Sugarrayray

Speaking of roster, anyone know who that older weathered looking guy in the dugout has been? Looks like a coach added for the playoffs. I only vaguely recognize him.

Friends and family - I have noticed one or two guys in the dugout during the playoffs that aren’t always there - obviously Goodman Jace is one, but there is this older weathered faced guy I only semi-recognize. Anyone know who he is? I vaguely recognize him.

It is patently absurd to me that they would choose Senzatela over Anderson. Not that I’m surprised. But seriously Anderson has been putrid against lefties, but if there are two outs in an inning and up comes a right handed hitter who is not going to be subbed out, Anderson’s side arm is a fantastic option. Senzatela is terrible. He has never been a good pitcher. He had two month at the beginning of the season where he was awesome, and has been borderline unplayable since. Guys who walk almost as many batters as they strikeout do not succeed in the playoffs. They have a left handed heavy bullpen and really could have used a reliable right handed out getter.

Harrison cannot be on the roster. They are doing a major disservice to him and his confidence by even putting him out there for one inning at this point. He is done. He cannot record a major league out at the moment. Start fresh next year. Hasn’t May started the last few games strong and then just hit a wall when he starts to struggle? If so, perhaps starting him game three, having the other team put a bunch of lefties in their lineup, and then putting Gasser in the 3rd inning is a really good idea?

Yes Anderson has earned the trust 10 times over compared to Senzatela. Senzatela had a great first couple months of the season and his been pitiful since. I’ve said this before - the Brewers method does not really work on the fly; they need an offseason to improve a pitcher. If they insist on acquiring these merely ok guys at the tradeline, they should let them be the pitchers they have been, not force them to become new pitchers in August. Very foolhardy and a bit too stubborn. IT IS NOT WORKING for him. Great article.

I’m pretty sure he’s a better defender than those blokes you mentioned.

I don’t like what the Brewers have done with May and Senzatela. Regardless of whether I like it or not, they have been far less effective since joining the Brewers. This continues an unsettling trend that appears to be the only major hole in Arnold’s game; tradeline acquisitions. The Brewers are the best in the business at getting pitchers and working with them in the offseason/training camp to make the requisite changes to improve. Alas, their methods do not seem to work well when they have the abbreviated August/September timeline only to work with pitchers on the fly.

Between Sproat’s performance and that constant spooked look in his eyes, he really has Manny Parra-like mental vibes.

I understand that he has the option to be sent down and Bryse doesn’t but…..keeping Bryse Wilson in favor of him does not make a lot of sense to me, unless it is going to be for a very brief amount of time. Anderson has performed admirably these past couple years.

There are not many similar prospects. There are very few teenaged switch hitters who have put up the numbers he has, specifically his batted ball data, and specifically almost always as the youngest player in his league.

Pena’s ability to work walks and understand the strike zone is improving but in many ways has been below average. Made’s ability in understanding the strike zone is…..preternatural. Made also appears to be one of those once in a decade players who is literally equally good from both sides of the plate. Add in the much better defense, and Pena’s CONSISTENT inability to take the field throughout his entire career so far, and it’s really not even close. For a number of reasons, talent aside, Made is so much closer to a “sure thing” than Pena. He’s also a half a year younger than Pena! I understand what you are saying, but Made is the best prospect in the league, and is putting up historical numbers at his age so far. Throughout history you won’t find many switch hitting teenagers doing what he is able to do at AA right now, including a banner night tonight!

The Brewers have shown a better aptitude than just about any team at teaching guys to play 3rd on the fly. He has a left side of the field arm with athleticism…..don’t think its really that big of a road block.

I really do want the Brewers to stop hoarding prospects and make at least one serious addition. A Contreras or Adames caliber addition. I know the prospect price could be high - the farm system has unprecedented depth. It’s time to use it. Still, I simply have zero appetite for moving Made in any situation. I think he has Chourio level talent with an ability to consistently put together good ABs (unlike Chourio so far) , with a preternatural feel for the strike zone. There is no situation where I would like to see him moved. Lastly, why is converting Abrams to 3rd seemingly never talked about. He plays the left side of the field and had left side of the field arm strength, with plenty of athleticism. I think Matt Erickson and the boys can make that work.

The Brewers have done this with good success on several talented pitchers early in their career. A bullpen role completely changes the first inning struggles issue. Getting loose is entirely different and you are not rationing your stuff or waiting to break out a secondary pitch for later in the game. In a one or two inning role Sproat would likely be cresting 100 mph regularly. Streamlining arsenals often helps “younger” pitchers with control issues as well. Another way this could help - Sproat has an absurdly fantastic move to first base for a righty, but as we saw last night multiple times, he just stopped paying attention to the runner. The mental aspect of the game is obviously overwhelming Sproat right now. A bulldog one inning mentality is often a remedy for such. Also getting some success in the big leagues could do wonders for his flagging confidence. This is a no brainer. He will not come close to starting a playoff game for the Crew this year. A demotion to the minors could have negative effects on his confidence as well. Splitting the difference in the bullpen makes perfect sense. Generally speaking Matthew’s prognostications are pretty spot on, and I have faith this will follow suit.

It’s shocking to me that more people don’t see how valuable he would be to the left side the Brewers infield, which has seen a paucity of offense this year, albeit solid as of late. It’s not uncommon for struggling defensive shortstops to play really good defense at 3rd base. It’a also not uncommon for anyone to play a good 3rd base under the tutelage of Matt Erickson et al….. The jolt and over the fence pop plus speed he would put in the lineup would be stunning. This is the kind of addition that helps you avoid hardly scoring a run in an entire playoff series. Lastly, I fear this may be the best time to sell on Pena; he is universally praised as a prospect but his inability to be available for games is getting to be profound. And it’s not just this year. Skubal for 2 months is the exact kind of trade I would loath to see the Brewers use Pena in however. The Brewers are not that kind of organization thank goodness.