DHonks

Well, many good SS/3b came to the big leagues and made a lot of errors initially. Braun played SS in college, and will learn to play a good 3b. He's got all the tools, he's not Antone Williamson after all. The only way Braun moves to the OF at this point is if Gamel becomes a stud, and I'm not expecting that

I still prefer Hart hitting 3rd, Fielder 4, Hall 5, Jenkins 6, Estrada 7

It will certainly be an obstacle he'll have to continue to overcome. wouldn't his height make it more likely that he'll be a long-term catcher?

Nor was I, and I barely knew what OPS and WHIP were, while I'd never even heard of VORP, FIP, OPS+, and many other stats. What's WHIP? seriously, I enjoy these topics. I think I kind of jumped at someone in the offseason when they posted their 25 man roster. The only analysis the newbie provided was, "Discuss amongst yourselves." I said something like "yes, that's a very nice roster, and one we all could have put on paper. But when you--and many others--start threads like this and provide no original insight, it really does not contribute to the site. So please provide some original commentary about why this roster is good/bad/etc." I then was criticized for being too harsh with the person. It's times like this where I sometimes wonder if Brewerfan.net should have a newbie forum where some of the more immature behavior/commentary can exist, with occasional prodding from the mods and veteran posters. With an active presence of regulars to nurture the good qualities of brewerfan.net and proper etiquette, they might feel less intimidated them to post on the main brewerfan.net boards. I'm not saying to make this a VIP board or invitation only, but perhaps one fundamental flaw is that brewerfan.net has evolved to the point where the common fan is being left out. Let's face it...how many of us can mention stats found here around our friends, family, and co-workers? So by catering to our fellow brewerfan.net junkies, are we ignoring the masses? It seems to me that the stats-literate brewers folks probably make up less than 5% of the fanbase. Yes, there's plenty of irony that I'm making a post about stats, and making up a stat.

Did anybody notice this in the Gameday? I'm curious as to what happened. brewcrew1702, what that means is that Shouse touched the ball on the way past him, that's it

strawbossisevil, that's got to be the best back end for the Brewers since: 7th Fox 8th Wickman 9th Jones

I can clarify, since I'm likely the source of the Salty character questions. Generally speaking, the Braves have very high character individuals playing for them. Salty is a bit of a train-wreck. From what I could tell, it's all about Salty, and his teammates can't stand him. He doesn't give anyone the impession that he cares about them. I don't know how things are in the Braves system, but in the AFL 2005, Salty had 5 other Braves refusing to speak with him and several Dodgers (not the most character-driven organization) calling him out for his antics. Throw in that the A's and Dbacks were all business in the AFL, and it meant that Salty and Daric Barton were easily the two least-liked fellas in the clubhouse, by teammates, coaches, and staff. Both were young for the league, but both also could grow up. Then again, both need to. I predicted Salty would struggle last year, because he's a dead pull hitter. Hitting lefty, a little league team could develop a scouting report on how to pitch to him and defend him. I'm sure that he's worked on that. The only other high quality hitter that I have critiqued similarly in the AFL was Ryan Howard. Howard showed up the first week pulling everything. Then when teams dared him to go the other way, he slumped. It led me to make a rather simple prediction that he would struggle in the big leagues at first. But given his character, I knew Howard would go back to AAA and come back knowing how to use the whole field, and he'd become a force like other big bodied lefties Mo Vaughn and David Ortiz. With Salty, I can't say that he'll make the adjustments necessary to be a big leaguer. He's gotten this far on natural ability. But effort and desire haven't appeared on his radar yet.

it's why I've always theorized that guys like Neugy and Gold should give it another try at around age 28. Give there arms a few years to get back to the rigors of daily life. Essentially, it's like letting the muscles and tendons re-calibrate. Then attempt to try throwing once their bodies are done growing.

great game today. A little hot in the sun, as I think it was roughly 95 outside the stadium. In old Phoenix Muni's concrete and metal bowl, it felt much warmer. I probably lost 5 lbs during the game.

1. Dillard 2. Hammond 3. Garrison 4. Jones 5. Brantley

is Barzilla in there?

Until then, I'll wear black every day. I've heard black can have a slimming effect. Although on women, it just reveals where they have extra pudge. Brian, I'll miss teasing you about Khalid. I never really understood how he even got to AA, but apparently he had good stuff. His results weren't there, and it always confused me. Why don't you jump on the Garrison bandwagon. If you don't he may come and get you, since he's a Hun. Or Steven Hammond has only a few supporters.

it's interesting to see Chavez in there again. I guess after seeing him in High Desert a few years back, I came away totally unimpressed. I figured that the re-signing of him was more to be organizational soldier, but by sending Perez down, he and Counsell are the only backups at SS. Also, it is a bit concerning since Counsell has shown shoulder soreness...remember last year he tore his shoulder. If that continues to linger, then we really have no backup at SS.

I'm noticing that the gameday isn't working. Too bad, as it's the first chance I've had to follow them. I plan on going next Saturday at Phoenix though.

