TABLE OF CONTENTS 06 EXPLAINING: THE FINAL STRETCH
13
2021 SOUNDS ROSTER
24
08 2021 SCHEDULE w/ FINAL STRETCH
15
BASEBALL AMERICA’S TOP 10 MILWAUKEE BREWERS PROSPECTS
27 32
10 WESTBROOK & TEAM USA
19 DISCOVER: HIT CITY
31
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WHAT IS THE TRIPLE-A
FINAL STRETCH?
Let’s be honest, more baseball is always a good thing. And that’s exactly what will happen at the end of September across Triple-A Baseball. This time it’s known as “The Triple-A Final Stretch.” On July 14, Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball announced 10 additional games for each Triple-A Club in lieu of a traditional playoff format. That means five extra games for the Sounds at First Horizon Park and five on the road. The Triple-A Final Stretch begins on September 22 when the Sounds play host to the Columbus Clippers (Cleveland Indians). Following a five-game series from September 22-26, the Sounds will enjoy back-to-back off days before finishing the season with a five-game set in Indianapolis from September 29 - October 3 against the Indianapolis Indians. “Why though” you might ask? This stems from all Minor League games being cancelled in the month of April, and Major League Baseball is trying to best sync the end of the MiLB season with the end of their own regular season. So, here’s how this works as it pertains to crowning champions:
1)
For each the Triple-A East (Go Sounds!) and Triple-A West, a 2021 Regular Season Champion will be named based on overall winning percentage through the originally scheduled championship season (Sept. 19 for the Sounds).
2) Among the 30 Clubs, a single 2021 Triple-A Final Stretch Winner will also be crowned based on the highest overall winning percentage during this 10-game stretch. What does the winning team get? Good question but we still don’t know the answer (*insert shrug and confused emoji*) So no playoffs across Triple-A Baseball in 2021, but y’all can giddy up for the Triple-A Final Stretch!
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2021 GAME SCHEDULE HOME
ROAD
S O U T H E A S T CLT DUR GWN JAX MEM NAS NOR
Charlotte Knights Durham Bulls Gwinnett Stripers Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp Memphis Redbirds Nashville Sounds Norfolk Tides
N O R T H E A S T
White Sox Rays Braves Marlins Cardinals Brewers Orioles
BUF LHV ROC SWB SYR WOR
Buffalo Bisons Lehigh Valley IronPigs Rochester Red Wings Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Syracuse Mets Worcester Red Sox
Blue Jays Phillies Nationals Yankees Mets Red Sox
M I D W E S T COL IND IOW LOU OMA STP TOL
SUN
MON
Columbus Clippers Indianapolis Indians Iowa Cubs Louisville Bats Omaha Storm Chasers St. Paul Saints Toledo Mud Hens
JUNE
CLT
CLT
CLT
CLT
6
CLT
7
8
9
10
11
12
1:05
13
IND 2:05
20
GWN
21
12:05
27
CLT 6:15
SUN
1
COL
2
6:15
8
TOL LOU
9
MEM
16
29 6:15
16
17
18
19
6:05
6:05
6:05
6:05
23 30
7:05
GWN GWN GWN GWN 22 29
LOU
23
CLT 7:05
24
CLT 7:05
25
CLT 7:05
26
CLT 7:05
30
LOU
FRI
SAT
TOL
TOL
TOL
TOL
TOL
10
11
12
13
14
SUN
4
LOU
5
7:05
11
GWN 12:05
18
LOU 6:15
6
7:05
7
SUN
5
LOU
LOU
LOU
17
18
19
20
21
12
7:10
7:10
7:10
6:35
24
25
26
27
28
7:05
7:05
7:05
7:05
7:05
6:00
6:00
MEM MEM MEM MEM
GWN GWN GWN GWN GWN 31
LOU 5:30
12
13
14
15
6:35
6:35
6:35
6:35
18
19
20
21
22
6:35
6:35
6:35
6:35
6:35
11
MEM
5:35
5:35
6:05
4:05
MEM MEM MEM MEM
GWN GWN GWN GWN GWN 25
COL
26
27
COL 6:05
28
29
COL
COL
COL
THU
FRI
SAT
LOU
LOU
LOU
6:05
6:05
6:05
31
MON
JULY
TUE
WED
5
1
12 19 26
2
7:05
3
7:05
6
7
8
9
10
6:05
6:05
6:05
6:05
5:05
13
14
15
16
17
GWN GWN GWN GWN GWN LOU
LOU
LOU
LOU
LOU
20
21
22
23
24
7:05
JAX
7:05
7:05
JAX
JAX
28
29
30
31
COL
COL
7:05
7:05
JAX
11:05AM
27
7:05
JAX
6:05
7:05
MON
TUE
6:05
COL 7:05
6:05
COL 7:05
5:35
COL 7:05
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
LOU
LOU
LOU
LOU
8
9
10
11
1
5:30
LOU
MEM
TOL
7:05
LOU
5:30
8
TOL
6:05
6:15
LOU
5:30
24
7
SAT
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER
THU
6:05
23
GWN
5:35
WED
4
17
6
FRI
TOL
6:35
2:05
JAX
7:05
TUE
3
16
MEM
25
AUGUST
7:10
2:05
GWN
15
5:30
12:00
22
7:05
7:05
6:15
15
7:05
CLT
10
5
7:05
IND
7:05
9
TOL
THU
TOL
6:04
IND
7:05
MON
5
IND
7:05
28
6:04
4
IND 7:05
14
6:04
4
TOL
WED
1:05
FRI
3
TUE
5:35
COL
THU
6:04
3
30
WED
2
2
2:05
Indians Pirates Cubs Reds Royals Twins Tigers
TUE
1
MON
1:05
DOUBLEHEADER
FIREWORKS
SUN
MAY
6
5:30
MEM GWN
MEM 7:05
13
6:15
19
7
20
COL 6:15
3
IND 12:35
27
5:30
3
6:00
4
6:00
MEM MEM MEM MEM 7:05
7:05
7:05
7:05
14
15
16
17
18
6:05
6:05
6:05
6:05
5:05
21
22
23
24
25 25
GWN GWN GWN GWN GWN
12:05
26
2
28
COL 7:05 7:05
29
IND 6:05
COL 7:05 7:05
30
IND 6:05
COL 7:05 7:05
1
IND 6:05
All times are PM CST unless otherwise listed. Games and times subject to change.
COL 7:05 7:05
2
IND 6:05
Very rarely do athletes have the opportunity to represent their country in the Olympic games. It is even more rare that baseball players do. Prior to the 2020 Summer games, baseball had not been an Olympic sport since 2008 and is not scheduled to be in the 2024 games. So, when Nashville Sounds infielder Jamie Westbrook got the call to be a part of Team USA, he could not turn down the once-in-alifetime opportunity. “It really is a once-in-a-lifetime chance,” Westbrook said. “I don’t think baseball has been in the Olympics for 12 or 13 years so that in itself to be selected and compete is crazy. I had to be this age at this time to be able to participate so definitely grateful for that opportunity.” The Arizona native was not sure what to expect when he was called into Manager Rick Sweet’s office. The possibility of getting the call to Milwaukee was an idea that ran through his head but turns out he was selected for Team USA. “It was a little weird, we were in Gwinnett, and I thought I was going to the big leagues,” Westbrook recalled. “The first thing he said was you’re not going to the big leagues, but you have been selected for the Olympic team. That was a crazy whirlwind of emotion. It caught me by surprise I didn’t know much about the process of being selected for the team.” In five games, Westbrook batted .182 and had a moment he will never forget when he hit a solo home run to put USA up 2-0 in the semi-final game against South Korea. “I have hit a few home runs in my career but that one is probably the most memorable,” Westbrook said. “Getting to do it live on NBC and knowing my parents and my family are back home watching, nothing like it.”
The environment from playing in the Olympics and playing in the minor leagues had a big difference according to Westbrook. Playing in a short tournament where every pitch counts was a good differentiator from a 140-game minor league season, but it was a setting he enjoyed. “It was way different, you really just show up and play,” the 26-year-old said. “In the minor leagues, you have a game just about every day and in Tokyo it was tournament style and every game mattered. You were always playing for something, and you have USA on your chest so every game you are representing everyone back home.” Team USA won group B, defeating South Korea and Israel to move to the winner’s bracket, but lost their first game to Japan. The loss created a harder road for them to get to the gold medal game, but they bounced back with wins over Dominican Republic and South Korea to reach the final.
“When we lost to Japan, I don’t think anyone was too bummed out,” Westbrook said. “Obviously, it hurt but we knew we still had a path to get there, and it was just day-by-day. We worried about winning the game we had that day and I think we did a good job of that, and we ended up in the gold medal game. We had opportunities to win that game, but it is cool to be a silver medalist.” Off the field, Westbrook enjoyed the chance to be around other Olympic athletes and watch the other events in the village. “In our USA building, we could watch other events in the lobby, so it was cool to watch those with other athletes,” Westbrook said. “It was a cool environment and a great experience to watch events with people of those ranks.”
2021 SOUNDS ROSTER As of August 20, 2021
COACHING STAFF MANAGER: RICK SWEET
PITCHING COACH: JIM HENDERSON
HITTING COACH: AL LEBEOUF
COACH: NED YOST IV
ATHLETIC TRAINER: NICK NELSON
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING: ANDREW EMMICK
PITCHERS NUMBER
NAME
POSITION
BATS/THROWS
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
AGE
BIRTHDAY
30
R.J. ALVAREZ
P
R/R
6’1
230
30
6/8/91
22
AARON ASHBY
P
R/L
6’2
187
23
5/24/98
RESIDES
ACQUIRED
WEST PALM BEACH, FL
FA - 4/4/21
KANSAS CITY, MO
4TH ROUND - ‘18
49
LUKE BARKER
P
R/R
6’3
230
29
3/11/92
CHICO, CA
FA - 11/28/16
40
ALEC BETTINGER
P
R/R
6’2
201
26
7/13/95
RICHMOND, VA
10TH ROUND - ‘17
34
DYLAN FILE
P
R/R
6’1
202
25
6/4/96
PHOENIX, AZ
21ST ROUND - ‘17
36
BLAINE HARDY
P
L/L
6’2
218
34
3/14/87
PEQUOT LAKES, MN
32
THOMAS JANKINS
P
R/R
6’3
220
26
7/2/95
WEST BROOKfiELD, MA
31
JOSH LINDBLOM
P
R/R
6’3
241
34
6/15/87
LAFAYETTE, LA
52
HOBY MILNER
P
L/L
6’3
175
30
1/13/91
FORT WORTH, TX
26
ANDY OTERO
P
L/L
5’9
165
29
6/3/92
DAVID, PANAMA
FA - 5/7/21
39
COLIN REA
P
R/R
6’5
235
31
7/1/90
CASCADE, IA
FA - 8/14/21
20
CONNOR SADZECK
P
R/R
6’7
235
29
10/1/91
FARMINGTON, NM
48
CHAD SOBOTKA
P
R/R
6’7
225
27
7/10/93
SARASOTA, FL
58
QUINTIN TORRES-COSTA
P
L/L
6’0
190
26
9/11/94
HILO, HI
25
JUSTIN TOPA
P
R/R
6’3
226
30
3/7/91
WEST CHESTER, PA
33
WEIGEL, PATRICK
P
R/R
6’6
230
27
7/8/94
BUDA, TX
52
YARDLEY, ERIC
P
R/R
6’0
167
30
8/18/90
GOODYEAR, AZ
FA - 1/28/21 13TH ROUND - ‘16 FA - 12/16/19 FA - 12/17/20
FA - 8/11/21 TRADE (ATL) - 4/6/21 35TH ROUND - ‘15 FA - 3/28/19 TRADE (ATL) - 4/6/21 WAIVERS - 11/15/19
CATCHERS NUMBER
NAME
POSITION
BATS/THROWS
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
AGE
BIRTHDAY
5
MARIO FELICIANO
C
R/R
6’1
200
22
11/20/98
SAN JUAN, P.R.
RESIDES
ACQUIRED
21
CHRISTIAN KELLEY
C
R/R
5’10
190
25
9/23/94
CHINO, CA
FA - 5/4/21
10
LUKE MAILE
C
R/R
6’3
225
30
2/6/91
PALM HARBOR, FL
FA - 12/8/20
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
AGE
BIRTHDAY
RESIDES
ACQUIRED
6’2
224
27
3/7/94
SACRAMENTO, CA
FA - 12/3/20
COMP. BALANCE B - ‘16
INFIELDERS NUMBER
NAME
POSITION
BATS/THROWS
12
ZACH GREEN
INF
R/R
19
KESTON HIURA
INF
R/R
6’0
201
25
8/2/96
PHOENIX, AZ
6
TIM LOPES
INF
R/R
5’11
180
27
6/24/94
EASTVALE, CA
15
PABLO REYES
INF
R/R
5’8
175
27
9/5/93
SANTO DOMINGO, D.R.
FA - 1/7/21
9
DANIEL ROBERTSON
INF
R/R
5’11
210
27
3/22/94
NEWPORT BEACH, CA
FA - 1/21/21
53
BRICE TURANG
INF
L/R
6’0
169
21
11/21/99
GLENDALE, AZ
1ST ROUND - ‘18
8
JAMIE WESTBROOK
INF
R/R
5’9
170
26
6/18/95
GILBERT, AZ
FA - 10/30/20
1ST ROUND - ‘17 WAIVERS - 12/22/20
OUTFIELDERS NUMBER
NAME
POSITION
BATS/THROWS
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
AGE
BIRTHDAY
14
DAVID DAHL
OF
L/R
6’2
200
27
4/1/94
SCOTTSDALE, AZ
RESIDES
17
MATT LIPKA
OF
R/R
6’1
205
29
4/15/92
FRISCO, TX
28
DUSTIN PETERSON
OF
R/R
6’2
220
26
9/10/94
GILBERT, AZ
FA - 12/16/20
1
COREY RAY
OF
L/L
5’10
193
26
9/22/94
SURPRISE, AZ
1ST ROUND - ‘16
13
TROY STOKES JR.
OF
R/R
5’9
205
25
2/2/96
BALTIMORE, MD
ACQUIRED FA - 8/17/21 TRADE (AZ) - 6/28/21
TRADE (PIT) - 6/25/21
TOP
10 NL
CENTRAL
MILWAUKEE BREWERS TOP 10 PROSPECTS
Players signed in past two years move the Brewers out of the talent basement BADLER
1. BRICE TURANG, SS AGE: 21. B-T: L-R. HT: 6-0. WT: 175. DRAFTED: HS—Corona,
Calif., 2018 (1st round). SIGNED BY: Wynn Pelzer. TRACK RECORD: Turang became well known in scouting circles early in his high school years, playing for USA Baseball’s 15U National Team in 2014. He put himself in the conversation among the top prep hitters in the country, winning a gold medal for Team USA and making the all-tournament team at the U-18 World Cup in 2017. Turang didn’t quite meet the high expectations scouts had for him as a senior and slid down the first round to the Brewers, who drafted him 21st overall and signed him for $3.411 million. In his first full season in 2019, Turang hit well in the low Class A Midwest League, though he struggled after a promotion to high Class A Carolina as a 19-year-old. With the 2020 season wiped out due to the coronavirus pandemic, Turang reported to the team’s alternate training site in Appleton, Wis., where he was the Brewers’ best hitter and started to drive the ball with more impact. SCOUTING REPORT: Turang consistently puts together quality at-bats with his sharp eye for the strike zone and sweet lefthanded swing. He’s a patient hitter who doesn’t chase much off the plate and drew walks 15% of the time in 2019. He has a calm, balanced swing with good bat-to-ball skills and stays through the ball, leading to an all-fields, line-drive approach. The knock on Turang coming into 2020 was his well below-av-
erage power, which got exposed once the Brewers promoted him to the Carolina League. Turang did a better job of driving the ball with more authority in Appleton. The Brewers kept an internal “barrel” board of hitters with exit velocities of 95 mph or better at the alternate site, and Turang was consistently among the leaders throughout the summer. Turang didn’t change his swing, but he added strength and adjusted his approach in favorable counts to drive the ball for more damage. He still doesn’t project as a big power threat, but optimistic evaluators now think 15-20 home runs in his prime is feasible. Turang is a plus runner who has shown good instincts on the basepaths. He has a solid chance to stay at shortstop, where his hands and feet work well. He’s adept at charging in on the ball and ranging toward second base, and he has worked to improve his throws from the hole with his average arm strength. THE FUTURE: If Turang can continue to show the uptick in his hard-hit rate, he has the components to be an on-base threat who can hit toward the top of a lineup. After what he showed at the alternate training site, he should be ready to jump to Double-A in 2021. 2019 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB Minors (2 teams) .256 .367 .340 473 82 121 19 6 3 37 83 101 30
Projected Future Grades On 20-80 Scouting Scale HIT: 60. POWER: 40. SPEED: 60. FIELD: 50. ARM: 50
2. GARRETT MITCHELL, OF
3. HEDBERT PEREZ, OF
AGE: 22. B-T: L-R. HT: 6-3. WT: 215.
