Game Thread (5/30/2022 - Game 1): Brewers (Small) at Cubs (Swarmer) - 12:05 PM CDT

[markedman5]

Nice job Kelly

[Brewcrew82]

Just now, Simba2020 said:

I think Freddy threw much harder and had much better control, not good but still not like Small. Small is all over the place. Personally, I've already seen enough.

Then, you're misremembering. Freddy averaged around 90-92 with his fastball when he first came up, and walked almost 5 batters per nine innings. And Freddy really only had his fastball. which is how he got the nickname "Fastball Freddy" in the first place. Small at least has another plus pitch in his changeup. It's his major league debut after pretty much dominating the minor leagues, so if you've seen enough, then, I'm glad you're not making the decisions for this team. 

[Opening Day]

3 minutes ago, markedman5 said:

Short start……not good in a DH

Someone in the pen has to step up and give them some innings. 

Great job by Kelly to get out of that one.  Hopefully it starts with him. 

[Brewcrew82]

Small will be fine imo. 11 whiffs in 2 2/3 is impressive. Just lost his command in the 3rd, which is better than what Ashby did in his debut. 

[yourout]

This ump sucks .........everything.

[markedman5]

 

[Joseph Zarr]

I just don't understand the over-reactions to Small's start whatsoever. Nothing that happened here is news or mildly surprising, imho. The issues for Ethan, and a forced promotion, were known: no third or secondary 'Out' pitch, walks concerning at Triple-A, best suited as a Middle-Relief guy until he gets his feet wet and develops more of his tool kit. He lost himself in his third inning. Kelly picked him up and helped the team in a super tough spot. This is baseball.

The jump to the Majors is HUGE. I think when you watch as many Minor League games as I do, your perspective is just much different. I consider today's start a huge success. It reinforces what Ethan needs to work upon and improve. Let's hope he finds himself in the interim and ensuing action. And, let's hope he keeps grinding.

[Brewcrew82]

Just now, Julio Muchacho said:

I just don't understand the over-reactions to Small's start whatsoever. Nothing that happened here is news or mildly surprising, imho. The issues for Ethan, and a forced promotion, were known: no third or secondary 'Out' pitch, walks concerning at Triple-A, best suited as a Middle-Relief guy until he gets his feet wet and develops more of his tool kit. He lost himself in his third inning. Kelly picked him up and helped the team in a super tough spot. This is baseball.

The jump to the Majors is HUGE. I think when you watch as many Minor League games as I do, your perspective is just much different. I consider today's start a huge success. It reinforces what Ethan needs to work upon and improve. Let's hope he finds himself in the interim and ensuing action. And, let's hope he keeps grinding.

I'm not surprised unfortunately. This place is overreaction city. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Just now, Brewcrew82 said:

I'm not surprised unfortunately. This place is overreaction city. 

Well, it's a game thread. We're playing the Cubbies. All is fine. I'm merely pointing out: with prospects, especially highly-touted ones, patience is the better part of valor. And, as we know, I'm an unabashed advocate for our Minor League guys.?

[yourout]

Thank you Mr Frazier.

[Brewcrew82]

I'm in the process of writing a song. It's called, "All you need is.....Keston Hiura against right-handed pitchers."

[Simba2020]

4 minutes ago, Brewcrew82 said:

Then, you're misremembering. Freddy averaged around 90-92 with his fastball when he first came up, and walked almost 5 batters per nine innings. And Freddy really only had his fastball. which is how he got the nickname "Fastball Freddy" in the first place. Small at least has another plus pitch in his changeup. It's his major league debut after pretty much dominating the minor leagues, so if you've seen enough, then, I'm glad you're not making the decisions for this team. 

Freddy was averaging 93-94 when he was 23 Small is much closer to 90-91 and is 25 already. Freddy still doesn't have good control but Small wasn't just throwing balls he was throwing BALLS. I'll stick with my opinion. At least I'm not expecting anything to write home about for his career and wouldn't be upset if he's moved in a trade. 

[yourout]

Kelly's delivery looks like a ton of stress on the arm.

[bulldogboy0733]

6 minutes ago, Julio Muchacho said:

I just don't understand the over-reactions to Small's start whatsoever. Nothing that happened here is news or mildly surprising, imho. The issues for Ethan, and a forced promotion, were known: no third or secondary 'Out' pitch, walks concerning at Triple-A, best suited as a Middle-Relief guy until he gets his feet wet and develops more of his tool kit. He lost himself in his third inning. Kelly picked him up and helped the team in a super tough spot. This is baseball.

The jump to the Majors is HUGE. I think when you watch as many Minor League games as I do, your perspective is just much different. I consider today's start a huge success. It reinforces what Ethan needs to work upon and improve. Let's hope he finds himself in the interim and ensuing action. And, let's hope he keeps grinding.

This take is a good one. I appreciate it. Not having seen him before after all the hype I think it was a little surprising that his stuff appears average but willing to watch and see. 

[HarryDoyle]

Uh oh.

[Opening Day]

At least hes throwing strikes?

[NBBrewFan]

6 minutes ago, Julio Muchacho said:

I just don't understand the over-reactions to Small's start whatsoever. Nothing that happened here is news or mildly surprising, imho. The issues for Ethan, and a forced promotion, were known: no third or secondary 'Out' pitch, walks concerning at Triple-A, best suited as a Middle-Relief guy until he gets his feet wet and develops more of his tool kit. He lost himself in his third inning. Kelly picked him up and helped the team in a super tough spot. This is baseball.

The jump to the Majors is HUGE. I think when you watch as many Minor League games as I do, your perspective is just much different. I consider today's start a huge success. It reinforces what Ethan needs to work upon and improve. Let's hope he finds himself in the interim and ensuing action. And, let's hope he keeps grinding.

You had me until the "huge success" sentence.  No it isn't.  Sure there's a lot of really poor hot takes about his performance, but there isn't anything about today's start that's a huge success.  Sometimes it's best just to ignore the clearly deranged takes and move on, not double down with your own far out stretch.

[HarryDoyle]

This could be a long day for the Brewers.

[bulldogboy0733]

8-9 hitters going deep. Wow

[Brewcrew82]

1 minute ago, Simba2020 said:

Freddy was averaging 93-94 when he was 23 Small is much closer to 90-91 and is 25 already. Freddy still doesn't have good control but Small wasn't just throwing balls he was throwing BALLS. I'll stick with my opinion. At least I'm not expecting anything to write home about for his career and wouldn't be upset if he's moved in a trade. 

You're wrong. Look at Fangraphs. Freddy's average fastball velocity in 2018 was 91.1, which is right where Small is. Anyone who makes a judgment about a guy's future career based off of his debut appearance, while neglecting proven minor league results, is simply not in the right. 

[NBBrewFan]

1 minute ago, Brewcrew82 said:

You're wrong. Look at Fangraphs. Freddy's average fastball velocity in 2018 was 91.1, which is right where Small is. Anyone who makes a judgment about a guy's future career based off of his debut appearance, while neglecting proven minor league results, is simply not in the right. 

You expect facts to matter?

[yourout]

Might take a dozen to win this one.

[titletownking]

Brewers two biggest weakness’ essentially remain the same. Can’t hit lefties with any consistency, need more dependable pen arms. Both can be addressed. Both must be addressed. 

[Simba2020]

5 minutes ago, Brewcrew82 said:

You're wrong. Look at Fangraphs. Freddy's average fastball velocity in 2018 was 91.1, which is right where Small is. Anyone who makes a judgment about a guy's future career based off of his debut appearance, while neglecting proven minor league results, is simply not in the right. 

I'm not wrong, I quoted his year two when he was 23 and still two years younger than Small is now. I don't see Small adding much velo and his control has been awful the past two years and will have to improve significantly and at 25+ years old, I'm just not so sure that it's going to happen.

[Joseph Zarr]

Best of luck in the remaining viewing, all. I'm going to take a break and start readying to watch the Sounds Durham game. Go Brewers. Enjoy your game.