I am no draft expert, but I've chimed in come draft time for several years. I really am excited by Braun, but a part is because of the character he showed me in the AFL. Of all the Brewers players to come through the league the last 3 years, Braun, Gwynn, and Rottino were by far the most cordial. I still can't believe that while I was cleaning something, Braun made a point to come over to me (after seeing my shirt) and saying "hi there, I see you're a Brewers' fan. I'm Ryan, Ryan Braun." I like HS players, as they often have high ceilings, and--at least for a few years when other teams were shifting to college pitchers--it was more likely to get the top prep pitchers. As much as I don't advocate drafting for need, it can be important to note that sometimes keeping in mind your surpluses is important. The Brewers currently have Hall, Clark, Gross, Hart, Gwynn, Nix, Moss, Fermaint, Cain, Brantley, Ford, etc, that profile as possible CF-types. At least a few of them should become solid big leaguers, and most feature very good defense. Yet the organization has little depth at 1b, ss, and 3b. Additionally, there exists the possibility that they would then have at least average offense and defense in CF. But drafting a CF over Braun would have given us a potential star in CF, but still left the Brewers with a huge void at 3b. Braun profiles to be an allstar caliber 3b. In the case of Braun, in hindsight, I can't fathom passing on him to take Maybin. There's players I've really wanted that they've passed on, and I hope they succeed, but I just accept that I don't have the full knowledge and experience of Jack Z. I still contend that when watching the scouting videos of Townsend, Humber, Niemann, Bailey, Rogers, and Sowers, that I would have taken the HS righties or Sowers because of mechanics. I had no problem with Rogers after watching his video. Yet that's probably our most controversial pick of late

Colby, it someone with average stuff can have success throwing it over the plate, then perhaps they feel someone with fantastic stuff will dominate throwing it over the plate. Just a thought

Inman is the new Gallardo. so who is the new Inman? Garrison? Mercedes?

the March sky is similar to in the Fall League, and it can be awful. The DRays' Fernando Perez might be the best defensive CF I've seen in person, and even he struggled mightily with some balls. He's also likely the biggest intellectual I met in the AFL.

any idea what was going on with my boy Hendrickson? I was there a couple of years ago at his spring debut when he was the front-runner for the 5th spot and got rocked. Just nibbling, or what?

In the OF they have Travis Buck as an option for a short period of time. And like was stated, Swisher to LF, Durazo to DH, and Johnson to 1b is formidable

I'm almost a teacher, and I have to say that while I love History and Economics, I think that math and English (writing, not poetry) are the two skills that people need more than anything else.

David Krynzel update--someone I'd long supported. And it's interesting to hear him take some responsibility, but also blame the Brewers' coaches. Krynzel happy to be here despite no guarantee Nick Piecoro The Arizona Republic Feb. 25, 2007 12:00 AM TUCSON - One day in December Dave Krynzel got a text message from Dana Eveland that read: "I'm a D-Back." "Being selfish," Krynzel recalled Saturday morning, "I didn't text him back and congratulate him. I said, 'What about me?' " Turned out Krynzel was shipped to Arizona, too, as part of the six-player trade that sent left-handers Doug Davis and Eveland from Milwaukee to the Diamondbacks. advertisement Krynzel says he couldn't be happier, even though he's no guarantee to make the Diamondbacks out of spring training. While saying he has no complaints about Milwaukee, where he wasn't able to stick in the majors, the 25-year-old outfielder sounds re-energized by his change of scenery. "Now's the time for me to be able to be on my own feet and really figure out how I'm going to make this career worthwhile," he said. "It's all starting now." Long coveted by scouts for his athleticism, Krynzel hasn't been able to parlay his talents into production, at least not with consistency. "I think I was selfish as a hitter," he said. "I didn't really want to listen. Maybe it was the fact that they weren't coming across to me the right way and I didn't understand them fully, with the hitting coaches in the past." He's been working out with new Arizona hitting coach Kevin Seitzer since Jan. 3 and has noticed a big difference. "I've already seen a lot of improvement in my swing," he said, "and I understand a lot more about how to hit in the big leagues just from him." Krynzel, who is out of options, says he isn't focusing on his roster chances but on trying to improve every

I think Jenkins could have his best year since about 2000 or 2001 this year. However, if he's going to pout about not playing against lefties (when he isn't the best person to put on the field), then I would do this trade. Jones is a fantastic fielder and has great range. They're similar offensively, but I think I'd rather have Jones' range and salary than Jenkins' arm and salary.

Teahn should be moved but the Brewers should not be the ones pursuing him. He's nice at 3B but realy just a guy in the OF. his strength is his defense at 3b. In the AFL, he was having problems with his back all spring. He's a big guy (tall), so perhaps the back issues could be a recurring thing. He's a line-drive hitter who should hit .275+, draw walks, and believes in situational hitting and doing the little things. He likely will never hit more than 15 or so homers.

and several of those were college arms. Remember last year when that Cards fan came on here complaining about them taking all of those college arms that keep breaking down?