Joseph Zarr

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

Welch returned to the Ravens. Pretty cool story for him, honestly. Back where he began.

Very well could be. I'll see if we can glean anything in the pre-game interviews this week. I certainly noticed Seminaris got the game 1 nod and not our usual Wichrowski on the bump. O'Rae has also been out of the line-up since being pulled as the DH in the 9th inning Saturday. It was apparent, in the replay I went back to, he was pulling up with some nagging type of something after stealing his second base in the top of the 7th. He seemed to be favoring his right hip. (3:03:38 on the replay - you can see him grimace and bend over numerous times from the time he lands on the face first slide and the moments after before EBJ strikes out).

The T-Rats opened the day's games with a matinee 3-1 loss. Carolina and Nashville once again played the early evening tilts and both grabbed 'W's - Nashville returned a trouncing to the Knights and the Mudcats pulled away late. Biloxi manage to ride a series of long balls for a hard-earned 4-2 win of their own behind LHP Tate Kuehner and late shutdown bullpen work. Let's get into the report! Image courtesy of Brewer Fanatic Transactions: RHP Rafael Garcia was released by the ACL Brewers RHP Josh Timmerman was placed on the 7-Day IL by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Final: Nashville 12, Charlotte (White Sox) 2 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): Sounds Overcome Early Deficit and Pound Knights - Seven Sounds Tally RBI in 12-2 Win Box Score / Game Log Pre-Game Media Notes RHP Carlos Rodriguez certainly didn't give the look of a 7.0 IP, 2 H, 5 BB, 6 K, 2 ER outing early. However, the walks speak to consistent 'issues' locating precisely early and often. Despite the free passes, it's a credit to the young man's continued improvements at the Triple-A level that he was able to work past a two-run first frame. He held serve from there and the offense poured fourth a four-run fourth inning and a six-run sixth. That was all she wrote. All in all, Rodriguez hit 101 pitches with 64 strikes. I look to the 19 whiffs on 50 swings as a mark of a pitcher who also didn't give in despite nibbling. He leaned heavily on his change-up, four-seamer, and curve ball and sprinkled in his sinker, slider, and cutter. More importantly, if we step back and look at the bird's eye view of Rodriguez's August we should all be extremely pleased: 5 GS, 30 1/3 IP, 13 H, 15 BB, 1 HB, 30 K, 1 HR, 8 ER, 0.129 BAA, 0.92 WHIP. That is what we've been hoping for. Let's hope this is the new floor! Two Throws to First: 1) Speaking of heating up, I bring you 1B/DH Wes Clarke's August: 0.283 BA / 0.891 OPS. One night after smashing his 13th homer, Clarke managed a 3-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K evening. He is now up to a 0.247 BA / 0.787 mark in Triple-A. We haven't necessarily seen the power surge we've all been dreaming of but we are seeing an improved approach over the past month with results that have followed (and still plenty of power in the bat). In the very least, I can certainly see a floor of a future MLB platoon-worthy 1B who can mash lefties. Given his positive attitude and cheerful clubhouse demeanor, I am pulling for this baseline and more in the years ahead. 2) There is quite a bit to glean from a 16-hit offensive outburst (go ahead and take a look at the Sounds ledger) and I'll let you do so on your own accord, Rather, I'll laud the late-inning clean-up work from LHP Tyler Jay and RHP Elvis Peguero. Leading 12-2 when Jay entered in the eighth inning, the two hurlers buckled down and never dealt with any real threats in a combined 2.0 IP of 2 H, 0 BB, 4 K, 0 R work. As we all know, it is a boon to the outlook of a series when you can preserve arms. Tonight's collective pitching effort laid the groundwork for better odds moving into games three-through-six. With Columbus having won their first two this week versus Gwinnett, the Sounds have fallen one more game in the standings and are now 6.0 GB. Final: Biloxi 4, Montgomery (Rays) 2 Shuckers Drop Opener to Biscuits - Martinez Extends Hit Streak to Five Games Box Score / Game Log Pre-Game Media Notes LHP Tate Kuehner worked through 5 IP of 3 H, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 1 ER ball despite a 29 pitch first inning in which he escaped a bases loaded jam. Tip of the cap to him for digging deep and giving his team much needed innings. Tip of the proverbial cap again for picking up the victory by getting through five complete. Kuehner hasn't looked as sharp as I've seen him with his best stuff, but you have to love the fact he still isn't giving into hitters. We can work with a harmless solo jack with a 3-0 lead. When the young lefty is cooking he is really able to lead with the