest at 4-4. RHP Luke Barker then served as an efficient bridge to innings-eater RHP Josh Lindblom, covering the 3rd inning before another Sounds’ barrage. Once again doing all their damage with two outs, Nashville posted another four runs in the 4th inning, including an RBI infield single by Tyler White (snapping an 0-for-27 skid) and a bases-clearing double by Wilson. Lindblom was his usual efficient self, allowing only two hits and two walks over five innings of work. SS Brice Turang had been in a mini-slump (0-for-10 before a first inning infield single), so his 7th inning two-RBI single extending the Sounds’ lead to 11-4 had to feel good. As if 11 runs weren’t enough, the scoreline could have ballooned much further if not for three tremendous defensive plays by the Jumbo Shrimp, which you can see on their twitter feed. Performances of Note: Weston Wilson – 3-5, 2 doubles, BB, 4 RBIs Pablo Reyes – 3-5, 2 doubles, 3 RBIs, SB Alex Jackson – 2-5, double, SB Brice Turang – 2-6, 2 RBIs Jonathan Davis – 2-4, BB, HBP Abraham Almonte – 2-4, BB, HBP Andruw Monasterio – 1-4, BB Alec Bettinger – 2 IP, 4 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 2 Ks Luke Barker (Win) – 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BBs, 0 Ks Josh Lindblom – 5 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 2 BBs, 5 Ks Trevor Kelley – 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks Next week’s outlook: Nashville (24-11) is home this week to take on the Louisville Bats (13-22). RHP Caleb Boushley (4.28 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 8.3 K/9 in 33 2/3 innings) is expected to make his 8th start of the year to open the series. We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. Enjoy your travel day, young fellas! Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores Links for affiliate audio Standings and sortable stat pages Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth View full article

Cam Devanney blasts another one, his 2nd of the game and 4th of the year. 8-1 Shuckers after 6 innings.

Alberis Ferrer grand slam (3rd homer of 2022). 9-1 Mudcats in the 5th inning.

Wowsers! Joey Wiemer homers again (9th of 2022; 5th in last 6 games) to also score Sal Frelick (who’d singled). Felix Valerio follows with his 6th blast of 2022. 7-1 Biloxi in the 5th inning.

Jakson Reetz homers - his 7th! Cam Devanney homers - his 3rd, which also scored Tristen Lutz (who has 2 singles in 2 at-bats). 4-1 Biloxi through 4 innings.

Stiven Cruz struck out 3 more in the 2nd inning. That's 6 Ks through 2 innings! Joey Wiemer has given Biloxi a 1-0 lead in the 3rd inning with his 8th homer of 2022.

Carolina scores 5 runs in the 2nd inning: 2 run-scoring walks, a wild pitch and then a 2-run Jackson Chourio single. Let's go young men! 5-0 at this point

Stiven Cruz struck out the first 3 hitters he faced. That'll play!

Continuing today's theme, Nashville puts another 4 on the board, this time in the 4th inning, again all with 2 outs: a Tyler White infield single (1 RBI) and a Weston Wilson 3-RBI double. Let's hope that unlocks White from his recent 0-for-27 struggles.

Somewhat unsurprisingly (given the rust and relatively heavy traffic in his Bettinger's appearance a week ago), Jacksonville has responded with 4 runs of their own. It's 4-4, still in the bottom of the 2nd inning.

That’s a nice start for Nashville in Jacksonville, with 2-out doubles in the first inning by Weston Wilson (1 RBI) and Pablo Reyes (3 RBIs) staking Bettinger to a 4-0 lead before he throws his first pitch of the day.

Low-A Carolina needs a win today in Fayetteville to split their third consecutive series 3-3, as recently-promoted 20-year old Nicaraguan RHP Stiven Cruz (1.37 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 12.5 K/9 in 52 2/3 innings in the Dominican Summer League in 2021) makes his 2022 and full season affiliate debut. DH/OF Hedbert Perez has a 5-game hitting streak, including his 3rd home run of the season yesterday: 1 - Arbert Cipion - LF 2 - Eduardo Garcia - SS 3 - Jackson Chourio - CF 4 - Hendry Mendez - RF 5 - Hedbert Perez - DH 6 - Jeferson Quero - C 7 - Jesus Chirinos - 1B 8 - Zack Raabe - 2B 9 - Alberis Ferrer - 3B X - Stiven Cruz - P

A win at home against Birmingham today would give AA Biloxi its first series win since April 17th, as RHP Noah Zavolas (4.40 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 9.0 K/9 in 120 2/3 innings in AA in 2021) makes his long-awaited 2022 debut. Hopefully yesterday's offensive explosion (13 runs on 17 hits, including at least one by everyone in the lineup) continues into today:

The High-A Timber Rattlers aim to close out a 5-1 series win in Quad Cities, with superb LHP Brandon Knarr (1.62 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 10.3 K/9 in 33 1/3 innings) on the hill. RF Tristan Peters is on a 6-game hitting streak (1.309 OPS over last 29 plate appearances):