kazmir19

Yes, that is exactly what I am saying. You take Prince out of last years lineup, the Brewers still score a lot of runs, but if you add Kazmir, he pitches more innings, wins at least 17 or 18 and there are your extra wins.

"The only time I get caught up in HS v. College is that I don't like taking HS pitchers in the first round of the draft; the risk-reward just isn't there considering the multi-million dollar signing expenses. " I agree completely, unless you are talking about a HS left hander or if the pitcher in question is top 5 in the country. Rick Porcello is a great example of that, and guys like Kershaw, Kazmir, Bumgarner, among others on the lefty side. Would rather have the college pitcher all the way. After round one its worth it to take a shot on a HS who can throw 90. Heck, youre lucky if you get one major leaguer from a draft, so its not too big of a risk to take the HS kid in after round 1.

http://www.mlbdraftsite.com/ Not sure who runs this page, but they have Skipworth dropping all the way to the last pick of the first round, as well as Weeks going 12th to the A's, the Brewers taking Kyle Long at #16 and Collier at #32 (wouldnt mind that one but probably wont last that long)...not sure what to make of the site other than the fun of seeing what others think....

" Devall would jump at the chance to be the next Yo Gallardo, but he doesn't have that kind of ability. " Yeah, but maybe not the next Jeremy Jeffress, Mike Rogers, or J.M. Gold. At the same point, Devall and Gallardo are pretty much the same pitcher, give or take a mph or two on the fastball. The Brewers dont develop pitching well. Its known league wide. I think "troll" is the word people like to use when their beliefs about the home team are challenged. Its the term that comes from blind loyalty.

"Thats rediculous. How many of those guys finished in the top 5 in the MVP voting last year? None. Francoeur wouldn't even start on the Brewers. Kazmir is good, but hasn't had a great season yet and is fragile. Blanton and Francis are just average pitchers. " Your response is equally ridiculous. Kazmir hasnt had a good season yet? Are you serious? I would say that 13-9, 3.48, leading the league in K's while pitching for the worst team in baseball is a pretty dang good season. Nearly 3:1 k/w ratio last year.1.379 whip. Ludicrous that you would say Kazmir hasnt had a good year yet, or that he is fragile. One stint on the DL in 4 years, and then an immediate return to being the top lefty in the league doesnt give much credibility to that. If they had picked Kazmir instead of Fielder, the Brewers would have won the division last year by at least 5 games. And to say that Hart is better that Francoeur is debatable, but to take him in RF over Francoeur is as equally ridiculous as the Kazmir statement. His offensive numbers are slightly better, but Francoeurs defense takes care of that. They dont just give out gold gloves to right fielders for fun. The guy has the best arm in the game, and Hart is an average fielder at best. Takes bad routes on balls, his arm is only regarded as "good" by Brewer fans and FSN North broadcasters. If Francoeur were the Brewer RF, Hart would be playing LF (where he will wind up eventually, if they sign him long term) and Braun would still be at 3rd. Morgan Ensberg, Ryan Howard, Adrian Beltre and Javy Lopez all finished top 5 in the MVP balloting as well. Hows that working out for all of them? Worse players have actually won the award that were more important than Fielder is.

My First Six Picks (not really caring or trying to predict who the Brewers will take)...Just who I would take, at those spots if available: #16 Casey Kelly, SS, Sarasota (FL) HS... Brewers will never take him because he doesnt fit their classic "take a guy 15 spots before he should be" history and also will be a signability issue (also a Brewer fear..see also Fielder, Jeffress, Rogers). But this kid is a great shortstop defensively and projects upward big on his offense. Also throws in the 90's as a pitcher. I would also be happy with C Jason Castro, Stanford, or CF Zach Collier, Chino Hills (CA) HS. #32 Brett Devall, LHP, Niceville (FL) HS...Once again, Brewers will never take this kid because his is committed to play college ball at Georgia, which is a much more attractive option that playing pro ball as a pitcher in the Milwaukee Brewers system. He's a lot like Josh Smoker from last years draft except he has a better pitchers build and does not have as advanced of pitches as Smoker did. With time his fastball is projectable in the low 90's and he has the potential to develop into a #2 starter. #35 Tyson Ross, RHP, California...One guy who the Brewers might take a shot at if available. Mid 90's fastball with a plus slider. Works his change up in well also. Should remain as a starter but could be put in the bullpen to save his arm from some mechanical issues. This could be the reliever that the Brewers could take for near term help. Near team meaning earlier than 3 years away. #53 Destin Hood, LF, St. Paul's Academy, Mobile (AL) HS...This guy has the offensive tools that the Brewers love. Tremendous power that has not been fully developed yet. Four tool player with great speed....a lot like Jason Hayward from last years draft, but with speed. #54 James Darnell, 3B, South Carolina.....Possible 5 tool player in the future. Great body and athletic ability. Plus arm, plus bat and speed. His offense could be as good as the numbers that LaPorta is putting up this year in the minor leagues. Power to all fields and has a lot of untapped potential that gives him huge upside. #62 Niko Vasquez, 2B, Durango, Las Vegas (NV) HS...Signability is not an issue with this kid as he is a sure bet to sign and does not have the interest to go to college. Great bat control and speed and can hit the ball with good pop to the gaps on both sides of the field. I'll even go one further and say who I would pick at #94 and #128.... #94 Donnie Roach, RHP, Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (NV) HS....nice frame, smooth mechanics with 4 pitches that project as plus pitches. With some fine tuning and focus on his best pitches, he could be a middle of the rotation starter. #128 Jake Jefferies, C , UC-Davis....Left handed, athletic catcher, who makes great contact. Rarely strikes out and can become a very fine catcher defensively. Jason Kendall type of player.

"but no way that a draft where you get the #7 overall correct" I would contend that they even got that one wrong at #7. They passed on Kazmir, Blanton, Francis, and Francoeur all to take a one tool, overweight first baseman. To recap, that's 2 staff aces (one of them the most dominating lefthander in the game right now) and a gold glove outfielder.

I agree with many of the posters who feel that Fields would be a waste that high in the draft. Drafting closers just doenst make sense. I think the guy to take for the Brewers is Casey Kelly, if the draft pans out as BA expects, he is the best player available when the Brewers pick. Forget about him wanting to go play football at Tennessee, just offer him what he is looking for, and reap the rewards of that big signing bonus in 3 years when he is your starting SS and can actually hit with pop.

"Fielder is better than Kazmir" Thats definitely debatable!

I look at the first round with an "opportunity cost of capital" approach. The Brewers do not have one premier P, C, 2B, SS or CF in their entire farm system. They are loaded with one or two tool players at the corners. Escobar is close but his only big skill right now is defense.

I would not take him with that pick. I know that the Phillies have had some success with taking injury prone players in the 1st round (Hamels, Savery) that have been good picks. But the Brewers major flaw in the draft has been drafting skill position players (at least in the 1st round), and they always seem to take a huge risk on unproven talent when it comes to pitchers, who have very little chance of coming up big. Ive seen Skipworth drop a little as the year has progressed, not horribly mind you, but if he is available when the Brewers pick, and then dont take him, I wont ever again respect a Brewer first round pick (not that I do now). (e.g. Kazmir over Fielder, Weeks was right on, Maybin over Braun, Daniel Bard over Jeffress, Josh Smoker over LaPorta, et al.)

If prospect lists stayed the same as the are now, in June, who would you like to see the Brewers pick? I think there are a number of college pitchers who will all be available and clumped together when the Brewers pick, and if I had my choice Id go with Ryan Perry from Arizona. Luke Burnett from LA-Tech would be my #2 choice, followed by Cody Satterwhite from Mississippi. Among position players, who if available, the Brewers could/should pick, Kyle Skipworth, C, CA HS, or Gordon Beckham, SS from GA. I could easily see the Brewers picking Jamile Weeks (again) this year because of the way they like to draft (at least in the first round). I think this would be a mistake. I see him as an Aaron Hill type of player, nice on defense, not too special on offense. Offensively, I see him as a Tony Gwynn Jr. type of player. If I were the SD, which I can only dream of someday, somewhere, Id go for pitching first, up the middle second, and most tools last. I would have never drafted Fielder or Braun, or Rogers, Jeffress, or LaPorta for that matter if I were the GM.