James Zumstein

I've been scouring scouting reports, etc. for months now of both high school and college players, and I am wholly convinced that the player that most perfectly fits the Brewers profile is Notre Dame RHP Jack Radel. A cold-weather arm (originally from Sioux Falls, SD) at 6' 5", 250 lbs., and he averages almost seven feet of extension, something the Brewers look for in starting pitchers. They also don't mind pitchers who are a little older and Radel will turn 22 two months after the draft. Going into the season, he was expected to go somewhere around the third round, but after throwing a complete game shutout over #19 Clemson on Friday, he's now 3-1 with a 2.06 ERA with a 44/6 K/BB ratio. He would be a solid choice for us at #66, if still available.

There are three players from the Brewers 2026 MLB Scout Team that I think could all be possible targets. SS Trey Ebel, brother of 2025 pick Brady Ebel, will be a few months shy of his 18th birthday come July and is a premiere defensive infielder with good speed and a solid all-around offensive profile. Would likely require an early pick and large bonus to sign him away from his Texas A & M commitment. Florida RHP Ryan Walls will be turning 18 in July, and while not a hard thrower (FB max around 90), he's 6'3 and spins it well, and is known as a guy who knows how to get outs. Could be a target in 11-20 to try to sign away from his Ole Miss commitment. OF and Southern Miss commit Henry Abt could be another possible target in the second half of the draft. Like Walls, he turns 18 in July, fitting the Brewers preferred profile. He features above average bat and foot speed, great bat-to-ball skills, and has a strong enough arm to play all three OF spots. Another well-rounded player that would fit in with the organization quite well.

Luckily we have a ton of depth throughout the system, so maybe we go after one or two big-time prospects at the top and have the rest of the picks be "value" picks. You know, like we used to do 30 years ago. 🙄

I respectfully disagree with your opinion of his defense at a corner OF position. He's played over 2,100 innings in RF in the majors and has a positive DRS and Total Zone rating, including being neutral in 69 games in RF this year. It was the Angels poor decision to try him in CF that made him look like a terrible fielder.

I'd be interested to see if something could be worked out with the Angels for Jo Adell. 37 HR last year, and only made $2.1M in first year of arby. If we included Mitchell to replace him in CF (moving Adell to RF and Frelick to CF for the Brewers), along with DL Hall and Tobias Myers, I think that's a possible win-win for both clubs.

I think a lot of true baseball fans also appreciate that two of the final four teams still alive have never won a championship, and a third hasn't won one in over 30 years. Seeing new teams finally get their chance after a lot of suffering is great for the sport.

Jesus MadeLuis PenaAndrew FischerJeferson QueroCooper PrattLogan HendersonBishop LetsonLuke AdamsMarco DingesBraylon PayneRobert GasserJosh AdamczewskiBryce MeccageLuis LaraJD ThompsonBrock WilkenTyson HardinBlake BurkeBrady EbelColeman Crow

Didn't know where to post this but saw old friend Cam Devanney made his MLB debut with the Pirates last night. I was always a fan of his as he worked his way through the minors so was happy to see this. 0-3 with a walk while playing 3rd base. Should likely see him when the Brewers visit them later this week.

Was at the T-Rats game in Beloit tonight. Letson looked good, but the offense was very lackluster. Fischer and Made each made great defensive plays at 3rd and 2nd respectively, while Pena made an error on a tough play at SS. Luis Castillo went down with a nasty left leg injury running out a potential double play ball. Not sure we'll see him again in 2025. It will be interesting to see how they finish out the season with only three players with any experience playing OF. Maybe give Adamczewski and/or Pena some opportunities?

I mentioned to a friend that this team should make t-shirts for all 26 players that say "2025 Brewers Team MVP," because in a way, they all have been. That's why this team has a real chance come October; no one person is responsible for them having the best record in baseball. Plus, everyone having a shirt that said that could be a real camaraderie-type thing too, similar to the friendship ones they have.

So many great highlights from last night. Thanks for the great write-up, Jim! P.S. Going to the T-Rats game in Beloit tonight, so hopefully all the studs are in the lineup!

When the Brewers were scorching white hot in 2011 right after the All-Star Break, an obnoxious Cardinals fan (and yes, I know that statement is redundant) I worked with told me that the Brewers were peaking too soon on a daily basis. I so badly wanted to tell him to jump in a lake, but what was even harder than listening to him every day was having him tell me how right he was in October when they knocked us out of the NLCS. I will probably carry that scar tissue with me for the rest of my life. As others have noted, the Brewers can't be concerned about peaking too soon, and neither should we as fans. We should be enjoying the journey, and let the chips fall where they may come October.

We're also the best baserunning team according to Statcast, yet another method of winning at the margins.

Agreed, but it might still be worth the risk in rounds 11-20.

I'm not sure I would describe a 0.766 OPS in over 100 ABs from the right side as "scuffling."