Bratwithspecialsauce

Love Chourio, but he's a raw talent. He is neither a good center fielder nor a lead off hitter..yet. Perhaps in time, he will be. But for now he's a good 5 hole hitter and decent corner outfielder. During the streak we were having a lot of good fortune, but that's evening out as we have been on the other side of home run robberies and end of bat dying quail base hits. This team wins when they play tight defense and Chourio still has a lot to learn in that regard..

I echo Outlanders outlook. Monasterio is pretty solid at 2nd and 3rd, and that certainly was an outstanding play last night at short, even though he's had a few miscues there as well . Oddly enough, his bat has woken up at the right time also. But that's this Brewers team. They believe in themselves all the way up and down the roster. At the center is fundamentals of defense.. It's won them so many games this year.

Megill struggles when he can't throw his breaking ball for strikes. When it's on, he's extremely effective. He's still throwing 100 with his fastball, but you'll get lit up if that's the only pitch you can throw for strikes in the majors. He's a solid closer.

This offense is different than most. All 9 need to be able to advance runners for it to work. No one has a problem with Joey in the field, but he wasn't contributing with the bat. It wasn't a matter of batting average or On Base Percentage. It was all the empty outs. Popups and strikeouts.. it eventually got him benched for a couple days. Murphy let him know what was expected and he's been more productive ever since. The reason for the offensive success is all about situational hitting. Advancing runners with or without hits. Wise base running, running hard and taking extra bases when the opportunity arises. To Ortiz credit, he responded to his short benching and became much more of a contributor. We need him back.

Some good thoughts throughout this thread. I think Vaughn needs to play every day until the deadline. I liked him with the White Sox, he plays good defense and there's a good chance he just needed a change of scenery. I think 1st base is covered. Third base is the land of opportunity for the Crew. I'm not as sure about Suarez as most. At his age, a second half tailing off isn't hard to imagine. More importantly, his defense is bare minimum on a team that relies on solid defense to maintain its great pitching. Not saying no to him, but not my first choice. Bregman is a stellar fielder but has been injured with a quad pull, so he is iffy. He just got activated, and he's seeking a big contract ala Willy in '24. Boston is less than enamored with what they've seen in the time they've had him and are considering offers. He's absolutely a short term rental. Boros is his agent so you know we'd be a stepping stone at best. But, he does have the best combination of pop and defense available and could likely be had for a reasonable price. Risky but has playoff experience and success. Lastly, McMahon of the Rockies is the biggest offensive risk. Like Suarez, he's a 200 strikeout type of guy with power, although his is from the left side, where we have] a need. His upside is that he is a gold glover and we're a team that puts high value on defense. Comes down to the best deal for us. I'd be happy with any of those three with a leaning towards Bregman and McMahon, for their defense. That would allow Tur ang to move to short and Durbin to 2nd (he's earned it). All three have warts, but all three possess power ..

Some good thought went into these predictions.. It depends on team health, but all of these points are achievable. I think Ortiz being of more value on the field is the most likely. Adames was on a contract year mission and pretty confident his numbers will drop across the board in SF. He stole some empty, late inning bases to pad his stats, but his clutch hitting and willingness to talke walks were the best of his career. His defense suffered, as both he and Contreras tried to play every game too deep into the season and tired down the stretch. Hopefully Ortiz is healthy again, because I think we will at least match last years team HR totals overall.. Starting pitching health will determine our success.. If Woody can rebound adequately and isn't overused, I'm pretty sure we'll battle and may win the Central again.

McMahon is the missing piece that we desperately need for the '25 offense (and defense). He's a gold glover. He hits 20 + HR a year with a .320+ OBP.. Those that point out that he's in Colorado and he's a .240 hitter overlook that he's coming off two 100 loss years in a row. Put him on a contender with a good lineup like ours, He's well worth 12M for the year..and go from there..He's well worth a Black/Uribe trade..

Low on base percentage guys rarely help, Durbin will get a shot and I wonder if Frelick will take teps at 3rd in spring training.. The Cubs are improved and still seeking help..Being stagnant is not a Brewers option.. they need a power bat at 3rd, but a .320 OBP has to be part of the equation.

Great insight I haven't seen anywhere. Hernandez has always been an enigma. He's been solid for the Dodgers as a utility guy for years, often coming through in the clutch.. After reading this, it sounds legit. Still, he's 33. But with the only other desirable 3b that might give the Brewers what they desperately need (power and defense) , Yoan Moncada hardly gives me confidence. He has talent but after showing potential 5 years ago, he's been injured and an apathetic member of the White Sox dumpster fire. Not convinced he'd be a good Brewers fit. Between the two, Hernandez would be affordable and has a tempting upside for a year or two.

Freddie is a nice #3 starter and is being paid appropriately. He's worth making a reasonable offer for. He ended up being a #1 out of necessity last season, which is commendable, but if Woodruff is healed (a fairly big ""if") Freddy should return to #3 behind Myers.

Why Mitchell isn't leading off is a mystery. I love Brice Turang, but his value is in his ability to advance runners and make things happen on the basepaths. Mitchell has superior extra base power, runs well (although not as good a base stealer) and in a lineup followed by Turang, Chourio, Contreras and Willy you've got a fast, powerful top five, which has been sorely lacking in the second half.

