Joseph Zarr

In terms of DSL games and implications, that Cerveceros Uno (22-12) victory was about as big as it gets in the regular season. They've played two less games than the DSL Orioles Orange (23-13) but winning a head-to-head pulled them dead even atop their divisional standings. Pena also did Luis Pena things hitting his 4th triple of his season and knocking two across in the process.

We do not, no. However, going off basic Defensive stats page listings we know he played 307 1/3 innings at the Hot Corner this ACL season. He was charged with 7 Errors and given a 91% FPCT. This is ACL statistics so we can't invest too heavily here but as a baseline this is indicating the perception of at least an average defender with possible a perception he has limited range. What is interesting is we now have 3 6'4" 3B candidates in the system in Wilken, Adams, and Bitonti. We won't really know anything, however, until we see him in the full-season levels. For example, the perception of Baez coming from the ACL last season was we possibly had a very sketchy defensive player but he has been more than fine playing the hot corner at Carolina.

Two new UDFA's added to the Mix: Prince Fielder's son?!? My goodness, as if I needed another reminder I'm a year older since yesterday: RHP Miles Langhore, RHP out of Charlotte (you can find 2020 'X' video of Langhore when he had committed, at the time, to Vanderbilt) (from 'Baseball America's' ongoing free Undrafted Free Agent Tracker Thread HERE)

Every once and awhile a very talented player reaches a new level right before your eyes. It's no secret I've admired RHP Yerlin Rodriguez's raw talent for two years running. Tonight, he put it all together in an absolutely dominant 12-pitch ninth inning. More below. As a whole, we had a 4-1 affiliate day of baseball. The ACL Crew closed their season with a two game win streak by winning a tight 2-1 contest in the desert. Nashville, Biloxi, and Wisconsin all bounced back with victories after losses last night. Unfortunately, the Mudcats lost game two at Salem. Let's get into the report! Image courtesy of Brewer Fanatic Transactions: RHP J.B. Bukauskas was sent on his first rehab assignment to the ACL Brewers Final: Nashville 5, Charlotte (White Sox) 3 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): Vihuelas Knock Off Knights, Even Series - Ross and Williams Continue Rehab Work Box Score / Game Log Pre-Game Media Notes Let's start this one off with a bang: Having just lost OF Christian Yelich for an unknown period of time, that pitch just adds a wee bit of salve on our collective wounds. The Airbender is indeed back to, well, bending. D-Will pitched a mostly clean inning of seventh inning relief - he did issue a walk and send that same runner to third on a wild pitch. BUT, who cares when this stud high-leverage stallion can just throw a pitch like that to casually walk back to the dugout? RHP Joe Ross opened again with a 4 1/3 IP 5 H, 2 BB, 3 K, 3 ER outing of his own - a significant improvement from his last time on the bump. I think, as a rule, his outing would have to be considered a success despite the three runs. 10 whiffs on 39 pitches. An average exit velo of 90.6 mph off his sinker and only 57.1 mph off his slider - two pitches he threw over 71 % of his outing - is more than fine. He'll want a couple pitches back but we can work from here and start dialing in and fine-tuning the change-up and four-seamer. Three Quick Strikes: 1) RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez playing the role of the ninth inning man? Well, I know he's healthy and approaching last year's inning count but he's not that close and if he kept his current workload going he'd likely only past years inning by a nominal amount. I'm going to guesstimate this had more to do with the fact he hadn't pitched in 12 days due to the All-Star breaks. Regardless, he did pick up a 2.0 IP, 3 BB, 0 K, 0 H, 0 R Save in the process - his first since back in 2022 as a Mudcat. 2) LF Isaac Collins led off and managed an 0-for-3 night atop the order. However, he also took a free pass and stole his 18th base, advanced to third base on the errant throw, and scored the Sounds first run to tie the game at 1-1. He also rescued RHP Mitch White from a possible blow up inning with this web gem assist at home plate. This is quite easily the best throw I've personally seen from Collins in the outfield grass (and only his second OF assist since being in the system) and it couldn't have come at a better moment: This young man continues to stake his claim on an eventual 40-Man spot - if not for the Brewers somewhere across the MLB landscape. 3) INF/CF Tyler Black bounced back to 3B tonight. He also slid down in the batting order to the third spot. He rifled two balls at 100 mph off the lumber - a ground out to 3B and a key insurance-run producing line drive double into right field in the bottom of the seventh. He also grabbed a free pass earlier in the contest. The stolen bases are certainly down in 2024 - I don't know if there is anything to read into this or if 2023 was simply an anomaly - but the BB:K ratio still remains on point. I think it's fair to point out that despite the defensive unknowns with this young man, he is still just 23 years old. And, he continues to positively impact baseball games. Final: Biloxi 3, Pensacola (Marlins) 0 Blalock's Dominant Start Leads Shuckers to Shutout Win over Blue Wahoos - Martinez Jr. Records Second Consecutive Multi-Hit Game Box Score / Game Log Pre-Game Media Notes I'm watching the second half Southern League South Division Standings. Unabashedly so, mind you. SO, before we get into RHP Bradley Blalock's illustrious start, I am here to share the Shuckers moved to 15-8 gaining a game back on the Mississippi Braves. They remain atop the second half standing and are up 2.0 G on the Braves. It's early but this train has left the station and it is rolling down the tracks. What can I do? Back to the game at hand. RHP Bradley Blalock had a rough initial return from the Brewers bullpen back on June 