That's what they said about Vaughn before he entered the Brewers 'Hitting Lab'.
I do like Dalbec quite a bit more than I ever liked Hiura but I get your very valid point given the history.
@biedergb: Cover your eyes. A one out fielding error by Pratt in the ninth was followed by a two-run jack off LHP Brian Fitzpatrick. Shuckers lose 3-2 after they took the 2-1 lead in the bottom of the 8th. Hurt me! Pratt even had a redemption opportunity with two on and two down in the bottom half. He flew out to RF.
If we remember back to last week, Payne was hit on the head running to third base during what turned into a double steal in the bottom of the 1st inning (Peña had walked) on July 25th. It was a pick-off attempt back to 2B. Payne opened the first inning with an oppo single through the left side of the infield .extending his on base streak to 15 games. After Made K'd swinging, Payne stole 2B on a 2-0 count to Peña. In a 1-0 count to Bitonti the play in question happened: 1:09:55 on the replay. We didn't get a good look live as the camera was late to cut over but it was certainly concerning as Payne very clearly was shook - he was stumbling and falling to the dirt as he tried to get up. Both trainers came out and he was pulled after a two minute delay. The hope here is it was just a head jostling mild concussion. The concern is a possible skull fracture.
Mike Boeve shelved for a multi-week absence you say? Isn't that an annual tradition at this point? Tis why he sadly left my arbitrarily weekly changing Top 20 List. If he can't stay healthy (and can't play defense at this point in time) that lack of availability impacts his reputation and status. Sadly, the same can be said for EBJ despite a better start to 2025. These two talented young men have earned that unsavory label of 'injury prone' as Brewers. It obviously isn't their fault but it definitely is what it is.
Despite the Muddies Extras loss, I do need to point out:
RHP Jose Nova's third straight electric relief outing. Yes, Manfred's Man scored. Yet: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 R (Unearned Manfred).
Kuehner has definitely been on a heater. He also became the first pitcher in the Southern League to reach 100 K's on the 2025 season during last night's performance. He's very good at throwing the baseball past bats.
AND, yet, despite it all Babe Bauers still stands out and shines brightest amongst his peers. A Cy Young candidate on the bump. A Legend on the base paths. He even plays 1st base and the OF. Rumor has it he is also available (and a real whiz) for children's parties.
What an impressive AB by Murray there in Game Two. Showcasing everything we've been celebrating in a massive bounce back campaign. Patience. Discipline. Improved bat speed and pop with a stronger more resilient body. That was a 97 mph high heater he turned on in a blink and sent rifling over that wall. Absolutely love it for the player. I'll say it for what feels like the 3rd or 4th time in the past few weeks: do not sleep on INF Ethan Murray.
Done has been very good all of July. What has OF Carlos Done since July 15th, however? Fantastic question. I'm here to give you an answer:
25 AB / 10 H / 7 R / 3 2B / 3 HR / 5 RBI / 3 BB / 8 K / 2 SB
Batting average has gained 30 points moving from a 0.232-to-0.262 in that span. The young man is absolutely balling.
0.832 OPS on the season over 125 PA's
I want you all to know the Brewers have contacted me trying to lure me into their org with a significant portion of the leftover Pool Money. However, I'm a lifer. I told them: "No. You have players to sign - this trumps your organizational fetish with my cutting edge insights. Plus the money at Brewer Fanatic is too good to pass up."
Please allow me space to share this news with my family. I appreciate your understanding.
I feel old. They look so young. The Lake County pipeline is fierce! Flores soon to be in the fold as well. We thank the great state of Indiana for their continued contributions to Brewers baseball.
#LetGingerCook
You want to look in the nooks and crannies of why and how the Brewers seem to do it again and again? Look at a trade like 2024 Brewers 7th Rounder LHP Mason Molina sent to the Rangers of the Republic of Texas on a day after New Year's in the dead of winter for a recently DFA'd fallen out of favor struggling RHP Grant Anderson. While every Wisconsinite was likely worrying about the weather, the Brewers were working the baseball outer limits. I am on record loving the trade at the time. Hard to see it working out any better.