Joseph Zarr

Well, the Shuckers season is officially over. That was a very challenging season to watch from start-to-finish. Really happy for them that they stole one in the Divisional series - really glad Hunt got that moment to shine. As a whole, however, the team itself was quite easily the most frustrating team in the entire system to watch on a weekly basis. There was a stretch early in the season where I couldn't even watch their games - they were mired in an awful funk and they then had that CF camera issue. They were just so frustratingly inconsistent. Big names underperforming. Erratic mostly low-scoring offense. Starting rotation constantly shuffling - injuries and promotions. The bullpen was their strength but then they got pilfered in the starting circus. All this to say: I did indeed officially write my last report of 2024 on Wednesday. 😅

This is most definitely an issue. Zoinks. Thanks for the reminder. It'll certainly be interesting to see how his off-season pans out. I'm sure the Brewers will be having conversations with his Agents but, given the lack of options, I'd be very curious to hear what those actual conversations are.

I have to absolutely think the Brewers are going to approach his agent about a potential new deal for 2025. You just can not ignore what he's done as a starter for the past two months. He has been brilliant.

What a disastrous outing for LHP Nate Peterson. Man, he just couldn't put it together this year but for a couple starts or outings here and there. Wildly inconsistent. Yeager just entered in the 8th and went single, two-run HR, double. Yikes. 8-2. Nobody out. Man on 2nd. Biscuits sprinting toward the Championship round.

I thought about Henderson but I see a tired pitcher. This is the first time in his career exceeding 80 IP. His velo is down a tick. He is essentially a heater/change-up guy at present. I don't think they do it. But, you could be right.

He's been on, essentially, a 5-to-7 day schedule between starts. He last pitched on the 15th. So, in theory he could take a Start for the Crew - if need be - some time in the next day or two. Or, in the very least, serve as an intentional long man out of the Pen in, say, an abbreviated Rea start (if they potentially continue to aim toward using him out of the Pen as a multiple inning guy in the post-season).

Obviously, they could go Yoho or Miz here but I just don't think they're going to force that hand given the issues each has shown of late. They need guys who can eat innings if needed. My dark horse guess: RHP Chad Patrick 13-1 season with a 2.95 ERA and 1.10 WHIP at Triple-A Nashville in 25 starts. His last two starts? 12 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 20 K, 0 R His stuff has looked its best and most composed all season in the last two weeks and he's had an unbelievably productive year. This move would also ensure he's protected from Rule 5. Shot in the dark guess here.

We will always have this memory. So there is that.

They need inning eaters. Herget has options. Makes sense. Tho, obviously, this stinks for Paredes who has pitched very well the entire season. I would have to think he'll get claimed by a lesser org (?) given his early season peripherals pre-injury. I could be very wrong here, obviously. Herget has pitched quite well as a whole at Nashville for a significant period of time. Very very curious how they choose to use that open roster spot.

Those infield errors have really cost the Sounds in 2-of-3 games I've watched. Both immediately ended in run-scoring karma. No error was charged to Arroyo in game one but it should have been. His brief mishandle and bobble led to the lead runner getting aboard vs Hudson. That runner tied the game. Cruel game!

About last night @ Montgomery... RHP K.C. Hunt is an absolute STUD. Been saying it since his very first relief outing @ Zebulon earlier this season. Been pounding the drum all season long. I mean, look at that swagger. The man absolutely knows. AND, I am absolutely here to witness in continued awe. He is dripping confidence.

The Sounds are 0-3 to start their season-ending series @ Norfolk. They've blown leads in every tilt as they wind down their season. Can RHP Mitch White continue his fantastic run of starts? As we've discussed ad nauseam of late, he has been a true Ace over the past month plus starting for the Sounds. In Biloxi, it's a make or break game three @ Montgomery with their three-game series knotted at 1-1. It'll be in the hands of LHP Nate Peterson to start things off. He's been much better of late but he did regress to giving up the long ball again in his last outing. This is obviously his most important start of his season.

Thread will be utilized for any minor league news Friday. Organizational Scoreboard MiLB Audio Links

It was just really weird. It was just so obvious he, in the very least, needed to be given the High-A challenge. With Clemmey, the walk issues were a real thing. Facing Low-A hitters made sense as he hadn't really found consistency in and around the zone - we saw this to a 'T' in the Mudcats' Game 1. With Sykora? My goodness. It was such an overmatch. Just a really strange decisions within the Nationals' org to keep him in Low-A the entire season. I'm sure they had their reasons (and, we are probably uninformed here?) but from an outside observer it was just an odd approach from the jump. Here he is discussing his early season after the Nationals kept him in extended spring training until May 1st: This was a great (short but sweet) little read, btw, recently in Baseball America (subscription pay wall): Sykora Article from Late August

I get it. You believe in Quay Walker and his abilities and are comfortable giving him a longer leash as a fan. I support you to this end. As I said originally: I really want Quay to succeed and I really want him to be a dynamic player. I haven't seen that but for a glimpse here and there. I personally think he's a problematic talent. And, this is my opinion. I don't feel as tho I need to elucidate further here. Hafley clearly is fully invested in Quay so hopefully that pays big dividends. I also am 'down' on Musgrave. Yes. Also my opinion. Completely fine disagreeing and seeing it entirely differently. No harm no foul. I understand TE's are typically slow-developing talents. I think recent developments there would tell you really talented TE's can develop earlier in today's game. But, alas, there is a historical precedent here. I am not losing a tick of sleep or thought on any of this, however. Just so we're on the level. I'm also fine being entirely 'wrong' on both players. They're both very young - always a plus when they have the raw athletic tool kits - and players evolve and mature as professionals at different speeds. That would be a fantastic development. I'm definitely open to it happening. And, because I view it differently doesn't mean I'm being a negative nelly. I just want the Packers to win, to experience success, and I want to enjoy the results as a fan. That's pretty much it.

@wiguy94:

I just don't understand why Pena won't use Molina! .

I just knew Hunt would shine. That man is a killer. A straight killer. What am absolute STEAL of an UDFA.

🥰 Awesome! Ladies and gents! Apologies for the oversight.

I guess I've already revealed how I think that Biscuits series is going to go. Reverse psychology? 😄

I can't believe I just submitted my final Minor League report. It's time to shift into some serious Fall Farm duties. It's been an absolute pleasure. I'm disappointed at the Muddies and T-Rats losses but, more than anything, I'm just grateful for their seasons. They gave us some lasting memories to carry through future seasons. Here's hoping the Shuckers can at least make the Biscuits work tomorrow night. Here's hoping. Go Brewers! It's been a fun ride, all.

