Article: Brewers Minor League Link Report (9/7): Jeferson Quero is the H(u)ero We Need

[Joseph Zarr]

If you are wearied by the ongoing woeful performances at the MLB level, fear not, there is plenty to be excited about down on the farm.  Let's get into the reports.

Jeferson Quero , once again, did it all for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Throw a runner out on a perfect throw to second base? Check. Hit the game-winning 2-run homer in another multi-hit performance? Check. Call for the game winning off-speed pitch very much pleasing his shutdown specialist, RHP James Meeker , for a game-sealing strikeout? Check. Get this man in the Top 100 MLB prospects please. My goodness, we are witnessing greatness growing before our very eyes. 

Oh, and two other games were played (Carolina ran into the weather gods).

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Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes  (No Media Notes were offered for today's game - this is yesterday's piece for those still interested)                                     
Final: Charlotte (White Sox) 9, Nashville 8
Box Score / Game Log 
Via the Sounds' site, game details, please visit and review: Lipka's Two Homers Not Enough in Charlotte - Outfielder Collects First Career Multi-Homer Game in Loss to Charlotte

You won't see this mentioned in the post-game presser, but I've talked about quite a bit recently and, well, that's because it continues to rear its head: the struggles of LHP Ethan Small are no longer a blip on the radar. He gave up multiple leads in a very ugly outing - yet again putting his team behind the eight ball. This is now a serious problem in 2022.

At this point, we can only hope he gets the rest and reflection he needs and he continues to work tirelessly toward seriously developing and implementing his third and fourth pitches. It doesn't matter how impactful your fastball and change-up combinations are as a starting pitcher when you can't find the plate with any regularity.

All told, he completes 4 2/3 IP, 10 H, 2 BB, 5 K, 2 HR, 8 ER. His ERA moves to 4.53 on the year and his record falls to 6-6. It's been hard to watch. We can only hope he finds some semblance of his former form in the Sounds playoff push.

Three Quick Strikes:

1) It was really wonderful to see Matt Lipka bounce back from a failed opportunity to cash in on a bases loaded situation earlier in the game - it was a big moment and it ended with a fly out. It obviously would have been really wonderful if a victory could have been paired with his first career multi-homer game, but recognition is deserved as the nine-hole hitter pulled the game within one run twice as the Sounds attempted their comeback bid. It wasn't to be this night in Charlotte, but he deserves special recognition and I'm giving it here.

2) Two more walks to one strikeout for OF Joey Wiemer . I am so here for this late-season development. This is the type of batting discipline that, if carried into 2023, could completely alter his career. That's now a 15:26 K:BB ratio. I'm tracking this until it's all said and done in 2022. We know the power stroke is there. We know the defense and speed and arm are there. But, this development opens up all sorts of interesting possibilities for his impact in a lineup. May it continue into his 30's! ?

3) I could defer to discussing the up and down nature of RHP Jake Cousins in 2022 (a pivotal HR surrendered proved very costly), but rather I'll passively mention it and bounce to the games of C Pedro Severino and INF Cam Devanney. Both men provided key AB's in key spots all game long. Severino, in particular, has been very hot of late and now has seven multi-hit games for the Sounds - 3-for-4, 2 2B, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB. Devanney follows through with a huge debut (2-for-5, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 K) - including the go-ahead (at the time) two-run jack over the wall in left field

 

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Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes                                                                       
Final: Mississippi (Braves) 13, Biloxi 2 
Box Score / Game Log 
Via the Timber Rattlers' site, game details, please visit and review: Déjà Vu: Shuckers Fall 13-2 for Second Straight Night - Valerio Goes Perfect 4-for-4

Three Quick Strikes:

1) There actually was a meaningful Shuckers highlight in this one to pull the game within 5-2: 

 

At this point, a mini-rally was certainly on the menu. It was right there in the 'Appetizer' section. RHP Harold Chirino did his part with two scoreless frames. It was still 5-2 headed to the eight. And, then, well it didn't go so well.

2) INF Felix Valerio is making a mini push to end what has been a mostly frustrating 2022 campaign on a more positive note. He started his 2022 campaign quite well but has never seen the same successful output since he injured himself months ago sliding into second base. Tonight he managed a 4-for-4 outing. Considering what I witnessed in the 8th and 9th frames, I'll take it! We need some positive takeaways.

3) Keeping the good mojo rolling, I want to formally acknowledge the ongoing work of OF Garrett Whitley who continues to give it his all in Biloxi and continues to perform admirably. It can't be easy for the former first round pick to have been sent down in the first place - especially considering Nashville is deep in a playoff push. However, it's worth point out: despite the ongoing Shuckers woes, Whitley keeps showing up. He continues to showcase his speed and athleticism in the outfield and on the base paths. He's hitting at a decent clip (0.250 BA/ 0.803 OPS) and his body language continues to be upbeat and positive. I hope the recent T-Rats call-ups take notice and pick his brain.

