Bombers

NFL & NBA do not allow HS kids to enter draft. They "force" them to go into college. Now once in college, yes they "declare" draft eligibility and thus can't go back. In Baseball, I think it is different with the ability to sign a kid straight out of HS. As a high school kid, you may want to see where you get drafted and if you don't like it then you go the college route. I don't think this is a horrible strategy vs the alternative of forcing HS kids to go into college. In my opinion it would be very difficult to force a HS senior to make a pretty impactful decision without the resources of college coach guidance. Most of these HS kids really have no idea on where they will be drafted. Sure the guys at the very top know, but after that it seems like a crap shoot. So it gives them the capability to say, I am better than that. Take Carlos Rodon for instance. The Brewers drafted him in the 16th round in 2011. Say he "declared" for the draft. Where would he have been selected? 5th round? Even at that - he was better off going the college route. This year he is the 3rd overall pick. In the end, to me atleast, it appears they have this rule to give HS kids flexibility on their options. They really have no idea on where they will be drafted so don't force them into a corner.

Scrolling the draft posts, I find it interesting that Splitters listing for the potential #3 pick had Jacob Gatewood listed (albeit his list was from last July). We get him with the 41st pick. So I guess he had quite the fall down the ranking list since last year. Hopefully it lights a fire under him.

A tip of the hat to our MiLB posters. You guys have done an outstanding job giving some input to the draft. I do not follow HS or College ball at all - so I know only what I read. I hope these kids can pan out.

I agree with this. I know in my playing devils advocate, I ignore age, stuff, and track record (as TLB said) - but that's the point. The poster focused on ERA and the number of homeruns he has given up. Well I can play that game too. I can throw together some "stats" and ignore the rest. I guess for me I am on board with what Baldkin is saying. His HR / FB % will go down. His ERA will hover around 4. For me, he is a fine #5.

Pedro Pascal really nailed the part of one Oberyn Martell (The Red Viper) ... It is a bummer to see him go. As a book reader, I knew it was coming but didn't want it to. 2 episodes left. Articles by the producers say the majority of episode 9 will be dedicated to the wall. Should be another awesome episode.

I heard the discussion on 1250 this morning and I would disagree with dumping Estrada. That seems pretty shortsighted to me. Here is Marco's last two years of starting splits 2012 - 3.76 ERA / 1.152 WHIP / 5.32 SO/W / Opponent OPS .714 2013 - 3.87 ERA / 1.078 WHIP / 4.07 SO/W / Opponent OPS .670 Here are some 2014 numbers for you from 5 different players: Player A - 4.54 ERA / 1.471 WHIP / 2.03 SO/W / Opponent OPS .726 Player B - 4.19 ERA / 1.205 WHIP / 2.87 SO/W / Opponent OPS .791 Player C - 4.06 ERA / 1.427 WHIP / 1.45 SO/W / Opponent OPS .755 Player D - 4.62 ERA / 1.342 WHIP / 2.65 SO/W / Opponent OPS .747 Player E - 4.01 ERA / 1.316 WHIP / 2.78 SO/W / Opponent OPS .703 The players are Francisco Liriano, Marco Estrada Shelby Miller, Gio Gonzalez and Cole Hamels. In order. Maybe all of those teams should be looking for a replacement? I guess the good thing for the Brewers is he is their #5. I guess I am on the side of why burn our depth and what dump Estrada? Yes, Jimmy Nelson is ready. But I would rather have him as our #6 in AAA waiting for one of those 1 month injuries and then bring him up for that. Now if the discusion is who spot does he take next year? For me, I am hoping Yo has a great year, we pick up his option and trade him this off season.

Great! As everyone else has said - awesome work! And I would love to see another one in a few months when the 2014 is close to a wrap

Latest results have Braun in 3rd place in the OF. Gomez is in 6th place. Ramirez is in 2nd place for third base. I am actually pretty surprised to see Braun in 3rd place. That isn't just Brewers fans putting him there. Currently getting snubbed: Lucroy. If he doesn't make it (and I understand Buster and Yadier's impact) it will be a shame. Hopefully the Brewers fans can get both Gomez and Lucroy on the team. They both deserve it. It will also be interesting what pitchers make it, as arguments could be made for a number of them. (Lohse, Peralta, Rodriguez, Smith) And for those with some free time, here is the ballot: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2014/ballot.jsp

Looking like one of the steals of free agency ... 18th dinger tonight Edited for accuracy - 19th and counting

Easy - 5th - at least in my opinion

According to Anderson - Gomez had them specially ordered because he is feeling "sexy" batting in the 4 spot and playing in Miami. Gogo is hillarious.

I took the original post as tounge-in-cheek Yeah, it was. I hoping to see how more ridiculous it could get. Rather than every post starting with, "this will cost us the playoffs", we now have a dedicated thread! #Winning That said, there is only 1 out in the top of the 1st inning with 3 runs in but I change my analysis for the day. The architect and builder for the Marlins new stadium could cost us the playoffs. If they don't put a roof on that place, yesterday gets rained out and we would have won both games today. Ok - well I feel a little ridiculous. This thread really got under my skin. Sorry about that. Go Brewers!!

Wolf sucks - go Brewers!

Help me catch up. It is indeed impossible to remember the cry of the day. I guess I could go back and look through the IGT's. Today's reason will be a "Roenice went with a Sunday lineup vs a soft tossing Randy Wolf" I can see it now. Wolf 7IP 0ER 2H 3BB 4K (W 1-0) Nelson 5IP 5ER 9H 2BB 2K (L 0-1) Honestly I like this lineup. I see no part that is a "Sunday" lineup unless maybe Braun, Gogo and Luc were not starting but they are. And I like Jimmy starting. Let's hope the brewers flip around those numbers on your prediction.

