Jim Goulart

It was a glorious afternoon for the big-league Brewers at Wrigley Field, with an 8th inning rally that certainly would lead to an equally wonderful Friday night on the farm. Well, not quite. The Brewers affiliates have maintained a top overall record in comparison with other MLB organizations through the first five weeks of the season, but there was no intrinsic momentum last evening as the Crew farm teams endured a rare sweep. On top of that, the AAA Sounds failed to enter the hit column, ouch. Image courtesy of BrewerFanatic We will come to find out this season that the number "165" has significance. Back in February, we began a discussion within our Minor League Forum on the 165-man limit that MLB has placed on the number of stateside players each organization can maintain. For the Brewers, that means the players on the five non-Dominican Summer League rosters - Nashville, Biloxi, Wisconsin, Carolina and Maryvale. The 165 does not include players on the Brewers' 40-man roster, which means 44 players currently, as four are on the 60-day big-league injured list. Also not included on the 165 list are minor league players on the 60-day IL or "full season" IL. The roster limits for MiLB are 30 at the two A-Ball levels and 28 at AA and AAA. But as we'll find out, the Brewers, like many organizations, are dealing with the ravages of day-to-day injuries, the vagaries of big-league coverage needs (catcher Eric Haase currently with the Crew on a taxi squad, etc.), and other miscellaneous situations. Gone are the days of having four catchers on multiple affiliate rosters and excess depth. Minor league managers are juggling best they can, and we'll examine that along the way within this report. Transaction: Milwaukee Brewers recalled RHP Corbin Martin from Nashville Sounds. Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Norfolk (Orioles) 2, Nashville 0 Box Score and Game Log Via the Sounds’ website, game details, and we encourage readers to review affiliate write-ups as part of their Link Report routine: Sounds No-Hit by Norfolk - Three Tides pitchers combine in first no hitter at First Horizon Park Shortstop Yonny Hernandez and right fielder Brewer Hicklen drew walks, each in the 7th inning. Hernandez led off the frame, and after two pop outs, Hicklen pushed Hernandez into scoring position, from where Owen Miller also skied out in the infield. The four Sounds pitchers, led by starter Chad Patrick, combined to allow only one earned run, walking two and fanning 13. Norfolk's "X" feed posted the final play, but utilized the Nashville feed. Nashville Roster Three players on the long-term injured list, three others on the standard injured list, Haase on the taxi squad. The active, healthy bench for the Sounds Friday was solely catcher Nick Kahle. Initially there was a second player, as Andruw Monasterio was in the initial announced starting lineup. But shortly after Joey Wiemer injured his leg at Wrigley (status to be determined), Monasterio was pulled from the Sounds lineup and is likely in Chicago now, just in case. The big-league club's needs absolutely come first. I'm sure we'll hear from Manager Rick Sweet on the topic when Voice of the Sounds Jeff Hem releases his week-long series of pregame audio on Monday. But yeah, 165... Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Tennessee (Cubs) 8, Biloxi 6 Box Score and Game Log Shuckers Drop Slugfest to Smokies, 8-6 - Teams combine for 14 runs and 18 hits, Rodriguez records third multi-hit performance of the series The buzz entering the night was on 21-year-old RHP Brett Wichrowski, making just his 5th pro appearance (and start), and doing so at the AA level. Pretty remarkable. Wichrowski threw 36 strikes among his 60 pitches in three innings, allowing four runs on four hits, two walks and two HBP's. Considering the faith the organization is showing in the Bryant University product (yay, Rhode island!), we'll focus on the positive: The bullpen didn't shine either, though 25-year-old RH reliever Sam Carlson is up to ten scoreless innings on the season. Carlson was a recent pre-game interview guest, catch up on all the archives there. As you just read in the game story linked above, Mike Boeve is still Mike Boeve (wonderful) and Carlos D. Rodriguez' insane offensive week rolled on. Biloxi Roster Two players on the long-term injured list, and five others (all position players!) on the 7-day. Manager Joe Ayrault's bench on Friday consisted of backup catcher Andy Yerzy and outfielder Lamar Sparks. Boeve was the DH, so technically the team did have an emergency backup infielder as well in that sense. For the five position players on the 7-day, get healthy! You'll add to the daily depth and no subsequent move will be required. Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes (download link) Final: Great Lakes (Dodgers) 7, Wisconsin 3 Box Score and Game Log Great Lakes Turns Early Lead Into a Win Over Wisconsin - Loons beat Rattlers 7-3 in game four of the series Speaking of relievers still sporting 0.00 ERA's, right-hander Chase Costello has only allowed one unearned run in his eight appearances, K'ing seven in 9.2 innings. As seen in the video, reliever Aaron Rund's hair look has come a long way since his initial MiLB player page photo. Dylan O'Rae lifted his OBP to .404. Oh hey, Luke Adams was plunked again, that's eight times now. It's May 4th. Wisconsin Roster The 13-man position player crew is healthy, among the four bench players are two catchers, but at least Manager Victor Estevez has options to work with. While Cameron Wagoner and Tanner Shears are out for the year, we can hope RHP Logan Henderson (7-day IL) will be back before summer kicks in. Final: Columbia (Royals) 9, Carolina 1 Box Score and Game Log Columbia Downs Mudcats, 9-1 This team, regardless of the loss, is 18-7, folks. Smile. Hey, we had a Brewers organization debut in this game! 23-year-old catcher Victor Torres, a longtime White Sox farmhand, finally entered a contest, grounded out to end the game as a pinch-hitter. RHP Josh Knoth continues to be eased into his freshman year, and his three innings (58 pitches, 34 strikes, one run allowed) was perfectly suitable, Knoth limited damage considering he mixed in two wild pitches with his two hits allowed and two free passes. Oh no for one of our favorite $10,000 bonus baby causes to root for. Southpaw Osbriel Mogollon plunked three and walked four as part of his eight-run, two-inning blowup outing. That ERA and WHIP will be bloated for a bit. Carolina Roster Three players out long-term, three on the seven-day list. Manager Nick Stanley's bench beyond the catching corps was two outfielders on Friday. With Cooper Pratt as the designated hitter, technically there is a spare infielder on the roster, but it's not overflowing considering this is low-A. Some of you may know I maintain a highly secretive (ha!) EXCEL spreadsheet to help track Brewers organization birthdays. I tweet every month to help you find your "Birthday Buddy". But the spreadsheet also allows me to track the full number of players in the organization. I have some confidence in its current accuracy, but don't claim it as gospel. From the very top to the very bottom of the organization, MLB'ers included, I show 293 players. From that 293, I subtracted the 44 40-man roster players (including the likes of 60-day injured guys like Brandon Woodruff). That brought the number down to 249. There are 84 players that are based in the Dominican Republic, a combination of 2023 holdovers and the plentiful new crop. Those players will make up two DSL teams, and don't impact the 165-roster limit at all. Subtract 84 from 249, and we get, 165! Wow, that's pretty wild. As we've detailed here for you today, there are ten players on the long-term injured list at the four full-season affiliates, and they are among those on my personal 165 list. When those on the 60-day lists are activated, the Brewers shouldn't need to make room. Sorry if that's too much math for you on a Saturday morning. But the long and short of it is, Baseball America was right. It's a nightmare time to be a fringe former big leaguer, and current minor league free agent. Of course, Milwaukee would like to ink bodies for AAA and AA to better field a team every night. The limits are well, limiting. So, it's on to the independent ranks for so many of those players. When the Crew recently signed outfielder Justin Dirden for Biloxi, you don't think Dirden and his agency were relieved? It's a landmine for players of that ilk right now. Current Maryvale Roster Wait, what? Yes, the rookie level at the Maryvale complex begins play at 1:00 Central today! Yay, more efforts for the Link Reporters (we love it...kind of). Note: We still wait on the Dominican Summer League schedule to be announced. Matinee for the Timber Rattlers, late afternoon for the Mudcats. Go Pat Murphy and the Crew! Enjoy your Saturday, everyone. 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

