Joseph Zarr

Close losses for the Sounds and the T-Rats, a throttling in Rocket City for the Shuckers, but fear not brave Brewers Minor League enthusiasts, the Mudcats took game one in Down East. Naturally, there was no stream for the victory. Tears were shed and the outfield grasses were quenched. It was a Tuesday that hit like a Monday in the Brewers Minor League. Let's get into the report! Image courtesy of BrewerFanatic Game Balls: We're going with the fine late relief output from RHP Tyler Wehrle to seal the victory for Carolina, OF Edquarqui Fernandez and his first home run of the 2023 campaign (a solo shot) during his 3-for-4 evening at the dish, LHP Russell Smith and his second fantastic outing with his trim new look in 2023, OF Sal Frelick with his bounce back two double evening in a 3-for-5 night, and we'll finish with RHP Michele Vassalotti who continues to shine on the mound since his solid showing at the WBC. Transactions: C Payton Henry was sent outright to Nashville and activated by the Sounds Highlights from the Week that Was: Congratulations are in order for one of my early season standouts in RHP Aidan Maldonado. He wins the Carolina League Pitcher of the Week Honors for the Mudcats. A really fantastic start for a young man who is clearly a very talented pitcher. If he pitches like he did his first two outings, it's fair to say his time in Low-A may be brief. Here's a glance at his stuff: He said it in the off-season. The power will come - it's a focus now. Given his already noteworthy patience and discipline at the dish, INF Tyler Black has already demonstrated the fruits of this focus. Now that he's getting a serious look at the hot corner? Whewwww. This young man is fast erasing concerns of his 2022 injury with a scorching run of late after an 0-for-10 start. I said it last year and I'll say it again: this is an MLB baseball player. So many tools with that piece of lumber in his hand: Final: Jacksonville (Marlins) 3, Nashville 2 Box Score / Game Log Game Notes Via the Sounds' site, game details, please visit and review: Sounds Late Rally Falls Short in Jacksonville The results were mixed for RHP Adrian Houser in the series opener in Jacksonville and, as such, and much like his Sounds outings in 2022, it's hard to tell where we are with the up-and-down hurler. All in all, given the state of affairs with Milwaukee's pitching staff, the fact he left the game with a clean bill of health has to be the main takeaway. Doing his best Matt Bush impression in the second frame, Houser gave up two solo shots and did give up six hits overall with a walk in just three innings. We'll look to the five punch outs for some solace and hope we get a healthy and effective Houser with the Brewers pitching staff soon. Three Quick Strikes: 1) It's tough to win a game when your line-up puts forth a woeful 1-for-17 mark with RISP. That's not a typo. Nothing exemplified this more than the lead-off triple by INF Eddy Alvarez in the top of the ninth inning. Trailing 3-2, and with Alvarez jonesing to tie the game up, we saw Andruw Monasterio rip a hard-hit grounder directly to the third baseman, Blake Perkins strike out looking on an outside breaking ball, and Sal Frelick ground out weakly to second base. That was the ball game. But perhaps it was also a metaphor for the Sounds struggles all game long. 2) That ninth inning score was kept to a mere 3-2 deficit by a fantastic play deep at the left field fence by none other than Keston Hiura. He's back in left field everyone - rejoice! It was truly a fabulous play in a key situation, and it most likely robbed the Shrimp of a two-run home run salvaging any further damage to RHP Cam Robinson's already tenuous WHIP and ERA in early 2023. Hiura was calm, controlled, and smooth while he tracked the tailing fly ball to the top of the wall, his glove and all momentum bringing him just over the padded yellow rail. I wish I had a clip to share but take our word for it: 3) Heat check: After ripping an absolute dart high off the right field wall, INF Abraham Toro stretched his hitting streak to six games. He's lifted his batting average 56 points to 0.250 in the process. He's playing improved defense at 3B and he's providing another meaningful bat in the batting order. Let's see if he can keep the hot streak going throughout the remainder of the series. Final: Rocket City (Angels) 9, Biloxi 2 Box Score / Game Log Game Notes Via the Shuckers' site, game details, please visit and review: Shuckers Fall to Trash Pandas in Series Opener at Toyota Field ** Be sure to check Shuckers broadcaster Javik Blake's ongoing pre-game interview series . Tonight, he met with OF Lamar Sparks - new to the Shuckers and the Brewers organization in 2023. Listen to the Sparks interview HERE ** We've now put two less than stellar starts in the books for LHP Adam Seminaris and the Shuckers to begin this young season. He was effective early, but his inability to put the Pandas away with two outs led to his early departure. I will say this: I do like what I'm seeing from Seminaris' change-up. It's an effective and deceptive pitch. We can work from there. Things definitely didn't get any easier for RHP TJ Shook. There's no getting around it - Shook was shelled. He was hit hard and often to the deep parts of the ballpark. It's an unfortunate outing for a young man looking to find that once dominant form from High-A. Three Quick Strikes: 1) Thankfully we did get to see Chourio flash some of that defense that saw him receive a Minor League gold glove in 2022. Here he is gunning down the lead runner at home base in the bottom of the second of a 1-1 ball game. This at least prevented more two out runs from crossing the dish (eight of nine Trash Pandas runs came with two down): 2) It wasn't all bad on the mound in game one. Actually, RHP James Meeker was simply fantastic. He has added a new wrinkle, by my eyes, in 2023 via the breaking ball department. This is a really big development for the future of Meeker's career. His pitches were sneaking up on nearly every batter faced and this is a testament to fine-tuning his off-speed deliveries. He afforded me some ease and recovery after watching the middle innings onslaught. A big tip of the cap to Meeker for calming a game that was fast turning into a blowout. 