Joseph Zarr

OK. It's time to really start talking about 1B Tayden Hall. Another classic Rivero Low-A performance. I am getting ready to see him challenged in High-A. That's the obvious next step.

Two consecutive rough outings for Polancic. Hopefully, he can settle in amd turn a corner.

All I could think of after this one ended: I can't believe Frelick's RBI oppo slap hit double counted given it wasn't hit 110mph off the bat.

I mean, we are past the point of this being ridiculous. Well past. Enough is enough.

2024: the year Pitching announced itself as the Title Belt holder in the Brewers Minor Leagues. My how the makeup of a system can change in a very short window of time. And, this with two 2023 favorites shelved for the season in RHP's Cameron Wagoner and Tanner Shears (two very different but intriguing arms).

It 'should' absolutely undeniably be (and very likely will be) Brewer Hicklen. He has been really good for the Sounds on a very consistent basis. Best bat in the line-up so far in 2024.

I am ready for the injury gods to simply take the remainder of the season off. It's starting to get ridiculous. Hopefully, nothing too serious there for Brock - the system could really use some better luck moving forward. Biloxi starting out of the gates with this anemic of an offense was definitely not something I was preparing for. They are a hard watch at the moment. Historicity would tell us, however, those bats will wake up. Hopefully it's much sooner than later!

With the skills they possess and how they compete absolutely not. This being said, as we all know Double-A competition will really let us know where they are relative to their peers. We still haven't recuperated any consistent semblance of the promising High-A Felix Valerio. Another diminutive favorite of ours feom years past. Tho a very different type of player whose appeal was his surprising gap and line drive loft to power, it's quite fair to say he has really struggled to find any semblance of consistency (and consistent PT at that) with Biloxi.

Just a quick clarifier: Guilarte historically has been a jack of all trades on the left side of the infield but primarily a SS - when healthy (which has been is sole hindrance), definitely a plus defender. Smooth, agile, good arm. He actually reminds me of a young Zamora in terms of movement styles. The presence of Pratt as an everyday player and primary SS is likely going to see Guilarte moved to the back-up SS on Pratt's rest days. Early in 2024, the plan certainly seems to be giving Pratt as many reps as possible to become the MLB SS they surely envision in his future. Baez, on the other hand. has primarily been a 3B for Carolina while spot filling in at 2B (like this past night). With so many more range-y and more fluid athletes to play SS across the system, his days of playing that position (DSL/ACL dayd) certainly appear well on the back burner (we've discussed this at length tho some posters refuse to acknowledge this reality <cough>). Areinamo is also a jack of all trades and an incredibly smart and gifted defender. He lacks the top-tier athleticism of say a Zamora or an EBJ but you can slot him in at any position left side of the infield and know you ate more than taken care of. Lastly, tho Clarke is getting more reps at catcher given the 2024 shuffle and the clear intent since ST duties, he is still very much a capable 1B candidate.

We had matinee postponements in Memphis and Mississippi as the Sounds and Shuckers will look to make up their game two's as double headers (Friday and Thursday, respectively). However, both Wisconsin and Carolina won their evening tilts - Wisconsin moving to a 2-0 series lead and Carolina pulling even at 1-1 with Down East. Let's get into the report! Image courtesy of Brewer Fanatic Transactions: - RHP Kevin Herget was optioned to the Nashville Sounds from the Milwaukee Brewers - C Satchell Norman was placed on the 7-Day IL by the Carolina Mudcats - INF Daniel Guilarte was assigned to the Carolina Mudcats from the ACL Brewers (he started at 3B for manager Nick Stanley) Final: Wisconsin 14, South Bend (Cubs) 8 Via the Timber Rattlers' site, 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): Wisconsin Outslugs and Outlasts South Bend for Fourth Straight Win - Rattlers Beat Cubs 14-8 Pre-Game Media Notes Box Score / Game Log This is our first opportunity to see LHP Mark Manfredi and, at first look, he definitely appeared to fit the Brandon Knarr/Nate Peterson stocky, squat, strong-build lefty type the Brewers seem to love. He was sitting 92-94 mph on his heat and dropping his off-speed offerings into the low 80's. He toes the rubber to the first base side and definitely has an old school approach out of the stretch. Manfredi brought a 3-1 lead into his fourth and final frame where he started off with a two-strikeout bang, but the inning got away from him from there to the tune of a walk, a single, a two-run game-tying double (3-3), and another walk. Thankfully RHP Aaron Rund, on in relief, got the fly out to end the frame. All told, Manfredi had a mixed bag of 3 2/3 IP, 5 H, 4 BB, 5 K, and 2 ER on 81 pitches. You love the elevated pitch count so early - he has the ability to eat some important innings for manager Victor Estevez - but he'll surely look to polish his mix in the games ahead. ** I should note, Manfredi's night 'should' have ended before the two-run double. The 3B umpire missed a clear tag at 3B by Mike Boeve on the lead runner for the third out - Manfredi's night would have been over and his final line quite a bit more palatable. When Boeve went to tag said lead runner a second time beyond the base path, he unfortunately dropped the ball. Another case of: the box score doesn't always tell the actual story ** Three Quick Strikes: 1) A night removed from a game saving catch in left field, CF Luis Lara saved Mark Manfredi from another earned run in the bottom of the second when he charged a sharply hit shallow line drive and managed to dive to the grass for the final out. Not only does Lara cover solid ground with fantastic jumps, he makes the vast majority of plays. He is a defensive weapon. Don't undersell the arm either. He may be small in stature, but like Sal Frelick his arm packs a wallop. 2) From the get go, and once again, the Cubs announcers were gushing over Dylan O'Rae. Leading off and earning three free passes while swiping three bags kept the praise going throughout. As the announcers pointed out, O'Rae certainly isn't hitting the leather off the ball. He's simply owning his zone and executing simple and timely swings on his pitches. He's poking the ball to all parts of the infield dirt and shallow outfield grass. O'Rae is an on base machine in the early going of High-A and he's been an on base machine at every level to date. I want to remind you, dear readers, not every player needs to hit for power. When your lead-off is cresting 1.000 OPS, swiping bags, and playing sound plus defense at 2B and CF the home run ball isn't a necessity. 3) 3B Mike Boeve has looked quite comfortable and natural at 3B so far in the innings I've seen him. I would opine this is clearly a more natural fit than last year's experiment at 2B. He might fill in at 2B from time to time, but he has demonstrated he has a good feel and an arm fit for the hot corner. He's already showing vintage Boeve discipline at the dish in 2024 executing heady AB's - the early sac fly in tonight's game a prime example of this. Unlike O'Rae, however, I do question if and when we'll start seeing consistent gap or long ball power. I personally feel it is a crucial development for his career trajectory. ** Special shout out to RHP Craig Yoho. With RHP Tanner Shears shelved for the season <sad face>, it's quite fun to latch onto another young arm who gives catchers absolute fits with his off-speed movement. And, when I say movement, I mean movement. Shades of an Airbender with his change up, I may be even more impressed with Yoho's sweeping slider/curve. My goodness, I swear I saw one of his offerings late break 6 feet to his glove hand side. This is a ridiculous relief arm ** Final: Carolina 7, Down East (Rangers) 6 Mudcats Hold Off Wood Ducks for First Home Win - Cooper Pratt's Three Runs Batted in Prove to be the Difference Pre-Game Media Notes - None Provided Box Score / Game Log Our first live stateside look at RHP Daniel Corniel and it was an intriguing look. What I came away most impressed with in the 19-year-old Venezuelan's debut outing was his command and control in and around the zone. I would opine his bread and butter, early in his full-season work, is his breaking ball. It has really nice shape and is a deceptive delivery. I'm certainly looking forward to future outings to witness his growth over a full season. All told, he gave his team everything they could ask for in 4 IP of 3 H, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 ER ball. Three Quick Strikes: 1) SS Cooper Pratt missed a potential three-run long ball by 6-to-9 feet when he hit a deep fly to the warning track in right field in the sixth. But, not to be denied, he broke out of his mini slump with a crucial two run single in the bottom of the eighth frame: You love to see a talented young man rewarded for his hard work. It's very clear Pratt has many tools to work with in his development path and it's also very clear he cares about the game. 2) As noted in the transactions above, INF Daniel Guilarte was re-assigned to Carolina and slotted in immediately at 3B (which, as a result, was my first look at Juan Baez at 2B in 2024 and I have to say he looked natural). In addition to Guilarte's patented plus defense, he gave his team some fine work at the dish in a 2-for-4, 1 BB, 1 RBI evening batting fifth in the lineup. Check out this well hit oppo rbi single down the right field line to regain the lead in the fifth frame: 3) First baseman Tayden Hall really broke back onto the scene this past winter for Brisbane after struggling with injuries in the early going of his professional career, and he continues to establish himself in the Mudcats lineup and the Brewers system at large. I absolutely love his plate set up and presence. I love his build and physical stature. Hall is absolutely earning every bit of his daily clean-up duties. Keep an eye on this young man. Suddenly, the Brewers have a wealth of depth at the 1B position and Hall is very much in this mix. He finished his evening 2-for-3 with 3 R, 2 BB, 1 2B, 1 K and is red hot over his first five games of 2024 with an uber-sustainable 0.400 BA and 1.217 OPS. The Mudcats vs Wood Ducks game three is already postponed Thursday. However, Biloxi will be attempting to squeeze in their double header. RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez will look to get his season on track for Nashville and RHP Will Rudy will show us what 2024 has in store for him in the Midwest League in his debut outing. Plenty on tap. Let's hope the weather allows! 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 now pass the baton to Daniel and Jim for the remainder of these ongoing series. 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