Seriously what is with the negativity? Let's see- 1. Wang EARNED his spot in the roster with a great spring. Yes at some point you need to make a judgement on him as he hasn't been able to get outs. But to say he shouldn't have made the team is very short sighted. 2.A - RRR may have saved the season with NOT starting Hendo. His velocity was down and wasn't all that effective in the appearances before the DL stint. 2.B - I think we all knew Aram would hit DL. However, he had an awesome April and we need him for the stretch run with his typical 2nd half batting production. 2.C - A point we all agree on. Lyle should be gone. 3 - Kintzler had a 2.6 ERA in 71 games last year. Has a career 3.3 ERA, but isn't good enough for 7th inning duty? If your argument he is still hurt- fine. But he has been proven to be quite effective. 4- "Allowing" someone the "opportunity" to watch their kid graduate. Your wording is chosen poorly. Yes they screwed up a pretty easy switch but 0% of the blame is on our bullpen and pitching coach. 5 - GoGo plays a 0-60 game as a racecar on a race track. I agree his out was silly but getting him to not stretch bases is going against the grain of his value. For every "error" he commits on the bases he makes up with stretches where he pushes the envelop and is safe. 6- see #1 - Jeff earned his spot and was given a whopping 58 plate appearances. Wow. 7 - sure mark this down as the reason why the Brewers will miss the playoffs. Forget about the other 4,373 outs in a season. Jeez. Guys makes a bad through and you want to crucify him. How about the flip side and RRR putting him leadoff and him having back to back Multi hit games. But let's not talk about the positives made this season. Let's focus on the negativity.

Red Sox lose their 9th straight - just crazy. They were bad in 2012, won it all in 2013 and I guess bad again this year

I don't get that play. Wouldn't that be obstruction on the catcher even though the bat hit the catcher on the follow through?

@Haudricourt: #Brewers manager Ron Roenicke confirms Jimmy Nelson will start Sunday in place of Yovani Gallardo. Corresponding move coming later. Glad to hear it. Good luck Jimmy.

Me too and until Braun gets right - him and Ramirez can hit 5/6th ... Go Jean!

I don't follow a ton but I will do a top 10 from what I have heard. 1. Jimmy Nelson - 25 years old with a 1.71 ERA in AAA. Yep, he is ready. 2. Clint Coulter - 20 years old, 1st round pick, currently sporting a .979 OPS in A ball. 3. Tyrone Taylor - 20 year old, 2nd round pick, who flat our raked in 2012. Dipped last year and has a .788 OPS this year. He did great in spring with the big league club this year. 4. Orlando Arcia - Just turned 19 years old and is in Brevard County. OPS is .631 so you hope improvement happens as he continues to progress. Those who have seen him rave about him. 5. Taylor Jungmann - 22 year old repeating AA, and is sporting a 2.77 ERA. BB/9 have gone from 4.7 last year to 2.6. Showing great improvement and hopefully continued success. 6. Victor Roache - Victor who is 22 years old in A+ and has a .660 OPS. So another dissapointing year for a "power hitting" outfielder. 7. Devin Williams - Looked promising as an 18 year old in rookie ball last year with a 3.38 ERA. 8. Michael Reed - 21 years old, 5th round pick and having a great year in A+ with a .900 OPS. 9. Jed Bradley - 24 year old repeating Brevard County (A ball) again, and is sporting a much improved 2.67 ERA. BB/9 have gone from 4.5 last year to 1.5 this year. Hopefully this improvement can warrent a bump up at some point this year. 10. Mitch Haniger - 23 years old and in AA. OPS is .640 and he is having a very bad year. 11. Hunter Morris - and I guess I will do a top 11. I still feel Hunter Morris has value. He is having a good year in AAA and should be brought up immediately to replace Overbay.

Bummer to see GoGo not starting today due to continued back issues

And sorry but I didn't believe you until I looked up the Twins 2010 year. JJ was hurt when we played them that year. The last time we played the AL East (2011) we didn't draw the Orioles either. In fact, the Brewers are the only team in Baseball Hardy hasn't played against. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=hardyjj01&year=Career&t=b

That was the most pathetic swing and worst pitch I have ever seen Braun take

Practice! Practice! I could see if it is game but come on, Practice? (My first thought about the grand slam after hearing the crew didn't take bp)

Is this supposed to be in blue? Send down Scooter? huh? Once again, I am shocked at the perception of Scooter. Outside of that hot start that is not backed up by any of his minor league numbers last year, this is the perception of him. He's a .270/.305/.390 guy that is 'OK' on defense, can't play every day because of a platoon situation, and only plays 2B. He's also wasting a roster spot. Those were also his numbers in the minors essentially. In the PCL, you usually subtract .100 or so from the OPS for guys at .900 to project them in the majors. The way Scooter hits, I'd subtract a bit less, but he was around .750 there, so I'll peg him in the .680-.700 range. Maybe if he gets favorable enough platoon games, a shade over .700. As others have said, I feel like the value of OPS gets slighly exagerrated and blown out of context. It is a base to provide value but not the end all be all in my opinion. Scooter is a lifetime .297 hitter in the minor leagues and currently .302 in the majors. I would much rather have a guy at .680 OPS who hits .285 / .310 / .370 then a guy who hits .210 / .282 / .440 for an OPS of 722. To me - give me the .680 OPS and that .285 batting average. But I digress - the thread isn't about Scooter, so I shall move on.