Milwaukee Brewers: Biloxi Shuckers Week 20 – Ortiz Gives Up 1st ER of the Season

Jun 24, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; A baseball glove rests on the bench during the game between the New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Milwaukee won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; A baseball glove rests on the bench during the game between the New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Milwaukee won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
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May 5, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baseball glove on turf before an MLB game between the Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
May 5, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baseball glove on turf before an MLB game between the Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports /

SP Luis Ortiz has been quite the player for the Biloxi Shuckers as he went 18.1 IP without giving up an earned run.

After the Milwaukee Brewers trade of Jonathan Lucroy and Jeremy Jeffress for 2 top 75 ranked prospects (by Baseball America) including Lewis Brinson and Luis Ortiz. While rankings always give players a big promise, it’s always difficult to judge until seeing them play on the field.

But, Ortiz is one that has shown nothing but promise. After the trade, FanGraphs took a look at the newly acquired Milwaukee Brewers prospects. Ortiz’s three top pitches include the fastball, slider, and changeup. The fastball (93-96 mph) and slider (83-85 mph) are both above average and the changeup is average (at this point).

More from Brewers Prospects

Before getting to the AA level, he’s had lots of key experience for growth. When he was 18 years old, he was named MVP for Team USA in the U-18 World Tournament. He also had some encouragement during that time from a current Milwaukee Brewer, Matt Garza, who worked out with him back in 2013 during the offseason.

While Ortiz’s 1st ER, resulted in a loss for the Biloxi Shuckers, that doesn’t mean they didn’t have a great week overall going 5-2. The Shuck Dynasty explains the 5-game sweep over the Mississippi Braves gave them a realistic chance to become a playoff team with only being 0.5 game behind them now. So, let’s take a look at the top 3 pitchers/hitters this past week who started giving the Shuckers a chance to reach the playoffs.

Next: Top 3 Pitchers

Apr 6, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Taylor Jungmann (26) pitches in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Taylor Jungmann (26) pitches in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

Top 3 Pitchers

SP Luis Ortiz   

21.1 IP / 0.42 ERA / 3.43 FIP

Before giving up his 1st run with the Shuckers, Ortiz went 5 IP, 5 Hs, 0 ER, 3 BBs, and 3 Ks against the Mississippi Braves to get his 2nd win of the season. While his 4 IP, 6 Hs, 1 ER, 1 BB, and 2 Ks didn’t result in a win for the Shuckers yesterday, he certainly gave them a chance. All signs seem to be pointing that the Milwaukee Brewers will be playing it safe the rest of the season with his pitch count to not further the groin strain.

SP Brandon Woodruff

99.2 IP / 3.34 ERA / 2.66 FIP

After the month of July, it’s no surprise Woodruff had a few hiccups in the month of August giving up 11 ERs in 2 starts. But, he rebounded with his last one going 8 IP, 2 Hs, 0 ER, 2 BBs, and 7 Ks. This would be good time for the 2014 11th round draft pick to start another streak for the Shuckers to make a push for the playoffs.

SP Taylor Jungmann

64.2 IP / 2.37 ERA / 2.96 FIP

Jungmann had his best start of the year as he went 8 IP, 3 Hs, 0 ER, 0 BBs, and 8 Ks. He went 8 IP in last July, but gave up just 1 ER. At this point many wonder if he could be a September call-up for the Milwaukee Brewers and he’s certainly making it shown why he should be.

Next: Top 3 Hitters

Oct. 10, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Tyrone Taylor plays for the Glendale Desert Dogs against the Scottsdale Scorpions during an Arizona Fall League game at Cubs Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct. 10, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Tyrone Taylor plays for the Glendale Desert Dogs against the Scottsdale Scorpions during an Arizona Fall League game at Cubs Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Top 3 Hitters

RF Clint Coulter

.362/.421/.493 / 2 HRs/10 RBIs / 5.6 BB%/12.5 K%

The call-up to AA continually seems to have been a wake-up call to Coulter as he had another solid week. With 7 Hs and 3 RBIs, his batting line may have dropped a bit, but like any hot steak, it’s going to cool down a bit. Also, his Ks have gone up with 7, so it’ll be interesting to see what note he ends the season on.

SS Angel Ortega

.228/.249/.312 / 3 HRs/18 RBIs / 1.4 BB%/15.7 K%

Ortega has had quite the month of August as the Sun Herald pointed out on the 23rd how he was batting .288 in August and he only added to it throughout the week. With 7 Hs, 3 2Bs, and 4 RBIs, he seems to be getting back on a streak he was when promoted to the Shuckers. His OBP of 1.4% can certainly be an improvement as he’s only had 3 BBs total with the team so far.

OF Tyrone Taylor

.235/.307/.333 / 9 HRs/34 RBIs / 7.4 BB%/14.0 K%

Taylor had 7 hits, including a 2B and a game where he had 4 RBIs. With 6 BBs, he got his OBP up to .307, the highest it’s been since mid-July. If anything has been steady for Taylor, it’s his BB% as 7.4% would be his highest in a full season. But, like any positive, the negative is his K% being the highest at 14.0%.

Next: Why It's Too Early To Judge Arcia

Other notes:

Both RP Jacob Barnes and INF Will Middlebrooks are making rehab assignments with the Biloxi Shuckers.

All stats via FanGraphs or MiLB

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