Jim French Stepstool
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Everything posted by Jim French Stepstool
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The Rengifo angst has to be transferred SOMEWHERE......... It IS getting a little annoying that it's taking as long as it is for Lockridge to head out on a rehab. But until he makes it back Perkins is basically filling the same role whether some like it or not. He was admittedly in a bad spot for quite awhile, from both sides of the plate as well as the so-called little things (couple popped up bunts, getting picked off 2B in Houston). But like you said he's been getting it done from the RH side lately.
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When Yelich swung at the 0-1 breaking ball and missed it by.........let's just say, a lot...........you kinda knew that AB wasn't ending well. The health issues I'm sure have taken a toll on him over the years; still the fluctuation from one game---or even one trip to the plate---to the next can be pretty frustrating, most of all to him I'm sure.
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Bases loaded a couple times late, but with 2 outs. Don't get me wrong, it's still an opportunity. But to me it's quite different from bases loaded or runners in scoring position w/less than two out, where you might score without finding a base hit. Certainly had such chances earlier but like you said, failed. The Vaughn groundout in the 7th was tough to take, even though he may have swung at ball four I thought he put up a pretty good AB.
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And from the standpoint of allowing 6 walks & a hit batsman in the last three innings, Cleveland was lucky they weren't swept.
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I don't know if there was any angst about Ortiz not being lifted for a PH in the 7th, but the way I saw it Cleveland still had to get nine outs. That's another time through the order. You had a possible PR situation for Sanchez, you're hitting for Perkins assuming a RHP is on the hill, and then Ortiz' spot again. My biggest complaint is Ortiz just needs to be smarter than to roll over on a ground ball on the first pitch. The three walks & HBP that inning underline it even more. And that's AFTER hitting a rocket to RF in his initial AB. Just a poor AB in a big spot. Starting around the 3rd-4th inning, this looked for all the world like a game where it was going to come down to a 5 or 6-out bridge from Drohan to Uribe-Megill, and could we get from point A to point B. We couldn't. They really seem to like Kuhnel, enough that he seems to have kinda replaced Andersons' role. They've earned the benefit of the doubt re pitchers so we'll see. And it's not like Anderson was any better today. Neither was Rom, but to me that's sort of an 'it is what it is' situation. Looking at the LH relievers that are out, and another couple that are starting because you need them to, Rom is like your 7th choice for a LH BP role. Yoho did a nice Doug Jones impersonation. I think the best thing he can do is convince himself that he doesn't need to change anything just because this isn't Nashville. Rough day behind the dish for Sanchez.
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I had a funny feeling that his 1st handful of ABs here were going to be similar to what Konnor Griffin did when Pittsburgh came here-----a heavy dose of balls to the right side (Griffin admittedly with more authority though). He sprayed the ball pretty much all over in AAA, and showed a great approach despite the modest numbers. Now we'll see when people come in on him, which hasn't happened much yet. Loved him in the postgame interview re the hit in the 8th. Don't remember the exact quote but it was along the lines of "I'm not striking out here."
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Cramp for Sproat as per postgame presser. Will not miss his next turn. 👍.
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Pretty certain there were no balls hit to him, or chances.
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I love momentum-turners, when they're in your favor. After the grand slam, Chourio basically put a choke collar on the Cleveland momentum, looked it in the eye, & said "Sit. Stay.'" Huge. After what he did in LV, I guess we went back to the traditional Sproat. Fantastic first three innings, then walks two of the next three. If changing the sequence or pitch selection because second time through, not particularly smart. But whatever, another building block. And welcome back Chad Patrick. That cutter combined w/96-97, wow. It's why I love him in the 'pen. Coupla nice knocks for Frelick.
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Defensively I'll take Sal over Bauers as a RF (and I agree Frelicks' defense hasn't been nearly as impactful this year). I've just seen warning flares from Bauers that concern me. Like I said, not nearly the same concern about him in LF. Maybe it's more of a push between the two than I think & nothing will rear its' ugly head. Sure hope so.
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That's my concern regarding all this Frelick/Vaughn/Bauers stuff. Nothing has happened to severely hurt us yet with Bauers in RF, but his being there concerns me. LF, that doesn't bother me nearly as much. He's made a couple throws from LF that were so-so, and once the footwork looked really skewed. I'm worried he'll have to make a throw from right on a tag-up, or to nail a slower man trying to score from 2nd on a base hit, or to keep someone from going 1st to 3rd, and it's not going to happen.
