Joseph Zarr

Game Balls: We're going with INF Robert Moore and his hot bat for Wisconsin (2B and HR today); INF Eddy Alvarez gets a nod for his continued solid decision-making in the field (manning 3B tonight) and surprising pop at the dish, P Tyler Wehrle for a fantastic debut relief outing for Carolina versus Salem, C Brian Navarreto for his game-changing grand slam in the bottom of the seventh inning, and we'll close with LHP Robert Gasser for allowing his bullpen to recover - even though he struggled with control throughout he battled and persevered. Transactions: RHP James Meeker was activated by AA Biloxi from Development List RHP Robbie Baker was activated by AA Biloxi from Development List RHP Justin Yeager was placed on AA Biloxi's 7-day injured list RHP Zach Vennaro was placed on AA Biloxi's 7-day injured list Final: Nashville 8, Norfolk (Orioles) 6 Box Score / Game Log Game NotesVia the Sounds' site, game details, please visit and review: Brian Navarreto's Grand Slam Launches Sounds Past Norfolk It was LHP Robert Gasser's second outing for Rick Sweet and the Sounds in game two of a six-game series with the Orioles' Norfolk Tide. After a 10 2/3 inning buffet for the stalwart Sounds bullpen last night, I imagine the entire pitching staff was hoping Gasser could eat some meaningful innings. He came out attacking the entirety of the strike zone with fastballs and change-ups to good effect early, as his off-speed arsenal was causing a bevy of swings and misses. He did manage to go 5 1/3 IP with seven punch outs, but I imagine he will leave the outing a bit frustrated at his lack of consistent control - 2 WP, 2 HBP, and 3 BB are not a recipe for success at the MLB level. Control and consistent ability to hit the zone over prolonged stretches is his current Achilles heel. If he can get that dialed, all the stuff of a solid five-pitch blend becomes more tantalizing. Three Quick Strikes: 1) It's early everywhere in baseball, but it's hard not to be pleased with the continued work of INF Eddie Alvarez. He has given solid innings at 2B, 3B, and even filled in at SS. He has made the smart and savvy plays when called upon - he's nabbed a lead runner at 3B on a sharp grounder when playing short and, tonight, he gunned down the lead runner at home on a sharp grounder to third base with the score knotted at zero. He's also been getting comfortable at the plate, where he's even beginning to show an unexpected bit of pop: 2) In an extremely uncharacteristically sloppy night early behind the dish (hey, we have high expectations for this uber-talented defensive dynamo), C Brian Navarreto more than made up for it with a mammoth moon shot grand slam over the left field fence to reclaim the Sounds lead. If you're somehow off in your area of expertise, it is nice to impact the game in another way. Take note, young players: there's always a way to impact a ball game. Check out this bomb from one of my favorite Sounds: 3) I continue to be mystified by LHP Ethan Small's early season (and I'm not the only one). One outing, he's electric with a fantastic blend leaning on his best pitch - the change-up. In the next outing, he's throwing primarily fastballs and walking batters again. It's hard to know what to make of it in this extremely small sample size, but given the mostly disappointing 2022, it is cause for continued concern. He was fantastic in his first outing. He was fantastic in his third outing. Outings two and four were filled with 'not so much.', Let's hope he can continue to grind and re-discover that consistency so elusive for the better part of 2022. My personal Jackson Chourio fix went unfulfilled on this fine Wednesday evening. Inclement weather reared its head and pushed our Shuckers fandom into the shallow waters off the coast. Alas, we'll tune in another day: Final: Peoria (Cardinals) 7, Wisconsin 6 Box Score / Game Log Game NotesVia the Timber Rattlers' site, game details, please visit and review: Late Peoria Homer Hits Wisconsin Hard - Rattlers Fall 7-6 to Chiefs at Home It was encouraging to see RHP Alexander Cornielle continue to put the walk woes of last year's early Low-A season behind him in his first start of 2023 at High-A Wisconsin. He finished with a line of 4 IP, 1 BB, 3 H, 2 ER, and 4 K. With some better luck and defensive execution in his fourth and final inning; he would have most likely gotten a chance to pitch the fifth frame. As he builds up for the long haul, we'll look for more outings like this, with higher pitch counts. Full Game Highlights: Three Quick Strikes: 1) Sloppy decisions on routine plays and inopportune drops all throughout the diamond were the key issue in today's mid-day game. The T-Rats pitching staff deserved much better than the score indicates, believe me. Unfortunately, there are no asterisks in statistically compiled game logs. I saw a dropped routine shallow pop fly to center field when OF Terence Doston charged the ball and attempted to simultaneously avoid INF Eduardo García who didn't get a proper read in the mid day sun and swirling winds - the ball was dropped off Doston's glove. I saw C Alex Hall inexplicably throw to second base in a two-out two-strike count situation with Chiefs runners on first and third base. The Chiefs executed the double steal and a run crossed the plate. Later, I saw INF Ben Metzinger incapable of corralling a gorgeous one-hop throw from Joe Gray Jr. in right field that would have assuredly nabbed the runner tagging from second base. Ultimately, though credited with a single, the winning Chiefs runs came across after OF Je'Von Ward dropped a makable sliding play in the shallow left field grass on yet another weakly hit sky high shallow pop fly. One batter later, a two-run home run was rocketed over the right field wall and the T-Rats trailed 6-5. They never recovered. Hopefully, the defense sharpens up in the days and weeks ahead. 2) Just make contact. This certainly appeared to be the Peoria Chiefs modus operandi in today's matinee match-up. I don't know if I have seen more weakly hit pop-ups and ground balls weasel their ways into hits and rbi's in my time watching affiliated ball. It was uncanny. But, if you simply make contact anything can happen. Juxtapose this with the Timber Rattlers clinging to their one run lead in the bottom of the seventh frame: the young Rattlers had the bases loaded and not a single out tallied on the scoreboard. Neither Moore, Gray Jr., or García made an ounce of contact as all three struck out. The threat was ended and it proved quite costly to the overall result. 3) Though he struck out swinging on high heat with the bases juiced, INF Robert Moore also continues to swing one of the hottest and most impactful T-Rats bat overall. He hit a laser shot over the right field wall to pull the team within a run in the ninth inning. He scorched his second double of 2023 earlier in the game. And, he now leads the team with 6 RBI on the young season. He just continues to impress after a solid season of work in Australia's winter league. You couple his ascending output at the dish with his already extremely solid defense at second base and we are starting to get a glimpse at the future. Final: Salem (Red Sox) 2, Carolina 0 Box Score / Game Log Game Notes Via the Mudcats' site, game details, please visit and review: Mudcats Held to One Hit in 2-0 Loss to Salem The young Mudcats were looking to stop a two game skid for their second game at Five County Stadium in the early 2023 season. Unfortunately, that losing skid was extended as the young men were only able to muster a single hit - a Luke Adams double in his first live game action of 2023. Strikeouts throughout the latter part of the batting order continued to plague Victor Estevez's squad. The Mudcats will look to get their bats and their plate discipline improving as this series and the season progresses. Three Quick Strikes: 1) Even in a lackluster offensive outing, when the losing pitching staff only surrender two runs there are worthy pitching highlights. RHP Tyler Wehrle deserves special mention for his fantastic 2023 Low-A debut. The 6'3" 220 pound righty from Tiffin University in Ohio worked four complete innings of 1 H, 3 BB, 3 K ball. He showed a quick and effective approach from the mound keeping bats at bay with his slider and attacking all parts of the zone with his heater. He was touching 94-95 up in the zone when trying to get bats chasing. An intriguing debut and a pitcher worthy of tracking on the Mudcats staff. 2) The Mudcats did have one meaningful opportunity to make a game of their morning tilt. In the bottom of the fourth inning, after the aforementioned Adams double and an OF Hedbert Perez walk, Carolina had runners on the corners with one down. Adams again demonstrated his intriguing athletic ability when he swiped third base - runners at the corners. OF Jace Avina had the favorable 2-0 count, worked it to 3-2 and drew the walk. However, Perez had just been gunned down trying to take second base. With two down, OF Kaylan Nicasia struck out on three pitches. And, well, that was that. 3) It's important to remember this current Mudcats roster is extremely young across the board. This youth and inexperience is definitely showing at the plate - several of the young men currently look overmatched as they adjust to a higher level of baseball. This being said, Victor Estevez will definitely need more production from his outfield. Perez, Fernandez, Nicasia, and Avina are all struggling mightily to start 2023. If the offense is going to start producing beyond the inexperienced but tantalizing tools of INF Luke Adams, it will have to start here or they will most likely continue struggling to get runs across. That's a wrap for my week of reports. I will keep tuning in and following the progress of each and every affiliate throughout the week - so, please, check in to our ongoing game threads and share some thoughts and observations. All are welcome. As of the time of submitting my repor, we know we'll see RHP Tobias Myers in Biloxi for one of their two games and we know we'll have an opportunity to see young RHP Joseph Hernandez at Fox Cities Stadium in Wisconsin. We're 'TBD' in Carolina, Biloxi Game 2, and Nashville. 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

Game Balls: We're going with the game winning walk-off and fine catching performance from C Alex Jackson, the incredible long ball output from phenom OF Jackson Chourio, the fantastic outing and first look at twice-drafted (by the Brewers, no less) RHP Aidan Maldonado, the admirable multiple innings inaugural bullpen effort from RHP TJ Shook (he deserved a better final line, I promise you), and the new fit and trim look of LHP Russ Smith who really dazzled in his extended relief role in the T-Rats victory. Transactions: C Jhonnys Cabrera has been moved to Carolina's Development List RHP Alexander Vallecillo has been moved to Carolina's active roster from the ACL Brewers RHP Janson Junk was recalled by the Milwaukee Brewers Highlights from the Week that Was: Thanks to Brewers Player Development twitter, we have a nice look at the Shuckers' dominant inaugural outing (and organizational debut) of RHP Tobias Myers. It was quite the debut - we certainly hope to see more of this dominance: Not to be outdone, up-and-coming young Ace RHP Carlos Rodriguez also dazzled in his personal Double-A debut. Do we have dueling rotational aces in an 'iron sharpens iron' scenario in the Shuckers starting rotation? I'm here for it in 2023. Join me in the cheap seats as we root these young arms on in what could certainly be feel good bounce back campaign in Biloxi. Random Fun from Way Out in Left Field: This past weekend we saw the conclusion of the illustrious Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia. What does this have to do with baseball you might ask? Well, let's take a look at some amazing work from the broadcast booth of the West Michigan Whitecaps. I hope we all aspire to enjoy this type of freedom and comfortability at our respective workplaces - this is truly a chef's kiss performance of, dare I say, genius from Dan Hasty Seriously, you do not want to miss this gem: Final: Nashville 8, Norfolk (Orioles) 5 Box Score / Game Log Game Notes Via the Sounds' site, game details, please visit and review: Sounds Erase Five Run Deficit, Walk Off Tides in 11 Inning Thriller The Sounds were looking to slow the early season roll of the Orioles' Norfolk Tide and find some home field cooking after a series split in Memphis this past week. Unfortunately, early in the contest, it looked bleak. After 31 pitches, typically reliable RHP Caleb Boushley was pulled after a mere 1/3 IP and 4 ER. The Sounds trailed 5-0 entering the 7th frame and were being outhit 11-3 at the time. But, everything changed when the Tides bullpen relieved dominant starter and 2018 4th round pick 23-year-old LHP Drew Rom. The Sounds found their home run stroke and an epic comeback was underway. Three Quick Strikes: 1) It started with the long ball: It ended with the long ball: In between these bookend blasts, we saw a two-run Tyler Naquin 461' bomb to right center field and a two-run game tying golf shot to shallow left field on a slider away by Triple-A long ball artist Keston Hiura. (Check out the Sounds twitter feed or last night's Game Thread to view these home run shots) 2) I said it in the opening first series versus Louisville, but it is worth repeating: the Sounds have an embarrassment of bullpen riches. Tonight's bullpen performance: 10 2/3 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 14 K, 1 ER. I can fire off several arms who are already declaring themselves as worthwhile audition candidates for the Brewers pen: LHP Clayton Andrews, RHP Elvis Peguero, and RHP Lucas Erceg (yet to concede a single hit in 7 IP) lead the pack here early. Not to discredit the continued refinements we are seeing from RHP Jake Cousins or the reputation established this spring (and ongoing fine work in Nashville) from RHP Tyson Miller (3 IP, 2H. 3 K tonight). There are a plethora of worthy in-house options to bolster the Brewers relief corps. 3) It's a testament to the Sounds team as a whole that when sitting their two hottest bats, INF Eddie Alvarez and OF Blake Perkins, they were able to carve out eight runs after the sixth frame. Alex Jackson is clearly heating up. Keston Hiura continues to dazzle at the dish in Triple-A. Jon Singleton is starting to find his stroke. We saw good AB's aplenty at various points of the game - even if the Tides starter was, for the large part, shutting the offense down. Manager Rick Sweet spoke to the depth and capabilities of this roster before the season began - he felt this team had an opportunity to experience results similar to 2022. After watching a game like tonight's, you have to admit: he just might be right. Final: Biloxi 7, Pensacola (Marlins) 6 Box Score / Game Log Game Notes Via the Shuckers' site, game details, please visit and review: Jackson Chourio's Two Home Run Game Leads Shuckers to Walk-Off Win RHP Justin Jarvis took the mound for his 2023 debut. And, let me tell you: he was electric. He was maximizing the pitch clock presence with ridiculously quick deliveries in a performance to admire between he and phenom Jeferson Quero. He retired 13 straight batters in a perfect game no hit affair headed into the fifth inning. He ran into runners on the corner in the top of the fifth frame (BB and a seeing eye single to right field) but he shut the door facing his only threat with two straight punch outs. All in all, Jarvis saw his night end after 6 IP, 1 H, 3 BB, 8 K. Unfortunately, the good fortunes of the Shuckers pitching staff ended quickly and unexpectedly in the seventh frame. This certainly didn't mean an unfortunate loss, however. After all, this team has a certain player manning the center field grass. Three Quick Strikes: 1) I was surprised to see RHP Ryan Middendorf hit so hard tonight. In his brief but highly successful tenure with the Brewers organization, one thing has been repeatedly clear: batters have struggled to make any contact when facing the young hurler. Tonight, that most definitely wasn't the case. He came aboard to protect a 4-0 lead to start the seventh frame and, well, he was unfortunately hit hard and often. He ended his outing with 2/3 IP, 3 H, 1 HR, 3 ER. I will say, however, a small bit of bad luck, and (after he left the mound) some shoddy defense certainly didn't do him any favors in the ERA department. 2) The defensive miscues continued when RHP Justin Yeager took the mound in relief of Middendorf. He was forced to face one too many batters, as a result of said miscues, and during the ensuing AB Yeager was forced to leave the game with an undisclosed injury. This is most definitely an unfortunate occurrence as Yeager appears to have a firm grasp of the set-up role for flame throwing RHP Abner Uribe. There was an extended discussion amongst the entire staff with Yeager on the mound so I am hoping this was precautionary and nothing prolonged. But, after seeing RHP Tyler Herb leave his most recent outing with an injury that landed him on the 7-Day IL I am at my early season limit. For interested MiLB.TV viewers: 2 hr 44 min 12 sec mark. 3) Oh, right. Jackson Chourio. That guy. Just look at these home run blasts in his first ever multi-HR game. It isn't just the bat speed (which is absolutely incredible for a 19-year-old). It isn't just the opposite field power (which is also incredible for a 19-year-old). It isn't the off-season regimen that clearly put some more muscle on his frame. It's now the big moments too. It's getting to the point where pitchers really really have to think twice about throwing their heat. These weren't 'bad' pitches, per se. But, they certainly might be bad pitches against Chourio. I, for one, would love to see pitchers start routinely challenging him with a bevy of off-speed offerings - for example, he struck out on a change-up to inside slider in his third AB. He needs the practice. And, knowing his arc and learning curve, he'll be mashing those in no time as well. He's just a generational talent the likes of which I personally thought I might never see in the Brewers system. Let's appreciate every single moment while we have it, folks. Final: Wisconsin 8, Peoria (Cardinals) 3 Box Score / Game Log Game Notes Via the Timber Rattlers' site, game details, please visit and review: Timber Rattlers Take Home Opener for 2023 - Wisconsin Beats Peoria 8-3 The T-Rats have been chomping at the bit to reveal their off-season stadium renovations at Fox Cities Stadium and today was their day with their home opener. It was RHP Tyler Woessner taking the hill for his High-A and 2023 debut and, despite some defensive miscues in the fourth inning, he put forth a solid effort for his team. A 5 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 1 ER, 5 K line is going to give your team opportunities to win most nights. Hats off to the young man. Hopefully, we see continued success in 2023. Three Quick Strikes: 1) I gave him a game ball above, but it's worth diving a bit deeper here. LHP Russ Smith struggled with location for much of 2022. It was a recurring theme in most outings, actually. However, when I saw him warming up in the sixth inning it was as if I was looking at a different pitcher. He came into this season in fantastic shape having clearly dropped some pounds and his results were extremely favorable tonight. The fastball that was routinely losing its release point last year was on point and pummeling the zone. This