Joseph Zarr

Agreed on the Orioles on all fronts. They have an incredibly exciting season and have some blue chip talent - their first exciting season in many years. And, it would appear their owner has no real interest in taking it seriously? Granted, Baltimore may not be an easy sell for FA's...but...as you point out: much larger revenue streams. I am thankful I am not an Orioles fan. They deserve better.

Fellas, let's not forget...Frelick also does versions of this 'Vogey' in the OF grass and dirt as well: 😁

The best all around player I was privileged to watch in the Southern League last year, prior to his call up, was the Braves' Michael Harris II. In my mind, his play style and success is 'a recency bias bar' (for lack of a better phrase) I will use to gauge where Chourio is at in 2023. Harris II hit the MLB outfield and, frankly, didn't miss one beat. He hit the ground running and was pivotal in helping turn the Braves' season around. Granted, Harris II is 2 plus years older (he will turn 22 March 7th), so this should be noted. However, both he and Chourio man CF. Harris also was called up directly from Double- A and, at the time, was widely regarded as the Braves best prospect (for good reason, he's a phenomenal talent). If Chourio is to experience a similar or comparable trajectory, he must get routinely more disciplined and consistent at identifying breaking and off-speed pitches away; continue to identify and capitalize on 'his pitches' - trusting that incredible bat speed and god-given power will support higher success if he trusts his zone; and continue to play with the inherent aggression but controlled and focused violence his physical gifts afford. There's a fine line between letting these accolades get to his head - potentially becoming over-aggressive and undisciplined - and using them to fuel further development with the aim of tapping into greatness. He is on the precipice but there are still many many miles to go. Chourio will most likely never come close to Harris II's arm and overall range (though, Chourio can cover quite a bit of ground) but he could become just as dangerous in the batters box with even more power while being a reliable if not solid to above average center fielder.

Tenacious at the plate. Rick Sweet and Nashville hitting coach Al LeBoeuf described it best in 2022, when they likened his bat-to-ball skills as those of a premier hockey player. He can bat balls to extend bats and he rarely swings out of the zone. As @Brewcrew82alludes to above, given his innate gift to flip and powerfully drive those hips to RF, AmFam's short porch 'should' help augment this. However, and I alluded to this in 2022, with his incredible contact skills and plate discipline...his athletic profile and competitiveness, who really cares if he never becomes anything more than a 10-15 HR guy? I sure don't. He is the best pure lead-off prospect I've seen for the Crew in my lifetime.

Spot on analysis. I would add, aside from 'proving' the swing and plate improvements in Nashville have true staying power (baseball gods, may it be so...he was phenomenal for Nashville late last year), I do think there is a very real set of questions for the organization and Wiems: Is the thumb/right hand injury chronic or something he is now healed from? Was last year's injury a re-injury to the 2021 AFL injury? OR was it freakishly different injury? Is there anything to worry about there? Last year, he injured himself on a tailing inside heater foul ball. That injury was problematic for over a month - IL stint and the offensive struggles when he returned where I would argue it was clear he wasn't comfortable holding and swinging a bat. It was also quite obvious he was becoming a wee dejected in the field and wasn't his normal hyperactive (for lack of a more friendly term 😝) self. That all changed instantly in Nashville. I'll be cautiously optimistic he's moved on but I'd be lying if it isn't something I consider.

Two reported transactions were officially submitted to close February: LHP Darrell Thompson was officially assigned to the Biloxi Shuckers (If you recall, Thompson was signed as a Minor League FA in late October of 2022) And the Brewers signed 19-year-old Venezuelan RHP Yeferson Tales to a Minor League contract. He will pitch for the DSL Brewers 1.

Got to submit a few questions in an MLB Trade Rumors Live chat today with one of my beloved Minor Leaguers in ol stalwart RHP Josh Lindblom. In true Lindblom fashion, he was humble; honest; and affable. I'm going to miss him on the mound:

I'd 'like' to see Quero begin at Wisconsin as the principle man handling that staff - especially with newcomer (Topa trade) Joseph Hernandez coming aboard. This would also fill my own personal desire to see Darrien Miller as the back-up catcher while spending more time as a lead-off DH and 1B. If Quero's 2023 begins like 2022 ended, we 'should' anticipate an aggressive promotion. I anticipate Brent Diaz will be given every chance to claim that top catcher in Biloxi - he definitely deserves this given what we saw in spurts throughout 2022. Kahle will most likely take top back-up duties with Lopez filling in as well.

Let's keep the Strzelecki train chuggin'. Here's a fantastic deeper dive by Adam McCalvy into Strzelecki's season last year just one year removed from his dad's sudden death. This passage really got me: This is a very human piece. Highly recommend if you have the bandwidth.

The Brewers have signed 17-year-old Venezuelan RHP Argenis Aparicio (listed 6'0" 180 lbs) to a Minor League contract. They have assigned him to the DSL Brewers 1.

Just the read I needed after my daughter got me up at 5:30 am in 0 degrees F weather. Yowza. Excuse me (looks at exterior thermomerer) -8F. 🥲 The only thing these write-ups are missing is more cowbell.

If I had to guess, I'd day the Brewers wanted him to ramp back up in Nashville's Playoff push given the length of his injury (despite his solid numbers, I would casually 'argue' he was still searching for consistency in delivering his best stuff) and, additionally, they were fairly deep in their commitment to a relief corps path initiated at the Deadline. This being said, it goes without saying: this is a big ST for Cousins and we know he has the stuff and history with the club to reclaim a meaningful bullpen role.

Yeah baby. LOVE this! I was touting Strzelecki in Triple-A last season quite a bit. I talked about the tailing movement he has that causes major problems. When he got the call-up I shared there wasn't really a single reliever in Nashville with stuff comparable to his in terms of MLB-caliber stickiness. This little insightful write-up though?

Given my remarks on Mendez re: 'true lead-off', one of my obscure asks of the 2023 Minor League season is, oddly, more lead-off opportunities for Darrien Miller. He filled in there for a spell when Ayrault and his staff were dealing with another bout of injuries throughout the roster and he really showed his worth. I personally don't know if he ever sticks behind the dish as he continues to mature - I definitely have my own doubts - but he can add value on a roster in other ways if that falls off. It's not often you see a catcher more than fill the role of a competent lead-off. Can he tap into more power? These next 2-3 years are going to be huge for his career and I am eager to watch from afar.

And authors 😊 I've been hitting the gym and running trails and taking BP.

Even tho it's still the off-season, @Smichaelis9is on the hill slinging heat. I would definitely add with Mendez: even though his swing is considered 'choppy' (as you adeptly point out), his approach is anything but (let's also not forget this 6'3" height is still relatively new and shows some in his swing plane - he was 5'11" when first signed). He is extremely poised in the box and more often than not works the count and is very capable of extending his AB's with savvy foul balls. His BB:K ratio speaks to this (62:70, respectively). AND, just as Cargo was red hot before his untimely ACL shelved him for the remainder of 2022, let's not forget Mendez was playing his best ball of his 2022 season before he literally ran full bore into the right field wall in late July. I was watching that game. I sincerely hope to never see something like that again. He was batting 0.215 entering July and left the month (albeit injured) batting 0.260. Batting 0,356 in 90 AB's is nothing to sniff at - especially from another bat that flashes as a true lead-off. Let's also not forget: the same Baseball America people who were lauding Jackson Chourio early in 2022, are the same who were bringing up Mendez unprovoked.

OF Tyler Naquin was signed to a Minor League contract with an invite to spring training. He has been assigned to the Sounds. Matt Arnold continues to add competition across the depth of this roster.

It seemed like just yesterday the Brewers protected Big Jon Singleton from the Rule 5 draft. My how time flies when you're on the fringe. I'm going to have some really fun 1B play down in Nashville, regardless.

1B/DH Luke Voit was signed to a Minor League FA contract with an invite to spring training. He has been assigned to the Sounds.

Great post, Jim. This is all quite interesting to those of us who tune into Mudcats games on the regular. And, it is quite clear this entire stadium ordeal down yonder isn't all that simple (is it ever, anywhere?!). Thanks for sharing.

I completely agree with you. And, I would add, this process sounds so inherently passive aggressive I fear the Midwestern teams may never ever want to do away with it even if they address its blatant flaws in future CBA's.🥶

The Atlantic League is definitely considered the 'cream of the crop' when it comes to Indy Leagues - often showcasing MLB caliber players (present and former) trying to get back to the Big League or rehabbing their bodies or image for whatever reasons. It's exciting to see another possible under-the-radar arm with a chance to show his talents!

We have two recent Minor League free agent signings - 17 yo Dominican RHP Johan Zapata (listed 5'11" and 160 lbs) and 18 yo Venezuelan Lefty OF Brian Sanchez (listed 6'3" and 170 lbs) . Both players have been assigned to the DSL Brewers 1. Hopefully, we'll hear and observe good things in those summertime DSL box scores!

Here's a quick view for those more visually inclined: Mudcats Timber Rattlers Shuckers Sounds

Very very cool to see the Shuckers add so many faces to their staff for 2023! Will Schierholz heads up to Double-A to work with the Shuckers' pitching staff after a fantastic first season of work in Wisconsin in 2022. He's joined by former Rattler's hitting coach Nick Stanley (bench coach in 2023), 2022 ACL Blue pitching coach Josh Spence (bullpen coach in 2023), and Christian Correa who will get his very first season in the affiliated coaching ranks after a championship season playing in the American Association (just a notch below the Atlantic League in terms of competition). I'm excite!