Wilken not moving up?

[Scooterfletcher]

If Adames walks as many expect, Ortiz likely moves to ss.  That creates an opening at 3B with nobody currently on the roster a candidate to fill.   I would think Wilken would move to AAA by now so that he could presumably fill that role if not on opening day 2025, then after his service time delay is accomplished early in the season.  I worry just slightly that if he is not moved up to aaa this season that he won’t be looked at as a serious contender at 3B start of next year (or a few weeks in).

[wibadgers23]

The AAA schedule goes pretty deep into September so there’s definitely still time for a Wilken call up. That being said, even if he’s called up and performs well in AAA, I’d be surprised if he’s our opening day 3B next year. I think he starts next year in Nashville regardless of what happens this year or next spring training.

[Madhawk23]

And, it's not like Wilken has exactly deserved a call-up to AAA this season.  I know he had the scary facial injury earlier in the year that has probably slowed his progress this year, but I definitely was hoping to see more out of him in his first full-season in the organization.  Good to see him hit the home run last night, but now need to see more consistency out of him this final month or two of the season.  

[Scooterfletcher]

I just mean there is nobody to even stop gap 3rd base if Ortiz moves to short and I’d think we’d want to push wilken to aaa starting in early august.   Deserved or not, we will otherwise have a hard time finding a stop gap that’s worthy of being on a World Series contender.

[Playing Catch]

13 hours ago, Scooterfletcher said:

I just mean there is nobody to even stop gap 3rd base if Ortiz moves to short and I’d think we’d want to push wilken to aaa starting in early august.   Deserved or not, we will otherwise have a hard time finding a stop gap that’s worthy of being on a World Series contender.

I am not concerned at all about finding a stopgap third basemen. Just about any infielder with a middling arm can play there. Heck, the Brewers have Monasterio playing over there.

Now, if Wilken or Boeve don't continue their growth, and flame out, then the Brewers may have issues.

Alex Bregman looks like he's playing himself into a Hoskins-like contract. Perhaps the Brewers look to a free agent at 3rd.

Long story short, one can't rush prospects to the big leagues. They all have a unique timetable driven by performance. Presuming health, I would guess that Wilken starts in AAA next season and if he hits at a wRC+ of around 120, he'll be called up by June.

[Ro Mueller]

We'll probably trade one of Frelick, Mitchell or Black for a key infielder. With expected year-over-year progression, I think they'll be too good to be struggling for MLB playing time behind Yelich and Chourio, with Perkins still there as depth.

Then for 2B/3B/SS we'll have:

• Starters: Ortiz, Turang, New Acquisition
• MLB depth: Andruw Monasterio, Oliver Dunn
• Ready in AAA (2B only): Isaac Collins.

[BrewersRice]

I know people joke about it, but I think with another off-season, Sal Frelick is still higher up on the depth chart for 3rd Base then Wilken or Monestarrio. Especially if they are looking for playing time for Black in the OF. I think they want to keep Frelick instead of trade him, and 3rd base might just be a way of doing that.  There is no rush for promoting Wilken or Boeve before they are ready. That being said, he has been improving.  With Willy Adames likely gone next year, the question is who will be the team leader in the clubhouse and practice field? I think the front office likes what they see in Frelick and Mitchell as far as bringing the right kind of attitude and energy. Yes they are not your veteran presence leaders, but they seem very much like leaders.

2025 Depth Chart 3B

Sal Frelick- Monestarrio - Collins (That's why they are testing him there now)

I also dont think Ortiz is a lock - He has been good at fielding, but too many of his throws have been saved by the 1B. I think he gets first chance because Turang has been a gold glove at 2B. That being said, Ortiz has been good at 3B and Turang could also be Gold glove quality at short and it might be easier to find a free agent 2B. 

[Playing Catch]

41 minutes ago, BrewersRice said:

I know people joke about it, but I think with another off-season, Sal Frelick is still higher up on the depth chart for 3rd Base then Wilken or Monestarrio.

I like this. I agree that too many of us here quickly dismiss the seriousness of Frelick playing 3rd. Now, perhaps that since his getting time there in Spring Training has led himself, or others, to cancel it as an option, but they obviously were serious about the possibility at the time. I find it odd that there has never been any hint of the organization trying to move Yelich to 1st, but that is a legitimate possibility based on many posters here.

46 minutes ago, BrewersRice said:

I also dont think Ortiz is a lock - He has been good at fielding, but too many of his throws have been saved by the 1B.

I respectfully disagree with this. Not that he's a lock, but I want him at short. I was skeptical that Ortiz could match Turang's prowess in the dirt, but I think he is one of the best fielders --- including his throwing, that I've seen in a Brewers uniform. His smoothness and quickness of actions are special, and clearly we've noticed different things, because I find that his throws often hit the guy square in the nose time and time again.

[BrewerFan]

2 hours ago, Playing Catch said:

I like this. I agree that too many of us here quickly dismiss the seriousness of Frelick playing 3rd. Now, perhaps that since his getting time there in Spring Training has led himself, or others, to cancel it as an option, but they obviously were serious about the possibility at the time. I find it odd that there has never been any hint of the organization trying to move Yelich to 1st, but that is a legitimate possibility based on many posters here.

