Playing Catch

Yeah, that's what has me feeling optimistic. He's still "only" played 268 professional games, 111 of which have been in the big leagues. There's still development in there. At this point, he's Kevin Kiermaier, which is great. But if he can play D like Kiermaier and hit like Nimmo, he's a perennial all-star.

I feel like I used to be able to find ballpark factors for AA. Does Biloxi, itself, still present issues for hitters?

Maybe @sveumrules could help with this... I'm really curious about the Brewers offense. Why do I suspect that the Brewers have a better record than most teams when they don't hit a home run? My larger point about the Brewers bats is that they must have one of the deepest, most varied offenses in the sport. Home runs are great, obviously. The Brewers are middle-of-the-pack with home runs. They DO have guys that hit home runs, or CAN hit home runs, which we all know is really important. But I'd bet they create more offense than any other team in baseball, which can really be helpful in the playoffs, and against tough bullpens. Working counts, fouling pitches, stealing bases. Having both power threats, baserunning threats, and even bunting threats makes them very, very challenging. If the Brewers can keep the ball in the park, I think they can win a lot of playoff games.

This is correct. I also would expect that statistical models of game-by-game success may disagree with betting odds. I'm NOT a gambler, so I really have no idea how that stuff works, but I would imagine the sharps would be putting money ON the Brewers.

Exactly. Not to move on from joyous reflection too soon, but I believe that this season will turn out to be very important in the coming seasons. It's not just turning the page on the Stearns and Counsell era, it's the prologue to a fresh, new book. This season was filled with looking backwards and enjoying the ride, appreciating the opportunities and all of that. But this organization will no longer be considered "plucky," or "lovable underdogs," but rather an organization that all of baseball will be examining very closely. The organization has already received admiration and wonder from the scouting community which is truly baffled. The Brewers keep stacking statistical outliers. The evidence of scouting/developmental prowess is mounting to Rays-like levels across the game. This is the beginning. I like that the team will have a week or so to step back and breathe a little, because I believe they can find another gear of confidence that they will need to compete with the big boys.

The Brewers and Twins have long matched up perfectly for trades. It never happens.

I thought I'd wonder about Luke Adams here... His getting hit 42 times is really, really weird. I have to believe he's wearing armor and rests his elbow on top of the strike zone? (Not really) I have to think he doesn't move? (Correct) Are they purposefully avoiding pitching him away? (Are A-ballers that precise?) Are we worried about his getting injured? (Yes) Does he wear a facemask? (No) Is anyone else worried about his weird, stiff, one-handed follow through with his swing? (The rest of the swing looks good, athletic).

In terms of guys that would be fun to follow (yes, yes, Joseph, I know that they are ALL fun to follow), I want to see Boeve, Woodward, Yerlin, Birchard, and why not? Ernesto Martinez Jr. I VERY much want to know if Boeve and/or EMJ are legitimate 40-man options for next season. Edit to question... Would EMJ have to be placed on the 40-man before AFL? What are the dates?

I always think about the guys that missed time due to injury. I'm not sure of their availability but some thoughts are Quero, Felix Valerio, Boeve, Coleman Crow, Brandon Knarr, Edwin Jimenez, Birchard. Some guys due to piqued curiosity... Russell Smith, I liked the Hedbert Perez thought. I don't see a lot of other guys, so maybe one of the young guys do get a shot, like the Pratts, the Laras. I'll bet Boeve goes. I'm imagining the brass wondering if he could be a contender for 3rd base next season.

We can disagree if it's Ortiz or Turang at short, and whether or not Hoskins will be worth it, who they can sign as a backup to Contreras, and whether or not to trade an OFer, but the REAL conundrum is third base. If they did nothing, they'd have Monasterio, Collins, Capra, Dunn, Miller, (Black), and perhaps Wilken and Boeve. Free agents: Bregman, Urshela, Moncada, (maybe Suarez). If we include INF, that adds Kim, Farmer, Rojas, Paul DeJong, Gleyber Torres, Drury. There are a few others that are not starter quality. I dislike nearly all of these options. I suppose I'd prefer to have some kind of platoon with Collins/Capra/Dunn, more than splashing cash on Bregman or Kim. I don't know that I'd like any of the other options, unless Torres can play 3rd. IF Torres can play 3rd, I'd be okay with signing him as a regular IFer, but only on a one-year deal. I know a couple of you mentioned Suarez, but one, I think the option will be picked up, and two, he scares the bajeezus out of me. Dude is capable of hitting 35 bombs, or batting .135. I liked the Frelick for Miranda offer someone threw out there a while ago, and there are other post-hype guys, like Brett Baty, or no-hype blossoms, like Josh Smith that could be options. But most of those guys seem pretty risky, too. I can't help but think they're not going to actively address third base, choosing instead to platoon utility guys there. This would be disappointing, but it seems like there is nothing but disappointing options. edit: After some thought, I think I'd want them to sign Gleyber Torres on a pillow contract to play third base.

Stop it with that "stole the moment" nonsense. I'm sure they're all pissed off, Murphy most of all. But that doesn't mean there's some locker room mutiny simmering.

Coming into the presser, I was with everyone here, and I probably remain so. But I thought Murphy's logic was sound. He was trying to get Koenig to to get to 2 (or 3) outs with two lefties sandwiches Marte, and then bring in Devin to face Christian Walker with two down. It didn't work, but the logic made some sense. Edit to emphasize that I still disagree with the decision.

It seems to me that they've saved us, collectively, hours and hours of frustration.

I think it was a catch that Mitchell or Perkins may have been able to make look "easy," but one can't fault Frelick's sheer will. Full-speed leap to steal a HR followed by crashing into the wall? That's tough. Fun player to watch.

I agree with Jopal's point that teams are increasingly reluctant to trade significant assets, though. It's very possible that the potential returns for Williams are underwhelming to such a degree that keeping him is better for the Brewers.

It's not unusual to see sluggers enter the league at an older age, either. For example, Christian Walker didn't get meaningful MLB ABs until 28; Justin Turner didn't crest 600 PAs until 31.

I'm just surprised that San Marino existed that long ago, let alone their soccer team.

About a month ago, Spencer and the other BF Podcaster guy said that Hoby had been essentially the same pitcher, metricswise as he has been, but that he has been really unlucky this season.

I say just keep Ashby in the pen.

His swing looks more normal than it used to, too.

Leave it to Chelsea to screw this up. I realize that as a Spurs fan, my opinion of Chelsea is pretty biased, but is there a more disgusting franchise in all of sport? I wish that club would burn to the ground.

I realize this isn't the correct forum for this, but I could not agree more with everything that you've written. Firstly, I think foreign language SHOULD be mandatory from Pre-K on. Secondly, my failing my French exams prevented my earning my BA on time, and all of the money I spent re-taking French because I failed it so often was really frustrating. And who are we kidding with those 5-day-a-week at 8:00 am classes? For a freshman??

He's the favorite because he plays for everyone's favorite team in America's favorite city, and he was a high draft pick. With that said, he would be a very deserving winner. I think Imanaga is the only one that shouldn't be considered ahead of Chourio. Winn and Fitzgerald have had excellent rookie seasons. Imanaga is 31. That alone should prevent him from winning the award... Well, that, and that he plays for the Cubs. And while I'm on the topic, screw Winn as well.

Clancy would like a word.

And Lawrence Butler. I believe he's still considered a rookie.