Joseph Zarr

Puts even more emphasis on LHP Ethan Small's development down in Nashville. Obviously, these are very different pitchers. But, we could really use Small to solidify as another Lefty arm in the Pen who has experience as a Starter. He looked fantastic in his first outing - the best he's looked since 2021, honestly. I'm crossing my fingers he's turned a corner after a pretty tough 2022.

Sometimes a joke is 'funny' because it's true...

I am here (crossing fingers) for the Freddy Zamora bounce back season. Please, oh please, let him be healthy; stay healthy; and toss 2022 in the dumpster and light it on fire.

OF Yophery Rodriguez has been assigned to the DSL Brewers-1 (he had signed back in January of 2023)

It's already the second week of the Sounds 2023 season and we kick it off with an inaugural three hour road trip down to Memphis' AutoZone Park where the good guys face the Cardinals' Red Birds (1-2) over a six game stint. This is my first early season look at Cardinals' prospects INF Masyn Winn and C Ivan Herrera. I am quite excited to see how these young men stack up amongst the Brewers' top talent in 2023 over the course of this series. Let's get into the report! Image courtesy of Brewer Fanatic Game Balls: We'll give a nod to Eddie Alvarez for his hot bat from the eighth spot of the batting order (and decent play in the field), Sal Frelick for his web gem diving catch in shallow left center field (see highlight below - unfortunately, he went hitless), Blake Perkins for his fantastic night at the dish (really nice smooth left-hitting strokes to right field and showing his athleticism on the base paths - more below), and Alex Jackson for an early candidate in the 'Possibly the Hardest and Furthest Hit Baseball You will See this Entire Season' category. Transactions: None Highlights from the Week that Was: Everyone's favorite lead-off prospect, OF Sal Frelick, had a fine series this past weekend versus the Bats. Frelick would probably like some of his AB's back from Sunday's series finale, but, all in all, it was a fantastic start to hopefully a short Minor League season from the up and coming young stud. Here's a quick highlight clip from the Brewers Player Development twitter feed to give you a taste of what you may have missed: Note: A triple versus a lefty? Frelick hit .394 with an OPS of .982 in 2022 in 66 official AB's with Nashville in 2022. Lastly, RHP Janson Junk had a fine debut for the Sounds - unfortunately, he was not rewarded the winning decision after the Sounds lost the lead and the game in extras. Take a look at some of his deliveries from his first official start in the Brewers organization: * Note: In the above clip, you will also see the fine catching work of personal favorite, Brian Navarreto, as he sets up the zone with savvy and throws out a runner at second base with one of his classic accurate darts directly to the leg of the sliding runner. He started 2023 in the same way he played the entire 2022: skillfully, athletically, with timely meaningful hits, and with incredible defensive work (he dug out several tough pitches in the dirt in this outing as well). I hope he starts getting the recognition and elevated status he deserves in 2023. Final: Memphis (Cardinals) 7, Nashville 5 Box Score / Game Log Game Notes Via the Sounds' site, game details, please visit and review: Sounds Drop Series Opener in Memphis RHP Robert Stock was making his first appearance stateside in any form of MLB affiliated ball since 2021 when he took his talents to Korea. The veteran hurler was hoping to have a storybook re-entry into the affiliated ranks. Unfortunately for Stock, he was hit fairly hard; encountered a very tight interpretation of the strike zone; and was ultimately sent from the game after 2 2/3 hard fought innings. He will definitely look to sharpen his tools for his next trip to the mound. All in all, it was a disappointing evening that ended on a two-run jack to deep right center field. Hopefully, in his next trip to the mound he can limit the loud contact we hear early and often tonight. Three Quick Strikes: 1) OF Blake Perkins was picked up this past off-season as a Minor League free agent. He was also given a spot on the 40-man roster surprising Brewers fans. There were some snarky comments here and elsewhere but, I said at the time, having contacts in the Yankees organization, this was a young player who was a roster crunch victim in a talented system but he was a player scouts in the organization really liked. An under-the-radar ascending player, if you will. Early in 2023 he is certainly showing his wares. He is a fluid athlete with a switch-hitting, smooth swinging bat and he is a respectable if not solid glove in the outfield grass. Tonight, he put all that on display in every at bat and in the field - though, at the plate is where he shined the brightest. He legged out a routine but well struck single to right field (something we're growing accustomed to seeing as Brewers fans with the young stallions in the prospect ranks) and he later legged out a weakly hit dribbler in front of home plate forcing a high throw and getting on base in a key spot in the game. This is a Sounds player to watch in 2023 and beyond. There are enough tools in the Perkins kit to warrant attention and I suggest you start taking his talents more seriously. 2) When do those Auto Balls and Strikes arrive in the International League? Not soon enough, I tell you - lest we forget umpires are in the Minor Leagues too. Both starters were robbed of strikes throughout the early innings tonight (and this continued throughout) and it was clearly vexing both clubhouses and fans alike. RHP Luis Contreras was robbed of a walk-off second consecutive punch out in his first 2/3 IP on a beautiful heater that ripped the outer stripe. These calls matter for pitchers trying to his establish their stuff and they matter to the folks spending their money and their time to support these athletes. Having seen the positive impacts of the pitch clock all last year as it was integrated across the Minor Leagues, I can wholeheartedly say this shift to Auto balls and strikes couldn't come soon enough. If we've rightfully chosen to speed up the players let's at least get the balls and strikes absolutely consistent and correct. This isn't American football with interpretive rules like 'Pass Interference' and 'Roughing the Passer'. Baseball is a game with a clearly defined zone. Now we have the technology to further demonstrate why this game is so great. I, for one, can not wait for this change. 3) Inopportune in key moments and sloppy in key moments. Unfortunately, this a key storyline in the early Sounds season. Though the record is even at 2-2, there have been all too many early season jitters fielding the ball; throwing the ball; and with runners in scoring position. Heading to the 8th inning before the Cam Robinson mini meltdown (a wild pitch and a combined Toro-to-Singleton error allowing two more runs than necessary), the Sounds had outhit the Redbirds 11-6 but had left men stranded at third base in two consecutive innings. In the seventh inning they stranded men on first and third base with nobody out. As the season progresses, manager Rick Sweet and his staff will look for their players to fine tune their games and their poise in big moments as they look to reclaim the success of 2022. In a road game not all that ripe for Sounds highlights, we do have two extremely worthwhile clips. First, we have this web gem diving grab from Frelick charging the infield dirt from back in the center field grass. Quite the grab with a runner on first base: And, lastly, we have C Alex Jackson obliterating a ball into the streets beyond the left center field wall and, well, the entire stadium. It was rumored this ball may have been launched into orbit to seek its own membership at the YMCA just past the parked cars on the street. 114.4 MPH and 471 feet?!? Pulverized indeed! The Sounds will look to beat potential incoming inclement weather and the Redbirds tomorrow afternoon in a matinee affair. Stay tuned to our game thread and any potential viewings earlier in your schedule. I am projecting LHP Robert Gasser's 2023 debut though this isn't officially announced as of now. Gasser is a young arm you do not want to miss! 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

