Webb almost unhittable for Mudcats
Braden Webb can appreciate starts like Monday's scoreless outing because of the time he spent away from the game earlier this season.The transaction record says Webb was sent down from Class A Advanced Carolina to Rookie-level Helena on April 28, but the righty never left North Carolina. Webb sat on the
Braden Webb can appreciate starts like Monday's scoreless outing because of the time he spent away from the game earlier this season.
The transaction record says Webb was sent down from Class A Advanced Carolina to Rookie-level Helena on April 28, but the righty never left North Carolina. Webb sat on the bench and skipped a start, analyzing the game and talking through key moments with his coaches in hopes of revamping the 2016 third-round pick's game, mentally and physically.
It was time well spent. On Monday, Webb allowed one hit and a walk while striking out eight, but Carolina eventually lost to Lynchburg, 3-2, at Five County Stadium.
The Brewers righty gradually adjusted to a regular workload during his first professional season with Class A Wisconsin in 2017, but Webb was roughed up quickly this April. Through four starts, he gave up 17 hits and 12 earned runs in 11 innings. Those in the Milwaukee front office thought Webb could benefit from a break and had him take 11 days off in betweeen starts.
"I was having a rough go at it, and they gave my mind a break," he said. "Adversity is going to happen. This is a game of failure. Hitters can have no success seven out of 10 times and still be a Hall of Famer. It was a great opportunity to sit back and watch the game, take notes on hitters, learn on the bench and learn how to have fun."
Webb lasted at least five frames each of his five starts in May and rode the roller coaster of a traditional Minor League season. Monday, he came away with his best professional outing.
The right-hander -- who didn't factor into the decision -- set down his first three batters, but gave up a leadoff double to Li-Jen Chu in the second inning. Webb recovered quickly, striking out two of his next three batters to cap the frame.
He cruised from there, retiring 15 of his final 17 batters to cap the outing. The South Carolina alum faced only two more baserunners, walking Trenton Brooks in the fourth and Indians No. 23 prospectMitch Longo in the sixth. Catcher Nathan Rodriguez scooped up a bunt by Brooks and fired to first base to cap Webb's final frame.
Gameday box score
Webb said successful outings like that make the rough stretches worth the frustration.
"When you're not doing great but are still trying to give your best stuff and stilll trying to be competitive, you're more grateful for innings like tonight," he said. "It's great to feel like you're cruising and I can appreciate that much more when I've gone through adversity and have tried to give my best."
The time away from the game helped Webb rediscover the appreciation for the game he had during childhood, when wins, losses and ERAs didn't factor into the enjoyment he had on the mound. Now playing more freely, he's been finding more consistent success and has found his footing in the Carolina League.

"I've just stopped worrying about not having success," he said. "I just want to go have fun. God blessed me with the opportunity to play baseball every day, so I'm just going to go out and have fun with it.
"This game makes for a long season. You can't let adversity weigh you down or you'll start to go downhill fast the rest of the season. You've got to have a short-term memory, and once you step inside the lines every fifth day, you have to focus on a new game."
Ryan Aguilar knocked a solo homer to right-center field in the second and Demi Orimoloye plated Nick Roscetti with an RBI single to center in the sixth for Carolina.
But Lynchburg's Tyler Friis tied the game in the seventh with a single that plated Indians No. 2 prospect Nolan Jones and Anthony Miller. With two outs in the top of the ninth, Friis lined a single to center, scoring Dillon Persinger with the go-ahead run.
Nathan Brown is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @NathanBrownNYC.
Royals' Zobac talks spring, two-way past on podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Space Potatoes? Hooch Pooches? Check out these new alternate identities
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Paying homage to Negro Leagues, this team is MiLB's "hoppinest"
Nicknamed “baseball’s most hoppinest team” by the local newspaper coverage at the time, the Fredericksburg Frogs were one of the Chesapeake Bay area’s more successful Negro League teams in the 1920s, standing out amid a long lineage of segregated Black teams that played in downtown Fredericksburg, Virginia, between the 1880s
The year after Jackie, Ritchey integrated PCL
A version of this story originally appeared on MiLB.com in 2018. We present it here once more as Minor League Baseball celebrates Black History Month with stories of Black baseball pioneers.
Each team's top power hitting prospect for '25
The home run is the most efficient event in sports. It’s the maximum outcome a single batter can achieve, and all it takes is one swing. One very powerful, well-timed, well-coordinated swing. It’s why power is such an important tool in prospect development and evaluation. You can put the ball
Here are the 10 best potential prospect matchups at Spring Breakout
Spring Breakout will soon offer the opportunity for the majority of baseball's top prospects to face off against each other for the second straight year. Fearsome sluggers against hard-throwing pitchers. Speedy baserunners against cannon-armed catchers. Well-rounded shortstops battling to prove who should be ranked higher. Full rosters for all 30
10 prospects at Spring Training who are lighting up Statcast
One of the best parts of Spring Training every year is getting to see the top prospects in baseball. A lot of the time, it's the first look fans get at MLB's future stars. But we also know a lot more about those prospects going into Spring Training than we
Questions plague Peeples' trailblazing story
A version of this story previously appeared on MiLB.com in 2007. We present it again as Minor League Baseball celebrates Black History Month with stories of Black baseball pioneers.
Prospects to watch this spring -- one for each team
Spring may not have arrived quite yet, but Spring Training has! Players have reported to camp and exhibition games kick off Thursday with the Cubs visiting the Dodgers in Glendale, Ariz.
8 of the best team matchups in Spring Breakout
After Spring Breakout's dynamic debut last year, the prospect showcase event returns in full force for 2025. All 30 Major League teams will field squads of top prospects to face off in 16 games from March 13-16 -- the Cubs and Nationals will play twice since there's an odd number
Fowler: A 19th-century baseball pioneer
A version of this story originally appeared on MiLB.com in 2006. We present it here once more as Minor League Baseball celebrates Black History Month with stories of Black baseball pioneers.
Everything you need to know about prospects and Spring Training
This story was excerpted from MLB Pipeline's newsletter. Subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
Arkansas-based Mariners affiliate to honor legacy of the Little Rock Nine
The Little Rock Nine sounds like it could be the name of a baseball team playing in Arkansas' capital city, and for three nights during the 2025 season, it will be. The story behind the name transcends baseball, however. From Aug. 21-23, the Arkansas Travelers -- Seattle's Double-A affiliate --
MiLB podcast breaks down Spring Training storylines
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Leaf Peepers? Thunder Chickens?! Coming to the Minors this year
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Dodgers greats Newcombe and Campanella made history as Minors teammates
A version of this story originally appeared on MiLB.com in 2006. We present it here once more as Minor League Baseball celebrates Black History Month with stories of Black baseball pioneers.
15 prospects primed for a bounceback season from injury
A lot of players will be getting a fresh start heading into the 2025 season. Prospects who missed significant time due to injury have had upwards of six months between regular-season games to return to health. Now they'll be looking to re-establish their value and maybe even reach new heights.
Check out the newest Minor League team logos for 2025
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Here are 18 prospects who also starred on the gridiron
The two-time defending-champion Kansas City Chiefs are set to meet the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, and plenty of baseball prospects will be keeping a close eye. After all, many current Minor Leaguers played football at a high level before committing fully to the diamond. No, there aren't any
Did you know the Superdome was once home to a Minor League team?
On Sunday, one of the world’s most-watched sporting events will take place at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Believe it or not, decades before Super Bowl LIX came to town, the same building was home to a Minor League Baseball team for one season. The 1977 Triple-A New Orleans Pelicans
How a Black pitcher's brief PCL stint in 1916 generated a historic card
A version of this story originally appeared on MiLB.com in 2010. We present it here once more as Minor League Baseball celebrates Black History Month with stories of Black baseball pioneers.
The Show Before the Show: Episode 489
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minors legend Jones still holds batting record
A version of this story originally appeared on MiLB.com in 2008. We present it here once more as Minor League Baseball celebrates Black History Month with stories of Black baseball pioneers. Grover "Deacon" Jones spent more than a half-century in baseball, serving the game at almost every level and in
Hooks have a new look -- and more -- on the line for 20th season
In advance of a milestone season at Whataburger Field, the Corpus Christi Hooks are making a change. The Houston Astros' Double-A affiliate unveiled new logos and uniforms on Friday evening, marking the first time they have significantly altered their look since debuting in 2005. According to Hooks general manager Brady