Carolina vs. Down East has been announced postponed for tomorrow fwiw. Just perusing their Media Center and saw this.

Really nice to see Jesus Chirinos return to High-A and faring quite well. He looks svelte, dare I say. Definitely has transformed his body over the past season plus and it shows. Kudos to him!

Beautiful deep Sac Fly to the LF corner by Kay-Lan Nicasia to score the Mudcats first run. He took an 0-2 count to 2-2 and then just ensured he sent that ball deep toward the wall. Meanwhile Boeve did the fundamental thing ensuring he hit a fly to dead LF to score Lara for an early T-Rats 2-0 lead.

Lead-off walk from O'Rae. Steals 2nd. Steals 3rd. Lara hits a sharp groundball through the 1B/2B gap. 1-0 T-Rats. This is what these young Timber Rattlers do. Pesky. Pesky. Always scrapping.

3 more SB for O'Rae. 3 more BB. He now has a lead-off OPS over 1.000. I mean, sheeeesh.

Holy hyeck. Long day all over the farm and just got back from picking up a friend who is going to offer his hands and toil over the next month as I tend to the many farm things. Just going to turn on some games and peruse some innings.

I spoke of this distinct possibility in yesterday's report. During the Memphis telecast - as the pitchers were admirably working through ongoing downpour from at least the 4th frame onward - they mentioned rain was in the forecast every day for the foreseeable future. It certainly seems as though this is the case. Early season baseball in the SE and the Eastern Seaboard is such an unpredictable roll of the dice. The Sounds, for instance, have seen 8 of their past 11 Home openers either delayed, under the threat of delay, or postponed by inclement weather events.