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"I want you to throw the next one at the mascot." "TRUST me."
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Could be. I certainly hope that's the case with Koenig; he's been suboptimal on the gun so far.
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IF there was less than two out and IF Vaughn has trouble making contact you might understand the thought process. But there wasn't, and he doesn't. I dunno🤔.
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He went over 80 pitches. That's a lot of up-downs so that's encouraging. I too am waiting to hear something on the velo.
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It's rare when someone has a lousy day at the plate & defensively. But yeah, poor on both ends.
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I give Gasser a C or C- command-wise (it got better as he went though), but an A+ for poise & confidence. And if that continues its huge. Same with Sproat his last time out. Too bad Ashby can't pass on the W & give it to Gasser; I'm sure he would. Cecconi had one of those games where he might as well be walking the ball up to the plate the way he was locating on the corners, up, down. I think that led to some chasing later on. His leaving, the game being tied & winning it vs their BP wasn't what the smart money would've called for. Just heard Mitchell is hitting over .350 in June with an OPS over 1.000. I knew he's been good lately but didn't realize the numbers were that hefty. Maybe we got somethin' here after all.
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I could see him clearing & winding up in Nashville. With Pratt here there would be ABs available, especially since we should see Williams at SS a little more often now. However, at this point you might prefer someone putting in a claim & working out a deal for a lottery ticket. If at the end of the day he's no longer with the organization, I could see a minor deal for someone w/a little experience who could go to AAA & provide depth. For example, an IKF-type who is on someone's AAA roster. Otherwise your next man up for the left side is Williams. They might be OK with that, but he's been rather lukewarm for the Sounds.
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Yeah, Ben Johnson. If I was a Gopher fan I would've been stoked about his hiring. But as you said, no dice.
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2026 Minor League Transaction Thread
Jim French Stepstool replied to Jim Goulart's topic in Brewers Minor League Talk
I thought of Lameda too, but my gut tells me Ibarguen might be a little stronger bet. Handelfry, Anderson & Ebel aren't yet on the promotion horizon if I had to guess. I'd be more inclined to advance Martinez since he has a year on Frias but wow, you can make a case for either. Very impressive starts for both. -
2026 Minor League Transaction Thread
Jim French Stepstool replied to Jim Goulart's topic in Brewers Minor League Talk
Love the promotions; I just wonder about replacements for the Rattlers. Not sure who they might be compelled to promote from Wilson right now. Ibarguen? -
Is Joey Ortiz... Ok Now?!
Jim French Stepstool replied to Matthew Trueblood's topic in Brewer Fanatic Front Page News
I think the last sentence in @Matthew Trueblood's piece is pretty significant. Ortiz is being supplanted & when he does play it most likely will be at 3B. The good news there is that he's played it, and played it very well. So there should be some familiarity there that won't interfere between the ears with any positive changes he's made at the plate in recent games. I DO like the crouch & bit more open stance shown in the final pic. I would like to see him quiet the leg kick down, though. -
I can just imagine lol. It hasn't been going on nearly as long, but there's also some angst building here about the Wisconsin HS kids Otzelberger is grabbing for ISU. I used to HIGHLY wonder whether the Cyclones' program was above board, but now that you can pay players it's obvious BB is the signature program there & I suspect they write out much bigger checks. And the Minnesota kids UW DOESN"T get, the more nationally-known kids from the Cities, usually go elsewhere too. It remains to be seen how he recruits, but in Medved they found someone who can get a lot out of the talent at hand.
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Cooper Pratt Getting the Call
Jim French Stepstool replied to wiguy94's topic in Milwaukee Brewers Talk
I know his numbers aren't as flashy, but I wouldn't be surprised if Mike Boeve makes it to Nashville first. He's been on a tear & is now 24, although it might be a challenge to get him ABs with Black on the roster & Adams now back in action. -
I agree, we aren't seeing Yelich in a platoon situation anytime soon, if ever. My main concern is when both catchers are in the lineup, with Sanchez catching. Makes it dicey late in a game if moves are needed, if you want to hit or run for Sanchez. What we need is a utility guy who can catch, like Vinny Rottino.
