CC Badger

Let's send some love Mark Rogers way for that start we've all been looking for. Agreed, Mark has a ton of potential, hopefully he can quiet some of his critics with a strong outing tomorrow and gain some momentum and confidence for the rest of this season and springboard into next.

Since Jemile is still in negotiation, he loses out on valuable instruction time and just playing ball. Does anyone know is he or can he participate in any summer leagues? Watching the game the other night I saw Jemile sitting with his family, I never looked that young at 18! Best of luck to Jemile in whatever decision he makes, hopefully as a Brewer.

He was using his fastball, which was sitting in the 88-92 mph range (and touched 93) to get ahead of hitters and his cutter to put them away. His cutter, which was coming in around 82-85, was giving righthanded hitters fits. For some reason I thought that Yo threw a bit harder than that. I'm ecstatic that he is having success in West Virginia and making the necessary adjustments to be an effective pitcher. Not only has Yo impressed me how about the top four pitchers drafted this year. Inman, Roberts, Hammond and Garrison have all been very good. I can't wait to see how these pitchers along with Mark Rogers do in the years to come.

With Diggins and Anderson, that cannot bode well. Two players who have extensive injury histories going on the DL is certainly cause for concern. Hopefully it is something unrelated to the arm injuries that have haunted them throughout their careers.

Robbie Wooley is pitching in Helena tonight and I believe he may be pitching on three days rest. This seems surprising to me with the concern of overworking young arms. I am guessing his pitch count will be limited.

Only one Brewer farmhand on the latest Baseball America Prospect Hot Sheet, coming in at # 9 Interesting that the Angels have the top three spots this week.

Robbie Wooley 7 innings 2 hits and 8 strikouts thus far. This is the second straight strong outing by Robbie. My boy is back!

5. Brewers: Ryan Braun, 3b, U. of Miami Braun has a hitch in his swing and a high, unconventional finish, but his hands are quick enough to make it work, and he?s athletic enough to repeat his stroke and drive pitches to all parts of the field. His future position will be the main source of concern for pro teams. He came to college as a shortstop and now plays third, but he has struggled with errors at both spots. Some scouts doubt his infield actions and footwork and say he'll have to move to an outfield corner, where his plus arm and speed could allow him to be an above-average defender in time. Sounds a bit too much like a right handed Jenkins. Geoff Jenkins junior year stats at USC .399/ 23 HR/ 78 RBI/ 75 Runs. 103 hits in 258 AB Ryan Braun's stats through June 6th .396/ 18 HR/ 75 RBI/ 70 Runs. 84 hits in 212 AB Interesting that Jenkins and Braun's numbers are pretty similar, although that means absolutely nothing for future performance in the show. It does sound as though Braun is faster and more athletic than Jenks is and has the ability to play various positions. I was hoping Maybin would have been the choice but I have faith in Jack Z. and here's hoping that Braun reaches the show and has a long distinguished career with the Brewers. I believe Braun has a showdown with Nebraska and Alex Gordon this coming weekend. Should be a great game to watch. By the way, thanks to everyone for all of your hard work. Following your draft coverage was a lot of fun!

"Mark Rogers, supposedly the Power?s top prospect, just turned 19 at the end of January. Second round pick Yovanni Gallardo turned 19 in February. 2002 second-round selection Josh Murray is 20" I forget how young these kids are. Murray has been around three years and is still 20! His days probably are numbered when some of the 3B from the draft eventually sign. I don't know if I'm in the minority but I have a soft spot for the kid. Starting a baseball career at 17 and really not having a family network can be very difficult. I really wonder if he had gone to college how his career would have changed. Some can prosper that young, others cannot. In my opinion at that age one's emotional makeup is so much more important than your physical tools. Here's hoping Josh has a solid second half.

Even though Arizona signed Drew I think the D-Backs take Upton. The Royals go cheap and do not select Gordon. Tulo goes third and Zimmerman goes 4th. The Brewers will select...Alex Gordon and if the Royals end up taking Gordon then I would be ecstatic with Maybin.

While I may not very knowledgeable about the draft and I don't have a great eye for talent I will add my two cents. In my opinion it isn't so much who the Brewers draft it is who they don't. Without a second round pick I don't think the Crew are in a position to possibly have a first round pick hold out or possibly re-enter the draft. With that said I feel the team should avoid players that have employed the services of Scott Boras. Please correct me if I am mistaken but I believe that Weaver, Drew, Greene, Hochevar, Pelfrey and Neighborgall are all represented by Boras. I do believe I have heard or read on this board that the new ownership will not be intimidated to deal with Boras which is wonderful to hear. The downside is that they will be dealing with Boras who I consider bad for the game of baseball. He gets his players great deals but in my opinion negatively impacts the game. I have enjoyed Colby's updates very much and I am quite intrigued by Ryan Zimmerman. He is a good hitter, plays great defense and could develop into some power. It is a position of need and I would welcome that pick. If Hardy's defense is as good as advertised and Zimmerman can make it to the big leagues the left side of the infield would be very good defensively which would offset the potential right side of the infield of Fielder and Weeks both having question-marks regarding their defense. If not Zimmerman then I think the best non Boras available is the way to go.

What I have read is that this draft is deeper than in the past. With the Brewers needing help at 3B, C, and pitching do think that spending a first round pick on a need position outweighs the "best player available" tag? By all accounts Justin Upton, and Alex Gordon will be off the board when the Brewers select. Clement, Bristow, and Ryan Zimmerman may be around. It is conceivable that a shortstop may be around that can grow into a 3B prospect (Tulowitzki). If not perhaps 3B is in Hardy's future as well??? I do believe that in Jack Z's tenure he has taken the best player that they have on the board. I don't think that would change now. What if the player was a 1B? Do you spend a draft pick there? Hopefully the stars will align and the best player also fits a need with the club.