I hear what you're saying, but it makes sense. Pena was solid with Carolina but he was challenged quite a bit off the bat in Wisconsin. I watched those games and you could tell he wasn't quite ready for the Midwest League. If you recall, he actually returned to Carolina to finish the year. It was a short stint, mind you, but in his brief 2 2/3 IP, he rifled off 8 walks while sprinkling in 4 hits in High-A. He was in 'danger' every outing. I imagine they'll want to see him exposed to Low-A some more to establish himself a bit more before the real promotion.

Goodness, I love Minor League baseball and everything that comes with it:

Yeah, Low is extremely intriguing. He made it at #6 in my 'Top 20 Undervalued, Undersold, and Under-Hyped' list (See HERE). He is officially designated as a Two-Way guy on the Carolina early season roster release so the dream lives on! He has extremely fluid hips for a guy his size and can send a ball a long way when the timing is right. Pitching will likely be his calling card but he certainly has the athleticism and talent to see where it goes on both sides of the ball. I'm just excited the Brewers are allowing him the opportunity. Now, we get to watch him play on MiLB.TV in 2023. Carolina is an extremely intriguing watch given their young infield - filled with talent across the board.

He touches on it in the piece, a couple of us touched on it during the season: Valerio's 2022 numbers don't support the amount of solid contact we were seeing through much of the season. This being said, he remains an anomaly due to his extremely restricted defensive versatility.

It's coming, my friend. The PCL already uses it. It's coming to the International League in late April: Article HERE from the Sound Bytes Blog From my vantage point: couldn't come soon enough. If we're going to speed up the play, let's help the players have a consistent and knowable strike zone.

Nice work. You encapsulated the ins and outs of today's game quite well.

