Brewers Minor League Link Report (5/03): Promotions and Releases and Retirements, Oh My!

With Micah Bello cashing in on a fantastic start to his season, he packed his bags and headed north to Appleton. In his wake, we watched the much anticipated promotion and debut of Jackson Chourio back in Carolina. Rex Brothers was sent packing from Nashville and Moises Gomez filed his retirement papers. Oh, and there were games. Four of them. I tuned in live for the full performance of newly promoted Sal Frelick (playing in left field tonight) filling out the Biloxi outfield with absolute studs. All in all, Carolina and Wisconsin raked and put up a combined 23 runs while Biloxi and Nashville each coughed up late leads. Let's get to the report!

Transactions: Sal Frelick officially promoted to Double-AA Biloxi ?, Micah Bello (OF) promoted to High-A Wisconsin, Jackson Chourio promoted to Low-A Carolina, RHP Moises Gomez (2021 Minor League FA signing) retired, LHP Rex Brothers released from Triple-A Nashville.

Carolina Pre-Game Media Notes   
Final: Carolina 14 , Augusta (Braves) 1
Box Score / Game Log

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

Carolina's Offense Comes Alive in 14-1 Victory - Alberis Ferrer went 2-for-3 with Three Runs, Three RBI and a Two-Run Home Run

Additionally, please read the player promotion press release from Zebulon here: Official words on the Bello and Chourio promotions

For those of you unfamiliar with Jackson, here's a brief introduction:

When you pull out a 14-1 victory, it's apropos to start it off with some highlights. Some of these hits are so tasty, you'll see them twice. For your viewing pleasure:

With the much anticipated Jackson Chourio debut, our Mudcats brought their celebratory bats to the ballpark. This one was filled with performances throughout the line-up. Consider the following box score:

That's a whole lot of numbers. And, the end result speaks for itself. It had to have felt cathartic to get 14 across after a hard-fought series split this past week at Down East.

Further Notes:

• Eduardo Garcia continues his feast or famine approach. I, for one, am highly anticipating his inevitable promotion to High-A. How will the strikeouts translate at a higher level of pitching? Will he continue achieving this type of success when he makes contact? For now, I will quite simply patiently wait the evolution and discovery while celebrating his play. Enjoy this tantalizing Low-A dynamo. His glove work, as I've mentioned before, is really good with a cannon for an arm as well. 
• What a debut for Jackson Chourio. Thrown into the proverbial mix as the three-hole hitter, this is a testament to how he is viewed within the organization. I really look forward to upcoming games and sharing the good news. 
• Hats off to the fine pitching performances from Brannon Jordan, Brandon Ramey, and Junior Montero. The three hurlers combined for nine complete innings pitched with five hits, five walks, and seven punch outs. The sole run was unearned.  This is the type of Low-A pitching performance that puts a smile on your face.
• The Mudcats won all six contests versus the GreenJackets last season and, with this victory, are now 7-0 overall in the all-time series. Can they make it 8-0 tomorrow?

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

Final: Wisconsin 9, Fort Wayne (Padres) 0
Box Score / Game Log    

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

Wisconsin Starts Fort Wayne Series with Shutout Win - Shook Strikes Out Seven Over Six Scoreless Innings for the Rattlers

Let's start it out with a light-hearted interview with guitar-loving hurler, and tonight's starter, TJ Shook. TJ is off to a fantastic start in 2022 and he kept it going tonight (more to follow). It's always nice to get a sneak-peak at these prospects beyond the diamond:

This game was partially about the break out six-run fifth inning that put the game out of reach. But, folks, this game is also about the development we're seeing from TJ Shook. Check out the YouTube highlight package below to see what I'm talking about: tailing, dipping, moving action. This is an exciting pitching prospect. On the young season: TJ has three games started and five appearances with a 2-1 overall record. Furthermore, he is dialing in a 1.05 era with a 0.82 WHIP while surrendering a paltry 0.140 batting average. High-A hitters are simply struggling to make contact on his stuff and he's struck out 34 (third overall in the league) while walking a mere 9 batters in 25 2/3 innings pitched. Tonights line: six complete innings, four hits, seven strikeouts with none across. Do you think he adjusted over the off-season? It sure as heck looks like it to me. What a fun surprise of the early 2022 season! 

Here's the full highlights package:

And, please listen in from the team in your Timber Rattlers Post-Game Podcast: Here

Further Notes:

• Zavier Warren continues his resurgence at the plate. He is on an incredible run of late - 4 multi-hit games in the current five-game hitting streak and doubles in all five contests. With Frelick's promotion, Wisconsin is going to need his continued presence.
• With Frelick no longer in the lead off spot, Tristan Peters received the nod tonight. Let's hope he can keep his fine young season going in all facets. He showed up with a walk and a run scored in inning one and had a key double in the six-run fifth inning.
• Joe Gray Jr. will now see quite a bit more action at his more natural defensive position in center field. Hopefully, this will translate to more comfort at the plate as well - a walk tonight and a one of three overall line with a run is momentum continuing 
• Antonio Pinero with two balls struck at over 100 mph tonight including a well-hit home run smash over the wall in left field. It's nice to see Antonio experience success at the plate given we know he'll be solid in the field.
• Micah Bello, in his Timber Rattlers debut, hit a two-run double in the six run fifth. Congratulations, Micah! We're all hoping your hard work pays off in High-A.
• Tristan got the nod in the lead off spot tonight, however, it should be noted, manager Joe Ayrault is mixing the lead-off position for now (in post-game podcast) especially with the continued injuries keeping Black and Martinez on the proverbial shelf. I anticipate we'll see various players filling that role - unless, of course, Tristan gets red hot and shows he's a natural.
• You'll notice Shook and Lazar are a current pitching tandem for the Timber Rattlers. Tonight it was Shook with the starting nod but, when they last appeared, it was Lazar with the start and Shook out of the Pen. This will most likely continue throughout the season.

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

Final: Montgomery (Rays) 3, Biloxi 2
Box Score / Game Log   

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

Biscuits Walk Off Shuckers in Series Opener - Wiemer Homers, Mitchell Drives in Run in Ninth

It had the makings of a sneaky road victory in Montgomery. Garrett Mitchell had knocked in the suddenly heating up Freddy Zamora (lead off double) on a line drive single to center field. The Shuckers were hoping Lucas Erceg could hold on to the victory. Leading 2-1, the game was tied on an opposite field home run to left after three pitches with a fairly questionable 2-0 count. And, three singles later (the latter a game-ending line drive to deep left center with the outfield in) the game was over - Montgomery's first walk off victory of the season. 

And, with that, your Joey Wiemer moment of Zen (4th home run of the season):

The Shuckers really had nothing doing offensively after Joey tied it up with the above solo shot - the bottom of the order continues to struggle mightily. However, with fantastic pitching through eight complete, they nearly grabbed victory from the jaws of a pitching duel:

Further Viewing Notes:

• 30 year old Minor League journeyman, Tyler Herb, is dealing for the Shuckers right now. This is back-to-back fantastic outings. Facing a Montgomery line-up loaded with left-handed bats, he kept hitters off-balance all night with a fantastic slider and a timely changeup. It's a real shame he wasn't in line for a victory but, at present, he gives his team a shot every outing. You can't ask for more than that.  
• Harold Chirino continued his fantastic work out of the bullpen for the Shuckers. He is a fun pitcher to watch as he is efficient, fast-working, and knows how to pound the zone and keep hitters off balance as he matures and fine-tunes his arsenal. Given his solid track record previous this promotion to Double-A, I would propose he deserves more chatter if this keeps up. After tonight's 1 1/3 innings of no hit, no run, three strikeout ball, Harold has 11 1/3 innings of one run, eight hits, four walks, and ten strikeouts on the season. He's holding batters to a 0.205 combined batting average with a mere 1.05 WHIP. He has been quite good and deserving of mention.
• It was awfully nice to see the continued comfort for Freddy Zamora at the plate tonight. You could see it early, as he missed a home run down the left field line by mere feet past the foul pole before hitting the crucial double in the ninth (2 of 4 overall on the evening). He also made two stellar defensive plays early - snagging a looping liner and sprinting deep into the outfield to slide and scoop a very odd carom off the left field wall preventing a runner from advancing to third. However, in 22 games we now have ten errors. A throwing error on a high chopper could have proven costly as it put a runner on with two down. The ensuing batter walked. You get the point.
• I really hope Lucas Erceg can develop some type of off-speed 'something' with staying power. When he's on, he can touch 98 maybe 99 on the gun. But, if he can't set that up or keep batters on their heels, he's going to have trouble like he did tonight. The Montgomery hitters were sitting and waiting for something over the heart of the plate. We've seen mixed results for the young hurler through 22 games. Tonight's blown save, his second blown save in three opportunities, had to hurt.
• Sal Frelick debuted 0-4 with a strikeout. He made some decent contact in a couple at bats, but all in all it was a quiet debut.
• Though the results weren't there, it was quite nice to see Felix Valerio back in the lineup. His timing appeared just a bit off but that has to be expected after a brief spell out of the line up. Here's to future hot streaks for Felix! The Shuckers are a more enjoyable watch when he's got the jersey on.
• I miss Abner Uribe. His injury is an early 2022 lowlight for me as he's one of my favorite pitching prospects in the entire system. Get well soon, Abner!?

Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes     

Final: Norfolk (Orioles) 7, Nashville 4
Box Score / Game Log 

Via the Sounds' site, game details, please visit and review:

Tides Rally to Stun Sounds in Series Opener - Nashville falls to 16-8 with Loss in Series Opener

Nashville nearly grabbed a big league victory, but when you fail to score a run from the third inning onward you are leaving quite a bit of stress on your pitching staff. In uncharacteristic fashion, the late work of Jason Alexander and Peter Strzelecki gave away the lead for good in the top of the eighth inning. For a staff who have collectively pitched as strong as they have, we'll toss this one up to 'natural wear and tear'. 

• It was a Jon Singleton OBP Party. <Deal With It Gif goes here?> Jon became only the second Sounds player in 2022 to earn three walks in a single game. He also added a blooping hook single down the left field line and scored a run. Careful rounding first, big fella, they almost snuck a tag on you there!
• The Sounds went with Luis Perdomo as a bullpen opener today. Typical starter Jason Alexander took over in the fourth inning and, by the beginning of the 7th, Alexander had a mere 53 pitches with one down. The Sounds have so many ways they can pitch to you and we are seeing more Perdomo bullpen openers in the past few weeks. Unfortunately, it didn't work out late tonight but a poor result has been the exception to the rule through 24 games in Nashville.
• Brice Turang pulled out a hit late to extend his hitting streak to 11 games. Congrats Brice, this is quite the tear you are on! For those counting at home, Brice is hitting .404 (19-for-47) with eight runs, five doubles, two home runs, ten RBI and five walks during the streak. Red hot!
• Hey a Zach Brown sighting! 1/3 inning pitched and now a fresh total of 4 1/3 innings pitched on the year. He relieved Perdomo in the third and got the fly out to Dahl in right field. 
• Weston Wilson continues to do Weston Wilson things. One of three with two rbi's on the evening...
  ...and stellar glove work at third base. He and Jackson were a part of a fantastic throw out at third base as runners attempted to advance on an Alexander wild pitch. Jackson got an incredible bounce off the brick wall behind home plate but I still have no idea how he threw the runner out other than: Oh right, cannon for an arm. I swear, before he threw the ball, the runner was a mere 8-10 feet from third base. A truly beautiful bang-bang play.

That's a wrap for our Tuesday slate of games here on May 3rd. Some wonderful results in the Low and High-A levels. Some frustrating tough losses at Double and Triple-A. Here's hoping for some fantastic baseball Wednesday. Take a look at what's in store - the Shuckers game in Montgomery begins at 11:00 AM Central should you choose to listen in to the Biloxi call in the office or elsewhere:

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Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth

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After the position player promotions this week (Frelick, Bello, Chourio), I hope we see TJ Shook lead the pitcher promotions next week.

I also hope Carolina OF Hendry Mendez is okay despite being subbed out in the 4th inning.

6 minutes ago, damuelle said:

After the position player promotions this week (Frelick, Bello, Chourio), I hope we see TJ Shook lead the pitcher promotions next week.

I also hope Carolina OF Hendry Mendez is okay despite being subbed out in the 4th inning.

What is Shook's deal in your guys' opinion? Is this simply a case of an advanced college arm dominating younger and less experienced competition, or is it possible the Brewers unearthed an undrafted FA gem? What does he throw, and is anything overpowering?

3 minutes ago, Mass Haas said:

Keep in mind it was only a five-round draft in 2020. Shook conceivably could have been considered for drafting as early as the 6th round. Brandon Knarr, same thing. It’s unfortunate they get lumped into the “undrafted” category.

Very good point. I guess I tend to sometimes conveniently forget some of the weirdness that 2020 brought.

15 hours ago, Ron Robinsons Beard said:

What is Shook's deal in your guys' opinion? Is this simply a case of an advanced college arm dominating younger and less experienced competition, or is it possible the Brewers unearthed an undrafted FA gem? What does he throw, and is anything overpowering?

I really really like his stuff. He's definitely one to watch throughout this season. Movement - sinking, tailing...super active stuff. He also has a frame on the mound that is strong and subtly imposing. It's always best to go check out the Home Game YouTube highlights as you'll get small tastes of what the Rattlers pitchers can do. Here's a more detailed full highlight clip than the full highlights above. Just look at that movement. You can see how he had a 10k outing: