JohnBriggs12

Back in the 70's a book came out titled "A False Spring". It's author, Pat Jordan, was a young phenom in the Milwaukee Braves minor league system in the late 1950's. He was a flame-throwing righthanded pitcher who signed with the Braves for a big bonus. This was before the amateur draft when teams bid on young talent. Jordan was one of the gems of the Braves system and was expected to sail through the minor league levels. He went straight to pro ball after graduating from high school in 1959. He selected the Braves after his preferred team, the Yankees, pivoted to a highly sought after Wisconsin high schooler by the name of Hub King out of Fond du Lac. As a youngster growing up in Fond du Lac, King was kind of a legend who's career stalled out after several unspectacular years toiling in the Yankees system. Nothing really unusual about that but in the case of Jordan, his problems showed themselves soon after he started and the problem was he simply could not throw strikes. In 273 minor league innings spread over 3 seasons, he struck out 250 which for the time was quite impressive. The problem was he walked 270. I recommend the book to any baseball fan. Watching Sproat this season reminded me of this book I had read so many years ago. I feel for Sproat. He may never regain the ability to be a useful pitcher, but even if he doesn't, he's got a full life ahead of him. Pat Jordan went on to become a successful writer who wrote for Sports Illustrated. And at the age of 56 in 1997, in his hometown of Waterbury, CT, he was invited to pitch an inning for their local independent league team. He faced 4 batters. Struck out one, walked just one and retired the other two in a scoreless, hitless inning. He had conquered his demons, at least for one brief moment. Here's hoping Brandon will conquer his.

Why not just bring up Koenig? He's only allowed 1 run in his last 8 games. I get he's a one inning guy but he's not going to be overwhelmed in a game the team has a big lead.

I simply don't understand why a guy with a build like Mitchell can't hit a ton of power. Does Mitchell play golf? I bet he can hit a golf ball 320 yards. That he's so content being a singles and doubles hitter drives me crazy especially when the guy patrolling center field 90 miles south is such a better player almost solely because he hits with enormous power. I wouldn't care if he struck out more if he hit 25-30 home runs. You think if Luis Lara would be content slapping balls if he stood 6'2" 225? Kind of ironic that Tyrone Taylor was dealt away in part to make room for Mitchell, and now Taylor is a much bigger power threat than Mitchell. Mitchell is never going to earn big a multi year contract producing 10 home runs a year. He should get ahold of the guy who made PCA into a power hitter.

Start piggybacking Harrison and Hall. Give them each 45-50 pitches. See how that works and maybe that's a solution in the postseason. If Harrison knows he's only going 3+ innings, maybe his velocity will tick up.

I know Murph loves Lockridge and he's a RHH outfielder, but his ABs since he got back from injured list were not good. Besides Lara can do everything Lockridge can right-handed, only much better. Naylor has 4 dingers in 60 AB's at Nashville and is more of a threat at the plate than Lockridge. Fischer has warts but he's capable of one big swing down the line that might be a difference maker and with all respect to Adams, Fischer's power is elite and Adams' isn't. I don't think either would get many opportunities in the long run. Naylor isn't the sexy pick but he's the most practical one.

The hitter should be Naylor. That would allow Murphy more flexibility to use Sanchez as a pinch hitter. They've gotten into many situations where they've had to keep both catchers in a game in case one goes down.

Considering they gave up 3 infielders in a deal where Hamilton was the only one coming back and those 3 have combined for nearly a 6 WAR, one has to question whether keeping Monasterio, who'd been a solid performer off the bench for 3 division winning teams was the safer and wiser move instead of trusting Hamilton being able to excel playing primarily at 3B where he had little major league experience.

The contract Ryan O'Hearn signed with Pirates last year is probably the best indication of Bauers value in the FA market. Like Bauers, O'Hearn is sort of a late bloomer despite being around awhile though in his case, his ascent was more gradual. His ascent began in 23 and continued through 25. He signed with Pirates for 2 years $29 million. If that level of a contract or even a bit more is not doable for this Brewer team, they are in the wrong business. Now Burke looks like the logical replacement now, but he certainly could benefit with a full AAA season. Let him force his way on to the Brewers. He's not there yet. As for Vaughn, his value lies in his righthandedness. The recent surge of Ortiz with the bat and the obvious, though as yet untapped power potential of Pratt, could sway them toward dealing Vaughn as it would leave a left side of the infield in great hands defensively and a promising righthanded offensive duo there as well.

The problem isn't how many guys are in the rotation. The problem is this team isn't scoring runs. Somewhat predictably Mitchell has hit a wall after playing more games than any year in his career. Speaking of walls, Lara isn't just hitting them on defense, he's hit one in the batter's box. Lockridge is on the 25 man roster and offers nothing with the bat. Years of being a full time catcher have caught up with Contreras. Naylor was a good move in theory, unfortunately he's still not hitting at AAA. Other than that, Brewers ignored adding hitting at the deadline, when there were useful if not exciting bats that changed teams. They badly need Pratt and Frelick back in the lineup.

What's worse, a chase rate that's a bit high or simply refusing to challenge a strike call on a ball that's more than an inch off the outside corner that Andrew Vaughn has been doing all season? Being challenge shy always results in a strike, while swinging at that pitch an inch or two off the plate at least has a chance to do damage.

I know it's a few generations ago, but both Yount and Molitor played a grand total of 64 minor league games each before each debuted in the majors and never looked back. Yount played his minor league games in short season A ball which essentially was advanced rookie ball right out of high school. Molitor had played 3 seasons at the University of Minnesota, so he played in Class A Midwest League the year he was drafted.

What makes you think Lara will sit? Mitchell is lost at the plate and badly needs a day or two off. That being said if Lara continues to selfishly waste pitch reviews on balls clearly in the zone, he could use some time off.

Great stuff but no command. He's not the first and won't be the last. He had a nice long runway to show improvement. How many unproven guys get 4 uninterrupted months in a major league rotation when there's been no progress? He's not pitching in Coors. He's got an above average defense behind him. He turns 26 next month. What's his excuse? This is the top level of the sport. He's had more front office support than most players because he was a key piece in a big offseason deal they made. It's put up or shut up time. The postseason looms. There's big series looming against a hot Cubs team that's still within range. September callup? Why? They have a 6 man rotation right now and are a bullpen arm short. That spot is reserved for Grant Anderson, who might not be a guy you want in a big moment, but has performed at an acceptable major league level for quite a while. Give Sproat a mental break till next spring and hope that helps.

Well the bat I wanted went to Cubs. Scares the heck out of me that Mitchell runs out of gas the last couple months as does Lara.

I like this addition. He's a cut above Grant Anderson