Misc. Offseason Updates - AFL, Winter Leagues

[Joseph Zarr]

That's now three consecutive games called by weather. Friday canceled. Saturday postponed. Now, Sunday canceled due to Tropical Storm Priscilla. 

[Jim French Stepstool]

Some of you have watched Adams much more than I, so you can tell me if I'm nuts or not. Is there a little bit of Ian Happ there in his approach & overall offensive game?

[sveumrules]

8 hours ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

Some of you have watched Adams much more than I, so you can tell me if I'm nuts or not. Is there a little bit of Ian Happ there in his approach & overall offensive game?

My starting point for comping Adams would be to see who walks a ton, but isn't a superstar like Judge, Soto, Ohtani and go from there.

Out of 229 hitters with at least 1,000 PA from 2023-25 Happ comes in with a 155 BB+ ranking 10th on the leaderboard, so that is definitely a good start.

Going off that same leaderboard, here are some other guys who will take their walks but aren't necessarily elite hitters that might provide a range of potential outcomes for Luke as a hitter...

Max Muncy (127 wRC+)
179 BB+ | 91 AVG+ | 156 ISO+

LaMonte Wade Jr (106 wRC+)
166 BB+ | 96 AVG+ | 81 ISO+

Trent Grisham (107 wRC+)
157 BB+ | 87 AVG+ | 119 ISO+

Ian Happ (118 wRC+)
155 BB+ | 99 AVG+ | 117 ISO+

Joc Pederson (117 wRC+)
146 BB+ | 95 AVG+ | 120 ISO+

Mitch Garver (105 wRC+)
145 BB+ | 88 AVG+ | 112 ISO+

JJ Bleday (105 wRC+)
137 BB+ | 92 AVG+ | 117 ISO+

Matt Chapman (116 wRC+)
133 BB+ | 97 AVG+ | 126 ISO+

Willy Adames (108 wRC+)
131 BB+ | 93 AVG+ | 125 ISO+

[jay87shot]

9 hours ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

Some of you have watched Adams much more than I, so you can tell me if I'm nuts or not. Is there a little bit of Ian Happ there in his approach & overall offensive game?

I think Kevin Youkilis is a better comp., Adams is more athletic but likely won't hit .300 like Youkilis did a few years. With the high walks and HBP he will at the very least be a really good platoon player, I think that eventually he and Burke split 1B and DH (after Yeli). I would guess they try and start getting Adams a little OF time so can maximize versatility (1B/3B/OF). His first couple years I feel like I remember a stat that he hit a ton of pop-ups. I am not sure where he was this year, but early in his career it seemed like leveling his swing out would add a ton to his offensive profile. We definitely saw the power start to come through in games better this year.

[Joseph Zarr]

1 hour ago, jay87shot said:

I think Kevin Youkilis is a better comp., Adams is more athletic but likely won't hit .300 like Youkilis did a few years. With the high walks and HBP he will at the very least be a really good platoon player, I think that eventually he and Burke split 1B and DH (after Yeli). I would guess they try and start getting Adams a little OF time so can maximize versatility (1B/3B/OF). His first couple years I feel like I remember a stat that he hit a ton of pop-ups. I am not sure where he was this year, but early in his career it seemed like leveling his swing out would add a ton to his offensive profile. We definitely saw the power start to come through in games better this year.

He played OF when he first got in the system. They put him in LF at Arizona for a whopping 3 games. He hasn't been back since. I think they know it is a deep cut in his bag but not ideal. In other words,  I certainly wouldn't rule it out, but I wouldn't put betting money on that. With Burke and Adams knocking on the Triple-A door, I think what may be more interesting here is what happens in Nashville to start the 2026 season. Is the EMJ journey as a Brewer over? Will they sign a AAAA vet or vets as a stopgap? We'll know more come November.

[liveforoctober]

I wonder how Adamczewski will take to defending in the outfield. The Brewers love versatility so much and his bat feels like it needs to be challenged at higher levels ASAP. This does seem like a good move for him to move up in the system faster given the plethora of IF prospects we have with/ahead of him. Excited to see how he handles the outfield.

[Joseph Zarr]

48 minutes ago, liveforoctober said:

I wonder how Adamczewski will take to defending in the outfield. The Brewers love versatility so much and his bat feels like it needs to be challenged at higher levels ASAP. This does seem like a good move for him to move up in the system faster given the plethora of IF prospects we have with/ahead of him. Excited to see how he handles the outfield.

Well, the early reports are the Brewers brass like what they see. They've trotted out players far less athletic than Josh in LF as a trial and error. Given the Brewers know he has one of the best bats in the system, this was a logical move. Honestly, I'm surprised it took this long to try it out.

[sveumrules]

4 hours ago, jay87shot said:

I think Kevin Youkilis is a better comp., Adams is more athletic but likely won't hit .300 like Youkilis did a few years.

Peak Youkilis was at 144 BB+ | 111 AVG+ | 145 ISO+ for a 140 wRC+ over 2,786 PA from 2007 to 2011.

Like you mention that average is way above what Adams is likely to ever achieve so that knocks a ton of value off right away. I also don't think Adams will get quite up to a 145 ISO+ like Youk did, that would be a Top 20 mark over the last three years (min. 1000 PA) just below guys like Corbin Carroll and Rafael Devers.

I'm thinking Adams comes in closer to 140's for BB+, 90's for AVG+, and 120's for ISO+.

[MattK]

2 hours ago, sveumrules said:

Peak Youkilis was at 144 BB+ | 111 AVG+ | 145 ISO+ for a 140 wRC+ over 2,786 PA from 2007 to 2011.

Like you mention that average is way above what Adams is likely to ever achieve so that knocks a ton of value off right away. I also don't think Adams will get quite up to a 145 ISO+ like Youk did, that would be a Top 20 mark over the last three years (min. 1000 PA) just below guys like Corbin Carroll and Rafael Devers.

I'm thinking Adams comes in closer to 140's for BB+, 90's for AVG+, and 120's for ISO+.

Which would be Adames, with more walks and less power - at a lesser position.  Enough to be a starting 1B for a 5 year stretch in the majors?  I would say absolutely.  

[Playing Catch]

15 hours ago, MattK said:

Which would be Adames, with more walks and less power - at a lesser position.  Enough to be a starting 1B for a 5 year stretch in the majors?  I would say absolutely.  

And would quickly become a popular whipping boy in the IGTs.

[Joseph Zarr]

Well, the Saguaros (3-0) are indeed playing again after two cancellations and a postponement plus a prototypical Monday off day. AND, given that, no Dinges in tonight's line up. Does it mean anything beyond that? We don't know. Let's hope not - we know he certainly isn't the only DH or C prospect on the Surprise squad. But, I bring you back to my post from last week HERE. Specifically:

Quote

Saguaros moved to 3-0 with another dub, 7-2 over the Javelinas. It does appear DH Marco Dinges (0-for-4, 2 K) was removed for an 8th inning pinch hitter. This after he grounded out weakly to 3B in the 6th. Let's hope it's nothing but given his mid season multi-week absence due to that hammy...I'm a wee jumpy. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Surprise lost their first game last night falling to Mesa, 4-3, while falling to a 3-1 record overall. Adams had men on 2B and 3B with two down in the top of the 9th trailing 4-3. He grounded out. Once again, I believe for the third game in a row, no Brewers pitched. 1B Luke Adams had a 0-for-4, 1 BB, 2 K day once again batting clean up. LF Josh Adamczewski had an 0-for-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K day at the dish batting 7th. 

[Jim Goulart]

This is a rundown of the entire Brewers AFL contingent -

 

[Joseph Zarr]

Hey now, despite an 0-for-4 night at the dish (1 RBI, 1 K) LF Josh Adamczewski grabbed his first OF Assist gunning down a runner at Home. Hey now! Let's Go!

Surprise gets back in the win column improving to 4-1 on their season with a 6-2 victory over Mesa. 1B Luke Adams went hitless again in the clean-up spot with a run and 2 K in an 0-3 night at the dish. Shockingly, he was also hit by a pitch. 2B Dylan O'Rae was back in the line up batting 9th. He went 0-for-3 with 1 BB, 1 K, and 1 CS.. Not all that much offense coming from the Brewer bats of late at, apparently, all levels.

We finally have pitchers! LHP Jesús Broca pitches a scoreless 1 2/3 innings with 1 H, 2 BB, 1 Balk, and 3 K. He picked up the Win in the process - his first of his AFL campaign (1-0). And, LHP Nate Peterson got back into action with 2.0 IP of 1 H, 1 BB, 1 ER ball. Peterson also nabbed a runner at first base with a pickoff.

After being featured in Dykstra's article above, I should note, C Marco Dinges was out of the line up for the third straight game after being pulled four games ago in the sixth frame. I've talked about it more than enough of late, but it is mildly humorous (and obviously unfortunate) given Dinges' own words in the same article just posted:

Quote

“Definitely that'll be my plan the entire time -- to catch,” he said. “It's kind of why I'm here.”

Welp. A man can't catch if he isn't healthy it would appear. We eagerly await his hopeful return to the line up.

[Joseph Zarr]

Quite the 2.0 inning Save for RHP Michael Fowler tonight. 0 H, 0 BB, and 2 K. Would love to see the pitch data. Surprise pulls out the 12-11 victory improving to 5-1 overall. No field players or AB's for the Brewers - perhaps, the lack of Brewers bats in the line up was a tip of the cap to the Big League club's NLCS performance at the dish? Hard to say. LHP Anthony Flores also pitched and worked around a bit of wild: 1 1/3 IP of 2 H, 3 BB, 2 K, 1 HB, 1 ER work. While Fowler landed 16 strikes in 24 overall pitches, Flores landed a mere 16 strikes in 40 total pitches thrown.

[Ro Mueller]

8 hours ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Quite the 2.0 inning Save for RHP Michael Fowler tonight. 0 H, 0 BB, and 2 K. Would love to see the pitch data. Surprise pulls out the 12-11 victory improving to 5-1 overall. No field players or AB's for the Brewers - perhaps, the lack of Brewers bats in the line up was a tip of the cap to the Big League club's NLCS performance at the dish? Hard to say. LHP Anthony Flores also pitched and worked around a bit of wild: 1 1/3 IP of 2 H, 3 BB, 2 K, 1 HB, 1 ER work. While Fowler landed 16 strikes in 24 overall pitches, Flores landed a mere 16 strikes in 40 total pitches thrown.

Team of Destiny, roaring back from a 10-2 deficit entering the 6th inning.

[Joseph Zarr]

10 hours ago, Ro Mueller said:

Team of Destiny, roaring back from a 10-2 deficit entering the 6th inning.

Well they balanced that out with a 10-1 loss tonight. Silver Lining? Jimenez pitched a scoreless outing as the lone Brewers arm.

[BrewerFan]

On 10/13/2025 at 12:24 PM, Joseph Zarr said:

He played OF when he first got in the system. They put him in LF at Arizona for a whopping 3 games. He hasn't been back since. I think they know it is a deep cut in his bag but not ideal. In other words,  I certainly wouldn't rule it out, but I wouldn't put betting money on that. With Burke and Adams knocking on the Triple-A door, I think what may be more interesting here is what happens in Nashville to start the 2026 season. Is the EMJ journey as a Brewer over? Will they sign a AAAA vet or vets as a stopgap? We'll know more come November.

I don't think they should do anything. It's not just Burke and Adams, it's Wilken and Fischer.... and Boeve and Black. And... we still have Vaughn, Bauers and Yelich as our DH. 

We went from next to nothing, paying Hoskins 18M as a last ditch solution to find some power at one of the corners, now we've got them falling out of our...pockets. This is to say nothing of Pratt, Made, Pena, all of whom could factor into 3B in the future or... the kid who just had a helluva rookie series and had some pretty competitive ABs in the playoffs in Durbin.

So... I wouldn't do anything. Not at 1B nor 3B... not even at SS... OF, I'd keep the depth we've got and I'd have loved Eric Haase to stick around a year at C so we could promote Quero when we felt like it. Incidentally, another DH/1B option(maybe). William Contreras. Hell, at least DH. I don't know if Yelich was hurt, wore down or just... happened to suck in the post-season, but I know he's older and we'd probably get more from him in Oct if he played closer to 120 games the rest of the year. 

By this time next year, we may also be looking for a spot for Dinges as well. 

 

[Joseph Zarr]

The Saguaros lost their second straight in lopsided fashion - 11-4 to Scottsdale.

The good news, once again, no Brewers pitchers factored into the blowout. Nobody pitched. Clean up man, 1B Luke Adams was back in the line up - 1-for-3, 1 BB, 1 K. LF Josh Adamczewski was back as well in his now customary seventh spot in the line-up. 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 RBI. 1 2B. It seems with each passing game, Josh is getting more comfortable in the AFL surroundings after some early hiccups. Both Adams and Adamczewski stranded one base runner apiece batting with two outs. The Saguaros, as a team, struggled with RISP going 3-for-14. They fall to 5-3 overall.

[Joseph Zarr]

En route to their third consecutive blowout loss (trailing 15-4 in Scottsdales bottom half of the 7th - yikes), we still see good signs from the young Brewers.

Adamczewski was moved up to 3rd in the batting order and responded with his second dinger of his AFL campaign. OPS up to 0.800 in what will be just the second full week of ball.

 

 

[biedergb]

Thanks for these up-dates Joseph. I am still following but taking a more mini-break from the minors after the end of the season results (both the minors with little success in the playoffs, and the big club)

hope to see these bats get some reps and maybe parlay this into a big year next year. 

[Joseph Zarr]

2 minutes ago, biedergb said:

Thanks for these up-dates Joseph. I am still following but taking a more mini-break from the minors after the end of the season results (both the minors with little success in the playoffs, and the big club)

hope to see these bats get some reps and maybe parlay this into a big year next year. 

Well, keep mind, we are at that glorious part of the AFL season when a next AB walk boosted Josh's OPS to 0.823 and an ensuing Adams single (2-for-4 batting clean up) boosted his OPS from 0.807 to 0.846. 🤣

[Jim Goulart]

 

[homer]

2 hours ago, Jim Goulart said:

 

I love his swing.

[Joseph Zarr]

27 minutes ago, homer said:

I love his swing.