This 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 scores
Monday 8/21:
Via WTMJ's "Brewers 360" (download link): Sophia Minnaert
Via WTMJ's Afternoon News (download link): Lane Grindle
Via 97.3's Drew & KB: Corbin Burnes
Via 97.3's "Nine2Noon Show": Tim Allen (go to the 31:00 minute mark)
This thread will be utilized for any minor league news Monday, lineup updates, etc.
Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores
Sunday 8/20:
Latest Milwaukee Tailgate Podcast - "This week, Spencer joined Jaymes and Ryan to discuss what turned out to be a good road trip, Rowdy Tellez's return, September roster expansion and how the Texas heat got to the Brewers broadcasters."
Via the Journal Sentinel Podcast: "What a curious week for the Brewers. The offense looked punchless against the Dodgers in a sweep but then came back and thumped powerful Texas on the road. The Brewers are a first-place club that just came through a brutal stretch of the schedule, but which team is the real one? Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe look at the tale of two series, a renewed Tyrone Taylor, Willy Adames possibly turning a corner, Sal Frelick saving the day, and yes, one more look at whether or not Keston Hiura could make a legitimate difference (or just a minor one). Plus: Rowdy's back, Freddy's on fire and Adrian Houser looks strong in two starts.
Remembrew When looks back at crazy lost leads in the ninth inning in a week where one nearly snuck up on the Brewers again, and Curt Blanche tackles a celebrated corner of ballpark cuisine.
Then, Curt chats with Andruw Monasterio, who's been one of the better success stories of the season for the Brewers as the starting third baseman. From his humble start in minor-league ball to rooming with a couple other big-time Venezuelan prospects in the Brewers organization to seizing his moment at the big-leagues."
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Postgame Shows for Brewers 6-2 sweep-completing win over the Rangers --
WTMJ with Dom Cotroneo: - Craig Coshun is the guest
Via 97.3's Baseball Postgame Show - Tim Allen hosts
Locked on Brewers with Chuck Freimund - "Brewers Down the stretch we come!"
On the very weekend when I lead off a Link Report plugging how valuable our daily “as-it-happens” thread is, inviting others to discover it, we have to hide a dozen+ posts between two posters who should know better on forum etiquette. Please do not let this happen again, or there will be some temporary "vacations" from forum posting rights assigned. Thank you.
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Via Foul Territory:
"Scott Braun and Erik Kratz chat with MLB.com Pipeline Reporter Jonathan Mayo about Brew Crew super prospect Jackson Chourio. Could the phenom help the big league ball club for the stretch run?
Plus, Walker McKinven breaks down his extremely long title (Associate Pitching, Catching and Strategy Coach) and explains how Milwaukee has cultivated a stellar catching pipeline. He dives into William Contreras' surge this season being a combination of club cultivation and good fortune."
This 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
To be honest, there haven't been many wipeout downer days in the Milwaukee system in 2023, but Saturday sure qualified. Nashville scored one run on three hits. Biloxi scored one run on five hits. Carolina was shut out, managing just three knocks. Wisconsin scrambled to tie their game late, but immediately went down in walkoff fashion. Even the two DSL teams lost with a combined eight base hits. Yikes. There was good news in Arizona, as our heading here indicates. Stay with us though, as you know we'll provide useful info below despite the muck.
TRANSACTION:
Final: Charlotte (White Sox) 5, Nashville 1
Via the Sounds' site, we encourage readers to review each of the affiliate write-ups as part of your season-long Link Report routine:
Sounds Drop Saturday Night Contest to Charlotte - Right-hander Junk hit with loss in 5-1 defeat despite 7.0 quality innings
The game summary via Nashville's staff took the proper tact, highlighting RHP Janson Junk's starting effort. Relievers Clayton Andrews and Luis Contreras did not keep the score within reach.
Keston Hiura, Skye Bolt and Payton Henry were spectators. For those participating, stat-padding was negligent, Jahmai Jones reached twice (HPB, BB). Cam Devanney's double and run scored courtesy of Brian Navarreto's base knock gave the sellout crowd a brief moment in the 9th.
With Victor Caratini on the verge of MLB free agency, will the Brewers entice either Payton Henry or Navarreto to re-up on an enhanced 2024 minor league deal? Navarreto already had done that last winter. They may wish to add one backstop to the 40-man roster and not carry just William Contreras entering the offseason. Navarreto's defense, as we've long known, is sublime:
Final: Mississippi (Braves) 3, Biloxi 1
Via the Shuckers' site:
Shuckers Fall to M-Braves, 3-1, in Pitcher's Duel - M-Braves score three early runs, hold off Shuckers rally in the ninth
Could almost have copied-and-pasted from the Sounds report above. Felix Valerio grounded out with the tying run on base to end the game, so the 9th inning drama was a bit more palpable than in Nashville, but once again, the only run scored by the good guys came in the too-late final frame.
RHP Christian Mejias is still filling a rotation spot because he's seemingly healthy and well, there are innings to fill. At least RHP James Meeker is back in his most-effective relief role, and he saved more damage to Mejias' line with two bases-loaded strikeouts upon entering in the 5th.
When weather is the most interesting aspect of a game:
Going to be fascinating to see how RH starter Jacob Misiorowski fares against the same opponent within six days when he's on the rubber on Sunday.
Final: Cedar Rapids 6, Wisconsin 5
Via the Timber Rattlers' site:
Wisconsin Rallies to Tie Only to Fall in Ninth Inning at Cedar Rapids - Kernels walkoff victory gives them third straight win over Rattlers
Pre-Game Media Notes (Download Link) via the team's Virtual Press Box
Let's get this note from the game summary out of the way:
Jesse Winker concluded his final rehab appearance with the Timber Rattlers by going 1-for-3 on Saturday night. He was 5-for-13 in the four games at Cedar Rapids.
OK, enough of that, on to Nashville for Winker.
Unlike their predecessors in this report, the Wisconsin 9th inning rally was fruitful, extending the game.
Brock Wilken (two singles, RBI) and Mike Boeve (double, one of four for the T-Rats) continue to assimilate nicely.
Newcomer RHP Bradley Blalock's three Wisconsin starts have been perfectly middling, as his game log indicates.
Final: Kannapolis (White Sox) 3, Carolina 0
Carolina Offense Shutdown in 3-0 Loss - The first-place Mudcats saw their second half lead drop to 3.0 games following the shutout loss
"The loss, combined with a Lynchburg Hillcats victory in Fayetteville, cut Carolina’s lead in the Carolina League North second half standings to 3.0 with 22 games remaining this season."
Hmmm, that's a little too close for comfort, the memories of 2022 collapses and to a lesser extent, 2023's first half, rings a bit too clear. Mettle about to be tested.
RHP Logan Henderson is fascinating to so many of us because he looks so unlike most of the arms in baseball, with his lower half carrying him. It works, and until it doesn't, who are we to dismiss.
Final: ACL Brewers 8, ACL Guardians 4
Playoff berth clinched!
Via my co-worker @damuelle:
Good team effort in the 8-4 victory over ACL Guardians. Six different players with an RBI. Cooper Pratt reached base four times. Eric Brown Jr. homered for the 2nd straight game.
The pitching did enough, though nobody stood out in particular. Brailin Rodriguez threw 2 scoreless innings for the win, Blake Whiting K’d 2 of 3 batters faced in the 9th inning.
Anthony Perez gets a special shout-out for coming in and getting Jaison Chourio (yes, as we've discussed previously, Jackson's very talented younger brother) to pop out with the bases loaded and the game 7-4 in the 8th inning.
Arizona Complex League Standings
We'll have to wait to see how exactly things shake out for the postseason (three division winners plus one wild card to face off in one-game battles?). One more regular season game remains, on Monday.
Waiting, because MiLB does not include the rookie complex leagues in their Playoff Procedures Breakdown.
Final: DSL Pirates Gold 4, DSL Brewers #1 Squad 1, seven innings as scheduled
Via loyal poster @sveumrules:
Yophery Rodriguez and Pedro Tovar with the lone hits while Gery Holguin walked twice and Brian Sanchez walked and got plunked.
Lots of scoreless pitching lines including Esmir Suarez (3 IP | 1 H | 2 BB | 2 K), Yonawil Florimon (1.2 IP | 1 BB | 2 K), Argenis Aparicio (1 IP | 1 K) and Roman Perez (1 IP | 2 K).
Final: DSL Mets Blue 5, DSL Brewers #2 Squad 3
Again, via loyal poster @sveumrules:
Demetrio Nadal (2-3, BBx2, SB but also CSx2), Roderick Flores (2-4, 2B, SB), Luis Lameda (0-3, BBx2), and Danny Puerta (0-2, BBx2) were all on multiple times while Christopher Vasquez had a big two RBI single.
