Brewers - Arizona Fall League

[Joseph Zarr]

7 hours ago, UpandIn said:

I didn't think he looked bad at 3rd. He's not going to make those plays diving into foul territory and then getting up and firing it 96 over to 1B, but he looked fine. It was a pretty small sample size, but I'm not worried about him finding a spot. His bat should play if we've got the OF covered with the young OF prospects we've got. 

It’s similar to what they did with Turang in 2022. As he neared the MLB roster (I think we all know he’ll be with the Brewers in 2023), they began playing him in CF, then 2B and 3B. I think they see Black is a legit MLB prospect and they’ll ready him across the Diamond. He’s played 2B his entire life, just as Turang is a SS who is capable of playing anywhere but C and 1B, who will expand his toolkit to aid his approach to an MLB roster. I personally think Black is clearly an MLB player - it’s just a matter of time. He has the frame, the size, the strength, the tenacity, the competitiveness, and the bat. I personally love what they do with these Uber-talented Swiss Army knife players - Turang, Warren, and Black definitely come to mind - players with really really advanced baseball intelligence and overall toolkits. The future is very bright for Black. We’ll see where the chips fall and what type of player he becomes.

[igor67]

I'm curious from those who watch him a lot if Black has the tools to be a noticeably above average defender at first. Mid-range power high OBP and above average defense at first would be a very solid potential mix. I'm thinking John Olerud or Doug Mientkiewicz.

[Spencer Michaelis]

On 10/11/2022 at 12:00 PM, Joseph Zarr said:

I personally think the organization views him primarily as a 2B - as noted in the interview, the plan was to keep getting him reps in the OF but he will also play 2B (apparently) in the AFL. I think part of that ‘clunkiness’ is he is simply bigger and taller than the position customarily is used to. He’s not a great 2B by any measure defensively but, imho, he’s not a negative at the position (he certainly didn’t negatively affect outcomes for the T-Rats in the fielding department) and with the bat he becomes an automatic net positive. Let me put it another way: He certainly isn’t a Keston Hiura level liability there and he’s every bit as good as Valerio. Although, I agree with you and others that he has the size and the profile to ultimately be given a shot at 1B. 

I'd put both Valerio and Black in the camp of negative defenders on the infield, so we may just see this differently haha. I agree it isn't a Keston type hole over there by any means, but Keston might be the worst defensive second baseman I have ever seen so I'm not sure that's saying a lot.

Having seen Black in person a few times and on the broadcast a lot, I think there's more than just his size playing into the clunkiness, the reads aren't great for a MIF and he doesn't do a very good job with his footwork. I think his biggest redeeming quality on defense is that he has pretty good hands, which saves him at times. The hands are also part of the reason I think he would fit well at first.

What you said is very fair though, and I don't mean to say that the Brewers should give up on him at second already. My personal opinion is that he needs a lot of work to be more than a serviceable-ish defender by the time he's in the majors. I do know that second isn't exactly a premium defensive position though, and if his bat is good enough (I think it very well might be), the defense will always be secondary anyways.

[Joseph Zarr]

3 hours ago, Smichaelis9 said:

I'd put both Valerio and Black in the camp of negative defenders on the infield, so we may just see this differently haha. I agree it isn't a Keston type hole over there by any means, but Keston might be the worst defensive second baseman I have ever seen so I'm not sure that's saying a lot.

Having seen Black in person a few times and on the broadcast a lot, I think there's more than just his size playing into the clunkiness, the reads aren't great for a MIF and he doesn't do a very good job with his footwork. I think his biggest redeeming quality on defense is that he has pretty good hands, which saves him at times. The hands are also part of the reason I think he would fit well at first.

What you said is very fair though, and I don't mean to say that the Brewers should give up on him at second already. My personal opinion is that he needs a lot of work to be more than a serviceable-ish defender by the time he's in the majors. I do know that second isn't exactly a premium defensive position though, and if his bat is good enough (I think it very well might be), the defense will always be secondary anyways.

I like the cut of your jib, Cap’n. Carry on.

