Austin Tatious

Even that might be optimistic. But it would be nice. He'd be addition by subtraction. Like an infection. Getting rid of Garza and getting a look at Wilkerson and Suter would be nice. I hope we never resort to this type of signing again. Hopefully Attanasio is suitably traumatized by how this played out. Stearns seems promising on developing continuity in our system, so that the next man up will be ready over time and you don't need to sign the Looper, Soup, Garza, Wolfie or Lohse. Some of those guys were solid for awhile but not the duration of what we needed to get.

I'm definitely happy about Bickford. But I have wanted us to get some catching prospects for years now, particularly when it was obvious Coulter wouldn't catch. When I looked at catching prospects around baseball, Susac was a guy I looked at. You saw him blocked at SF and his potential, and he was a target. I am not saying he is a stud but he could be solid or serviceable. No guarantees but love the pickup.

Love the loyalty to the program. He may be an interesting coach.

Arcia is really flashing in my eyes. You can see the talent and why he's been universally praised. He's getting his feet wet. It seems like he's got a presence, he has a good outward vibe which I like. Agree on the swing and approach going the other way. That will serve him well. The defensive athleticism is quite obvious.

Devin has a good shot. His ERA is in the low 3's so he's progressing. I'd speculate that his upside is back end of rotation or more likely a bullpen guy. I'm not sure he has a dominant arm but he possibly can contribute in good time. I love Taylor Williams. We will see how he recovers from the injury. But he could be an impact back end reliever.

I thought he would have started the year in Biloxi. Someone in another thread claimed Coulter was sulking about the BC assignment and he was not mentally right. It was said that he had bad body language. That may have been affecting his performance. I haven't done math on this but I check the minor league stats frequently. If I had to guess, his offensive numbers over a more recent period are probably more encouraging. Just my speculation, but perhaps management told him to improve the attitude, he has, and he performed better in a more recent stretch. With that progress, they moved him up. It would be great if he flips around. If he surges over the next year, he can revitalize himself as a prospect. It is a make or break period with the Brewer organization.

His numbers look good, particularly the lack of homers. I like the pickup. Maybe his value can be built up. The organization has done really well identifying useful pieces like this. Torres is solid. I'm a fan of Perez. Guerra fell out of the sky, but we still latched on to him. We will see how Pina and Pinto do but I saw value in both of them. There are obviously some scouts with some good ideas on advanced acquisitions like this.

Good discussion. 1. I like Andrew Susac as a potential workmanlike catcher. 2. Nobody is counting on Nottingham. That's fair. He's obviously not doing well either receiving or at the dish. I don't pretend to be watching him every day, but unless he indicates abject failure, I would keep him at double A next year catching. I had read good reports about his chances in spring training, and he's only 21 with a good makeup. 3. While there are significant questions about our instruction, I've repeatedly heard Charlie Greene singled out as being a good catcher coach. 4. It's a real pity what happened to Coulter. Once you take him off catcher, he's nothing special, and it's showing. I assume he had zero aptitude for catching, but if he could have caught he may have had a shot. The Brewers drafted him in the 1st round, and he's about where Payton Henry or Nottingham may have been, and they were 6th rounders. 5. If you look at the 2017 MLB draft projections, there are at least two catchers highly rated. JJ Schwarz has been hyped since high school. KJ Harrison is another. In view of how premium a position catcher is, I would take a long look at Schwarz if our draft position rises. If we get Schwarz in here, to go with Feliciano, Nottingham and Henry (not to take anything away from McDowell or Leal), but we would have some significant potential at catcher. If you've got a catcher that can hit, it can make a real difference in your lineup.

Yes, there are too many unknowns with acquisitions but also with player development. But it's fun to look at our farm system and dream up a scenario. I forgot about Taylor Williams. I've pegged him as a possible closer if he comes back well from his injury.

How is this for a June 2019 batting order, for kicks and giggles: LF Clark RF Ray cf Brinson c Schwarz (high draft pick at catcher in 2017 draft) 1b not in system yet or maybe Gatewood 3b Erceg 2b Isan Diaz ss Arcia rotation Ortiz, Hader, Davies, Bickford, Woodruff bullpen Ponce, F Peralta, Lopez, Diplan, Medieros, Kirby, Magnifico utility, Hernan Perez bench If: one of J Betancourt, Rijo, Y. Rivera bench OF: Brett Phillips bench C: Susac

Like it or not, you're graded on a curve. When you're taken fifth overall as an advanced college bat, you're expected to progress rapidly. Andrew Benintendi and Alex Bregman are in the majors 14 months after being drafted. That may be too optimistic, frankly, but Ray ought to be in Milwaukee by June 2018. That is a do-able progression for the 5th overall pick out of college.

I heard that interview but I believe it was Jim Callis of MLB not Sickels. The point stands, though.

I agree with this. Scooter is a classic second division starter. I'd love a return like we got for Lind. I would like to deal him, and I don't see him as deeply coveted. You may find a team that wants a stopgap and work a deal. Perhaps some team will want to balance their lineup with a lefty. Scooter is a nice player but rather stiff in a day when you have athletes up the middle everywhere. He's not the sharpest knife in the drawer but a steady hitter. MLB trade rumors site went over the second base trade market and indicated there was not much demand. Maybe it will improve in the offseason but like I said, I don't see Scooter as being highly coveted.

I find it interesting when Braun comments on the young players. Recall he raved about Taylor Williams in the spring of 2015. Anyway, earlier this year Braun commented that Villar would show more pop in good time. I agree with the sentiment that good offense is what you want at third, pop would be nice but not mandatory. Molly led off and played third back in the day. Pete Rose did too. Don't jump on me for pointing to two hall of fame caliber guys. I'm in no way, shape, or form comparing Villar to them. As for Villar, the base running is basically tragic. But, I'd keep him. Love the .380 obp as mentioned plus he will be a fifty steal guy and lead the league. Remember a few years ago when we trotted Yuni out at short on an otherwise good team, and we didn't really have any hope in our system, either? Then we traded for Segura. But the point is, solid two way, athletic guys like Villar can be tough to get. I get the point that he will have more value at short, but I still like him as our guy somewhere in the infield, at least for a couple of years. When Erceg and Isan get up here, who knows, then. There's another thread for Scooter. If we can deal Scooter, and move Villar to second, and play Perez at third, I'd like to see that.

1. Orlando Arcia-outstanding defense and aptitude to hit 2. Luis Ortiz-has good stuff if his weight doesn't get him 3. Josh Hader-if it all comes together, he can be at the top of the list 4. Isan Diaz - love his pop at second 5. Lewis Brinson - great athlete, has trouble staying healthy. Tremendous upside but some risk 6. Lucas Erceg - future 3rd baseman of the Brewers? Good two way player, nice hit tool. 7. Phil Bickford - talented; like the two pitches, let's see if he develops more and becomes a MLB starter. 8. Trent Clark - billed as a "professional" hitter; still young, would like to see him turn it on down the stretch 9. Cody Ponce - love his arm; if it doesn't work out as a starter, could be a nice reliever 10. Marcos Diplan- can work on his command but showing strong potential 11. Corey Ray - high draft pedigree and has tools 12. Corbin Bernes - I am rating him this high as a steal in the draft 13. Brett Phillips - in a bit of a free fall. Defense will be there so should at least be a 4th MLB outfielder. Way too many K's 14. Brandon Woodruff - rising prospect, scouts speak highly of him 15. Gilbert Lara - he is a lottery ticket, lot of athleticism, but will it come together? 16. Freddy Peralta - nice pickup in Adam Lind deal; not a huge guy but he's producing 17. Jake Gatewood - showing progress, has a good ceiling, gym rat and loves baseball 18. Nate Kirby- very highly regarded before injury; let's hope for the best in his comeback 19. Demi Orimoleye-devastating athlete, let's see if he puts it together 20. Kodi Medeiros--not sure if he can harness his command, could be a loogy 21. Devin Williams --steady type of pitcher 22. Monte Harrison--another athlete who is getting the benefit of the doubt because of tools. Injuries have derailed. 23. Taylor Williams--tremendous arm and if he overcomes his injury, could be a tough closer 24. Jorge Lopez--fell off a cliff, but let's hope Colorado Springs got into his head and he can get back on trajectory 25. Jacob Nottingham--young guy with potential and needs to improve in all areas *Just missed Chad McClanahan, Mario Feliciano, Braden Webb, Jon Perrin, Wei-chung Wang,

I have hopes for Gatewood. I recall the run up to the draft, and he was considered a total baseball junkie. He loves the game. His dad played minor league ball, and he has great desire. I think his stats this year are demonstrating progress. Is he a prodigy? No, he hasn't shown that, but he is a tall kid with a frame to get bigger and he had shortstop athleticism before he fills out. So, you'd expect a long swing and room for improvement. Like most minor leaguers, I wouldn't classify him in the sure bet category but it's not going to surprise me if he turns it on in a couple of years. Look at Ronald Guzman in the Texas system. He has really improved after being nondescript for a couple of years after being a high profile, bonus baby int'l signee. I hope Gatewood can mature similarly.

It's funny, I was going to start a similar thread, so thanks for starting it. I was contemplating 2019 to let some of the younger guys cook a bit more, and I was going to suggest batting order too. A few comments. At this point, I am hoping Wily Peralta can be salvaged as a reliever. We have seen no real signs of that ability, but if he changes his mindset and approach toward getting through an inning or two at a time, maybe something can pop there. Jungmann doesn't strike me as having reliever stuff, I am afraid. I am glad we kept our powder dry for some more trades this off-season and next year. We may wish to target some different young pups later on, and I am glad we have some ammo (think: Gennett, Carter, Guerra, Nelson, Thorny). I couldn't be happier with Hernan Perez relative to expectations. He'd be nice to keep in 2018. He can be a super sub at 3b, 2b, Lf, rf, and he can even go in at short for a spell. I gotta think he could play first. He's a solid hitter and competitive. I think he could go .270 15 and 75 (at a minimum) if he got the at bats. He's improving his walk rate although there is more room for improvement. Counsell gave him four things to work on last off-season and he is meeting that. I will come back with my projections in a bit.

Let's give Suter a shot.

Lots of scattered thoughts here in the middle of interruptions from work: 1. My personal view, but I preferred Brinson's skill set to Gallo's. I would have been fine with Gallo but I like Brinson's tools. 2. Ortiz's weight is what it is, but he has potential. I see a #2 or #3 in the rotation. 3. I am really glad we got upside here. I feel like we have plenty of quantity, so getting some quality here is good. 4. I think Stearns did whatever he could do. 5. Having said all that, with both Lucroy and Jeffress going, I would have expected a little more. This can be resolved if the third piece is not a scrub but actually a good prospect. Tavares, Guzman, even Jurado, any of those three would make me very happy with this deal. I doubt it's Mendez.

Anybody else got butterflies? My assistant just came in to check to see if I was done with something. LOL.

Great trade - like Susac too. Bickford speaks for himself. That brightens my Monday on a work day.

Yes, I agree. But the knee is something he's working back from, so the hope is he will regain his strength in time.

Awesome stuff Wildcat. You're listing lots of guys I focused on, and then some. I hope that is where this is headed.

Agreed. Switch hitting outfielder who is only 17 and has tools. He'd be an outstanding get. He won't be 30 until like 2029 lol.

Personal preference, I'd take Brinson over Gallo. I'm not sure Gallo is a long term third baseman either. I also like more well rounded hit tools. Sure, great raw power is nice, but the more well rounded you are, the more consistent success you have. I wouldn't be ticked off if we got Gallo, though. will say the system lacks power right now, so I wouldn't be furious if we got Gallo. Regardless, a corps coming back that includes Guzman, Mendez, Jurado and Tavares would make me very very happy. Those four would give a real jolt to our prospects list. Then you can finalize depending on who else is involved. If Milwaukee keeps Guerra, and he is still rolling the first part of next year on a bad Brewers club, that to me would indicate a very big return next year because he would establish a track record. That's the gamble. Sell high now or really kill it with more track record.