CheeseheadInQC

Turang's first full season was decidedly above average given his draft position and position. Outside of the truly elite prospects, few really excel going to A ball in their first year out of high school. If you've got a problem with Johnson's drafts, I'm guessing that you had a problem with them on draft day, because outside of that one stretch of the 2017 draft (which is offset by the development of some of the later picks on the pitching end), the numbers performance wise don't bear it out. The bigger issues seem to be both picking later in most drafts (I could be wrong, but I believe of the MILB current top 75 prospects, there are only three the Brewers could have drafted during that span with anything other than the Hiura pick: No. 54 Alek Thomas, No. 75 Josiah Gray and, drumroll please, No. 69 Garrett Mitchell), trading away a couple of competitive balance picks and, most of all, getting minimal return on the Latin signings. Hopefully a few of the guys in the lower minors (Rodriguez, Garcia, Parra, Perez, Medina) break that trend.

There is a bit of an ugly stretch in 2017 after the first two picks, and it doesn’t help that of the other hitters drafted only Ward has really shown promise. Still, though, considering the injuries suffered by three of the first four pitchers they drafted, getting Francis, Bettinger, Lazar and File isn’t bad on that end. 2018, outside of Gonzalez, who was hurt last year, the only real disappointment in the top 10 rounds has been Gray, who was always an upside play and still has time to develop. 2019, you’d have to either focus on a prep catcher who suffered either from soft contact or bad luck or a reliever who pitched at Colorado Springs to get a disappointment. You might end up being right, but outside of the one bad stretch of the 2017 draft, I don’t know that the evidence supports it yet.

If the season lasts long enough to matter, it will be interesting to see if they go the majors route (Wilkerson, Hummel, etc.), prospect route (Ashby, draft pick) or somewhere in between (Francis, Henry) to fill the Cain/Miller spots. The last two additions were the first surprises. It says a lot about how the organization views Perez, and Topa becomes a dark horse 40-man add candidate this winter if he isn’t needed earlier.

One thing that struck me during the post-draft period this year was how unusual it was that the Brewers' two top-rated UDFA signings both played arguably the second deepest position, behind only CF, in the Brewers' low minor leagues: 2B (I would have thought any pitcher who wanted to sign, if they studied it, would have been salivating over the situation in Milwaukee, with them only signing one prep pitcher last year, drafting no pitchers this year, and getting almost nothing pitching-wise from the DSL). The Brewers' focus up the middle in recent years has made for some interesting potential rosters at some of those positions in the low minors for 2021. If they go to the one rookie ball format, you could be looking at something like (And I know I'm leaving a lot of guys out): A+ C: Kahle and Dillard (if catching) or one of Diaz, Rios or Sibrian 1B: McClanahan 2B: Holt SS: Zamora 3B: Devanney OF: Mitchell, Ward, Abreu, Howell, Nnebe Util: Pinero A C: Warren and Sibrian or Hall 1B: Martinez 2B: Cantrelle SS: Hamilton 3B: Egnatuk OF: Bello, Gray, Rodriguez, Wiemer, Cipion Util: Drew Smith R C: Quero/Cabrera/Miller 1B: Hardin/Chirinos 2B: Valerio/Campbell SS: Garcia/Roa 3B: Parra/Jaraba OF: Medina, Perez, Fernandez, Florentino, Ernesto, Doston With the exception of Parra, the corner infield spots are clearly the weakest, whereas it is pretty easy to go five deep with upside guys in the OF (most of whom are center-capable) and the starting middle infield spots at A+ and A are taken up by guys who either were top-five round picks this year or were among the top five bonuses given out last year.

I guess that means either: 1. Lauer is ready to go but will start in the bullpen or 2. One of Brown, Faria, Miller, Morin and Rasmussen is filling the last COVID spot on the 40-man and making the opening day roster.

