Jim Goulart

Sunday 4/14: Postgame shows after dropping the finale in Baltimore, 6-4 - Locked on Brewers with Chuck Freimund Via WTMJ: Dom Cotroneo hosts, Jerry Augustine is Dom's guestVia 97.3's "Baseball Postgame Show" - Tim Allen hosts *** Latest Milwaukee Tailgate Podcast - "On this week's show, the Steve joined Ryan and Paul to discuss the insane offensive barrage, it's sustainability, some injuries and, of course, Bark in the Park."Via the Journal Sentinel Podcast: "The Brewers' offense is en fuego. Before a competitive loss against old friend Corbin Burnes on Sunday, the team rattled off six straight games scoring at least seven runs, going 4-2 on the road in Cincinnati and Baltimore to move to 10-4 thus far, the best record in the National League. Which parts could be real, and what are the areas of concern? Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Todd Rosiak joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss a rematch with Burnes, an injury to Christian Yelich, the return of Wade Miley, a series of bad breaks in the minor leagues, Blake Perkins going above and beyond but also some players who are laboring out of the gate. Remembrew When explores a similar hot offensive run in 1989, plus Todd's Take of the Week.

The Shuckers Audio Pre-Game Interview Archive Page rolls on. C Darien Miller is the latest entry.

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

The Brewers have always staffed Trainer and Strength Development areas for each affiliate. It appears that in recent seasons, even to a greater extent. These are areas which are rightly being emphasized. While the Brewers will certainly face their share of pitcher injuries throughout 2024, it's been prominent position players victimized in recent days, and all in ways that no amount of preparation could have avoided. Jeferson Quero injures his labrum diving back to first base to avoid a pickoff. Brock Wilken takes a pitch to his face and suffers multiple fractures. Read below to learn more about Cooper Pratt's broken pinkie finger. No amount of preparation on protecting soft body muscles and tissues will fend off injuries such as those. Buzzard luck to a great extent, unfortunately. Image courtesy of BrewerFanatic The organization avoided one thing on Saturday - makeup games! The resulting action saw a W-L split. Let's see what happened, but first, our daily transaction updates: Transactions: Milwaukee Brewers sent RHP Trevor Megill on a rehab assignment to Nashville Sounds. Carolina Mudcats placed SS Cooper Pratt on the 7-day injured list. 2B Jose Acosta assigned to Carolina Mudcats from Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Wisconsin Timber Rattlers activated 3B Ben Metzinger. Acosta was acquired via a cash trade from Texas in late May of 2022. The now-24-year-old has only played for the Timber Rattlers in the time since, where he has seen inconsistent playing time. But Acosta is now returned to the A-Ball level he was at with the Rangers due to the need at Carolina to backfill for Pratt's broken pinky finger. I took another MiLB.TV subscriber look at the game in which Pratt exited (the 02:14:25 hour/minute mark via this link). You'll see him line a single to left field, just smoked it. Two pitches later, with Tayden Hall at the plate, Pratt successfully steals second base, but shakes his left hand (glove hand) for a bit while remaining in the game. He was removed after returning to the dugout. Pratt was wearing batting-type gloves, not the oven-mitt version. Yesterday my fellow Link Reporter Daniel detailed the recent departures of four players who had yet to reach stateside from the Brewers' system. Today he has the career details and best wishes for five players who were cut from the Maryvale complex squad on that same April 5th date. Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes Final, Memphis (Cardinals) 8, Nashville 3 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: Rough Third Inning the Difference in Sounds Defeat - Owen Miller has three hits in 8-3 loss We only get to see three of LHP Aaron Ashby's pitches via the Redbirds' Twitter feed, but seven earned runs on seven hits (six singles, one double), three walks, one HBP, a wild pitch, and only 33 strikes on 64 pitches all squeezed into just 2.1 innings, is clearly sub-par. Did all in the Brewers' chain agree with pitching Ashby on traditional four days' rest coming off his 82-pitch big-league outing and the travel day back to AAA that followed? Would one additional day have proven beneficial? That point was brought up in our nightly Minor League Forum thread. The organization can say all they want about Ashby's path back to success. It's a shoulder injury, folks. Those throughout baseball can label it however they wish. When I was a much more youthful fan, it seemed every shoulder injury was called a rotator cuff injury. Now we have labrum's, scapula's, etc. You know what, no matter the name, they are all and always have been career-altering in severe ways. Best wishes, Aaron. While we're at it, you too, Brandon. Trevor Megill had an adventurous scoreless rehab frame - two walks and a base hit. Tyler Black DH'd his way to two singles, two walks and a stolen base (finally his first of 2024). Owen Miller is Owen Miller'ing, which is fine, because it seems he's a likable dude, but it doesn't seem need creates opportunity for him at this time. As the Sounds have done in their detailed game reports and media notes, the bullpen has been immense. Keep a particular eye on 28-year-old former Astros RHP Enoli Paredes should anybody get an "owie" in the Crew's MLB pen. Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Biloxi 6, Mississippi (Braves) 1 Box Score and Game Log Garcia's First Double-A Home Run Leads Biloxi to 6-1 Win - Shuckers lineup sets season-high with 12 hits, staff sets high with 16 strikeouts It appears the Brewers are going to wait until the Shuckers return home on Tuesday to backfill Brock Wilken's roster spot. Saturday's lineup had Ethan Murray at third base, Eric Brown, Jr. at shortstop, and Freddy Zamora manning second. Wes Clarke was the DH as Zavier Warren sat idle. There are enough position player bodies on hand still (12) that perhaps the answer is to further equip the pitching staff. The 28-man roster limit helps. That's just one of eight video clips provided on the Biloxi "X" feed. And that's for a road game, yet. Just killing it on our behalf, thanks. July 10, 2018 - that's when the Brewers signed prominent international shortstop Eduardo Garcia out of Venezuela. Yet, Garcia doesn't turn 22 until July. Garcia's .606 OPS with the Timber Rattlers in 2023 was sadly ineffective, to be honest. He's not going to maintain an .872 OPS (where he sits through six games), but the brand-new transition to center field could wind up fascinating. We should be fine with RHP Tyler Woessner being pulled after four innings and 77 pitches. Another fantastic line as the game story and box score detail, protect that impressively building career path. When Joe Ayrault can follow up with the efforts posted by Nick Merkel, southpaw Justin King, and Shane Smith, he can go for it. Catcher and human magnet Darrien Miller made his 2024 debut and naturally was plunked (52 HBP's in his career, topped by 24 in his 2022 at Wisconsin). Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes (download link) Final: South Bend (Cubs) 11, Wisconsin 3 Box Score and Game Log Cubs Use Big Sixth Inning to Beat Rattlers - Wisconsin falls 11-3 at South Bend Tough one here to glean even a sprinkle of success in this one. Bright side? T-Rats still at 5-3 overall. Only three knocks, one an Eduarqui Fernandez RBI double. Focus on the game log's 4th inning for what was a short-lived 3-0 lead. Dominican native 22-year-old RHP Alexander Cornielle is back for a 2nd go with the Rattlers. He pitched into the 6th (walk, single) and shortly thereafter reliever Jake Polancic saw this happen, ouch. Tough mound night all around. Whether fair or not, when reviewing box scores, my eyes are always drawn to the inherited runners row. There are different flavors within, especially number of outs. But it can provide a wider lens into starting pitcher's lines. Final: Carolina 7, Down East (Rangers) 5 Box Score and Game Log Monster Fourth Inning Powers Mudcats to Fourth Straight Win - Carolina scores seven times in their highest scoring inning of the year How about them 7-1 Muddies?! First of all, check out the pollen inspired jersey! The nose knows! Inherited runners-scored: Rivero 2-0; Pena, Je 1-0. See what I mean? That's a big stat line in a close game. Venezuelan RHP Jesus Rivero turns 21 in a month. Rivero had a sneaky-successful 2023 split between Maryvale and Carolina, as his MiLB.com page indicates. Bases on balls will need to be monitored, but you can't overlook the positive K/9 and H/9 figures. Every player in the lineup contributed, as the box score showed you. Sacrifice flies aren't sexy, but they are effective in contributing to wins. Pretty clear first baseman Tayden Hall (1.236 OPS through eight games) brought a ton of confidence stateside upon his return from a sweet Australian League stint. Enjoy your traditional afternoon slate of Sunday matinees, everyone! We'll also be looking for a Colin-Rae-of-sunshine vs. Corbin Burnes, right? 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 took another MiLB.TV subscriber look at the game in which Pratt exited (the 02:14:25 hour/minute mark via this link). You'll see him line a single to left field, just smoked it. Two pitches later, with Tayden Hall at the plate, Pratt successfully steals second base, but shakes his left hand (glove hand) for a bit while remaining in the game. He was removed after returning to the dugout. Pratt was wearing batting-type gloves, not the oven-mitt version.