[ARobsBrewCrew]

21 hours ago, wiguy94 said:

Is he taking Henderson's spot? I had read Henderson hasn't reported yet because of soreness

Spoke with Henderson and Contreras today.  Henderson has not been ruled out for AFL action, however he is not sure when (or if) he will see the mound this fall.  Contreras is NOT replacing Henderson, merely a late addition.

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Robocaller]

11 hours ago, Smichaelis9 said:

I'd put both Valerio and Black in the camp of negative defenders on the infield, so we may just see this differently haha. I agree it isn't a Keston type hole over there by any means, but Keston might be the worst defensive second baseman I have ever seen so I'm not sure that's saying a lot.

Having seen Black in person a few times and on the broadcast a lot, I think there's more than just his size playing into the clunkiness, the reads aren't great for a MIF and he doesn't do a very good job with his footwork. I think his biggest redeeming quality on defense is that he has pretty good hands, which saves him at times. The hands are also part of the reason I think he would fit well at first.

What you said is very fair though, and I don't mean to say that the Brewers should give up on him at second already. My personal opinion is that he needs a lot of work to be more than a serviceable-ish defender by the time he's in the majors. I do know that second isn't exactly a premium defensive position though, and if his bat is good enough (I think it very well might be), the defense will always be secondary anyways.

You are the only one I've seen ever say Black might not be able to stay at 2B. All the scouting reports I've seen have said he's average, and the only thing limiting him at 3B is his arm.

[Spencer Michaelis]

5 hours ago, Robocaller said:

You are the only one I've seen ever say Black might not be able to stay at 2B. All the scouting reports I've seen have said he's average, and the only thing limiting him at 3B is his arm.

A lot of scouting reports said Keston was an average defender too. Pipeline said “He's an average defender at the keystone, where he has decent actions and footwork”.  I can’t find the Fangraphs’ write up, but they gave Keston a future 50 grade on defense and they have Black as a future 45. Again, I’m certainly not saying I’m absolutely right about his defense haha. I’m a Brewers fan. I actually really hope I’m wrong. But since the first time I watched him play second for the Mudcats I have been worried about him being able to handle it. Obviously that could’ve been a bad game, but I haven’t seen much to make me feel better since then. 

[SF70]

34 minutes ago, Smichaelis9 said:

A lot of scouting reports said Keston was an average defender too. Pipeline said “He's an average defender at the keystone, where he has decent actions and footwork”.  I can’t find the Fangraphs’ write up, but they gave Keston a future 50 grade on defense and they have Black as a future 45. Again, I’m certainly not saying I’m absolutely right about his defense haha. I’m a Brewers fan. I actually really hope I’m wrong. But since the first time I watched him play second for the Mudcats I have been worried about him being able to handle it. Obviously that could’ve been a bad game, but I haven’t seen much to make me feel better since then. 

BA has Black at 45 as well. With the shift-limitation, I believe 2B defense becomes more valuable next season, especially range, and with that, goes any realistic chance of Black being this teams starting second-baseman long-term.

He’s looked good in CF, so maybe he becomes a really nice trade-chip with a nice minors season next year, or if the team loves his bat potential as much as I believe they do, an eventual move to 1B could be in the cards.

[jay87shot]

If you can get Black to play 1B/2B/3B/OF he would be a great guy to platoon somewhere and then would have the versatility to play elsewhere if he can hit lefties. Say we lose Adames down the road and Turang shifts to SS, Black could play 2B vs. righties and then play 1st, 3B, OF if we have a different lefty who struggles at those spots.

He should be ok at 1B, 2B, and LF. Probably below in 3B, CF, RF because his arm is fringy. I really try not to worry about defense as a casual fan until they hit the league because you really need to watch a ton of games to really evaluate defense and even the guys at the big prospect sites aren't watching 10ish games of Wright St. or the T-Rats. 

[Joseph Zarr]

15 hours ago, Mass Haas said:

 

File this under "When you really know you're a Minor League Brewers baseball geek"...:

Let's juxtapose Middendorf's leg kick next to Stiven Cruz's leg kick. They are a yin and yang of awesome foot action.