3) What would a current Shuckers game report be without an homage to suddenly power surging INF Tyler Black. He started another game with another homer - another oppo blast at that. The swing is so pure and so pretty: However, let's also bring that ball back to Earth: Black's defense is still very much an unknown work in progress. The third base audition is completely new for 2023 and tonight we saw a fairly bad routine throwing error and a botched grounder to his glove side. As others with educated baseball eyes have opined on this very website: We might actually be looking at a future first baseman. Let's not make judgments after one game but let's not ignore Black's defensive history either. Let's simply this for now: hopefully, it all improves as he gets more comfortable at the hot corner. Final: Quad City (Royals) 2, Wisconsin 0 Box Score / Game Log Game Notes Via the Timber Rattlers' site, game details, please visit and review: Rattlers Drop Game One at Quad Cities A fantastic outing from LHP Russ Smith followed by dominant work from RHP Michele Vassalotti went for naught as the T-Rats gave up two runs late and were incapable of mustering a rally. I remain extremely encouraged and optimistic by the new physical look of Smith and the continued dominance of Vassalotti - both young men are showcasing qualities that will solidify the T-Rats pitching staff in the early part of this season and perhaps deep into the summer (lest they merit a promotion). Three Quick Strikes: 1) It's been a rough start for blue chip prospect Eric Brown Jr. However, games like tonight's might get the young talent headed in the right direction. Two walks, a single, and two stolen bases is definitely a productive night at the plate and on the base paths. Hopefully, we can start seeing some more power and some more line drives to all fields as well. He's greatly reduced his infamous lead leg lift in his stance. Now it's a matter of taking his refinements and new look adjustments and getting the innate athleticism and power in synch. 2) It's tough to overcome eight punch outs in ten at bats from the heart of your batting order. Joe Gray Jr., Ben Metzinger, and Eduardo García were the culprits in game one. No strikeout was more important than Metzinger's swing and miss with Moore at second base and Joe Gray Jr. having worked the walk to put two on. It was the key moment for a T-Rats offense that had very few. At the time, they were still within one run. 3) Let's get back to Vassalotti for a moment. Two innings pitched and six strikeouts is not a result to scoff at - in any sample size. That's shutdown stuff. On the season, in three outings, he has a 7:1 K:BB ratio. In the small sample of four innings pitched, he's conceded a mere two hits and the above single walk. We might be looking at a breakout candidate in 2023. We know he was very good for Carolina in 2022. But, coming off a very solid showing at the WBC it appears to me he is really stating his case. This is an exciting development for a young hurler who is still a mere 22 years old. Final: Carolina 5, Down East (Rangers) 2 Box Score / Game Log Game Notes Via the Mudcats' site, game details, please visit and review: Fernandez and Wood Power Mudcats to 5-2 Victory I never quite get adjusted to the inability to view games at the Down East Wood Ducks venue. Alas, such is life in the lower levels. I missed what certainly appears to have been a fantastic Mudcats pitching performance across the board - Patricio Aquino, Jeferson Figueroa, and Tyler Wehrle combined for 9 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 2 ER, 14 K. That'll play most nights. As noted above, special mention is deserved for Wehrle and his 2 H, 0 BB, 6 K, 1 ER over 4 IP. We'll live with the harmless solo shot late protecting a four-run lead. Three Quick Strikes: 1) If you're paying attention in any fashion to the Mudcats early season you may have noticed the elephant in the room: the ongoing struggles of OF Jace Avina. Strikeouts were definitely a mild concern last season as they reared their heads in both the ACL and Low-A. However, they weren't overwhelming, and he was certainly filling up the stat sheet with many other positive qualities. In 2023, in the early going with the caveat that these sample sizes are obviously small as a result, the strikeouts have pretty much taken over. There's a long season ahead, yes, but there's just not a whole lot of lipstick to pretty up 15 K in 19 AB. What's more, we don't see a single XBH. Thankfully, we do have seven BB. We'll hang our hat there for now. Ouch. 2) Juxtapose Avina's early struggles with the continued precocious and disciplined approach of INF/OF Luke Adams. Two more walks to one punchout tonight. A run, an RBI, and an extremely productive 0-for-2 evening. That's now a 9:6 BB:K ratio in 26 PA's for the young Adams who will turn 19 on April 24th. One of the more intriguing storylines in all of the Brewers Minor Leagues in the early part of the 2023 season. 3) I will personally be looking for OF Hedbert Perez and INF Jadher Areinamo to get things going as this series progresses. Both young men possess the skills and talents that should see them thriving at the Low-A level. The early going has largely been an offensive struggle, but we saw the tools and flashes in 2022. If we are to see Gregory Barrios and Daniel Guillarte make strides this season, I'd look to the leadership and examples set by Areinamo and Perez. The Mudcats need them to get going. It is a three-game morning buffet tomorrow so tune in early and often to our game thread. Robert Gasser will be trying to find more consistency in the zone in Jacksonville. Tobias Myers will attempt to even the series at Rocket City. And we don't know who's taking the hill for Victor Estevez and his staff in Down East. For our lone evening slate, talented Joseph Hernandez will look to fine-tune his enticing mix as the T-Rats look to even things up at Quad Cities. 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

Yeah, that's not probably not all that likely. It's very early in the season. I imagine the decision-makers are very aware of his progress and would like to see him accumulate more innings to get even further away from the TJ procedure of 2021. He's really a one inning guy at present. But, it is typically a fabulous inning in 2023. He's a really nice depth piece to have in the pipeline, however. He's been really good.

Let's juxtapose Small's relatively ineffective Slider development with, what I consider to be, one of the most MLB ready relief arms in Nashville in LHP Clayton Andrews. He's given us 2x the offerings (12 total Andrews sliders thrown to 18 of his vintage change-up): -3.3" Vertical Break -9.4" Horizontal Break 2923.9 (!!) average Spin RPM 33.3% swinging K % Average Exit Velocity of 46.1 mph off the bat AND, he throws what I consider to be that already elite Change-Up. This is one of the more exciting developments for my viewing pleasure in 2023.

Yuppers. We have a registered 6 of 106 pitches in the Statcast database qualifying as 'Slider'. That's, um, what we might call 'a dash of the ol' nickel curve. I would add to this, and I think you agree with me here, in addition to the lack of meaningful development of the slider and ongoing command woes what has been most puzzling about Small's early season is the confoundedness of his pitching mix and approach. One night, we see a bevy of heaters and a sprinkling of change-ups - occasionally, he burps out a relatively ineffective slider. The next night we see a bevy of change with a dash of heat. And, these inconsistent approaches seem to mimic the results: inconsistent. Post 2021, he's become a very puzzling player for me. I personally have him ranked right alongside RHP Cam Robinson in terms of readiness. At this stage, neither arm has demonstrated repeatability so far in 2023 and I would be extremely surprised if either men were called up at any point in the 2023 season.

I'm going to again tout one of my early season "Well, now. We have something here" guys. RHP Aidan Maldonado has already shown me he's most likely ready for an early promotion. His stuff is that good. More than that, he is demonstrating a unique ability to read and attack hitters in ways we don't see that often early in Low-A. Extremely excited to watch him grow.

I just came here to pour a metaphorical drink out for one of my favorite Sounds, RHP Tyler Herb who, it appears, will miss the majority of the 2023 season. Herb is a true Minor League veteran who really showed out with his best stuff this past year plus. He's a guy who I felt could find his way to the Big Club as a versatile middle relief arm if all the stars aligned over the next two seasons - he's just a really good pitcher who I felt was just discovering his best stuff around his already plus Sinker. He's a great personality and fantastic interview each and every time he's spoken with Jeff Hem. Injuries suck and this one hurts me as a fan of our Minor Leaguers. It really hurts Manager Rick Sweet and his staff who admits (interview above) they don't really have a starting rotation right now.

Ooof. That's a big loss. Tyler has been fantastic dating back to early last summer when he really earned the promotion to Nashville. Injuries. Ugh.