Friday 5/3: VIDEO via MLB Network's "High Heat": "Tyler Black discusses making his Major League debut, getting called up and more" Via WSCO's "The Show with Leo and Balky (Hour One): Jack Stern of "BrewerFanatic" joins the show in the midst of the Brewers-Cubs game (go to the 38:20 minute mark) Via the "Mully and Haugh Show", 670 The Score in Chicago: Pat Murphy (go to the 11:20 minute mark) VIDEO via the "DrydenWire" YouTube page: President of Business Operations Rick Schlesinger in a wide-ranging extended interview Postgame Show after the 3-1 win in Wrigley - Via 97.3's "Baseball Postgame Show (embedded within the "Drew and KB" Show)" - With Tim Allen (go to the 05:20 minute mark); the show continues via the second hour of Drew & KB

Thread will be utilized for any minor league news Friday, lineup updates, etc.Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scoresMiLB Audio Links

Thursday 5/2: Via WTMJ's Morning News (Download Link): "Top Chef makes another Wisconsin staple part of their episode – the Brewers & the Racing Sausages! It’s the Top Chef Sausage Race! And of course the guest judge was Ryan Braun! Vince & Erik got the chance to talk to him ahead of the airing of the episode." *** Friday 5/3: Via WTMJ's Morning News (Download Link): Adam McCalvyVia the BrewerFanatic Podcast: "Jack Stern and Spencer Michaelis break down a homestand filled with controversial umpiring, Abner Uribe’s future after his demotion to Triple-A, and more. They also preview the upcoming series against the Cubs."

Thursday 5/2: Via WTMJ's Morning News (Download Link): Matt Arnold Via the "Wisconsin Sports Daily Show" with Steve "Sparky" Fifer: "Dustin Rhoades of 670 The Score discusses the Brewers and Cubs rivalry and weekend series and what he thinks is brewing between the two franchises after Craig Counsell became the Cubs Manager." Via WSCO's "The Show with Leo and Balky (Hour Two): Matt Carroll from "Reviewing the Brew" (go to the 06:55 minute mark) Reviewing the Brew's" Cold Brew Podcast: "Dave Gasper and Matt Carroll break down a wild recent slate of Brewers games that involved several run ins with umpires involving Aaron Judge's slide, Jake Bauers' swing, Freddy Peralta, Abner Uribe, and the most disliked umpire in Milwaukee Chris Guccione. Also Wade Miley's injury places more strain on an already strained rotation, who could step up? Tyler Black Time has arrived as well. All of that and more on this episode of the Cold Brew Podcast." Via the "Brewers Babes" Podcast (NSFW, language): "In this episode the Brewers Babes have a lot to say about the umpiring situation in the league and in particular with the Brewers over the last few days, and share our conspiracy theories on why it's happening. They talk a lot about the Rays series, the national narrative about the Brewers, and what changes they've noticed in the clubhouse in the first month of the regular season. As always we share our Sausage Race and Fielder's Choice winners, lots of laughs, and plenty of f-bombs." Bonus from our Minor League Forum: Via WSCO's "The Show with Leo and Balky (Hour One): Eric Bunnell, Timber Rattlers Development Coach (go to the 21:00 minute mark)Via WSCO's "The Show with Leo and Balky (Hour Two): Timber Rattlers catcher Matt Wood (go to the 19:40 minute mark)A reminder we always link to the T-Rats' Postgame Podcasts when available within our Minor League Link Reports. Here is the link to Thursday night's latest via Chris Mehring and Kyle Lobner:Postgame Podcast includes interviews with RHP's Will Rudy and Yujanyer Herrera, along with Manager Victor Estevez

Thursday 5/2:Via WSCO's "The Show with Leo and Balky (Hour One): Eric Bunnell, Timber Rattlers Development Coach (go to the 21:00 minute mark)Via WSCO's "The Show with Leo and Balky (Hour Two): Timber Rattlers catcher Matt Wood (go to the 19:40 minute mark)A reminder we always link to the T-Rats' Postgame Podcasts when available within our Minor League Link Reports. Here is the link to Thursday night's latest via Chris Mehring and Kyle Lobner:Postgame Podcast includes interviews with RHP's Will Rudy and Yujanyer Herrera, along with Manager Victor Estevez

A series of six video highlights from Carolina available here.

Via comedian Charlie Berens' Cripescast Podcast (Here's the YouTube link, audio links below) Interview begins at the 08:30 minute mark.

Wednesday 5/1: Via WTMJ's Morning News (Download Link): Jeff Levering Via ESPN Wisconsin's "Jen, Gabe and Chewy" (download link): Sophia Minnaert Via 97.3's "The Steve Czaban Show" (Hour Three): Jeff Levering Via the "Brew Crew Scoop" Podcast: "Disclaimer, this was recorded just before first pitch of the Rays game where benches cleared. Full breakdown of the show timeline at the link. VIDEO via "Foul Territory": "Reaction to the Brewers-Rays brawl and the suspensions handed down" (Audio-only option here) Postgame shows and discussions after the 7-1 homestand-ending win over the Rays - Locked on Brewers with Chuck Freimund - "Nothing Stops the Brewers These Days!" Via 97.3's "Baseball Postgame Show (via the tail end of the "Mike Heller Show)" - With Tim Allen (go to the 31:10 minute mark); the show continues via the opening of "The Drew & KB Show" Via 97.3's Drew & KB: Paul Wagner Via WTMJ: Dom Cotroneo hosts "Brewers Weekly" - "Dom sits down for a recorded podcast this week (thanks, Bucks!) but plenty to talk about that doesn't have to do with umpires. We talk about Willy's big day at the plate against the Rays, extension questions with William and Willy, and taking a look at what the first month brought for the Crew. The end of the show features five good minutes with Christian Yelich on his Home Plate Charity Concert this July."

VIDEO: Carlos D. Rodriguez' five-hit night for Biloxi

Thread will be utilized for any minor league news Thursday, lineup updates, etc. Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores MiLB Audio Links

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 MiLB Audio Links

Tuesday 4/30: Via WTMJ's Morning News (Download Link): Pat Murphy Via 97.3's "The Steve Czaban Show": Tim Allen (go to the 20:00 minute mark) Via the "Wisconsin Sports Daily Show" with Steve "Sparky" Fifer: Tim Dillard Via 97.3's Drew & KB: Bill Schroeder Via WSCO's "The Show with Leo and Balky (Hour One): BrewCrewBall analyst Paul Dietrich (go to the 05:35 minute mark) Via "The Bill Michaels Show" (Hour Two): Chuck Freimund chats with Bill (go to the 31:00 minute mark) There are two long-form discussions with Pat Murphy AUDIO via Sean Casey's "Mayor's Office" - Prefer video? Here's the YouTube link AUDIO via "The Chris Rose Rotation" Podcast - Prefer video? Here's the YouTube link Postgame shows after a wild 8-2 win over the Rays - Locked on Brewers with Chuck Freimund - "Those Battling Brewers!" Via WTMJ: Dom Cotroneo hosts, Craig Coshun is Dom's guest Via 97.3's "Baseball Postgame Show" - Tim Allen hosts

4/30: RHP Yujanyer Herrera transferred from Carolina to A+ Wisconsin. Exciting for the 20-year-old (21 in August).

Awesome! Wichrowski on a 🚀 ride

Monday 4/29: Via WTMJ's Morning News (Download Link): Dom Cotroneo Via 97.3's Mike Heller Show (Hour One): Vinny Rottino (go to the 25:40 minute mark) Via WTMJ's Afternoon News (Download Link): Lane Grindle Via the "Brew Talk" podcast: Latest episode with hosts Hunter Baumgardt (97.3 The Game) and David Gasper (Reviewing the Brew and 1070 The Game) Postgame shows after the frustrating 1-0 loss to Tampa - Via WTMJ: Dom Cotroneo hosts, Craig Coshun is Dom's guest Via 97.3's "Baseball Postgame Show" - Tim Allen hosts Locked on Brewers with Chuck Freimund - "The Brewers going through what all teams do!"

Thread will be utilized for any minor league news Tuesday, lineup updates, etc.Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scoresMiLB Audio Links

Update on RHP Brady Schanuel, on the Indy ball route after a lost 2023 to injury. ArticleBrady Schanuel

Midwest League Player of the Week Award Goes to Eduarqui Fernandez Outfielder keeps award with Wisconsin for second consecutive week By Chris Mehring, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers