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James Zumstein

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Everything posted by James Zumstein

  1. James Zumstein
    After around a dozen games played, the OPS leader in the MLB Draft League is Carlos Sanchez, a catcher from Maracaibo, Venezuela, Jackson Chourio's hometown. I looked up some info on him and he was conference player of the year this past season at LSU-Shreveport, where he hit .388 with an 1.167 OPS and also was successful on 37 of 41 SB attempts. Listed as a utility player in college, he could be an interesting target.
  2. James Zumstein
    Going down late in the year with arm fatigue has definitely caused him to lose a little shine and brought him down into our range. He was almost guaranteed to be gone by #25 if he had stayed healthy, but now he could likely be available, if we were so inclined.
  3. James Zumstein
    We took Ethan Small at #28 in 2019. I think we'd all like to forget that happened. 😉
  4. James Zumstein
    I had forgotten that. Thanks for catching it!
  5. James Zumstein
    While Brick has a lot of qualities the Brewers look for, right-handed hitting HS catchers have probably the lowest success rate of any position in the draft historically. Add in the fact that he would demand slot or higher, I think the risk is greater than the reward. I completely agree with you about needing some fresh blood behind the dish, but guys like Brick and Sean Dunlap, who I was high on earlier, are just too risky IMHO. There are still several HS catchers I feel the Brewers could be looking at, like Dylan Kassab, Kendall Hagedorn, or Maddux Lessard, that fit our profile and would be cheaper and therefore less of a risk. Lots of good college catchers that are possibilities too. Garrett Wright, Robbie Lavey, and Cashel Dugger will all be 21.0 or younger on draft day and are really solid prospects. Even Brady Neal, Alabama's catcher, will only be 21.9 as a SR, so could be a great bargain.
  6. James Zumstein
    I've mentioned him before as being a possibility, but that was just a "he fits the profile and we have a connection," not having any inside info. If we did, it wouldn't shock me. He's worked out with Turang in the past and played for the Brewers Scout team, for what that's worth. Also remember that his brother signed last year for under slot so that could be something to watch for. Exciting possibility.
  7. James Zumstein
    I'm really liking the idea of Marchand at #25. I was calling for college arms early, but as things have fluctuated recently, it looks like the guys I would have targeted are either climbing the boards and will likely be gone or, like Reddemann and Carlon, have had some injuries recently and might not be worth the risk at this time. Marchand's game just seems like it fits the Brewers very well. Plus, fun fact, he goes to the same high school that Gorman Thomas went to.
  8. James Zumstein
    I was checking out some of the Midwest-based HS seniors that I felt could be targets in July and found that Brimfield, IL 3B/OF Kaeden Schatsiek has an 1.843 OPS with 14 HR through his first 83 ABs this season. At 6'4, 215 lbs. and committed to Illinois State, he has well above average bat speed and arm strength, also pitching for his team and hitting 94 with his fastball. He also doesn't turn 18 until next month, another trait the Brewers love. Could be a real hidden gem in the later rounds that would likely be very signable.
  9. James Zumstein
    I couldn't agree more. I've been waiting for them to use a first-rounder on a corner OF, preferably a RF with a strong arm, for a while, but it never materializes. And looking at the likely top players when we pick at #25, I wouldn't anticipate it this year either. Those of us who really analyze the Brewers drafts and their "type" of player will see there aren't a lot of advanced college hitters that fit that profile this year, especially at the picks we will be selecting. That's why I'm becoming more and more convinced that we break our streak of hitters and go college arms early, including the first round. Which means that is unlikely to happen and we still take a college bat.
  10. 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.
  11. James Zumstein
    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.
  12. James Zumstein
    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. 🙄
  13. James Zumstein
    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.
  14. James Zumstein
    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.
  15. James Zumstein
    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.
  16. James Zumstein
    Jesus MadeLuis PenaAndrew FischerJeferson QueroCooper PrattLogan HendersonBishop LetsonLuke AdamsMarco DingesBraylon PayneRobert GasserJosh AdamczewskiBryce MeccageLuis LaraJD ThompsonBrock WilkenTyson HardinBlake BurkeBrady EbelColeman Crow
  17. James Zumstein
    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.
  18. James Zumstein
    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?
  19. James Zumstein
    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.
  20. James Zumstein
    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!
  21. James Zumstein
    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.
  22. James Zumstein
    We're also the best baserunning team according to Statcast, yet another method of winning at the margins.
  23. James Zumstein
    Agreed, but it might still be worth the risk in rounds 11-20.
  24. James Zumstein
    I'm not sure I would describe a 0.766 OPS in over 100 ABs from the right side as "scuffling."
  25. James Zumstein
    Sticking with my "prep catchers from familiar Midwest towns" theme, Luke Adams' alma mater Hinsdale (IL) Central has a catcher named Dylan Kassab that has committed to play at Indiana next year and he doesn't turn 18 until after the draft. He shows above average bat speed, good pop times and arm speed, and is athletic enough to play elsewhere if he doesn't stick at catcher. Sounds like another possible later round target.
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