Brewers Minor League Week in Review (5/24-30): Carolina Crushes Cannon Ballers

Memorial Day was a day filled with transactions. The big-league club swept a doubleheader as two of their preseason top ten prospects made the starts. Ethan Small made his big-league debut in Game 1. Aaron Ashby struck out 12 batters in six innings in Game 2. 

Nashville played a rare Monday game in Durham. They wanted a Memorial Day game, so Dylan File took on Shane Baz, and the Sounds won again. They will have Tuesday off before continuing their series. 

It was a big week, so let’s get to the recaps and more. As always, feel free to discuss this report, the teams, and players or more in the Comments. 

TRANSACTIONS 
Monday was filled with transactions throughout the Brewers organization>Normally we would post them here, but since there was a Nashville game on Monday, there was a minor league report and transactions were covered nicely in there. 

RESULTS

• Last week’s Week in Review (5/17-5/23): Wisconsin Pitching and Wiemer Hitting 
• Tuesday: Small Starts, Nashville and Carolina Win, Biloxi Postponed 
• Wednesday: Mudcats Leap Into First Place; T-Rats Inch Closer 
• Thursday: Wiemer - “Simply Addicted to Hitting Nukes” 
• Friday: Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad 
• Saturday: The Walk-off Wins Continue to Pile Up 
• Sunday: Brewers’ Affiliates Achiever a 4-0 Sunday Sweep to Close Out the Week! 
• Monday: Sounds Stay in Tune after Five-Run Eighth-Inning Rally 
• Brewers Promoting Pitching Prospect Ethan Small 

WEEK IN REVIEW 

Triple-A: Nashville Sounds  
Week: 3-3, @ Toledo, 1-0, @ Durham (Monday)
Season: 33-15 overall, 1st place in the International League West. They are 4 1/2 games ahead of Columbus and six games ahead of Memphis.  

The Sounds quickly became the first Triple-A team with 30 wins on Tuesday night. However, that was followed with their first three-game losing streak. However, they responded by winning the final two games of the series. Nashville did outscore Toledo 30-27 over the course of the week.  There were a few minor league teams that played on Memorial Day, and Nashville was one of them. They beat Durham 7-5 in North Carolina. 

• Ethan Small returned to the mound after a bout of illness and made the start on Tuesday. The lefty gave up one run on five hits over six innings. He struck out three batters. Of course, he got bumped from his Sunday start because he was promoted to the Brewers and made his MLB debut on Monday afternoon. 

• Caleb Boushley tossed seven shutout innings in his start. He gave up just three hits, walked one and struck out four batters. 

• Nashville is getting some length from their starters, at least some of the elder statesmen. Jason Alexander gave up two runs on four hits over seven innings. He had five strikeouts. 

• The bullpen stalwart was Matt Hardy. He worked 5 1/3 innings over three games. He gave up no runs, two hits, walked three (though two were intentional) and struck out six batters. 

• Andy Otero worked once in long-relief. He tossed 4 1/3 scoreless, hitless innings in his appearance. He walked three and struck out two batters.

• Zach Vennaro made his first Triple-A appearance. He tossed three scoreless innings. He gave up no hits, walked one and struck out three batters.  

• Fair to say that Tyler Herb’s start didn’t go well. He was charged with nine runs (6 earned) on eight hits and two walks in just 2 2/3 innings. 

• Abraham Almonte led the Sounds offense. He played in six games and went 7-for-24. He hit .292/.433/.875 (1.308) with two doubles, four homers, and eight RBI. He walked six times. 

• Jonathan Davis played in six games. The outfielder went 8-for-25 and hit .320/.419/.560 (.979) with three doubles, a homer, and four RBI. 

• Pablo Reyes went 7-for-25 over his six games played. He hit .280/.357/.520 (.877) with two homers and six RBI. 

What’s Next? The Sounds traveled to Durham and played a rare Monday game for Memorial Day. They will then have Tuesday off before playing the final five games of the series.    

Pitching Probables (RHP Tyler Herb, RHP Josh Lindblom, RHP Caleb Boushley, RHP Dylan File, TBD) 

Double-A: Biloxi Shuckers  
Week: 4-0, hosting Montgomery    
Season: 22-21 overall, percentage points (.512 to .511) ahead of Mississippi in the Southern League South Division with Mississippi. They are 1/2  game ahead of Pensacola.  

Tuesday’s game was postponed by Covid. Wednesday’s game was postponed by weather. Once they started playing games again, the Shuckers had a terrific showing. They won all four games and outscored the Biscuits 35-26 in the four games. The offense certainly showed up again! 

• He only played twice, but Brent Diaz went 5-for-7 with two home runs and two walks, oh, and he was hit by a pitch too. 

• Tristen Lutz went 4-for-16 and hit .250/.333/.500 (.833) with a double, a home run, and six RBI. He also walked twice. 

• The Shuckers had only 39 hits, but they were helped by 23 walks. 

• Seven Biloxi relievers combined to make 11 appearances and throw 16 innings with just one unearned run allowed. Nash Walters led the way. He struck out six batters over three scoreless, one-hit innings. Robbie Hitt gave up one walk and five strikeouts over 2 2/3 scoreless, hitless innings. 

What’s Next? The Shuckers will be traveling to Pensacola to take on the Blue Wahoos.  

Pitching Probables (RHP Lucas Erceg (opener), RHP Justin Bullock, RHP JT Shook, RHP Victor Castaneda, RHP Noah Zavolas, TBD)

High-A: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers  
Week: 3-3, @ Cedar Rapids  
Season: 28-17 overall, 2nd place in the Midwest League West Division, 1.0 game behind Cedar Rapids. They are also one game ahead of South Bend.  

The Timber Rattlers were able to go on the road and split their six-game series against the division-leading Kernels, staying just one game behind. That is especially noteworthy when they were outscored 23-38 in the series. The Tuesday and Thursday losses were both blowouts (2-13 and 0-9) which accounted for that differential.  

• Justin Jarvis had the best start of the week for Wisconsin. He struck out nine batters over 6 2/3 scoreless innings. He gave up two hits and walked two. 

• Three Rattler relievers pitched twice and didn’t give up a run. Kent Hasler walked two and struck out six batters over 3 1/3 scoreless, hitless innings. Joey Matulovich struck out four batters in 2 1/3 scoreless, hitless innings. Cam Robinson picked up the save on Sunday. He pitched twice and gave up no runs on three hits, a walk, and a hit batter over three innings. He struck out four batters. 

• Carlos Rodriguez played in all six games. He went 10-for-23, hitting .435/.435/.913 (1.348) with three doubles, a triple, two home runs, and four RBI. 

• Tristan Peters went 6-for-22 and hit .273/.385/.682 (1.067) in six games. He hit a double, a triple, two home runs, and drove in seven runs. He also walked four times and stole two bases.

• Tyler Black also went 6-for-22 over six games. He hit .273/.407/.545 (.952) with two homers. He walked five times and stole three bases. 

• Wes Clarke had just four hits in 19 at-bats, but he had three triples and a home run. He also walked five times.

• The rest of the offense really struggled. Micah Bello posted an .828 OPS. No other Rattler hitter posted an OPS over .283. Joe Gray went 1-for-18 (.056 BA, .283 OPS). Zavier Warren went 1-for-20 (.050, .195). Darrien Miller went 1-for-16 (.063, .126).      

What’s Next? The Timber Rattlers return home to take on Peoria. Tickets are still available!     

Pitching Probables (RHP Justin Jarvis, LHP Russell Smith, LHP Brandon Knarr, LHP Antoine Kelly, RHP Ryne Moore, RHP Justin Jarvis)

Low-A: Carolina Mudcats 
Week: 5-1, hosting Kannapolis   
Season: 26-19 overall, 1st place in the Carolina League North Division, 1 1/2 games ahead of Lynchburg and 2 1/2 games ahead of Fredericksburg   

It was a very good week for the Mudcats. Their offense helped them to three big wins in which they scored more than 10 runs  However, they also won two one-run games. Overall, they outscored the Cannon Ballers 48-22. Plus, Mudcat fans got to watch Willy Adames rehab on Sunday. He went 1-for-2 with a walk and a two-run homer. They also handed out bobbleheads with his likeness.  

• Hedbert Perez had a big week. In five games, he went 9-for-19 and hit .474/.500/.947 (1.447) with four doubles, a triple, a home run, and five RBI.  

• Arbert Cipion played just three games, but he went 9-for-15 (.600) with a homer and three RBI. He also walked twice and was on base 65% of the time.

• Jose Sibrian also played just three games. He went 4-for-13 (.364) with three doubles. 

• Jesus Chirinos played all six games. He went 6-for-19  and hit .316/.417/.526 (. 943) with a double, a homer, and nine RBI. He also walked four times. 

• Jackson Chourio played in six games too. He went 11-for-27 and hit .407/.429/.481 (.910) with two doubles and seven RBI.

• Alexander Cornielle dropped his season ERA to 2.76 with five innings of shutout ball. He gave up two hits, walked two, and struck out seven batters.

• Edwin Jimenez also went five innings in his start. He gave up two runs (1 earned) on three hits and two walks. 

• Michele Vassalotti had a save. He struck out four batters in 2 1/3 innings over two appearances. Carlos Rodriguez had a four-inning save. He gave up no runs on two hits and two walks. He struck out eight batters. 

• Pablo Garabitos struck out six batters over three scoreless, hitless innings in his outing. In all, eight Mudcat relievers pitched and did not allow a run.    

What’s Next? The Mudcats hit the road to take on Lynchburg this week. 

Pitching Probables (RHP Carlos Rodriguez, RHP Jeferson Figueroa, RHP Stiven Cruz, RHP Israel Puello,, RHP Fernando Olquin, RHP Alexander Cornielle) 

PROSPECT SUMMARY
This Prospect Summary shows our current Brewers Top 20 Prospect Rankings and how they performed last week (May 24 to May 30).

#1 - LHP Aaron Ashby (Milwaukee) - 2 G, 11.2 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 5 H, 5 BB, 17 K (Season: 11 G, 5 GS, 40.0 IP, 16 R, 12 ER, 31 H, 22 BB, 51 K, 1-3, 1 S, 2.70 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 5.0 BB/9, 11.5 K/9)  
#2 - OF Joey Wiemer (Biloxi) - 4 G, 3-for-17 (.176), 1-2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 3 BB, 4 K (Season: 43 G, 50-for-171, .291/.365/.587 (.952), 15-2B, 12-HR, 34 RBI, 18 BB, 57 K)
#3 - OF Garrett Mitchell (Biloxi) - Injured List (Season: 30 G, 24-for-107, .224/.331/.346 (.676), 3-2B, 2-3B, 2-HR, 11 RBI, 13 BB, 40 K) 
#4 - OF Sal Frelick (Wisconsin) - Season: 21 G, 23-for-79, .291/.391/.456 (.847), 5-2B, 1-3B, 2-HR, 9 RBI, 6/9 SB, 13 BB, 14 K)
#4 - OF Sal Frelick (Biloxi) - 4 G, 5-for-20 (.250), 1-2B, 0-HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 0 K (Season: 14 G, 17-for-64, .266/.309/.328 (.637), 2-2B, 1-3B, 0-HR, 3 RBI, 2/3 SB, 4 BB, 8 K)      
#5 - LHP Ethan Small (Nashville) - 1 GS, 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 3 K (Season: 8 GS, 38.1 IP, 10 R, 8 ER, 22 H, 21 BB, 49 K, 3-1, 1.88 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 4.9 BB/9, 11.5 K/9)
#5 - LHP Ethan Small (Milwaukee) - 1 GS, 2.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 4 K (Season: 1 GS, 2.2 IP, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 4 K, 6.75 ERA, 3.00 WHIP, 13.5 BB/9, 13.5 K/9)

#6 - SS Brice Turang (Nashville) - 6 G, 8-for-28 (.286), 0-2B, 0-HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 5 K (Season: 42 G, 51-for-182, .280/.332/.385 (.716), 8-2B, 1-3B, 3-HR, 26 RBI, 15 BB, 41 K)  
#7 - OF Hedbert Perez (Carolina) - 5 G, 9-for-19 (.474), 4-2B, 1-3B, 1-HR, 5 RBI, 1 BB, 3 K (Season: 36 G, 31-for-144, .215/.271/.375 (.646), 9-2B, 1-3B, 4 HR, 20 RBI, 6/8 SB, 11 BB, 50 K) 
#8 - C Jeferson Quero (Carolina) - 4 G, 3-for-12 (.250), 1-2B, 0-HR, 1 RBI, 3 BB, 1 K (Season: 35 G, 32-for-136, .235/.303/.338 (.641), 9-2B, 1-3B, 1-HR, 17 RBI, 14 BB, 33 K) 
#9 - SS Freddy Zamora (Biloxi) - Injured List (Season: 24 G, 19-for-91), .209/.270/.286 (.556), 4-2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 5 BB, 22 K)
#10 - 2B Tyler Black (Wisconsin) - 6 G, 6-for-22 (.273), 0-2B, 0-3B, 2-HR, 2 RBI, 5 BB, 5 K  (Season: 31 G, 33-for-112 (.295/.412/.464 (.876), 5-2B, 1-3B, 4-HR, 23 RBI, 20 BB, 21 K)  

#11 - 2B Felix Valerio (Biloxi) - 4 G, 6-for-21 (.286), 1-2B, 0-HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 4 K (Season: 37 G, 37-for-145, .255/.319/.435 (.754), 6-2B, 1-3B, 6-HR, 23 RBI, 14 BB, 25 K) 
#12 - OF Jackson Chourio (Carolina) - 6 G, 11-for-27 (.407), 2-2B, 0-HR, 7 RBI, 1 BB, 6 K (Season: 22 G, 32-for-91, .352/.406/.506 (.911), 11-2B, 1-HR, 17 RBI, 9 BB, 22 K) 
#13 - C Mario Feliciano (Nashville) - 4 G, 7-for-19 (.368), 1-2B, 0-HR, 2 RBI, 0 BB, 1 K (Season: 29 G, 32-for-106, .302/.362/.359 (.721), 6-2B, 0-HR, 8 RBI, 6 BB, 23 K)
#14 - LHP Antoine Kelly (Wisconsin) - 1 GS, 4.2 IP, 6 R, 5 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 7 K (Season: 9 GS, 44.0 IP, 19 R, 16 ER, 24 H, 23 BB, 60 K, 1-1, 3.27 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 4.7 BB/9, 12.3 K/9)  
#15 - OF Joe Gray, Jr. (Wisconsin) - 5 G, 1-for-18 (.056), 0-2B, 0-HR, 0 RBI, 4 BB, 8 K (Season: 44 G, 29-for-156, .186/.307/.372 (.678), 9-2B, 1-3B, 6-HR, 19 RBI, 7/7 SB, 27 BB, 67 K) 

#16 - SS Eduardo Garcia (Carolina) - 5 G, 8-for-24 (.333), 0-2B, 1-3B, 0-HR, 2 RBI, 0 BB, 5 K (Season: 39 G, 46-165, 279/.310/.382 (.692), 7-2B, 2-3B, 2 HR, 27 RBI, 5 BB, 60 K)  
#17 - UTL Zavier Warren (Wisconsin) - 5 G, 1-for-20 (.050), 1-2B, 0-HR, 0 RBI, 1 BB, 4 K (Season: 42 G, 34-for-156, .218/.313/.346 (.659), 14-2B, 2-HR, 14 RBI, 6/6 SB, 18 BB, 38 K)  
#18 - RHP Abner Uribe (Biloxi) - IL (out for season)
#19 - OF Hendry Mendez (Carolina) - 6 G, 2-for-20 (.100), 1-2B, 0-HR, 2 RBI, 3 BB, 1 K (Season: 38 G, 28-for-127, .221/.379/.307 (.686), 3-2B, 1-3B, 2 HR, 21 RBI, 32 BB, 32 K) 
#20 - LHP Russell Smith (Wisconsin) - 1 GS, 3.2 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K (Season: 7 GS, 27.2 IP, 21 R, 18 ER, 26 H, 16 BB, 29 K, 1-3, 5.86 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 5.2 BB/9, 9.4 K/9) 

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK 

Hitter of the Week: Outfielder Hedbert Perez, Carolina Panthers      
Hedbert Perez signed with the Brewers on July 2, 2019, from Caracas, Venezuela, for $700,000. So well thought of, the Brewers added him to their 60-player pool and alternate site in 2020 as a 17-year-old. He played in 32 games for the Brewers Gold Arizona Complex team where he hit .333/.394/.575 (.969) with 11 and six doubles. He moved up to Low-A Carolina for the final 16 games. 

That is where the 19-year-old started the 2022 season. Last week, he went 9-for-19 (.474). He hit four doubles, one triple, and one home run. Overall, he is hitting .215/.271/.375 (.646) in 36 games. 

He is the son of former big-league outfielder Robert Perez. Also an outfielder, Perez stands just shy of 6’0” and 190 pounds. He is strong and has an advanced knowledge of the game. He’s got the tools. He’s got a nice, left-handed swing and continues to gain strength. He could develop plus-power. He’s got good speed and could probably play center field now, but his future is in the corner outfield. He can be good defensively, and he’s got an average arm. He’s a long way from the big leagues, but a 19-year-old having a big week in Low-A is very encouraging. 

Pitcher of the Week: RHP Justin Jarvis, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 

Another week, another Timber Rattler starter wins the pitcher of the week honor. For the second straight week, the winner is Wisconsin right-hander Justin Jarvis. Against Cedar Rapids, the top team in the division, he held them to two hits and two walks over 6 2/3 scoreless innings. He ended the game with nine strikeouts. He has now made nine starts this season and is 3-2 with a 4.50 ERA. In 42 innings, he has walked 20 and struck out 43 batters. He started slow, but he has had three straight terrific starts over the past two weeks. 

Jarvis was the Brewers fifth-round pick in 2018 out of Lake Norman High School in North Carolina. In 2019, he pitched for then Low-A Wisconsin where he went 4-1 with a 3.50 ERA. After a lost 2020 season, Jarvis went 1-7 with a 5.40 ERA with nearly a strikeout per innings for now-High-A Wisconsin in 2021. He pitched in the Arizona Fall League after that season. 

Feel free to discuss the Brewers' prospects and their affiliates in the COMMENTS below.