could be a huge wild card development in the greater group of organizational pitching depth if we see repeat performances like tonight's: 2 2/3 IP, 3 H, 0 BB, 5 K, 0 ER. 2) It has to be refreshing for fan favorite OF Joe Gray Jr. to be hitting the ball so cleanly to start his 2023 season. Two more well-hit singles tonight for Gray Jr. and he finds himself hitting .353 with an .833 OPS after the current small sample size of 17 AB. However, just last season, it started quite bleak for the young outfielder (he's still just 23 years old, after all). In the same sample size in 2022, he was scuffling to a .059 BA and a .276 OPS. He also swiped his second bag tonight. I'm pulling for a rebound season that reminds us all: there are still a lot of tools in his bag. 3) It's hard not to be excited about what we're seeing from the arm of LHP Karlos Morales in the early going. We already saw quite a bit of success in Low-A Carolina just last season. He was given brief exposure to High-A late in the 2022 season, but with last year's 1.55 WHIP with the T-Rats I was wondering how he'd fare to start 2023. His off-speed deliveries are producing good results in his 2 1/3 IP so far and he's getting more swings in general as he is closer to the zone as a whole. Here's a brief example in the pitch that closed out tonight's game and rewarded him with the save: Final: Salem (Red Sox) 7, Carolina 2 Box Score / Game Log Game Notes It was the Mudcats home opener at Zebulon's Five County Stadium and RHP Alexander Vallecillo definitely did his part to hold the game close in his two innings of debut work. It didn't look great early as he conceded a double to straight away center on a 3-1 count - a one-hop off the wall - to the first batter he faced. However, he really dialed it in from there: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K. It was an admirable and noteworthy performance for a young pitcher who struggled when he moved up to Low-A from the ACL in late 2022. Here's to more good things in 2023! Via the Mudcats' site, game details, please visit and review: Salem Spoils Home Opener 7-2 Three Quick Strikes: 1) It was supposed to be LHP Jakob Brustoski's self-proclaimed 'Year of Command'. Well, we're going to have to wait for outing number two - tonight's outing was not quite up to the snuff of a catchphrase. Actually, it was quite reminiscent of what we saw all throughout 2022: 1 IP, 0 H, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 2 ER. He was high and above the zone early. He was wild with his curveball. He was low. Thankfully, he found the zone late in his outing. We'll look for better accuracy moving forward so we can see him unleash his best stuff. It's in there. Hopefully, this outing won't shake his confidence. 2) The Brewers have now drafted RHP Aidan Maldonado twice and, thankfully, he's finally in their stable of young arms. If tonight's 4 IP of 1 H, 0 BB, 5 K of baseball are any indication of what's to come, I am all aboard this bandwagon. The line is obviously impressive, but what I was witnessing was the icing on the cake. If you have a MiLB.TV subscription, I suggest you watch his work. He was attacking hitters with his mix. When he saw a mistake in an at bat, he pounced and maximized the error. It was truly delicious stuff. I'm jonesing for more. 3) With OF Luis Castillo still mysteriously active but on the shelf, the Mudcats need more production from OF's Jace Avina and Eduarqui Fernandez. Five more strikeouts between the two tonight and that's now 13 K in 16 official AB's between the two. Thankfully we can sprinkle in six free passes but it's not pretty early - there's no beating around the bush here. We know the swing-and-miss was a thing in the ACL for the young Avina. I'll counter with we also know this is an extremely small sample size in an extremely early part of the season. But, well, I'll just leave it at that. I hope to see improvements in the weeks ahead. What an epically fun night of Brewers Minor League baseball. I was lucky enough to watch the game-winner from Jackson Chourio in real time and my five-year-old daughter was just as excited as I was - what a moment. I was gifted a Sounds comeback walk-off winner to boot - though, admittedly, I had to go back and watch that one as I was too busy celebrating the Chourio walk-off. Nights like these are nights I will cherish and remember for the rest of my days - pinnacle sports moments, if you will. Thank you to all the young men and coaching staffs for all their efforts this evening. Tune in tomorrow as Carolina kicks things off bright and early 11 am EST. The T-Rats will follow for their matinee at 12:10 CST. Biloxi and Nashville will give us evening tilts where LHP Adam Seminaris debuts for the Brewers organization and LHP Robert Gasser takes the hill for the second time this season, respectively. 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