Well, unless they bring up Supak or add someone from off the 40-man, it seems the talk of keeping 16-17 pitchers might be going by the wayside. I count 15 left: Burnes, Claudio, Feyereisen, Grimm, Hader, Houser, Knebel, Lindblom, Peralta, Phelps, Suter, Wahl, Williams, Woodruff, Yardley

It's not a perfect show, and there was a shift after the first episode that is more typical of network shows than those on premium cable. "Chapter One" almost felt like it was written by James Ellroy, but some of those aspects have been toned down slightly, which probably works better for the story. Also, a plot thread that seemed as if it might be important has all but disappeared, unless they are setting up a second season case. That being said, though, the acting has largely been spectacular. That's kind of expected at this point out of Rhys, Maslany and Lithgow, but Juliet Rylance and Gayle Rankin have more than held their own as well.

“The Good Place” was my last “appointment” show. I have typically been watching “Perry Mason” (speaking of dark shows) on Sundays, but that is more because I have the time Sunday nights.

Did the semis ride the middle of the lanes to prevent people from getting to the actual zipper as well? Where I live in western Illinois was the same way, but before a recent multi year construction project they did a big public information campaign on zipper merging, and to my surprise it did make a difference. It isn’t perfect, but it is better (not that it could have been much worse).

The cynic in me thinks the team itself was the source of a lot of those rumors so that the truth would seem less awful.

The cheerleader stuff broke a couple of years ago. As for the rest, unless there is a lot of stuff that was taken out of the report because it wasn't sourced well enough, it seems like a lot of these rumors were just random speculation on what could be in the article (although the sexual harassment details that have come out are bad enough).

I can't speak to Arizona, but I lived in CA for 6.5 years and in IL for almost 4 years and Illinois drivers are worse than CA drivers and it isn't even close. IL drivers are the most selfish drivers I have ever seen - never have I been anywhere where they pull out into the intersection when the light is changing even though it is blocked ahead and they can't get through, blocking the intersection for the cross-traffic. IL drivers think that if they can get ahead of one or two more vehicles that will make all the difference in the world in their commute, whether that is forcing themselves into the intersection, passing on the right shoulder/where there isn't a lane, not merging until the last second, you name it. In CA everybody knows there is traffic everywhere and they, for the most part, just deal with it and take their turns. (CA also had legitimate road rage incidents, and I think that has made people think twice about being a jerk.) Chicago area? Where I am it is pretty much like what I experienced in Wisconsin except with slightly better blinker usage but a couple of miles more over the speed limit on interstates.

5 1/2 catchers. Based on an article in a different thread, the Dillard as catcher experiment continues after all. If one of the catchers gets lost to waivers, I really expect Gosewisch to be added. That is one position where having a more experienced guy in that camp could have some benefits.

Has it been confirmed no PTBNL? Otherwise the rule would just mean those guys couldn’t play for the new team this season.

Takeaways: 1. Unless the back injury is still an issue, Miguel Sanchez is the biggest surprise omission for me. 2. While I didn’t see Kelly coming, I should have as he is the definition of a guy who could benefit from more work but unless the Dillard as catcher experiment is restarting, they must be much higher on him than I thought. 3. Pencil Bickford in for a 40-man spot next season 4. The Brewers obviously either view File as the best prospect, most big league ready or both of last year’s AA starting trio (Francis and Bettinger) 5. Heavy prospect focus with the last wave meant minor league vets like Gosewisch and Wilkerson left off

Wilton native Reifert signs with Brewers Muscatine Journal

It is going to be interesting if they do change it because most of possibilities have issues: I might be wrong, but I don't think Snyder uses a nickname from a team in a different sport, so no Warriors, Capitols or Senators. RedHawks is probably too close to Seahawks. Redtails would make a lot of sense as a way to flip the script and have a cool story and ready-made logo, but I doubt it happens. Generals has too obvious of jokes. I don't know that Monuments is really viable. I guess Presidents is possible, but it sounds odd, especially with the plural since there is only ever one serving at a time. Other options that would obviously never get picked but I found mildly amusing include Washington Cherry Blossoms and, going the Packers route with the primary sponsor, the Washington Shippers.

It will be interesting, just because the recent Patriots offense is pretty unlike what he's run in the past. I also can't help wondering if with all the injuries he'll end up looking more like the Redskins/Vikings version of Donovan McNabb than the old Cam Newton. You could still make a pretty good case that at that price he was a lot better deal than what the Bears gave up to get Foles.

Assuming the four 40-man guys get spots, if they fill all 11 of the others I'll guess: Both scenarios: Tuffy Gosewisch Aaron Wilkerson Luke Barker Miguel Sanchez Clayton Andrews Alec Bettinger Scenario A: Most likely to contribute this year Lucas Erceg Dylan File Bowden Francis Thomas Jankins Final spot: Mario Feliciano if they think they might end up waiving a catcher to make room for Morrison or Miller, Phil Bickford as a darkhorse if they don't Scenario B: Get some top prospects some experience Mario Feliciano Tristen Lutz Brice Turang Garrett Mitchell Ethan Small

Is this the 60 man list or just the Milwaukee camp list? While they wouldn’t have a realistic roster shot to start the season it would be weird to not have AAA 40-man guys like Ray, Taylor and Supak not on the list of potential fill-ins for later in the season.

My wife and I recently rewatched all six seasons. The back half is a bit uneven, but the first three seasons are up there as far as pure comedy with just about anything I've ever watched.

As far as the 20 non-40 man spots, unless someone got cut that I missed, the Brewers have 19 guys who were NRIs still with the organization: Pitchers Clayton Andrews Zack Brown Jesus Castillo Jake Faria Justin Grimm Thomas Jankins Shelby Miller Mike Morin Drew Rasmussen Miguel Sanchez Ethan Small Aaron Wilkerson Catchers Mario Feliciano Tuffy Gosewisch Payton Henry Infielders Lucas Erceg Logan Morrison Jace Peterson Outfielders Keon Broxton Given that I can't see more than one of the catchers making it with four on the 40-man, Small being a longshot and resolving the Morrison situation possibly opening up a spot depending on how everything shakes out rules-wise, there will be a few other guys on the list. Some possibilities Pitchers: The likeliest: Luke Barker Last year's AA rotation: Dylan File, Alec Bettinger, Bowden Francis Back from injury: Quintin Torres-Costa AAA vet: Bubba Derby The wild card: Phil Bickford Longer shots: Johan Belisario, Anthony Bender, Chris Lee, Justin Topa, Braden Webb Hitters: Only guy left who was likely AAA-bound: Cooper Hummel Big spring: Chad Spanberger Versatile but longer shots: David Fry, Weston Wilson Still around: Luis Castro, Jake Gatewood, Alexander Palma, Ryan Aguilar

I guess my question is, does this affect opt outs at all? Morrison would be an obvious choice, but I'd guess they would have to add him to the 40-man and waive someone to keep him. I'd guess most of the extra 20 would be pitchers. If they stick with 4 catchers on the 40-man, I don't know how much sense putting Feliciano on there would make. As far as other hitters, Broxton, Peterson and Erceg are the other position player NRIs. Beyond that you'd get into the tier with Hummel, Wilson and a few of the non-NRI minor league free agents.

I know it is more fun to compare to big leaguers, but gritty guy who played a lot of positions but is best at second, better average/OPS than power ... the first thing that came to mind were the scouting reports after the Brewers acquired Mark Mathias.

It just seems as if viable upside disappears more quickly with college bats than it does with any of the other three quadrants. Heck between the 2016 and 2017 drafts the college bats after round three are basically Hummel and Wilson while there are a lot more still viable pitching prospects. And if you're discounting the relievers the Brewers gave up on, the return for Cooper wasn't exactly earth-shattering. That being said, I don't mind what they did this year, or even last year that much. Based on that list the one place they've had some success is low defensive value power bats (Dillard), and they've also gone high ceiling, low floor guys (Wiemer, Nnebe later on last year) or guys who there is good reason to think might be undervalued (Hamilton's injury, Cantrelle's bad couple weeks). Even Fry could fit on this list with the position change changing how much he has to hit to be viable. It just seems as if the college pitchers with lower ceiling scouting reports surprise more often than college hitters with lower ceiling scouting reports, so if pressed I generally prefer the former.