Ro Mueller

The Mudcats are staring down the barrel of a potential 4th straight defeat, but Yannic Walther just legged out an infield hit with 1 out in the final scheduled inning, trailing 3-2. That brings Jesus Made up.

Biloxi conceded 3 runs in the top of the 8th inning (off Tyler Bryant) to trail Montgomery 6-3. But they responded with a 5-spot(!) via some opposition mistakes (error, catcher interference, passed ball) and then 3 two-out hits (Miller + Ramon Rodriguez singles; Ethan Murray 2-run triple). RHP Justin Yeager closed out the 8-6 win from there. Starting RHP Abdiel Mendoza had conceded 8 hits and 2 walks, but only 2 runs in a 5-inning outing. Wilken and Miller homered in the initial 3 Shuckers’ runs.

Sam Garcia went 82 pitches in his first Minor League start, including a walk to start the bottom of the 5th inning with the game tied 2-2. Unfortunately, a single and double steal brought that baserunner across. The Mudcats had 2-on, 2-out with Adamczewski up last inning, so of course he walked and the next batter (Bitonti) flew out. Marco Dinges gave us the 2 runs on a no doubter in the 3rd inning.

Nail biter 1-0 road win for the Timber Rattlers behind Bishop Letson (5.1 IP, 4 H, 0 BB, 4 Ks; 70 pitches), winning despite no extra base hits or RBIs. SS Eduardo Garcia also exited at the 5 1/3 inning mark after Vargas caught a ball in left field. Areinamo and Wood had the team’s 4 singles, while Root, Sanchez and Rund shut the door.

22-year old LHP Sam Garcia makes his first start (4th appearance), as the Mudcats need to win to split today’s doubleheader. Luis Pena left the first game with late discomfort (leg), but INF/OF Demetrio Nadal returns after missing 9 days. Yannic Walther makes a surprise outfield appearance.

20-year old RHP Bishop Letson (2.45 ERA, 13 Ks in 11 IP) is on the bump for High-A Wisconsin at Cedar Rapids tonight, with the Timber Rattlers aiming to knot the series 2-2. 2B Jadher Areinamo’s 20 hits and 7 doubles have him near the top of the Midwest League leaderboard.

Linebacker/DH/C Jorge Alfaro is up to 6 HRs and 7 SBs on the young season for the AAA Sounds. They trail their home series against Durham 2-1 and have RHP Deivi Garcia (2.70 ERA, 11 Ks in 13:1 IP) starting tonight.

The AA Shuckers can take 3-1 home series lead over Montgomery with a 3rd straight victory tonight behind RHP Abdiel Mendoza. RF Garrett Spain has been a major spark plug since joining the roster (1.006 OPS in 39 PAs).

Game 1 of Low-A Carolina’s doubleheader sees 6’4” RHP Travis Smith (3.12 ERA, 6 Ks in 8.2 IP) make his 4th start, with the team trailing 0-2 in this week’s series at pesky Columbia. DH/INF Luis Pena’s hitting streak is 12 games and 2B Josh Adamczewski has 8 multi-hit games in 16 played.

Jake McKibbon has a deeper dive on how Woodruff’s stuff and velocity held up (or didn’t):

Woodruff and Rodriguez tossed shutout baseball in Nashville’s split doubleheader. Pratt, Adams and Wood had big homers for the Shuckers and Timber Rattlers. Jesus Made returned in Carolina’s close defeat. Transactions: RHP Cesar Espinal (recently acquired for Mark Canha) assigned to DSL Brewers Blue RHP Brandon Woodruff’s rehab shifted to AAA Nashville RHP Merwin Manrique (signed January 15) assigned to DSL Brewers Gold LHP Bryan Hudson optioned to AAA Sounds from MLB Brewers Game Action: Game One Final: Nashville 2, Durham 0 (in 7 innings) Box Score and Game Log Game Two Final: Durham 9, Nashville 7 (in 8 innings) Box Score and Game Log Via the Sounds’ website, game details, and we encourage readers to review affiliate write-ups as part of their Link Report routine: Sounds Split Thursday Twin Bill with Durham Per the linked game report, the Sounds blanked the Bulls for 13 innings, nearly completing a 2-win, 2-shutout sweep, before things went awry in the final scheduled inning in the second game. Terrific starts from rehabbing RHP Brandon Woodruff (5 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 5 Ks) and 23-year old RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez (5 1/3 IP, 3 H, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 8 Ks) were the story of the night, with both serving notice that they’re ready to contribute at the Major League level if called upon (health-permitting, of course). Woodruff’s third rehab start saw him maintain his velocity (94.1mph peak) across 61 pitches (41 strikes), while the youngster Rodriguez baffled hitters across 78 pitches (52 strikes) with his 6-pitch mix of changeups, cutters, curve balls, sinkers, sliders and four-seamers (94.4mph peak). Nashville recorded just two hits in the opening game victory, including C Jorge Alfaro’s (2-for-5 day, HR, walk, 2 RBIs, SB and most likely to selected in an NFL draft, per players’ poll) 6th blast of the young season: https://x.com/nashvillesounds/status/1915551204647604306 OF Jared Oliva added an insurance run (his 6th homer of 2025, to go with 13 stolen bases) in that opening game for good measure: 1B Wes Clarke had a productive day at the plate (2-for-6, 2 RBIs), nearly leading the offense to victory in the night cap: SS/2B Andruw Monasterio (2-for-5, walk, RBI) and 3B Freddy Zamora were in give-and-take mode, with Zamora’s RBI extending the Game 2 lead to 6-0 before his game-tying error later in the same inning: Sounds’ Extras: The box scores tells us that RHP Ryan Middendorf surrendered most of the damage in the Game 2 collapse (5 earned runs, 4 hits, 1 HBP against 6 batters), but the exit velocities were 73.2, 40.6, 75.9 and 90.2. Still leading 6-3 with 2-on, 1-out, RHP Vinny Nittoli attempted to close it out, but 2 singles and an error allowed 3 more runs across before RHP Jesus Liranzo conceded 3 runs (2 earned) in the extra frame. 3B/SS Oliver Dunn’s road back to MLB may have begun with his double (106.5mph) in the second game, part of a 1-for-6 day with a walk. Yes, he played shortstop in that late game. Regular Minor League Forum contributor @wiguy94 picked this nugget from Jeff Hem on the Sounds’ broadcast: “Ernesto is dealing with a right thumb issue so I was woefully off thinking it was a right thigh issue”, thus explaining 1B Ernesto Martinez Jr.’s absence from the two lineups. Friday’s outlook: RHP Deivi Garcia (2.70 ERA, 11 Ks in 13 1/3 IP) is scheduled to start Game 4, with the team needing a win to even the home series at 2-2. Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Biloxi 7, Montgomery 3 Box Score and Game Log Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Adams Celebrates 21st Birthday in Style with First Double-A Homer in Shuckers Win Two wins and 17 runs in the last two games for the Shuckers? Is this still the pitcher-friendly Southern League? Clutch extra-base hits were the name of the game for Biloxi, with all 7 runs coming home on XHBs: 3B Brock Wilken (2-for-3, double, walk, RBI) got the scoring started and reached three times to lift his season OPS to .771 (with a .179 AVG): SS Cooper Pratt and 1B Luke Adams had one hit each, but certainly made them count: Also encouraging was RHP Coleman Crow (2 1/3 IP, 1 R, 2 Ks) making his 2nd start after a prolonged injury absence. Though it wasn't exactly smooth sailing (5 H), he got timely outs and other help (thanks C Ramon Rodriguez and RHP Stiven Cruz) to only concede 1 run. Find more video highlights on the Shuckers’ Twitter feed, including contributions from Garrett Spain and RHP Will Childers. Shuckers’ Extras: Credit LHP Nate Peterson (4 IP, 1 R, 6 Ks) and RHP Will Childers (2 IP, 1 R, 4 Ks) will striking out 10 Biscuits over their combined 6 innings of solid work. Montgomery actually outhit the Shuckers 10-8 and matched them with 4 XBHs, but stranded 13 baserunners in a frustrating evening for them. In addition to his first AA homer, of course Adams also collected an HBP on his birthday. Friday’s outlook: RHP Abdiel Mendoza (7.59 ERA, 10 Ks in 10 2/3 IP) gets the call to try to lead Biloxi to a 3-1 home series lead. Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Wisconsin 13, Cedar Rapids 5 Box Score and Game Log Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Rattlers Offense Pulls Away Late in Cedar Rapids Though the final score doesn't suggest it, this was a tense affair through 8 innings. Wisconsin's offense was certainly due for a breakout and it happened here on the road with 13 runs and 14 hits. Even stranding 11 baserunners (7-for-16 with runners in a scoring position) can be seen as a positive sign for a team that had lost 7 of 8 games coming in. C Matt Wood's (featured in a timely Appleton Post-Crescent article) only hit of the night was a first-pitch biggie to give Wisconsin a 4-3 lead in the 3rd inning: The linked game report by Chris Mehring captures the action beautifully, including the clutch 2-out RBI singles from the Garcia non-brothers (Eduardo – 2-for-5, walk, RBI; Yhoswar – 2-for-4, walk, RBI): We’re blessed with more video highlights at the linked game report and Timber Rattlers’ Twitter feed, including Hedbert Perez (2-for-6, triple, 2 RBIs, SB) and Jheremy Vargas. Timber Rattlers’ Extras: Starting RHP Chandler Welch battled through 8 hits over 5 innings and 82 pitches, while RHP Zach Peek collected his 2nd win thanks to 2 pristine innings (6-up, 6-down, 3 Ks). Offensive leader SS Jadher Areinamo reached base 5 times (2 hits, 2 walks, 1 HBP) and DH/1B Blake Burke contributed a double and a single. Friday’s outlook: RHP Bishop Letson (2.45 ERA, 13 Ks in 11 IP) is listed to make his 4th start of 2025, with Wisconsin needing a victory to even their road series at two games apiece. Final: Columbia 2, Carolina 1 Box Score and Game Log Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Mudcats Drop Contest at Columbia A second straight 1-run defeat has the talented Mudcats in unfamiliar territory, trailing 2-0 in their road series. But that pales somewhat in importance to the return of 17-year old SS Jesus Made (1-for-4, 1 K) from injury and 5 solid innings from 19-year old starting RHP Bryce Meccage (4 1/3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 4Ks). Carolina League OPS leader 2B Josh Adamczewski led the offense with a 3-for-4, 1 RBI day (.383 season AVG, 1.090 OPS in 74 PAs). Long reliever RHP Tanner Gillis had his first challenging appearance, conceding the 2 runs on a double and 6 singles over 3 innings. The winning run came across on an 8th inning duffed infield grounder (rough luck). Mudcats’ Extras: Gillis did register 4 strikeouts, part of a combined 10K/0BB day by Mudcats’ pitchers (including LHP Anfernny Reyes’s 2 Ks). Utility man and pleasant surprise Luiyin Alastre (right field in this game) contributed a double, walk and outfield assist. Friday’s outlook: RHP Bryan Rivera (1.08 ERA, 9 Ks in 8 1/3 IP) is listed to start the first game of Carolina’s twin-bill, with RHP Melvin Hernandez (3.09 ERA, 10 Ks in 11 2/3 IP) and LHP Sam Garcia (2.38 ERA, 12 Ks in 11 1/3 IP) likely available for their second contest of the night. We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. The Mudcats get Friday action started with Game 1 of their doubleheader at 4:35 CST, while the Milwaukee Brewers head to St. Louis for a 7:15pm start time. 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