For memory's sake:

We have Middendorf's quick snap and chill. We have Cruz's Elvis strut. I love it. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Let's just always keep the Quero hype rolllllllling:

 

[Joseph Zarr]

15 hours ago, Mass Haas said:

 

I enjoyed many of these write-ups BUT I'd say: Dykstra's write-ups on Quero, Warren, and Smith feel extremely lazy and mildly misinformed. Not enough luster to my liking for Quero (shocking, I know). No mention of Warren's incredible second half to his season that led to his promotion and how he's absolutely kept that rolling and then some in the AFL. And, he claims Smith has good control for his size? Ummmm, no Mr. Dykstra. I can count on one hand the number of outings Smith was in the zone and dominant. If I'm being honest, I can probably count those outing on three fingers off the top of my head - control is something he continues to struggle with and will need to improve.

[UpandIn]

3 hours ago, Joseph Zarr said:

I enjoyed many of these write-ups BUT I'd say: Dykstra's write-ups on Quero, Warren, and Smith feel extremely lazy and mildly misinformed. Not enough luster to my liking for Quero (shocking, I know). No mention of Warren's incredible second half to his season that led to his promotion and how he's absolutely kept that rolling and then some in the AFL. And, he claims Smith has good control for his size? Ummmm, no Mr. Dykstra. I can count on one hand the number of outings Smith was in the zone and dominant. If I'm being honest, I can probably count those outing on three fingers off the top of my head - control is something he continues to struggle with and will need to improve.

Yeah, this isn't surprising. It's kinda like how you watch...I don't know, Around the Horn or a different Sports show and they try and cover so many different things, they only have a surface level knowledge. 

I mean...follow the minor leagues, I go to a few games. I've probably seen as much of these guys as him. Or not, but the point is, you're covering 4 levels of full season MiLB for 32 teams...

Honestly kinda why I came back here. The nightly coverage by you, Danuelle, it provides much more context than just some Tweets and a few games.

[wiguy94]

Quero guns down yet another attempted base stealer. That’s now 4 SB in 11 attempts against him. Incredible work out of him. 

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Jim Goulart]

Thursday 10/13:

Box / Game Log (Glendale loses, 9-7)

Tyler Black, batting 5th and playing LF, 2-for-4 with a walk, two RBI, 3rd stolen base (in three attempts). Catcher Jeferson Quero was 0-for-4, one K, but did throw out yet another baserunner. First baseman Zavier Warren 1-for-4.

Find the VIDEO archive for the Glendale 10/13 game here.

***

Friday 10/14:

Box / Game Log

(Glendale loses, 2-0, to drop to 5-5)

2021 2nd round LHP Russell Smith made his AFL debut, starting and giving up one unearned run over three innings as Glendale dropped a 2-0 game (seven innings). As you'll see in the game log, there wasn't a 1-2-3 inning but the outing should be considered a success from a health standpoint as well.

Batting lower in the lineup, Warren (again playing first base) and Je'Von Ward (DH'ing here) only got two plate appearances each. Warren grounded out and was HBP, while Ward did line out in his first at-bat before a GIDP later on. Each is off to a strong start in their small samples (26 AB's Warren, 13 Ward).

Find the VIDEO archive for the Glendale 10/14 game here. (Currently listed under "Live Streams" as of this AM, this will slide to their archive page later today.)

***

Batting Statistics: Warren, Ward, Quero, Black

Pitching Statistics: Smith, Abner Uribe, Ryan Middendorf; yet to pitch, RHP's Logan Henderson, Luis Contreras

NOTE: Will Schierholz, who was the Timber Rattlers' Pitching Coach in 2022, is on the Glendale Staff

***

Glendale plays Saturday afternoon at 1:35 Central. If it streams, it'll be live here.

[Jim Goulart]

Saturday 10/15:

Box / Game Log

Glendale plated seven scoreless, then one extra inning in which each team scored once via the zombie runner, before calling it a tie and a day.

Jeferson Quero had a productive flyout to right field to advance the free baserunner to 3rd base.

Zavier Warren (0-for-3, walk), Tyler Black (0-for-2, walk), Quero 0-for-3

RHP Luis Contreras made his AFL debut and it started out with single, wild pitch, walk, but a double-play grounder helped him toss a scoreless inning.

RHP Abner Uribe fanned two in a 1-2-3 inning.

No video of this one.

 

[nate82]

Take it for what it’s worth but Keith Law had this to say about Uribe and Quero.

 

https://theathletic.com/3703139/2022/10/18/mlb-prospects-arizona-fall-league/?source=user_shared_article

Milwaukee reliever Abner Uribe was 97-100 mph with plus sink on the pitch and showed an 87-89 mph slider, coming off April knee surgery that ended his regular season after just three innings. He was in the Fall League last year as well, but walked 17 in nine innings, while so far this year he’s faced 16 batters in four innings and walked none. It’s all about strikes, because those two pitches are good enough to envision him in a high-leverage relief role if he can figure out where the plate is.

Brewers catching prospect Jeferson Quero is one of the youngest players in the league, just turning 20 on Oct. 8. He looks it, as he’s listed at 5-foot-10, 165 pounds, and I’m not sure I’m taking the over on either of those numbers. He’s got a short swing that should generate a lot of contact, with a plus-plus arm and very quick release behind the plate. He’s still young, so he has plenty of time, but he has got to get stronger or else he’ll be the next DJ Garrett Stubbs.

 

[Brewcrew82]

2 minutes ago, nate82 said:

Take it for what it’s worth but Keith Law had this to say about Uribe and Quero.

 

https://theathletic.com/3703139/2022/10/18/mlb-prospects-arizona-fall-league/?source=user_shared_article

Milwaukee reliever Abner Uribe was 97-100 mph with plus sink on the pitch and showed an 87-89 mph slider, coming off April knee surgery that ended his regular season after just three innings. He was in the Fall League last year as well, but walked 17 in nine innings, while so far this year he’s faced 16 batters in four innings and walked none. It’s all about strikes, because those two pitches are good enough to envision him in a high-leverage relief role if he can figure out where the plate is.

Brewers catching prospect Jeferson Quero is one of the youngest players in the league, just turning 20 on Oct. 8. He looks it, as he’s listed at 5-foot-10, 165 pounds, and I’m not sure I’m taking the over on either of those numbers. He’s got a short swing that should generate a lot of contact, with a plus-plus arm and very quick release behind the plate. He’s still young, so he has plenty of time, but he has got to get stronger or else he’ll be the next DJ Garrett Stubbs.

 

I think the Garrett Stubbs comparison for Quero is a little over the top as he's still very young and filling out. Though, Stubbs did put up really good numbers as JT. Realmuto's backup this season. I'm very excited for him and think he's set to rocket up prospect lists in short order as his defense is incredible. 

Uribe I think might be able to help the big league club next season. Could turn out to be our Emmanuel Clase, if his control continues to improve. Shame he was injured pretty much the whole year. 

[Robocaller]

14 minutes ago, Brewcrew82 said:

I think the Garrett Stubbs comparison for Quero is a little over the top as he's still very young and filling out. Though, Stubbs did put up really good numbers as JT. Realmuto's backup this season. I'm very excited for him and think he's set to rocket up prospect lists in short order as his defense is incredible. 

Uribe I think might be able to help the big league club next season. Could turn out to be our Emmanuel Clase, if his control continues to improve. Shame he was injured pretty much the whole year. 

In Garrett Stubbs' age 19 season, he was hitting .189 for University of Southern California. I don't see the relationship beyond them both being relatively short and slender.

 

[Jim Goulart]

Normally we wouldn't condone copying subscription notes from The Athletic, but since they abandoned Brewers coverage, we'll let it slide (this time). Let's not make a habit of it, though, please.

[nate82]

23 minutes ago, Mass Haas said:

Normally we wouldn't condone copying subscription notes from The Athletic, but since they abandoned Brewers coverage, we'll let it slide (this time). Let's not make a habit of it, though, please.

Hmmm I thought it was fine if we just copied the Brewers portion and not the whole thing.  Though I could be misremembering things.

[Jim French Stepstool]

97-100 for Uribe, and that's after basically a lost season. And after the well-documented command issues of the past, zero walks so far in the AFL. Color me excited.

This has always been an organization that largely puts together bullpens through trades/FA. Some of the guys in the system make me think that trend could be bucked in the future.