Brewers Farm Report: Brevard County Manatees

Each week throughout the regular season, the staff at Reviewing the Brew will be bringing you a comprehensive minor league report about each of the Milwaukee Brewers affiliates. There isn’t much to write home about at the big league level this season (so far) for the Brewers, but Milwaukee does have plenty of exciting prospects off to hot starts throughout their minor league system.

The Brewers affiliate in the Florida State League (Advanced A) is no exception.

During the period of May 19-25, the Manatees went 2-4, splitting a pair with Clearwater and losing three of four to Fort Myers. That dropped their regular season record to 18-25, placing them sixth and last in the FSL North Division, seven and one-half games behind Daytona. The offense–which had been the team’s strong point–sputtered a bit, averaging just more than two runs per contest this week.

The team is tied for second in home runs with 23 and stolen bases with 54.

On the pitching side of the ledger, team-wise, the team is tied for first with a pair of complete games, but ranks near the middle of the pack for most other pitching metrics.

Looking at the league leader boards, several players are listed.

Christopher McFarland leads the league in hits (56) and is tied for first with 12 doubles. Omar Garcia is tied for the league lead with 17 steals, while Taylor Smith-Brennan is tied for fourth with 27 runs scored.

The two big boppers–Clint Coulter and Victor Roache–each are listed near the top in several categories. Coulter is first in RBI (30) and tied for first with nine homers, and has been plunked the most times, with eight HBP to his credit. His 81 total bases are third.

Roache is second in homers (8) and RBI (28), and second with 83 total bases.

On the mound, starter Jorge Ortega is tied for the league lead with two complete games, and recently-promoted Hiram Burgos ranks third with 47 strikeouts.

More from Brewers Prospects

• Brewers Farm System Finally Back into MLB Pipeline’s Top 20
• Brewers: Ranking The Crew’s Top 3 September Call Up Candidates
• Should the Brewers Promote Hot Hitting Prospect Sal Frelick?
• Brewers: Where does 2022 Draft class sit in Pipeline mid-season rankings?
• Milwaukee Brewers: Minor League Affiliate Recap for 8/2 to 8/7

HITTER OF THE WEEK: Christopher McFarland, 2B

Once again, McFarland wins the HOTW award on the basis of his 9-for-26 performance (.346/.346/.423). His week included a pair of doubles and an RBI, and featured four straight two-hit games. In his last 24 games, spanning 97 at-bats, the Lufkin, TX native is slashing .381/.425/.485 with five doubles, a triple and a dinger, nine RBI and five stolen bases.

Runner-Up: Garrett Cooper, 1B

The big first baseman slashed .294/.368/.412 on the strength of a 5-for-17 performance, including a pair of doubles and an RBI.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK: Brandon Woodruff, RHS

Brandon Woodruff pitching against Fort Myers in a tough 1-0 loss. Credit and permission by Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography.

Woodruff pitched well in his start but did not earn a decision in a 1-0 loss to Fort Myers. Woodruff went seven innings, gave up four hits and a walk while striking out a pair. On the year in eight starts, Woodruff is 1-1 with a 4.38 ERA.

Runners-Up: Many

Javi Salas (3-3) won his only start, giving up one run in seven innings, allowing six hits while striking out five. Reliever Scott Lieser pitched two scoreless innings while whiffing three and bullpen compadre Preston Gainey struck out a batter in two scoreless innings.

Lefty Trevor Seidenberger continued his dominance, earning his third save in a one-inning performance while striking out two.

UP NEXT:

Brevard County plays the next seven games at home, beginning with a four-pack against FSL league-best Charlotte (30-14) and wrap up the week with three against Lakeland, fourth in the North Division.