Article: Brewers Minor League Link Report (6/01): You Definitely Can't Win Them All

Joseph Zarr · June 2, 2022

Woof. It was definitely one of those vintage frustrating baseball nights across all lower levels. We saw struggles with RISP (several stranded bases loaded across multiple games), a rare Nashville bullpen meltdown, and opponents simply playing better in key moments. All told, we lost them all. Let's get to the recaps and back to a fresh slate of games tomorrow.

Transactions: RHP Luke Barker was optioned back to the Nashville Sounds from the Milwaukee Brewers, the Milwaukee Brewers selected the contract of RHP Jason Alexander from the Nashville Sound.

Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes

Final: Lynchburg (Guardians) 5, Carolina 3
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Mudcats' site, game details, please visit and review:

Mudcats Slip to Second After 5-3 Loss in Lynchburg - Jackson Chourio went 2-for-5 with a Home Run and a Double in the Game

It's becoming a bit of a scene where it's Jackson Chourio 's Low-A world and everyone else is just living in it. This young man has entered the scene running and tonight was no different. The Mudcats had every opportunity to win this one. They outhit the Hillcats. They had fine bullpen work on the back end. But, beyond the really good nights at the top of the order, the rest was sprinkled in. And, unfortunately, the Mudcats fell out of first place.

Further Viewing Notes:

It looked like Jefferson Figueroa had a decent chance to escape the first inning. With two down, he had runners on second and third. But, he proceeded to walk the next batter and then gave up the grand salami to clear the base paths. Just like that, the Mudcats trailed 4-0 after one complete. Those four runs would hold as the Mudcats only plated three through nine innings of play.
The Mudcats outhit the Hillcats by a decent margin: 12 to 6. But, when you go 1-for-10 with RISP it's hard to win unless your pitching staff shuts down the opponent. It was just one of those nights.
Chourio continues to mash in Low-A. Coming into tonight's match-up, he had hit safely in seven consecutive games and had gone 12-for-31 while hitting .387/.406/.452 with an .858 OPS (3 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 7 RBI) during the streak. Holy smokes. It's a matter of time before he is called up to higher levels, but for now, enjoy every moment you can in Zebulon. He added his 12th double tonight and knocked in all three runs on an opposite field line drive home run (his second of the season) to bring the Mudcats within 4-3. What a revelatory prospect this young man is! And, that is now eight consecutive games with hits.
On the other end of the spectrum, after tonight's game, Arbreris Ferrer has now struck out at least once in 27 consecutive games. ?
After winning the Southern League's 'Player of the Week' last week, Hedbert Perez unfortunately didn't look the part in tonight's contest. He finished his day 0-for-4 and looked fairly over-matched in his two strikeouts. He'll try to regain last week's rhythm tomorrow.
Arbert Cipion continues his incredible output in 2022. Another great night at the plate in the lead-off spot set the tone: 3-for-5 with a run and let's not forget the outfield assist! It's been a joy to watch his growth this season.
Going step for step at the plate was Eduardo Garcia in the two-spot of the batting lineup. Garcia finished a nice night at the plate going 3-for-5 with a run as well. The top of the order was fantastic overall.
Lastly, let's recognize the fine bullpen work of 20-year-old Miguel Segura who pitched three scoreless innings of two walk, one hit ball. He tacked on three strikeouts. Most impressive was escaping trouble in the eighth. After walking the first batter, advancing the base runner on a wild pitch, and walking the next batter, Miguel managed to strike out two consecutive batters and ended the inning with a harmless groundout to the first base side. He gave his team a chance and that's all you can ask from the bullpen. Well done, Miguel. Fine work on the evening.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes

Final: Peoria (Cardinals) 6, Wisconsin 0
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers' site, game details, please visit and review:

Peoria Shuts Out Wisconsin 6-0 - Rattlers Held to Three Hits on Wednesday Afternoon

Zavier Warren hit his Midwest League leading 15th double of his 2022 season. And, really, that's where the highlights stop for Wisconsin in their matinee game to open June. Joe Gray Jr. did manage to hit a single and advance to second on his 8th stolen base of the season but, all in all, this is a game the Timber Rattlers are going to want to simply move on from. Eleven strikeouts for T-Rats bats on the day, many a pop out, and Russ Smith continued his inaugural season adjustments to Minor League ball.