The bats may have been sleeping in the Mudcats and Shuckers respective batters boxes, but despite their losing scores there were noteworthy pitching performances in their losses. Meanwhile, the T-Rats squeaked out a victory via good ol' fundamentally sound baseball. This old farmer was thrilled to see it. And, in Memphis, well, the Sounds were absolutely smashing the Redbirds before the game was called due to rain - this issue may rear its head in the days ahead. Lets get into the report! Image courtesy of Brewer Fanatic Transactions: C Brian Navarreto was transferred to Nashville's 60-Day IL from the 7-Day IL - more detailed conversation HERE RHP Kevin Herget's contract was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers from the Nashville Sounds LHP Aaron Ashby was optioned to Nashville from the Brewers RHP Vladimir Gutierrez was officially activated by the Nashville Sounds Final: Nashville 15, Memphis (Cardinals) 2 Via the Sounds' site, 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 Pile On in Rain Shortened Win at Memphis - Nashville Pours Runs on in Pouring Rain for 15-2 Win in Series Opener Pre-Game Media Notes - None available for Game 1 Box Score / Game Log RHP Janson Junk returned to the hill for his second outing of 2024 and this one went much smoother than his first. Working into the sixth inning through the constant rain of a wet evening in Memphis, Junk managed a solid if unspectacular outing of 5 2/3 IP, 6 H, 1 BB, 3 K, 2 ER. When your teammates are blowing the proverbial lid off the stadium, however, all a team wants from its starter is a solid showing. Junk gave more than that when all was said and done. I'm sure manager Rick Sweet will take this end result anytime Junk takes the hill. Three Quick Strikes: 1) OF Joey Wiemer is starting to get consistently rewarded for hitting the ball hard, well, consistently. Though he did get caught swinging out of the zone on several off-speed offerings with big swings and misses, it feels the baseball karma gods are rewarding that tough luck first part of his early season. Take a look at this extremely hard hit grounder down the third base line: Let's just hope he can keep it up. It was also refreshing to see him back in center field - a position he has really grown into over the past two seasons. 2) OF Brewer Hicklen continues to mash in Nashville as he did with Milwaukee in spring training. He has earned the trust of his skipper as he is a constant feature in the cleanup role. Tonight he ripped his first long ball of the season driving in Tyler Black (lead-off walk) in the process to keep the pressure on in the sixth, and what proved to be, final inning. Last year, I shared with all of you OF Blake Perkins has all the tools to be an MLB player. This year, I don't care if it's early, I'm going to say the exact same thing with Hicklen. He is just flat out a gamer and a legitimate MLB baseball player. I see it in everything he does - the consistency; the effort; the fluidity; and the swing. He has fast hands, quick wrist turn, a good eye for the pitch, and the ability to drive with power. I will be absolutely unsurprised if he is the first call-up should the Brewers need a bat or an injury replacement. Perhaps, the real question here is: Can he maintain the 1.106 OPS? Stay tuned! 😁 3) Special shoutouts to SS Yonny Hernández and OF Chris Roller for stuffing the stat sheet and filling the bill as dual lead-off hitters in the 9th and lead-off spot, respectively. The two veterans hit a combined 5-for-8 with 6 R, 6 RBI, 1 2B, 1 BB, and 1 K in the process. Two unsung heroes in the early going of the Sounds season. Their production has been pivotal and will continue to be so as the series advances. Final: Mississippi (Braves) 2, Biloxi 0 Shuckers Drop Weather-Shortened Opener to M-Braves - Tornado Warning and Severe Weather Shortens Opener to Seven Innings in 2-0 Loss Pre-Game Media Notes Box Score / Game Log I discussed RHP TJ Shook's impressive last season in my lone off-season blog post HERE. And, in my first look at the young righty in 2024 I have to say he absolutely validated my words. I spoke of it in our game thread, but it's worth mentioning again here: Shook's change-up is one of the best pitches in the system. It's just a tasty pitch and words won't do it justice here. It was working to full effect in his 4 2/3 IP debut performance. Shook was ultimately credited with an earned run but that's not really baseball justice. His last hit allowed was a highly lofted wounded duck that somehow found its way past a sliding LF Noah Campbell and a charging CF Carlos D. Rodriguez. LHP Russ Smith then allowed an 0-2 double to the deep left center field gap. He pitched to just over a K an inning while allowing a mere two hits and two free passes. I'm looking for even bigger and better things as his season progresses. Three Quick Strikes: 1) Speaking of LHP Russ Smith, despite being gifted the job of retiring consecutive righty bats by manager Joe Ayrault (I would love to know the thinking here in an 0-0 ball game so early in the season) and allowing the aforementioned inherited runner to score, he actually acquitted himself very well in his relief stint. After scuffling mightily earlier in his time in the Brewers system, you could say Smith has re-entered the chat as a hurler to keep an eye on in 2024. Smith struggled hitting the zone when with the T-Rats when first drafted and he struggled avoiding bats when first promoted to the Southern League. But, dating back to the latter half of 2023, the young lefty has been stringing together solid innings for quite awhile. Just take a look at this sneaky off-speed delivery to get his second K in his second inning of work: This may come out of left field but I'm going to share it anyway: perhaps being a draft pick then a professional baseball player and becoming a young dad took some time to get used to. I'm rooting for him to put the adjustment period further in the past. 2) Jumping to another Smith, I can't even remember the last time RHP Shane Smith conceded a run. I truly can't. It's either been that long or I'm just getting old and tired (maybe it's both 😮). After starting his inning of work with a vintage 2023 Smith punch out - high riding heat sprinkled with a devastating curve (and, I should add, his newly added slider wrinkle) - he scuffled. With two down, he starting hanging heat and was getting hit hard to left field. He can thank RHP Bo Bowman for stranding both runners. He'll look to bounce back in his next outing. 