Joseph Zarr

It's only appropriate a Mudcats pitcher gets this award. The entire staff - top to bottom (for the most part) - has been fantastic. An intentional nod to the catching outfit - C Matt Wood was rightfully promoted but this emphatically should not take a single thing away from the ongoing work of Sibrian and Diaz who have absolutely fantastic on all sides of the dish. I'll casually toss out the sudden surge of RHP Tyler Wehrle who has really caught my eye in recent outings. AND, a young man from just down the way from my farmstead in Spokane County, WA RHP Nick Merkel has really fine-tuned his offerings in a very very short timeframe. Earlier in the season, Merkel was finding himself - how his mix plays. He doesn't have the velo you'd expect in a man who shares the same height as Misiorowski, but, he has a massive 12-6 breaking ball that he has absolutely come into form. He's using his mix to perfection of late and I'm here for it. Yet another name to watch in the vaunted Mudcats staff. The thing that isn't an advanced stat, or statistically measurable in any way, that I absolutely love about RHP Will Rudy's game is he brings that former shortstop over-confident swagger that borders on arrogance. A bit of "F-You" on the hill, if you will. He is cocky when he has that ball in hand and I love it. He is in charge. The ump is an ornament in the frame. The batter is something he is to dominate and conquer. If this is the beginning of his career, we should be very excited to see how he grow and evolves. An incredible start and as you say @Smichaelis9, he is literally only just scratching the surface. I should also note: Go back and watch Rudy's second inning versus the Wood Ducks last week (Tuesday opening game on 5/23?). Robbed of a gorgeous 3-2 94 mph dart on the inner half to walk first batter. Clearly not pleased. Next batter spins a 3000 + rpm inside breaking ball called just inside (probably was) - gorgeous pitch. Mistake hanger next pitch ball goes to left center gap - fantastic play (showing why the Mudcats lead the Carolina League in fielding % and several other defensive categories) by Lara to Vargas nabs runner trying to stretch into a two bagger. Nails his final pitch where Sibrian frames it - an inside heater with nice rise jamming for a pop-up to shallow shallow RF. Just an inning that shows a little bit of everything outside the change-up.

I see C Blayberg Diaz was behind the dish last night. One of my most recent up-and-coming catching stable favorites. Just for a bit of insight (in the linked Game Notes above): I can't overstate how incredibly impressive the duo of Diaz and Sibrian is for Carolina. I will put them against any catching duo in Low-A and High-A. They are that good.

Not to mention the Mudcats are barely clinging to a 1/2 game lead. I said it this past weekend and I'll say it again here: that completely canceled Down East doubleheader this past weekend could be the difference in the first half. It was a truly unfortunate weather bomb. Why is this important? Well, beyond the obvious that we want our beloved Low-A affiliate to get into the playoffs the Mudcats also hold the current MILB worst 13-year playoff drought. They have to get that monkey off the back! As to when the first half officially ends, Greg Young discussed it in one of the Down East broadcasts last week? I'll go back and find it. 😝

<insert crying gif> SO excited for Big Jon. As a fellow dad, this father of two deserves every bit of this opportunity. He has been a model of consistency after a slow start in 2023. Here's hoping he takes it and runs with it.

Carolina has won 6 straight and yet they haven't gained any more ground ahead of Down East who remain 0.5 games back our Mudcats. They've won the first four at Columbia. What a tight race we have down the first half stretch.

OTA's this week. It appears Doubs and Love have built good chemistry this off-season as he is an early 'Go To' guy. And, reports coming out are glowing re: TE Luke Musgrave who is causing big headaches down the seam. Several comments of the "...he's just different than what we've had here..." AND, obvious addendum: this is OTA's. The AFL of the NFL season. It's fun to track but we can generally toss this out the window. Lots of injured absences (No Douglas, Jaire, Kraft, Dubose, Bakhtiari etc)

It is absolutely classic Bucks to have their two beat writers with zero scoop and zero interviews of purported new HC Adrian Griffin when we are now just about two weeks from the informal Woj announcement. Not even a single word or insight on a possible coaching staff? Nothing about the official announcement - is this delayed is the delay due to trying to assemble a coaching staff? Did Monty Williams' ridiculously large contract influence contractual negotiations OR are those already complete? Bucks will always Buck. The more things change...😂

For interested zealots, it is purportedly in the : Style: BHMBSMURKDBMBBT 😅

Here's a fun throwback from 2016 when RHP Thyago Vieira was considered the Mariners top relief pitching prospect. Fresh off a successful AFL stint and the sudden development of a plus slider: Read HERE RHP Abner Uribe: Take note, young man. Lots more work to be done.

Yup. Of course now that we talk about it he's going to have a five walk 1/3 IP. 😅 He has been the very definition of lights out. He took the Closer role for Sweet and just sprinted away with it. He shuts the door.

Vieira has been phenomenal. He has legitimate stuff too. This is a man who has paid his dues and is definitely deserving of a call-up.

I've been talking about him all week in my report. IF this is the bat we are suddenly dealing with, well, he is one of the best defenders in the entire system. He has an incredible glove. Extremely underrated athleticism. This is definitely one of the more intriguing stories of 2023.

Two morning/matinee games started things off in the lower levels - Nashville and Wisconsin, respectively. And they each started with a bang by grabbing two victories. In the evening, we had Biloxi and Carolina trying to round out an undefeated mid-week slate of games. We fell one game short as the Shuckers saw a late lead slip away in the eighth inning. Let's get into the report! Image courtesy of Brewer Fanatic Game Balls: LHP Robert Gasser was absolutely fabulous in what was far and away his best outing as a Nashville Sound. It all came together and it was especially rewarding given his truly bad luck outing his last time out: 7 IP, 5 H, 0 BB, 9 K. This is the potential that is oozing from his deep toolkit. OF Blake Perkins continued his extremely solid work in the Sounds outfield. This week he's been leading off and today he put it all together: a two-run HR jack and a 2-for-3, 3 RBI, 1 R game overall. Fantastic work from the smooth moving young prospect. RHP Edwin Jimenez gets the nod for his deepest outing (6 IP), his second win as a starter in High-A, and generally just continuing to put forth solid outings every time on the hill in 2023. He won't wow you with velocity but he continues to demonstrate he can pitch with his blend of off-speed. C Blayberg Diaz gets the nod for a very solid night overall - behind the plate and in the batter's box. Read more below. We have another solid catcher in the stables. INF Ethan Murray gets the final salute here with more fabulous defense and solid production in the batters box getting on base three times and scoring what was a brief go-ahead run in the seventh inning. Transactions: (5/29 - announced late) INF Jamal Zalm was released by the ACL Brewers (5/30 - announced late) RHP Breijher Subero was released by the DSL Brewers 1 Final: Nashville 4, Charlotte (White Sox) 0 Box Score / Game LogGame Notes Via the Sounds' site, game details, please visit and review: Robert Gasser Gifts Sounds Dominant Start in Birthday Win LHP Robert Gasser certainly looks the part - he has the eclectic blend of pitches that make up a solid lefty MLB rotation pitcher. And, today, he finally really showed out in Triple-A after some truly bad luck his most recent outing. I've opined in the past, given his truly fantastic aforementioned blend of pitches, if he could just consistently find the zone or nibble closer to it the rest will simply take care of itself. He did that, and quite a bit more, today to the tune of 7 IP, 5 H, 0 BB, 9 K, 0 ER. It's outings like these that simply remind us why the Brewers targeted him at last year's trade deadline. The refinement of a pitcher often takes time. Let's hope, with Gasser, this is, the start of that clock! Three Quick Strikes: 1) He didn't turn many heads or impress all that much in his recent call-up opportunity, but that shouldn't take a single thing away from how fantastic OF Blake Perkins has played for the Sounds. Since his first game, he's been as solid and as consistent as anyone on the roster. He showed out, yet again, today. A two-run jack in the fifth inning (his second of the year) and a 2-for-3, 3 RBI, 1 R overall in the lead-off spot is a manager's dream. If nothing else, in 2023 he is definitely proving the Brewers right for signing him with a 40-Man spot in the off-season. 2) After scuffling a bit since his return from injury, it's a breath of fresh air to see one of my favorites in INF Cam Devanney find some production at the dish. 2-for-3 with a 2B on the day - it's important to remember we're still only dealing with a 76 AB sample size given his early season injury. I will continue to go to bat for this young man's game - when he is on and clicking he's as tantalizing an infield prospect as the Brewers have in the lower levels. It's a matter of staying healthy and finding that groove. 3) Meanwhile, in Canada, we salute the Sounds on-base maven of the early going, Mr. Abraham Toro. First AB with the big club today in Toronto. Pay dirt: What? It's a road series. Let's celebrate one of our favorite Sounds of the early going 😝. Final: Pensacola (Marlins) 4, Biloxi 3 Box Score / Game Log Game Notes Via the Shuckers' site, game details, please visit and review: Shuckers Fall in Close Affair Against Blue Wahoos, 4-3 Pre-Game Interviews: Brewers Organizational Pitching Coordinator (and former Shuckers pitching coach) Nick Childs is now in the archive and, tomorrow, RHP Luis Contreras will be on the mic in the same place. Check them out HERE RHP Tobias Myers had a very effective blend of his curveball and change-up to keep Wahoos hitters off balance throughout his three innings pitched. He was likely pulled early because he took a 106 mph liner off the back of his head during the third frame! He stayed in the inning, he was even smiling during the mound visit, but none the less being so close to the Adames episode it was certainly a worrisome moment. We'll have to stay abreast of any developments as the week progresses. LHP Russ Smith came on in relief. He pitched an effective first inning but ran into trouble in his second frame with a lead-off jack over the wall in right field followed by an opposite field line drive single. All in all, Smith continues to struggle to find his footing in Double-A but is suffering from an absurd BABIP and, ultimately, settled down tonight after the long ball. We'll take it as a successful appearance. Three Quick Strikes: 1) If you would have told me Pensacola starter RHP Luis Palacios didn't throw a ball in the 90's his entire outing, you could have fooled me. He had the Shuckers bats entirely out of synch. He was mixing in an extremely effective blend of off-speed (primarily a change-up and slider combo) and repeatedly had the Shuckers batters off-balance and making extremely weak contact if any. This was as clear as ever when he got OF Jackson Chourio swinging and whiffing at a change-up that tailed outside the zone in a crucial AB in the 7th inning with two down and two men on. It was refreshing to see a pitcher showcase velocity most definitely isn't everything. It was equally frustrating watching several of the Shuckers at-bats. 2) INF Ethan Murray continues to showcase his defensive acumen on a near nightly basis. Last night it was a head first diving save in the shallow right field grass. Tonight, not only did he leap to save a liner and grab the first out of the fifth frame he also ended it with runners on second and third and two down on this web gem: There are few better all around infield defenders in the entire system. He's that consistently good. And, what's more, in 2023 he's doing some solid work at the plate. A very refreshing story in the early going. 3) Some final quick hits: After a single early, INF Tyler Black is now up to a 25 game on-base streak - two shy of Cooper Hummel's club record. RHP James Meeker now has a plus curve ball - a big development for his pitching future. We may see Freddy Zamora hit the shelf for a spell with a concussion - just a hunch after a scary and violent collision sprinting toward a fly ball in left field and crashing full speed into LF Isaac Collins (who miraculously held on for the final out). You'll see this play at 3:04:12 on the MILB.tv broadcast. This game came down to OF Jackson Chourio's rough AB with two men on and two down in the 7th and then RHP Robbie Baker's two mistakes that left the yard. That was ball game. The Shuckers fell five back of these same Wahoos after gaining a game last night. Final: Wisconsin 5, Peoria (Cardinals) 2Box Score / Game Log Game Notes Via the Timber Rattlers' site, game details, please visit and review: Rattlers Rally Past Chiefs RHP Edwin Jimenez continued his break-out 2023 campaign by pitching his deepest outing to date - 6 IP, 2 ER (2 solo shots), 5 H, 0 BB, 4 K. He picked up his second victory in High-A and greatly helped his squad grab their second consecutive victory. That's right: the Timber Rattlers have a winning streak! Just as importantly, they handed the Peoria Chiefs their seventh consecutive loss. How sweet it is. Remember, after the matinee, we get the home game post-game podcast: Full Game Highlights: Three Quick Strikes: 1) RHP Max Lazar grabbed the three inning save - 3 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 K. He missed that third strikeout in his first inning by what must have been an inch, if that, on a glorious curveball on the outer stripe. He was walking off the mound, actually - it was a nasty pitch. He looked quite sharp overall on the afternoon. We just request one thing: stay healthy, Mr. Lazar! 2) INF Eric Brown Jr. was credited with a double error (fielding and throwing) on a two out chopper in the eighth inning. It was a play where he attempted to backhand the ball and it bounced up his glove and popped into the air. He ultimately should have eaten it. However, he barehand grabbed it and forced the throw late taking Hall off the bag and the ball down the line. The runner advanced to second base. We discussed it in our game thread (Start HERE), but his 10 errors on the season-to-date are more a product of forcing things or trying to get too much from a situation. I personally feel this is related to an over-confidence in his skills (and, they are quite delicious). In other words: with experience and practice he'll have to learn when to eat a play or when to dial it back. 3) I could discuss EBJ's 3-for-4 day at the dish driving his BA up to 0.272 but I am going to hone in on INF Eduardo Garcia. Garcia played what may have been his best game at the hot corner - making the very difficult look routine in a variety of ways. He also 'drove' in a run with a painful inside HBP with the bases dripping while also ripping two doubles. The first two-bagger was the T-Rats first hit of the afternoon. The second two-bagger resulted in what could have been a key insurance run heading into the ninth and final inning. The random feel good week of inexplicably advanced discipline at the plate is gone, sadly. But, it is still quite nice to see the young man find success at the dish. He finished his day 2-for-3, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 K, 0 BB. He and Joe Gray Jr. both continue to mightily struggle with anything off-speed down or away. It is definitively their collective Achilles' heel. Final: Carolina 9, Lynchburg (Guardians) 1Box Score / Game Log Game Notes Via the Mudcats' site, game details, please visit and review: Diaz & Parra Help Mudcats Hammer Hillcats 9-1 Let me start by simply sharing: the ump crew in Lynchburg tonight was, unfortunately, as amateur as it gets. The home plate ump clearly didn't know the breadth of the strike zone - under his watch it became an absurdly tight dead center box. The field ump was missing calls at 3B robbing a beautiful Diaz to Vargas throw out on a double steal - the runner was out by a good 3 feet yet he somehow casually called him safe. This same ump was letting men who blatantly flew out stand at 2B as if they'd hit a double. It was unreal what I was seeing in the first inning. Regardless, a game was to be played. The missed strike calls continued throughout. RHP Jacob Misiorowski suffered from the above mentioned tight zone early as he was robbed of at least three strikes in the top of the first. However, it's a testament to him he was able to maintain his poise Three Quick Strikes: 1) If you were to carve out a bit of time to watch one team in the Brewers system with a strict focus on quality of baseball, the Mudcats would have to be at the top of your list. These young men play truly solid defense. They play smart baseball. They play aggressively. They are managed extremely well by an up-and-coming leader in Victor Estevez. The breadth of their pitching staff is fantastic. And, they are improving at the plate on an almost nightly basis. Tune in early and tune in often. These young men are simply enjoyable to watch. 2) Let me take a brief moment to introduce you to yet another fantastic catcher in the Brewers system: Blayberg Diaz. He is extremely spry behind the dish and has some deceptive size to boot - he is every bit of 5'11" and 190 (I would imagine he's added some weight and sits closer to 195-200). He has a plus arm - he was robbed tonight of a gorgeous throw to third base from his knees. And, he has an ascending bat. Each time out, I've seen him put forth better and better AB's. I mentioned Sibrian last night. Tonight, I share with you Diaz. 3) There are plenty of things to check out in the box score tonight - shutdown pitching throughout with a mere three hits allowed. Offensively, a bevy of men were on base - every Mudcat touched the bags, actually, but OF Jace Avina who still managed to knock in a run. With this being said, and being a road series and all, I deliver you the only Mudcat highlight - a Jesus Parra bomb over the wall in left field: We'll be back to all evening slates tomorrow. RHP Caleb Boushley looks to put his walk woes of his last outing to bed in Charlotte. RHP Christian Mejias will look to replicate his fantastic last trip to the hill and give the Shuckers a 2-1 series lead. RHP Cameron Wagoner will look to stop hanging those curveballs and give his team some solid innings - let's be honest, it's been a tough start to his 2023 season. And, we're still 'TBD' for Carolina in Lynchburg at time of publish. As always, thank you for reading and thank you for supporting Brewers Minor League baseball! Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scoresCurrent Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and DepthCurrent Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth View full article

LF Isaac Collins missed a walk-off two-run shot by about 1" on the barrel as he gets just under one and sends it deep to CF but not deep enough. Sounded good off the bat. Shuckers fall in frustrating fashion 4-3. Robbie Baker will take the loss - and he was hit hard in that second inning - but, that game also came down to Chourio's really poor AB with two men on (Valerio on 3B) with two down having just taken the 3-2 lead in the 7th. And, so it goes in a baseball game. No 3-run dramatic blasts tonight!

I continue to love RHP James Meeker. Noticeable development in 2023: his curveball has become a very plus pitch. This is fun! Keep on trucking, Mr. Meeker. I see you.

C Jeferson Quero is stranded at 3B (lead off double ripped down the LF line) after Wes Clarke lines out sharply right into the 1B glove. Sigh. 4-3 Shuckers trail headed to the 9th.

A bad inning just got worse. Ugh. INF Freddy Zamora just ran full-speed into a charging LF Isaac Collins (who miraculously held onto the catch). Zamora went down motionless instantly. He is moving now but he is badly shaken up by the looks of it. Man, can this young man catch a break?!? OK. He's up and walking in. He's holding the left side of his upper jaw. More importantly, perhaps, here is the injury does not appear to be to his arms or shoulders. That was a knock to the head. Yikes. MILB.tv subscribers: The play begins at 3:04:12.

After a second out via strikeout, Baker gives up his 3rd XBH of his second inning - a stand-up double to right CF - and Mike Guerrero makes the call for RHP James Meeker. That was a rough inning for Baker.

Well, that lead was very short. RHP Robbie Baker getting hit hard in the 8th on two no doubter solo jacks. 1 108 mph over the LF wall and 96 mph over the RF wall. All this after a pretty poor AB from OF Jackson Chourio who struck out swinging at a change-up a good 9-12" off the outer half. Off-speed and away continues to haunt the talented young outfielder. Shuckers now trail 4-3 in a drop of a hat. One down.

Ethan Murray has played phenomenal defense (as per usual) he stole his 5th base of the year. He's been on base 3 times. He just scored the leading run. AND, INF Felix Valerio grabbed the key poke to RF and stretched it to a 3B on the Griffin Conine error on the rushed attempt to scoop and throw home because, well, Ethan Murray had done the lead-up work. Excellent. Isaac Collins walks. Runners on the corners. Two down. 3-2 Shuckers. AND, Chourio is to the plate. Let's GO!

Mudcats close it out 9-1. We are 3-0 so far. The Crew clinging to a 4-1 lead. And, the Shuckers are knotted up at 2 into the bottom of the 6th inning. RHP Robbie Baker just pitched a clean first inning.

Hey it's another 3-up and 3-down inning from Smith! He closes it out with a swinging and missing attempt on a high slider in a 2-2 count. We'll move to the bottom half of the 6th where the Shuckers will look to make their mark and take the lead.

The Mudcats continue to lead 9-1 late here. The home plate umpire continues to absolutely botch clear strikes. Uncannily consistent in his egregious inconsistency.

Hey now! INF/OF Isaac Collins says 'Ball don't lie!' After a lengthy debate on a wild pitch into the Wahoos dugout (Mike Guerrero felt Ethan Murray should have been given home base) leaving Murray stranded at 3B, Collins comes through with a ground ball up the middle infield. It's 2-2. Smith will try to fare better in the top half of the 6th.