Get your complete game highlights here:

And, follow-up with your post-game podcast - the first since before the Cedar Rapids away series. Good stuff in here - including talk of under-appreciated Joey Matulovich, Cam Robinson, and former T-Rats making their MLB debuts: Soundcloud Link Here

Further Viewing Notes:

Russ Smith's first Minor League season is beginning to feel like a first year wide receiver in the NFL. He has the size you look for and he is a left-handed pitcher with a mix of pitches to work with, but, to date, he really hasn't found his footing in the step up from college ball. Is this just a matter of time and acclimation? Perhaps, and I would certainly hope so. But, I think it's fair to say the 29 strikeouts to 18 walks is a mild concern at this stage - or, at least it's something to notice. It's early. It's absolutely early. And, as always, the addendum is and should be: there is no need for any type of over-reaction to extremely small sample sizes and eight games is extremely small. But, it is also fair to point out: through eight starts this is not ideal second round pick output. And, that's really all there is to say. Here's to better results ahead, young man. Keep that chin up.
Zavier Warren hit his Midwest Leauge leading 15th double of the season today on an opposite field blast to the wall in left field. I continue to be impressed by his relaxed approach and easy swing at the plate. Zavier continues to be a lynch pin to Wisconsin's success.
Robbie Baker scuffled a little bit in his first inning but he settled down quite nicely and had batters reaching and flailing in his second and third innings of relief work.
Tip of the cap to Peoria's pitching staff: No walks today and only one walk through two games in the series.
With all the T-Rats injuries ongoing, it's a real challenge for acting-managers (Joe Ayrault is still shelved due to a positive COVID test) to match lefty or righty bats to pitching. The coaching staff is essentially working with what is available at present and the fact the Rattlers came into this game tied for first place is an homage to the team at large. There is not a single outfielder on the bench right now and it is almost approaching the territory of: "Well, Justin Jarvis was a two-sport athlete in high school?"?
Michael Antico didn't steal a base today, unlike yesterday when he stole three bags, but he has been an absolute thorn in the Timber Rattlers' side through two games. A bunt single and two doubles today after multiple on-base trips yesterday.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes

Final: Pensacola (Marlins) 3, Biloxi 2
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Shuckers' site, game details, please visit and review:

Reetz' Two Homers Not Enough as Wahoos Edge Shuckers 3-2 - Biloxi Bullpen Hurls 4.2 Scoreless Frames

On a night when the Shuckers managed to keep it close, it definitely seemed like they were going to pull one out miraculously in the late innings. However, with men on first and second in the ninth inning young Yeison Coca was incapable of getting the contact the team needed to claw back into a tie or take the lead. As the article above notes, the Shuckers best shot came in the sixth inning with a bases loaded one out situation. However, red hot Tristan Lutz and Cam Devanney hit nearly identical end-of-the-bat dribblers to the pitcher and first base side, respectively, resulting in zero runs across.

Further Viewing Notes:

Joey Wiemer was notably absent in the starting line-up tonight. After a classic tornado swing and miss before a strike out looking, Wiemer was pulled for a 'defensive replacement' last night in the seventh inning. However, it is worth noting: I did see Joey up and about in the Biloxi dugout casually flipping baseballs and leaning on the railing. It would appear this is merely a well-deserved rest for a young man who has been available night in and night out throughout the entire 2022 season.
Jakson Reetz continued his absolutely incredible 2022 campaign with a home run in the top half of the first inning. He followed that up with his second home run of the night in the top of the fourth inning. Both of these came off highly touted Marlins prospect, Eury Pérez. All told, that's now 12 home runs on his season - tied atop the Southern League leaderboard with Joey Wiemer. The young man is playing with renewed purpose and a chip on the proverbial shoulder after leaving the Washington organization. Do not sleep on this young stud. He's back above 0.300 at the plate and his OPS continues to stay north of 1.000. He's having just an absurd season at the plates What's more? He played left field tonight! That's the kind of athleticism he possess. Let's take a look at some mash:

Cam Devanney continues to be one of my favorite defensive infielders in the system. He has stepped in since the opening injury to Ashton McGee (now in Appleton), and thrived. He is having a resurgence at the plate in 2022, but it's his defense that continually inspires awe. Check out this web gem:
Not to be outdone in the 'outs of importance' department, look at this range and grab by the always impressive Sal Frelick in far left center. Backing up a sprawling and diving Jakson Reetz, Frelick comes up with a diving web gem of his own to preserve the 2-3 score:
All told, the bullpen really did its part going 4 2/3 scoreless innings but, unfortunately, no bats joined the Jakson Reetz parade and the Shuckers couldn't turn the tides. The Shuckers are back below 0.500 and will look to get back to an even 0.500 tomorrow.

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes

Final: Durham (Rays) 17, Nashville 4
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Sounds' site, game details, please visit and review:

Sounds Routed by Durham - Bulls Pile on to Run Away from Nashville

Unfortunately, that outlandish score is not a typo. To think, it was actually a 2-2 game through five innings. The Sounds had left many a RISP in the first five innings but, well, it's hard to say how much difference that would have made given what happened thereafter. Really, it was a bullpen meltdown and that's all there is. Tyler Herb pitched very well but for two solo home runs back-to-back in the bottom of the third. All told, Tyler pitched to the tune of five complete innings, three hits, two walks, and eight punch outs. That'll play most nights. Hats off for a heck of a rebound outing on the road.

Further Viewing Notes:

After Pablo Reyes ripped a single to center left field to start the second inning, he managed to steal second and then take third on a wild throw from the Bulls' catcher. Mark Mathias walked and Mario Feliciano proceeded to rip an extremely well-hit double under the third baseman's glove down the line and to the wall in left field. It was 1-0 Sounds. Corey Ray followed with a strike out on a full count change-up and Jonny Davis was robbed of a double on a sliding catch in right field by Durham's Jordan Qsar.
Mark Mathias rushed a throw to start the bottom-half of the second inning but was gifted a generous bounce off the wall in right field directly to the glove of Pablo Reyes preventing further damage on the base paths.
Meanwhile, Brice Turang saw six pitches early and struck out twice. And, what's more, after it was reported Wily Adames felt some minor quad discomfort after his start in Carolina, we have yet to see Mr. Adames man the field. Ruh roh, Rastro!
Tyler Herb brought his best stuff early. Through two innings he had struck out four, the ball was moving all sorts of nasty, and he had not given up a hit or a walk. A beautiful bounce-back start off his last outing where he was roughed up in a shortened start.
Through three innings the Sounds had the first five hits of the game - all off of Durham starter Kevin Herget. However, the Sounds had also struck out seven times. It was a bit of an all-or-nothing state of affairs. They stranded men on second and third after Dahl's strikeout on a high heater to close the third.
Herb was absolutely cruising in the third. He had struck out six consecutive at that point. But, one 3-0 count quickly turned into a fastball smashed high over the wall in far right field as Miles Mastrobuoni sat on a fastball. Jonathan Aranda followed with an extremely well-hit bomb over the wall in left center and it was suddenly 2-1 Durham. It felt a bit unfair and I might have said "Well, shucks!".
As comfortable as David Dahl looked at the plate last night, he looked equally uncomfortable tonight. It was one of those games where he seemed to be fooled by most pitches or simply uncomfortable in the batters box. Have I mentioned baseball is hard? On to the next, David.
On the other side of the batters box, and continuing to look extremely comfortable at the plate, Mario Feliciano hit two doubles tonight in addition to an RBI single up the middle. How hot is Mario? He's batting .453 (24-for-53) with seven runs, four doubles and eight RBI in his last 13 games. My goodness.
It was a 2-2 ball game as I've said. And, actually, the Sounds were outplaying Durham through five innings even though the score didn't tell that tale. What's more, the Sounds had stolen three bags for the eighth time this 2022 season. And, so it goes.
One of the inevitable by-products of promotions happening from within a lights out pitching staff is promotions coming from elsewhere within the system. The two innings of bullpen meltdown from recent Biloxi Shuckers Nick Bennett, Zach Vennaro, and Andy Otero turned a 2-2 game into a 16-2 shellacking. Sometimes you don't have it. And, sometimes you really don't have it. Bennett made his Triple-A debut lasting a mere 2/3 of an inning walking four and giving up four runs. Let's hope for better stuff in future outings.
And, at the time, it felt so promising:
And, my, how quickly the tune changed:
However, we got to see the fine work of recent Catching call-up, Nick Kahle, on the hill as he came aboard for the eighth inning:
Nick did give up a home run, but, all told, a fine fine outing and that home run was overrated. Even though it counted for a run it felt like Nick earned one himself.
Let's run out of those locker rooms gentlemen. Let's burn some sage in that club house. And, let's get back at it tomorrow!

That's a wrap for my Minor League reports for this beautiful first week of June. We are back to all night games for our affiliates tomorrow where Josh Lindbolm will take the hill for Nashville, Brandon Knarr for Wisconsin, and TJ Shook gets his second start for Biloxi in Pensacola (Carolina starter TBD). That's some fine young arms taking the hill (Josh, you're still in your 30's - that's young to me. We'll give you the nod too ?). As always, thanks for reading and let's continue to support and enjoy our young prospects as they work their ways in the 2022 season.

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