TooLiveBrew

Personally, I don't think Doug Melvin recognizes the importance of OBP and won't make that trade. He probably thinks Yuni B "isn't that bad" and "likes his Pop" and thinks "he's been hitting better in the last month". In the Transactions forum, markedman posted a Tweet from ESPN's Jim Bowden: So I would assume Melvin actually isn't content with the sucktitude of Betancourt.

I know AndThat doesn't think Farris has the arm to play short regularly. I haven't seen any other reports on Farris's arm aside from AndThat's.

I think that's a good guess, joepepsi. 6.43 ERA in his last five starts, combined with the hip flexor ailment.

I responded in the Gindl & Green thread

Responding to igor67's post #21 in the 7/11 Link Report thread: What are the odds that he adds that much more power production to his total? Either Giles of Gonzalez would be a major coup. Gindl has actually displayed more power through his MiLB career than Giles did at the same age. I don't agree with the Luis Gonzalez comp, since Gonzalez's frame is/was so much bigger than Caleb's. Plus, like I said, it's not like profiling Gindl for Giles's career is exactly fair, either. Gindl strikes out at a significantly higher rate than either Gonzo or Giles. The odds are heavily against him coming close to Giles's career, especially circa 1999-2005. However, Gindl was a 5th round pick, so it's not like he's some super longshot. For whatever reason, he's pretty easy to overlook. But the guy's just 22 & having success at AAA. If he were 6'0" instead of 5'9", this guy would be getting rave reviews as a prospect. All he's done is hit at every level, and at a relatively young age at each stop to boot. Heh, this discussion has just turned me into a huge Gindl believer. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif Here's the slash line for another bat-first OF that wasn't necessarily regarded as a big-time prospect, but spent his age-22 season at AAA & went on to become a good big-leaguer: .281/.342/.485/.827. Gindl's so far is .281/.353/.474/.827. Hart is probably a better comparison in terms of trying to project Gindl's offense at the big-league level.

I think the HR Derby has run it's course at it's currently designed. I found it very boring last night, and changed the channel before the first hour or so. I didn't read closely enough about the new format. I thought it was going to be straight-up AL v. NL, which I think would've been pretty cool. That said, Robbie Cano put on some show in the final round. I enjoyed that.

My favorite memory is of a group of kids sitting at the bar drinking soda. They all had their daddy's jersey on. There were little Fielders, Gallardos and Harts just sitting at the bar watching baseball. It was real cute. That's awesome. I didn't notice that they headed out there for the rest of the game. They must've had a great time http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

so while technically not an incorrect diagnosis it's like football teams calling ACL injuries "knee sprains" prior to the MRI results. Sprain = tear

I like Gamel more, and I'm sure people will once again start up about how he didn't hit when he was up, but he was a different hitter this time. He was aggressively going after pitches and while he didn't always make the best decision, I liked that much better than his passive trying to walk and taking strike 3 approach in 2009. Not only was he aggressive, but there were several instances of him jumping all over mistake pitches, & he just missed them. Not saying missing mistake pitches is a good thing, but he was aggressive with a purpose, not just for the sake of being aggressive. Naturally, I agree with "Gamel > Davis" http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

I'd go with (poor-man's?) Brian Giles. However, at age 22, Giles was still in AA, while Caleb is at AAA. It's not responsible to project that Gindl will have the kind of career that Giles did, but it's certainly not a crazy comparison.

I posted about it, but Adam McCalvy was the source. http://brewersbeat.mlblog...i-results-all-star-plan/ Of course, McCalvy doesn't say PCL, but that's what the "tendon behind the knee" is.

That's what I assumed & what I'd heard about The Blind Side. Definitely find time for both I.B. & Up, well worth it.

TH: Braun expects to play Thursday Dear Tom H.: Inflammation of the PCL is not a calf injury. It's a knee ligament injury. I don't know if the Brewers & TH just don't care that the injury isn't a calf injury & find it simpler to just call it a calf issue, or if they're trying to downplay that said injury is actually to a ligament. Whatever the case, it's (obviously) really bugging me.

Just wanted to say that Family Day was fun to watch at the ballpark yesterday. I didn't realize it was scheduled for the game, but seeing the players interacting with their kids before the game (kids accompanied their dads on-field for the National Anthem) was really cool. And Yo Jr. threw a strike for the first pitch! Off the mound, no less. He was having a blast the whole time, throwing the ball up to himself to catch & just generally soaking it all up. Also, it's scary how much Prince's youngest looks like daddy. I can't remember his name (iirc the eldest son is Jayden), but good lord, it's mini-Prince.

The question is what movies were best picture caliber movies? Inglorious Bastard, Precious, Blind Side, Up, Avatar? I just dont see a best picture caliber movie in that group. Good point, but I'd still go with Up or Inglorious Basterds over The Hurt Locker. I haven't seen Precious or The Blind Side, though.

My 'maxed out' comment was in regards to (hopefully) resigning Greinke. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif And yeah, good point on not everyone being convinced that Gamel will hit. I'll point to this comparison again, though: Overbay with more raw power. He'll probably wind up with a similar career path to Lyle, as well.

Yeah, I was disappointed by The Hurt Locker overall. It wasn't a bad film, but certainly not Best Picture-worthy imo.

If you think Stetter is dependable, you could be convinced the bullpen will be fine. He'll be back relatively soon.

Now, if the Mets were offering Jose Reyes for Gamel, I think you'd have to look at it (injury issues aside). I wouldn't be eager to do it, but I think it would have to be considered. Reyes is a guy good enough to put us over the top in the division race. Don't worry, they're not. The Mets are going to be able to get a much better return on Reyes than one centered on Gamel, even though Reyes is just a rental. Honestly I don't think Gamel is that important to the Brewers long term plans. I think this underrates how valuable a guy that can post an .800+ OPS for league-min. is. For a team that's trying to operate around its maxed-out payroll, guys like Gamel are critical to have. Not saying I'd be against trading Mat absolutely, but his value to the Brewers is pretty big over the next three seasons or so.

I agree on the bullpen. Guys like Tim Dillard, Mike McClendon, Amaury Rivas, Wily Peralta, & Cody Scarpetta could be called up if needed (all are on the 40-man). DiFelice is another option once healthy. Brandon Kintzler's return is targeted for late July; he began a throwing program early this month. The Brewers can improve almost literally every weak spot on the roster by staying in-house. Taylor Green is probably at least as good as any 3B rental or trade Melvin could find, and he's a LHB with solid defense -- he could even play 2B in a pinch. Brandon Boggs and Brett Carroll would most likely be upgrades over Kotsay (not that Marky-Mark is going anywhere). Shortstop is really the only spot where Melvin needs to bring in someone via trade. Adding another good bullpen arm isn't a bad idea, but it'd depend on what the cost to acquire said arm is.

I've searched this topic, the MiLB forum, & the ML forum. What's the latest on Brandon Kintzler? He's still listed on the 15-day DL on the Brewers' official roster. The latest information I can find is a note via his MLB.com player profile from May 13th: Brewers reliever Brandon Kintzler remained unavailable to pitch Friday because of a sore right arm and said he expected to go on the 15-day disabled list. ... Kintzler has not pitched since May 4, so the Brewers could backdate a DL stint to May 5. Manager Ron Roenicke said club officials would make a decision before Saturday's afternoon game against the Pirates. "Hopefully, it's not more than [another] week," Kintzler said. Kintzler has been dealing with discomfort in his right triceps and forearm. He threw a bullpen session on Monday, underwent an MRI on Tuesday that showed no structural damage, then threw another bullpen on Wednesday. To be honest, I'd totally forgotten about this injury issue, and had just assumed Brandon was pitching with the Sounds. He's thrown a total of 15.2 IP this season; very concerning. EDIT: Aha! Found some more recent info, via the Brewers' roster Injury Updates link -- Due back: Possibly late July Injury: Right triceps tendonitis Notes: Began throwing program in early July

Free Taylor Green

Final: Great Falls 4, @Helena 3 Crew Can't Complete Comeback, Fall 4-3 By Nicholas Allen Eric Arnett (1-1) took a tough luck loss as the Brewers dropped the second game of the three-game series against the Great Falls Voyagers Sunday at Kindrick Legion Field. Of the four runs allowed by Arnett, just two were earned as the Brewers had two costly errors in the contest. The 6'5" right-hander went seven innings, allowing five hits and striking out a new career-high nine Great Falls hitters. It is the second consecutive start Arnett has set a career mark, as he struck out eight Missoula Osprey on July 5. Trailing 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth, the Brewers got on the board after Tyler Roberts walked and Max Walla doubled, giving Helena two runners in scoring position with no one out. After a Brent Dean pop out and a walk to Yadiel Rivera, Roberts would score on Kyle Dhanani's RBI groundout. The clubs swapped runs in the fifth as Joe De Pinto homered for Great Falls and Nick Ramirez answered with a bomb of his own, his first as a professional. The Brewers would cut the lead to one in the bottom of the seventh as Kenny Allison singled and came around to score on Ruben Ozuna's single to right. Ramirez would follow with the third single of the inning, but Roberts grounded into a double play to end the threat. Thomas Keeling kept the Crew in it with two spotless innings including three strikeouts. Joe Dvorsky picked up his first save for the Voyagers, surviving a Max Walla double and an Adrian Williams walk, striking out the side in the ninth. The series will conclude Monday night. Helena Box Score Eric Arnett's performance tonight is what jumps out at you from the box score from either team. Five hits allowed in his seven innings, with no walks to accompany the nine strikeouts. Eight of the remaining twelve outs he recorded came via the groundball. He gave up runs in the 1st, 4th & 5th innings; the 2nd, 3rd, & 6th were perfect frames. In fact, he ended his night by striking out the side, in order, in the 6th. Arnett has to be feeling pumped about this performance. As Allen alluded to in his game story, the Brewers made two errors in the two-run Great Falls 4th. Dhanani, playing third base, was charged with a throwing error to lead off the inning. Arnett then gave up a single, induced a fielder's choice groundout, & struck out a batter. Then, with runners on first & third, Arnett allowed a single that presumably got under the glove of leftfielder Kenny Allison; both runners scored, & the hitter advanced to third base. Fortunately Arnett was able to get out of the inning without any further damage. Nick Ramirez added a single to go along with his first pro homer. Allison was the only other Helena hitter with two hits, and also stole a base. Roberts doubled & walked; Walla & Dhanani each had doubles, too. Helena Play-by-Play Here's that pesky top of the 4th: Great Falls Top of the 4th David Herbek reaches on throwing error by third baseman Kyle Dhanani. Michael Earley singles on a line drive to right fielder Max Walla. David Herbek to 2nd. Mark Haddow grounds into a force out, second baseman Adrian Williams to shortstop Yadiel Rivera. David Herbek to 3rd. Michael Earley out at 2nd. Mark Haddow to 1st. Andrew Douglas strikes out swinging. Martin Medina singles on a line drive to left fielder Kenneth Allison. David Herbek scores. Mark Haddow scores. Martin Medina to 3rd. Fielding error by left fielder Kenneth Allison. Brent Tanner lines out softly to third baseman Kyle Dhanani. And the stellar top of the 6th, Arnett's final (& best) inning: Great Falls Top of the 6th Michael Earley called out on strikes. Mark Haddow strikes out swinging. Andrew Douglas strikes out swinging.

Edit: Gindl gets the single! CYCLE!! Awesome!

Final: Great Falls 13, @Helena 2 Visiting Voyagers Vandalize Brewers By Nicholas Allen Great Falls center fielder Keenyn Walker doubled to lead off the game in his first professional at-bat and advanced to third on an error by Ruben Ozuna. He would score on Joe De Pinto's RBI single. It was a good start to a career and a game as the Voyagers went on to a 13-2 victory. Trailing 4-0 in the second, the Brewers threatened as Max Walla and Kyle Dhanani connected on a pair of RBI singles, but that was as close as Helena would get. Tyler Cravy (1-2) went four innings, allowing seven runs (six earned) on eight hits and three walks, striking out five in the loss. The Voyagers scored 13 runs on 15 hits off four Brewers pitchers. The bright spot on the staff was Alan Williams, who struck out six Great Falls hitters over 2.1 innings. Williams now has 24 strikeouts in 11 innings, raising his Pioneer League leading strikeout ratio to 21.6 per nine innings. The two teams will meet again Sunday in the second game of a three game set. Helena Box ScoreOzuna's first-inning double was the only hit from the top four spots in the lineup. Leadoff man Adrian Williams walked twice & stole a base. All of the five through nine hitters added a hit apiece: Tyler Roberts doubled; Walla (who also walked), Dhanani, Yadiel Rivera, & John Dishon all had singles. Starting pitcher Tyler Cravy allowed six earned runs, pitching into the 5th but not recording an out in the frame before being chased. Seth Lintz & Seth Harvey didn't fare any better in relief. As Allen mentioned in his game story, the 2011 UDFA Williams was not only the lone Helena pitcher to not get lit up, but he continued to show overpowering stuff against Pioneer League hitters. Not only does he have an incredible K rate, but his 24 strikeouts to just three (!) walks gives him a K/BB ratio of 8/1. Helena Play-by-Play No photo credit was given for this gem of a shot that accompanied Nicholas Allen's game story. Alan Williams & a beautiful Montana sunset: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2011/07/10/zZVEvwxu.jpg