Joseph Zarr

Kekahuna is also fun to say out loud. Go ahead and give it another go. I like adding it randomly into nonsensical statements: "By the time I realized I forgot my 'Kekahuna', it was too late. I had already crossed state lines. There was no turning back."

The bat to ball hand-eye and aggression has always been top shelf for Baez. The mistakes on the base paths, the unknown projection to gap power as he evolves, and the defensive questions emanating from his official tallies in the ACL were always the question marks. Having watched him for two seasons now, I have stated on numerous occasions: the defense is vastly undersold and his hands appear pure with a more than respectable arm. He is obviously going to be playing more 2B than he is used to in full-season ball with Wilken as his AFL stablemate. A two-game sample size is relatively meaningless but I am simply impressed (tho, I should have anticipated this with his general competitive make-up) he is showing out early. He remains a very very underrated player even after this 6-for-8 mini burst. He certainly isn't anywhere as gifted as Areinamo with the glove (few are, let's be honest) but those two as a pairing offer many pesky problems for opponents.

2B 'El Juan' Baez has officially entered the early AFL chat! Whewwww baby. After a 3-for-4 evening just last night, he follows up with another 3-for-4 in the sixth spot in the Javelinas line-up - 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI. Yowza! The Javelinas moved to 2-2 with a 9-6 victory over the Solar Sox. 3B Brock Wilken batted fifth and went 1-for-4 with 1 K. CF Luis Lara batted ninth and went 1-for-4 with 1 K while also being demerited a PO and CS during his lone opportunity on base. RHP Will Childers was called upon late after the Padres' RHP Luis German had given up four runs in the ninth frame. With a man on first base, holding a 9-6 lead, Childers shut 'er down with a three pitch swinging K (at least according to tonight's Gamecast - we certainly know these aren't always accurate down yonder).

Considered the same thought. Maybe? Hard to know given we know so little about their intentions there. BUT, we certainly do know even tho they didn't make the post-season they had an extremely successful DSL season as a whole.

I feel you. AJJ, A-Jax, Dairy Bird (or Pale Ellis - depends on your flavor). That is how I try to use their naming to keep it straight. One thing appears certain early: AJJ absolutely has the innate ability to become a meaningful NBA player. He is wildly inconsistent because he is so young and inexperienced. However, he has an incredible handle; change of pace; effort; and size. He can take any NBA player off the dribble and bounce right now. His shooting is extremely erratic - game-to-game he can go either way. His FT appears a work in progress (which for a PG is problematic if it doesn't improve). Either way, it's a meaningful LT draft pick that could work out akin to Anfernee Simons (AJJ is already a better defensive player) or Dejounte Murray. I like the player and the potential here. Also, I highly advise avoiding these pre-season games. With a passion. The Bucks depth is absolutely non-existent outside the top 8-to-9 players. IF AJJ improves and becomes more consistent and AJ Green continues to play solidly within the rotation (unknown - his shot looks funkier this pre-season and that is mildly concerning) we might have 10-11 playable NBA players. At this juncture, Tyler Smith; Marjon; and A-Jax are all G-League players from my POV. I personally don't see Marjon ever becoming anything in the NBA - that ship has sailed for me. I've never seen a more athletic guy than A-Jax entirely incapable of getting to and finishing at the rim. His shooting concerns would be a non-factor if he could get to the rim. He continues to avoid it like the plague - a true wonder. I like Chris Livingston. I still think he's a couple years of growth removed from being an actual NBA rotational player. He has the try hard. He has the size. He has some intangibles. However, I just don't see him getting rotation minutes. Anywho, the pre-season second unit is akin to their Summer League squads: ugly and depressing. 😅 I will also quickly say: Anthony Johnson Jr. (let's go full name here!) is likely getting consistent minutes this season. The Bucks 8-through-10 players are not good enough to keep him out of the rotation. I think he gets run and he gets run early and they build it up as the season moves along. Obviously not a one-and-one comparison due to talent and pedigree, but it's important to remember Doc has SGA his rookie year with Chris Paul on the roster. SGA played consistently and was a key rotation piece.

The unfortunate end-of-roster resetting continues: - RHP Jeison Pena has been released by the Carolina Mudats - RHP Brailin Rodriguez has been released by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers ** For reference, last year the Brewers released five players in all of October - all officially announced on October 18th. We have seen 9 releases already by October 11th **

The Javelinas are now 0-2 versus the Glendale Desert Dogs. They've been outscored 28-19 after losing 13-6 tonight. RHP Cameron Crow has officially pitched his first innings as a Brewers hurler - 1 2/3 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 ER. 3B Brock Wilken followed up his 'Brocket' with a vintage 2024 Wilken performance - 0-for-5 with 3 K <sad face>. CF Luis Lara also went a hitless in an 0-for-4, 1 K, and 1 GIDP evening. 2B Juan Baez filled it up <yay!> going 3-for-4 with 1 R, 1 RBI, and 1 2B. This game was close in the hits department with Glendale edging the Javelinas 13-to-11 but it would certainly seem the score indicates the deeper storyline of dominance: Glendale went 5-for-19 with RISP whereas Peoria was a mere 2-for-5. Peoria (1-2) will be back on the diamond tomorrow night versus the Mesa Solar Sox (2-1). They will once again play at 8:30 CST.

