Ro Mueller

After losing on a walk-off yesterday, Wisconsin's LHP Antoine Kelly makes his 2nd start of the week try to lock down a 5-1 series win in Beloit. 1B Ernesto Martinez (.679 OPS is 3rd for the struggling hitters) returns to the lineup to try to boost the offense, while 2B Tyler Black has now been absent for one week: 1 - Sal Frelick - CF 2 - Carlos D. Rodriguez - DH 3 - Joe Gray Jr. - RF 4 - Wes Clarke - C 5 - Zavier Warren - 3B 6 - Ernesto Martinez - 1B 7 - Tristan Peters - LF 8 - Ethan Murray - SS 9 - Yeison Coca - 2B X - Antoine Kelly - P

The AAA Sounds try to grab a 4-2 series win in Gwinnett, with RHP Caleb Boushley making his 3rd start (and trying to avoid his 3rd loss). Super prospect Brice Turang makes his 2nd start in center field, while LF Weston Wilson and 1B Tyler White aim to continue their damage from yesterday (4-7, 2 HRs, double, 3 walks, 3 RBIs):

Thank you. That’s a worthy consideration and probably better than injuries or trades for minuscule cash.

It’s great to see Tyler Gillies return to official action for the first time since 2019. Curious what’s going on with Taylor Floyd, Jonathan Davis, Kent Hasler, Freddy Zamora… Fabulous pitching from Ethan Small, Brandon Knarr, Edwin Jimenez, Sounds’ bullpen.

RF David Dahl just hit a 3-run jack to push the Sounds' lead to 6-0 in the top of the 5th inning.

Israel Puello exits at 75 pitches in a 2-2 game with 1 out in the 5th inning, but with a runner on 2nd base. The Mudcats looked ready to blow it open in the 4th (based loaded with 2 outs) and 5th (1st and 3rd with 1 out), but couldn't convert. RHP Trevor Tietz comes on in relief and yields a run-scoring single, then a 2-run homer. Carolina is suddenly down 5-2.

3B Weston Wilson has hit his first home run of the season, a 2-run shot to give Nashville a 3-0 lead over Gwinnett in the 3rd inning.

As tantalizing of a prospect as that is, I'm guessing they'll want to see Hedbert Perez and Hendry Mendez start hitting first. They also have players like Alejandro Marte, Reidy Mercado and Eduarqui Fernandez which could get promoted if they're ready. Let's see!

As tantalizing of a prospect as that is, I'm guessing they'll want to see Hedbert Perez and Hendry Mendez start hitting first. They also have players like Alejandro Marte, Reidy Mercado and Eduarqui Fernandez which could get promoted if they're ready. Let's see!

LHP Brandon Knarr looks for a 2nd straight strong start (5 2/3 innings, 1 run last time out) and Wisconsin aims for a 6th consecutive win. Hot hitting C Darrien Miller (1.064 OPS) hits clean up to lead the offense in Beloit: 1 - Sal Frelick - CF 2 - Carlos D. Rodriguez - LF 3 - Joe Gray Jr. - DH 4 - Darrien Miller - C 5 - Zavier Warren - 3B 6 - Wes Clarke - 1B 7 - Tristan Peters - RF 8 - Ethan Murray - 2B 9 - Antonio Pinero - SS X - Brandon Knarr - P

RHP Victor Castaneda and the usual bashers (DH Felix Valerio - 1.210 OPS, RF Joey Wiemer - .991 OPS) try to lead the Shuckers to an 8th straight victory to start the year, while C Brent Diaz seeks to homer for the 3rd game in a row against Mississippi. SS Freddy Zamora sits for a 3rd consecutive game:

LHP Ethan Small (1.23 ERA in 7 1/3 innings) makes his 3rd start of the season and leading run producer 1B Jon Singleton (.884 OPS, 6 RBIs) returns to the line-up, as AAA Nashville tries to snap a 2-2 series tie against Gwinnett:

RHP Israel Puello makes his first start for Low-A Carolina and CF Arbert Cipion hits lead-off as the Mudcats rest a few young prospects. The team needs to snap a 2-game skid against Fredericksburg to get back into the series. RF Micah Bello (1.404 OPS) again leads the offense:

Pre-Game Notes: Carolina Wisconsin Biloxi Nashville

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

Pretty shallow fly ball to test him on! Back at it tonight. I'm also curious who'll get the Sunday start for the Rattlers, since Shook came on in relief on Friday night. Joey Matulovich? Antoine Kelly to get two starts in the same week?

