ZBTMP

I know you said without question, but huh? Is it just because he throws hard in short stints or had shoulder soreness last spring? I haven't seen any indication or scouting report that questions his projection as a starter.

And the Dodgers throw 43 million more at (2) Cuban teenagers today... http://www.minorleagueball.com/2015/11/23/9782564/los-angeles-dodgers-sign-cuban-players-yusniel-diaz-omar-estevez "If either player were eligible for the yearly amateur draft, Diaz would be a potential first round pick while Estevez would most likely project in the second round or so."

Steve Cishek would be another one I'd target. Might draw interest from other teams as a situational righty reliever so you might have to pay 3-4 million, but if he returns to pre-2015 form you have gold and its not like they don't have money. I could see him biting at the chance to re-coup the value he lost last season and a reasonable opportunity to be the closer.

I know that the majority is in favor of making Smith or Jeffress the closer now, but I would like to see them go after a buy-low veteran looking for the job (Ala Grilli Atlanta last year). I get the logic that a "proven" closer will drive up Smith's or Jeffress's value but I don't think teams think like that anymore. Teams will just look at them as more expensive because the arbitration system weighs saves heavily in salary negotiations. And if whoever you bring has a nice first half, they can be moved for more prospects at the deadline for a team desperate for relief help.

Im pretty sure it was Woodruff who was bumped out. MLB Pipeline Top 30 1) Orlando Arcia 2) Brett Phillips 3) Trent Clark 4) Tyrone Taylor 5) Gilbert Lara 6) Clint Coulter 7) Devin Williams 8) Jorge Lopez 9) Kodi Medeiros 10) Zach Davies 11) Monte Harrison 12) Jake Gatewood 13) Nathan Kirby 14) Josh Hader 15) Tyler Wagner 16) Taylor Williams 17) Michael Reed 18) Yadiel Rivera 19) Demi Orimoloye 20) Javier Betancourt 21) Marcos Diplan 22) Victor Roache 23 Kyle Wren 24) Miguel Diaz 25) David Goforth 26) Tyler Cravy 27) David Denson 28) Adrian Houser 29) Hobbs Johnson 30) Cody Ponce

Any particular reason why they'd be a "Named later" in November. On the 40 man?

Nice write-up of current Cuban Free Agents. http://m.mlb.com/news/article/157054364/cuban-players-to-watch-this-hot-stove-season

Hearsay or gossip, reports from unnamed sources/scouts in the organization/industry. Ex: "According to a scout, so-and-so has been hitting the ball well in instructionals." "Some in the organization are predicting 2016 will be a breakout campaign"

Yea, auto-correct got me on that one.....

Its nice (I think) to have a beat writer who is knowledgeable and follows the minor league system, but it would be nice if they would have someone with a scouting background who focuses on minor league coverage do the chats. Tom takes time to answer a lot of questions, but I doubt his js assignment gives him much time to go watch a Biloxi game .. *Doesn't know a ton about Nash Walters *Iskenderian’s name mentioned but no insight as to what they mentioned *Who knows? If they would consider moving Collymore. He "has played well", but needs to hear more about him? *Not sure about Tucker Neuhaus, no mention of how he can improve *Not sure Ventura's stuff will allow him to stay as a starter, but no mention about what is limiting him or about his stuff at all. Some insights (Medeiros has less doubters, Brewers think Diplan will stick as a starter), but could use more scouting and hearsay from the organization

Clark ranking ahead of him seems odd, but BA did rank Lopez ahead of Berrios (preseason #36, midseason #19) and Stephenson (preseason #23, midseason #36) on the Southern League list so I would expect a top 20-40 ranking with him when end of season comes out.

This may deserve its own thread but I'll put it here for awareness. BA released their Brewers top 10 list and has a jsonline er... I mean BA chat with Haudricourt today. http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/milwaukee-brewers-top-10-prospects/

Between Wacha's worrisome finish, Martinez's bum shoulder, Jaime Garcia perpetually being a china doll, and Wainwright being rushed back; the Cardinals have a very volatile rotation next year. Very talented, but things could go south in a hurry for a team that scored less runs than the Brewers last year. I doubt anyone will predict doom and gloom for St. Louis but they have to be some nervousness. From a Cardinal perspective, its good to know now where they have a whole offseason to acquire depth, but paying FA market rate to bring back John Lackey isn't how St. Louis has operated in the past. Lyons and Gonzales aren't terrible depth, but if they weren't St. Louis no one would be predicting a sub-3 era from the rotation again.

That kind of thinking is exactly why the Brewers have had 1 World Series appearance in the last 33 seasons, and the Royals are World Champs. This might have something to do with it too: http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2011-organization-talent-rankings-11472/ http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2012-organization-talent-rankings-13155/ Your "nucleus of a sustainable great team" seems to lack starting pitching. Unless you advocate trading future assets for it, to supplement your nucleus which sounds familiar for some reason. What of that thinking do you disagree with? That the Brewers should trade good prospects for relievers? Cain's a great player, but with Morgan, Gomez, Braun, Hart, Aoki his opportunities in Milwaukee would have been limited.

I think that's what limits his value during the offseason where teams fill out there lineup and more option are available (or internal options haven't flamed out yet). The fact that he is oft-injured is no secret, and how many contending teams want to enter next season relying on getting 500 ABs from him? To me it seems more likely that a team is willing to overlook his injury history when trying to jumpstart an underperforming offense or find a productive injury replacement. If a team wants to give a piece that is valuable to the rebuilding Brewers now, jump on it. But if he can stay relatively healthy and put up a .350 wOBA, he will bring just as much or more at the deadline.

Can I ask why? Not saying that he is likely to be the second basemen of the next competitive Brewers team so I'm open to a long term solution, but he should give league average second base production (offensively, defensively) in the heavy half of a platoon. I never got the desire to move him from a platoon role, but 2nd base shouldn't be a black hole like 1st used to be.

Fair but the Texas media did report interest in Lucroy at the deadline and they certainly have the farm system and are serious enough contenders to be a front runner if Lucroy is made available. http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/texas-rangers/headlines/20150727-report-rangers-interested-in-brewers-center-fielder-carlos-gomez.ece

His past sample sizes as a MLB starter are about as relevant as Jake Arrieta and Mike Trout first seasons. He has made advancements/adjustments since that point. Here is a good article explaining that after his first failed attempt as a big league starter, his K rate spiked in the AAA rotation. He was moved to the bullpen to facilitate his role with that Royals club, and hasn't been given a look as starter since. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/brewers-land-will-smith-and-his-possible-breakthrough/ I guess the biggest detractor of stretching him out as a starter is potential reduction of velocity causing him to lose effectiveness, and the increased injury potential. I guess I could live with that gamble. I don't think it'll happen though as the Brewers have no opening in their rotation at this point. Davies has little left to prove at AAA and deserves a shot. Matt Garza is unmovable, IMO. No one wants the 2nd worst starter in baseball with a declining K rate, and 26 million with a tricky vesting option still on the table. Giving him the closer role would have the opposite effect on his value. Saves will drive up his arbitration salary. The number of teams using saves to as a measure of reliever effectiveness is minimal. Moving him this offseason probably doesn't happen as I would see relievers having more value at the deadline when other avenues (Free agency, promising internal candidates) to fill those roles aren't necessarily there and the need is more pressing. But an elite reliever has value any time..

Who is the most likely to be first graduate off the list? Davies; won't overthink it, but also would not be surprised if Orf got an extended look next season. Who will be the biggest climber? Brandon Woodruff; last 5 starts: 29 2/3 IP, 0.91 ERA, 29/7 K/BB, .98 WHIP. It's a small sample and the overall line is mediocre at best, but it's also his first professional season after a college career where results hadn't matched stuff. A good 6'4" frame, 93-97 MPH fastball and a curveball that at times shows plus, with a nice year at AA next season I think he is in the top 10 prospect conversation. Really, I'm not sure there is a big difference between him and Houser right now outside of draft position. Who will have the biggest drop? Wei Chung Wang Both players are rule 5 eligible Ventura (22.5 yo): 9.27 K/9, 3.38 BB/9, .37 HR/9, 3.17 FIP, 3.09 ERA Wang (23.5 yo): 5.86 K/9, 2.51 BB/9, .58 HR/9, 3.58 FIP, 3.54 ERA There is a level difference but I know which one I'd protect if I had to chose. I'm not sure Wang is a lock for the 40 man, and I don't see his second half success translating much beyond the FSL and Space Coast Stadium. Most likely to make a comeback? Miguel Diaz, we should get more of a sample size to judge. I think he will put himself back in the top 20.

It might not be "reinventing the wheel", but we sure do need someone who can retool arms. Its clear our divisional rivals (superiors) are kicking out butts at this. Their pitching coaches are doing more than keeping their heads right... Cubs: Arrieta, Hammel, Feldman, Dempster (revived under Bosio), Rondon (rule 5 selection) Pirates: Burnett, Liriano, Volquez, Grilli, Melancon Cardinals: Lackey, Lohse, Westbrook, I don't really feel like looking up the rest of their devil magic... All these players where bought/acquired low or for nothing and made highly productive. And we keep throwing the little money we have at over-priced mid level free agents hoping they continue to give us 2.0 WAR seasons. Since the start of the 2009 season we've scored the 3rd most runs in the NL. Unfortunately we've also allowed the 3rd most. We need a pitching visionary and development strategy throughout the organization not some retread who has experience making a slow walk to the mound in front of 40,000 people.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/going-low-and-away-with-the-brewers/ In the past the Brewers have had a very distinct pitching philosophy. How much of that is set by the Major League pitching coach, I don't know? Im not a pitching savant and low and away doesn't sound like a bad place to live, but you'd also like your 26 yo/mid 90's starter to to have a k rate greater than 5.0 k/9. Will be interesting to see how much changes and how the pitcher results change moving forward....

Pitch F/X would seem to agree with Mayo's tweet that Hader was throwing very hard yesterday. http://www.brooksbaseball.net/landing.php?player=623352&gFilt=&pFilt=FA|SI|FC|CU|SL|CS|KN|CH|FS|SB&time=month&startDate=03/30/2007&endDate=10/15/2015&s_type=2

Thanks. Hopefully Amanda sticks around for a few more years while Chryst rebuilds the offense to previous levels, but that is off topic. The system pitching depth seems like it is in the best shape that it has been in for some time; hopefully, some of the toolsy rookie ball guys push our system to elite next year,

I'm guessing players like having a primary dwelling during the season. That would be difficult to do playing 40 games in 2 different cities. Maybe a Raleigh(25%)/Charlotte(75%) combination could work, but I would think Charlotte could support a team on its own. Selfishly, I don't want to see the Brewer's World Series chances deluded further (~8%) by adding more teams. Focus on getting Oakland and Tampa Bay in major league caliber stadiums before adding more franchises. I doubt Mexico City and Montréal will bring enough revenue for it to be a net positive for Milwaukee.

Rank Player Logic (or lack of) 1 Arcia: Biggest question is what is his ultimate offensive impact/ceiling? 2 Phillips: Will he show power outside of the Cali League? Until someone with a better medical knowledge than me tells me otherwise, I'm going to assume that not all nerve thumb issues are as severe as Braun's and he will be 100% for spring training. Still worried about that and the lack of information about it. 3 Lopez: Shows the value of scouting and patience with young, projectable arms. His stats looked like nothing prior to this year's breakout. Hard to imagine a draft's stock increasing 4 years later as much as the 2011 draft. A few less free passes would be nice. I expect he will be in the rotation permantly once the organization feels comfortable that he will not be super 2 eligible after 2018. 4 Clark: Hits, controls the strike zone, steals bases effectively. Long way to go, but Bobby Abreu comparison seems apt. 5 Medeiros: I'll admit I'm probably biased with this ranking because I only saw him pitch on 28 May which was probably his best outing. Hitters could rarely square up the ball or get good timing. Frequently worked down and off the heart of the plate early in the count. Sometimes overthrew his 4 seemer with 2 strikes vs. right handed batters. 6 Hader: Wouldn't be surprised if he started in AA in 2016 to continue to work on secondary offerings as 6000 ft. above sea level is not the place to develop breaking pitches. But a 21 year old left hander with a mid 90s fastball who is missing bats at an elite rate in AA has a ton of ceiling even if the mid projection is still a reliever. 7 Reed: Kind of in the awkward spot of a non-zero chance to be a productive regular in the majors, but no clear path to getting the at-bats at the big league level to prove it. People bemoan the loss of Brantley, Cain, and even Cruz; but it took a number of at bats before they became productive as they are today. Hopefully, the Brewers have the patience with Reed and they are rewarded similarly. 8 Ponce: It seems like a long time since the Brewers drafted a college prospect who showed the same or more velocity after they signed, but reports are good so far. 9 Lara: Admittedly would have liked to see better numbers after the glowing reports from 2014 instructionals, but you cant teach his tools. Hopefully produces more in year 2. 10 Coulter: Still some overall positives being younger and more productive than league average, but will need to show more production and consistency at the plate next year to get back to projecting as a big league regular. As much as the 2011 draft stock may have rose this season, the 2012 draft may have fallen. 11 D. Williams: Effective numbers for his first year in full season ball. A Jorge Lopez like velocity increase as he moves up the ladder would be nice. Hopefully, he is past whatever kept him in extended spring training to start the year. 12 Davies: Should be the 5th starter next season. The question is how effective can a relatively short right hander with ~90 mph fastball be. Though not the same quality on offerings, Mike Leake has produced 10 WAR in his controlled service time. Marcum was fun until the post season. 13 Harrison: Not much to say here outside of hopefully he comes back 100% without losing a step and breaks out with the bat. And I'm glad Sojourn Shelton doesn’t have to cover him this weekend…. 14 M. Diplan: His season might not have been eye-popping but it was very good for a 18 year old in the minor's most hitter friendly league. His height may draw skepticism, but plenty of successful Dominican right handers (Pedro, Cueto, Danny Salazar) have had success as a starter at a similar stature 15 Gatewood: Still an undesirable K rate, but youth/time is still on his side. 16 Taylor: Seemingly regresses every year as he moves up the ladder. The lack of power this year was tough, swing change or not. Age is still on his side and there is still a high ceiling here, but I'm off the bandwagon without results. 17 Sneed: Seems like there is likely a big league future here of some sorts which is a cool thing to say about a 3rd rounder after his first full season. 18 Wagner: Getting minor leaguers out. But without plus velocity or any plus pitches and average minor league strikeout numbers, you wonder if he will be able to breakthrough after a 1st failed attempt at the big leagues 19 Kirby: I guess now we play the waiting game. Still even with the injury, I'd rather have the ceiling with risk, than a Mitch Haniger-esqe 4th outfielder pick. 20 Orimoloye: A long way from the big leagues, but the Brewer's low minors can probably put on some cool batting practice displays. 21 Houser: Will need to see some more before I believe his control gains are real. Hard for me to believe the Brewers fixed a pitching prospect with our outstanding pitching development track record, but if it is real; with his stuff, this ranking is 15-20 spots too low. 22 M. Diaz: Developmental path seems to be slowed by setbacks, but plus stuff remains. 23 Leal: He is old for his level, and his BABIP seems unsustainable, but at a premium position, if he can maintain an above average bat and defense, he is a prospect. 24 Woodruff: Excited about the advancements he showed throughout the year. Excited about that and plus velocity with a plus curveball. 25 Perry: I'm struggling to understand why teams passed on him over 400 times in the draft. Good control of the strike zone, and plus power. I'll take my chances that he can keep his weight at manageable level with professional conditioning for a plus bat in the 14th round. Cuts: Cravy: Might be a useful swingman, but not seeing anything more. Pena: I thought he might have nice future in the bullpen, but didn’t translate for some reason. Organization seems to like him though. Rivera: Light hitting middle infielder, I guess I don't really have a soft spot for that. Suter: A sub 2 era in AA is noteworthy at any age. Unfortunately, the secondary numbers aren't as pretty and no plus tools. I guess intelligence might be a tool for a pitcher. Roache: Somehow only 24 despite being drafted 4 seasons ago out of college. He may have raw power, but still has yet to translate to a >.200 ISO professionally. Orf: Continues to be quietly productive as he moves up the ladder. Barrios: That was a nice big league debut. A high velocity, ground ball reliever without Ks, Is he the Dominican answer to Dan Kolb? Ultimately would like him to miss more bats. Magnifico: The K rate still doesn't match the velocity/elite reliever profile. T. Williams: Maybe I'm punishing the injury too much by not including him after he was the buzz of spring training, but there is no guarantee the plus velocity will return after TJ Cooper: Solid numbers, but admittedly hard to get super excited about a older, not-top pick, without a premium defensive position putting up solid, but not spectacular numbers. J. Ortega: Hard to project when there is no big league precedent. Only guys who in bigs with similar K rates, are veterans struggling to hold a rotation spot (Buerhle, Pelfrey) Wang: A nice bounceback but without the elite peripherals he showed prior to the rule 5 selection. Ventura: Seemingly lost in the shuffle pitching alongside younger players or players with better tools, but his numbers were solid. B. Diaz: Solid production, and should keep moving up the ladder, but not a breakout that screams big league future yet. Denson: Gave an edge to Perry, because David has experienced failure while Tyrone has yet to. Stokes: I like Stokes but he needs to outhit concerns about his height. Sure there are productive, short baseball players, but the correlations are otherwise. Collymore: His Helena run seems highly BABIP flukey. Wish he was a middle infielder again. Yamamoto: Sure he gives up a lot of dingers right now, but he is young and misses bats too. Seems like a nice project at this point Walters: I like the "hope" of an upside pick as much as the next fan but he makes Orimoloye look polished. Edit: missed Perry's round and pick in original post.