Joseph Zarr

Continuing to stay current as the season nears its end: - LHP Ethan Small was optioned to the Nashville Sounds from the Milwaukee Brewers - LHP Clayton Andrews was recalled by the Milwaukee Brewers from the Nashville Sounds - The Milwaukee Brewers selected the contract of RHP Caleb Boushley from the Nashville Sounds - The Milwaukee Brewers DFA'd RHP Julio Tehran to the Nashville Sounds

The Tyler Black Height Truthers have another member. Who knew?! Too funny.

That is really interesting. Especially considering how he generally struggled as a starting pitcher when called upon for the Shuckers. And, tho he only had a lone relief appearance, his Triple-A outing told a story he will likely need extended exposure or off-season tweaks to adjust to the higher level of competition - he was hit hard. I love me some Meeker, as you know, but I would personally be challenged to place him (in the Brewers prospect pantheon) above a TJ Shook, for example, who is a more versatile and toolsy guy who can fill a number of roles including set-up; long relief; starting roles. I would casually opine, his ZiPS was seen as such in 2023 because Fangraphs was slow to understand his overall game to begin with in 2022. He proved he can very effectively fill a 7th or 8th inning Southern League role (no small feat) yet I still personally saw more reason for hesitancy than I saw reason for getting more bullish than I already was. I take it to mean the ZiPS projections here were just behind. And I don't mean this in any defiant or loud way. I just mean it in a: He is absolutely going to need to find another level to his Mix and his stuff if he wants to prove himself at Triple-A for a shot at MLB. He can absolutely do it but I personally wouldn't rely one iota on this ZiPS projection. To that end, and to a similar tune as far as re-setting the table, RHP Edwin Jimenez showed me a bigger projectable step for meaningful future 4th-5th starter potential. Anywho, fascinating. Thanks for sharing.

That would be great for Boushley, for sure, starting in his home state of Wisconsin. He did get roughed up for a month and a half to close his season with Nashville including a 7 H, 4 BB, 8 ER 3 1/3 IP outing at last place Charlotte on September 16th. Quite a tall task for him, if this is indeed true, to face the Cubs offense looking for a playoff birth. And, if it's true, I hope he crushes his opportunity. He has to keep his stuff down in the zone. He struggles when his stuff stays up in the zone. Let's hope he brings his 'A' game!

Staying current from the past couple of days: - RHP Colin Rea was recalled by the Milwaukee Brewers from the Nashville Sounds - LHP Ethan Small was recalled by the Milwaukee Brewers from the Nashville Sounds - (pertaining directly to his AFL assignment) RHP Justin Yeager was activated off the 60-Day IL by the Biloxi Shuckers

I can, actually. And I saw it this past week 😂. Sweet speaks to the Chourio run down final out in RF off a screamer with the bases juiced. He made it look easy. Wiemer robbed a HR. That's just an elite and interchangeable defensive outfit. I mean any one of those guys at the corner spots is an unfair advantage.

I legit can't believe this is real. I have no more wishes in my basketball life. This is it for me. I can not believe it is happening.

Heck, they can get freaky now and seriously consider starting AJJr. as a cause massive Ron Artest havoc like at the 2. With epic rebounding and passing vision. He literally can be a slasher, put-back, lay-up/dunk getter. And defensive savant. They also have a FA open slot with two going out and can grab a PG FA like Cameron Payne.

OH my Basketball Gods! This has literally been my one wish as a lifelong Bucks fan. And today, it is reality. I lived in PDX for 5 years. Saw Dame multiple times. This is my basketball Valhalla.

The All-Stars have already been announced: (Full article HERE) All-Star Team 1B: Troy Johnston, Pensacola (MIA No. 23) 2B: Luke Waddell, Mississippi (ATL) SS: Kyren Paris, Rocket City (LAA No. 5) 3B: Junior Caminero, Montgomery (TB No. 1, MLB No. 6) C: Jeferson Quero, Biloxi (MIL No. 2, MLB No. 32) OF: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Tennessee (CHC No. 1, MLB No. 12) OF: Owen Caissie, Tennessee (CHC No. 3, MLB No. 64) OF: Jackson Chourio, Biloxi (MIL No. 1, MLB No. 2) DH: Blake Dunn, Chattanooga (CIN No. 22) UTIL: Tyler Black, Biloxi (MIL No. 4, MLB No. 51) SP: Patrick Monteverde, Pensacola (MIA No. 16) SP: Luis De Avila, Mississippi (ATL No. 14) SP: Carlos F. Rodriguez, Biloxi (MIL No. 6) SP: Connor Phillips, Chattanooga (CIN No. 4) RP: Jefry Yan, Pensacola (MIA) RP: Luke Little, Tennessee (CHC No. 25) Manager: Kevin Randle, Pensacola (MIA) *** AND, LHP Antoine Kelly was named a RP All-Star for the Rangers in the Texas League (Double-A). Struggling to understand that RHP Matt Bush trade more and more each day.

Stiven Cruz over Alexander Cornielle? That's interesting. And, if we're going to put Quinton Low up there (as tantalizing as he has been in moments) we have to consider why Yerlin Rodriguez is ommitted - despite his struggles the last month he was fantastic for the great majority of 2023. Felix Valerio over Isaac Collins? Age discrepancies aside, 2023 proved Collins was a player you couldn't leave out of the line-up whereas Valerio - other than maybe a week of play - was a player you struggled to find a reason to put in the line-up. Unfortunately, this was just very true in 2023. Considering what we saw from RHP Tobias Myers in August and September - putting forth his best starting work of his season and dazzling in a brief bullpen role in Nashville - he should likely be added considering he may even be protected in the Rule 5 draft. His late work was that good. Considering how utterly good Yorman Galindez was when promoted from the ACL for Carolina's playoff push, he should likely be added as an option for folks. Lottttta thoughts from this ol' Brewers Minor League codger from his off-season front porch swing. And, of course, this is still me. Today. Many days removed from this sentiment. I am still coping with the losses of Garabitos and, now, Sibrian...my sweet catching Prince:

And, RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez was also named the Southern League Pitcher of the Year. Heck of an honor!

Da Brisbane Bandits and it was 7 players there. Alex Hall playing for Perth made it 8 total in the Aussie League, however - good on ya' for that recall! Of those sent, Hall and RHP Brennan Jordan are no longer with the organization (as we know). You know who else played for Perth? 3B Junior Caminero. Yep. That Caminero.

Episode 425 of "MLB: The Show Before the Show" featured an interview with the Shuckers' manager, Mike Guerrero. Check it out HERE. Timestamps within. Needless to say, if you simply want to listen to Sam Dykstra one-on-one with Guerrero: 31:05 interview begins.

In what appears to be a series of paperwork moves (at least for now): The ACL Brewers activated the following players from the 'Temporarily Inactive List': RHP Darling Solano RHP Samuel Dario INF Alberis Ferrer RHP Henrison Mota RHP Ryan Birchard INF Josh Adamczewski

Fear not, we will be covering the AFL; the Aussie Winter League; any any other Brewers prospects we learn of playing in the various other Winter Leagues happening to the South of the US. These will all be updated in their respective threads in the Minor League Forum - ie we will most definitely not be writing daily reports. 😂

2023's Final Jeff Hem Audio Rewind

I would opine he became predictable with his lower velocity flatter fastball in the meat of the season. It's an entirely different pitch today than it was during the majority of the season. Everything was just vastly sharper as August progressed and he made it into September where he was lights out dominant. The bullpen work at Nashville - though a ridiculously small sample - speaks to this. In Nashville he had legitimate ride on his 95-98mph heater. When he was struggling, I saw a flat meaty 93-95 that didn't really ride. With that improvement (in velo and movement/ride) he really dialed in the mix of his off-speed. You can see my posts earlier in the season where I was urging him to lead with his off-speed as his heater had become way too hittable as a lead pitch. Well, by September's end he could lead with anything. And, in a true relief role in Nashville (he had one appearance with Biloxi where he didn't start and pitched a scoreless inning), he put this on full display. One of the more exciting and unexpected storylines was how he wrapped up 2023 by putting it all together. He showed demonstrably he could strike people out but he lacked the fine-tuned pitches and pitch mix. Now we see how that carries into 2024 with the addendum: he is Rule 5 eligible. Given the strikeouts, what we saw late, and his possible flexibility as an immediate candidate to fill a middle relief taxi role (or better?) I would be entirely unsurprised if the Brewers choose to roster him. Wild development.

He led the entire Brewers system in punch outs, for the year, with (I believe) in the mid 170's. He led all of the Southern League. Had his best work of the season in his last month after opening the year with an 11K outing. The coolest thing about these bullpen outings was the change-up and curveball work. That's what turned my eyes - it sets up that heat to really play and have better ride.

None that I can find. I'm sure it will be a case of we won't really know for at least a day or so. Can't lose Tom, too. He's too good.

Wait, they won?!? That's insane. Wait, Miami put up 70 points on Denver?!? That's insane. Wait, Zach Tom went out with an injured knee?!? NO. No. NO.