Justin Caceres gets pitcher of the game with two scoreless innings and 1 H | 2 BB | 2 K with Pedro Quintana working around 1 H | 2 BB to throw a scoreless frame of his own.
Each DSL Team has two games remaining, one each on Monday and Tuesday.
We'll get Jacob Misiorowski Biloxi updates in the midst of the Brewers' big-league game today. All four full-season affiliates are in action, and if you're seeking an evening escape, Eric Lauer and the Sounds start that game at 6:05 Central. Have a fine Sunday, 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
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LHP Nick Bennett and Manager Mike Guerrero are the most recent additions to the Biloxi pre-game audio site.
Saturday 8/19:
Postgame Shows for Brewers 6-1 win over Texas --
Via 97.3's Baseball Postgame Show - Tim Allen hosts
WTMJ with Dom Cotroneo: - Craig Coshun is the guest
3 hours ago, Mass Haas said:Friday 8/18:
Postgame Shows for Brewers 9-8 nailbiter in Arlington --
Via 97.3's Baseball Postgame Show - Tim Allen hosts
38:00 minute mark for Pat Murphy's weekly visit with Tim
Friday 8/18:
Postgame Shows for Brewers 9-8 nailbiter in Arlington --
Via 97.3's Baseball Postgame Show - Tim Allen hosts
WTMJ with Dom Cotroneo: - Jeff Cirillo is the guest
We realize it'll take a couple of extra minutes of your time, but one of the aspects of our Minor League coverage that we enjoy and are proud of is the nightly thread on our Minor League Forum in which many of our posters participate, chiming in with relevant observations and statistical tidbits in a near "as-it-happens' environment. So, if you visit our daily Link Reports like this one directly from, for instance, my Twitter posts, please consider keeping up with our threads, chiming in if you wish, but taking it in, even if it is next-day and after the fact. I promise you'll learn things daily that we won't necessarily have the room to incorporate into the official report. Here was Friday night's thread. That being said, let's rock this report because it was a pretty sweet night on the farm!
TRANSACTION:
- LHP Justin King placed on High-A Wisconsin’s 7-day injured list retroactive to August 17
Final: Nashville 5, Charlotte (White Sox) 1
Via the Sounds' site, we encourage readers to review each of the affiliate write-ups as part of your season-long Link Report routine:
Gasser Gem Gives Sounds Third Straight Win - Left-hander strikes out 10 with no walks in 5-1 win over Charlotte
I have not investigated it, but surely somewhere the Padres' fan websites are lamenting the loss of LHP Robert Gasser in the infamous Josh Hader trade.
Speaking of transactions, trades, etc., check out page 14 of the Sounds' Media Notes linked above. Your head will spin as the tiny font transaction list is about to require a third column.
One of the first things that will strike you upon reading the game summary is:
Charlotte Knights (42-76, 7-36 in the 2nd half)
Maybe we should visit the ChiSox minor league fan sites. That must be one messed up AAA clubhouse.
The Brewers' starting rotation down the stretch is veteran enough and effective enough that the instances when a four-or-five inning true long reliever is needed should be few. Unless Adrian Houser truly blows up Sunday or beyond, a debuting Gasser likely wouldn't be required at the big-league level in September. Gasser also has enough innings in, so that an Arizona Fall League stint seems unlikely. For nearly the rest of MLB, Gasser would be guaranteed a callup soon, certainly for every non-contender right now. It will be fascinating to watch how Gasser's service time is handled regardless. One could envision him being on the Opening Day 2024 roster and thus eligible for draft pick compensation with a stellar rookie campaign as per the new CBA. Regardless, the words from Brewers brass expressing their thrilled status upon his acquisition (remember, from High-A ball no less) ring true.
OF Tyler Naquin is 3-for-27 with zero walks and 12 K's since his trade to the White Sox.
The challenge system!
That's one of eight(!) video highlights via the Sounds' Twitter ("X") feed, including the contractually-obligated-to-mention KestDaddy base knock. We'll include one more here in appreciation of the pretty production work:
Final: Biloxi 12, Mississippi (Braves) 3
Via the Shuckers' site:
Shuckers Smash Their Way to Fifth Straight Win - Biloxi hits three home runs, pounds out 13 hits in 12-3 win over M-Braves
This team is hitting its stride despite the bump to AAA of Tyler Black. Really cool how all the affiliates track so closely 2023 milestones vs. their franchise marks. Young Voice of the Shuckers Javik Blake is very good in making those references, as he did here: "In the sixth, (Jackson) Chourio drove in his 74th RBI of the year on a fielder’s choice, tying Corey Ray’s single-season franchise record."
Video, did we say video? Dead heat as Biloxi matches Nashville with eight highlights on the night, catch them here. Keep in mind Wes Clarke was featured by the organization earlier in the day before poking his 20th.
Do starting pitchers get walk-out songs? I don't think so. But TJ Shook made 13 relief appearances earlier this season, and hopefully his home appearances featured this (maybe his parents helped).
Every Shucker with at least one hit, and five reached base three times. That'll make for a happy postgame spread.
Night off for Jeferson Quero and red-hot OF Carlos Rodriguez.
97 degrees at first pitch in Pearl, MS where 2,210 fans came disguised as empty seats, as per the linked highlights. Humidity must be brutal as well.
Final: Cedar Rapids 6, Wisconsin 4
Via the Timber Rattlers' site:
Cedar Rapids Sends Wisconsin to a 6-4 Loss - Rattlers give up five two-out runs to take another tough defeat
Pre-Game Media Notes (Download Link) via the team's Virtual Press Box
What is it about the Minnesota organization that has their High-A team specifically pretty much phenomenal year after year? Here's a bit of backstory as to the nice name of their ballpark "Rise 2 Greatness Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium".
Fans of the MLB Brewers (I imagine that's nearly all of you reading) have trouble seeing a landing spot back in Milwaukee for rehabbing Jesse Winker. Winker is laser-focused on his current task, it appears:
Time for 26-year-old RHP Sam Gardner to make his way to Biloxi to allow a Carolina arm his turn in Appleton.
It appears the season paths for RHP's Cameron Wagoner and Tyler Woessner are criss-crossing, given Wagoner's summer resurgence and a bit of Woessner slippage of late. Tyler did have a 3.27 ERA in four July starts, so it hasn't been a disaster by any means. Starting pitchers on the minor league level do have it pretty good in terms of their workloads, pretty sure they'd like to pitch more than once a week (except for every 5th week where they may start both ends of the weekly six-game series). Golf games must be solid.
It's quite seamless how Brock Wilken and Mike Boeve have just slid into the 3-4 spots in the lineup after skipping over Carolina. Again, fault me on the lack of thorough research, but I wonder if there's another 2023 draft duo currently toiling similarly at the High-A level.
Absolutely no video production out of Cedar Rapids, that must drive our friends over at Twins Daly bonkers.
Final: Carolina 8, Kannapolis (White Sox) 6, ten innings
First-Place Mudcats Win Thriller, 8-6 in Kannapolis - Jace Avina robbed a game-winning homer in the ninth to force extras in Carolina’s 10-inning victory
Let's just get right to it - and watch the two little boys as they realize they won't be getting a souvenir -
It's a signature moment in a signature game in what may become a signature season. Maintains a four-game second-half division lead. The little bobble just adds to the fun and the moment.
Yet another game in which every Mudcat had at least one base hit. In fact, of the 36 players in full-season starting lineups Friday, only five went without a hit and only three (sorry Patrick Dorrian, Owen Miller, and Joe Gray, Jr., because you each have had shining moments in 2023) did not reach base at all.
That's one heck of an A-Ball debut for 20-year-old Venezuelan RHP Yorman Galindez, who netted the deserved win. With a 1.70 WHIP while in Maryvale, the 2nd-year pro wasn't an obvious promotion candidate, but he made Brewers brass look brilliant here.
Dylan O'Rae is a Valentine's Day baby, and boy, do we love the 19-year-old. (OK, that's corny.) O'Rae has come to the plate 209 times in 2023. He has an OBP of .512. He reached base five times Friday and added a key sacrifice fly for good measure. His three steals in this game make him 34-for-36 in attempts this season. Oh, he's the mosquito other teams will look to eradicate throughout his pro journey.
Never been to Kannapolis, North Carolina (just north of Charlotte), but my, this would have been a great game to attend. More highlights for you here.
Final: ACL Mariners 7, ACL Brewers 4
It was Cooper Pratt's 19th birthday for this one, and he doubled and singled while manning both middle infield spots while Eric Brown Jr. took part in rehab game #2. Pratt is 11 games into his pro career, and while we await the first long ball, the 6'4" 6th rounder (forever to be referred to as "6th round steal Cooper Pratt", we hope) is doing fine with an .830 OPS.
Speaking of Brown, he pulled a HR to left in the first inning and would later walk and steal a base.
The bullpen did 2023 college picks LHP Tate Keuhner and RHP Josh Timmerman no favors, as the two had combined for shutout ball through the first four frames.
A-Crew plated four runs despite stranding ten (0-for-7 RISP).
The Maryvale regular season ends on Monday, and today's afternoon tilt is the club's next-to-last game. The men have a 2.5 game lead over the ACL Reds, and it appears that the Cincinnati team is playing on Tuesday, meaning that the division crown for the first-place Brewers can be locked up with a single win or Reds' loss. A playoff game awaits (hopefully)!
Final: DSL Brewers #1 Squad 2, DSL Reds 2, six innings
Looks like this one will go down as a tie that counts in the standings and stats (it can happen).
"The last time that an MLB game ended in a tie was in 2016 between the Pirates and the Cubs. The game was postponed because of the weather. Towards the end of the season, it was determined that the game no longer needed to be played as the outcome would not affect the postseason picture positively or negatively.
The Cubs ended the season with the best record in the National League and the Pirates had been eliminated from playoff contention. If the game would have had an impact on the playoff standings then they would have resumed the game and played until a winner had been determined. The statistics accumulated in the game did count."
The Dominican League ends its schedule this coming Tuesday. Brewers Team Uno is now 25-25-1.
The biggest beneficiaries of stats counting here are 17-year-old RHP Enniel Cortez, whose amazing season continued (0.88 WHIP). Also, another 17-year-old, switch-hitting infielder Luiyin Alastre with a double and single,
Cancelled: DSL Guardians Red at DSL Brewers #2 Squad, rain
Team Dos' record remains at 21-30.
Standard seven games for a Saturday, with afternoon action in Arizona and we hope for a dry day on the island. Flip over to our as-it-happens discussion over on the Minor League Forum this evening after Freddy Peralta beats down the Rangers in the mid-afternoon matinee.
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
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This 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
Thursday 8/17:
Via 97.3's Mike Heller Show: Vinny Rottino (go to the 01:27:45 hour/minute mark)
Via WSCO's "The Show with Leo and Balky (Hour One): Matt Carroll from "Reviewing the Brew" (go to the 31:45 minute mark)
Via the "Inside Wisconsin Show": Extended chat with Vinny Rottino (the YouTube version is here)
Via Reviewing the Brew's" Cold Brew Podcast: "Road Trips And Disappointment"
Via the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) Podcast: Theresa Lau, Milwaukee Brewers Assistant Athletic Trainer & Physical Therapist
Interesting extended chat with Theresa, if you enjoy it as well, then visit the June archive here:
Via the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) Podcast: Dave Yeager, Milwaukee Brewers Assistant Athletic Trainer
***
Postgame Shows for Brewers 1-0 series-ending loss (swept away in LA) --
Via 97.3's Baseball Postgame Show - Tim Allen hosts
Locked on Brewers with Chuck Freimund - "The Milwaukee Brewers - throwing it back"
WTMJ with Dom Cotroneo: - Jeff Cirillo is the guest
This 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
Infielder Freddy Zamora and LH reliever Luis Amaya are the most recent additions to the Biloxi pre-game audio site.
Via the "Barrel Banter Podcast": Extended chat with Voice of the Biloxi Shuckers Javik Blake discussing Jackson Chourio, Jeferson Quero, Jacob Misiorowski and more
Wednesday 8/16:
Via 97.3's Drew & KB: Paul Wagner (go to the 46:50 minute mark)
Via WSSP's Steve "Sparky" Fifer: Tim Dillard
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Postgame Shows for Brewers 7-1 defeat at the hands of the Dodgers --
Via 97.3's Baseball Postgame Show - Tim Allen hosts
Locked on Brewers with Chuck Freimund - "Can the Brewers be less interesting in this series?"
WTMJ with Dom Cotroneo: - Jeff Cirillo is the guest
Thursday 8/17:
Via WTMJ's "Brewers 360 (Download Link)": GM Matt Arnold
Via 97.3's "The Steve Czaban Show": Jeff Levering (go to the 01:28:30 hour/minute mark)
From our Minor League Forum:
Via the "Barrel Banter Podcast": Extended chat with Voice of the Biloxi Shuckers Javik Blake discussing Jackson Chourio, Jeferson Quero, Jacob Misiorowski and more
2023 Minor League Transaction Thread
in Brewers Minor League Talk
Posted
Exactly this, similar to Tristen Lutz with Biloxi recently. The new 180 player stateside limit means someone is going to go each time someone has to be activated from the 60-day IL, etc.