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Spring Notebook Part III | One Step Closer to Opening Day

Shuckers play twice, Quotes from Hook, Woodruff, Ayrault and Smith
By Javik Blake/Biloxi Shuckers
March 19, 2025

From March 13-20, the “Voice of the Shuckers”, Javik Blake, will be at Brewers Spring Training in Phoenix, Arizona. Including interviews and videos across the Shuckers' social media channels, he’ll also publish Spring Training Notebooks throughout the trip, highlighting the top moments, quotes and videos as the team gets set

From March 13-20, the “Voice of the Shuckers”, Javik Blake, will be at Brewers Spring Training in Phoenix, Arizona. Including interviews and videos across the Shuckers' social media channels, he’ll also publish Spring Training Notebooks throughout the trip, highlighting the top moments, quotes and videos as the team gets set for the 2025 season.

It’s unfortunately the end of my trip to Arizona this spring, but it finished out with a bang! Along with back-to-back days with the Shuckers in action, former Shucker Shane Smith started against the Brewers on Wednesday. Manager Joe Ayrault also talked about the final stages of Spring Training, spending time on the big league side during camp and players who have made an impact. Click HERE to listen to the interview.

NOTABLE QUOTES

Joe Ayrault on the Spring Breakout - “Our scouts have done a great job; our amateur guys and our international guys. We got a bunch of dudes coming in the door. You look at guys like Made, the young bucks in that game and you also look at guys who have been around like Wilken and the guys playing in that game. It was great to see them [on MLB Network].”

Chris Hook on the First Game in Biloxi - “It was a long day, but at the end, Brent Suter rounding third and scoring the winning run will be embedded in my memory forever.”

Brandon Woodruff on Biloxi - “That was probably my favorite stop on the way to Milwaukee, just a special year for me, not only development-wise. I had a really good year and pitching back home in my home state is always fun. I had college roommates that lived on the Coast and friends and family got to come watch me all the time being in the Southern League.”

Shane Smith on Pitching in Front of Former Teammates - “I think it’s cool. They usually see me coming from their own dugout, now they’re seeing me come from the other one, which I think is fun.”

MONDAY

The Shuckers faced the Akron RubberDucks, Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, on the backfields at American Family Fields of Phoenix. Abdiel Mendoza, signed as a Minor League Free Agent this past off-season after eight seasons between different organizations, got the start for the Shuckers. He struck out four over his outing, including 2024 top draft pick Travis Bazzana. Kaleb Bowman, Nate Peterson and Tyler Bryant also appeared for the Shuckers. Bryant, who topped out at 97, enters 2025 after a 1.82 ERA with 33 strikeouts over 24.2 innings between High-A Wisconsin and Single-A Carolina last season.

Other notables included two hard-hit line drives from Brock Wilken, including a double that was off the bat at over 110 MPH. Luke Adams also recorded a hard-hit single off former Mississippi State arm Doug Nikhazy.

Mike Boeve, while not appearing in the game, has joined the Shuckers for infield drills as he continues to recover from off-season shoulder surgery.

TUESDAY

For the second time in under a week, the Shuckers traveled to Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, this time to face the Hartford Yard Goats, Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.

K.C. Hunt got the start for the Shuckers and worked into the fourth. Ramón Rodriguez, who appeared in 74 games with High-A Wisconsin in 2024, smashed a grand slam to left-center. Bladimir Restituyo, facing his former organization, also homered with a solo shot to left.

In the field, Adam Hall and Garrett Spain, a Rule 5 selection in the MiLB-Phase this past off-season, starred with diving plays in left.

Yerlin Rodriguez also appeared and sat in the high 90s with his fastball after 71 strikeouts over 50.0 innings with High-A Wisconsin a year ago.

WEDNESDAY

While the Shuckers had a light day on the back fields as part of a camp day, the biggest story at the complex was Shane Smith, the former Shuckers star in 2024. Smith, who was selected first overall in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft by the Chicago White Sox, made his fourth spring start of the year and his first against the Brewers.

With the Shuckers in 2024, Smith made 27 appearances and 16 starts. He held a 3.08 ERA with 106 strikeouts across 87.2 innings. As a start, he shined, holding opponents to a .190 average with a 2.96 ERA and 74 strikeouts over 67.0 innings. As a Rule 5 selection, Smith must spend the entire season on the White Sox active roster or be returned to the Brewers organization. He’s set to become the 78th former Shucker to make their MLB debut and the third member of the 2024 team to reach the milestone.

Smith reached up to 98 MPH with his fastball, including strikeouts of Rhys Hoskins and Christian Yelich. Smith faced multiple former Shuckers teammates, including Tyler Black and Jackson Chourio. Smith was teammates with both during the final week of the 2023 season in Biloxi.