Brewers Minors: High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers headed to the postseason

With how highly regarded the Milwaukee Brewers farm system was coming into 2024, they were bound to have at least one of their affiliates end up seeing some postseason action. Halfway into June, there is already confirmation that one team will indeed be doing so.

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, the High-A affiliate of the Brewers, are officially headed to the playoffs for the first time in eight years. They clinched the spot with an 8-5 road win over the West Michigan Whitecaps on Sunday afternoon.

The Timber Rattlers came into the day needing just a win or Cedar Rapids Kernels loss to clinch the Midwest League West Division title. They wasted no time in making sure they controlled their own destiny when it came to their potential playoff spot.

Wisconsin jumped out to a big lead early when they put up a six-run inning in the top of the second with half of the runs coming on a three-run bomb by outfielder Jheremy Vargas. No. 15 prospect (per MLB Pipeline) Luke Adams, DH Jesus Chirinos, and catcher Matthew Wood also drove in runs in the frame.

The Timber Rattlers would tack on two more in the fourth on a two-run single by Wood. While those insurance runs ultimately wouldn't be needed, the Whitecaps would attempt a rally when they scored five runs (three earned) in the fifth inning. That would be all West Michigan could muster, however, as Wisconsin would hold them scoreless for the final four innings of the game.

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are the first Brewers affiliate to clinch a spot in the playoffs in 2024.

From the start of the season until now, the Timber Rattlers have been one of the most dominant teams in the entire Midwest League. They have won nine of their 11 series so far in 2024 and at 40-23 have the top record in both divisions, leading the Lake County Captains of the East Division by two games.

The Timber Rattlers' recipe for success on offense has been similar to their parent club in some ways: get on base and take extra bases. Wisconsin is third in the MIdwest League with a .351 on base percentage and leads the division in stolen bases by far with 137 (the next closest team, Quad Cities, is at 102).

On the mound, the Timber Rattlers sit middle of the pack with a 4.06 ERA (6th of 12 teams) but have done two things particularly well. They've largely avoided being hurt by the long ball, giving up the fourth least amount of homers in the league with 46 and limited free passes to batters as they've given up the third least amount of walks in the league at 227.

Congrats to the Timber Rattlers and all of their coaches and players for breaking the team's playoff drought and giving fans something to get excited for when the regular season comes to an end. Hopefully this is just the first of many playoff spots that get clinched all across the organization.