Dear Springtime Santa, Please bring me more fundamentally sound baseball in Week 3. I've had my fill of errors for April. PS. This Luke Adams start is something, eh? Save some cookies for the young man, please.

🤣

Perkins has been fantastic in every facet. He has such a smooth swing. Sal is fighting for everything right now. He's definitely overdoing it trying to overcome the slump. Thankfully, he's making plays in the OF.

What a cannon from Adames there. That's a special arm at SS.

I know Henderson is shelved with that nagging minor elbow pain, but it's hard not to be extremely thrilled with the triumvirate of Misiorowski, Maldonado (only saw him once but when you see it, you see it), and Henderson. Those three really add some fire and competitiveness to a rotation and they, all three, have significant stuff. I was truly wowed by Maldonado's innings. That is an extremely heady, toolsy pitcher who has a plan. And, that plan invents itself in each bat as he sees their tendencies. I wouldn't think twice if he is in Biloxi by year's end. It was that impressive of an outing.

Thanks for the efforts here @damuelle. You get my game ball for getting this report out the door!

Forgot about Vennaro! Noice.

Off the top of my head, we can add: RHP Kaleb 'Bo' Bowman RHP Tanner Shears RHP Chase Costello RHP Nick Merkel

Isn't every game here in early 2023 a proverbial bullpen game for the Sounds? The average IP per starter is 3 innings. They have been incredible. You want action in the International League in 2023 try and get to that Pen.

The renovations and clubhouse improvements the T-Rats made in the 2022 off-season are legitimately fantastic. Look at the quality of these ping pong and air hockey tables in the clubhouse. Ridiculously nice!

I personally do not. EBJ has a long way to go. If anything impacts Adames' situation it is the simple fact the Brewers are a small market club with a limited budget and the SS market is insane in 2023. I sure as heck hope they can get it done, but the reality is he may be priced out of the Brewers range. This is life in the MLB. If anything, I imagine the Brewers consider Brice Turang their replacement plan - remember, SS is actually Turang's primary position. All the fantastic defense he performs at 2B? He's just as good if not better at SS. Start following INF Robert Moore's progression. He's as solid as they come for young 2B's. He's been fantastic since Day 1 and has gotten better after a fantastic Aussie Winter League run.

Happy Birthday and, please, get well soon Mr. Devanney!

Former Brewers 2020 5th Rd pick INF Hayden Cantrelle (last year's Alex Jackson trade and acquisition via the Marlins) begins his 2023 campaign with the San Francisco Giants organization and their Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels affiliate. Catchy moniker, I say. It would appear early he is very much a part-time player. In his extremely small sample-size: 3 G / 8 AB / 2 R / 1 RBI / 1 BB / 1 SB / 0.125 BA / 0.489 OPS He is again primarily a 2B but he has seen some action at 3B.

C Brett Sullivan (alongside Howell in last year's C Victor Caratini acquisition) is again with the Padres' Triple-A affiliate El Paso Chihuahuas. He has seen meaningful action in 7 of their 11 contests to date. 28 AB / 5 R / 3 RBI / 2 2B / 1 HR / 4 BB / 3 K / 1 SB / 1 CS / 0.214 / 0.717 OPS / 1 E / 3 PB / 8 SB / 2 CS

LHP Antoine Kelly begins his 2023 campaign where he ended 2022: with the Rangers Double-A affiliate, the 'Frisco RoughRiders' (Texas League). It would appear he is in a strictly bullpen role to begin the young season. He has appeared in 1 G pitching a grand total of 1 2/3 IP: 1 H / 3 BB / 4 K / 0.167 BAA / 2.40 WHIP. This extremely small sample size certainly reminds me of the Antoine Kelly I watched with the T-Rats. I wonder if he'll ever harness the control and accuracy that could take his stuff to new heights.

If you tracked OF Tristan Peters' movement post-trade to San Francisco at last year's deadline, he was later shipped to the Rays organization (boy, they sure now how to pluck former Brewers). He is currently playing for the Montgomery Biscuits (logo favorite) in the Southern League. In an extremely small 5 G sample, he's off to an interesting start: 18 AB / 0.222 BA / 0.555 OPS / 4 K / 2 BB / 3 SB / 0 CS / 3 R / 2 RBI It would appear he is playing primarily LF - the same place we routinely watched him with the T-Rats.

OF Korry Howell is with the Padres' Double-A affiliate in San Antonio to start 2023. He is experiencing a slow start to his season with a 0.190 BA / 0.428 OPS / 1 RBI / 11 K / 0 BB / 0 SB in 5 G and 21 AB. Hopefully, he can get things going. The Missions currently have him primarily in CF with a single game over in RF.