CheezWizHed

You are correct about Johnson/Ortega. I was listing ERAs during the regular season because it is what got them there. I would assume that Ortega is skipped, so the only options would be Hader-Lopez-Houser-Wagner-Ortez or Lopez-Houser-Wagner-Hader-Ortez. Possibly could depend on how long it takes for the other matchup to complete?

Pitching, pitching, pitching: Lopez: 2.26 ERA Houser: 2.92 ERA Wagner: 2.25 ERA Hader: 2.79 ERA Johnson: 3.84 ERA Will Hader get a start in the championship round or will they reset the order and start with Lopez again? And I love to see our guys putting in their best performances in the playoffs. The sight of Arcia walking to the plate must have made the Wahoo's manager sick to his stomach.

Is that a good or bad thing? The only name I recognize was Collymore (as a SS even). I only follow Brewer MiLB guys, so I'm not sure how any of these case look in the minors.

Personally, I'd prefer if the Brewers are a bit more aggressive in their promotions. It was a bit surprising (and maybe eye opening) to get 21 and 22 year old players at AA and AAA from Baltimore and Houston. I don't have any real evidence that this is better, but I think that creating a challenging environment is better than letting them dominate lesser competition. And unlike politics, none of us get to vote on whether Kodi moves up or not. So be nice in our discussions please. Its all our opinions and for fun. None of us make a living from MLB.

[sarcasm]Can he pitch? Bill Hall could pitch...[/sarcasm]

I didn't see this posted anywhere, but Phillips evidently put out a firein the dugout. Hopefully that isn't a metaphor for the postseason. And Kyle McKenzie is pretty funny...

Ha! My 2016 WI 'rattlers thread got "the itch" going, didn't it? Of course, you are, as always, far more complete than I did. RHSP: A. Houser, J. Lopez, T. Wagner LHSP: B. Suter, J. Hader Awesome to see prospect wise, and impressive pitching depth for the MLB to boot. Center Field: M. Phillips I'm embarrassed to admit that I was looking for B. Phillips. I should know better. Third Base: N. Orf Sleeper 3B of future? RHSP: J. Salas, J. Ortega, B. Woodruff LHSP: H. Johnson, W. Wang Sneed has to take one of these guys' spot... Center Field: M. Harrison Right Field: T. Clark I figured these would be reversed. Harrison is touted for athleticism, but has it translated to defense? Anyone with first hand knowledge? All the pitching staffs are interesting. That is quite a turn-around from previous years. And to think that Williams and Kirby (top 25 candidates) aren't in those lists for next year.

Except for having watched him pitch 10+ times and clearly stating my observations and opinions dozens times I'm sure I've been awful vague over the course of the season. I've said it before and I'll say it one last time because I'm incredibly tired of repeating myself ad nauseum on this stuff but FIP is completely worthless, those who champion it rarely understand how it's calculated... it's a stat derived not out of necessity but as proof of a concept that is inadequately understood at best and horribly applied at worst. It has even less value when applied to MiLB pitchers as their baseline changes rapidly from year to year for example the Jorge Lopez of 2015 is a much different than inconsistent young man who pitched for the Rattlers in 2013. If you've watched him pitch and would like to tell me where I've misread what I've watched and wrote about all season that's fine and I'd be happy to discuss Kodi from a professional growth standpoint. If you're going to blather on about rate stats and FIP then I have nothing else to say. Regardless either you haven't put in the time to read what I've written or aren't able to form a coherent counter argument because "No idea what you're talking about. " is about as lame and unnecessary a comment at this point as possible. Certainly, I have nothing first hand to rely on, so its reading other's (including yours) and looking at the rate stats to give me any idea. And its fun to play arm-chair GM, so ... He obviously needs to work on his control, but I don't think that will hold him back. I'm sure the coaches have different objectives for the players to work on and develop. So perhaps something there might hold him back at A-ball.... Crew07, based on your observations, do you think they will hold him back or continue working on control at the A+ level? BTW, someone mentioned about bumping an OFer to A+ and that was a pretty good observation. I hadn't thought of that, but a possibility.

Wow. Hunter really imploded...

“I told them what I felt,” Garza said. “Had my agent call up top and tell them how I felt, and that’s that. I’ve played with guys who have gone through similar-type situations, just a rough year, and never once have I seen a guy shut down. I'm inferring that he meant that he told Melvin, but maybe it was Counsel when Counsel informed Garza of the decision. Either way, he made his objection. Then he involved his agent. Getting his agent involved is normally done only when you think some gross atrocity has been done against you. (Like the Mets shutting down K-Rod to prevent him hitting performance goals when he was pitching well). And that is my main point. If Garza thinks he can pitch at a 5+ ERA all season long and removing him from the rotation is an egregious crime... he is showing his selfishness or cluelessness.

Even if he admits that he has pitched poorly, he denies the Brewer's right to take him out of the SP lineup. “It’s not my decision,” said Garza. “I didn’t get much say. It’s completely taken out of my hands. That’s it. I didn’t have any say at all. It is what it is. It’s just (expletive).” To the point where he even called his agent to talk to the Brewers... what is next? His mommy? He shouldn't be shocked or insulted that the Brewers pulled him. And if he was really interested in improving this year, try it from the BP. You say above 5 red flag. above 4.5 and you can deal with it. If Garza's ERA was almost at 5, he could bring it to that 4.5 you're looking for. I didn't qualify my statement with time. Obviously, any start over a 5ERA would have doomed all of our SPs to begin the year. But look at what Garza has done this year: March/April: ERA 4.60; WHIP 1.568; OPS 807 - 29.1 IP May: ERA 6.34; WHIP 1.500; OPS 786 - 32.2 IP June: ERA 5.52; WHIP 1.516; OPS 863 - 31.0 IP July: ERA 3.57; WHIP 1.642; OPS 844 - 17.2 IP August: ERA 6.75; WHIP 1.530; OPS 857 - 33.1 IP Sept: ERA 7.71; WHIP 2.357; OPS 840 - 4.2 IP There was a brief time in July after he returned from the DL where he looked like the ship might be righted (although his peripherals said otherwise). August was his worst overall month. What makes anyone think he would even have a chance at recovery when you look at his Aug/Sept numbers? If anything, he should thank the Brewers for shutting him down before he passed up Lohse for the worst ERA in the league.

(I actually like that he's mad about being lifted; it gives me hope he's going to buckle down in the off-season and make sure he's on his game for 2016.) The problem is that he is mad at the wrong person. Its all about the Brewers pulling him, not about how crappy he has pitched. And whomever said his ERA needs to be 0.5-0.75 less...try 1.0 to 2.0 less. Any ERA above 5 is a red flag in your starting lineup. Above 4.5 and you can deal with it, but look to replace long term. Dropping 1.0 off his ERA only gets you to 4.63.

Miguel Diaz: Its not a question of talent. Given his injuries and only 20.1IP (only 47 IP in 2014), I'd guess they take it slow and let him start at Helena. He will be 21 next year, but no real need to rush him. A possible candidate to bump to Wisconsin after the draft. Belonis: True. I didn't follow Helena closely this year, outside of the high profile guys. But the OF is certainly crowded. I guess that Orimoloye (at AZL this year) or Harrison (injuries) starts in Helena. I'd prefer a Orimoloye, Trent, Harrison OF, however. Brandon Diaz: Least likely player to repeat. OF is going to be crowded and he played very well after Harrison was demoted and Diaz took over CF duties. Kodi: Could repeat, but really only due to age. I doubt it. He has nothing more to prove. Williams: Could repeat due to the early injury and limited innings pitched. Again, doubtful, but possible. If anything, he starts at A and bumps at the draft. Burkhalter: Peripherals were good, only ERA was "so-so". So this probably depends on more of a scouting approach if the staff feels he would benefit from more time at low A ball. Probably a candidate to avoid the piggy-back system if he does repeat. I'd guess a 50/50 chance to repeat. Neuhaus: Didn't have a break-out season and could repeat, but I'm guessing he did enough to move on. Similar type (or better) players are coming up also and will need to play 2B/3B. Sink or swim time at A+. I'm sure there are others that will repeat also. I was only focused on the prospect level guys and high round draft guys that haven't really distinguished themselves one way or the other yet.