VIDEO: Yujanyer Herrera fans his final three batters faced - Brewers prospect Yujanyer Herrera strikes out his final three batters faced to polish off a strong nine-strikeout outing for Single-A Carolina Friday

Saturday 4/13: Postgame shows after rolling again, 11-5, at Camden Yards- Via WTMJ: Dom Cotroneo hosts Via 97.3's "Baseball Postgame Show" - Tim Allen joins us yet again, in his 19th year

Carolina Mudcats placed SS Cooper Pratt on the 7-day injured list. 2B Jose Acosta assigned to Carolina Mudcats from Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Wisconsin Timber Rattlers activated 3B Ben Metzinger.

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

Normally we don't have seven box scores to peruse until the rookie complex leagues get underway in Maryvale and the Dominican Republic. Guess we can consider this a dress rehearsal! Actually, we're not that far away from the rookie levels commencing, as Baseball America notes here - May 4th is the start date in Arizona (and we believe that same week in the Dominican), a month earlier than in past years. Image courtesy of BrewerFanatic Of the seven games played Friday evening, six were shutouts! Thankfully the Brewers farm teams were 5-1 in those six whitewashes, so here we go with a nod to all the pitching coaches throughout the system. Transactions: RHP Evan McKendry placed on AAA Nashville's 7-day injured list 3B Brock Wilken placed on AA Biloxi's 7-day injured list The Brewers recently dropped four players from their Dominican Complex. We detail their brief organizational exploits and wish them well here. Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes Final, Game One: Memphis (Cardinals) 6, Nashville 0 Box Score and Game Log Final, Game Two: Nashville 9, Memphis 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 Split Doubleheader with Redbirds - Nashville takes nightcap 9-0 after being shut out by Memphis 6-0 in game one Sounds starter Carlos F. Rodriguez had not shown well in his first two starts but opened Game One with three scoreless. But he then surrendered six runs in the 4th frame - ground ball single, botched bunt play (Eric Haase error included), K, fly ball double, walk, line drive single, run-scoring balk, two-run home run. Not ideal, though Rodriguez then pitched into the 6th. Carlos has fanned 17 in 12.1 innings, so there's plenty of time to come around, especially for a youngster who won't turn 23 years old until November. Switch-hitting catcher (DH'ing) Francisco Mejia had two of Nashville's three hits in the opener, including a double. Joey Wiemer struck out swinging in all four trips to the plate, once on a foul tip at least. In the much more pleasing nightcap, RHP Tobias Myers dealt (again). It's really looking like the organization's faith in Myers after his disastrous 2022 elsewhere is going to pay off. A 1.16 WHIP and 19 K's in 14.2 innings portends well. If the big-league staff enjoys both health and success in 2024, Myers at minimum could be a strong candidate for an October addition to the 40-man roster to prevent him from reaching minor league free agency. He won't turn 26 until August. Wiemer doubled and walked in a bounce-back effort. Only Isaac Collins went home empty-handed from Game Two, as the other eight lineup members enjoyed batting line success. Here's hoping Christian Yelich (back) avoids an IL stint, but the Brewers would be tempted to add spring training stud Brewer Hicklen to the 40-man and 26-man rosters if so. Hicklen doubled, singled and walked here, 1.016 through 41 AB's. Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Biloxi 4, Mississippi (Braves) 0 Box Score and Game Log Blalock Dominates, Shuckers Steal Six Bases in 4-0 Shutout Win - Seminaris picks up first career save, Biloxi snaps four-game skid Speaking of pitchers and 40-man roster status, RHP Bradley Blalock already has a home on the Crew's 40-man. Blalock, the reward for dealing an ineffective Luis Urias to Boston last spring, has been brilliant in his first two AA starts. This is his age-23 season (not 24 until December), so Blalock's lack of experience (only 171 pro innings thanks to the pandemic and Tommy John surgery) means we should hold off on an Am-Fam Field debut until September at the earliest, regardless of said 40-man status. Brock Wilken's IL stint is the Shuckers' first transaction of 2024. The current Biloxi roster doesn't scream obvious everyday replacement - Eduardo Garcia brought in from his CF transition? Zavier Warren started 43 games at the hot corner in 2023, and there should be a backfill announced soon from elsewhere in the system. Going back a day on the pre-game audio, be sure to invest six minutes here: Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes (download link) Final, Game One: Wisconsin 1, South Bend (Cubs) 0 Box Score and Game Log Wisconsin Holds on for 1-0 Win in Game 1 at South Bend - Rattlers win fifth straight game with victory to start doubleheader With my New England lifelong residency, I can tell you that Bryant University is in Smithfield, Rhode Island. It was the college home for New Jersey native Brett Wichrowski, the Crew's 13th round pick last summer. And you'll be hearing a lot about Brett Wichrowski in many Link Reports to come. Wichrowski (and we can all look forward to a someday Misiorowski / Wichrowski big-league doubleheader combo) has walked one and K'd nine in his first pro seven innings. Throw in the "ooh's and ahh's" Wichrowski generated in a perfect high-octane inning in a Maryvale spring training appearance with the big boys, and let's say the early buzz seems justified. Playing first base, Mike Boeve walked twice and scored the game's lone run. By the end of the evening (there's a teaser), Boeve's on-base percentage through seven games is .567. Final, Game Two: South Bend 2, Wisconsin 1 Box Score and Game Log Rattlers Win Streak Ends on Late Cubs Homer in Game 2 - Rojas hits two-run homer in sixth to send South Bend past Wisconsin Boeve moved across the diamond to the hot corner in the nightcap and thus tingles our "will he join the Shuckers to backfill Brock" senses. Boeve singled twice and walked, reaching all three times, thus reaching that gaudy OBP above. RHP Will Rudy made 18 appearances with Carolina in a very solid 2023, all starts, and his debut with Wisconsin was fine here, 4.2 scoreless, three singles allowed, two walks. It was 56 degrees to start the opener, 51 for the nightcap, you can't really cite brutal weather for the combined four runs scored between both teams over 14 innings of baseball. Oh, if you want to watch the Cubs' home run that spoiled all the fun, click here. Final, Game One: Carolina 6, Down East (Rangers) 0 Box Score and Game Log Final, Game Two: Carolina 2, Down East 0 Box Score and Game Log Mudcats Shut Wood Ducks Out in Both Doubleheader Games - Carolina allows just four hits over both games in sweep I'm sure it's happened before, but I'd be hard-pressed to name exactly when a Brewers affiliate authored the double whitewash. Prepare to be impressed over the next three minutes, courtesy of Baseball America's Josh Norris -- Not to be outdone, 20-year-old RHP Yujanyer Herrera (21 in August) absolutely dazzled in relief of Knoth in the opener, 4 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 9 K. Herrera faced just two over the minimum, as one of his K's was the result of a wild pitch allowing a K victim to reach. Herrera walked 47 in 79.1 IP in Carolina in 2023, so if the outstanding control here foreshadows well, awesome to see. While we're on the pitching crusade, nice work by both K.C. Hunt and Harrison Durow, ages 23 and 22, respectively, with a combined 4.1 frames of scoreless work. The Brewers seem set up to follow their prior pitching assignments for the Mudcats - allow the very young and more highly regarded amateur-credentialed hurlers to establish themselves in the rotation and have the relatively older arms begin their journeys as potential bullpen stalwarts. Keep an eye on: Cooper Pratt was on his way to a big Game One - two singles and a sacrifice fly. He would steal second base in the 5th, was stranded, but then exited to begin the 6th inning. Pratt would not appear in the nightcap. I may have missed it, there wasn't a mention of the cause in the MiLB.TV broadcast replay I just sampled. Kay-Lan Nicasia swiped three bags and is now 4-for-4 in that regard on the young season. Nicasia stole 27 bases in 34 attempts last year. We've recovered from Mother Nature's prior postponements, and we have a very traditional Saturday schedule with four single games, each with mid-to-late afternoon starts. RHP Tyler Woessner should be taking the mound for the Shuckers in Pearl, Mississippi around the same time the Brewers-Orioles game wraps up, so utilize the convenient MiLB audio links page to catch Javik Blake for that one. I'll visit with you again Sunday AM! 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

