Jim Goulart

Perhaps it's fitting that the four Brewers affiliates split their contests on Friday the 13th. It is also that day on the calendar for the opponents after all. Let's dive into the action and learn why it was a 50-50 kind of evening on the farm. Image courtesy of Brewer Fanatic Perhaps it's fitting that the four Brewers affiliates split their contests on Friday the 13th. It is also that day on the calendar for the opponents after all. Let's dive into the action and learn why it was a 50-50 kind of evening on the farm. Transactions: RHP Jandal Gustave was recalled to Milwaukee. Gustave never actually left the big-league club after his recent option as the front office was aware Brent Suter would be going on a paternity leave. Nashville activated CF Abraham Almonte from the 7-day injured list. Almonte last played on April 23rd. Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Jacksonville (Marlins) 7, Nashville 3 Box Score / Game Log Via the Sounds' site, game details, and we encourage readers to review each of the affiliate write-ups as part of their Link Report routine: Hiura Homers Again But Sounds Fall - Multiple Nashville Rallies Fall Short in Jacksonville Oh Keston, to borrow from "Seinfeld", you are vexing. You are an enigma, a mystery wrapped in a riddle. We are enjoying your five-game stay and 1.417 OPS with the Sounds thus far. Friday night you played left field after three games at second base and one at first base. You did not strike out but have done so in six of your 19 at-bats thus far. You were caught stealing (now 0-for-2 on the basepaths with Nashville). Small 2022 AAA sample aside, Hiura will likely be with the Sounds long enough (20 days) to utilize the 2022 option in full, meaning he won't be able to be optioned in 2023. From a Milwaukee front office perspective, perhaps it's simply best if Hiura simply rakes all summer long. If Andrew McCutchen continues to middle along or is sidelined, Hiura is the logical primary designated hitter option. If he truly finds himself, Keston fills that DH role heading into 2023. But in the big picture, it's not hard to envision one of the many MLB have-nots trading for him and living with the various faults that keep Hiura a somewhat polarizing figure in Brewers circles. Pretty impressive that Jon Singleton is batting .207 but with an .859 OPS. OK, Brice Turang lining into a bases-loaded double play to end the game to cap his 0-for-5 night after so much recent success is likely a Friday the 13th moment. Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes via the Shuckers' Virtual Press Box Final: Biloxi 9, Birmingham (White Sox) 4 Box Score / Game Log Via the Shuckers' site, game details, please review: Five-Run Sixth Inning Catapults Shuckers to Win - INF Cam Devanney and C Jakson Reetz Homer in Victory Nice win, but the first thing box score browsers will notice is that pitchers came to the plate. Both Andy Otero and Arnaldo Hernandez struck out in their lone at-bats. How did this come about? Biloxi lost their designated hitter when an early Garrett Mitchell exit prompted a defensive shuffle, and the Shuckers tend to have the shortest bench of all the Brewers affiliates (this seems to be a consistent issue in recent Biloxi seasons). Mitchell left to begin the 4th inning. He made no defensive plays in the top of the 3rd nor did he come to the plate in the bottom of that inning. Hate to assume, but perhaps the exit was health-related, and you know what, to be fair, let's end the speculation right there. The Shuckers drew eleven walks in this game, and 1B Thomas Dillard grabbed three of those and was on base all five plate appearances. Dillard did commit his 6th error in 20 games at first base. Despite just a 1-for-5 night, 2B Felix Valerio stole three bases, giving him six in eight attempts. Though Mitchell, Sal Frelick, and Joey Wiemer each walked one time, they combined to go 0-for-8 on a night when the offense scored nine runs, allowing others to get the spotlight. You'll see evidence of that in the team's nicely-crafted highlight package Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes via their all-encompassing Virtual Press Box Final: Quad Cities (Royals) 8, Wisconsin 7 Box Score / Game Log Via the Timber Rattlers' site, game details, please review: Wisconsin Winning Streak Snapped - River Bandits outslug Rattlers 8-7 From Chris Mehring's summary you just devoured -- (Inheriting a bases loaded, no out situation, RHP Kent) Hasler struck out the first two batters and had a 1-2 count on Burle Dixon. Hasler pitched home and Dixon swung and missed for an apparent strike three to end the inning. However, a balk was called on Hasler, and the River Bandits scored a very important insurance run. Hasler would strike out Dixon two pitches later for the final out. Hasler's final box score line was two innings, six batters faced, six batters struck out, yet the one inherited runner who scored proved to be the deciding run in the game. Yes, Friday the 13th only impacts Brewer affiliate losses. Box scores can be so much fun to dive into regardless of outcome. Catcher Darrien Miller (four singles) and designated hitter Wes Clarke (two singles, home run) combined for four of the seven runs scored. Can we point out that yes, the Midwest League weather is finally warming up (wow, 88 degrees at gametime), but how darn impressive the OPS marks of Tyler Black (.922), Tristan Peters (.920), and Miller (.898) are given the early-season supression by otherwise frigid conditions. Yes, we're all going to have to learn to regularly spell "Tristan" and "Darrien" correctly as they climb the ranks. Manager Joe Ayrault was ejected in the 3rd inning, too bad we don't have the audio from that umpire session, as you'll want to find six minutes of time to invest in this "Mic'd Up" session with the personable skipper - Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Carolina 5, Fayetteville (Astros) 4, ten innings Box Score / Game Log Via the Mudcats' site, game details, please review: Carolina Wins Friday Night Thriller 5-4 in Fayetteville - Michele Vassalotti earned his MiLB leading sixth win of the season Five HBP's in this one, four by Mudcat hurlers. two by now 6-and-0 RHP Michele Vassalotti, who is not vulturing all these relief wins, evidenced by his 1.89 ERA, Vassalotti has only walked one in 19 innings in 2022, but he's found a way to fool the WHIP gods. He's now plunked five batters, and WHIP is not WHHBPIP because that acronym just looks silly. Nice going, Michele, as long as nobody charges the mound on you. That's now two consecutive outstanding staff-saving four-inning efforts by RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez, bouncing back after a rough start to the season. MVP for this game, to be sure. Here's my take as you review those very low batting averages and OPS marks in your daily Carolina box score. It's very cool that this very (repeat, very) young bunch - and you can add the pitchers into that ultra-youthful category - will have a chance to grow all summer long, and many of them will, several of them substantially. But even so, there's always going to be another young crop behind them, whether in Maryvale now, or part of the next draft class. How many of the current Mudcats will best be served by repeating the level in 2023? Is there a danger of moving some along without that extra development year in Zebulon? You know what, it's way too early to truly ponder that. I can remember some very veteran teams in Appleton when the Timber Rattlers were the low-A club, and they gave us some moments to enjoy, but in the end, they were a bunch of 23-year-olds with limited upside. Think we can all agree this Carolina team is unique in recent Crew affiliate history, so let's enjoy the baby steps (literally). Nice win Friday night (just ignore the 17 strikeouts for now), Fine effort in culling late-inning video from the road feed! The earliest gametime Saturday is 4:05 Central for the Mudcats. I'll be back for your Sunday AM report -- until then... Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores Links for affiliate audio Standings and sortable stat pages Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth View full article

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 Links for affiliate audio Standings and sortable stat pages Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth

Here's your final Link Report from Thursday 5/12

Thursday 5/12: Via WTMJ's "First Pitch": Rick Schlesinger, Brewers President of Baseball Operations Via WTMJ: Matt Pauley hosts "Brewers Weekly" (headline says 5/5, but it's 5/12) "Reviewing the Brew's" Cold Brew Podcast: "Christian Yelich Is Back?" *** Friday 5/13: Via the "My First Band" Podcast at the Milwaukee Record: "Tim Dillard spent part of a Brewers off day at Milwaukee Record headquarters, where he talked to My First Band host Tyler Maas about his post-retirement work in television, growing up immersed in baseball, and standout memories from his lengthy career spent largely in the minors. Dillard also talked about the role music plays on the field and in the locker room, what he listened to growing up, what he listens to now, and the time he and some teammates went to an Incubus show in Iowa after a game and got into some trouble." Locked on Brewers: "Off day fun, let's play some trivia! Brewers set to open series with Marlins"

Latest Nashville jersey auction is ongoing (Salute to Service)

Here's your final Link Report from Wednesday 5/11

Wednesday 5/11: Via WTMJ's "First Pitch": Jeff Levering Via ESPN Wisconsin's "Jen, Gabe and Chewy": Sophia Minnaert Via WSCO's "The Show with Leo and Balky: Matt Carroll from "Reviewing The Brew" (go to the 28:15 minute mark) Via WSSP's "Big Show": WSSP's Tim Allen Via WSSP: Tim Allen hosts his postgame show after the Crew drops a wild 14-11 game in Cincinnati *** Thursday 5/12: Locked on Brewers: "Yeli hits for the cycle again! ... but the Brewers drop the series to the Reds"

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 Links for affiliate audio Standings and sortable stat pages Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth

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 Links for affiliate audio Standings and sortable stat pages Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth

Here's your final Link Report from Tuesday 5/10

Thursday 5/5: Via ESPN Wisconsin's "Wilde and Tausch": Bill Schroeder *** Monday 5/9: Via WTMJ's "First Pitch": Sophia Minnaert Video via MLB Network's "Intentional Talk": Rowdy Tellez (Don't Miss This One, Great Fun!) Via WSSP's "The Ramie Show": WSSP's Tim Allen Via WSSP: Tim Allen hosts his postgame show after the 10-5 series-opening defeat in Cincinnati Via WTMJ: Matt Pauley's "Extra Innings" postgame show after the 10-5 loss to the Reds *** Tuesday 5/10: Via WTMJ's "First Pitch": Craig Counsell Brewers Unfiltered Podcast: Latest episode - Adam McCalvy, Tim Dillard and Brad Ford Locked on Brewers: "THE REDS?! Yes, the Brewers lost to the Reds. It's gonna be okay" Via WSSP's "Big Show": Tim Dillard Via ESPN Wisconsin's "Homer and Tony": Sophia Minnaert Via 97.3's Drew & KB: Bill Schroeder Via WTMJ: Matt Pauley's "Extra Innings" postgame show with Vinny Rottino after a 5-4 nailbiter in Cincinnati Via WSSP: Tim Allen hosts his postgame show after the Crew holds on to win 5-4 over the Reds *** Wednesday 5/11: Locked on Brewers: "Defense shines, Hader makes history, and the Brewers win over the Reds!"

Jeff's an excellent interviewer, and I'm hopeful many of you are listening in to each of his archived Nashville chats each and every week, we will always link here on our forum. That being said, his interview with Hitting Coach Al LeBoeuf was pretty spectacular in that LeBoeuf detailed so thoroughly what they are doing with prized prospect Brice Turang. Absolutely worth your seven minutes.

Via Jeff Hem's Blog - The five pre-game interviews from Week Four (vs. Norfolk) - Rickie Weeks, Pedro Alvarez, OF Jonathan Davis, Hitting Coach Al LeBoeuf & Manager Rick Sweet

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 Links for affiliate audio Standings and sortable stat pages Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth

Here's your final Link Report from Sunday 5/8

Sunday 5/8: Via WTMJ: Matt Pauley's "Extra Innings" postgame show after the 9-2 clunker in Atlanta Locked on Brewers: "Brewers drop a series to the Braves, let's talk about it" Via Matt Pauley's Brewers Extra Innings Podcast: Jim Goulart of Brewer Fanatic is the featured guest (hey, I know that guy!) Via the Journal Sentinel Podcast: Curt Hogg (w/JR Radcliffe) Latest Milwaukee Tailgate Podcast

Saturday 5/7: Via WTMJ: Matt Pauley's "Extra Innings" postgame show after a tough 3-2 loss in Atlanta Via WSSP: Tim Allen hosts his postgame show after defensive lapses hurt in a 3-2 loss to the Braves

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 Links for affiliate audio Standings and sortable stat pages Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth

Here's your final Link Report from Saturday 5/7

It's hard not to be impressed with the consistency we're seeing at Nashville and Wisconsin, and not just in terms of wins and losses, but overall play. The Biloxi roster is too talented to continue their current funk, one would think, but the Shuckers are in danger of being swept in a six-game series. Carolina is entertaining regardless of decision. Let's check out Saturday's action. Image courtesy of Brewer Fanatic It's hard not to be impressed with the consistency we're seeing at Nashville and Wisconsin, and not just in terms of wins and losses, but overall play. The Biloxi roster is too talented to continue their current funk, one would think, but the Shuckers are in danger of being swept in a six-game series. Carolina is entertaining regardless of decision. Let's check out Saturday's action. Transactions: INF Mike Brosseau recalled from Nashville as Andrew McCutchen hits the Covid IL. Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Nashville 1, Norfolk (Orioles) 0 Box Score / Game Log Via the Sounds' site, game details, and we encourage readers to review each of the affiliate write-ups as part of their Link Report routine: Turang's Late Base Hit Lifts Sounds Past Tides - Dylan File tosses five scoreless innings as Sounds toss fourth shutout of the year Runs were not going to be easy to come by against Baltimore stud starter Grayson Rodriguez, but Dylan File and the bullpen crew were more than up to the task in matching zeroes. File simply needs a full and productive 2022 in his 2nd option season, and he's on his way, as his 1.28 WHIP thus far matches the career mark that landed him on the Crew's 40-man roster in the first place. Brice Turang is a dude, everyone. Unfortunately, no video clip of the go-ahead knock, If Kolten Wong is counting on Milwaukee to pick up his 2023 option, well, he shouldn't be. Should Wong face any type of extended absence this summer, Turang's going to get his chance. Manager Rick Sweet and Pitching Coach Jeremy Accardo have a seemingly endless line of effective relievers they call on night after night. Year in and year out, the David Stearns/Matt Arnold combo prove just as adept at building a AAA roster as they are on the big-league level. A bit over two weeks ago, Voice of the Sounds Jeff Hem interviewed Accardo, in his first year in the organization, for the pre-game show (audio). I came away impressed with Jim Henderson's replacement. We link on our forums whenever Jeff releases his weekly collection of pre-game chats, hopefully you've been checking them out -- you can catch up on all of them here. Finally, going back to Wednesday's 4-2 Nashville win for a moment, the losing Tides relief pitcher was RHP Logan Gillaspie, the 2019 Timber Rattler who was a surprise cut by the Crew in September of that year. Gillaspie persevered, latched on with Baltimore (smart move), and may have been one of the bigger stunner 40-man roster adds in all of MLB last fall. He has a 1.61 WHIP in seven relief appearances thus far, but hey, great situation for him. Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes via the Shuckers' Virtual Press Box Final: Montgomery (Rays) 3, Biloxi 2 Box Score / Game Log Via the Shuckers' site, game details, please review: Pair of Homers Lifts Biscuits Over Shuckers 3-2 - Frelick Records Two Hits, Scores Two Runs Don't want it too, but the word underperforming is starting to sneak into our thoughts with this Shuckers squad. There was statistical evidence that the season-opening 7-0 run was a bit of a mirage, but few of us expected the performances we've seen as of late. First off, the Shuckers have played only 26 games. We're just under one-fifth of the way through the AA season. But since we can't quite write about circumstances come August, we're left to ponder performances through May 7th. Garrett Mitchell (not singling him out, but well, kind of) is 2-for-his-last-33. Joey Wiemer's .872 OPS through 26 games is pretty, but 36 strikeouts in 101 AB's included the golden sombrero on Saturday evening. Gabe Holt seems like he's lost all sorts of statistical mojo by not being a leadoff mainstay, evidenced by his .462 OPS. Thomas Dillard is fanning in nearly 45% of his at-bats. This isn't a very deep roster -- outside of the backup catchers, struggling small-samplers Noah Campbell and Ashton McGee comprise the Biloxi bench. We're never going to see thumping Southern League offensive figures (well, Prince Fielder-Rickie Weeks-Brad Nelson sure tried in 2004 for a 65-75 Huntsville Stars squad), but the league just isn't built that way, and we need to remember that. Here's hoping for some turnarounds soon. If you wish to sample the Biscuit home runs that did in the Shuckers, Lucas Erceg was victimized here and southpaw Andy Otero here. Let's end on a high note - Joey's Wiemer's bubble gum of choice is "Bazooka". Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes via their all-encompassing Virtual Press Box Final: Wisconsin 6, Fort Wayne (Padres) 3 Box Score / Game Log Via the Timber Rattlers' site, game details, please review: Wisconsin Tops TinCaps 6-3 - Gray homers and Smith earns first pro win Catcher Darrien Miller on base all four times up out of the cleanup spot. Young man just turned 21 in March. In case you missed it in our Minor League Forum or via my Twitter feed, be sure to catch this interview with the well-spoken and fun Miller. Via WSCO's "The Show with Leo and Balky: Timber Rattlers catcher Darrien Miller Six Rattlers reached base at least twice (first baseman Wes Clarke walked thrice). I failed to note yesterday that Tyler Black returned after missing just over a week of action - he had been sidelined after a collision at first base, Black quintupled his stolen base count in one game, going from one to five. Now that's a successful injury rehab! We could dig into the box score further, but it's tough to beat the combination of the Wisconsin media crew's You Tube highlight compilation and then be sure to listen in with Chris, Kyle, and their interview guests on the easily-digestible (meaning just the right length) postgame podcast. Also, this was an excellent interview, too, and after 6'9" Russell Smith's performance Saturday, a good take -- Via WSCO's "The Show with Leo and Balky: Timber Rattlers Pitching Coach Will Schierholz (go to the 14:00 minute mark) Among those discussed - LHP's Antoine Kelly, Smith and Brandon Knarr, RHP's Cam Robinson Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Augusta (Braves) 6, Carolina 5, ten innings Box Score / Game Log Via the Mudcats' site, game details, please review: Carolina Comes Up Short in 6-5 Loss in Extras - Arbert Cipion hit his second home run of the season in Saturday’s loss So the first thing we had to review was why prized shortstop Eduardo Garcia had to be pinch-run for after a line drive RBI 5th inning single. It comes at the 02:18 hour minute mark at the game archive here (for MiLB.TV subscribers). There is no video specific to Garcia running through first base or anything, and when you hear Voice of the Mudcats Greg Young Jr.'s account of the situation, it seems Garcia was not feeling well, something that was hinted at earlier in the game. That's not a definitive diagnosis, but let's hope that's all it was. Cheerio, Jackson Chourio! Two more hits for the precocious youngest player in full-season ball, because by law, the youngest player must be labeled as such, especially when the talent is shining right away. Catcher Jeferson Quero is 4-for-his-last-34, because this game is hard, folks. RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez (not to be confused with Wisconsin OF Carlos D. Rodriguez) made his 5th pro appearance ever, all this spring. He was the Brewers' 6th round pick out of Florida Southwestern State JC last July, and did not pitch in Maryvale after that draft date, The bullpen let him down on this day. We'll wrap up by sharing some positive offensive vibes -- Game start times range from noon Central to 3:33 Central Sunday (yes, 3:33, those cute folks in Montgomery). I hope everyone enjoys their Mother's Day, whether in person or in memories with their loved ones. Be sure to mix in Brewers organizational baseball! Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores Links for affiliate audio Standings and sortable stat pages Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth View full article

And via our Minor League Forum - Via WSCO's "The Show with Leo and Balky: Timber Rattlers Pitching Coach Will Schierholz (go to the 14:00 minute mark) Via WSCO's "The Show with Leo and Balky: Timber Rattlers catcher Darrien Miller

Thursday 5/5: Via WSCO's "The Show with Leo and Balky: Timber Rattlers Pitching Coach Will Schierholz (go to the 14:00 minute mark) Among those discussed - LHP's Antoine Kelly, Russell Smith and Brandon Knarr, RHP's Cam Robinson *** Via WSCO's "The Show with Leo and Balky: Timber Rattlers catcher Darrien Miller