Garza is 6'4" and had a gnome earlier this year. What would be that comparison? Calling a bald man, "Curly"? I started the post more as an amusing observation. Not a concern that Scooter was greatly insulted.

Now, how often will that come up in trade rumors?

You think they will jump him from AZL to WI? I perused the AZL roster and he didn't jump out as one to make the jump due to only pitching 20.1 innings this year.

+1 I really appreciate all the hard work put in here!

Ok, guys. Its finally time for me to admit it. I'm Matt Garza. My tirade about being removed from the rotation was purely about trying to get a higher draft pick. Now that Davies kids is going out there and making it look easy. Now I suppose Pena is going to be lights out too. Rotten bums...

I'll admit that it was looking better in my mind than when I put it on paper. Big holes at P (beyond Diplan), C and maybe 3B kind of dull the team plan. But they have a potential for a high powered offense.

These late season promotions have got me wondering how many guys will skip further ROK+ ball. We could have an interesting convergence of the last two drafts: Jake Gatewood - SS David Denson - 1B (made #33 of top #25) George Iskenderian - 2B (2015 - 7th Round) Sthervin Matos - 3B (Borderline if he did enough to be promoted) Jose Cuas - 3B (2015 - 11th Round) Franly Mallen - SS (Intl' Signing 2013) Max McDowell - C (Jump up from AZL ball, but will be 22 next year. 2015 - 13th Round) Malik Collymore - LF (2013 - Round 13 draft by Cardinals) Trent Clark - CF Monte Harrison - RF Troy Stokes - OF (2014 - 4th round, Made #27 on the top 25) Demi Orimoloye - OF - (Might be premature, but close if not) Marcos Diplan - SP (Intl' signing by Rangers. ROK+ all-star) Eric Hanhold - SP (2015 - 6th Round) Nate Griep - SP (2015 - 8th Round - did little this year, but kind of normal for a college drafted pitcher) Jake Drossner - P (2015 - 10th Round) Drake Owenby P (2015 - 12th Round) Conor Harber - P (2015 - 16th Round) J.B. Kole - P (2014 - 8th Round) Nathan Kirby - SP (well, what could have been...) Devin Williams - SP (probably will move to A+, but an outside chance to repeat) David Burkhalter - SP (ERA was bad, but peripherals were good. An outside chance to repeat. 2014- 6th Round) Bold indicates they are the BF.net top 25 If Kirby was healthy and Williams was held back, the pitching staff would look much better. But not many other options after Diplan. Might this be the year the Gatewood is moved to 3B and Iskenderian/Mallen start at SS? That OF could be a 3 All-Star OF next year.

Scooter had always been slighted for his size. Thus being compared to a gnome could be insulting or he a good sense humor about it.

I wonder if Scooter gets any say in the promotions. Everyone else gets a bobblehead, but I'm a gnome? Hmmmm...

Big=more money and years than deserved due to being the best 3B in a bad group

Uhen extended his current scoreless streak to 12-2/3 innings with his performance on Thursday night. He struck out four and pitched around four hits, two hit batsmen, and three walks over six innings to put himself in line for his second win of the season. Nice way to end on a high note. Now if he can stay healthy in carry it over into next season....

Yeah, he didn't have good power at WI either, so I pretty much wrote him off. But his BA and OBP at the two places has me interested (and an "ok" SLG for Brevard). Perhaps he could be a Lyle Overbay type (more 2B than HR). Certainly paying attention to him now.