aintbize

Why in the heck would you want to mess with the effectiveness and cohesiveness we have in Braddock, Loe & Axford. I have no idea what our bullpen stats are since Macha/Petersen found the magic formula, but they have been nothing short of impressive. Also, each has a uniquely different style, which has to be a bear for most hitters. I think we are pretty fortunate to have had these three youngsters step up so far this season and also pick each other up when the other happens should have a bad night. If you add in Coffey, Cappy, Vill, etc...we have got a damn good young BP with a Hall of Fame Mentor (Hoffman) hanging out with these kids every night. WE NEED SOME DOMINANT STARTING PITCHING (AND NOT JUST ONE GUY OUT OF 5!!)

Macha brings Braddock in over and over and over again to work his magic but refuses to let him go more than one inning. Why after he pitched in Weds game vs Anaheim, days rest, Friday's game and then a strong 7th yesterday, do you let him back out. Bring in Loe and then Axford (or Hoffman if your comfortable) to finish up. That formula has been dynamite, why screw with it. I lay this more on the managing then I do the players.

That is EXACTLY what happened...

Estrada was pitching well, let him go as long as he can (on pitch count) an the bring in Braddock who is well rested. Plus, why don't you let Braddock ( stud at the plate period, especially against righties...hit)...even if he gives the same results that this new kid did, you haven't lost the opportunity to use him at least to feel him out for the next inning? I think Braddock can put an extra base ball in play, you can still change pitchers if he gets in trouble next inning. At the end of the day, happy for Estrada, not too surprised to find Braddock leads PCL in K's per 9...he's impressive. Bullpen is still lights out...Axford, now Stetter & Smith. Can't complain.

Do you guys realize how many pitchers go through this maturation process of pushing yourself to be better after an injury and experience. Braddock has come through a HS program that has taken on successful JC's noted for developing talent. Only by playing fundamentals and beating these teams, been under pressure in "world series" championship games and strives to win the game at all costs develops the mettle of kids like Braddock. He has to grow and mature, but he's has the potential to be a tough starter or a sick competitor coming out of the bullpen. Either way, this crap about his health is way overblown...take a look at any teams injuries and keep things in perspective. Tommy John, was substantially effective after his "Tommy John" surgery, no?

How do you bring Braddock in for 6 pitches and not have him come out for the 9th? That's ridiculous, especially since Wooten has struggled lately...makes no sense. All we have done is brought him out of the bullpen this year...why not let him start the 9th? I am at a lost for words.

I am not making any determinations yet. It is true, if these guys drink a RED BULL or take a NO DOZE they can fail a test. Granted, it is extreme, but it is a reality. Amphetamines have always been huge in this game...just think back to the "greenies" from the 70's or Keith Hernandez & Company in the cocaine scandal of the late 80's. What is scary is if a kid is taking medication for ADD or ADHD. If they are not cleared by the league...there's potential trouble on the horizon. None of us know for sure about Adams, yet. I certainly hope it was a dumb mistake, not a long term issue like we are going through with JJ. Only time will tell.

My best sources tell me he has not been involved in anything that would result in a suspension. What I have heard is that Braddock has been taken out of the loop as a precautionary measure. I don't know if that means elbow or shoulder. But given his upside and the Brewer's tendency to handle him with kid gloves doesn't excite me too much. I'll wait for the DL report. Maybe he is just experiencing some inflammation or something, very common with pitchers young and old.

Braddock is on a 3 day rotation as far as anyone can tell. Look for him to throw MR tonight =)

CJ- you are right. If you understand bio-mechanics, the elbow is the weakest link in the pitching chain. Control issues are definitely influenced but the elbow, but if the elbow is shot, you cannot generate that kind of velocity (98 mph) even on steroids! Yet this is one of the only orthopedic surgeries that a player can come back stronger from. Obviously, looking at scouting reports on Zach in HS...he was lucky to hit 85-86, and now he is throwing in the mid 90's. Enough said. We should all be comfortable and settled with his progress...let's enjoy the ride.

It's obvious the Brewers have handled him with kid gloves. They have eased him into the season and dramatically restricted his pitch count all year and in past seasons. No one would dispute that. It's commendable (although frustrating as a fan), but knowing that Rausch (team Dr.) wanted him to have a second Tommy John surgery at the end of last season is outrageous. You don't have to be a genius to realize if the last pitch a kid threw in '08 was clocked at 98 mph, he DOESN'T need TJ surgery...that's what is so scary. Very excited to see him shine in Huntsville last night, Doug Melvin was in attendance so Zach may be in Milwaukee, sooner than we all thought after that performance.

I've spoken a fair share about Braddock's bi-polar disorder in the Huntsville thread, so I don't want to harp - But I believe you are way off base. Bi-polar is a horrible disease and in an entirely different class than depression or anxiety. A bi-polar diagnosis is similar to an HIV diagnosis - they can treat it with meds and still lead a normal life, but it will effect every aspect of your entire life and you will spend every single day worrying about it. I've known individuals who strive to stay alive. Bi-polar isn't treated with meds. They just hope to hide the symptoms. It looks like Zach has been dealing very well - but many bi-polar individuals strive to hold down any job and just lead a normal life. Pitching in the major leagues is much more pressure packed. Lastly, the last few years have shown improvement - but bi-polar meds can have significant draw backs as well. I know one of stronger meds causes significant weight gains. Trust me TB...I am way closer to this than you are. BP is not life threatening like HIV. You are correct, it doesn't go away, but it is managable. So the kid comes into his first AA appearance with 2 on and 1 out. Overpowers the first hitter and pops up the second, hits an opposite field grand slam in his first professional at bat and k's two of the next three hitters....how do you think he's doing?

Zach's problems the past three season's have all been centered around his body. I don't think there is any reason for concern. The control issues were due to the irritated nerve and some misdiagnosis by the team Dr (scary). The BP is no different than a player suffering from depression, anxiety, ocd, tourette's or a host of other issues. They can all be treated successfully with medication and counseling. We have kids in our org with worse problems (i.e., drugs and steroids). I am hoping Gord's comment ws just referring to Braddock's stats this year as well. Too much talent coming out of the pen (for now anyway).

NO ONE IS TOUGHER ON IT'S OWN PLAYERS THAN PHILLY, TRUST ME...that has nothing to do with BP disorder. This kid comes in with bases loaded and K's the side...come on...BP is more about depression than being fragile on the mound, the kid is a gamer and I think it gives him an edge.

I cannot find anything about that situation with Braddock, either. If that is the case, I actually think it is a huge positive. If you can overcome that hurdle and the physical ones and pitch the way he has, that's a testimony to his mettle. BP disorder is a brutal condition, that can successfully be managed by medication and counseling. With a kid like Zach, I think the bigger focus should be on the physical aspects, as his struggles have always been related to his elbow & shoulder (normal for pitchers). Just as an outside observation, does Bi-Polar disorder give you that intangible edge as a pitcher? I don't know, but whatever this kid is battling, you have got to admit after the elbow revision, he has been nothing short of spectacular this season...everything we have hoped for since flashing that brilliance over the last three seasons. A couple of side notes. I have note given up on Rogers, Jeffress, Aguilar & Periard. I also am very pleased with the likes of Butler, Cody, Axford, Green, & Wooten. I feel like there is a lot of talent top to bottom in our farm system (Thanks Jack Z)--which I hope equates to happy times ahead for BrewCrew fans.

I believe he was touching 95-96, sitting in the low 90's tonight, slider was sharp.

It's ridiculous...what more is there to prove in Hi-A? He can come out of the pen and pitch to 6 batters in AA...I don't get it.

You are correct, that is all he was throwing in WV, but the last pitch he threw last season at Brevard (with an irritated nerve) was 98 mph.

I believe it was a Sarasota game link that mentioned Braddock and Axford were lighting up the gun. I know for a fact that Braddock is sitting well in that mid 90 range, touching 98 occasionally.

These guys are playing phenomenal...OK, can we finally either stretch Braddock out to see what this kid can do against better talent...this is ridiculous!

PT955-if you have watched the way the Brewers have treated Braddock, Rogers, Jones and many others as they have come up with injuries over the years, they do not seem to have the same sense of urgency that we share as fans. Especially for a power lefty with a very, very high ceiling who literally could pitch into his 40's if he was fortunate enough health wise. I think we all share your frustration with several of Brevard pitcher's conservative outings. On the positive side, I don't think Zach has gone more than 2 IP before so 2.1 is progress (tongue in cheek). Great to see him dancing all over 95+MPH (and Axford too) but less than 6 months after last surgery, posting what apear to be career numbers. With Braddock, you've had a best kept secret over the last two years due to the nagging ulna nerve irritation. I think we'd all agree the the Dec. corrective surgery has brought on the guy we have been hoping for all along. Look at how long the road has been for Mike Jones and Mark Rogers. I am enthused about their respective progress despite the controlled outings. These pitchers have given you a glimpse of their work ethic, commitment and desire to compete at the highest level are guys I'd take any day. On top of it, they are all really good guys. Not to say that they are all going to have the luck and fortitude to make it to the starting rotation or some capacity on the Major League pitching squad, but I wouldn't be surprised if all three were successes. I was told by an insider today the Braddock has "if not the best stuff, nearly the best of all of the young LHP in baseball. If he stays healthy and stays straight on off the field issues, he will be a major impact MLB pitcher." Ah....Jack & Tony...thank you! I think this group of contributors knows how to temper enthusiasm, but get excited by glimmers of greatness...I think top to bottom in this organization, we have that kind of year to enjoy!

I totally agree. Jones has come along through much adversity. Rogers has seen even more. Braddock has not been healthy for two years yet kept our interest peaked. I think Mike deserves an entire season in AA for all the reasons you stated. Mark Rogers just need to slowly build himself back to the player we drafted in '04. I am not rushing him...slow and steady. Braddock has been absolutely ridiculous. The kid averages almost 2 K's per IP, his walks are way down and he's given teams very little to work with when he is on the mound. If he had been properly diagnosed by the Brewer's docs, he might be playing in AA or AAA right now. For all I know that could hold true for Rogers & Jones. They wanted the 20-21 yr old (Braddock) to have another TJ Surgery, all he needed was the ulna nerve transposed...very minor compared to TJ. It's scary to know that the team Dr, Raasch isn't making the players on this team better. Bottom line is that I am taking a shot at the team Dr and staff. On the positive side, these kids have worked their butts off, they offer a lot to look forward to and I am very excited about all three.

Colby & Dhonks- you both make valid points. I think as fans, we are always looking to the big prize and possibly lose sight of the day to day fundamentals that get our next stars to the show. I think last year got us so excited you just want to play out every option on the horizon. Rogers, Jones, Braddock and others have all been pleasant surpizes this year along with many other farm hands, so I will temper my enthusiasm and see what happens. it's still fun to watch them progress!

"Crew" & "Marty", you are correct. Although there is no master plan to have him stay in the bullpen, the Brewers have taken such a passive stance with him and other true prospects over the past few years, so not to force a stress injury. I don't like it either. Braddock is a horse. He could go to three innings...the following week four, if all is well. The week after that start a game and work it out from there. I scratch my head with the uber conservative approach. it's not like we have Glavin and Maddox (at their prime) in our Major league rotation. I don't get the kid gloves with all of the pitchers. Your input is great, keep the great dialogue going!

Agreed! This kid has played hurt, gutted it out through two years of misdiagnosed ulnar nerve pain by the Brewers. He has done everything they have asked hm to do. at 6"4", 230 or 240 with a mid 90's heater he has got to be an intimidating figure on the mound. Add the best slider in the system...and what Sickels calls an emerging + change up,it's time for Zach to be challenged soon. His 17K' in 9 IP has to be the best in minor league baseball despite his short stints in rehab on the mound. I think even more exciting than the 17 K's (is there such a thing?) is the minimal hits, the ground luts and the very, very few free passes this season. I know it's mid May, but this kid has shown repeated flashes of brilliance. Unfortunately, the Brewers allowed him to be misdiagnosed for 2 seasons...hang on to your hats ladies and gentlemen,,,this could be one hell of a ride!