Joseph Zarr

Quezada continues to intrigue me. I just like the way he pitches in the bevy of clips and game tapes I've seen. I mentioned it in the pod - he has a Carlos F. Rodriguez thing going on in his delivery. Does he have that level of stuff? Who knows but I think the pre-pitch set-up similarities are quite apparent. Perhaps he was kept within the Dominican Academy because he changed orgs and they wanted that particular pitching staff and coaching staff to work with him as a ground-level approach. I think you can see small discernible changes in his stuff and in his approach this past season than what I saw in the Yankees film. I'm really glad you brought up Mercado and Corniel comparison. I had been thinking the exact same thing this off-season. Corniel was actually really really good at Carolina. Despite what the numbers might say - a lot of those eventual inflated numbers came via one really bad blow-up inning when he stayed in the game after a come backer off his pitching arm. He proceeded to give up like a 7 or 8 spot in his final 2/3 innings in the middle of the game? I believe it was @ Fredericksburg but I'm going strictly off of memory here. It was a wild high-scoring affair at the end of the regular season. Corniel also had a weird thing early in the year where he was struggling for some reason in the third frame. As the season progressed, he squashed that - it was anomalous. He doesn't have Rodriguez's fine-tuned control and consistency at this stage but he has really good off-speed stuff for his age and experience. I looked through Mercado's season and thought the same thing you propose here.

Yes. Like that. You love to see it. Let's hope we continue seeing plays like that to start next season at Wisconsin. And, I think it's very fair to say those are plays he needs to make (while staying healthy) semi-regularly to get back into the serious prospect conversation, imho. Obviously, a player isn't going to track down every gapper. But, he has to track down some. When you are working with a smaller stature, like Perez is, you have to maximize your range and make those plays in the gap and make the routine plays routinely. We saw numerous mental lapses bobbling and dropping routine balls that led to several runs during the playoff push - plays where a basic gather and toss to the relay kept a runner at 2nd or 3rd instead of advancing and scoring. And, we saw some truly poor angles and effort on more than one occasion. It was baffling. Now, he was coming back from injury, as we all know, so that plays a part and we should keep that at the forefront. There is rust there. But the lapses were just very very head scratching. AND, I should add I have been one of the bigger proponents of resurfacing his name as someone to not forget about simply due to our collective prospect fatigue or the fact he missed significant time due to injury. His lefty bat is a really intriguing offering - some power and line drive pop in there and a really smooth and fluid swing path overall. He was making really good swing choices early in his brief return - another plus given his historical penchant for the swing and miss which is something he'll need to address as he continues to mature. As mentioned above, the arm is more than solid too. At this stage, we know he isn't going to be a Luis Lara/Yophery Rodriguez/Jackson Chourio level defensive outfielder. Not many are. But, imho, he has to make the plays he can make and he has to make them consistently. To that end, he could look more toward the consistency we saw from Carlos D. Rodriguez. Perez has a better arm by a good margin there, but Rodriguez was and is currently the more consistent defender in this regard: making the plays he should make. And, obviously, it goes without saying Rodriguez certainly had a better penchant for consistent contact. This upcoming season is a massive season for Perez. He'll be turning 22 years old at the start. He'll be in High-A. He's coming off an injury-mired 1 1/2 seasons. I really really hope he can stay healthy and start working on his game. As Spencer and I discussed in our first podcast: there is ample opportunity in the outfield within the greater Minor League depth chart. It's open season to stake a claim.

Hard to disagree on the final point. Patty Ice definitely appears as tho a move to his real estate office might do all some good. I took it as a real plus he didn't even see garbage minutes last night (maybe I'm reading something into absolutely nothing). Hard to not just be very disappointed with Delon Wright's game at this juncture. This is a guy I wanted in a Bucks jersey for years. We finally get him. And, well, he appears well into the twilight of his career. I continue to believe Bobby is the only real Trade Deadline asset the Buckaroo possess. And, for the right deal, I move him and don't even blink. He continues to be a massive defensive liability and I just don't think his double doubles can overcome where his value is weakest - defensively and moving the ball. Will the Bucks deal him? I have absolutely zero idea. But, for the right wing/guard/big I think they have to seriously seriously consider it. I continue to have faith Chris Livingston is ultimately a solid rotation guy. I don't know when that happens but I just think he does a lot of little things actively and well with an improving mid-range and short game. Anywho, the outlook is much much brighter and that is a very good thing. Man, it was bleak those first 10-12 games. Bleak.

Indeed. Let me just say: He absolutely can not play the type of defense we saw late in the season at Wisconsin. It was really bad. The bat is a real thing. The arm is a real thing. Has to improve the focus, effort and urgency on the outfield grass. There were some truly ugly moments to end his season.

I just read out the last 1 minute 25 seconds. Yeeeesh. That's an All-Time NCAA classic right der. Woooof.

Yup. AND, he passed Derozan tonight and now leads the League in mid-range FG% at over 50%. I don't even know what to make of this trend but the fact it is happening in real time before the age of 30 has me all sorts of fuzzies.

(Suspected 25 Int'l signings also included within)

Stepping back, I also realize we currently have 22 pitchers rostered at Carolina. Y'all are likely on to something with the T-Rats promotional thinking.

I like your boldness. Of your list here: Rund, Bryant, Cornielle are my only likely locks. Hence my 2-3. I'd say all the other pitchers have quite a bit to prove. I hope I'm wrong! I think very fair arguments can be made for Rudy (who really improved in the second half and was absolutely fantastic in the Championships); Cruz, and Fitzy. Aquino needs more seasoning after last year's shuffling - is he bullpen now? Was it a hiccup (his struggles) or does he need another level beyond the slider? Amd, tho I love Figueroa and felt quite validated by his success after his promotion (finally!) I personally find it hard to think the Brewers promote him again in such short order with so few outings at High-A. Could be my own limited thinking.

For me, as a very very early card carrying and banner waving board member of the Luke Adams hype club (as you know, we're talking dreaming on his initial ACL numbers), it's as simple as: Clarke and EMJ are starting in Nashville Burke is the older player/higher draft pick to start at 1B in Biloxi. Does Wilken's 2024 merit a pre-emptive promotion to Nashville? I don't think so. Then again, I thought Wilken should have been withheld from the AFL 😁 Zavi being the consummate utility soldier he is plays the back up with hopefully a healthy and improved Ethan Murray. AND, all this being said I would be entirely unsurprised if they promoted him to start the campaign. More off-season beard scratching Rodin's hand ruminating than any bold declaration.

Yeah I think it's safe to say Pratt starts in Biloxi. He went up in the post-season because of injury within the Shuckers infield personnel but he also earned it and certainly showed well. Furthermore, given the immense traffic jam being caused via stateside promotions (good problem to have!) I'm personally anticipating Pratt and Areinamo starting in Biloxi. I think we'll see Guilarte and Baez start at High-A Wisconsin. And so on and so forth. I personally would be unsurprised if Luke Adams stays at Wisconsin in the early part of the season with the mandate of: swing more and show some more aggression.

That helps. Thanks. Even given that addendum, I still purport that's speculatively bullish. I mean, are you all seriously contemplating 9 early-season or off-season promotions from Wisconsin?!? OR are you considering, say, a realistic 2-3 with more FA adds? I don't think you can realistically look at the T-Rats current staff and commit to any more than that. Anyhow, I'm going to remind myself from this point on: this is the transactions thread. Let's move any more conversation about this over HERE. Thanks!

I've heard this sentiment more than once now so I think it's important to add some accuracy to the claims: Even if you add Deivi Garcia, Thomas Pannone and Jon Duplantier - obvious Sounds arms - there are only 27 pitchers between the Shuckers and Sounds (they haven't officially been added to their roster page). 15 of those arms currently are on the Shuckers staff. The Brewers clearly have a plan they are trying to execute with in-season pick-up RHP Sam McWilliams who they've kept on the Sounds staff.

Ohhhhh man. Don't get me even daydreaming about Duplantier. That's not really fair. 😅 Like this is exactly the type of fringe add the Brewers are so adept at executing. Duplantier was lights out in Independent ball. Struggled with the Mets @ Syracuse. Was released. Picked up by the Dodgers for the final month plus and really had some success when called up to the PCL. Perhaps, they've found something here as he's removed further from injury and is entering his 30's. I'm unreasonably interested in this move! Oliva had a really nice year for the Mariners' Double-A affiliate (Arkansas Travelers) last season. Brewers continue to replace with recent losses. Oliva can also very much fill in on the CF grass (spent Double-A in the Texas League last season but very much has Triple-A experience). Did this in game 1 of the Texas League Championship series: The travelers went on to win that series and Oliva bat clean-up throughout with a 0.330ish BA and 0.990 OPS. He did everything you'd want from a guy that age (approaching 30) at Double-A. I imagine (?) the Crew will place him @ Nashville as an everyday starter off the bat.

Just a 'fwiw' heads up: We won't be recording the Mudcats episode until the week after Thanksgiving - for obvious reasons. Tho, I am near certain the Mudcats will be the talk of each and every one of your Thanksgiving dinners. I apologize we won't be able to augment your collective POV's.

Welcome back into the Brewers fold Mr. Pannone!

Yeah. I personally don't like much of anything in his entire FT process. I wish he would quicken up the process and not get so mechanical. I mean, of Giannis hits FT at a 70% clip in his current form? I don't even know.

Cargo is every bit below 6' at 5'10". He has range on the outfield grass and he occasionally makes a surprising play out there but, if we're being honest, he is pretty much ''just a guy' defensively. The arm is also pretty sub-par as a whole - ie it won't be saving runs at home plate. From RF, however, it is capable of grabbing men tagging for 2B. IF he had that coveted defensive upside, I think the Brewers find a way to keep him in the fold. He is nowhere, and I mean nowhere, near the defender Lara is who you cite above. Lara has elite elite range and coverage and he is more than capable of throwing men out at all bases from CF. He got rave reviews in the AFL. Cargo's bread and butter at the dish is his swing decisions and his ability to get on base. He has adjusted at every level and excelled with prolonged exposure. He has never had the power stroke - it just isn't his game. BUT, he certainly knows how to get on base and he has a meaningful bat despite what 100 some debut AB's at Triple-A might say. He was the runner up 'Rookie of the Year' last off-season in the same Winter League he is playing in now. He's a very talented baseball player. BUT, I think the Brewers know they are quite adept at finding and signing Minor League free agents - whether through straight FA or ML Rule 5. Perkins and Isaac Collins are recent examples of this and I find both players offer more depth in their games. Was it an easy decision to let Cargo walk? No. Is it an understandable decision? Yes. I hope he crushes it with Atlanta. It's a great great fit and you love to see former Brewers go to successful orgs. There may have been a lot of competition for his services, and rightfully so, but a NG'd Major League 40-Man spot is not exactly a "...I've made it!" moment. Plenty more work to do. Let's see if he's up for the challenge.

Yeah, he has shot the 3rd most mid-range jumpers in the League. He's hitting those at a 48% clip. You add that suddenly very real threat and his hesi-Euro step attack to the basket no longer strictly relies on getting the ball in transition. It's just an unbelievable single off-season development. Early? Yes. BUT, it's a very real thing. It's so odd, on the other hand, to see how the tight high release on that form has not translated at all to the charity stripe.

Man, that must have been a literal trip for you! I still have no idea who you managed seven days a week. Unreal output.

It looks like in addition to the Rays we see at least one player from the Reds, Braves, Athletics, Pirates, Phillies (who sent 8 players), Twins, Royals, Astros, White Sox, Cubs, Tigers, and Angels were sent across the pond. So, 13 MLB clubs are represented over yonder.

I mean, despite the 57% FT woes, Giannis is once again raising the bar. He essentially does this every season. AND, well, it's absolutely bananas. Historic Shaq/Wilt-like season in 2023/2024? Meh. Let's raise the bar. For a player who does this year-in and year-out, I will just never take it for granted. He may have entirely fallen to the back drop of the national discourse, but it never ceases to amaze me how unbelievably dominant he is. Let us never ever take his game and his presence on the Bucks for granted.