Brewers Minor League Link Report (5/25): Mudcats Leap Into First Place; T-Rats Inch Closer

You've seen them, we link to them often, heck, you'll view some in this edition of our report. We're talking about highlights with near-empty stands, particularly in Zebulon, North Carolina, and Biloxi, Mississippi. We're not quite sure what to make of light attendance for Shuckers games, and likely neither is the local Chamber of Commerce, as attendance has regularly fallen short of expectations for beautiful MGM Park since construction was completed in 2015.

Carolina's Five County Stadium was built in 1991, and the Mudcats franchise has evolved (devolved?) from the AA level to High-A, and now single-A. I enjoyed this article by Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal and hope you will as well. It paints for us, in a positive way, the dichotomy of the experience of taking in a Mudcats game vs, that of the AAA Durham Bulls, merely 37 miles away. It seems that Zebulon itself is becoming a growing residential destination and with that, the potential for increased crowds at Carolina games exists.

Of course, there are no such concerns in Nashville and Appleton. Several Timber Rattlers have expressed within interviews their pleasure with the larger crowds compared to their prior Zebulon home, Antoine Kelly the most recent. It's not surprising that in the business world of minor league baseball, this upcoming weekend is huge as the weather improves, and as most school systems wrap up or are on the verge of doing so. Here's to the crowds enhancing our own highlight-viewing pleasure while also giving the Brewers prospects the local audiences they deserve for the summer.

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Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes

Final: Toledo (Tigers) 3, Nashville 2
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:

Walk-Off Walk Dooms Sounds - Mud Hens score game two win in walk-off fashion

RH reliever Thomas Jankins utilized a pickoff at second base to help escape his 8th inning jam, but as the summary detailed, couldn't quite seal the deal in the fateful 9th -

You may have caught this from the Journal-Sentinel earlier this week:

Pitcher Peter Strzelecki, catcher Alex Jackson and utility man Mark Mathias were present in the visiting clubhouse at Petco Park. A team is permitted to carry up to five players on its taxi squad for all road trips.

For Strzelecki, an undrafted free agent signing by Milwaukee in 2018, it marks his first time in a big-league clubhouse. The right-handed reliever wasn’t with the Brewers on the major-league side in spring training, either.

Mathias was indeed activated to take Hunter Renfroe's roster spot. The report does shine a light on what the Brewers think currently of Strzelecki, perhaps just a bit higher on the reliever rung than Luke Barker, Zack Brown, Hobie Harris, and Connor Sadzeck. Based on their 2022 performances, it'd be hard to quibble with any of the choices. Jackson's absence from Nashville explains Nick Kahle's random callup to AAA.

Brice Turang stole his 5th base in six attempts.

Mario Feliciano has yet to go deep in 97 at-bats despite otherwise pretty numbers. It seems so long ago (2019 with then high-A Carolina) that Feliciano cranked 19 bombs.

We didn't forget to give you a shout-out beyond what the game summary, provided, Jason Alexander. You've been wonderful, another zero-walk performance here (only 12 free passes in 47.2 IP).

On the other side of the box score, yes, that was former Rule 5 loss Miguel Diaz pitching the top of the 9th, and Jamie Westbrook has walked plenty but otherwise struggled since his trade to the Tigers.

Montgomery (Rays) at Biloxi, ppd., rain

No makeup date announced, the series should finally get underway Thursday evening. 

No worries, here's an excellent video feature via Jeff Haeger on Joey Wiemer, including the latest quotes from the stud slugger -

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

Final: Wisconsin 5, Cedar Rapids (Twins) 1 
Box Score / Game Log

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

Jarvis Jams Kernels with Nine Strikeouts - Rattlers win 5-1 at Cedar Rapids

Raise your hand if you were suggesting that RHP Justin Jarvis should be moved to the bullpen after a rough April (five starts, 7.91 ERA, 1.60 WHIP). Oh wait, there I am, looking in the mirror, sheepishly now recognizing a stellar month of May (1.59 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 28 K, 8 BB in 22.2 IP). The Brewers seemingly have their system-wide pitching development system on cruise control, it's amazing. Sweet work, Justin.

The Cedar Rapids newspaper report includes thoughts on Jarvis from the opposing dugout.

Scary moment in the top of the 9th - MiLB.TV subscribers go the 03:08:00 hour/minute mark - as Antonio Pinero slid feet-first into a successful steal of second base, appeared to jam his leg going in, and was clearly in pain. After a few minutes with the trainer and acting Manager Liu Rodriguez (Joe Ayrault still away), in what I can only call a near-shocking decision, Pinero remained in the game for a few more pitches. Still clearly uncomfortable, he was then pulled for a pinch-runner. Please always act on the side of caution guys, that was not a good look.

Outfielder Carlos Rodriguez has an .855 OPS in May. Still just in his age 21 season, yet it's season five overall (includes the lost 2020 season in which service time still applies). Folks may not remember that Rodriguez signed for $1.355 million in the summer of 2017.

Although he didn't pitch in this game, WFRV provides the latest video entry in the inspiring story of RHP Tyler Gillies -

And yes, at 10:00 AM Central this AM, bidding begins in the Udder Tuggers jersey auction.

Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes

Final: Carolina 13, Kannapolis (White Sox) 0
Box Score / Game Log

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

Cornielle and Rodriguez Blank Ballers 13-0 - Alexander Cornielle and Carlos Rodriguez combined to nine scoreless frames and 15 strikeouts

Always a bonus when we get the postgame chat, especially after a game such as this -

LISTEN: Post-Game Interview with Manager Victor Estevez

Twenty-three baserunners, 10-for-21 with RISP, shutout pitching, just ensconce this box score in velvet, as George Costanza might (remember, he was up for senior scouting positions with both the Yankees and Mets at various points - oh, those script writers...).

Special shoutout to catcher Jose Sibrian on his three doubles. The 23-year-old Venezuelan native remarkably qualifies for minor league free agency at season's end (7th year in the Crew's chain).

Back to all-evening action Thursday -

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