Apparently Yellich has been against moving to 1st and wants to stay in LF. I think it's about time we stop caring too much about his preference. Sorry, but he's getting to his mid 30s, hasn't been able to stay healthy. Having a great year, but...could be over. See how Black can handle LF. I'd guess he'd be pretty good out there, especially with time. Chourio, Frelick, Mitchell, too talented defensively. Yellich can DH or play 1B if he can handle going back there. It has been...what, 14 years now. 

 

Quote

I respectfully disagree with this. Not that he's a lock, but I want him at short. I was skeptical that Ortiz could match Turang's prowess in the dirt, but I think he is one of the best fielders --- including his throwing, that I've seen in a Brewers uniform. His smoothness and quickness of actions are special, and clearly we've noticed different things, because I find that his throws often hit the guy square in the nose time and time again.

Ortiz has been great, but...why him over Turang at SS? I think we'll see what a luxury it was having those 3 on the IF together once Willy moves on, but Turang seems like the guy who should play SS...IMO. Hard to go wrong either way and Ortiz is making the Burnes trade look just awesome, but I'd still like to see Turang there. And signed to an extension now. 

[Playing Catch]

2 minutes ago, BrewerFan said:

Apparently Yellich has been against moving to 1st and wants to stay in LF. I think it's about time we stop caring too much about his preference. Sorry, but he's getting to his mid 30s, hasn't been able to stay healthy. Having a great year, but...could be over. See how Black can handle LF. I'd guess he'd be pretty good out there, especially with time. Chourio, Frelick, Mitchell, too talented defensively. Yellich can DH or play 1B if he can handle going back there. It has been...what, 14 years now. 

My point was that if it's a legitimate take to "move Yelich to 1st," considering there has been zero indication that it will happen, it certainly is a legitimate take that Frelick can play 3rd base in the future, considering what happened in Spring Training.

Not arguing if moving Yelich is good/bad or otherwise.

[sveumrules]

7 minutes ago, BrewerFan said:

Ortiz has been great, but...why him over Turang at SS? 

Super small sample obviously as Willy has played 946 of 959 innings at SS this year, but when he hasn't they have gone with Ortiz over Turang.

Joey also has also registered a stronger arm (84.4 MPH on average per StatCast) than Brice (80.1 MPH).

[BrewerFan]

Just now, sveumrules said:

Super small sample obviously as Willy has played 946 of 959 innings at SS this year, but when he hasn't they have gone with Ortiz over Turang.

Joey also has also registered a stronger arm (84.4 MPH on average per StatCast) than Brice (80.1 MPH).

Yeah, but there's going to be far more opportunities to let one go at 3rd vs 2B. 

How often does Turang have a chance to step into one and let it rip? 

[sveumrules]

2 minutes ago, BrewerFan said:

Yeah, but there's going to be far more opportunities to let one go at 3rd vs 2B. 

How often does Turang have a chance to step into one and let it rip? 

It's an average of the top 5% of all throws. I'd imagine between turning double plays and making plays on the edge of his range that most if not all of those top 5% of Turang's throws are at or close to full strength.

[BrewerFan]

7 minutes ago, sveumrules said:

It's an average of the top 5% of all throws. I'd imagine between turning double plays and making plays on the edge of his range that most if not all of those top 5% of Turang's throws are at or close to full strength.

They may be a full strength, but turning a double play isn't quite the same as fielding the ball at 3rd and taking a crow hop and firing over to 1st. You're falling away, or at best, you have to worry about the guy coming in. The closest may be when he's going up the middle and he has to lay out for a ball, but you're still popping to your feet and throwing flat-footed even on those. 

I'd imagine if you took Ortiz, put him at 2B, his velocity on his balls would drop quite a bit. It's just a very different platform and type of throw from 2B to 3B. 

[TURBO]

A few things ;

Wilken was hit in the face.....................by a pitch!  There was a decent chance he didn't play again this season, but he has gutted it out and is doing his best.  I would expect him to be back full force next year,

I would expect Turang to move to SS, and Ortiz to 2B  I don't think it's a slam dunk that Ortiz is at SS fulll time next year.

Frelick is not a 3B.  No matter what kind of novelty this idea has become, if we have o resort to Frelick's bat playing 3B, things have gone wrong, really wrong.

[jay87shot]

Don't rush Wilken, I like the idea of trading Black for a young mlb ready IF prospect if he isn't 1B ready. We also could get a IF starter in a Devin Williams deal if his value is close to Burnes.

We will have Sal, Andruw, Dunn, and Collins potentially next year. Boeve and Wilken will also be in AAA so the could move up if none of the options work well.

I would love to move Yeli to platoon 1st/DH (he will donfine at 1st just put the foot down)(i am sure it will be a bit better for the back) with Rhys (depending on option) and go Sal/Mitchell/Chourio in the OF with Blake a 4th OF and Yeli occasionally.