There's no getting around it: the last week of Brewers Minor League baseball has been a rough one so far. The T-Rats couldn't muster any meaningful early hits with ample runners on base and in scoring position. This backfired when their bullpen arms had an uncharacteristically poor night. They fell 9-4 and their season ended with a 1-2 Championship Series defeat to Lake County. The Sounds led both games late and lost both leads and, consequently, both games. Thank the baseball gods the Brewers clinched and walked off the Phillies. Let's get into the report! Image courtesy of Brewer Fanatic Transactions: NONE Final: Lake County (Guardians) 9, Wisconsin 4 Captains Take the Title with Game Three Win Over Wisconsin - Rattlers Can't Overcome Big Lake County Innings Box Score / Game Log Pre-Game Media Notes RHP Will Rudy saved his best for last. My goodness what an absolutely fantastic start this young man put forth for his team and the fans. Young man, take a bow. In a second half where Rudy really started to come on, he pitched his best High-A game of his season. It was a masterful performance for the young man. He deserves all the flowers we can give him. The off-speed was absolutely painting the outer and inner black. He was setting up the high heat to perfection. And, with a start as impactful as Rudy's, C Matt Wood absolutely deserves the credit for handling his Ace. It was just a truly unfortunate turn of events when manager Victor Estevez had to turn to his bullpen - a typically very reliable group had an uncharacteristically tough evening. Rudy, on the other hand? Truly a Chef's kiss performance. He finished his work tossing 5.0 IP allowing 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, and 1 ER. 72 total pitches were thrown with 46 strikes. The decision to pull his starter was absolutely the right one for the Skipper. It was simply not to be. And, well, that's truly just baseball. Three Quick Strikes: 1) One could argue the Timber Rattlers had more than enough opportunities to settle the score early in the game. And, when we revisit the Box Score: my goodness did the bats squander opportunities! 2-for-15 with RISP. 2-for-15 in your championship game. Marry that unsightly line to the 5-for-6 execution by the Captains. We can lament the bullpen performance, but those multiple runners on scenarios with nobody crossing home plate certainly proved ominous. What's more, the run that did cross was the byproduct of a routine grounder that was misfired to first base with a failed scoop: Credit to CF Luis Lara on that hustle! After a rough playoffs leading into this game, Lara truly had a great performance (2-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB) when it mattered most. Will we see him in the AFL? Stay tuned. 2) With SS Cooper Pratt and 3B Luke Adams combining for a paltry 0-for-9, 2 K, 1 HBP, 1 SB, 1 PO performance we turn our attention and admiration to 2B Jadher Areinamo. Is there a player who impressed more in 2024 stateside? I have a very very hard time thinking of another position player who had the complete season Areinamo just had. 3-for-5, 1 R, 2 2B batting clean-up in a championship winner takes all? That is the stuff of absolute winners. He played his typical savvy defense as well. The sky is the limit with this young man. I know I've showered praises in his direction for two years running but he's only getting better, more consistent, and more impactful with the lumber. What will 2025 bring for this young phenom? 3) I wanted to see LHP Mason Molina in game two. I definitely wanted to see him in game three. And, unfortunately, we saw Molina's worst outing as a young professional pitcher. He was hit hard for two doubles and then walked a batter on five pitches. His night was done after a mere nine pitches and nary a single out. That was a tough tough debut at the High-A level in a key spot. Was it a tough ask? Perhaps. But, I have no qualms about the process only the results. Things didn't get better from there as both RHP Dikember Sanchez and RHP Tyler Bryant had their worst outings in quite some time. The three young hurlers allowed 8 ER in a mere 1 2/3 IP. That's just a tough result any way you look at it. One has to think LHP Mark Manfredi simply wasn't available given the way the game unraveled. Thankfully, amidst all that carnage, we saw more high impact work from surging RHP Stiven Cruz. Cruz threw one of the filthiest breakers I saw all season in his second inning of work. In a frustrating loss, I'll take a small revelation like that and hold it close. My only regret after such a wonderful Timber Rattlers season? These pictures aren't filled with the young men we so passionately followed from Game One. What a season. What a Team. Hold your heads up high, men. You gave it your all and came up short. Such is sports. We play for the glory but we live with the results, regardless. Game 1 Final: Norfolk (Orioles) 2, Sounds 1 Box Score / Game Log Game 2 Final: Norfolk (Orioles) 8, Sounds 7 Box Score / Game Log Sounds Swept by Tides in Doubleheader - Nashville Gets Walked Off Twice in Series-Opening Twinbill Pre-Game Media Notes Ooooof. The pain. Game One saw the return to some semblance of form for RHP Logan Henderson. 30 swings and only seven whiffs speaks to the ongoing late-season downward trend but we'll look at the 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 4 K, 1 HB, and 0 R as a much better result than what we've seen of late. He has now eclipsed 80 IP for the first time in his young (he's only 22 years old, after all) professional career. Tonight, Henderson was essentially a two pitch starter - his four-seamer (maxing at 93.5 mph) and change-up led the way eating up 89% of his pitches. He only threw the cutter 6 times in 54 total pitches. We did not see a breaking ball or a slider for the second consecutive outing. Has Henderson turned his slider into a cutter? Is Statcast identifying his slider as a cutter? Does it really matter? Regardless, he ends his season on a high note. He is healthy. Let's pray he has a fantastic off-season. In Game Two, we saw RHP Taylor Clarke do Clarke things. He was impactful with his mix - 33 swings and 17 whiffs is nothing to scoff at. He kept the exit velos down. BUT, he still found trouble in a tough luck frame. 3.0 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 5 K, 3 ER. All three runs crossed in the second frame. He left with the Sounds trailing 3-1. Seven runs versus old Brewers friend RHP Adrian Houser over 6.0 IP wasn't enough on this tough opening night. Three Quick Strikes: 1) With his season-long stablemates celbrating with champagne in a Home locker room, LHP Bryan Hudson was still put to work in Game 1 for the Sounds. In his ongoing 'get right' Tour, he's continuing to pitch quite well of late. 12 swings and five whiffs tonight. Max Exit Velo of 95.2 mph off a four-seamer. He was the victim of a botched grounder off the glove of 2B Christian Arroyo. He did max out at 91.7 mph so his four-seamer was a tick down from his last outing. The sweeper, however, was getting massive sweep and gathered 50% of the whiffs. He was credited with an earned run and a blown save but that is due to the scorer graciously not charging Arroyo with an error. All in all, 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 K, 1 ER. He deserved better. And, if I'm being honest seeing Hudson not celebrating with his Brewers teammates almost felt as bad as QB1 Jordan Love not getting his Thanksgiving turkey leg last fall. I'm just saying! 2) CF Chris Roller went 1-for-3 with 1 K in Game One. He followed with a 3-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB in Game 2. Why do I share this? Roller has battled his way back to the Mendoza Line! He's hit 0.333 in 42 AB so far in September with a whopping 0.999 OPS. Roller is proving he's hot out of the gates and heading into his offseason. Perhaps, his off-season work will be figuring out what goes in May-through-August? I kid. I am more celebrating his hot month and his recent run of impact AB's. Always a plus defender, it's fantastic to see him end his season with a hot stick. 3) 15-to-15 hits apiece in aggregate for the two games between the Tides and Sounds. 10-to-8 on the scoring ledger in favor of the Tides. These were two extremely closely played baseball games. There's no crying in baseball but there are no ties either. In Game One, SS Freddy Zamora's absolute web gem of a diving and sliding stop and toss to help Misiorowski to a clean frame was wasted. In Game Two every Sounds pitcher (and there were five of them) allowed a runner to cross the dish. These are simply tough luck losses. The only thing to do is shake them off and get back to it tomorrow in hopes of shifting the series momentum. Let's end the season on a four-game winning streak. Well folks, that's a wrap on my report writing season. It has truly been an absolute pleasure (yes, even with some post-season disappointments) writing for you. Stay tuned as @Spencer Michaelisand I roll out our post-Minor League Season pod(s) discussing the big picture down on the Farm when this season and the Brewers season is all wrapped up. Hopefully, oh so hopefully, after a World Series title! I believe! We're going to take our time and savor the end of this entire Brewers season as a whole. Once that's done simmering we'll start announcing something under the Brewer Fanatic banner. Tomorrow, the Shuckers will be on the road at Montgomery trying to avoid a two-game sweep. RHP K.C. Hunt will try to deal his best hand. I have faith he will show out. It's what he does. In a mid-day matinee, RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez will try to help the Sounds take game three. As always, thanks for reading and thanks for supporting Milwaukee Brewers Minor League baseball and the many players deserving of our time and recognition. I truly mean these words. The players deserve our time and recognition and I am happy to help give to this cause. 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