Flipping through our @milb FirstPitch app for a game to watch, we decided on the Brewers' AAA affiliate (the Nashville Sounds) to check in on one of our favorite prospects, Esteury Ruiz.
Ruiz, of course, had just changed teams (from San Diego to Milwaukee) as part of the Josh Hader trade and we didn't know if he was going to make the lineup on 8/3/22 or not -- or even why he was in Nashville and not Milwaukee.
We also have to admit that we haven't followed Nashville all year, and maybe haven't even seen them face one of the other AAA teams we've watched. But that all changed on when we saw what Nashville rolled out vs Norwalk on 8/3:
1. Sal Frelick, CF (just promoted from AA and MLB's #46 ranked prospect)
128 wRC+, .381 wOBA, .315 Avg, 13.2% K rate
2. Esteury Ruiz, OF (just traded from San Diego, MIL's #9 ranked prospect)
3. Brice Turang, SS (MIL's #5 prospect)
.286 Avg, 62 Runs (Top 75 MiLB), 23 SBs (Top 100 MiLB)
4. Jon Singleton, 1B (Former HOU top prospect who "disappeared" after a big K ext.)
19 HRS (MiLB #46)
5. Pablo Reyes, 2B
125 wRC+, .278 Avg, 12 Steals
6. Garrett Mitchell, RF (MIL #4, former top 100 MLB prospect, 2020 1st round pick)
8/9 Stolen bases
27 SBs (just 1 CS), 15 Hrs
8. Jakson Reetz, C (and no idea how he's not a top 10 MIL prospect)
9. Patrick Dorrian, 3B
Wow, that's 6 guys that are all but a lock for the majors. And, of those 6, I'm counting on 3/4 of them to be better than average major leaguers, with Sal Frelick, Jakson Reetz and Eustery Ruiz to be potential MLB stars! Kudos to the Brew Crew for the promotions of Frelick, Wiemer and Mitchell (to keep them together and to pair them with Ruiz).
And, in last night's game, Sal Frelick led off with a hit, followed by Ruiz lacing a single over third. Brice then killed the rally with a GIDP. But, Nashville broke through in the 2nd for a run, before really breaking it open in the 4th (behind HRs from Garrett Mitchell and Jakson Reetz). Brice Turang added a solo shot in the 7th.
Although Ruiz was thrown out twice attempting to steal 2nd, both were very close: the 1st being basically a pitch out and perfect throw and tag, while the second one was a botched called as replays showed his hand touched the base before the tag. Wiemer also added two steals (but no, I don't think he's faster than Ruiz, its just that the NOR battery was ready for Ruiz, who went on the first pitch in the 2nd).
Anyway, that is a pretty exciting lineup! And, after getting drubbed last night (6 ERs, 5.2 IP), I think former major leaguer (and currently Norwalk SP) Matt Harvey may agree.
Don't take anyway away from the Norwalk side as they have bona fide studs too, including an arguable #1 overall prospect in Gunnar Henderson (2/5)
...followed by Jordan Westburg (not his best game, 0/3, 3 K's 1BB) and Kyle Stowers (1/3, 1 HR, 2 RBIs)
If you get the chance to watch a AAA game, I'd sure recommend catching Nashville before these guys are playing in the bigs!
[Note: As this goes to press, we just received word that one of the Nashville big guns (Jakson Reetz) has just been called up! Congrats and welcome to the show Jakson!]
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