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Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes                                                                    
Final: Wisconsin 4, Beloit (Marlins) 3
Box Score / Game Log 
Via the Timber Rattlers' site, game details, please visit and review: Quero Plays Hero with Late Home Run - Rattler Catcher's Eighth-Inning Homer Pushes Rattlers Past Beloit

With no day game tomorrow, we get a beloved Post Game Podcast 

Full Game Highlights Here:

Talk about snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. 

We have a new super prospect in town, folks, and his name is Jeferson Quero. I've been hinting at this for quite a bit, but, to see it unfolding before my very eyes in real time is just a sight to behold. He's hinted at the possibility of being an elite prospect for months. He's nibbled at it while maintaining an incredibly high floor. Well, what we're seeing at the close of the 2022 season should give each and every one of us joyous pause.

This smash was after a very questionable strike one call high and inside on a breaking ball. Quero did not like the call. He collected himself admirably. And, well, won the game. 104 mph off the bat and out of the ballpark:

Three Quick Strikes:

1) OF Jackson Chourio was dropped a spot in the batting order (3rd) to make way for rehabbing Mike Brosseau (who definitely looks healthy and ready to move back to the Brewers). All told, he struck out twice, hit into a double play, and made other inconsequential contact in a rare tepid outing for the young man - though, it should be noted he performed quite well defensively in center field. Between he and Joe Gray Jr. (batting 5th), they stranded 12 men on base going a combined 1-for-8, 3 K, 0 BB, and 1 3B. Let's at least take a look at Gray Jr's moonshot to the wall in deep right center field. I only wish he could find these swings and these types of results more often with men on base:

2) I remember a time, earlier in the Wisconsin season, when Joe Ayrault had RHP's Cam Robinson, Kent Hasler and James Meeker in his bullpen. This actually happened. A man can dream of a full-season of T-Rats baseball featuring this bullpen. Take a quick look at Meeker's 16th Save for the Rattlers here. Notice the competitive fire between he and Quero. This is everything you want as a fan of these full-season affiliates:

3) RHP Israel Puello has pitched much better in his last two outings - a more enjoyable experience all around, to be sure. But, he still has that propensity to lose his form and give out free passes. Given his unorthodox arm slot and lower velocity, like RHP Ryne Moore (who remains on the shelf), pinpoint accuracy is absolutely key to his deceptive pitching craft A prime example of what can happen when he loses the plate was his six straight balls to start the sixth inning. This led to a hanging off-speed pitch that was carried up and out over the left field wall. A 1-1 game was suddenly 3-1. He did manage to complete the fifth frame, a testament to his resilience. All told, his pitching line read 5 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 1 HR, 5 K, 3 ER. 

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Carolina versus Myrtle Beach was postponed. We'll have updated notes on if and when this game will be rescheduled (end of season and all).

 

Before we leave, however, take a quick sneak peak at RHP Fernando Olguin's latest and greatest outing for the Mudcats in the recent piggyback shutdown work off of RHP Logan Henderson's start :

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That's a wrap for me this week. We're back to an all evening slate tomorrow and my eyes will be on two young hurlers: Jacob Misiorowski in his second trip to the mound for Carolina and Alexander Cornielle looking to keep it rolling in Wisconsin. Both young guns are extremely exciting in extremely different ways. Nashville, down 0-2 in Charlotte, is still 'TBD' as is Biloxi as they trail the Braves 0-2. Tune in and support these young players as they chase their dreams. As always, thanks for reading.

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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[damuelle]

Tough to see Ethan Small get battered while throwing 101 pitches. I think the manager was forced to keep him in, as two relievers (Topa, Kelley) were sent to join the Brewers taxi squad in Colorado.

Nashville needs to turn it around over the next 4 games of this series, but Dylan File is also apparently out.

Hopefully Brice Turang returns soon. We also miss Andy Otero and it would have been nice to re-claim Angel Perdomo when the opportunity presented itself.

Let’s go Sounds!

[damuelle]

Tough to see Ethan Small get battered while throwing 101 pitches. I think the manager was forced to keep him in, as two relievers (Topa, Kelley) were sent to join the Brewers taxi squad in Colorado.

Nashville needs to turn it around over the next 4 games of this series, but Dylan File is also apparently out.

Hopefully Brice Turang returns soon. We also miss Andy Otero and it would have been nice to re-claim Angel Perdomo when the opportunity presented itself.

Let’s go Sounds!

[Joseph Zarr]

FWIW: I was not exaggerating.

[Joseph Zarr]

FWIW: I was not exaggerating.