Nearly a 5-0 night across our affiliates, but Carolina lost a 2-1 battle and Nashville blew a 6-0 lead in the final inning against Durham. Still good to see offense and.victories for Wisconsin and Biloxi, a Woodruff/Nashville win (Game 1), Jesus Made’s formal return, solid starts from Meccage and CF-Rod, and homers from Wood (slam), Pratt, Adams, Alfaro and Oliva.

- RHP Cesar Espinal (recently acquired for Mark Canha) assigned to DSL Brewers Blue - RHP Merwin Manrique (Jan 15 signing) assigned to DSL Brewers Gold - RHP Brandon Woodruff’s rehab transferred to AAA Nashville

LHP Bryan Hudson optioned to AAA Nashville

Just a late 2025 IFA sighting, I think. He’s been 16 since July 2024. We usually sign a few IFAs (mainly pitchers) after the January signing window opens.

At least the runs are raining down for Biloxi: 10 of them on 11 hits through 8 innings, led by table-setter RF Garrett Spain and LF Zavier Warren with 3 hits and 3 RBIs each. KC Hunt tossed 6 strong innings (1 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 5 Ks).

It’s a night of rain across much of the land, as the Sounds and Mudcats have both succumbed to the elements: - Nashville to make up this game via Thursday doubleheader - Carolina to make up its game via Friday doubleheader

Ryan Birchard had a terrific outing, allowing just 3 hits and a walk over 5 innings (1 run); while striking out 5 Kernels. Unfortunately, only 18 T-Rats have come to the plate through 6 innings. Yes; that’d be perfect game territory, except for 1 Juan Baez opposite field single (erased by a GIDP 1 pitch later). They’re on a rain delay. trailing 3-0 thru 6 innings.

21-year old RHP Ryan Birchard (4.70 ERA, 9 Ks in 7.2 IP) got the Game 2 start at Cedar Rapids for High-A Wisconsin, his 3rd of the young campaign. Unfortunately, the team is producing just 3.25 runs per game (vs. league average 4.87). CF Yhoswar Garcia returns to the lineup after being a late scratch yesterday.

17-year old SS Jesus Made is back in the lineup after missing 2 games, while 19-year old RHP Bryce Meccage (4.50 ERA with 6 Ks in 8 IP) makes his 4th start of the season, this time trying to even their series at Columbia. DH/INF Luis Pena’s hitting streak is now 11 games.

AA Biloxi aims for its first victory (and runs) of this week’s home series against Montgomery. RHP KC Hunt (7.59 ERA with 12 Ks in 10,2 IP) makes his 4th start of 2025. SS Cooper Pratt has hit safely in his last 4 games.

Will RF Daz Cameron homer for the 4th straight game? RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez (1.40 ERA with 25 Ks in 19.1 IP) has been stellar through 4 starts. Nashville needs to put it together at home to even their series 1-1 with Durham.

Thank you for this

- Signed 16-year old, 6’1” RHP Steven Duran from the Dominican Republic