26th. But, that abbreviated 2 1/3 inning start is long gone in the rear view mirror. He is a different pitcher in July. Actually, Blalock is currently reminding us all of what we saw back in April: high impact starts and meaningful innings. If we couple tonight's 5 1/3 IP of 4 H, 3 BB, 4 K, 0 R ball with his three other starts in July? 21 2/3 IP, 12 H, 8 BB, 20 K, 4 ER. All while allowing a 0.156 BAA with a 1/62 ERA achieving a 0.92 WHIP. I think you'll agree with me: we can absolutely roll with this. With the 3-0 result, Blalock moved to 5-2 on his season. Let's go! Three Quick Strikes: 1) Filed under the 'Also Still Hot' category? LF Lamar Sparks. I made mention of this some weeks back: after a really prolonged struggle to his season, Sparks was starting to heat up. That simply hasn't changed in two months. The addendum here is Sparks will likely always have a propensity for the swing and miss - he currently holds a 15:1 K:BB ratio in July and a 77:16 ratio on the season. However, we're starting to see the bat-to-ball contact he can produce. 2) It wasn't just Blalock throwing darts atop the mound. The bullpen effort of RHP's Nick Merkel (1 2/3 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K), Craig Yoho (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K), and Justin Yeager (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 S) held serve. The theme of this ongoing second half Shuckers renaissance has absolutely been the consistently impactful pitching efforts. 3) With consecutive two hit performances to open this series at Pensacola, Ernesto Martinez Jr. is now hitting 0.270 with a 0.801 WHIP for his season. He also ripped his second triple of 2024 in his 2-for-4, 2 R evening. I am certainly left wondering one thing: why are we playing around with C Darrien Miller in the clean-up spot when Martinez Jr.'s hot bat and propensity for absolutely crushing baseballs is down in the sixth spot. Miller is hitting 0.176 in July with a 0.648 OPS. Martinez is ripping a 0.423 BA and a 1.206 OPS. Let's not overthink this. Final: Wisconsin 7, Beloit (Marlins) 3 Wisconsin Runs Away with a Win - Rattlers Steal Ten Bases in 7-3 Victory Over Beloit Box Score / Game Log Pre-Game Media Notes RHP Yujanyer Herrera did the heavy lifting through 5.0 IP of 3 H, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 ER ball. He moved to 6-1 on his season in nine GS overall. His season as a whole, at just 20 years old, has to be considered a massive success at this point. The walk woes of 2023 feel far behind as he matures and rounds into his stateside professional form. The walks are back down in July's three starts. and he has now allowed a mere nine earned runs over his past 36 2/3 IP. There is quite a bit to like in this young man's arsenal and this is a young pitcher we should all be excited about. If you take a bird's eye view of his season to date as a whole, you are definitely left wondering what an already impressive picture looks like if you take away May 25th's 7 ER over 3.0 IP at South Bend. Three Quick Strikes: 1) Yes, the T-Rats swiped 10 bags amongst three players. Two for 3B Luke Adams (24 on the season), 5 for RF Eduarqui Fernandez (15 on the season), and 3 for LF Jheremy Vargas (17 on the season). I don't know what the conversations were in the Beloit dugout but the Timber Rattlers absolutely knew they were facing a catcher who had allowed 70 steals in 78 attempts in 2024. Good managers attack weaknesses. And, let's also share this was an absolutely historical night for Fernandez: 2) I've been a notorious RHP Yerlin Rodriguez fan for the past two years. Even when the results feel off the track due to walks and location concerns, I insisted (and I still insist) the raw tools are too good to brush over. I've said on numerous occasions: absolutely high-leverage late-inning reliever stuff. Tonight, well, he reached an entirely new level. Five pitches of his 12 pitch three strikeout ninth inning hit 100 mph or more. He ended the game on a 101 mph swing and miss with a young batter entirely overmatched. Typically, Rodriguez might touch 98 mph a handful of times in an outing. Eclipsing 100 at will? Well, that changes everything. You pair this with an accurate 91-92 mph slider? Well, we're looking at what I've envisioned for some time. We didn't see a single breaking ball in this outing but he he has it and didn't need it. Do not sleep on this young man. Despite the walk issues in 2024, I will convey to you once more: the stuff is just too good. This is his age 22 season. 3) LHP Mark Manfredi's current and ongoing move to the bullpen is one of the more interesting ongoing pitching stories within the Timber Rattlers deep pitching staff. The consistency is a work in progress but you can see the elements within his fairly deep pitching tool kit. He gave up a solo shot on a two out 1-2 heater that was mis-located up and in over the plate - Wood had stationed pre-pitch in the upper outside portion of the zone. He then gave up consecutive knocks and was driven from the game after 1 2/3 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 K, 1 HR. However, I continue to see a deceptively good fastball and the ability to play with his mix of off-speed pitches. The ingredients are there for a future multi-inning meaningful relief arm if this is the route he travels. This was Manfredi's fourth consecutive relief appearance in eight total relief outings for the season. How this plays out the rest of season is a peripheral storyline to watch. Final: Fredericksburg (Red Sox) 7, Carolina 1 Box Score / Game Log Carolina Falls at Salem - Mudcats Fall to 13-12 in the Second Half There isn't all that much to share with you in a 7-1 loss. The Red Sox jumped out to a three run lead on a three-run homer in the third inning and they tacked on two more over the next two innings to lead 5-0. The Mudcats grabbed back their sole run in the top of the ninth inning behind the work of Juan Baez (BB) and Cooper Pratt (single). The real storyline of this game that may future implications is the unknown status of CF Yophery Rodriguez. Rodriguez hit a lead-off first inning first pitch chopper to second base but he was incapable of running out the hit down the line. He stopped mid-way with a grabbing motion, as he came to a bouncing halt, toward his lower right hamstring just above his knee. He was then seen stomping his right leg in some frustration as he headed to the Mudcats dugout. He was pulled from the game as Yoshwar Garcia shifted to CF and Reidy Mercado came aboard the left field grass. It goes without saying, but any loss of Rodriguez from the Mudcats lineup - just as Baez returned from his ACL rehab - will have a significant impact on the team. Let's simply hope this is nothing serious. Perhaps we'll learn something as early as tomorrow. You can see the play for yourselves, if you so choose, at 1:03:05 on the MiLB.TV replay. 18-year-old RHP Enniel Cortez took his second loss as a Mudcat (0-2) in his fifth start going 4 IP with 4 H, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, and 4 ER. The Mudcats as a team sprinkled four hits throughout and were 1-for-5 with RISP. They'll look to bounce back in game three tomorrow. Final: ACL Brewers 2, ACL Dodgers 1 - Scheduled Seven-Inning Game Box Score / Game Log You have to love the ACL Crew ending their season on a two-game winning streak. They got back to five games under 0.500 after winning a close seven-inning slate versus the (39-20) ACL Dodgers. In a season filled with ups-and-downs, this was simply a fantastic way to end it. Young RHP Melvin Hernandez ended his season on a positive note starting the game and going 2.0 IP of 2 H, 2 K, 1 ER ball (For some highlights of his outing travel HERE). RHP J.B. Bukauskas even got his first rehab taste with a 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 K scoreless inning. Venezuelan 19-year-old RHP Jesus Flores continued to impress stateside closing the game out with 2.0 IP of 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K scoreless work. He picked up his second save in his third opportunity and further proved his promotion from the DSL Brewers #2 was certainly earned. On the offensive side of things, lead-off 2B Josh Adamczewski continued doing damage hitting his 10th double of his season in a 1-for-3, 1 RBI outing. Additionally, 1B Johan Barrios continued his late-season push with a 2-for-2, 1 RBI outing himself. We now will await possible news of promotions in the days ahead. Certainly some players will stay and work at the complex but I have to imagine we may see a handful join some newly signed draftees in Zebulon. The DSL Brewers teams push for some divisional and possibly post-season magic back at it tomorrow morning. The DSL Brewers Uno, in particular, play a key head-to-head with the DSL Orioles Orange (a make-up completion of a July 9th game) as these two continue to fight atop their divisional leaderboard. Elsewhere, all four full-season affiliates will play in the evening. RHP's Shane Smith, Chad Patrick, K.C. Hunt, and Daniel Corniel will all take the hill. 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

