Joseph Zarr

I like Jericho Sims, yes, for what he does on the basketball court. I understand the 2nd Apron part of the deal. Kyle Kuzma might be the worst per/minute player in the entire NBA. Heck of a price to pay for the rationale of he will help a team win games which is apparently what Giannis demands. He is flat out a net negative influence in any line ups. He is flat out an even greater negative influence when Glenn Rivers is making the starting line ups and substitutions. And, now that they are under the 2nd apron...what mighty plans will the great John Horst muster to make another run at a Championship? We shall see. My faith is very Low. BUT, with that comes zero expectations. I would love to be completely surprised and thrilled. I absolutely so not expect to experience those feelings.🫠

TWO DSL wins?!? TWO?!? On the same day!!! Let's GO!!

The Kohl Years indeed. I am in zero ways advocating for a Giannis trade. You give everything you have to build around that man. Period. You live and die with those results. I am merely pointing out the Bucks as an org have mostly struggled in that regard. My personal opinion is they are likely dealing with a way too many cooks in the kitchen scenario...while also trying to appease their superstar. Every step forward is most definitely greeted by two steps back. I still repeatedly bang my head against the process that landed them at Glenn Rivers and then, as a basketball think tank, literally targeting one of the absolute worst starters in the entire League for two seasons. Man, I actually fell for the first two weeks of Kuz. My goodness, he is truly an atrocious NBA player. They traded a franchise icon at his lowest value - paid a premium young price in doing so - and acquired an even worse asset that is now also at his lowest value. It's an uncanny set of moves. I am both covering my eyes and drooling at what intrepid moves the Bucks brass will make this off-season. Can they defy their propensity for boneheaded moves? I have large doubts.

Great orgs have a great GM (and an ownership team giving said GM the green light to do their work) and consistently do great things. Bad orgs consistently do bad things. I think it is very fair to say the Bucks likely exist on the fringe waffling between bad org and mid-tier org line. They've won a title in the last five years so there definitely is that (never thought I'd see it in my lifetime - yay for us!). Yet, the Bucks quite simply consistently make the wrong decisions crippling their club in the near and long term. I mean, the Bucks actually targeted Kyle Kuzma and gave up their best young asset to do it - continues to be an incredible feat. Today feels like a great time to give GM Sam Presti his well deserved flowers. Man, he has just steadily and steadily acquired assets and steadily built OKC into a Championship program that truly is set up to make a run at a Dynasty. They have two 1sts in the upcoming NBA draft. They have four 1sts in 2026. The Bucks are going to have to stretch mid-30's Pat Connaughton after he predictably opted in and the Bucks do not outright own their 1st round pick until 2031 and you absolutely know they'll look to trade it regardless. The Bucks are paying three Head Coaches. They are paying Glenn Rivers $10 Milly per season. There is a chasm in organizational competence. I, for one, was incredibly happy to see Presti rewarded for years of incredible GM'ng. A well deserved trophy and they are set up for many more if things roll their way.

Dinges 2:40:30 and 2:40:43 takes some prototypical massive hacks. He ultimately goes down on an inside change-up. After the second swinging missing strike he does remove his helmet and take a batters timeout to walk down the third base line. Maybe tweaked something in these massive swings. That's really all we see. I would also say he looked tired and a bit dejected after Root's fifth inning and that AB. Could be any combination of things. Nothing obvious.

I am going back to watch the fifth and sixth frame to check in on muh guy C Marco Dinges and his early exit. AND, I just have to say, having watched games 1,2,3, and 6...the pitching plan versus the uber-talented Whitecaps continued to showcase a strange approach and/or poor execution in key spots. The number of sliders I saw absolutely hanging to their lefty power bats in favorable counts is my core contention. Root was ahead 1-2 to McGonigle. Hung an absolute dead-to-rights slider over the heart of the plate. What are we even thinking here? 3-1 game. 3-3 just like that. Just not the pitch choice there any day of the week. Regardless of the execution. DeBerry suffered the early fates of this exact same pitch choice (slider) early in game one. They then went away from that to a more strategically likely to succeed change-up.

INF Ethan Murray is continuing to give credence to my pre-season suggestion he may have been playing through several injuries last season. He has been very good in 2025: This just after Kuehner worked out of a bases loaded no out jam.

To this end, I personally think LHP DL Hall is a serious candidate to be packaged in a deadline deal. A rebuilding team somewhere can potentially latch on to the idea they can turn him into a rotation piece given he is using all three heaters. He has been given am extremely long leash since becoming a Brewer. Injuries have obviously gravely impacted his time but so has a real lack of any form of consistency.

Thanks for the updates gents. Seems like another competitive day. These are tough series this past week all the way around. Good competitive baseball.

Well, come on now! Can we catch a break...ever?

How did the Mudcats jump to a 3-0 lead you may ask? On the heels of Bitonti's rocket ship:

Three consecutive games. Three long dong silvers. Amazing. It's Dinges' world. I'm just posting in it.

You might say so

Man, I really like RHP Melvin Hernandez's competitive spirit. Extremely happy to see him have the game he has had tonight. Extremely happy to see the Muddies tie the series up. The Mudctas definitely faded late in this first half but Hernandez has been highly competitive in nearly every outing. He has sneaky good stuff. With that wiry frame you can't help but wonder what his next five year window looks like developmentally. He has a ridiculously good change-up already. There is some movement profile to build and stack velo into his heater profile. Great to see him rewarded tonight.

I am absolutely ready to be 'hurt' by another diminutive lefty DSL'er. In honor of this wonderful moment, I shall sing a song to one LHP Osbriel Mogollon wherever he may be. The dreams continue!

Yeah, just a heads up to any and all, as Jim alludes to above he writes an annual Rule 5 article. He lists all the confirmed Rule 5 eligibles (sometimes vetted by the org contacts themselves). It's great to see people are thinking about this! Don't fret if this thread gets locked and the conversation gets migrated there. It's an annual tradition. Last season we may have had some spirited dialogue about a certain White Sox starter.

Wait what now?!

I want to keep shining a light on Martir. New arrival this season via the Yankees org. The Shuckers are essentially averaging 7 runs per game in June. He shines the light on the players and their preparations and their camaraderie. We all know there is a new face in the dugout and the offense is humming.

Antunez is 2-for-2 with 1 2B, 1 R as the DSL Brewers Blue lead the Dodgers Mendoza 5-1 in the 4th. Nice to see Antunez have a solid start after the day off!

I believe Fangraphs gave me a 10 Grade in 'Process'. It's holding me back. I mean it 'should' be pretty clear by now (?) I'd have Dinges sitting firmly in that Top 5 - for example.

See my comment above. I appreciate you valuing my opinions! AND, my List listed within this thread for all intents and purposes belongs in the trash. Surely there are worthy players in that list but I didn't order anything or actually take the time to vote with intent. I was legitimately trying to simply add feedback. Surely Brock gave us all these instructions in his thread pre-amble. I clearly sped through it and acted the part of a Fool. 😅

Because I'm a noob I do want to say: I did not actually vote - meaning, although there is a submission there that submission is the original Top 20. I didn't look through it with any type of scrutiny. So although my list may have slightly skewed the Final Rankings (?) I actually entered the prospects list to see who we were actually voting for as a community. To that end, I only wanted to add some comments about the players listed. LOL. Anywho, consider my comments. Absolutely throw the Top 20 List above those comments in the trash. 😅

Image courtesy of Brewer Fanatic Transactions: RHP Coleman Crow was assigned to the Nashville Sounds from the Biloxi Shuckers RHP Tyson Hardin was assigned to the Biloxi Shuckers from the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers RHP Easton McGee was assigned to the MLB Taxi Squad from the Nashville Sounds LHP Brian Fitzpatrick was activated from the 7-Day IL by the Biloxi Shuckers C Victor Torres was placed on the Development List by the Biloxi Shuckers Final: Iowa (Cubs) 5, Nashville 4 Via the Sounds website, please be sure to click and read each of the affiliate write-ups as part of your season-long Link Report routine (believe me, it's worth it): Sounds Fall to Iowa on Wednesday Night - Dalbec Has Third Straight Multi-Hit Game Box Score/Game Log Game Notes RHP Garrett Stallings almost completed five frames - 4 2/3 IP of 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K, 3 ER work. Stallings has truly been a master of his craft as the do-everything utility arm in the Sounds pitching staff. He's come quite a long way since 2024's ho-hum work. The sinkerballer is on top of his game and I have enjoyed many of his innings this season. He was pulled at 66 pitches having thrown 43 strikes. Not quite a starter, no. But, he'll fill the roles needed to help round the rough edges in and amongst the Sounds starting rotation. He continues to be a success story as we near the end of the first half. Three Quick Strikes: 1) Is there a hotter hitter in the Brewers system than in-season free agent pick up RF Bobby Dalbec? I can not think of one. He's on an absolute heater and he doesn't appear to be slowing down. Two more doubles tonight in a 3-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K night. This is the type of the bat the Brewers may ultimately use depending on what shakes out at the MLB trade deadline. I loved him before he was a Sound. I continue to love him in a Sounds jersey. He is the very consummate definition of a veteran pro. 2) Having watched all of two games from 1B Andrew Vaughn, and now that the debut grand slam has faded more than 24 hours into a past sunset, I can only say: Vaughn very much matches the Brewers recent love of small in stature players. I personally have a hard time getting super excited about a shorter version; far less productive player (and quite a bit more positionally limited); with the same build as old one-time Brewers Kevin Mench. Vaughn is completely restricted to first base and the DH spot. Was the trade of, essentially, RHP Aaron Civale; INF Gregory Barrios; and Wes Clarke for cash and Andrew Vaughn worth it? It's obviously way too early to tell. My early sentiments are a neutral take on shuffling deck chairs. Vaughn is going to have to get on some type of prolonged heater to get my temperature up and I personally am not all that in favor of taking those first base innings from Ernesto Martinez Jr. and Dalbec. 1-for-5, 1 RBI, 1 K on the evening. 3) 3B/C Anthony Seigler (both in one game) is truly something special. He handled his work at the hot corner with relative ease and smoothness through five innings. He switched behind the backstop when C Jeferson Quero was pulled for the hour weather delay. He handled his work behind the dish like he never missed a beat (even though he is working as a backstop far less these days). I don't know if he earns a call-up in 2025. I certainly hope he does and I certainly think he's earned it. I don't know if he signed a one or a two year Minor League free agent deal. But, as a fan of Minor League players I am incredibly excited Seigler has completely rebuilt his MLB call-up resume in just one half season within the Brewers organization. He makes watching the Sounds a better experience. For that, I am grateful. Final: Biloxi 6, Knoxville (Cubs) 2 Hardin Leads Shuckers to South Division Title in Double-A Debut - Shuckers Clinch First Division Title Since 2019 Box Score/Game Log Game Notes It truly is remarkable to juxtapose the 2025 version of RHP Tyson Hardin we are seeing versus the just-drafted version of RHP Tyson Hardin in the late summer of 2024. It's truly remarkable. Given the organizational importance of this late first-half game two versus the Knoxville Smokes, to see Hardin debut and pitch six complete frames allowing a mere four hits and one walk? Just fantastic. 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 HB, 1 HR (solo shot), 2 ER. 79 pitches throw. 54 pitches landed for strikes. The peripherals hint at a player ready for the moment. Having watched the game in entirety, I can avow: the eye test matches the box score. Three Quick Strikes: 1) C Matt Wood had a passed ball - it wasn't a very pretty passed ball at that. C Matt Wood went 0-3 with 1 R, 1 BB, and 1 K at the dish. And, I am here to tell you, C Matt Wood absolutely impacted this game in massive ways with two gorgeous throws to 2B in consecutive middle innings to nab would be base stealers for the second out. Double-A C Matt Wood is playing at another level. I am absolutely here to give him his flowers: That is how you boost your hurler's Double-A debut, Mr. Wood. Well done! 2) RHP Tyler Bryant continues to be must watch relief work out of the Shuckers bullpen. He is fast becoming my favorite relief arm in the entire system in 2025. With his high-riding 95-97 mph heater - a pitch he can level out; his disgusting slider; and his sneakily effective low 80's curve (all thrown with his fierce violent delivery and identical arm release) he has many ways he can mow you down. Another clean 1.0 IP of 1 H, 0 BB, and 2 K scoreless work. He has allowed one run since May 3rd over 15 outings and 19 1/3 IP. He has struck out 24 over that span. He has walked 9. He has high leverage written all over his arsenal. The continued development of his second and third pitches in his now second year in the system is one of my favorite stories over the past year and a half. 3) I tip my cap to you Mr. Dependable, 2B Zavier Warren, for your adept glove work and 2-for-4, 1 R, 1 K night at the dish. You are a symbol of the first half division title. A long-tenured player often lost in the greater discourse of the Brewers prospect realm but putting in a sublime season as one of the veterans on the Shuckers club. Diving deeper into this brand of thought, LHP Brian Fitzpatrick came off the 7-Day IL and immediately impacted tonight's victory with a masterful 1.0 IP of 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K work. Seeing the trimmed down and highly motivated Fitzpatrick in 2025 has been a beautiful sight. He is in complete control of his three pitch arsenal and he is enforcing his will on the game. The Shuckers that begun their season with a woeful 1-7 mark truly became a team in every facet by tonight's division clinching win. Is there anyone more deserving than manager Joe Ayrault? I can't think of one. Congratulations, Joe! We're all incredibly proud of the job you and the team have done. Keep going. Final: Columbia (Royals) 7, Carolina 4 Late Rally Lifts Columbia Past Mudcats - Meccage Denied His First Professional Victory in Loss Box Score/Game Log Game Notes I've watched young RHP Bryce Meccage now throughout the first half and have seen nearly every start. Tonight was a very solid 6.0 IP of 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K, 2 ER work. He threw 74 pitches with 49 strikes. Meccage continues to sit comfortably in that 94-97 mph range. The four-seamer is a go to offering for him. He also uses quite a bit of the curveball and it can be a very very good pitch. And, I say all this to also say: Meccage is still quite raw. It's a refined raw, yes, in that he has two go-to strikeout pitches. However, in the game of professional baseball development - and given the breadth of Minor League games I have watched in my days - there is a path Meccage will likely have to travel down in off-seasons and seasons ahead. Firstly, he will absolutely need to continue developing his slider and change-up. He has them in his bag. They are not developed pitches at this juncture. These off-speed offerings are typically thrown in or sprinkled in the mix. IF he can fine tune these and add them to the 'plus' profile it truly opens everything. I would also casually opine: he could really use another heater profile. I would absolutely love if he could counter the four-seamer with a sinker. This is a marathon not a sprint. I'm personally investing in this hypothetical plan in my imaginary world as a Brewers developmental pitching scout. Three Quick Strikes: 1) I continue to love the evolution of INF Jesus Made's complete game. We may not be seeing long balls in bunches but we are seeing much much improved defensive execution and it truly has rounded out his complete game. His shortstop work has looked fluid and smooth for over a month - his actions and his hands are truly special. With his 1-for-2, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 2B, 2 SB night at the dish he showcased his full range of gifts from both sides of the plate. He now has 31 SB on his season to just 5 CS. His full breadth of talent is coming through at the near midway point to this season. 2) 15 strikeouts to just three free passes for the Mudcats offense as a whole. Multiple strikeout games from 2B Luis Peña, 1B Eric Bitonti, CF José Anderson, 3B Filippo Di Turi, RF Reece Walling, and C Yannic Walther. Many of these strikeouts were not all that pretty. Are there good strikeouts? I believe there are. The majority of these were either overmatched looks or forcing the issue. Which brings me to: we were obscenely blessed with the Mudcats baseball we witnessed in April and then into early May. What we have seen repeatedly of late is how young this team truly is. If the Mudcats are going to get themselves back in contention in the second half they truly will need to improve their collective approaches at the dish. Currently they are leaning very heavily on players struggling to stay above water. 3) LHP Bjorn Johnson was absolutely cruising. Until he wasn't. I've seen this strange type of bullpen management approach from Nick Stanley throughout the past two seasons - nobody was even warming in the Mudcats pen to start the ninth inning. Stanley often leaves his young arms in challenging scenarios pushing their limits and sometimes, well, that backfires. The Mudcats led 3-2 and Johnson had been scoreless through two frames. Two hard hit doubles began the ninth frame putting runners on second and third. And, then 1B Eric Bitonti dropped a very catchable ball from SS Jesus Made that loaded the bags with nobody out. AND, well, just like that I'm back at odds with Minor League scorers: Bitonti has to catch that ball. Naturally, the scorer charged the error to Made who very adroitly kept both runners at their bases and in that dance fired a slightly rushed throw over to first base. The ball was slightly down the 1B line so Bitonti had to cross his frame. BUT, in my books, if a ball hits your webbing? You have to catch it. Given the situation, you absolutely have to catch it. The ninth inning was just a mini meltdown across the board and ultimately the Mudcats earned their loss. They may have ended their losing streak last night. The way they lost tonight's game reminded us they simply haven't been playing very good baseball for several weeks. And, given their youth, that's OK. We'll roll with the punches. We are back to a full seven game slate tomorrow as both the DSL squads and ACL Brewers are back playing. Later in the day, LHP Wande Torres will try to help the Mudcats jump to a 2-1 series lead. LHP Anthony Flores will look to bring his best facing the challenging West Michigan line-up. Must-watch RHP Logan Henderson takes the mound for Nashville. And in Biloxi, RHP K.C. Hunt looks to keep his positive momentum trending toward a 3-0 Shuckers series lead. As always, thanks for reading and thanks for supporting Brewers Minor League baseball. Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores MiLB Audio Links Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth View full article

Alright. Time to write a report. Great to 'see' you here late @biedergb!