Joseph Zarr

It's very early but it's not all that easy to disagree with you.😅 I've been reminding myself I was fairly unimpressed with the Sounds offense early last season as well and then they surprised later in the season. But, yeah, this line-up as it is currently constructed (and certainly as it is currently performing) is pretty underwhelming. I've liked what I've seen from Delgado in small samples. I know EMJ is going to give us effort and output. But, boy, after that every AB feels like a tricky proposition. The infield battery of Seigler, Zamora;, and Monasterio to 'compliment' Durbin is really iffy. This is why i've been stating since last summer: Cooper Pratt has a clear path to an MLB opportunity. Today. This was before the impressions he forged in ST.

How long will the Wes Clarke 50% K rate last? My goodness. As I have opined on more than one occasion, it's the type of strike outs that are concerning: he continues to swing and miss at way too many pitches in the strike zone.

Already down 2-0 after one frame. Two of three first inning AB struck out. Time for more coffee.

This has little to nothing to do with RHP Chad Patrick - who is a fantastic pitcher in his own right and in his own way; who we (I in particular) celebrated all last year in our reports and Minor League threads; and who rose up tremendously in his first MLB start when the Brewers desperately needed him to (coming off a sick day, no less!). This thread is entirely about Shane Smith, the pitcher. AND, within that, this thread has to do with raw pure 'stuff'. and his evolution as a pitcher. As I've said on numerous occasions: the Brewers, plain and simple, let too talented a pitcher go to another organization for free. It was a strange and silly oversight and it was a mistake. It made no sense the day they left him unprotected and it still doesn't. BUT, also, at this point it's really all about celebrating the opportunity Shane Smith does have. He has a meaningful opportunity with the White Sox. He showed quite well tonight. He shows all the flashes and glimpses of what he could become. Flashes and glimpses he gave us all routinely the past two seasons as a Brewers. I'm personally still miffed he isn't a Brewer. BUT, I'm way way way more invested in supporting the player and his career arc. And, that is why I will visit this thread throughout the season.

April Fools. Yes, here we are, and we're all Brewers fans in early 2025. I'm not going anywhere so hold my beer! Alas, fear not my friends, 1B/OF/LHP (and Cy Young candidate) Jake Bauers will save us. Let that in a tiny little bit but 100%. In a game where small samples are routinely thrown in the trash just as often as they are lofted to heavenly heights of praise, it's hard to fathom a more painful start to an early season than what we've collectively experienced to date. It got better in Brew Town. Unfortunately, it really did not get any better for any of us on the mid-day single game scoreboard: the Sounds were dominated in a 5-1 loss in game one at Gwinnett. Begrudgingly, let's get into the report! Image courtesy of Brewer Fanatic Transactions: RHP Nick Mears was sent on a rehab assignment to the Nashville Sounds by the Milwaukee Brewers RHP Evan McKendry was activated off the Development List by the Nashville Sounds C Johanderson Tarazona (FA signing in the 2025 International Class) was officially assigned to the DSL Brewers #2 (There are a proverbial slew of assignments and promotions that officially began yesterday. You can find them HERE. For a detailed run through the absolute file cabinet of moves on the last day of March travel HERE) The Sounds lost their opening Home series 1-2 to Jacksonville but they took home an award when RHP Jacob Misiorowski was awarded the International League's Pitcher of the Week. Congratulations, Jacob! Final: Gwinnett (Braves) 5, Nashville 1 Via the Sounds' website, please be sure to click and read each of the affiliate write-ups as part of your season-long Link Report routine (believe me, it's worth it): * There is no Post-Game article published on the Sounds website as of late evening PST so enjoy the Stripers post-game article from the other side of the Box Score* Murphy's Blast Backs Waldrep as Stripers Earn First Win of 2025 - Waldrep K's 7; Murphy Blast Two-Run Homer Box Score / Game Log The Sounds suddenly have me nostalgic for 2024 Zebulon and Low-A Carolina: no Game Notes and no road post-game articles? Let's give the new crew a chance - we've been mighty spoiled for a mighty long time. I do look forward to those tasty nuggets whenever they should appear on my reporting nights. LHP Bruce Zimmerman made his Brewers organizational debut and he'd likely want a mulligan. It's hard to last in any outing when you are sporting a WHIP above 3.00 but that is indeed what Zimmerman endured in his 3 1/3 IP of 6 H, 4 BB, 1 WP, 1 HB, 2 K, 2 HR, and 5 ER ball. Ouch! Honestly, the fact he held it to five runs is a minor miracle and he can thank RHP Garrett Stallings for aiding him in that cause. Stallings came aboard with runners on the corners and only one down. He allowed a single run to cross on a ground out force out at second base. Now, because I am occupied in full during my daughter's two week spring break during the daytime hours, I did not have an opportunity to watch this matinee (for me) game live. However, in future Zimmerman outings I will want to discover what his 'Unknown' pitch is he threw 44% of the time (33 of 75 total pitches). Baseball Savant, as of this Tuesday evening, has no velo; spin; or, well any actual data of his most prolifically thrown pitch. Zimmerman certainly appears to be a pitcher who can throw the proverbial kitchen sink at opposing hitters so there will naturally be a feeling out period here for the long-time Orioles farmhand. In his first outing, however, it appears he just didn't know where said sink would land. Let's attribute it to our fond early-season friend named 'rust'. Three Quick Strikes: 1) How exciting was the Sounds offensive output in this game one affair? Well, they mustered five pokes; 3 BB; and 1 HBP but they struck out a whopping 16 times. C Jorge Alfaro added another two punch outs to his early season resume - he has yet to find a hit and is sporting both a 0.000 BA and a 0.000 OPS. That gets the ol' 12 AB early season shout out of 'Yikes, Jorge!' from this old farmer. Thankfully, DH Wes Clarke managed to find his first two knocks of his young season. None the less, he struck out two more times and has now struck out six times in 12 AB. Lead-off 3B Caleb Durbin managed a 2-for-4 game and hit his second double of his young season. Durbin has been a bright spot in what has been a mostly sluggish start for the Sounds bats through four contests. And, here is your lone charitable highlight: 2) As alluded to in the above headline, RHP Nick Mears saw his first live game action of 2025 since recovering from his Spring Training illness. His first stint was primarily fastballs (13) with a dash of sliders (2). He saw an average of 19 IVB and grabbed three swings and misses on the heater in nine swings. The heater sat 95 mph with a high of 95.6 mph. The slider sat 85.3, spun at an average of 2472, and came across the dish in typical Mearsian gyro-like fashion. 1 2/3 IP, 2 H, 1 K, 0 BB, and 0 R. 15 pitches thrown. 10 strikes. He did allow one 111.1 mph force out ground out to Anthony Seigler at second base and a 107 mph single. The double was a 77 mph bloop liner to left field. All told, this has to be seen as an encouraging first trip to the bump. 3) With RHP Easton McGee going 2 1/3 IP scoreless (0 H, 1 BB, 2 K) to close the game, he gave his squad everything they needed to try and make a game of things. And, in the top of the eighth frame the Sounds certainly had an opportunity to make things interesting. 3B Caleb Durbin opened with a lead-off double and Seigler followed with a walk to greet old friend, and current Stripers reliever, RHP Enoli Paredes. Speedy CF Jared Oliva was called out on strikes but Ernesto Martinez Jr. took a free pass to load the bags with only one down. The threat ended with a whimper when Alfaro (you may have guessed) struck out swinging and SS Raynel Delgado (3 K on the day) lined out weakly to the shortstop. Game Two begins even earlier tomorrow (10:05 AM CST) so I'll continue on in my early season "I'm a dad!" induced blackout on the farm. Let's hope RHP Deivi García can find the plate early and often and help lead his fellow Sounds head back toward the win column. Until then, thanks for reading and thanks for supporting Brewers Minor League baseball. Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores MiLB Audio Links Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth View full article

- C Johanderson Tarazona (2025 International FA Class) was officially assigned to the DSL Brewers #2 (or is it Blue...or Gold?!)

Debut indeed. And he's going to want a mulligan. 4-1 Stripers in the 4th. He just WP'd the man on 2nd (RBI double) to third - his second WP. In the process he walked our old friend, INF Eddy Alvarez, for his fourth free pass of his outing. I don't know he makes it past 3 1/3 IP w two HR surrendered and a WHIP over 3. Yikes.

Yeah 6 K through 2 1/3 IP is not fist pumps. This early season is bruuuuuutal.

Well LHP Bruce Zimmerman is pitching like he wants an early call up: 2.0 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 1 HB, 1 K, 2 HR, 3 ER Sounds trail 3-0 after two frames. They have one poke, a Durbin single. He also swiped a bag.

I believe an April Fools post on 3/31 and lasting through 4/1 would be classified as a 'Double Doink'?

I needed this.

Let's start with a celebration amidst this historically bad start by the Brewers. Not all is lost. Sample sizes are often tossed out the window. BUT, they are also celebrated...the baseball paradox.

Naturally, the Sounds will be playing in the early afternoon hours (PST - my time) and I will be knee-deep in Spring Break adventures with my 7-year-old daughter. Hopefully, I'll find some time to check portions of the game via MiLB.TV later in the evening. The (1-2) Sounds will take on the Braves' affiliate in the (0-3) Stripers. We are only three days away from all four full-season affiliates playing ball. As per usual, this thread will be utilized for any minor league news Tuesday. Organizational Scoreboard Nashville Audio MiLB TV (Subscribers)

I have to think, organizationally, they are pushing for Morgan to win that job. You can't pay everyone and you have to pay Tom. I have a nagging suspicion they don't really want to pay Walker starting Tackle money.

I noted that immediately and legitimately felt my stomach drop. This has been a brutal past 30 days. Here's hoping we see some rays of light.

He is currently listed as 'Active' on the Nashville roster page, but, unfortunately you and I both know those aren't exactly all that accurate. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

That's 'Jheremy' to you, Sir! Hopefully, that means he gets a chance with the Shuckers...

With all the negative happenings with the Brewers over the past month, I can rest easy into the official beginning of the full-season LHP Wande Torres era. I'm going to clutch his early outings like a mama Bear and her first born cub. 😅

RHP Jesus Rivero released? Well hello Monday. The onslaught of this early season continues.

With a runner on 3rd, EMJ strikes out looking (lefty on lefty matchup) in a 2-2 count. Another sweeper (inside black) in an AB filled with sweepers. 1-0 Sounds will continue to try and protect this lead in the 7th.

If the Brewers want to take their 'Masters of Market Inefficiencies' up a notch... How about the Closer who can throw a 55 mph curve?

'Houdini'

I watch this series and further ponder the inexplicability of leaving RHP Shane Smith unprotected in the Rule 5 Draft. Like, really? REALLLLLLY?!? I'm continuing to cope very well.