3) With the Shuckers bats doing the bare minimum of work - not a single XBH - I'll give a nod to 1B Ernesto Martinez Jr.. He snuck an oppo bloop shot off a broken bat. And, he continues to look every bit the part of a quality first baseman. His size and agility just do so much to make his teammates' lives easier. Final: Wisconsin 3, South Bend (Cubs) 1 Late Rally Sends Rattlers Past South Bend - Areinamo and Chirinos Get RBI Hits in Ninth for 3-1 Win over Cubs Pre-Game Media Notes Box Score / Game Log Let me get one thing off my chest to start this little blurb: I am completely unsurprised the most pleasing game of my evening came via a team managed by Victor Estevez. The man just knows how to get the most out of his players and I will continue to be here to you about it. In a hard fought back-and-forth affair, it was a cliché bit of solid fundamentals; one spectacular play; and then opportunistic hitting that stole this one in South Bend. RHP Patricio Aquino looked every bit the ascending Ace we saw as the 2023 Carolina season progressed in his 2024 debut. If I laud Shook's changeup (rightfully so), I will do the same for Aquino’s slider. When you are essentially sitting 91-93 on your heat, you have to have off-speed to sell it. Aquino's slider has all sorts of magic carpet ride movement to it. It's an undervalued pitch in the system. He did everything and then some to keep his squad in the game as the bats struggled in the early going: 5 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K, 0 ER. That'll play on any single night. Three Quick Strikes: 1) I alluded to it in the article title above. I alluded to it in my sentence above. What is the 'spectacular play' I speak of? One LF Luis Lara saving a tie ball game from an unknown deficit. Setting the scene: with two men on and only one down after RHP Jack Polancic walked the men aboard after conceding a game-tying solo shot, it was RHP Miguel Guerrero tasked with shutting down the Cubs. What looked like a surefire hard hit shot to the LF wall was masterfully sprinted down by Lara. It was a breathtaking tip of the webbing grab. Even tho it was a road game, thankfully, we have a field level view (SOUND ON - the Cubs crowd most definitely thought they had runs here): It was even more impressive live via MiLB.TV. This play, I am certain, catapulted his team to victory. He's just a winning baseball player. 2) Speaking of fundamentally sound winning baseball players, I bring you 2B Jadher Areinamo and CF Dylan O'Rae. Pivotal players in the 2023 Mudcats playoff push, they continue to bring the same energy and efforts to the T-Rats on a nightly basis. They are just so sure, so versatile, and constantly doing all the little things well - well beyond their years I should add. And, heck, with O'Rae we are looking at a bonafide true lead-off specialist. The Cubs announcers were just gushing over O'Rae's skills by the game's end and for good reason: he's batting 0.400 with a 0.993 OPS in the early going. He also nabbed his second stolen base. We are lucky to have both young men in the system. 3) I could talk about how I continue to love Luke Adams at 1B (despite a silly fielding error on a very easy play down the 1B line I'm sure he'd love to have back), but I will instead direct your attention to RHP Yerlin Rodriguez. I alerted you to his nasty last season. I'm going to remind you again in 2024: set-up and/or closer material here. It's undeniable at this point by my eyes. He is sitting 95-97 mph comfortably at 22 years old with a stocky build that lends me to believe he will ultimately be able to add a couple notches. He mixes in a slider and curve combo that leaves batter with their bats on their shoulders. He is just a stud. He struck out the side in the ninth including his last batter on three straight pitches. He is currently averaging over 2 K per IP in his two outings. Small sample size? I could care less. 😁 * Special shout out to RHP Will Childers who held it down in the seventh inning while looking quite good in doing so. I'm eagerly awaiting more trips to the mound in 2024! Final: Down East (Rangers) 4, Carolina 1 Mudcats Drop Home Opener to the Wood Ducks - Carolina Suffers First Loss of the 2024 Season Pre-Game Media Notes - None Provided Box Score / Game Log It seems every contest between Down East and the young Mudcats in the past several seasons carries significant weight. It certainly seems the same will be the case in 2024. Of course, the caveat here is much like Cedar Rapids in last year's Midwest League, Down East is playing with a roster filled with several over-age players by the Carolina League Low-A average age. Regardless, it certainly seems the Mudcats will have these talented and experienced Wood Ducks to contend with throughout the season. Speaking of age, shout out to cohort extraordinaire Jim for sharing the Youngest Players in Each League List this AM in the daily game thread. How about the Mudcats having the three youngest and four of the top 10 youngest Carolina League players?! One such youngster, 18-year-old Mexican RHP Manuel Rodriguez, had a tough match-up for his Low-A debut. Many of us on Brewer Fanatic were looking forward to seeing what constituted Rodriguez's surprise promotion to the Carolina League after putting up unspectacular numbers in the DSL and ACL over the past couple seasons. I can say, after one start, I 'think' I see the rationale. There are definitely tools to work with here. The glaring thing, unfortunately, that stood out (in just one start, mind you) was simply: location. Rodriguez conceded six hits and many of these were hit quite hard to the deepest parts of the ballpark because they hung dead center. He was particularly susceptible to his slider and curve finding much too much center cut. This is a fixable 'issue' over time. In his 4 IP of 6 H, 3 K, 3 ER, 1 HR ball, I would generally consider this a success for such a young arm especially considering his counterpart was 23 years old and the Wood Ducks have consistently been one of the better teams in recent seasons. We'll simply have to see how these accuracy and targeting issues evolve over the months ahead. Three Quick Strikes: 1) If we're going to look back on missed opportunities in this game, we're going to look back on the Mudcats bases loaded no out scenario in the bottom of the eighth frame. The lone highlight is right here: What happened from there is indicative of what happened for the meat of the Mudcats order all night: nothing. Pratt lined out to CF. Hall grounded out to 2B. Pratt, Hall, and Castillo (oh my, Castillo) went a combined 0-for-11, 1 BB, 4 K. Not a good look from the run-producing spots in the lineup. 2) I continue to see quality baseball plays, in one form or another, from OF Kay-Lan Nicasia near every time I tune into the Mudcats ball games. He played a key part in nabbing a runner rounding too far past second base in the meat of this game with an adept play off the wall and a fantastic throw to the relay man in Briceno in the very shallow CF grass. I personally believe manager Nick Stanley would do his team better by moving him up in the lineup to boot. He's an impactful switch hitter who has demonstrated underrated gap power and improving plate discipline. Given a gentle boost in support and confidence, I remain convinced Nicasia is a serious breakout candidate. Regardless, he remains one of the better defensive outfielders in the system nobody talks about. 3) In my first live viewing action of LHP Osbriel Mogollon, I came away very impressed. For a pitcher as young as Mogollon, I saw an awful lot of LHP Andy Otero in his game (shout out to you Brewers Minor League heads who recognize the name). This is a significant step up in competition for the 20-year-old Venezuelan. Mogollon absolutely looks and looked ready for the challenge. It will be quite interesting to see how his season progresses. All told, he finished 4 IP of 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K, 0 ER ball. He absolutely gave the Mudcats sleepy bats time to wake from their slumber. Unfortunately, those same bats stayed busy counting sheep. We'll see the affiliates back at it tomorrow - Biloxi and Nashville will be trying for mid-day slates weather permitting (it seems iffy at present). Carolina and Wisconsin will close with our two evening slates. 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'll be back tomorrow evening (and, as a result, Thursday morning) reporting on all four affiliates. 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

Certainly could sit 98-100 as he adds to his frame and rounds out in experience and off-seasons. No doubt about it. I speak to it in tomorrow's report. He's just flat out a stud.

Yeah, it's been ugly in the batters box no doubt. We have historicity there, however, with EBJ; Cargo; Wilken; Clarke; and Campbell. We know Zavi is streaky. Sparks is a wildcard. Murray and Zamora, imho, are 0.750-0.800 OPS guys in the Southern League. I have faith they'll turn it around.

Both Biloxi (losing 2-0) and Nashville (winning 15-2) are called early due to inclement weather. That's a wrap. We finish our evening 2-2. Two frustrating losses in Zebulon and Missisippi. An absolute walloping in Memphis by the Sounds. A super satisfying road win for the T-Rats in South Bend.

This just in: Despite our collective concerns and trust issues concerning the Brewers bullpen, the staff at large (largely due to incredible and surprising work from the starting staff) has conceded the second fewest runs in the National League. They trail only Atlanta by a mere 3 runs allowed. Pretty remarkable.

Yep. AND, in the end that's just fine. It's ultimately good competition and a good barometer for the young lads. They held their own and absolutely had a meaningful bases loaded opportunity late to make a serious game of it. With that age, however, comes the seasoning. They are bigger. And, they are more fundamentally sound. Is what it is.