Wed. 4/12: Morning action in Carolina; Lunchtime game in Appleton

[Joseph Zarr]

2 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

Strikes out the next 3 batters but the runner scores from 3rd on a spiked wild pitch from Gasser. Thought Navarreto made a pretty poor effort at blocking it though.

Yeah, that's an argument you could make. This is honestly the sloppiest I've every seen Navarreto behind the dish since being a Sound. He's dropped a ball in a pop and transfer before a throw to second base. He's dropped several other balls, oddly. He's having an off night. He even had a chance to slide and scoop and toss that wild pitch but he dropped that too. This has been a theme throughout the entire Brewers organization today. They need to perform a ritual.

[wiguy94]

6 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Yup. Great first two innings. Hitting the zone. Extremely efficient. And, just like that, he lost all semblance of consistent control As you point out, this has been his achilles heel since promotion late last summer. He has the arsenal. It's just currently erratic, unfortunately.

Only 8 called strikes for Gasser today. 16 whiffs. I don't know why he is struggling with command, but if he doesn't trust his stuff it seems short-sighted as his stuff is plenty good enough to play more in zone.

[Joseph Zarr]

2 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

Only 8 called strikes for Gasser today. 16 whiffs. I don't know why he is struggling with command, but if he doesn't trust his stuff it seems short-sighted as his stuff is plenty good enough to play more in zone.

Agreed. His stuff is very good. He has a very crafty five-pitch blend. Hopefully, it's just a component of being young and needing to continue fine-tuning his mechanics. But, it has definitely been a consistent thing since his promotion to Nashville. Now that it's carried over to early 2023 it becomes slightly worrisome in the near-term.

[wiguy94]

Just not this org's day. Almost glad Biloxi got rained out so they didn't have to join in on the suckage. 

[Joseph Zarr]

And RHP Elvis Peguero's first mistake of the year - a 3-2 heater way too much center cut - results in a two-run jack over the wall in right field. 4-1 Tide.

[Joseph Zarr]

2 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

Just not this org's day. Almost glad Biloxi got rained out so they didn't have to join in on the suckage. 

Yeah, it's really been a poor day at literally every level with really sloppy baseball throughout, honestly. It's a shame but it certainly happens in baseball. On to another day. Hopefully the men come inspired and ready to play more fundamentally sound baseball.

[Joseph Zarr]

Peguero was hit hard that entire evening. Thankfully, he only conceded the two-run jack. That's the most he's been hit in 2023. Every ball left with velo.

[wiguy94]

With runners on 2nd and 3rd and 2 outs, Singleton hits what looks to be a routine grounder to 2B. He doesn't run very hard out of the Box. Norfolk's 2B boots the ball, but because Singleton wasn't running hard out of the box the 2B had enough time to pick up the ball and make the out at 1st. 

[markedman5]

Joseph……I read that Erceg is off to a great start to the season.

How does his stuff and command look? Does he project as a potential bullpen piece for us this season if injuries or ineffectiveness happen?

it would be nice to have a guy that they can send up and down as needed……as opposed to all of these guts without options.

[Joseph Zarr]

10 minutes ago, markedman5 said:

Joseph……I read that Erceg is off to a great start to the season.

How does his stuff and command look? Does he project as a potential bullpen piece for us this season if injuries or ineffectiveness happen?

it would be nice to have a guy that they can send up and down as needed……as opposed to all of these guts without options.

This is the best he's looked as a pitcher. He currently has fantastic command of all three offerings - heater, change-up, and slider (the biggest development, imho - the change was always a good pitch). He's touching 98 but sitting 95-97. IF he can maintain this, I'd certainly say he should be considered for a chance. I'd also toss in LHP Clayton Andrews. He's been electric. They are probably my 1-2 favorites in a stalwart bullpen. Erceg hasn't even conceded a single hit in 7 IP. I'd also be remiss if I didn't add: I know he's in Biloxi but Abner Uribe just continues to pump out shutdown electric stuff. I imagine the Brewers want more innings (? I have no idea) but he was tossing 102 mph gas in his Friday outing. And, he still has that nasty slider. He's got huge upside.

[wiguy94]

NAVARETTO GRAND SLAM!

[Joseph Zarr]

1 minute ago, wiguy94 said:

NAVARETTO GRAND SLAM!

NO. Way!!!! Amazing. I am a batter behind. Epic. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Wow @wiguy94, you weren't kidding. What an absolute MOON shot. Whewwww, you can't count these Sounds out:

 

[Joseph Zarr]

And Big Jon goes yard for the second night in a row. After 4 dingers last night, the Sounds have 3 today in the bottom of the 8th:

 

[Joseph Zarr]

INF Eddie Alvarez has been fantastic as a Sound. He's covering all the bases between 2B and 3B and he's just making smart plays in the field with an accurate arm - he even has a cannon from 3B which absolutely surprised me. He's been one of the pleasant surprises in the early 2023 year for me.

[wiguy94]

I just really don't understand Ethan Small this year. Tonight he's back to pretty much exclusively throwing his FB. 18 FB to only 5 CH. 

Threw 6 straight FB to Westburg and he crushed the 6th one 420ft to LF. 

[Joseph Zarr]

LHP Ethan Small continues his up-and-down ways. He delivers a four pitch walk to a lefty. And, then, on a 2-2 count gives up a bomb over the wall in left field. 8-6 Sounds. It doesn't appear he has good feel of his change-up tonight and appears to be throwing mainly heaters. He was working the inner half with success and then went up and over the middle and, welp, that left the yard. He buckles down, however, inducing two straight ground outs to Andruw Monasterio at short and the Sounds close it out 8-6. 

[Joseph Zarr]

1 minute ago, wiguy94 said:

I just really don't understand Ethan Small this year. Tonight he's back to pretty much exclusively throwing his FB. 18 FB to only 5 CH. 

Threw 6 straight FB to Westburg and he crushed the 6th one 420ft to LF. 

Yup. That was a rocket. It was a weird AB. He was having success with the heater inside. BUT, then he came back with the same heat elevated and out over the middle (obviously, not elevated enough). He seemed to be lacking feel and location on the change (which was not what we saw in his last outing). BUT, then, he leads off one of his next batters with a gorgeous change right over the heart of the plate.🤔

[Joseph Zarr]

For those of you who've missed him pitch, here's your first look at RHP Ryan Brady. Lots to like in the early going. He has some really nice offerings: