Joseph Zarr

Well, we'll call it the 'Cruz & Garcia Show' today at Five County Stadium in Zebulon. Doing their best impersonation of the Whitecaps and Timber Rattlers Game 1 showing last night, the Mudcats just plated the first run of the game in the bottom of the 8th inning. Cruz goes 6 full innings: 4 hits, 1 bb, 8 k's. Spicy! ? SS Eduardo Garcia is red hot on the day. While nearly all his teammates continue struggling to find any form of consistency at the plate (a lone Hendry Mendez knock fills out the remainder of the box score), Eduardo is 3-for-3 with the lone run and two stolen bases. The second stolen base was absolutely key as it led to a throwing error from the Delmarva catcher and an advance to third base. This is where we'll laud 1B Jesus Chirino for the second day in a row: Coming off two previous well-worked counts for walks, Jesus hit the sac fly. RHP Jeison Pena looks to shut it down in his third inning of work. He has two down. Mudcats clinging 1-0. Let's Go! What, you don't believe me? Take a look: And, here's the Chirinos Sac Fly: AND, the score is now final: Mucats win 1-0. Pena completes 3 scoreless and flawless with 3 k's. Fantastic work!

Matinee number two took place in West Michigan as the T-Rats looked to ride the continued excellence of RHP Israel Puello in his most recent High-A start. Coming off a frustrating 1-0 loss late, we're hoping the Rattlers' bats can wake back up.

Young RHP Stiven Cruz took the hill early (at least for my PST sensibilities!) as the Mudcats looked to end their six-game losing streak. Let's hope they can pull it out!

Thread will be utilized for any minor league news Wednesday, lineup updates, etc. Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores Standings and sortable stat pages Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth

Interestingly, he has played some RF and LF but they've been primarily slotting him at 1B. Another keep in mind: He just turned 18 in January. So he's still quite young. We'll just have to 'wait and see' as it were.

Carolina and Nashville returned to their home ballparks while Wisconsin and Biloxi continued road trips at West Michigan and Tennessee, respectively. The DSL Brewers 1 and 2 faced off in a heated contest - friends and teammates bringing out the best in each other. Meanwhile in the ACL, the Brewers Gold faced the ACL Cubs while the ACL Brewers Blue battled the formidable 17-9 ACL Guardians. Let's get into the report! Image courtesy of Brewer Fanatic Carolina and Nashville returned to their home ballparks while Wisconsin and Biloxi continued road trips at West Michigan and Tennessee, respectively. The DSL Brewers 1 and 2 faced off in a heated contest - friends and teammates bringing out the best in each other. Meanwhile in the ACL, the Brewers Gold faced the ACL Cubs while the ACL Brewers Blue battled the formidable 17-9 ACL Guardians. Let's get into the report! Transactions: (Including Monday 7/11) Best of luck to OF David Dahl as he looks to latch on to a MLB club. It was a true pleasure watching him play the outfield for the Nashville Sounds. Just in: Angel Perdomo pitched one inning of one hit, two strikeout work in his first rehab assignment. Additionally, LHP, and recently promoted, Justin King has been placed on the 7-Day IL by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. The DSL Brewers 1 and Brewers 2 faced each other yet again and our very own @damuelle was all over the coverage: HERE Mentioned within the quoted summary above, lefty Osbriel Mogollon (an early season favorite in our daily Minor League Game Threads) was featured on the Brewers Player Development Twitter Page yesterday: There's a little 'young Andy Otero' vibe going on here with Osbriel. It will be interesting to see how he develops and grows! *** ACL Cubs 11, ACL Brewers 9 Box Score/Game Log With the score 11-9 Cubs in the top of the seventh, I had to remind myself: the ACL Cubbies had a nine-run first inning! What was, perhaps, even more surprising: RHP Ryan Middendorf conceded runs - two of them (!) - losing grip of a brief tie game in the sixth inning. Yet, he still did ACL Ryan Middendorf things: 2 ip, 4 hits, 2 er, 5 k's. We'll look past this minor blemish: he belongs in Low-A. Let's see what he can do, please. The Brewers Gold missed out on their key bases loaded no out opportunity in the top of the seventh and final inning - a three-pitch strikeout, a first pitch pop-up to second base, and a three-pitch strikeout ended the chance and the game. Yuck! This being said, let's honor the fine work in the ninth spot of the batting order and the lead-off spot - Diego Larez and Jadher Areinamo , respectively. Larez went 1-for-1 with two runs, one rbi, and three walks improving his OPS to 0.760 in the process. Areinamo was hitless in an 0-for-2 evening but also drew three free passes, plated a run, and grabbed a rbi. ACL Guardians 5, ACL Brewers Blue 3 Box Score/Game Log A fine night at the plate for OF Eduarqui Fernandez batting clean-up and going 2-for-4 with two runs, one rbi, and his fourth home run. It would appear the five ACL Brewers Blue errors were their demise: of the five Guardians runs that crossed the dish only one was earned. That's not going to win many ball games. A successful rehab return for LHP Angel Perdomo and two-way 2021 13th round draft pick RHP Quinton Low remains un-scored upon in his seven complete innings of relief work. Carolina Pre-Game Notes Final: Delmarva (Orioles) 7, Carolina 3 Box Score / Game Log Via the Mudcats' site, game details, please visit and review: Chirinos Homers in 7-3 Loss to Delmarva - The Loss Was Carolina's Sixth Straight, Matching Their Longest Losing Streak of the Season Coming off five straight losses to close the series in Kannapolis, the Mudcats were back at Zebulon's Five County Stadium in hopes of a rebound performance. Taking the mound for Carolina was RHP Miguel Segura . In a season where he has now walked more batters than he has struck out (52bb:51k), the men on base continued to set the tone for this particular start - 5 ip, 7 hits, 3 bb, 4 runs, 3 earned. Segura will see his already 1.60 WHIP rise slightly after tonight's outing. Leading 2-1 heading into the fifth inning, Segura gave up a first pitch home run and the game was tied 2-2. Two more runs would plate that inning - via a walk, single, wild pitch, and double in consecutive at bats - and the Mudcats trailed the remainder of the game and ultimately lose their fifth straight 7-3. Three Key Observations: (1) It isn't often Jackson Chourio is highlighted for a negative reason, but on a team with erratic offense the Mudcats overly rely on his bat. Tonight, unfortunately, was a night that will send Chourio back to the proverbial drawing board: 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. (2) In a season filled with only brief spurts of excellence, Hedbert Perez has mainly been an afterthought. Coming into this game, the young outfielder had gone 4-for-28 (0.143 BA) with a couple walks over his past eight games. Struggles like these have put Perez lower in the batting order, unfortunately. Batting sixth tonight, Perez went 3-for-4 with his 14th double and eighth stolen base, but, ultimately, the bottom of the order were incapable of taking advantage. The main issue to date, as I've seen it, is Perez rarely walks - 93 k's: 19 bb's - and, as a result his OBP has really taken a hit (0.274). Lots to improve in the second half. Let's hope we see it. It wasn't all dry desert behind Perez. Jesus Chirinos managed a solo shot early: (3) Let's do a mini deep dive as to why I continue to be quite bullish on catcher Jeferson Quero (BF's #8 prospect). We know he is young, he has the frame and body-type and athleticism to catch your attention but with his recent surge at the plate (1-for-3, 2 runs tonight batting in the three-hole) his defensive numbers really start to add punctuation. Quero, at age 19, is second in all of Minor League baseball with 30 caught steals. Tonight, he picked a runner off third base - I've seen him grab runners at first throughout the season and he's had several other near misses. He trusts his eyes, he's quick to his feet, and he has a cannon. Do not sleep on what is perhaps our most intriguing catching prospect in the system. Apologies, Jakson Reetz ...the Hype Train has more than one track! Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes West Michigan (Tigers) 1, Wisconsin 0 Box Score/Game Log Via the Timber Rattlers' site, game details, please visit and review: Whitecaps Beat Rattlers 1-0 - Holton's RBI Single in Bottom of the Ninth Beats Wisconsin It was clear early, despite my conspiratorial trade suggestions in the Minor League Game Thread ?, the plan for LHP Antoine Kelly was quick work and then rest up for an upcoming Sunday opportunity in the MLB All-Star Futures game. Kelly was dealing early and often. Robbed of one strikeout on a pitch that must have caught too much Middle, he went three complete innings when all was said and done. Zero hits. 44 pitches. One walk and two strikeouts. Much to the pleasure of the Whitecaps' announcers, he was shelved and made way for RHP Joey Matulovich. Three Key Observations: (1) Tristan Peters came off a 7-for-24 series in South Bend and grabbed a single through the short stop and second base gap early in this one. He finished 1-for-4 on the evening. As noted by the Whitecaps' announcers, Tristan has been solid all year long; plays excellent defense; and has some speed on the base paths. He is absolutely a key reason the Timber Rattlers have had so much success in 2022 and with Carlos Rodriguez shelved for the season they are going to continue needing his consistent presence. (2) Hats off to Malutovich for his three complete innings of scoreless middle relief. Filling in for Kelly and his brief 'no hitter', Matulovich only surrendered a couple hits, did not walk a batter, and struck three men out. With Cam Robinson and Kent Hasler in Double-A, the T-Rats are going to need more outings like this. (3) He doesn't get mentioned often in our reports, but that isn't for lack of solid and meaningful production. Jose Acosta was acquired via trade with the Texas Rangers in late May and has been a solid and steady contributor at second base for the Timber Rattlers. After a 2-for-3 evening batting seventh, Acosta is batting 9-for-28 in eight games of action in July with a double, a home run, four walks, and four rbi's. He is fulfilling his role as a contributor lower in the order. It's a pleasant and unexpected surprise. Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Biloxi 1 , Tennessee (Cubs) 1 - POSTPONED: Top of the Fifth, Gabe Holt on first base, nobody out...play will resume 7/13 Box Score / Game Log Via the Shuckers' site, game details, please visit and review: Biloxi and Tennessee Suspended in the Fifth - Game Will Resume Wednesday 4:30pm CST This one was a battle of two solo shots - Biloxi's came from now Double-A HOF candidate, Andruw Monasterio . With Jakson Reetz promoted to Triple-A Nashville, the Shuckers better hope the red hot Monasterio remains with their ball club given Joey Wiemer 's ongoing woes. After tonight's first inning homer (his fourth since his re-assignment), he extended his hit streak to seven games: His batting average is now up to a ripe 0.412 and his OPS well over 1.000 in 51 Double-A AB's. He's a one-man wrecking crew in Biloxi. Briefly, kudos are also in order for TJ Shook who worked around a solo home run himself while surrendering only one more hit and two walks while striking out three batters over four complete innings. Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Memphis (Cardinals) 2, Nashville 1 Box Score / Game Log Via the Sounds' site, game details, please visit and review: Redbirds Clip Sounds in Series Opener - Sounds Lead Redbirds by 5.5 Games in International League West Division Cardinals' LHP Steven Matz most likely saw his last rehab outing before heading to the big club and he dominated the Sounds bats on a beautiful muggy evening in Nashville. In 4 1/3 complete innings of two-hit, two walk, seven strikeout work, Matz gave way to the Redbirds' bullpen who held on - avoiding any chance at a Sounds comeback when Weston Wilson popped out weakly to first base with the bases juiced and two down in the bottom of the eighth. This game was filled with a lot of strikeouts and a lot of walks for Sounds batters. Ultimately, they couldn't get the big hit when they needed it. Three Key Observations: (1) In a juxtaposition of what it's like to head down to Double-A versus what it's like to head up to Triple-A, we have the parallel and ongoing cases of the above-mentioned Monasterio and the recently Triple-A promoted Jackson Reetz. How about heading up a level and facing a veteran MLB pitcher, Mr. Reetz? How about doing so while playing left field in a new ballpark? Such was the case in his first action for Nashville in 2022. Reetz ultimately finished 0-for-3 with a strikeout, ground out, fly out and took a key full count HBP off his left elbow (ouch!) giving the Sounds a chance to walk in their first run of the evening. All told, this was a decent night of getting his feet wet for the up-and-comer. (2) It was apparent early and often: neither ball club was all too enthused with home plate umpire, Matt Winter. I tend to agree with both ball clubs. The zone was quite mysterious - balls below the knees were strikes and balls. Balls off the outside stripe were balls and strikes. There were simply way too many questionable calls and way too many batters left befuddled and complaining walking back to the dugout. Hopefully, it was just an off night. I can still hear the faint chirping echoing forth from each dugout. (3) We've talked about the Sounds bullpen all year and why change now? After starter RHP Dylan File conceded two runs (the only Redbirds runs of the evening) during a prolonged 26 pitch second inning, he was pulled and the impeccable Sounds bullpen work began. Seven complete shutout innings adds another feather into an already plumage-laden bullpen cap. I'll highlight the bounce back 1 1/3 shutdown two strikeout innings of work from Lucas Erceg and the flawless eighth inning two strikeout work from consistently overlooked RHP Matt Hardy. Hardy doesn't wow you with size or stature but he certainly delivers results and a beautiful mullet. Further hats off to him for getting his first strikeout after Weston Wilson biffed a fly ball just inside the dugout - it's a play Weston should have made and, thankfully, Hardy didn't flinch. That drop was emblematic of Wilson's 0-for-4 two strikeout night. That's a wrap for today's Minor League Report. Keep in mind, the DSL and ACL affiliates will have the day off tomorrow so we will feature the Brewers Low-A through Triple-A clubs. We'll see Stiven Cruz and Israel Puello taking the mound for Carolina and Wisconsin in the morning hours while Nick Bennett and Ethan Small will take the mound in the evening. And, remember, the completion of tonight's Biloxi game will be on a mini double-header docket in Tennessee tomorrow - this will most likely begin with a Biloxi bullpen arm. As always, thanks for reading! Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores Standings and sortable stat pages Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth View full article

The ACL Brewers Gold gave up the ol' 9-run 1st inning. Yowza. AND, they merely trail 9-6 after after 1 1/2 innings.

Man, Wisconsin lost 1-0 in the bottom of the ninth. James Meeker couldn't hold it down in his third inning of relief. The pain is real minus the ability to throw out Kent Hasler and Cam Robinson to shut things down. Food for thought in the conspiratorial rumination wagon: Antoine Kelly pulled after a mere 3 innings and 44 pitches. Tyler Black not in the line-up. Could be (and probably is) nothing. Could be 'something'.? We're Fanatics, not reporters. Let the speculation begin. I'm personally headed back into the recorded Game to see if anything else was amuck with Kelly's start - he was cruising. EDIT: I'm going pulled due to Futures Game Sunday. Get him warm. And then set him down. He was robbed of an additional k my a classic missed strike too much Middle-In.

Antoine Kelly was pulled after 3 hitless innings (1bb, 2ks) and 44 pitches ? Huh.

First look at De Los Santos. Love what I'm seeing here: (I quite like the catching work from Edwin Tamoy there as well. Multiple looks and very clean glove work.)

The Summer of Yeison Perez continues. Has his output been dreamy! ?

Suddenly the already struggling Shuckers lose their best bat and Double-A legend, Andruw Monasterio? Whewwww. Time for a certain right fielder to get back in the swing of things?

Interestingly, Reetz has only played LF - and by only, I mean in the mere 10 games he's played in the OF. Dahl was almost strictly RF. SO, really, if they're trying to give Jakson AB's I'd imagine they are strictly moving him to LF and moving, say, Garrett Whitley to RF? I mean, the Sounds literally now have a mere three outfielders by trade and one of them (Corey Ray) has been injured for over a week and is now on the 7-Day IL. Almonte, like Whitely, is a fill-in right fielder. To be a fly on the wall of the ongoing discussions.?

Here's hoping David Dahl takes his red-hot start to July and cashes that in for a well-deserved chance at an MLB roster somewhere. Man, bummed I don't get to benefit from his fantastic and professional play in right field on a weekly basis. He was a true joy to watch. And, obviously, a huge congrats is due to Jakson Reetz. Much much deserved.

Just a refresher of the much-needed success at South Bend for Joe Gray Jr: 3HR, 6 RBI, 2 SB, 1.012 OPS He was due. And, he delivered. Good stuff!

In a standard limited action Monday, let's get a sneak peak at some recent BPD twitter clips. Featuring the current fantastic stretch of play from LHP Russ Smith (quick thought here: Given Russ was accustomed to warmer and muggier weather pitching, i seriously wonder if the uber-cold and gross Upper Midwest spring had a major part in his early woes): AND, one of our early DSL favorites in LHP Obsriel Mogollon - who, if we're being open and honest, gives off serious Andy Otero vibes. This is a good thing. Andy has been fantastic in extended action for Nashville.

Just seeing this @Neazy32. I think what you can say about Nash is he is having his best stretch of affiliated ball. What this ultimately turns into or where he goes from here is an unknown. He has the size and the frame and he has the strikeout numbers so there is something there. He is 25 yo and his ongoing issue (which continued into this season) is he pitches to a lot of contact and that typically resulted in a lot of hits. I don't know what the organization intends for Nash and it is typically at this age whereby young men of his age become Minor League free agents. This being said, he's on a 10 game scoreless streak. That's impressive and, let me tell you, Biloxi is going to continue needing that production - their pitching has been an absolute roller coaster most of the season.

Catcher Brayan Oropeza just launched a two-run shot (his 3rd HR) to give the DSL Brewers 2 a 3-0 lead in the fifth. Brayan has raked in 40 AB’s - 0.316 BA and 1.063 OPS

Kevin Briceno went 3.0ip, 2 h, 2 bb 4 k’s, 0 er this morning. Another fantastic outing.

I’m drinking coffee this morning and pondering the loss of Will Sammon’s Brewers coverage for ‘The Athletic’. ? Here’s hoping the new beat writer brings something new and enjoyable!

0.389 SLG with a 0.355 BABIP. Paired with number of years in system and questionable defense I’m ‘concerned’ with Mario in 2022. He still has age in his favor, obviously. And he’s a very likable young man. Like all Brewers prospects, I’m rooting for him but there are more question marks than answers as I see it in 2022. One primary would be: where did any semblance of power go?

Ruh Roh, we got 'one of those' innings from upstart Lucas Erceg. Four hits and a three-run bomb before he was pulled for RHP Matt Hardy who got the three pitch strikeout to end the threat. This is Lucas' first real hiccup since his promotion. Let's hope the Sounds can regain their lead - they now trail 5-3 in the top of the eighth. They'll have only 5 more outs to attempt a comeback.

Kudos to ol' Brewer RHP Jacob Barnes for getting the call-up back to the Majors via the Seattle Mariners: MLB Trade Rumors Press Release Here Jacob had some nice work with the Brewers. It's been a winding road since, but, hopefully he finds some success!

Another double for Brice Turang. Let's just say, in an extremely important divisional series Brice has brought his XB game back to the ballpark. After the entire month of June filled with only singles, Brice has 3 doubles; a triple; and a HR in 34 AB's here in early July. A season of samples swings back to the celebratory side! Sounds back in front 3-2 as they eye an elusive and extremely difficult six game sweep.