The stache

I'd be thrilled if Jungmann's career arc ended up at all like Ben's.

Don't you think I know that? Sure there's always a chance that the minor league talent in Miami and Houston doesn't pan out. But there's an even smaller chance that the minor league talent the Brewers have is being underrated. What is the likelihood that all these different publications are wrong, and the Brewer farm system is actually better than is being reported? Yes, we have a good core in Segura (if we can keep him), Lucroy, Gomez (if he's able to keep performing at his 2013 level) and Braun (if he's not dogged by Major League baseball the rest of his career, and if he's not suspended). You're right. You can trade for young talent, also. In order to do so, you have to have talent at the Major League level that you're willing to part with, or young talent that another team finds attractive. Who in our minor league system could we trade? Our sixth best prospect is projected as a career bench player. Our #1 prospect is undersized, and was struggling mightily at AAA. We don't have any more Zack Greinkes on this team. The players that might be most attractive to other teams are Corey Hart, who is over 30 now with a history of injuries, and Aramis Ramirez, who is about to turn 35. The Brewers had the #10 ranked organizational talent in 2009, and #13 in 2010. We were in the top third of farm systems. Milwaukee acquired Greinke in a trade on December 10th, 2010. The Brewers at that time had 4 prospects who were in the top 100 (or had just recently been); Jeremy Jefferies (#100 in 2009), and Alcides Escobar (#12), both of whom were sent to Kansas City. They also received Lorenzo Cain, our eighth ranked prospect at the time. We also had Brett Lawrie (#59) and Mat Gamel (#89). Entering the 2013 season, the Brewers were ranked 23rd out of 30 teams by Baseball America, and we do not currently have a single top 100 prospect in baseball.

I don't care about what Wily's done the whole year. What he did in April is not at all germane to the conversation. I'm concerned what he's doing now, and he is clearly struggling. In his last six starts, Peralta is 1-5 with a 6.98 ERA. In those starts, he has thrown 29 2/3 innings, allowed 43 hits and 14 walks. That's a WHIP of 1.92. He's not just "unlucky", he's not getting the job done. I don't know what's going on, if there's a flaw in his mechanics, if he's tipping his pitches, whatever. He's not getting the coaching he needs at this level. Kranitz is incapable of helping pitchers.

I remember that thread. I also said "I don't want to be premature, as it's just one start." It looked like he was starting to get control of his pitches. Since then, he's been awful, giving up 8 runs in 11 innings to offensive juggernauts Philadelphia and Miami. It goes to show the talent is there, but the consistency is not. That is why he needs to go back down, to work on refining his craft. In the Majors, he's just not consistent. It doesn't at all lessen my enthusiasm about his future. But right now Wily pitching in Milwaukee is not helping Wily, or Milwaukee.

I would agree, and clearly Rick Kranitz is not the best for Wily right now.

He's had more than one bad inning though, and that's the point. He's not just "not perfect", he's awful this season. His ERA before tonight's game in 15 starts was 6.16. His WHIP is 1.718. In 68 innings pitched, he's struck out 42 and walked 29. He's giving up 11.7 hits and 3.8 walks per 9 IP. Can you not see that? You're talking about "if he starts striking out more batters", he'll look better. Really? But he's not striking out batters. He is clearly overmatched right now at the Major League level, and needs to go back down. Giving up 6 runs a game isn't helping his confidence whatsoever, nor is it correcting any of the problems he's having. And it's certainly not helping the Brewers to get back in the race.

I don't think it's knee jerk at all. I'm confused what the Brewers are trying to do this year, as are a lot of other Brewer fans, I'd wager. We gave up our first round draft pick to sign Kyle Lohse. That says to me that the Brewers think they can "get back into it, and make a playoff run". But when they let Peralta flap in the wind the way he has, it says "we've conceded the season is over". I don't understand what the Brewers' plan was, and it's looking more and more like they don't have one.

And we wonder why Mat Gamel never put up the numbers he's capable of. They kept jerking him around with the spot starts. Most players need consistent playing time to get in a groove. It's very hard to play off the bench, and hit consistently.

There's about 100 games left in the season. If we just continue improving, making up ground here and there, nothing is impossible. This team has certainly dug itself out of holes before. They did it this year when they started 2-8. They did it last year, and almost got a playoff spot for their effort.

I love that name. Damien Magnifico. If he doesn't make it as a pitcher, he could have a future as a magician.

It's really good to see Rickie Weeks playing some better baseball.

The Major League talent the Brewers have is much better. The minor league talent these really bad teams have is much, much better. That was the point of the thread. The other teams have a much brighter future than we do unless some drastic steps are taken. Sorry it escaped you.

I'm watching the replay now. Nice piece of hitting by Scooter to get that triple to right center. He can definitely motor. He's got pretty nice speed. I'm trying to figure out who he reminds me of at the plate. Maybe Geoff Jenkins? Similar stances.

Another big time start tonight for Taylor Jungmann. Only one strike out, but so far through 5 IP, Taylor's surrendered 4 hits, 1 walk, and no earned runs (1 unearned). It's 6-1 in the top of the 6th. He's thrown 63 pitches through 5, 41 for strikes. I will definitely be watching this game tonight after the Borgias and Game of Thrones!

Speaking of Trout, here are his splits. Yikes. [pre]R/A .352 .419 .486 .905 A/A+ .341 .428 .490 .918 AA .326 .414 .544 .958 AAA .403 .467 .623 1.091[/pre] Only 20 games at AAA, but he showed in the minors just how good he was going to be. I imagine that we would have taken a serious look at him had the Angels not taken him. We were next up. Darn.

Nope. Hmm. Can I phone a friend?

Mike Trout?

Braun's thumb is obviously bothering him badly. He's had one extra base hit in the last ten game, but ya, keep sticking him in there to "work through it". Genius, Ron. Per ESPN: "Spin: The thumb issue is one Braun's been dealing with on and off for a few weeks now, but he's been out of the lineup just once since May 13. Still, the ailment is reportedly forcing Braun, who hasn't homered in his last 65 plate appearances, to adjust his swing. Manager Ron Roenicke said prior to Sunday's game that he hopes the 29-year-old will avoid the DL, so consider Braun day-to-day for the time being." Per Yahoo Sports: "Ryan Braun left Sunday's game in the third inning with right thumb soreness. Advice: It comes after Brewers manager Ron Roenicke admitted before the game that he was concerned about Braun's nagging thumb issue. The skipper had indicated that Braun will continue to play through the ailment but receive some extra days off. However, you'e got to wonder if the disabled list is becoming increasingly likely." He's having to adjust his swing because of the thumb. Earth to Ron. Sit him.

Paul, Taylor's last two starts were not televised, but the games I've seen of his recently (two after coming off the 7-day DL), he was consistently sitting in the high 80's, low 90s (with 92 being the top range for the fastball). I'd say on average, he was 89-90 mph. We'd theorized earlier in this discussion that some of the drop in his velocity (at least in the games I've been able to see) might be due to his switching from the 4-seam fastball to the 2-seamer. I would say that he was doing a good job of maintaining his velocity late into his starts. He didn't appear to be struggling at all. As far as his strikeout rate, as well as his strikeout to walks ratio, it's improving as of late, and that is greatly encouraging. His last three starts, his strikeout rate has been nearing 1 per inning; 18 K's in 19 IP. His walk rate is a little higher than I'd like, but so long as he keeps the total number of baserunners he's allowing down, it's not troubling. His WHIP for the entire season is 1.173, and over the last three starts, it's been a spectacular 0.789. His WHIP is far better than it was last year at Brevard County (1.340). As of right now, tonight's starters have not been announced, though I anticipate that Taylor will be starting against the Montgomery Biscuits. The game will be televised, so I should be able to watch. I'm starting to think that he might have just a little more upside than I'd originally anticipated. It's just my opinion, but I'd seen him as a 3/4. He might be a solid #3 starter if he can keep this up. The Brewers need workhorses, and we might get a peak of him with the Brewers later in the season.

Brauny 3-4. God, I hope this is a sign of things to come. Just keep getting those singles, and the other stuff will come.

Brauny up to .299. He's still hitting, just not generating a lot of power. I hope he breaks his home run drought soon.

Brown is turning out to be one of my best fantasy adds ever. Not quite up there with adding Mike Trout a a few weeks into last season, but he's getting up there.

Well, today's game is a national blackout, so I can't see it. I'm going to rely on your color analysis here, guys.

Another game, another Ryan Braun start. I just don't get how Roenicke can't see he's not right. One day off a week is not going to make him healthy.

I completely agree. That was impressive. Wasn't it, though? I was surprised, and I thought Yuni even looked surprised for a second. Though I wish he's said something off color after the pie in the face. Wonder if she would have tried to translate that.