AGE: 18. B-T: L-L. HT: 5-11. WT: 180.
4. ANTOINE KELLY, LHP AGE: 21. B-T: L-L. HT: 6-6. WT: 205.
DRAFTED: UCLA, 2020 (1st rd). SIGNED
SIGNED: Venezuela, 2019.
DRAFTED: Wabash Valley (Ill.) JC, 2019
BY: Daniel Cho/Corey Rodriguez.
SIGNED BY: Reinaldo Hidalgo.
(2nd rd). SIGNED BY: Harvey Kuenn Jr.
TRACK RECORD: Mitchell hit .349/.418/.566 as a sophomore at UCLA in 2019 and led the nation with 12 triples. He was off to a strong start in 2020 and had arguably the best pure tools in the draft class, but concerns about his Type 1 diabetes were among the reasons he fell on draft day. He fell to the Brewers at No. 20 overall and signed for $3,242,900. Mitchell made his organizational debut in instructional league, though a strained quad limited his time. SCOUTING REPORT: A physical, explosive athlete, Mitchell is an 80 runner on the 20-80 scouting scale. He covers huge swaths of ground in center field, where he projects as a plus defender with a plus arm. Mitchell’s offensive approach was built around his speed at UCLA. There’s some choppiness to his swing, which is geared to hit low line drives and use his wheels to stretch out extra-base hits. Mitchell shows plus raw power in batting practice, but his approach limits his ability to apply it in games. Mitchell has worked on getting his lower half more engaged in his swing to try to do more damage, but it remains to be seen how much power he will be able to unlock. THE FUTURE: Mitchell can be a polarizing player, but if he can translate his power into games, he has all-star upside. He’ll make his pro debut in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: Perez is the son of former major league outfielder Robert Perez and trained with his father before signing with the Brewers for $700,000 in 2019. His impressive blend of athleticism, tools and advanced baseball skills gave the Brewers confidence to push him to the alternate training site in 2020 as a 17-year-old, making him the youngest player on any 60-man player pool. He was one of the Brewers’ top performers at instructional league in the fall. SCOUTING REPORT: Perez could soon be the top prospect in the organization. He has a fast, easy and efficient swing from the left side with strong bat-to-ball skills and a firm grasp of the strike zone. He has at least above-average raw power and could develop more with continued physical growth. Perez has added considerable muscle the past couple of years and is a plus runner with quick acceleration in center field. He reads balls well off the bat and takes efficient routes for a 17-year-old. His strong arm is another plus tool. He’s also a fluent English speaker whose maturity and charismatic personality endear him to teammates and coaches. THE FUTURE: Perez has a chance to be an impact player at a premium position. He’s still a teenager who has yet to make his pro debut, but he could be a fast riser through the system.
TRACK RECORD: Kelly led all junior college pitchers with 19.1 strikeouts per nine innings for Wabash Valley (Ill.) JC in 2019 and was drafted by the Brewers in the second round. He signed for $1,025,100 and continued to rack up whiffs with 45 strikeouts in 31.2 innings in his pro debut, which was concentrated in the Rookie-level Arizona League. Despite only one career start above the Rookie level, Kelly was the most electric pitcher at the team’s alternate training site in Appleton, Wis., in 2020. SCOUTING REPORT: Kelly has a big 6-foot-6 frame and continues gaining velocity each year. A low-90s pitcher in high school, Kelly sat 93-97 mph leading up to the draft and started touching 98 over 60-pitch outings in Appleton. Kelly previously relied almost wholly on his fastball, but his secondary stuff ticked up in 2020. His slider is a plus pitch that misses bats, and when his changeup is on it flashes at least average. Kelly throws strikes with all three pitches, though he needs to tighten his fastball command. He’s slow to the plate from the stretch and needs to do a better job holding runners. THE FUTURE: Kelly took a jump in 2020 and has the attributes to develop into a mid-rotation or better starter. He looks poised for a breakout 2021 campaign.
2020 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R Did not play—no minor league season
2020 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R Did not play—no minor league season
2019 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS SV Minors (2 teams) 0 1 2.84 10 10 0
46
H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
IP H HR BB SO AVG 32 26 2 9 45 .230
LEFT PAGE: BILL MITCHELL; DON LIEBIG/ASUCLA RIGHT PAGE: ADAM GLANZMAN/MLB PHOTOS VIA GETTY IMAGES; U OF M; EVAN MOESTA; BILL MITCHELL
by BEN
DECEMBER 2020 • BASEBALLAMERICA.COM
46-47-Central Top 10-MIL.indd 1
11/23/20 9:40 PM
BEST TOOLS
Best Hitter for Average: Brice Turang. Best Power Hitter: Mario Feliciano. Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Brice Turang. Fastest Baserunner: Garrett Mitchell. Best Athlete: Garrett Mitchell. Best Fastball: Drew Rasmussen. Best Curveball: Aaron Ashby. Best Slider: Antoine Kelly. Best Changeup: Ethan Small. Best Control: Dylan File. Best Defensive Catcher: Payton Henry. Best Defensive Infielder: Freddy Zamora. Best Infield Arm: Eduardo Garcia. Best Defensive Outfielder: Garrett Mitchell. Best Outfield Arm: Joey Wiemer.
5. ETHAN SMALL, LHP
6. FREDDY ZAMORA, SS
AGE: 24. B-T: L-L. HT: 6-3. WT: 215.
AGE: 22. B-T: R-R. HT: 6-1. WT: 190.
7. MARIO FELICIANO, C AGE: 22. B-T: R-R. HT: 6-1. WT: 195.
DRAFTED: Mississippi State, 2019 (1st
DRAFTED: Miami, 2020 (2nd round).
DRAFTED: HS—Florida, P.R., 2016 (2nd
round). SIGNED BY: Scott Nichols.
SIGNED BY: Lazaro Llanes.
rd supp). SIGNED BY: Charlie Sullivan.
TRACK RECORD: Small had Tommy John surgery at Mississippi State but bounced back to lead the Southeastern Conference in strikeouts and rank second in ERA as a redshirt junior in 2019. The performance vaulted him into the first round, where the Brewers drafted him 28th overall and signed him for $1.8 million. Small breezed through five starts at low Class A Wisconsin and spent 2020 at the Brewers’ alternate training site in Appleton, Wis. SCOUTING REPORT: Small relies on his polish, deception and pitchability. His fastball sits at 89-93 mph and touches 94. It plays up with riding life and is aided by his ability to throw it for strikes to all quadrants of the strike zone. Small hides the ball and messes with hitters’ timing by varying his leg lift and tempo in his delivery. His slightly above-average changeup is his best offspeed weapon and plays well off his fastball to generate empty swings or weak contact. Small throws a curveball and added a slider to his mix in 2020, but sharpening his breaking stuff is a focal point. Neither one is average, though his feel for pitching is so good he probably won’t be tested until he gets to Double-A. THE FUTURE: Small’s polish is evident. He projects as a starter who fits toward the back of a rotation.
TRACK RECORD: Zamora entered the 2020 season at Miami considered one of college baseball’s top shortstops, but he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee during a preseason practice that erased his junior year. Still, the Brewers drafted Zamora in the second round, No. 53 overall, and signed him for $1.15 million. Zamora was still rehabbing throughout the fall and did not play in instructional league. SCOUTING REPORT: Zamora has the tools to be a plus defender at shortstop, where he has soft hands, solid range and a slightly above-average arm. He was error-prone as a sophomore, so he needs to improve his reliability at the position. An above-average runner, Zamora shows his best tools on the defensive side, but he’s a steady hitter with fringe-average raw power who controls the strike zone well. He walked more often than he struck out in each of his two seasons at Miami. He has strong baserunning instincts. THE FUTURE: Zamora’s lost season makes it hard to get a read on his current ability and future projection. When healthy, he showed the makings of a potential steady, everyday player who can stick at shortstop. He is on track to be ready by spring training and should make his pro debut in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: The Brewers have pushed Feliciano aggressively since drafting him in the supplemental second round in 2016, but he responded by winning the high Class A Carolina League MVP award as a 20-year-old in 2019, one year after he played just 46 games and had offseason shoulder surgery. Feliciano spent 2020 at the alternate training site in Appleton, Wis., where he was the Brewers’ most consistent offensive performer. SCOUTING REPORT: Feliciano made more frequent contact when he first entered the organization, but has traded contact for power the last two seasons. He has plus raw power and a sound swing, but he chases too many pitches outside the strike zone and needs to become a more disciplined hitter. Feliciano is an offensive-oriented player but should end up good enough defensively to stick behind the plate. He’s agile and a good athlete for a catcher with a slightly above-average arm. He threw out 28% of basestealers in 2019, and his throwing showed continued signs of improvement in 2020. THE FUTURE: Feliciano has a chance to develop into a power-hitting, everyday catcher, but only if he can rein in his aggressive approach and keep his strikeouts manageable. After a cameo at the level in 2019, he’ll return to Double-A in 2021.
2019 Club (Class) W L ERA Minors (2 teams) 0 2 0.86
2020 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R Did not play—No minor league season
2019 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB Minors (2 teams) .270 .323 .473 452 64 122 25 5 19 81 29 143 2
G GS SV 7 7 0
IP H HR BB SO AVG 21 11 0 4 36 .151
H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
8. AARON ASHBY, LHP
9. ZAVIER WARREN, C
AGE: 22. B-T: L-L. HT: 6-2. WT: 181.
AGE: 22. B-T: B-R. HT: 6-0. WT: 190.
10. JEFERSON QUERO, C AGE: 18. B-T: R-R. HT: 5-10. WT: 165.
DRAFTED: Crowder (Mo.) JC, 2018 (4th
DRAFTED: Central Michigan, 2020 (3rd
SIGNED: Venezuela, 2019.
round). SIGNED BY: Drew Anderson.
round). SIGNED BY: Pete Vuckovich Jr.
SIGNED BY: Reinaldo Hidalgo.
TRACK RECORD: Ashby, the nephew of former all-star righthander Andy Ashby, arrived at Crowder (Mo.) JC throwing in the mid 80s but was touching 94 mph by the end of his sophomore season. The Brewers drafted him in the fourth round in 2018 and signed him for $520,000. Ashby made an immediate impression and won the organization’s minor league pitcher of the year award while climbing to high Class A in 2019. He was a late arrival to the alternate training site in 2020 and struggled, but he was the team’s best pitcher during instructional league in the fall. SCOUTING REPORT: Ashby stood out for both his performance and his enhanced stuff during instructional league, though with the caveat he was largely facing younger, less experienced competition. Ashby’s fastball jumped from 90-95 mph to 93-97 in 2020 and overwhelmed hitters from the left side. His solid-average curveball is his most effective secondary pitch, while his fringe-average changeup has flashed a tick better. He also mixes in an occasional slider. Ashby’s control can come and go, but he did a better job throwing strikes at instructs. THE FUTURE: Ashby has a chance to develop into a back-ofthe-rotation starter. A high-leverage relief role is possible, too.
TRACK RECORD: Warren played catcher in high school and spent time behind the plate at Central Michigan, but he was primarily a shortstop for the Chippewas. The Brewers drafted him as a catcher in the third round in 2020 and signed him for $600,000. After signing, Warren worked on his catching in the independent United Shore League, then went to instructional league and hit well. SCOUTING REPORT: A switch-hitter, Warren has a good track record of getting on base. He led the Mid-American Conference with a .502 on-base percentage in 2019 and hit .315/.396/.443 that summer in the Cape Cod League. He’s a patient hitter with a loose, rhythmic swing and good hand-eye coordination. Warren has a hit-over-power profile, though he makes hard contact from both sides and could be a threat for 15-20 home runs. Warren has the attributes to stay behind the plate with his baseball acumen, agility, hands and average arm strength. He has fallback options with the defensive skills that could fit at third base or perhaps second base. He’s an average runner, though he may slow down if he continues to catch. THE FUTURE: It’s not a lock that Warren can stay behind the plate. If he can, his value receives a boost as a switch-hitting catcher with strong on-base skills.
TRACK RECORD: Quero played for Venezuela in the 2015 Little League World Series and emerged as one of the top players in the 2019 international class. He signed with the Brewers for $200,000 and immediately delivered a strong showing in the Tricky League—an unofficial league for July 2 signees—and Dominican instructional league. He reported stateside for instructional league in 2020 and impressed on both sides of the ball. SCOUTING REPORT: Quero has the tools to develop into a plus defensive catcher. He’s quick and athletic behind the plate with advanced blocking and receiving skills for his age. His plus arm helps him record pop times as low as 1.9 seconds on throws to second base. He also draws praise for his intelligence and vocal, high-energy leadership on the field. Quero has hit well so far in unofficial games, even against more advanced competition. He has a sound approach for his age with a knack for making hard contact and driving the ball well to the opposite field. He has solid-average raw power and good bat-to-ball skills. THE FUTURE: Quero has yet to make his official pro debut, but he has been an arrow-up player since signing. He’s one of the Brewers’ top breakout candidates heading into 2021.
2019 Club (Class) W L ERA Minors (2 teams) 5 10 3.50
2020 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB Eastside (Indy) .190 .347 .259 58 9 11 1 0 1 4 11 9 1
2020 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R Did not play—No minor league season
G GS SV IP H HR BB SO AVG 24 23 126 101 5 60 135 .222
H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
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DISCOVER
On any given night while the Sounds play ball, the playing field is peppered with hits and home runs. But it’s not just the player’s highlights that give Hit City its name... BERM:
All you need to make your night a hit in this cozy location is a blanket, your family friends and all the ballpark food fare you can handle!
FIREWORKS:
Our brightest and loudest hits are brought to you after the game, when we light the sky with a postgame fireworks show! These booming nights are scheduled for May 11, June 11, June 25, July 4, July 16, July 30 and August 6.
In 2021 at First Horizon Park, the Nashville Sounds invite you to Discover Hit City: where we guarantee to every fan that walks through our gates, no matter the night, their experience will be a hit.
MINI GOLF:
As if baseball wasn’t enough to fill the sports to-dos at the park, stop by the The Country Club for an unexpected hit. The 9-hole mini-golf course beyond right field is ready for your hole-in-ones!
THE BIG GUITAR:
The most iconic feature of First Horizon Park is the larger-than-life guitar scoreboard, measuring approximately 4,200 square feet. It’s literally the park’s biggest hit!
SOUNDS WINS:
The Sounds recently topped 3,000 all-time wins, which is why we come to Hit City: to cheer on the club that represents Nashville and every hit along the way!
THE BAND BOX:
Since the ballpark opened its doors, The Band Box was an instant hit. From the frozen whiskey slushies to its famous Chicken Totchos tray, The Band Box is one of the most unique bars in town with its uncontested view of the action.
EVERY NIGHT’S A HIT
NOTHING LIKE ROOTING FOR THE HOME TEAM. Whether it’s hitting home runs or building next-generation tires, the best performance is fueled by Nashville pride.
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DRUNK-YOU MAKES BAD DECISIONS.
How much can a DUI cost you? On average, a DUI can set you back $10,000 in attorney’s fees, fines, court costs, lost time at work, higher insurance rates, car towing and repairs, and more.
Does a DUI impact the community? The financial impact from impaired-driving crashes is devastating. f Based on 2010 numbers, impaired-driving crashes cost the United States $44 billion annually.
Will you go to jail? If you’re caught drinking and driving, you could face jail time. Imagine trying to explain that to your friends and family or your place of employment. Are there more consequences? Drinking and driving could cause you to lose your driver’s license and your vehicle. This could inhibit you from getting to work, resulting in lost wages and, potentially, job loss.
PUT AWAY SOME DRINKS? PUT AWAY YOUR KEYS.
Drunk driving is the ultimate form of unsportsmanlike conduct. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service. Have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.
Have a ball rooting for the Nashville Sounds all season long at First Horizon Park.
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