More from Friday 4/12: Via 97.3's "The Steve Czaban Show": Paul Wagner Via WSCO's "The Show with Leo and Balky (Hour One): Jack Stern of "BrewerFanatic" (go to the 32:45 minute mark) And because he's facing the Crew Sunday: *** Postgame shows after whipping the O's 11-1 at Camden Yards- Via WTMJ: Dom Cotroneo hosts Via 97.3's "Baseball Postgame Show": - "The Crew continue their winning ways with a beat down of the O's tonight. Tempers ran high, Yelich leaves with an injury and Freddy throws a gem! Tim Allen is in to discuss and take your calls. Hunter Baumgardt joins in on the fun!"

Friday 4/12: Via the new BrewerFanatic Podcast: "Jack Stern and Spencer Michaelis discuss the series against the Mariners, as well as the one against the Reds. They talk about how the Brewers will stabilize their pitching staff, whether the offensive output is sustainable, and they also shine a light on a couple of under-appreciated position players. Jack and Spencer also review the first week of minor league play and cover some of the standouts in the farm system, on both sides of the ball, thus far." Via WTMJ's Morning News (Download Link): Brewers President of Business Operations Rick Schlesinger Via Glenn Clark Radio in Baltimore: Vinny Rottino (go to the 28:50 minute mark) Reviewing the Brew's" Cold Brew Podcast: "Dave Gasper and Matt Carroll break down the Brewers hot start to the 2024 season, including great performances on offense. Brice Turang has taken a quantum leap, Jackson Chourio is playing well to start his career, and there's a big series this weekend against the Orioles with some juicy storylines. Also, why don't the Brewers get a PPI draft pick for Chourio?" Locked on Brewers: "The Brewers and Reds will likely battle it out the rest of the season in the NL Central. The Brewers have the early upper hand. But there is a long way to go. Chuck Freimund from "Locked on Brewers" and Jeff Carr from "Locked on Reds" hooked up to talk about their teams!"

For MiLB.TV subscribers - go to the 02:42:30 hour/minute mark here. Yes, Wilken walked himself off after two-plus minutes on the ground, most of which was in a crouched catcher position with his face buried to ground level. The Shuckers' trainer provided a towel which Wilken continued to hold to his face as he walked off. There was blood, but not a gushing amount, and it's unclear if it was from nose or mouth. However, and what made the video so compelling, it that the 94 MPH fastball literally broke and snapped off the protective ear flap from the helmet! I have never seen that. You see a portion of the flap still on the helmet with jagged edging, and the snapped off piece is clearly lying there next to Wilken. The Mississippi Braves' announcers were definitely concerned, and the close-up camera work throughout was top-notch, helpful but frightening. The announcers speculated that the piece of the flap that snapped off was what caused the bleeding and damage to Wilken's face. Surely Wilken must have been run through concussion protocol, but to my very untrained eye this was more a matter of Brock being shocked by how this went down, and dealing with the pain and blood. Best wishes as we wait for an update...

Re: Brewers Weekly; Here is the WTMJ article Dom wrote that he refers to during the show.

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 scores

Thursday 4/11: Via WTMJ's Morning News (Download Link): SVP, GM Matt Arnold Via 97.3's Drew & KB (Hour Two): Paul Wagner, former Brewers pitcher and Wisconsin native (go to the 29:25 minute mark) Via WTMJ: Dom Cotroneo hosts "Brewers Weekly") - "Dom breaks down the Brewers start to the season after the first 11 games and previews the upcoming series against the Orioles."

VIDEO: Dylan O'Rae of Wisconsin steals three bases in one game