Brewers Low-A Affiliate: Carolina Mudcats (11-10, T-2nd in Carolina League North)
The Mudcats have been a bit of a streaky team in this first portion of 2022 regular season play with two winning streaks of at least three games and two losing streaks of at least the same length already this year. But after a win last Sunday, Carolina sits a game over .500.
That’s good enough to place them in second place in their division, three games behind the first place Fredricksburg Nationals. They have the worst run differential of the four Brewers affiliates at -23, though like the Timber Rattlers, they had two losses of more than ten runs last month.
The Mudcats have been able to put hits on the board as they place 5th of 12 Carolina League teams in batting average (.232). They rank low in other offensive marks, however, placing 10th in OPS (.654) and home runs (10) and are 8th in runs scored (102).
Things don’t get particularly better on the pitching side, either. Carolina pitchers have put up a 5.33 ERA and 1.601 WHIP in 2022, both placing 10th in the Carolina League, while giving up the second most walks (128) so far as well.
The team MVP on offense so far has arguably been outfielder Micah Bello. The Competitive Balance B pick from the 2018 draft leads the team in a handful off offensive categories including batting average (.356), OPS (.994), runs scored (13), doubles (6), and homers (2) across 18 games played.
Joining him in a tie for the team lead in doubles and homers is shortstop Eduardo Garcia (No. 12). His slash line (.321/.357/.500) has been plenty impressive as well, as has that of second baseman Zach Raabe (.297/.460/.405), an 8th round pick in last year’s draft.
The top performer on the mound for the Mudcats has probably been reliever Michele Vassalotti. The right-hander has pitched 11 innings across seven games in 2022 and has a 2-0 record with a 2.45 ERA and 0.636 WHIP while converting each of his two save opportunities on the season.
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The vibes are positive across the organization coming out of the first calendar month of play and the Brewers and their affiliates will look to keep it going into May.