Brewers Minor League Link Report (4/17): Crew Affiliates 27-12 After Another Positive Day

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes

Final: Nashville 3, Gwinnett (Braves) 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:

Sounds Win Series with Second Straight Shutout - Caleb Boushley Fires Five Scoreless Innings to Earn First Win

The major league phase of the Rule 5 draft didn't take place last December, but the minor league phase did, and that is how Milwaukee grabbed Hortonville, Wisconsin native Caleb Boushley from a five-year run in the Padres' system. The UW-Lacrosse product was tabbed in the 33rd round by San Diego in 2017.

Side note - the Brewers lost catcher Kekai Rios to the Dodgers in that Rule 5 phase, he's stationed with High-A Great Lakes in the Midwest League.

Insightful tweet from the Voice of the Sounds -

As effective and impressive as the 8-4 Sounds have been, the sheer number of bodies both on the mound and in the field is a bit annoying from a fan perspective, actually. Guys shuffle in and out of the bullpen and the lineup as they have to get their work in, we try to figure out who is where in terms of availability, and it's likely frustrating in the clubhouse as well. Winning helps, it would seem, but for how long?

We are going to be reading a lot about the topic below in the coming weeks from all outposts in minor league baseball:

Worth your time today:

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Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes via the Shuckers' Virtual Press Box

Final: Biloxi 5, Mississippi (Braves) 4
Box Score / Game Log

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

Reetz' Multi-Homer Game Secures Sunday Victory - Shuckers Tie Best Start in Franchise History

Drafted in the 3rd round out of a Nebraska high school in 2014 (wonder if Brewers radio broadcaster Lane Grindle ever crossed paths with the then-youngster), the uniquely-named Jakson Reetz had spent the entirety of his pro career in the Nationals' system prior to his minor league free agent signing with the Crew last fall. Reetz does have one big league knock on his resume. As for Reetz' Sunday, I will wager we won't see a Brewers minor leaguer be responsible for all of his team's RBI with a higher number than Reetz' five this season.

Talk about limiting the damage, starting LHP Nick Bennett allowed two hits, walked four batters, and plunked two others, all in three innings. Net result - one run allowed. Can't expect to dance that dance very often.

Kudos to RHP's Nash Walters (two perfect frames) and Zach Vennaro (stranded two inherited in the 8th, then closed out the game).

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Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes via their all-encompassing Virtual Press Box

Final: Beloit (Marlins) 3, Wisconsin 2
Box Score / Game Log

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

Wisconsin Falls 3-2 in Series Finale at Beloit - Rattlers strand nine in close loss to Sky Carp

LHP Antoine Kelly pitched scoreless ball until this RBI triple in the 5th, which was followed by a sacrifice fly.

T-Rats had ten men reach base via HBP or walk. They also K'd 15 times. From the Chris Mehring recap you just read:

Wisconsin hitters went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position and stranded nine runners on Sunday afternoon. Both of Wisconsin’s runs were unearned.

That is some rip-your-hair-out-at-the-roots attempts at offense there. Here's hoping the bats (and temperatures) warm up back in Grand Chute on Tuesday. Well, the forecast says wait until Thursday for any semblance of warmth.

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Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes

Final: Carolina 4, Fredericksburg (Nationals) 2
Box Score / Game Log

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

Garcia Totals Four Hits & Perez Homers in Finale Victory - The Mudcats took Sunday’s series finale 4-2 in Fredericksburg and finished at 2-4 in the series

Let's not forget that just a couple of weeks into his 2019 Dominican Summer League debut season, SS Eduardo Garcia fractured his right fibula and lost the rest of that year. He hadn't even turned 17 years old yet, and had posted a .919 OPS in his first ten professional games. Then came the lost 2020 campaign, followed by an .824 OPS in the Maryvale heat in his 2021 summer of shaking off that rust. The young man is likely an inch taller now than his listed 6'2" and well, excuse me while I grab extra napkins to control the salivating. With due respect to Brice Turang and Freddy Zamora, Garcia is the shortstop who will eventually plant himself in Milwaukee for the 8-10 year run.

RF Hendry Mendez (I believe I saw he's the youngest player in the Carolina League at this time) reached base thrice.

According to the game log, although it appears he ended the 5th inning on the field, third baseman Alberis Ferrer would not return to the field in the 6th. Upon pulling up the MiLB.TV video, Ferrer dove and knocked down a hard ground ball that would go for an infield hit. he would be hunched over after getting to his feet and was tended to by the training staff. Looked like he was trying to flex his right leg. Subscribers can go to the 02:23:30 hour/minute mark if curious. Announcers were very complimentary of Ferrer's athleticism while noting his early-season throwing troubles.

Similarly, I failed to point out in the report for Saturday's games that stud prospect catcher Jeferson Quero left the game at an odd juncture, early in the bottom of the Fredericksburg 8th. So it was another venture to the MiLB.TV archive - 02:58:35 hour/minute mark, and oh my, Quero took a wicked foul-tip off the mask that jarred his hockey-style helmet completely, never left his feet, but was guided off the field. That was nasty, best wishes to Jeferson, we may see some precautionary concussion protocol for him this week.

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Enjoy your Minor League Monday off! In addition to posting Tuesday's schedule below, we now will include sortable Baseball-Reference Milwaukee Organization Statistical Depth Charts to end each report. Between those and the sortable team stat pages, have at it! 

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

Links for affiliate audio

Standings and sortable stat pages

"NEW!"

Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth

Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth