Article: Brewers Minor League Link Report (6/29): Yeah, I'm goin' to Jakson, Look out Jakson town

[Joseph Zarr]

Kudos to any of you Johnny Cash fans.

Given his 2022 season and tonight's two-run walk-off blast over the wall in left field (that probably left many in my farmhouse wondering what all the hootin' and hollerin' was about), Jakson Reetz did it again. It's hard to fathom the depth of 2021 Minor League Free Agent signings impacting the Brewers organization in 2022. Speaking of which, Andruw Monasterio (signed in November of 2021) began his Shuckers career 6-for-6 with a 2-for-2 start to tonight's contest including a two-run blast in the first inning. That doesn't even sniff at Jonny Davis, Jason Alexander, Abraham Almonte, Jon Singleton, Tyler White, Tyler Herb, Trevor Kelley, and Hobie Harris etc. This just in: The Milwaukee Brewers personnel and player development departments are really good at their jobs. On to the reports! 

Transactions: None Officially

Special Note: This just in (HERE) via our very own @ARobsBrewCrew:

Quote

Updates on some young Brewers farmhands in the DSL:

- ’22 signing RHP Breijher Subero has missed the early portion of the season with an elbow strain but expects to make his pro debut in the second half of the season.

- LHP Pedro Quintana, acquired May 2021 in trade with Mets for OF Billy McKinney, underwent Tommy John surgery soon after the trade and expects to make a late-season return in what will be his pro debut.

- ‘22 signing OF Manuel Vargas will miss the entire season as he recovers from a torn ACL.

*** There were no DSL or ACL Brewers Affiliate Games today...stay tuned tomorrow as the young men will be looking to get back at it. All four squads will be taking the diamond throughout the day. Until then, here's a little bit of ACL Zen:

***

Carolina Pre-Game Notes
Final:  Fayetteville (Astros) 8, Carolina 5
Box Score / Game Log                             

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

Carolina Comes up Short in 8-5 Loss to Fayetteville - The Mudcats Went 0-for-10 with Runners in Scoring Position in Wednesday's Series Tying Loss

I was hoping to see young Alexander Cornielle take the next step in his pitching development for his 2022 season. Instead, and unfortunately, I watched his worst outing of the year. All told, Alexander only made it 2 2/3 innings surrendering six runs on six hits (two 2-run HR's), three walks, and four punch outs. Let's hope he can bounce back in his next outing. Coming into this one he had been executing quite well since his maligned first outing where an error led to five runs and an early exit.

The Mudcats did attempt their best to rally back into things late with one of their patented late-inning outbursts, but, unfortunately, their ninth inning mini-rally fell short after Jesus Chirinos hit into a game-ending double play.

Further Notes:

• Not pictured above, but worthy of mention is Zach Raabe and his three walk and two run outing.
• Jackson Chourio finished 0-for-5 leaving five men on base while doing so. It's not often we see a goose egg with Chourio, but an 0-for-5 with no strikeouts is a good 0-for-5 in my book.
• Eduardo Garcia continued his recent run of excellence. From my side of the fence, his most noteworthy stat tonight is two free passes to one strikeout. His one absolutely necessary area of growth moving forward is plate discipline. This being said, he has been fantastic of late and it is awesome to witness.
• Jeferson Quero continues his offensive resurgence with a 2-for-4 outing with a walk and a run
• Hedbert Perez hit his 12th double of the season and continued his recent run of extra base hits. Here's hoping for a potent second-half!
• 0-for10 with RISP is not a number the Mudcats will want to repeat in the weeks ahead.
• It's dueling 8-5 final scores in Five County. The Mudcats took it 8-5 yesterday, the Woodpeckers 8-5 tonight. What will tomorrow bring? Stay tuned!

***

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes            

Game 1:  Cedar Rapids (Twins) 6, Wisconsin 2 
Box Score / Game Log
Game 2:  Wisconsin 3, Cedar Rapids 1
Box Score / Game Log                              

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

Game 1: Kernels Beat Wisconsin 6-2 in Conclusion of Tuesday's Game - Cedar Rapids 5-0 Lead Too Big for Timber Rattlers this Time

Game 2: Warren Homers & Jarvis Strikes Out Ten in Wisconsin Win - Timber Rattlers Take 7-Inning Game 3-1 from Cedar Rapids

Well, the T-Rats managed to win the remaining 6 innings of game 1, 2-1 but the opening 0-5 hole was too much to overcome. Miguel Guerrero and Tyler GIllies gave their all to close the game after Zach Mort's rough start the evening prior. The two combined for six innings of work with a mere single earned run allowed, two hits, two walks, and seven strikeouts. The mini two-run rally came in the bottom of the eighth as Tyler Black and Ethan Murray led the inning with back-to-back singles and were eventually plated by singles from Tristan Peters and Zavier Warren, respectively. That was all there was to it on the day, however, as both teams failed to get baserunners around third and home in the ninth inning. A special mention should be given to Tyler Gillies as he went three full scoreless and effective innings - his longest outing since 2019 and further showing his recovery process is evolving.

Game 2 was an entirely different affair altogether as Justin Jarvis returned to his dominant form completing five full innings of one hit and ten strikeout ball. Cam Robinson did his thing grabbing his 18th Save of the season in a scoreless 7th. On the offensive side of things, it was definitely a top of the order performance: 6-for-14 combined for Tyler Black, Ethan Murray, Joe Gray Jr., Tristan Peters, and Zavier Warren. Black, Peters, and Warren each plate a run with Warren providing the pop with a 2-run homer - his 4th of the season. Extra special for Zavier: his Mom and Aunt were in attendance for the games. How awesome is that?

Here's the early Tristan Peters infield single that scored the first run in the early going:

All in all, the day was about Rattlers pitching: 13 innings pitched and a mere three hits allowed. Hear ye', hear ye'. 

Keep it coming with the Cam Robinson hype. I'm here for it 24/7. ?

Your extra special Home-based Post-Game(s) podcast: Split Decision on a Positive Day (with Kyle Lobner and Chris Mehring). AND, our beloved full-game YouTube highlights:

You just have to love those Timber Rattlers Home slates! It's a real special Minor League treat to get these full-game YouTube highlights - you'd be hard-pressed to find an organization that does it better postgame than the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers organization. Given pitching was the name of the game today, let's close today's T-Rats coverage with an homage to pitching stud Antoine Kelly with a secondary special tip of the cap to T-Rats pitching coach, Will Schierholz, who truly is doing a fantastic job in 2022:

***

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes      

Final:  Biloxi  7, Mississippi (Braves) 6
Box Score / Game Log               

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

Down to FInal Strike Reetz Walk-Off Homer Stuns M-Braves - Monasterio Drives in Three While Tying Franchise Record

Andruw Monasterio began his Shuckers career a perfect 6-for-6. This tied former Shuckers Garrett Cooper (2015) and Dustin DeMuth (2016) for the Shuckers franchise record for consecutive hits.  In his first at bat, in his second game as a Shucker, he blasted a 2-run homer over the wall in left field plating Noah Campbell who led the Shuckers' first frame with a walk:

Andruw did prove his mortality by managing a fly out in his seventh at bat. A collective sigh was heard in the streets of Biloxi and children wailed at the ball park. The streak ended. BUT, alas, the game continued. Proving it isn't always how hard you hit it, Andruw later demonstrated sometimes you just need to make contact:

Victor Castaneda struggled in an abbreviated 2 2/3 start (his second intentional condensed outing since his IL return) needing 73 pitches to collect his eighth out. Taylor Floyd came on in relief and his 2 1/3 scoreless, hitless, walk-less innings helped set the tone as he passed the ball to Harold Chirino. All told, Taylor and Harold didn't strike a single batter out but they relied on their defense and the defense provided all they needed. Nash Walters came on in the eighth inning and he showcased his change-up to good effect. Nash started his year strictly working his fastball and slider but, since that time, he has added his curve and change-up to the mix. I am eager to watch his outings in the games ahead as he looks on the cusp of some dominant relief work. What will he need to do this? Locate. Locate. Locate. Still too many 1-0 and 2-0 counts. But, the stuff is there. Zach Vennaro seemed to struggle with his slider a bit tonight and with a consistently very tight strikezone he was forced to try and work his fastball to three consecutive lefty bats. Ultimately, he was done in by a two-run bomb on a pitch that called for up and in. But not enough up and not enough in:

This led to a sudden 6-5 deficit. Fear not, Jakson was in waiting in the wings.

• Jakson will get the majority of tonight's publicity, and rightfully so, but let us not overlook the work of Thomas Dillard. I've mentioned it a couple of time in my reports and I'm going to mention it again now: he's gotten better as the year has progressed. He is starting to heat up at the dish - 3-for-5 tonight - and his BA and OPS are rising as a result. 0.231 and 0.740, respectively. He stayed relevant all season with his impeccable ability to draw walks. Well, other pieces of the puzzle are starting to fit. He's a joy to watch.
• Joey Wiemer looked frustrated and uncomfortable at the plate. This is the first time I can say this to date. This will be a test of his ability to find and work his way out of this mini-slump. Several off-speed and breaking pitches were his demise tonight - he looked overeager and as though he hoped to meet and greet a misplaced fastball. He adjusted earlier in the season. I expect the same in the weeks ahead. This being said, manning center field again tonight, he made a very nice break on a shallow liner in the later innings and made the diving catch. All eyes are on you, Joey. No pressure.?
• Where for art thou Gabe Holt? For that matter, where for art thou Sal Frelick? Ahhhh, the mysteries of Minor League injuries persist. Both remain 'Active' and, yet, both remain absent. To this end, is it me or has Garrett Mitchell been on the 7-Day IL since May? I hope to see each and every one these Shuckers very soon.
• Noah Campbell's recent hitting streak may have come to an end but his offensive impact continues: 
• Ok. Let's take a peak at the view from the Hype Train. What's missing from this glorious scenery is the 1-2 count. The preceding pitch was a 91 mph fastball up and in Jakson swung on and missed violently. There's nothing like getting out ahead of an off-speed breaking pitch and carrying it deep over the wall in left field with one arm. What. A. Stud: 

***

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes      

Final:  Nashville 8, Indianapolis (Pirates) 5
Box Score / Game Log                

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

Sounds Complete Comeback to Even Series - Nashville Erases 4-0 Deficit for Come-from-Behind Win

It certainly isn't often you witness Jon Singleton drive in Tyler White via a triple. But, I swear to you: I saw this phenomenon. And, my goodness it was beautiful. Jon continued his recent run of excellent results at the plate. I love to see it. Caleb Boushley managed to work his way through a 3-run inning but ultimately gave his club five complete - not his sharpest outing but he kept his team in it and his teammates answered in kind. All told, Caleb finished his evening with five complete innings, working around seven hits and a couple walks, with six key strikeouts and the four earned runs. Not his best outing by any measure but enough to allow his team to chip back into it and ultimately ahead.

Further Notes:

• Yay for a Weston Wilson 3-for-3 outing. Man, was he due. Toss in a walk, two runs, and a rbi and Weston had to have felt some relief post-game. Here's to more production like this! He may have been slumping in recent games but let us not forget, after tonight’s three-hit evening, he's third on the Sounds ball club with 15 multi-hit games.
• An early absolutely key at bat of the game was Pablo Reyes' two-run jack. Let's take a peak (Oh, hey! That's Weston Wilson on base): 
• The unsung and consistent work of the Nashville bullpen. Is there any bullpen arm more unsung than RHP Matt Hardy? (who, by the way, just continues to get people out): 
• Patrick Dorrian with his first knock as a Sound. Congrats! It was a big insurance chopper with the infield in:
• I mentioned the Jon Singleton triple. Well, he also knocked in the go-ahead run with a single in the seventh inning. He's heating up, folks. The results may not be what he has hoped for (or fans were hoping for, more likely) but I am telling you: his impact on the field and in the clubhouse is undeniable. I'm glad he's in the Brewers organization. I have all the faith in the world in his talents.
• One of my Sounds bullpen favorites and recent Brewers call-up, Peter Strzelecki, picked up his second save with a scoreless three-strikeout ninth. When he deals, he deals. I hope to see him back with the big club at some point this season.

***

Tune in tomorrow as Israel Puello gets his first start on a Wisconsin Timber Rattler mound. Additionally, Our DSL and ACL affiliates take the diamond after a well-deserved 'day off'. Dylan File will take the Hill in Nashville, Miguel Segura at Five County Stadium, and, well, Biloxi is 'TBD'. As always, thanks for reading!

Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores

Arizona Complex League Scoreboard

Dominican Summer League Scoreboard

Standings and sortable stat pages

Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth

Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth

View full article