Shuckers Spring Notebook: Let’s Get This Show on the Road!
From March 18-26, 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 18-26, 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 2026 season.
Hello from Maryvale and American Family Fields of Phoenix! The Milwaukee Brewers and the Biloxi Shuckers are deep into Spring Training as the Shuckers prepare for the team’s opener on Friday, April 3, against the Rocket City Trash Pandas. The team is scheduled for their home opener on Tuesday, April 7, against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. In this edition on the notebook, we’ll take a look at my final three days in Arizona, including my final look at the team.
TUESDAY
It looked to be a K.C. Hunt start day in Scottsdale, until it wasn’t. Just before first pitch, Hunt was dealt to the Rays in exchange for Jason Woodford. Hunt, who was likely set to start the season in the Shuckers rotation, now likely joins the Montgomery Biscuits. The Shuckers will likely see him between May 12 and 17 at the newly named Dabos Park. Because of the trade, and with the Shuckers only bringing a limited number of pitchers for the road game (as is common in Spring Training), the game was shortened to seven innings.
Over 2 years as a Shucker, Hunt had a 3.97 ERA, made 32 starts and turned in one of the greatest playoff performances in franchise history, pitching into the eighth inning and staving off elimination in game two of the Southern League Division Series in 2024.
Early today, K.C. Hunt was acquired in a trade by the Tampa Bay Rays. Over 2 years as a Shucker, Hunt had a 3.97 ERA, made 32 starts and turned in one of the greatest playoff performances in franchise history.
— Biloxi Shuckers (@BiloxiShuckers) March 24, 2026
Thank you for everything, K.C. and best of luck with the Rays! pic.twitter.com/AAJ4rgWo06
The offense, however, continued to shine in the desert. The lineup featured three Top-30 prospects (Jesús Made, Blake Burke, Andrew Fischer) and a pair of former big leaguers (Jordyn Adams, Jacob Hurtubise).
The biggest highlight came from Jesús Made, who hit a towering home run over the scoreboard in right-center. He’s showcased power when in front of pitches throughout camp, but there were no timing issues with this pitch. He stayed back, kept his barrel through the zone, and delivered a mammoth shot over the wall.
Jesús Made with a MASSIVE home run to right-center! Have a feeling this won’t be the last time we see him hit one 400+ to RCF this year (maybe over the splash pad in Biloxi 🤔)#ShuckYeah #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/ZKbkdLmZSu
— Javik Blake (@javblake8) March 24, 2026
Another piece to look out for is Jordyn Adams, who recorded two stolen bases and lured a reliever into a disengagement violation. With 89 stolen bases over the last three seasons, Adams could potentially be a speed threat for the Shuckers. Add in the new pickoff rules (only one disengagement instead of two), and Adams, Dylan O’Rae, Eric Brown Jr., Dasan Brown and others could be a force on the base paths this season.
Out of the bullpen, Michael Fowler was the highlight for the Shuckers. After a dominant stint in the Arizona Fall League (0er, 7.0ip, 8k), his curveball starred in the later innings on Tuesday. The curveball is a dagger, with great action down and in to lefties. The pitch also dominated the hitter-friendly Arizona Fall League, where it set a whiff rate above 50%.
Michael Fowler’s CB is very very good. He got a ton of whiffs on it in a scoreless 5th (after a 50%+ whiff in the AFL) 💪
— Javik Blake (@javblake8) March 24, 2026
Fowler was signed out of the Frontier League last year after spending the spring with @SouthernMissBSB #ShuckYeah #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/Gt7piu3Xy4
WEDNESDAY
Wednesday was a full-team off-day, just the second of the spring. Guys used the day as their final bit of rest before a race to Opening Day, which for the Shuckers is just eight days away.
THURSDAY
Thursday marked the first of the team’s final two Spring Training games, a night game against the Cincinnati Reds Double-A affiliate, the Chattanooga Lookouts. However, my flight left Arizona at 7:10 p.m. and the game was scheduled for 6:30 p.m… so I had to miss it on account of travel!
The game saw Jaron DeBerry start and an order likely to resemble the Shuckers Opening Day lineup. The biggest headline came from Mike Boeve, who started in left field. Boeve has not played the outfield as a professional, but he appeared in the outfield twice during his college career. He could give the Shuckers another outfield option for the season, a number that could reach over a half-dozen.
Today's minor league spring training lineups vs. the Reds. *Note all games at 6PM MST
— Brewers Player Development (@BrewersPD) March 26, 2026
A & High-A at home, AA in Goodyear #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/0ib9RI7Jen