The Brewster

“WE GOTTA MOVE ON, BUT I DON’T GOTTA BE HAPPY ABOUT IT” — GERTIE GIVES HER TAKE ON A 2–3 SIM + FUTURES GAME WRAP

“Two and three. That’s it. That’s the damn sim. Not a disaster, but I’ve had root canals with better vibes.”

The Wolves limped to a 2–3 finish this past sim, with the specter of the Carlos Cruz injury still hovering over Shotz Stadium like a raincloud full of spite. But Gertie isn’t interested in mourning anymore.

“We’ve got a rotation to fill and no time to sit around scribbling sad poems about forearms. I’m not gonna dwell — but that doesn’t mean I’m thrilled to be watching Frank ‘Please Don’t Blow Up’ Ostrom every fifth day now.”

FUTURES GAME RECAP: TWO WOLVES CUBS GET THE NOD

While the big boys were grinding, Madison's farm system got a little love as Felipe Zarate and Charlie Walsh repped the Wolves in the Futures Game. The Frick League won handily, 7–2, and both prospects got their feet wet.

“Zarate came in, threw two-thirds of a scoreless inning, looked calm as a cucumber in an ice bath. Walsh? 0-for-3, but he didn’t look lost. Baby steps, people.”

ROOKIE REPORT

With the big league pen running on duct tape and prayer, Chong-yee Sung made his debut and promptly gave up 2 ER in 2.1 innings.

“He gave up six hits, two walks, and looked like a guy who got called up because no one else could find their cleats. But hey, everyone’s gotta start somewhere. Preferably Triple-A, but here we are.”

Meanwhile, Miguel Castillo continues to make a case for sticking around. 2.1 shutout innings with 5 Ks? You’ll take that any day of the week that ends in a pitching shortage.

“I still say our minor league pitching depth is about as deep as a puddle in Death Valley. We need Miyamoto to work some wizardry or I’m gonna be passing around gloves in the bleachers just in case.”

SIM STANDOUTS:

HITTERS

Player	G	H	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	OPS
Ricardo Norman	5	7	1	7	2	.333	.887
Gary Fellers	5	4	0	2	1	.222	.633
Kensaku Kato	2	2	0	0	1	.667	1.417

“Norman’s still got that twitchy swagger at the plate. Kato? He gets more out of four plate appearances than Mike Winchester gets out of a week’s worth.”

PITCHERS

Player	IP	ER	H	BB	K	ERA	WP
Tyler Murray	7.0	2	6	0	2	2.57	—
Wesley Turner	4.2	0	5	2	4	0.00	—
Miguel Castillo	2.1	0	1	2	5	0.00	0.16
Wilson Herrera	4.1	0	1	0	3	0.00	0.15
Alejandro Ramiraze	1.0	0	0	0	2	0.00	0.04
Takahiro Fujii	2.1	0	0	1	5	0.00	-0.01

“Can I just say this? I like this bullpen. Herrera and Fujii looked like they had places to be. Ramiraze might just be our secret sauce. Keep it up, boys — just don’t ask for a raise yet.”

UP NEXT: The Wolves have to keep the train rolling without their rookie phenom. Expect more bullpen gymnastics, triple espresso-fueled coaching decisions, and maybe — if Gertie gets her way — a minor league surprise.

“We’ve got work to do. Next man up. And if he’s not ready? We’ll slap a Wolves jersey on a scarecrow and hope he can throw strikes.”