Jake. Bauers Appreciation thread

[markedman5]

4 walks and a homer today……..the guy is being pitched like he is Barry Bonds……..

Ok…..that’s a bit much…….but man what a season he is having….. .hate to think where we’d be without him.

Words that I never thought I would type. 😎

[gregmag]

We rightly talk a lot about the Brewers’ ability to develop young players. They’re showing quite a rare knack for developing older players.

Last year, at 29, Bauers was substantially better than he had ever been before. This year, at 30, he’s a lot better than that.

Andrew Vaughan has been massively better for the Brewers at ages 27 and 28 than he ever was before.

Brandon Lockridge has never been a useful major league hitter. This year, at 29, he’s off to a strong start with a .368 OBP.

David Hamilton actually had a much better year in 2024 than any of these other guys ever had before joining the Brewers, but he has a much higher OBP this year at 28 than he did then.  The Brewers talk like they’ve figured out something with him, and it’s at least worth paying attention.

Blake Perkins became a good fourth outfielder type for the Brewers at 26-28, which is when most players peak — but they got him there from no prior MLB experience.

This is unusual. Few hitters go from useless to useful in their late 20s. The Brewers’ ability to do this with multiple guys has been a big factor in their recent success.

 

 

 

[Jim French Stepstool]

Bauers has been a wonderful story. Saturday's game illustrates the simple 'get a good pitch to hit' philosophy that so many players struggle with. He was pitched carefully, was smart enough to realize it, and refused to get himself out. Once Chourio gets better at that, look out.

I AM a little concerned about Bauers' OF play. Like all of us I'm probably spoiled by the defense this team usually plays, but his footwork after catching the fly ball w/the bases loaded Saturday night was all screwed up. Didn't cost them anything as the runner held, but a few details like that need to be cleaned up as we'll certainly see him out there at times. If he puts in the hard work that he obviously has at the plate he should make an adequate LF.