Thurs. 7/31 - Shaking Off Wednesday's Results

[biedergb]

Big out there, Lameda atones for misplaying the first fly out a little and makes a great catch in left. One out after Tobias gives up a bloop single and a walk. Then full count, and the hard liner to left caught. Tobias has to buckle down and get two more outs in this inning.

Then the offense needs to get going ASAP

[JCREW]

21 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

I think it is very fair to say SS Cooper Pratt has had an underwhelming season. I expected more. I wanted more. A baseball progression is rarely linear. Pratt hasn't showcased any more power - he's stalemated giving those concerned about his lack of power or power projection more merit. He also has been too inconsistent for a defense first player. He's had some really poor errors. For every incredible play he has made - and he has made them - he has a boneheaded focus error. He lowered in my most recent prospect rankings. I just don't see any helium right now. <Sad Face>

There was a stretch where Turang seemed like the shine was off of him. But he put it together. Their wRC+ numbers over their first three MiLB years have a pretty similar trajectory. Hopefully without a pandemic getting in the way of his growth, Pratt will really put it together next year and force his way onto the big squad by the beginning of 2027.

[biedergb]

1 minute ago, JCREW said:

There was a stretch where Turang seemed like the shine was off of him. But he put it together. Their wRC+ numbers over their first three MiLB years have a pretty similar trajectory. Hopefully without a pandemic getting in the way of his growth, Pratt will really put it together next year and force his way onto the big squad by the beginning of 2027.

Yeah. We are a long way from March when there was "would another 20 year old rookie make the big club" chatter with Cooper. His AA season has still be very underwhelming. Defense is good, but can be inconsistent. He can make contact, but rarely hits it hard.  He doesn't look the same as the confident swagger rising prospect from last year.

I didn't watch when Turang was in the minors, so can't say, but he also has been the under the radar prospect since his draft year when he fell because he was a high prospect for too long or something strange like that.

[biedergb]

Manuel Rodriguez with a very solid 6 IP of work. Broca is in.

Tobias strands two runners in the inning - nice comeback Griffin. But this may have been his last inning.

I'm out for a little bit and will check in later. But Torres, Tobias and Rodriugez pitching was the therapy I needed today from the deadline madness, and the Tate Kuehner struggles.

[wibadgers23]

A ton of strikeouts for the Mudcats tonight.  Adamczewski with a double and a walk.  Rattlers are tied late.  Another lousy day on the farm.

[ghostdrew]

51 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

I think it is very fair to say SS Cooper Pratt has had an underwhelming season. I expected more. I wanted more. A baseball progression is rarely linear. Pratt hasn't showcased any more power - he's stalemated giving those concerned about his lack of power or power projection more merit. He also has been too inconsistent for a defense first player. He's had some really poor errors. For every incredible play he has made - and he has made them - he has a boneheaded focus error. He lowered in my most recent prospect rankings. I just don't see any helium right now. <Sad Face>

We just need to relax a bit is young at his level and no way does this change my opinion on his future of a starting MLB player.

[Joseph Zarr]

35 minutes ago, JCREW said:

There was a stretch where Turang seemed like the shine was off of him. But he put it together. Their wRC+ numbers over their first three MiLB years have a pretty similar trajectory. Hopefully without a pandemic getting in the way of his growth, Pratt will really put it together next year and force his way onto the big squad by the beginning of 2027.

I remember that stretch like it was yesterday. The thing with Turang, and I certainly hope it's true for Pratt, is he always bounced back - every level - and improved the season following struggle. He did it early in his MLB career as well. Optioned? Got better and played better. This is the first prolonged 'real' MiLB test for Pratt. He's met his match. And, that's fine. Nothing I'm saying is negative. It's just the truth. We were OH so spoiled by Chourio. He is a unicorn.

[biedergb]

14 minutes ago, wibadgers23 said:

A ton of strikeouts for the Mudcats tonight.  Adamczewski with a double and a walk.  Rattlers are tied late.  Another lousy day on the farm.

I will,take my 3 innings that I watched Torres, and 4 of Rodriguez’s work along with Tobias work and call that a night. Who needs hits?? 😬

[Joseph Zarr]

I do not enjoy the Double-A RHP Bayden Root experience. He really doesn't have the stuff for this level - it's fairly obvious. I personally felt this was an age-based "Let's see what you do with a bump up!" qualifying assignment. I am not impressed in the early going. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Meanwhile, Jadher Watch:

After last night's 2-for-5, 1 RBI debut? 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 2B.

So so happy for Him. He didn't fit the culture within the Brewers org. I think he is going to thrive with the Rays. I think he is absolutely going to thrive. Too good a talent - too under-appreciated a talent, honestly - to flounder. He know he's a stud. That rubs some people wrong. But, the proof is in the pudding: he just produces. 

(Yes, I still understand and support the trade)

[Joseph Zarr]

Blake Burke does not have a single HR in July. He is currently slugging 0.298 (before tonight's 0-for-3, 1 BB, 1 R). He has 5 2B in 84 AB. Brutal stretch for a purported slugger. 

[Joseph Zarr]

I was extremely complimentary of the awesome T-Rats throwback jerseys last night. Tonight's jerseys are nothing short of abomination. Only thing that can make these eye sores palatable is a walk-off win! Nicasia pokes the one out single to LF in a 2-for-4 night. Atta way, Kaylan! Castillo is up. These jereys? WOOOOOF. These are serious cringe:

 

[Joseph Zarr]

Predictably, Castillo K's looking. What a nightmare 2025 campaign. Absolute nightmare. Up to Nava to try to keep this going.

[biedergb]

5 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Blake Burke does not have a single HR in July. He is currently slugging 0.298 (before tonight's 0-for-3, 1 BB, 1 R). He has 5 2B in 84 AB. Brutal stretch for a purported slugger. 

Yeah. He has really slumped since the ASG break. Not hitting, Ks, and the few hits were not many XBH.

Huge opportunity for him to make a name as a 1B, but he doesn’t move up the rung, in fact falls with Fischer in the fold now.

[Joseph Zarr]

Castillo's nightmare continues even in the field. We are in Extras. The runner at 3B (advanced via ground out to 2B) wasn't even going. Yet, he rushes the shallow pop out and drops the ball in the exchange. The run scores. 

I can not impart enough how ugly his entire body of work has been in 2025. It has been absolutely brutal. The T-Rats escape with no runs if he simply, well, makes the most routine play possible. He doesn't. They fly out to shallow RF on the next pitch. T-Rats will need at least one. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Yhoswar sac bunts Baez to 3B. Guilarte walks. Alastre will try to do something that isn't a DP.

[biedergb]

In the past 2 days within the organization, there has a been a win by the DSL Brewers Gold over the DSL Reds Rojas, and well that’s about it.  Brewers loss and every minor league affiliate has lost, with the TRats trying to come back in the 10th….

[Joseph Zarr]

Alastre K's on a heater up and outside and out of the zone. Rough look. Naturally, the ump gave an early strike on a heater up an in not in the zone. Two down. Garcia - the only T-Rat really capable of a big hit at present is back at the dish.

[Joseph Zarr]

BAHAHAHAHAH. An absolute goose snort bloop for a game-tying single with the infield in. MWahahahahahahah. That was amazing. Runner being held at 1B. That ball didn't leave the infield dirt. Maybe hit 50 mph. Tie game!

[Joseph Zarr]

Come on, Blake Burke. LET'S GO! Hit something big fella.

[Joseph Zarr]

Yup. 48.9 mph exit velo on that Garcia goose turd. 39 degree launch. LOL. Bahahahahaha.

[Matt]

That was a fun hit to tie it up.

[biedergb]

1 minute ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Come on, Blake Burke. LET'S GO! Hit something big fella.

He is in a huge huge slump…..

[Joseph Zarr]

2-0 count. Burke swings at a ball in his eyes - maybe protecting the steal attempt however. 2-1. Now a pitch timer. 3-1 to Burke. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Come one Blake. Swinging at absolute trash in this AB.