They've been giving brief updates here and there to the stadium and clubhouse renovations and upgrades they've been diligently working on at Fox Cities Stadium all throughout the off-season...I've watched several of the vids as they've progressed. I have to say, for a High-A clubhouse...this is legit: I can tell you, the players certainly love their new digs: (left-to-right by my eye here: Karlos Morales (??), Michele Vassalotti, and Kaleb Bowman)

Looks like the Shuckers will be playing an exhibition game Wednesday:

I just came here to say, I had a early evening moment of: "I really get to watch Jadher Areinamo, Luke Adams, Daniel Guilarte and Gregory Barios in the same infield? Whewwww." This is a very fun group of young players.

Well, I don't think 'Boston-phobia' is the accurate term here. 'Recent track record' would be the more appropriate usage, imho. The last two (consecutive) losses in the 2022 Playoffs were by a combined 41 points. And, the two most recent regular season losses were, um, by a combined 62 points (let's not count the OT win when the Celtics were playing their 'C' squad). SO, say what you want as you are obviously entitled to your opinion, but they have had the Bucks number by a good margin in meaningful and statement-making games of recent lineage and they have the shooters and the play style that is just a very very tough match-up for the Bucks. I guess what I'm saying is these aren't unfounded concerns. Until the Bucks prove otherwise, I will continue to be skeptical they can turn a magic switch. Home court advantage could be absolutely huge, obviously, and could be the ultimate deciding factor if they face each other and the Bucks can hold serve.

Sheesh, that's a tough one but, thankfully, he is getting the care he needs to continue his career. Athletes can play with this and it certainly appears he is taking the steps needed to get his vision to a better place. Godspeed on a healthy and effective recovery. Please send my best to one of the Brewers talented and very likable young players.

I see the great Sounds PBP man, Jeff Hem, saw the same thing I did from his broadcast booth:

It's that fine line and most likely will be the difference to where he goes from here. As you say, it's nasty. But, it's nasty when he can effectively keep attacking. His issue, to date, has been the blow up outing. In 2022, for example, 18 of his 35 earned runs conceded on the entire season came in 3 outings. He has the stuff. Now, he apparently has a spike in velo. Can he dial in effective control? As the Fangraphs post above alludes to: he has an insanely deceptive delivery. It makes Middendorf look orthodox. His slider is downright filthy. Now, it's about putting it all together and limiting the damage on a consistent basis. The bullpen in Biloxi is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing early season storylines for me. There are some real weapons in there. And, of course, I'm always waiting for the Robbie Baker break out. Another guy, who with a little tweak here and there, has the tools to be a really solid bullpen arm. Of recent memory (now with the Nationals), I see him as a possible Hobie Harris arm in the Pen.

I tend to think, in agreement with @adambr2, the Bucks could really really struggle against Boston in the Playoffs yet again -Midds or no Midds in 2023. Their shooting just separates them - yes, they were absurdly hot in their recent 41 point blow out but that's not really that anomalous with the Celtics. They tend to shoot lights out more often than not whereas the Buckaroos tend to go really really cold in the Playoffs. We don't have a single defensive weapon that can slow down Tatum and Brown due to their size, strength, and athleticism (I don't know an NBA team that does). And, then you couple this with the assured eventuality that Al Horford will go nuclear at random points and Grant Williams will suddenly re-discover a 45% clip from deep and how they'll find ways to play Brook Lopez off the floor...it's just a nightmare matchup for our squad. My greatest hope for this post season is Boston is upset. That is what I am hanging my hat on. 😔

I find the MVP debate fairly contentious across the respective fanbases. All three men are fantastic basketball players. I am simply grateful we have a Giannis. All is forgiven Hammond.

I think my biggest takeaway from the initial three game series was how impressed I was by Peguero and Small. This was the best version of Ethan Small I have seen in a year. He was dominant in his inning of work. It gave me great hope he could help out in Milwaukee at some point in 2023. He was touching 95 and throwing strikes!💥

This is great to hear for Chirino and Vennaro! And, thanks for those shares @sveumrules. Both pitchers, at different times and for extended spells before the entire bullpen collapsed there during the summer, were extremely impactful for Mike Guerrero and his staff in 2022. For Vennaro, in particular, that bump is huge as it will boost his already nasty slider. I imagine we'll see him as option 1B in the Closer role. (Politely reminds self of a certain initial roster release omission of a certain flamethrower named 'Abner Uribe')

Yeah, no mention of two of my absolute favorites in Henderson and Garabitos has me all sorts of on this fine Monday. Henderson, especially, with his no ramp up to anything in fall or spring. Rest well, mend up, my sweet Princes! Sigh.