Brewers Minor League Link Report (6/24): Top Three Levels of Organization Feasted Friday

Transactions:

• INF/OF Mark Mathias optioned to AAA Nashville (as INF Mike Brosseau returns to Milwaukee via end of rehab stint)
• C Pedro Severino sent to AAA Nashville on rehab assignment (assignment transferred from Biloxi)
• C Nick Kahle assigned to AA Biloxi from AAA Nashville
• RHP Arnaldo Hernandez placed on AA Biloxi’s 7-day IL
• RHP Ryne Moore placed on High-A Wisconsin’s 7-day IL
• OF Larry Ernesto released from ACL Brewers Blue

Has a player ever been literally released mid-game? A reminder of our post in yesterday's report:

21-year-old switch-hitting OF Larry Ernesto made his 2022 debut, getting called out on strikes in the bottom of the 1st, and then was replaced defensively in left field immediately. Planned one-inning re-introduction? Remarkably, this is already Ernesto's fifth year in the system (2020 counts). Since signing for $1.7 million in June of 2017, Ernesto has posted a .605 OPS in 119 games, with a nearly 38% strikeout rate in 426 at-bats.

Ernesto was 16 years old when he was handed that bounty. Big unfortunate misfire.

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Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Nashville 8, Gwinnett (Braves) 3
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:

Vihuelas de Nashville Even Series with Gwinnett - Nashville collects season-high 19 hits in win

The box score is a feast for the eyes, yet when you see the individual numbers, one realizes an eight-run output was under-performing in a way. As @wibadgers23noted in our Minor League Forum "day-of" thread, check out how many baserunners Garrett Whitley and Brice Turang stranded during their own at-bats.

Corey Ray definitely thought this was out and that's why what should have been a triple wasn't, as the broadcast crew picked up on. We'll only give a minor slap on the wrist as there were two outs, less urgency to reach third base. Big night for Corey - build up trade value this month, sir.

Quality start when you allow ten hits in six innings? When nine of the hits are singles and you walk none, it sure is, Dylan File. The Sounds love their "File" puns. Just a matter of time before "File helps Nashville nail down a title".

Pretty ERA's out of the Sounds bullpen, no? Lucas Erceg got himself out of his own bases-loaded, one-out jam (two walks) with a timely GIDP.

Newly-acquired infielder Pat Dorrian hasn't been officially activated to the Sounds' roster. This May 2021 article helps us understand why when we first looked Dorrian up upon the word of the trade (for cash) with Baltimore, we saw he was a 2014 12th round pick of the Braves, yet didn't make his pro debut until 2018 in the Pirates' organization. 

Just over two days left in the Sounds' Vihuelas jersey auction.

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

Final: Biloxi 5, Pensacola (Marlins) 4
Box Score / Game Log 

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

Dillard's Four-RBI Night Capped with Walk-Off Walk - Devanney Extends Franchise-Best Hitting Streak To 17 Games

You just watched several video clips within that game summary. In addition, take in the local TV sports crew's report here:

Joey Wiemer, playing center field for the 17th game this season, stole his 21st base in 22 attempts. It's June 25th. This could be a 40-steal season, and among all his plaudits and well-earned attention, we don't focus on that part of his game enough. Joey added two singles here.

The Biloxi lineup gives us entertaining action on most nights, it really does.

It's been a struggle in 2022 (.564 OPS in 69 at-bats at two levels) for former Brewers farmhand infielder Devin Hairston. Actually, those numbers pretty much mimic those during his three-plus year stint with the Crew.

Listed attendance of 2,606. Does any stadium "disguise" its fans as empty seats better than Biloxi's MGM Park? Is the casino handing out tickets as comps that don't get used? I've espoused on that before, I'll give it a rest.

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

Final: Wisconsin 4, Quad Cities (Royals) 3
Box Score / Game Log

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

Acosta and Robinson Get Rattlers a Win to Open Second Half - Brewers Kolten Wong set to make rehab appearances Saturday and Sunday

As usual, the home game summary includes the video highlight package and the Rattler Radio Postgame Podcast. Here's your direct link to the podcast chat so you can open in a separate browser as you juggle your Link Report experience:

"Jose Acosta and Cam Robinson talk about their big nights. Joe Ayrault talks about the game and drops the big news about Kolten Wong appearing in the Wisconsin lineup on Saturday night."

Milwaukee Player Development Staff to their athletic youngsters in 2022: "You'll play center field! And you'll play center field!". Thanks Oprah, we look forward to this process panning out with both full-timers in the big league spot and those capable of filling in there.

More auction linkage: help your collection (and charity):

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Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes

Final: Down East (Rangers) 6, Carolina 0
Box Score / Game Log

Via the Mudcats' site, details, please review:

Mudcats Drop Fourth Straight at Down East - The Mudcats opened the second half of the season with a shutout loss

Please help us locate the Mudcats' normally more-recognizable offense.

With a lack of items to spotlight from this game, let's remind you of Voice of the Mudcats' Greg Young Jr.'s hour-long visit with David and Matt - be sure to find time for this one:

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Thank you @damuelle for lightening my load on a Saturday morning - eight-game Link Reporting can be a challenge! I'll be back in a bit from the DSL, here's Daniel with the Arizona updates:

Final: ACL Rockies 7, ACL Brewers Blue 3
Box Score / Game Log

Another day, another loss, unfortunately for the Brewers in Blue, dropping their record to 3-11.

20-year old OF Eduarqui Fernandez provided the main highlight, smacking his second homer of the year to tie the game 2-2 in the top of the second inning. His season slash is now .277 / .306 / .532. Just as important, he didn’t strike out in this game.

21-year old switch-hitting LF Reidy Mercado hadn’t played for 13 days, but was impressive in his half-game action: 2-for-2 with an infield single and a double. Let’s hope his fifth inning exit in favor of Luis Medina was pre-planned as part of a gradual return from injury.

20-year old starting RHP Andy Garcia gave up four runs in five innings, but his peripherals were decent: four hits, two walks, six Ks. Let’s focus on the positives. Meanwhile, 19-year old Arielbi Gonzalez was hit harder than usual (five hits in two innings of work), but struck out four Rockies.

It was 105 degrees at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.

Final: ACL Royals 7, ACL Brewers Gold 6
Box Score / Game Log

All the runs came early in this one, as a 7-6 fifth inning scoreline held up for the remainder of the contest, unfortunately with the Gold men on the wrong end of it, dropping their record to 8-5.

20-year old RHP Phili Silverio pitched three encouraging scoreless innings, striking out six while yielding only a harmless single and walk. Taking the cue from Silverio, 20-year old RHP Fray Morelo and 19-year old LHP Fraudy Maldonado combined on another three scoreless innings, striking out three and probably making the manager wish he'd gone to the bullpen earlier.

Starting 19-year old RHP Patricio Aquino wasn’t able to build on a terrific prior outing, giving up seven runs (six earned) on eight hits (four of the extra-base variety) in three innings of work, though did manage to punch out six batters.

The Gold team will rue the missed chances, leaving the tying run on 3rd base in the 5th inning, 2nd base in the 6th inning and then ending the game at 3rd base on a base running blunder (registered as a caught stealing: pitcher to third baseman). The team went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position, though the opposition wasn’t much better at 2-for-12.

20-year old 3B Carlos Roa hasn’t been getting regular playing time (last hit was June 6th), but reminded us that “everyone’s a prospect or they wouldn’t be here” by going 2-for-3 with two doubles, a walk and no strikeouts.

Impressive 18-year old RF Luis Castillo (1.202 season OPS) also reached base three times, going 1-for-3 with a double and two walks.

SS Jose Caballero (.997 season OPS), 2B Jadher Areinamo (.792 season OPS) and LF Eduarh Colina each reached base twice via a single and walk.

18-year old DH/INF Gregory Barrios had reached base five times on Thursday, but went 0-for-5 today. Yet he still managed an RBI and only struck out once. Again, look at the positives!

105 degrees at American Family Fields of Phoenix in this 3-hour, 42-minute tight contest.

It’s Blue vs. Gold in an early Saturday game today. Go Brewers!

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OK, it's actually seven games for this report, given the inter-organizational battle here:

Final: DSL Brewers #2 Squad 6, DSL Brewers #1 Squad 3, seven innings as scheduled
Box Score / Game Log

There are 49 teams in the Dominican Summer League, and there are no division races, it's just one lumped-together pile of standings.

The Brewers #1 youngsters are currently in 49th place at 3-12. However, that team is the home of 17-year-old switch-hitting center fielder (hi, Oprah!) Luis Lara, who tripled, singled and walked to raise his OPS to .992. Only three walks, but also only three strikeouts, and as long as we're "only'ing" this sentence, only one stolen base in three attempts. Much to work with and build upon, though.

For the victors, first pro homers for RF Irving Igualas (1.050 OPS) and LF (but DH'ing for the first time here) Francisco Nina (.852 OPS). Igualas is a LH bat, Nina, batting from the right side, won't turn 18 until September.

Check out the line score within the box. The teams matched outputs in each of the first five innings. Crew Uno squandered a 1st and 2nd, one-out opportunity in the top of the 6th. Crew Dos (now 8-7 on the season) did not, with the Igualas home run, a two-run shot to center, the go-ahead moment.

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Normally the always-followed Brewers Player Development Twitter account will post their highlight packages a few hours after the overnight Link Report emerges. Here's yesterday's posts on a couple of Mudcats:

On Saturday, it's Maryvale at Maryvale in a daytime desert affair, technically Blue at Gold. I'm waiting for them to introduce ACL Brewers Cream next year; those big-league uniforms were spectacular in the oddest of ways. Both DSL teams will play as well.

Good luck to all, including Kolten Wong with the newly-undefeated Timber Rattlers.

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