First AB was a bit 'rusty' 3-1 count then forced to locate batter got under it for a weak pop out but that could be a dangerous pitch. The fastball to end his inning of work with a swinging K? Absolutely gorgeous. All kinds of subtle weird movement deep in the zone. Manfredi's fastball has a penchant for being a filthy pitch. You can absolutely see why they've wanted to see what he can do in some relief innings.

The old 'It's 11:45 PM, let's grab another birthday cerveza and watch some LHP Mark Manfredi relief work!'. I mean, come on. I can still celebrate.

You don't say:

I have to say one of the qualities of watching these games so late and writing the report in the birthday wee hours...all the post-game articles are written. No waiting involved for this ol' farm hand!😂

I can honestly say, I didn't even know Mr. Collins had this arm in his grab bag. This is quite easily the best throw I've seen him make since being in the system. Talk about an absolutely key Assist:

We saw shades of this very version in the beginning of the year but certainly not this dominant. That inning was a Triple-A, knocking on the door, Closer inning. Man, if we could get semblances of that on a semi-regular basis? Good night.

Another hundo swing and miss top of the zone. That's four Hundos. He is going to strike out this last batter on three consecutive pitches. Oh my goodness. He closes it on a swinging whiff of a 101 mph heater.

Third batter. Opens up with another Hundo - swing and miss right on the outer black. My goodness. This is absolutely the filthiest he's been. Typically, he is touching 98 once or twice. Opening 99 and then touching 100 at will? With a 91-92 mph slider? Sheeeeesh. That's Miz level stuff.

Indeed it is. He opened batter 1 going 98 and then 99. He opened batter 2 with a gorgeous dipping 91 mph slider. Just ridiculous. AND, he has an ump who is finally giving him the outer black and upper region of the zone. So much of these innings comes down to what the ump will give a young pitcher. It set his inning up for success. He typically hasn't been given the borderline pitches for much of the season.

Well, I'm into the second Yerlin Rodriguez batter and we have 2 100 mph heaters - he got a sword on a swinging whiff of a 100 mph high inside ripper. Wheww dang. He is showing the full package tonight!

10 steals for the T-Rats? Well, I'll be. Yowza.

Sees the scoreboard and the posts in this thread... Time to watch some innings and write a report.

Thanks y'all. Another year passes and this biscuit simply gets crustier. My days of 'rising up' as it twere are far from the Montgomery dugout. BUT, a fine night shall be had and hopefully even finer Minor League results.

Speaking of a charging Bitonti. Brewers PD delivers on the Johnny!

I am going to be atypically uninvolved in today's 'Game Thread'. It is my birthday and I have wifey and kiddo events on the docket. I will be checking back in, however, after my dinner date to dive into a gift to myself: Minor League viewings and a Minor League report. Here's hoping we get some victories and inspired performances across the board!

Black definitely has some of the best plate recognition in the system and the Challenge system is absolutely in his wheelhouse - he thrives there (and won a challenge before Wiemer failed to execute a challenge himself). I think it's a fair question to ask here. MLB umps (just like their Minor League counterparts) are anything but consistent in portraying the actual strikezone.

The DSL squads split in the early-going - more below. Carolina was rained out after seven complete so the game was called a Mudcats victory - we'll take it! Wisconsin led 2-0 late, fell behind 3-2 and couldn't come back, falling by the same score in Beloit. In Pensacola, the red hot Shuckers endured a Misiorowski relapse and a general result akin to their ill-fated first half. It was ugly for the most part despite their mini-rally in the ninth inning. Nashville never got things going at home versus Charlotte falling 7-2. And late night in the desert, the ACL Crew lost a 2-0 lead but came back and hung on to win it 5-4. Let's get into the report! Image courtesy of Brewer Fanatic Transactions: INF Freddy Zamora was activated off the 7-Day IL by the Nashville Sounds RHP Kevin Herget was placed on the Temporarily Inactive List by the Nashville Sounds RHP Jesus Rivero was moved to the 7-Day IL by the Carolina Mudcats RHP Rosmel Reyes was moved to the Full-Season IL by the Carolina Mudcats Final: Charlotte (White Sox) 7, Nashville 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 Can't Hold on to Early Lead Versus Knights in Opener - Wiemer has RBI Single and Web Gem Catch in CF Box Score / Game Log Pre-Game Media Notes RHP Taylor Clarke definitely deserved better than being credited with his third loss as a Sounds pitcher. He went 4 IP with 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K, and 2 R (1 earned). It certainly isn't easy when the first batter you face in a game rips a very playable grounder to your first baseman and he botches it for a two-base error. No matter, Clarke buckled down and escaped that first threat unscathed. It was C Brian Navarreto's two out catcher interference in Clarke's fourth and final inning that was his slight undoing. The next batter hit a bases clearing double to right field. The Sounds suddenly trailed 2-1 and they never recovered. It should be mentioned, Clarke was the beneficiary of some fantastic CF Joey Wiemer defense to escape the third frame unharmed: Three Quick Strikes: 1) Speaking of CF Joey Wiemer, we are watching a much different and much more comfortable player at present than we did at any point in the early going of 2024. Whatever mental hurdles were occurring at the dish have fallen to the wayside. Wiemer went 2-for-4 with his 19th RBI of his season in there for good measure. All this being said, I would love it if Wiems would use a challenge on questionable strikeout calls. He took a change-up inside and off the plate for a called strike three looking with a man on second base facing a 4-2 deficit. Both challenges were in the pocket. Why not use it there to try and keep that AB alive? It was a pivotal moment. I've seen this from the young man on more than one occasion. 2) RHP Garrett Stallings was listed as the scheduled starter last night. This obviously was not how the game played out in the end. Stallings came on as the final workhorse of the evening and had a very ineffective 4 IP of 7 H, 2 BB, 2 K, 4 ER ball. In nine outings since the Brewers acquired Stallings from Norfolk, the 26-year-old had conceded at least one run in seven appearances. In 12 2/3 IP in July, batters are peppering him to a 0.292 BAA. 3) Black was responsible for the early error when he misplayed a one-hop sharp hit grounder to his glove hand side down the first base line. However, it should also be noted the young man still made two very high quality plays later in the contest. The consistency absolutely remains elusive but it is still worth mentioning he also makes the web gem defensive play from time-to-time: Final: Pensacola (Marlins) 8, Biloxi 4 Shuckers Mount Comeback Attempt in Ninth, Drop Series-Opener to Blue Wahoos - Multi-Hit Games for Sparks and Martinez Jr. Box Score / Game Log Pre-Game Media Notes Firstly, a BIG shoutout to Shuckers manager Joe Ayrault. He has been absent for some time now and during tonight's Pensacola broadcast we were told he continues to watch all the Shuckers games as he tends to an undisclosed personal matter. From the Wahoos organization and from us here at Brewer Fanatic, we wish you all the best skipper and get back soon! This being said, I can only imagine what he was thinking watching from afar in game one by the Pensacola waterside. RHP Jacob Misiorowski looked just fine early. Really, he did. He was humming: After a high pitch-count third frame with some premonitions of wildness, things completely fell apart for 'The Miz' in his fourth and final inning of work. It certainly wasn't entirely his culpability - some questionable glove work from C Darrien Miller and a suddenly tightly squeezed strikezone in key counts played their parts - but the final line of 3 2/3 IP, 3 H, 6 BB, 5 WP, 4 K, 6 ER was absolutely as unsightly overall as that final line reads. The 5 recorded WP tied a Southern League record that hadn't been touched in nine years. Once again, the young and talented hurler will look to bounce back. Three Quick Strikes: 1) Adding insult to injury for Misiorowski, his Rolaids relief partner in RHP Kaleb Bowman allowed all his inherited runners to score. His 1 1/3 IP of 3 H, 1 BB, 0 K, 0 ER ball isn't all that accurate when all was said and done. He walked in a run to start his outing. He gave up consecutive hard hit line drive RBI pokes to RF to clear the bases. 2) LHP Nate Peterson continues to be bit by his unfortunate habit of leaving hangers up in the zone. Tonight, he surrendered his 14th long ball in a pitcher's count on an inside belt high hanger. It was a two-run jack pushing the Shuckers deficit to 8-0. These pitches seem to happen on a semi-regular basis and they are indicative of a young pitcher learning the art of what works when and where in and around the zone. 3) In a night where lead-off man 2B Dylan O'Rae struck out four times, we'll point to the two XBH's from RF Lamar Sparks and 1B Ernesto Martinez Jr. In a truly lackluster Shuckers effort overall, at least we were able to see a brief half-inning of entertainment in the batters box. They'll look to rebound in game 2. Let's just file this one as a 'Loss' and not over-invest in the quality of the result. Final: Beloit (Marlins) 3, Wisconsin 2 Beloit Beats Wisconsin with Late Rally - Sky Carp Score Three in Seventh Inning to Beat Rattlers 3-2 Box Score / Game Log Pre-Game Media Notes Unfortunately, in the end RHP Alexander Cornielle's 5 IP of 4 H, 1 BB, 4 K, 0 R ball was wasted as a 'No Decision'. Cornielle was savvy and in control throughout. Unfortunately, it was RHP Chase Costello's second inning of work that bit the T-Rats in the end. Costello adeptly worked around a two-out single in the sixth inning by getting a swinging punch out to end the threat - his second such result in his first inning of work. However, he led off the seventh inning with a single and a 100 mph line drive two-run jack just over the right field wall and suddenly we had a tie game on our screens. An unfortunate bloop goose snort just beyond the reach of a sprinting 3B Luke Adams in very shallow left field put the next runner aboard and the next batter ripped a deep double to left field. That 3-2 deficit stood for the remainder of the game. Credit to Costello for stranding that runner at second base with nobody down at the time. Three Quick Strikes: 1) We could harp on a brief pitching hiccup from the otherwise very reliable and capable aforementioned RHP Chase Costello, but, I'll point to the T-Rats 1-for-12 with RISP and 8 men LOB. That was the difference in this contest. They had chances to break the game open. Credit to Beloit for opportunistically escaping these threats and putting forth a meaningful game-winning rally of their own. 2) RHP Aidan Maldonado absolutely is passing my eye test of 'belongs in High-A'. I had been saying this for over a month when he was excelling in the Low-A Carolina League. Now in a more age-appropriate environment, he is meeting the challenge by executing the same tricky delivery with his blend of off-speed and heat. His final line read 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K. However, he was absolutely robbed of a first AB strikeout on a gorgeous pitch that painted the outer black. He got the out anyhow on the next pitch but I certainly know what I saw. 3) I don't quite understand how a player as quick and speedy as Luis Lara gets thrown out stealing at a 25% clip. Actually, in 2024, he's being thrown out a 28% clip. I would love a mini deep dive as to what is going on here in terms of finer details. Is it the jump? Reading the pitchers? Slide timing? Do we over-estimate his speed and he actually just reads the ball much better from the outfield grass? It remains a mystery for me. He was caught stealing for the 11th time in 39 attempts tonight. Not an egregious lack of execution by any stretch but one would think we would see better here. Final: Carolina 9, Fredericksburg (Red Sox) 4 Box Score / Game Log Carolina Wins Rain-Shortened Contest Over Salem - Five-Run Second Inning the Big Difference RHP Manuel Rodriguez had a rare off night but even in an 'off' night, so to speak, he was still effective. When your team runs out to a 7-1 lead, I would rather the starting pitcher attack the zone even if that means some hard contact and some runs. This is precisely what happened in the early-going when the Sox plated three in their half of the third frame. But, as Rodriguez so often does, he buckled down from there. All told, his final line read 5 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 4 ER. He still picked up the 'W' moving to 4-5 on his season. I'll take it as good karma for the numerous dominant starts where he received no run support and either a loss or a no decision. Three Quick Strikes: 1) CF Yophery Rodriguez has had a fantastic July if you haven't paid full attention. He added to that tonight in his 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 2B (his 17th) effort in the lead-off spot. Overall, in the month, he's hitting to the tune of a 0.340 BA in 47 official AB and a fantastic 1.000 OPS to boot after tonight's effort. BUT, as funny as this may sound, that isn't what I want to discuss. What has remained constant through all the months (heck, he hit 0.237 in June) is his defensive effort and awareness. He simply continues to shine in that department. He made several very challenging plays look routine once again tonight. He made a catch in deep left center field as he ran up against the plywood wall. He made a deep line drive fly out look routine even though it turned him around once or twice. He is just smooth high effort on nearly every play on that center field grass. As the bat continues to develop, it is absolutely awesome to know the defense is already there. 2) This Mudcats line-up is simply more dangerous with 3B Juan Baez back in the fold. When you can push the highly impactful LF Yhoswar Garcia (1-for-2, 2 R, 2 BB, 1 CS) down the batting order into the bottom-half it simply changes the mathematics. It allows manager Nick Stanley to play a little bit of baseball chess with his players' attributes and tendencies throughout. Like, say, putting the power bat of RF Luis Castillo in the nine-hole. Baez finished with a 1-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 2B mark in just his third game back with the Muddies since returning from his ACL rehab. It's a sight for sore eyes for this Mudcats Fanatic. 3) Don't look now (well, you're not going to have to 🤭) but RHP Jeison Pena has now gone six consecutive relief outings without surrendering a run dating back to June 25th. This is a fantastic turn of events for the young 21-year-old right-hander. In these six scoreless appearances, Pena has pitched 10 1/3 innings of 5 H, 4 BB, 0 HB, 7 K ball. In the month of July, he's only allowing a very meager 0.150 BAA with a fantastic 0.79 WHIP. I did not have this on my early second half bingo card, but I am absolutely here for it and am enjoying every pitch. Keep grinding, young man! Final: ACL Brewers 5, ACL Padres 4 Box Score / Game Log If you want to make sense of the late ACL-season effectiveness of the young ACL Brewers, look no further than three players: INF Josh Adamczewski, 3B Eric Bitonti, and 1B Johan Barrios. All three young men have had their moments over the past month and they are largely the reasons why the offense has remained so competitive. Tonight was no different. The three young stallions combined for a 6-for-13, 3 R, 5 RBI, 2 BB, 2 K effort. Bitonti grabbed a double and a HR (his eighth of the summer) while Barrios grabbed his second triple - they were responsible for all five runs. On the pitching end of things, the Brewers received a fantastic start from young 19-year-old Nicaraguan RHP Bryan Rivera - 5 IP, 1 H, 3 BB, and 5 K. Though he left with a 2-0 lead, he did not pick up the decision. RHP Caden Vire pitched his third (of four) scoreless outings of July with a 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K relief inning. 20-year-old Mexican LHP Jesus Broca once again showed late-inning prowess closing it down over 2.0 IP of 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 R (unearned) work, getting the save (his third), ending the contest by stranding the tying runner at third base. The ACL Crew have moved back to five games under 0.500 yet again at 27-32 overall. Final: DSL Orioles Black 1, DSL Brewers #1 0 Box Score / Game Log With the DSL Cerveceros Uno down two games in the 'games played' column (weather), the DSL Orioles Orange's battery mates on the Orioles Black did them a solid. The Crew Uno now trail the Orange by a full game as they reside in second place at 21-12 overall. The Brewers Uno sprinkled four hits amongst their 12 strikeouts. 3B Jesus Made managed to single and take two free passes while swiping two bags in the process - he was also charged with an error (missed catch) for his sixth such foible of his season. And, it appears that missed catch allowed what was the sole winning run to score (tho, honestly, go ahead and try to make sense of the Orioles Black bottom of the 9th). On the pitching side of the ledger, RHP's Carlos Carra (3 1/3 IP, 1 H, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 3 K) and Ayendy Bravo (4 IP, 2 H, 0 BB, 3 K) both recorded multiple scoreless inning outings. Unfortunately, in a game as tight as this, it wasn't enough. Final: DSL Brewers #2 6, DSL Red Sox Blue 3 - 7-Inning Contest Box Score / Game Log The DSL Cerveceros Dos move to four games above 0.500 at 19-15 overall. They've won two straight and yet, they still trail the DSL Pirates Gold (23-9) by 5.0 G. SS Jorge Quintana went 2-for-4 batting second in the line up with 1 R in the process. The majority of the damage appears to have come from the crucial run-producing 3-through-5 spots. 2B Jonathan Rangel was 1-for-4 with 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 2B (his third of the summer), and 1 SB (his sixth overall); 1B Frederi Montero was 1-for-3 with 2 R, 1 BB, 1 2B (his sixth overall), and 1 SB (his ninth overall); and C Luis Corobo continues to make a difference of late with a 2-for-3 mark - 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB (his ninth overall) and 1 CS, respectively. 17-year-old Nicaraguan RHP Lonell Downs picked up the win (his first of his summer in seven appearances) by pitching the final three innings to a 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K, HB, Balk, 1 ER final line. With yesterday's rain-cancelled game apparently in the books as of this morning (it was originally postponed after four innings), RF Frandy Lafond took out his frustrations with a rare 0-for-3 and 2 K performance at the dish. The DSL Crew squads will take a scheduled mid-week rest while the ACL Crew gift us a matinee, in what is also Maryvale's season finale, a result of changes made by MiLB this year. (The season both began and ends earlier.) All four full-season affiliates will take to the diamond in the evening hours. RHP Bradley Blalock will look to keep his improved play going on the mound for the Shuckers. RHP Joe Ross will look to have a much different rehab outing than his last. And, RHP Yujanyer Herrera will be back as a starting pitcher for the T-Rats. 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

Oh man. Luke Adams' answer to this one is absolutely priceless. (Watch until the very end)