slider and get the chase with the high heat. I only saw that a handful of times tonight. But, again, it's a credit to him he could still put forth a meaningful start and I'm here nitpicking over 1 ER through 5.0 IP. Three Quick Strikes: 1) We got a taste last night from 3B Brock Wilken. Tonight, we got the full package of upper-echelon baseball from the talented third baseman. Patient AB's and solid pitch selectivity on his swing choices. He not only crushed one out of the ball park on a dipping inside slider: BUT, more importantly for me, it was the process and then the fantastic defense at the hot corner. Snaring liners. Snaring deep hard hit grounders. Throwing darts. This was the Wilken I remembered from his early High-A appearances. We can only hope this is the young man we see throughout the Shuckers late playoff push. 2) Not only has RHP Blake Holub not allowed a single run as a Shucker bullpen Ace, but he's also only allowed one-of-nine inherited runners to cross home plate. He was masterful in his second inning of work striking out three and really working the slider and change-up with skill while threatening with that 95-97 mph heat. He also stranded three of RHP Shane Smith's base runners after he saw three men get aboard with two outs in the seventh inning. Holub certainly hasn't seen this work translate to Triple-A but it is very fair to say he's dominating the Southern League. 3) Pulling one out when outhit 7-to-4 with a measly 0-for-1 mark with RISP is a testament to the Shuckers long ball - three homers in the four hits. It's also a testament to the limits of this Shuckers offense. With INF/OF Dylan O'Rae currently on the shelf (unknown reasons), 2B Ethan Murray clearly wasn't up to the task as the fill-in lead-off (0-for-4, 3 K). Which brings me to batting RF Lamar Sparks ninth. What are we doing here? Sparks hit 0.373 in July in 75 AB. He's hitting 0.301 in August in 73 AB. This is definitively stacked success. Why are we not taking advantage of this bat in run-producing spots in the line-up? And, yet, we are still consistently seeing the season-long struggling bat of SS Eric Brown Jr. in the top of the batting order. I find myself often having more questions than answers when I consider the Shuckers batting line-up configurations. And, at the same time, if I'm being honest: given what I've seen from the offense as a whole in 2024 it may simply be a bit too much like throwing darts. Final: Quad Cities (Royals) 3, Wisconsin 1 Quad Cities Takes Game Two - Bandits Hold Rattlers to One Run Box Score / Game Log Pre-Game Media Notes RHP Stiven Cruz is giving his team his all as the Timber Rattlers deal with injuries and illnesses amongst their team and pitching staff. Having started a mere four games in all of 2024, Cruz has now filled in and started three straight. He wasn't stellar today but he actually pitched better than the final line would indicate - 4.0 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 3 K, 2 ER. 84 pitches and 50 strikes. His two run third was largely the product of a bloop Caglianone double that plopped into the left field corner given the outfield was shifted far to the right given the tendencies they'd seen. It was an unfortunate result. But, all things considered, Cruz certainly gave his team more than enough to make a game of it. Unfortunately, one run was all they'd muster despite knocking seven hits throughout the yard. Full-Game Highlights: Post-Game Pod: Three Quick Strikes: 1) Just one game after I lauded 1B Jesus Chirinos for his improved play across the board, he steps up yet again. 2-for-4, 1 2B (the lone T-Rat XBH), 1 R, 1 K. He's just a solid under-the-radar player. I continue to be a fan given the transformation I've witnessed over the past year plus. I sincerely hope he continues getting opportunities. 2) This was about as vintage an 'Everything Yerlin Rodriguez' outing as we could get. It has the good and the bad. Rodriguez inherited RHP Stiven Cruz's two base runners with nobody out in the fifth frame. Not a spot he is accustomed to, he struck out the very dangerous Caglianone for the first out. He then threw a wild pitch advancing both runners but escaped via a strikeout swinging and a fly out to center field. A truly incredibly Houdini Act. However, he then opened his second inning of work with a HBP and a wild pitch. He escaped this frame with only one run of damage - single, ground out, K swinging, walk, K swinging - but, as a whole, it had the whole RHP Yerlin Rodriguez package. I will continue to ponder if he'll ever put it all together as he advances in age. So many tools. So little consistency. 3) With extremely little coming in the way of opportunistic or productive offense, I point you to the bullpen efforts of RHP's Bayden Root and Chase Costello. A combine 3.0 IP of 2 H, 2 BB, 6 K, and 0 R work was what the doctor ordered as I sat down for the finish of this matinee tilt. I've shared on many occasions how bullish I am on Costello's overall skills and make-up. Root badly needed a bounc eback outing after his recent 1 2/3 IP of 6 ER ball at Great Lakes. The transition to High-A has been anything but smooth for Root but he certainly has shown he can buckle down. The T-Rats bullpen badly needs his best version on a consistent basis given the bevy of injuries up and down the pitching staff. Today was a step in the right direction. Final: Carolina 7, Lynchburg (Guardians) 3 Box Score / Game Log Mudcats Start Fast in Win at Lynchburg - Carolina Pulls Away Late Behind Four Late Runs It was our first look at RHP's Tyson Hardin and Jack Seppings in the Brewers organization and it was a mixed bag. It seems quite clear both young men were being restricted to pitch counts in the mid 20's. Hardin struggled with control early and often and ultimately only lasted 1 1/3 IP of 2 H, 1 BB, ) K, 1 Balk, 2 ER ball. It was clear Hardin was amped up and over-throwing his pitches - 24 total pitches throw with 11 strikes. Seppings, on the other hand, very much came as advertised out of Brown University: controlled, poised, and accurate in and around the zone. He managed 25 pitches with 14 strikes over 1 2/3 IP of 1 BB, 1 K, 0 H, 0 R work. He also picked up his first professional win in the process! Congratulations, young man! Three Quick Strikes: 1) Yes, 1B Eric Bitonti can still hit the long ball. 1-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 HR, 0 K. Love those nights when this powerhouse of a young man manages a clean slate in the strikeout department while grabbing a free pass and smashing a bomb over the fence. The batting average is quite a bit lower than one might expect but it's extremely important to remember this is a transition into the toughest pitching this young man has ever seen. He'll get there. I have zero doubts. 2) Locked in a tight 3-2 battle in the top of the third, RF Luis Castillo rocked another two-run homer just inside the right field foul pole. The announcers knew it. The Mudcats knew it. Yet, the home plate umpire certainly didn't. He inexplicably ruled the ball hooked past the foul pole. It was quite a moment. Castillo ultimately grounded out to end the threat. However, he did not waste another opportunity as he smashed his 18th homer of his season in the eighth inning when he ripped a solo jack over the right center field fence. The announcers reference the earlier blown call here ("Castillo gets his home run..."): 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI (his 73rd and 74th of his season), 1 BB, 1 HR. This has been a massive power surge for Castillo in 2024. It leaves one wondering, despite the limited defense, what more is in store for this young man who is in his 20-year-old season? Are we just getting started here with a true corner outfield power bat? Or, is this an anomaly? We'll simply have to stay tuned. We have to be very excited to have Castillo and Bitonti and their power bats in the Mudcats line-up, however, as they head to the playoffs. 3) The Lynchburg announcers spoke to this in the broadcast (a very informed and enjoyable listen, btw), but what a luxury the Mudcats have in LF Yoshwar Garcia (2-for-5, 2 K, 2 SB) as a mainstay in the 7-through-9 spots in the Mudcats batting order. He covers quite a bit of range in left field and he uses that top end speed as a real weapon on the base paths. He swiped two more bags tonight and now has 58 steals on his season. CF Yophery Rodriguez continues to get lead-off opportunities (0-for-5, 3 K, 109 K on his season) but there is little doubt in my mind Garcia could fill that role and fill it quite well if he had the right mindset. That's a wrap for my report writing duties this week. One more week of the four full-season squads remains and we start those Low-A and High-A playoffs. My, what a long road we've traveled in 2024. LHP Mason Molina will take the hill for his first start as a Brewer when the Mudcats face Lynchburg tomorrow - I imagine he'll also be on a limited pitch count. RHP Mitch White looks to continue his surge as an impact starter for the Sounds as Nashville looks to jump ahead in the third game of their series. RHP Nick Merkel will play the part of a starter for the ongoing shuffling going on for the Shuckers in what is surely a bullpen game. And, lastly, RHP Tyler Wehrle will do the same for the T-Rats and their pitching staff as he grabs the ball for his first start of his 2024 season. I hand the coverage throughout the rest of this last week of August to Daniel and Jim. As always, thanks for reading and thanks for supporting Milwaukee Brewers Minor League baseball and the many players deserving of our time and recognition. 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

Absolutely. I've been thinking about this a bunch lately. Our best complete SS in the system is quite easily Cooper Pratt (barring unforeseen meteoric rises from Made and Pena). BUT, he's at least two years away from consideration by my eyes. EBJ just isn't ready - despite the plus defense his swing is an absolute quagmire at present that just does not play at the MLB level (let alone Double-A). It's going to have to be a group effort but you just can't replace his clutch power bat. It's a bit of a unicorn. Despite his ongoing defensive woes (which seem quite fixable and silly), his bat is so absolutely colossally huge for the offense. That just doesn't grow on trees.

Agreed. Hence, patently insane. I can't make all that much sense of it. AND, yet, for the most part the results are there. It's been such a confounding season as a whole. And, yet, here we are.

The Brewers have allowed the third fewest runs in all of MLB baseball. I find that patently insane given the nature of this 2024 season. I mean, that's just incredible. The offense on the other hand? Teetering at Top 10. Still entirely too streaky for my liking. Tonight a prime example. Big five-run inning and then nothing. Man, I miss healthy Yelich so much. He was a rock in this line-up. He is sorely missed.

That's a shame. He writes some absolutely fantastic stuff. I can separate the two as he has deep roots with Baseball Prospectus - he's a Head. I just found that particular article and headline borderline hilarious. It was such a silly thing to proclaim.

Careful, you might get a Trueblood article tomorrow telling you how that was unquestionably and unequivocally the correct and only decision.🤭

Yeager goes 1,2,3 and the Shuckers hold on 4-2. With the M-Braves beating Pensacola the Shuckers hold on to their 2.5 G lead on the playoff berth. Big win.

Holub has not only not allowed a run in Double-A. BUT, he's also inherited 9 runners allowing only one to score. He's been a major cog for the Shuckers bullpen.

Smith went 1-2-3 in the 6th. Then gave up a complete goose snort oppo bloop to shallow LF over the infield and miraculously to the grass to start his 7th. Smith then misfires a throw to 1B as a pick-off. I can not tell you the number of times I've seen a Minor Leaguer misfire a quick turnaround throw to 1B. He got a line out to Sparks in RF - runner held. He then got the second out on a weak pop out to EMJ at 1B. In an 0-2 count to the next hitter he missed low and in the dirt. Then a foul down the 1B line into the stands. 1-2 count he elevated a slider to the upper corner and it was lofted enough for an RBI single to CF. It was 4-2. He then gave up another single to LF. Walked the next batter. Bases juiced with two down and that was when Holub got the call and shut it down.

Martinez Jr. absolutely scorched a 104 mph oppo jack off the building past the fence. Just a dart. AND, WIlken drew the walk before the AB. Love it.

Last night was nice. Tonight was really nice. The long ball and he has played absolutely fantastic defense at 3B. This really needs to become the norm. Obviously, he's not going to hit long balls every night. BUT, hard contact; good swing decisions; and plus defense is what we are looking for. We need to start stacking these into the playoffs. That's my hope. All the talent is there.

Castillo knows he was robbed of a two-run jack earlier. He shrugs it off in the 8th. He rips a no doubter over the RF wall well inside foul territory. A pure missile and a huge insurance run. 4-2 Mudcats.

Wilken is playing a fantastic 3B tonight. You love to see it. Clean glove in two key spots. Just threw out the lead-off in the 4th on a deep hard hit chopper. Got their quickly. Grabbed it cleanly. Turned and fired an accurate dart to grab the runner.

The Knights inexplicably bring in a lefty to face 1B Wes Clarke. He proceeds to rip a 1-0 line drive single into the left CF gap. Plates two more. 9-2 Sounds.

Sounds are adding on in the 6th. A HBP RBI for Arroyo and a Walk RBI from Black. 7-2 Sounds. Pitching change is coming. One down. Bases still juiced.

Sparks. Solo jack over the LF wall. Another Sparks rip. He's been the most consistent offensive presence for at least two months. 100 mph rocket 378 feet. 2-0 Shuckers.

Nava does it again. Just another clutch RBI poke. It's all he does. Love him. Just love him as a player. Rips a single up the middle infield with the infield in, one down, and Owen Miller standing at 3rd. 5-2 Sounds.

Wilken snags a hard hit liner to his glove hand side to flash leather just a half inning after his line drive HR. Fantastic early going for the young man!

Wilken turned on an inside slider that came back over. Solo rip. His 16th. That ball was scorched. You love to see it. 104 mph dart. 366 feet over that LF wall. 1-0 Shuckers. Two hard hit balls last night. HR today. Let's get away from August STAT! Woot woot!

He digs deep and gets the swinging K on a high inside heater that arm side runs above the zone. Fantastic pitch. He escapes and will look to bounce back in the next frame with a cleaner inning.

Kuehner is going to likely have to get this batter or risk being pulled. 1-2 count. Pitch count is approaching 30.