The Javelinas will be back at it in the late slot tonight as they face Glendale for the second time in three days. After 28 runs scored between the two squads in Game 1, what fireworks are in store tonight? It appears all three of Wilken (3B), Lara (CF) and Baez (2B) will be in the line-up. Game time is scheduled for 8pm CST

Well, regardless of 'should' or 'shouldn't, I'm 99.99% certain this new MLB Broadcast deal for 2025 will significantly impact the Brewers payroll. Not that he fit before after he refused the early contract offers, but Adames just doesn't fit with this loss of broadcast revenue. It's a big hit for such a small market club and I can't help but imagine the Brewers payroll will come down significantly in 2025. And, well, that's just fine by me as they reorient and discover what they have amongst the greater depth of their organization.

At this point in time, I remain entirely unconvinced Nathaniel Hackett isn't just a giant fuzzy teddy bear trapped inside a man's body.

- RHP Taylor Clarke has elected Free Agency

Holy cow. I missed this. This is huge news. One of my very few off-season Brewers goals achieved. Gotta play this story out in entirety. Ernesto is a treasure trove in every way. Let's GO!! @ARobsBrewCrew: Do we have any details on this contract? MLB ST invite? 40-Man? Or standard prove it MInor League contract again? Regardless, love that the org and EMJ have a continued solid working relationship. I sincerely hope he gets a very meaningful shot to enter a Brewers platoon. I believe!

Manfredi picks up his first Save of his AFL season pitching a scoreless, hitless, 1 BB, 1 K 9th inning. The Javelinas move to 1-1.

Is anyone checking on Clancy post-Noah Campbell release?

15-13 loss in Game 1. Sheeesh that's a lot of cleats touching home base.😅

Looks like the Buckaroo dodged a major bullet with Gary Trent Jr. Doc said in his presser today he could play Thursday if needed. SO, no LT or mid-term injury here. Phew. That could have been much much worse and the Bucks desperately need GTJ to stay healthy and give them meaningful minutes. The youngn's are absolutely not ready. AND, Patty Ice is very very clearly mostly washed.

Nice to have live feeds of all these AFL games. AND, man, I could do without a home plate camera view into perpetuity. I'm still scarred from the early Shuckers season.

Just for hype perspectives...not only do the Crew have the top ranked DSL prospect...

Random Aside: The Brewers had three pitchers in their system who threw 100 mph or more in 2024. Both RHP's Yerlin Rodriguez and Brett Wichrowski threw faster top end four-seamers than RHP Jacob Misiorowski. I found that mildly surprising. Wichrowski threw the 34th fastest pitch at 100.8 mph. Yerlin threw the 23rd fastest at 101.1 mph. I remember that game. It was miraculous. And, then, Rodriguez fell apart for the majority of the remainder of his season.😅 (Data taken from THIS Baseball America List)

Another Jets struggle to begin their season. A-Rod very much looking like a 40 year old HOF QB. Moments of brilliance but wildly inconsistent to poor at times. You don't say he threw a bad pick in the clutch? Regardless, GM Joe Douglas is the real story here. The man continues to surf with little to no repercussions. Amazing.

As to be expected, but made official today: - RHP Vinny Nittoli was assigned to the Nashville Sounds

Gary Trent Jr. injured his shooting elbow and left with what was termed a 'Hyperextended elbow' Bucks then played what was essentially their Summer League roster and got absolutely worked. Pistons were playing starters and rotation players. Bucks a mix of all their young guys or training camp invites. Clanks. Way outsized. No polish to the Bucks offensive or defensive work. Ugly. I turned it off when they had fallen to down 24.

They just drafted two of the youngest players in the entire draft class. Chris Livingston looks like a possible young rotation piece. AJ Green is already in the rotation. I personally think Marjon is a lost cause and I certainly don't see him as a part of the small youth movement they have. I loved the A-Jax pick when it happened. If he can't play more controlled and smarter (with his incredible athletic gifts), he will likely be a journeyman by his second contract. THO, I think he is the one player on the roster who could benefit most from a year-long Rajon Rondo tutelage as he gets his feet wet in the NBA coaching ranks. I actually thought the Gary Trent Jr. signing was pretty amazing for a Vet minimum. He is a realllly talented basketball player. Even tho Prince and Wright are past 30 yo, the team got younger there😅.You and I and every Bucks fan knows: getting to the playoffs with a healthy Brook, Giannis, Midds, and Lillard is a tallllll ask. Brook being the most durable of all of them is insane to me.

So did I. He definitely lost velo as a starter - as we would suspect. Even when I think back to his really solid starts where the velo was up a tick again, I only recall it lasting an inning or an inning and a third, say, out of the blocks.