Pretty shallow fly ball to test him on! Back at it tonight. I'm also curious who'll get the Sunday start for the Rattlers, since Shook came on in relief on Friday night. Joey Matulovich? Antoine Kelly to get two starts in the same week?

@BrewersPD added a video of RHP TJ Shook's dominating form for Wisconsin: ...as well as just-turned-18 CF Jackson Chourio hitting dingers in extended spring training:

@BrewersPD added a video of RHP TJ Shook's dominating form for Wisconsin: ...as well as just-turned-18 CF Jackson Chourio hitting dingers in extended spring training:

Thanks! Let’s give the fanatics what they want!

Thanks! Let’s give the fanatics what they want!

We’re so hitter-heavy, so I doubt it as we’ll just see hitters moving up and down like usual. We probably need Antoine Kelly to dominate and then guys like Justin Bullock, Victor Castaneda and/or Miguel Segura to emerge as potential studs. I don’t think they’ll put much stock in relievers like Uribe, Floyd, Robinson, etc.

We’re so hitter-heavy, so I doubt it as we’ll just see hitters moving up and down like usual. We probably need Antoine Kelly to dominate and then guys like Justin Bullock, Victor Castaneda and/or Miguel Segura to emerge as potential studs. I don’t think they’ll put much stock in relievers like Uribe, Floyd, Robinson, etc.

Shuckers are now 7-0. Lazar & Shook throw a combined shutout for the Rattlers. Sounds go 0-for-18 with runners in scoring position, lose close one. Mudcats are routed Image courtesy of Introductory blurb to display on front page. Shuckers are now 7-0. Lazar & Shook throw a combined shutout for the Rattlers. Sounds go 0-for-18 with runners in scoring position, lose close one. Mudcats are routed Friday’s games saw frustration for the Sounds, domination from expected places (Biloxi Shuckers; Wisconsin’s RHP Max Lazar) and take-note performances from the relatively-unheralded RHP TJ Shook, DH/C Brent Diaz and RHP Brannon Jordan. After a barrage of homers across the squads on Thursday, only Diaz connected this night, but it was a grand salami ?. Transactions: None Game Action: Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Fredericksburg 14, Carolina 1 Box Score / Game Log Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: ‘Cats Commit Five Errors in 14-1 Loss Fans of the young Mudcats should expect fair shares of awesome, good, bad and ugly this year, with this game falling into the latter category. After again taking the early lead, Fredericksburg quickly reversed it in the same inning and piled on from there. But hey, each squad tallied 8 hits, so if not for the 10 walks, 5 wild pitches, 1 hit batsman, 5 errors and hitting into 3 double plays, we could have been right in this game. Right? ? We start in the top of the first, where DH Jeferson Quero singled and advanced on an error, ground out and wild pitch to give the Mudcats a 1-0 lead. But that didn’t last long, as RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez loaded the bases with two hits and a hit-by-pitch, then a 1B Jesus Chirinos error and a wild pitch allowed 2 runs to score. The second inning saw 3B Alberis Ferrer’s night-to-forget unravel, hitting into a double play, then committing his first of his 3 errors on the night. Rodriguez was removed after giving up a home run and two singles in the frame, throwing 48 pitches on the night. LHP Karlos Morales came in with 2-on and 1-out, but the Ferrer error and a ground out allowed both inherited runners to score. 5-1 Nationals. The Nationals added 2 more in the 3rd inning on 2 wild pitches, a walk, and a single, then 1 more run in the 4th inning on an error and a passed ball. 8-1 Nats. By this point, Carolina’s bright spot had already entered the game. RHP Brannon Jordan covered the 4th through 7th innings in exceptional fashion: no hits, 4 walks, 8 strikeouts, 1 run that I swear was unearned. Unfortunately, the Mudcats’ bats did not wake up in spite of Jordan’s terrific effort. Then LHP Jakob Brustoski tried to handle the 8th inning, but instead simply opened the turnstile: 4 walks, a double, a homer, and a wild pitch to give up 6 earned runs before handing over to LHP Pablo Garabitos, who mercifully ended the carnage. It is worth noting that Mudcat pitchers did win the strikeout battle of the evening, K’ing 13 Nationals in 8 innings of challenging work. Tomorrow will be a better day, young men. Lace ‘em up! Performances of Note: Micah Bello – 2-3, walk Jheremy Vargas – 2-4 Jose Sibrian – 2-4 Carlos F. Rodriguez (Loss) – 1 1/3 innings, 5 runs (4 earned), 2 Ks Brannon Jordan – 4.0 innings, 1 run (unearned though the box score presently says otherwise), 8 Ks Saturday’s outlook: Expect RHPs Edwin Jimenez and Israel Puello to cover most innings, as the Mudcats try to mount a comeback from their 3-1 series deficit against Fredericksburg. Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Wisconsin 2, Beloit 1 Box Score / Game Log Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Rattlers Win Fifth Straight on 2-0 Shutout at Beloit The Timber Rattlers and Beloit Sky Carp played a much crisper game (no hit-by-pitches, wild pitches, or passed balls), though with limited offense. The story in Beloit was the duo of RHPs Max Lazar and TJ Shook, who combined to throw 87 strikes in 121 pitches, allowing just 2 hits, one walk, and no runs. In the top of the first inning, LF Carlos D. Rodriguez (single, stolen base) and C Wes Clarke (RBI single to left field) produced the only run that Lazar and Shook would actually require. 1-0 Timber Rattlers. Lazar then went to work, allowing only 1 of 13 batters to reach base over 4 innings. That was a 1-out double in the first inning, which thankfully went for naught. Given the early season passes issued by our major leaguers, it’s terrific to see a Brewers’ hurler not give up any walks, systematically destroying the opposition while throwing in the zone. However, don’t expect Lazar to get the quick promotion to AA Biloxi just yet, as he’s still ramping up after a long injury, throwing just 50 pitches this evening. If Beloit was thinking they’d have better success post-Lazar’s exit, TJ Shook crushed that dream quite readily, striking out the first two batters he faced. In fact, only three Sky Carp managed to reach base against Shook over five innings (5th inning infield hit, 6th inning walk, 9th inning error). His most amazing stretch was five consecutive strikeouts from the 6th to 8th innings, all swinging. In all, no Beloit hitter so much as reached 3rd base on the evening. Way to go Max and TJ! Rattler bats were relatively quiet this night, producing only three hits. But that last hit was a 9th inning RBI single by DH Darrien Miller, driving home RF Joe Gray Jr. who had walked and stolen 2nd base. That 2-0 lead was more than enough cushion for Shook to finish the job and earn the win. We’d be remiss not to recognize the solid game thrown by Beloit’s 20-year-old LHP starter Dax Fulton, who had to wear the loss despite giving up just 1 run and 2 hits over 5 1/3 innings Performances of Note: Wes Clarke – 1-3, walk, RBI Darrien Miller – 1-4, RBI Carlos D. Rodriguez – 1-4, SB Max Lazar – 4.0 innings, 0 ER, 4 Ks TJ Shook (Win) – 5.0 innings, 0 ER, 10 Ks Saturday’s outlook: RHP Brandon Knarr is on the hill after being unlucky his first time out (a loss despite yielding 1 run in 5 2/3 innings), as the Timber Rattlers seek a 6th straight win. Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Biloxi 7, Mississippi 3 Box Score / Game Log Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Shuckers Slam Their Way to Seventh Straight Win Another boring, ho-hum victory for the Biloxi Shuckers, their 7th in a row to start the season? Not quite, actually. This one featured a grand slam for the Shuckers and constant traffic against Biloxi pitchers, as the Mississippi Braves left 11 runners on base in the game. After the Braves stranded two runners in the top of the first against Biloxi RHP Tyler Herb, the Shuckers grabbed the lead in the bottom half via a 3B Ashton McGee single to drive in 2B Felix Valerio. While Herb settled in from there, Braves’ RHP Darius Vines got a little wild in the 3rd inning, with a wild pitch scoring Valerio (10 runs in seven games for Super Felix!) and walks to McGee (full-count) and LF Tristen Lutz (four pitches) to load the bases. Then DH Brent Diaz entered the box expecting a first-pitch strike and sent it high and deep into the dark left-field night. Grand Slam! 6-0 Shuckers. More highlights -- Brent Diaz – 2-3, HR, HBP, 4 RBIs Ashton McGee – 1-2, 2 walks, RBI Garrett Mitchell – 1-3, walk Tyler Herb – 4.0 innings, 2 runs (1 earned), 4 Ks Luis Contreras (Win) – 3.0 innings, 0 ER, 3 Ks Harold Chirino + Lucas Erceg – combined 2.0 innings, 1 ER, 4 Ks Saturday’s outlook: RHP Victor Castaneda (1.93 ERA in 4.0 innings) is scheduled for his 2nd start in 2022, as the Shuckers try for an 8th consecutive win to start the season. Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Gwinnett 2, Nashville 1 Box Score / Game Log Via the Sounds’ website, game details: Missed Opportunities Doom Sounds in Gwinnett With several regulars on the bench as part of early-season roster shuffling, the Sounds just could not collect a key hit in this tough loss to the Stripers, going a hard-to-comprehend zero-for-18 with runners in scoring position. But let’s give credit to Gwinnett, who struck out 15 Nashville batters and threw out a runner at home which would have given the Sounds an 8th inning lead. RHP Josh Lindblom was his usual solid self, as he undoubtedly wonders when he’ll get his next chance in the majors. He scattered 5 hits and 2 walks across 5 1/3 innings, with the Stripers knocking in one run in the bottom of the 5th inning. Lindblom did not allow lead-off doubles in the 1st inning or 4th inning to result in any damage and did well to escape the 5th inning with only the one run allowed, getting two infield outs to strand 2 runners. Now about those Sounds’ hitters. Despite a 3B Mark Mathias walk and C Mario Feliciano single giving the team 1st and 3rd with one out in the 2nd inning, DH Alex Jackson and LF Dustin Peterson could not knock a run in. The 3rd and 5th innings saw SS Andruw Monasterio stranded at 2nd base despite reaching there with no outs and 1 out, respectively. And in the 6th inning, 1B Tyler White was left stuck at 2nd base. LHP Rex Brothers finished off the 6th inning for Lindblom, before the Sounds knotted it up in the 7th inning on a walk and an error. However, as was the theme of the night, Nashville was unable to add a second run even though Monasterio had stolen 3rd base with just one out, as CF Garrett Whitley struck out on three pitches and RF Abraham Almonte grounded out. RHP Zack Brown pitched a clean bottom of the 7th inning before the Sounds faced more pain in the 8th. A lead-off single by White and ground-rule double by Mathias had Nashville poised to take the lead and potentially blow the game open. Instead, Feliciano grounded out to first (on a nice defensive play with the infield in) and Jackson flew out to right, with Gwinnett RF Justin Dean throwing a strike home to double up White at the plate. Performances of Note: Mark Mathias – 1-2, double, 2 walks Dustin Peterson – 1-3, double, walk Andruw Monasterio – 1-3, walk, 3 SBs Tyler White – 1-3, HBP Josh Lindblom – 5 1/3 innings, 1 ER, 4 Ks Rex Brothers + Zach Brown – combined 1 2/3 innings, 0 ER, 2 Ks Miguel Sanchez (Loss) – 1.0 inning, 1 ER, 1 K Saturday’s outlook: LHP Ethan Small makes his third start, as Nashville looks to take a 3-2 series lead in Gwinnett, while regulars Brice Turang, David Dahl and Weston Wilson will likely return to the line-up. Unfortunately, when three of the four affiliates are on the road, we may end up with more embedded Twitter highlights from the opposition, so let me balance that by adding this video of LHP Russell Smith dominating Beloit on Thursday evening: We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. Good luck this weekend, Brewers’ affiliates. View full article