Joseph Zarr

Last night's (the above report) Timber Rattler victory highlights have surfaced:

Cam hasn't allowed a run all of May. He's been incredible of late. But, really, the entire pitching staff has been darn good for quite a bit. Let's also recognize the work of well-aging Kent Hasler. He really held it down for those 1 1/3 innings of 3 strikeout ball. He came into an unfavorable situation with Antoine losing his stuff in a hurry. He conceded that first single to left field for the game to tie but struck out his next batter and two more. I should add: Antoine also dealt with an uncharacteristic error on a deep fly to left by Carlos Rodgriguez (his first of the season) that tallied his first unearned run in his 2-run evening. Regardless, Kent holding it down allowed Cam to come in and do his thing. Joe Gray Jr. has been fantastic since Frelick was promoted. He's back in CF and he's playing much more disciplined and patient ball in the batters box. He hit the eighth inning double to open things up and ultimately scored on the gritty swinging bunt-style score the runner dribbler from Peters. It was a win from a team that is finding many more ways to do so in the early going. I would also say, regularly watching the T-Rats gives you a really nice perspective of Zavi Warren's game. He has what I would term an 'Old Man Game'. Not that he moves slow by any stretch - though, he certainly doesn't appear to be the athlete a Garrett Mitchell, Joe Gray Jr., or a Sal Frelick is - but, rather, he is just so smart. He is just a very very savvy baseball player. I consider him almost a veteran bedrock of that squad - which, in and of itself, is hilarious as he's only 23 years old. He has been touted as the teammate that gave both Valerio and Wiemer batting tips to help their growth. I love watching him play even when the results aren't quite lining up with what he's putting out there.

Where is @Brewcrew82? You beautiful son of a gun. I love it. What heart!!!!!! Let's GO!!!!!

For the first time since the first inning, the Rattlers have sent a run across the plate on essentially a Tristan Peters swinging bunt down the first line scoring Joe Gray Jr. (lead off double). It's 3-2 and Cam Robinson will take the mound for the bottom half of the eighth inning.

With Rodriguez and Black standing on 2nd and 1st base, respectively, Zavi Warren hits a hard hit grounder but Quad Cities first baseman Dillan Shrum is able to make the diving stab and tosses it to the pithcer to escape the top of the seventh. It's still tied 2-2.

As good as done that is. Mudcats lose 2-0. Definitely a better outing all things considered.

Zavi follow his 2 run jack with a double! Mr. OPS, say hello to our little friend in Appleton. I love to see it as I find Zavi to be one of my favorite 'we take him for granted' players in the system.

Zavi Warren hit his first ding dong! Yes sir! A two-run jack to (Tyler Black was aboard - batting lead off in the DH spot) give the T-Rats a 2-0 lead. Antoine Kelly scoreless with 2 k's through 2.

Take a look at this work from Catañeda last night. What wonderful breaking action he has on a plethora of these strike out pitches:

Also, even tho Nashville lost today (they had an opportunity in the ninth with two men down and two men on), check out the swing improvements we are seeing from Brice Turang in Nashville. This is just smooth, easy, and potent: They've been working on his hand placement since Spring Training. He looks so much more comfortable in 2022 it's not even funny. This is an exciting development! If you can't tell: That was an absolute BOMB.

Another guy I want to see get an opportunity to, in the very least, get a stab at Triple-A is Tyler Herb in Biloxi. He has been downright dominant as a Starting Pitcher in a very un-pitcher friendly environment given his defense behind him has been laughably bad at times. He's a guy I'd love to see tossed up to Triple-A to try and start at that level if say they promote a Small or an Alexander. My wheels are a spinnin'.

That's a complex and tricky question. The aforementioned challenges of unknown response or acclimation to the vastly different hitting and stadium environments are a real thing. I would say, however, the benefit of the current Nashville scene is there are quite a few guys performing at a high level. They may need multiple runs to try and find right fits to fill roles. I would also casually say: because we suffer from a dearth of legitimate LHP arms, we see an Hobey Milner manning a key bullpen spot. I pretty much remain unconvinced Milner has the deception and tools to claim Big League stuff - I sincerly hope I'm wrong! I'm glad he's receiving an extended opportunity but I don't know how long that can last until his next 3-5 run outing. If we're looking at worthwhile candidates to get chances, consistent performers out of the League-leading Nashville pen, we would probably consider: Ethan Small (obviously not in the Nashville pen) Jason Alexander (also not in pen...good stuff Julio! What in the...) Peter Strzelecki (just won Brewers Minor League pitcher of the month. He's been fantastic) Trevor Kelley Hobie Harris Connor Sadzeck Miguel Sanchez All of these guys, at various times, have been dominant. Miguel struggled with control today, unfortunately, but has generally been quite solid and we have a track record there. Hobie Harris hasn't allowed a single run in over 10 innings but he also has a 1:1 k/bb ration in Triple-A so he is probably lowest on the list for me. So, if I ranked, I would go: (1) Ethan Small (2) Peter Strzelecki (3) Jason Alexander - middle reliever role (currently a dominant starter) (4) Connor Sadzeck (5) Trevor Kelley (6) Miguel Sanchez (7) Hobie Harris

I'm going to advocate for our Triple-A guys because, well, I will always advocate for our lower level guys: This just in, fellas: Adjusting to Major League hitters, ballparks, atmospheres, and situations is a step-up from Triple-A or any lower level scene. The adjustment takes time. Sometimes the adjustment and the success happens. Sometimes it does not. This is baseball. I really encourage you to not refer to these pitchers as 'trash cans'. Obviously, they haven't elevated and lit the world on fire. BUT, they deserve second and third chances. Maybe it works out. Maybe it does not. BUT, one or two outings does not a pitcher make. My public service announcement on behalf of all our lower level players is complete. I will unabashedly always root for their promotions and success. I concede sometimes it doesn't fit. Go Luis! And, go Mejía! ?

Earlier in the contest, Brice Turang hit his third knock on a sweet and smooth stroke to right field:

Keston Hiura just hit a 3-2 single into left field scoring Reyes. Turang moves on to second. We have two aboard with the ever dangerous Jon Singleton presenting the leading run at the plate. Threre are two down and it is 5-7 Jacksonville with the lead here in the top of the ninth.

Joey Wiemer just rocked his sixth homerun of his season. It's 4-8 Barrons here in the eighth.

I'm officially labelling Lucas Erceg the unluckiest reliever in our Minor League system. What he routinely experiences on the mound at present defies rationale. The amount of seeing-eye hits, unlucky bounces, and defensive failures that currently happen when he is on the mound are quite a thing to behold. It's 6-2 Barrons as we await his replacement coming out of the Pen. I count at least three failed defensive plays and a missed foul ball call down the line. They're going to score those hits but, really, I would give two errors. Perhaps, one well-hit ball in his 1 2/3 innings of '5 hit' ball.

The Shuckers grit a run across in the bottom half of the sixth. They benefit from a couple throwing errors (hey now!) and the run crosses because Joey Wiemer got to second base with his third steal in this young series. Joey has wheels and is always a danger on the base paths. 3-2 Barrons as we head to the seventh.

Pablo Reyes came to the dish with a bases loaded scene in the top of the sixth. And, well, he struck out on three pitches. On to the bottom half where Miguel Sanchez looks to keep this game knotted at 4 apiece.

Jon Singleton has crushed his 7th home run of the season and it is tied 4-4 in the top of the sixth! Men on first and second base with two down. Let's get those rally caps on, gents!

Lucas Erceg on the hill to take the top of the sixth. Let's just hope he has better luck than the 8 un-earned runs he has accrued to date.

Nick Bennett has just notched his 8th k of his afternoon but the Barrons tack on another run and appear to be keying in on Bennett's slow delivery: 3 stolen bases in the inning. It's 3-1 Birmingham and we are on to the Bottom of the fifth.

Freddy Zamora has committed his 11th error - another throwing error - in just his 29th game. Freddy now has a stranglehold on 25% of Biloxi’s Southern League leading error tally. Yikes.

Boushley gives up two 2-run jacks in the bottom half of the first and the Sounds trail 4-0 early. Nick Bennett gives up 2 solo shots and it is 2-1 Birmingham in the bottom of the third with Gabe Holt on first and none down. Brent Diaz continues shining in 2022 hitting his fourth dinger - a solo shot.