As usual, Brewer Fanatic makes a couple valid points. Turang (my favorite Brewer) is worn out.. His defense is still Gold Glove so he still needs to be on the field, although Monasterio should get more starts against lefties until the playoffs. Bring Brice in for the late innings on those days. Turang looks like he did when he slumped last year. The bat has slowed, his aggressive stance has turned defensive, resulting in pop flys and poor pitch recognition..Definitely should either be 9 in the order or 2, if he is willing to switch to a lighter bat. Ortiz is solid, although he's not a great base runner yet. He has very good speed but not a great base stealer and doesn't have Turang's instincts on the basepaths. I think the biggest missed opportunity lineup wise is Chourio..whose nickname should be Cheerio, his ever present joy in playing the game is a natural and genuine. He's evolving into a high contact, power and speed guy. A great #3 choice. He has the talent to go opposite field, go deep and just advances runners well. With Contreras at #4 and Willy #5, Hoskins at #6, it gives us a great middle of the order. The highest I'd like to see Ortiz is #6 and maybe push Hoskins to 7.. I'd really like to see Mitchell lead off, despite his recent slump and Turang at 2, where his small ball skills get utilized better and makes the L/R matchups at the top less important. Perkins or Frelick at 8 and Sanchez or Haase at 9 . Batting orders are crucial, based on specific abilities, not raw numbers.. Sal is a great example. He would seem to be a logical leadoff candidate, but given the chance he has changed his approach and not succeeded at leadoff (yet, maybe next year). Mitchell came back from injury and was getting on base and making good contact. With Turang slumping, Mitchell should have taken over leadoff.. I think his slump coincided with not getting the shot he worked for since spring training. It may be more mental than physical. He was always smiling and had an electric presence. Since being passed over for leadoff, he seems almost sullen (although his defense is right there with Frelick and Perkins). This team COULD give a solid run at the world series, Murphy has been great and is a strong candidate for manager of the year, so my second guessing lineups are just an opinion and logical from our knowledge as fans, but admittedly without the day to day knowledge of the clubhouse..

Tyler Black has what? 45 ABs, scattered about with no opportunity to relax and get some ABs. Those writing him off are very premature.. He's a solid hitter with a good eye, great speed and is a multi positional player.. If trading him can help bring a solid everyday 3B with power then he's expendable. But I'm more inclined to have him platoon with Hoskins next year and can rest 2nd and 3rd if needed.

Peguero is an easy choice when the time comes to send someone down. But it shouldn't be for Hall, who showed nothing before his injury. Wait until Hudson is ready to make a move. Peguero has looked good on occasion but has come in and been very hittable with poor location on too many occasions. Good article, spelling out all the options. Hall hasn't shown enough to warrant coming back up unless there is an injury. When Hudson is ready, Peguero should go. Ross would be the second guy to go, although he seems to be effective for 2 to 3 inning stints, middle relief might be the best place for him..

Not what we'd hoped for, I agree. But this was the best article on Brewer Fanatics in awhile (the Mitchell bashing when he's quickly becoming one of our better hitters again frosts me). Really good graphics on Montas pitch selection from his success days to where he's at now is instructive. We'll see

Been saying this all along. Launch angle for contact hitters is counterproductive. Both Frelick and Turang are excellent contact hitters who played with launch angles early on and their performance showed it. Line drives, finding holes on the ground and going opposite field is the contact hitters strong suit. The best part is that they hit the same amount of long balls anyway.. Launch angle has its place, but definitely secondary to contact.

I love what the Brewers have done with player development except in one case.. They are close to destroying what made Frelick such an exciting prospect. His OBP in the minors was well over .400 and he came up with great contact skills, going opposite field and doing what he could to get on base.. His swing was short, relatively level and compact without too much lower body activity.. Fast forward after his initial success and I hardly recognize his swing.. It's longer, slower and his back knee nearly touches the ground (and much more active lower body) on a bad attempt at increased launch angle.. It's hurt him on every level.. He already had extra base ability with his speed and gap power. His swing changes have hurt his strike zone recognition, have NOT increased his power and stolen his contact and ability to go to all fields.. Whether it was his decision or coaching, it's made him far less confident at the plate and taken away his best assets (contact, walks and minimized his speed contribution). He's a bit of a mess and I'd hate to see his career change direction because of good intentioned, bad advice from others

Enthusiastic piece on Blake, who deserves the accolades. Last night was his career night. We have 3 center fielders (although Mitchell is out for a couple more weeks) who can go get it with the best of them..and Wiemer in Nashville.. I had to pause at the last statement, though.. The Brewers are in first, but "running circles around the division" is a stretch. After a stunning April, May has been merely ok, only a couple games over .500..The bats have cooled a bit and the pitching has been average. Injuries are a big part and June should bring the return of Mitchell, Junis, Ross and Hoskins, which should help. Still could use a good starter to solidify the rotation but Gassers emergence gives us three dependable arms. The back end of the bullpen is a bit wobbly, Junis should help there.. Tyler Black went 3 for 5 last night with his 7th HR in Nashville... I predict his second time up to the big club will be more productive as he settles in.. Bring on June!

His contact numbers are virtually identical, he's hitting for more power now that he and/or weather is warming up.. He's been solid all along and his glove has been great. He'd already proven he's earned the starting 3B job..It's why they felt comfortable sending Dunn down and bringing up an extra outfielder. The analytic explanation of how he's hitting it harder is a reach.. The weather getting warmer and getting more comfortable as his playing time increases is more of a causational relationship. His timing improving being and being measurable is natural.

Great synopsis.. It's what I've felt since he got promoted.. He is becoming what he's meant to be, a speedy top of order place setter. I can only hope Frelick has the same metamorphosis..His pop ups and weak topped ground balls should start registering soon..

Turang and Frelick both fell under the misconceptions analytics geeks think is the primary approach to hitting. They (geeks) have been wrong all along and MOST hitters are much better served by making contact, especially those with speed. Frelick is going to work himself out of a potentially great career if he keeps trying to worry about launch angle. Speed, contact and a good eye got them here. Short, compact swings will produce the numbers that really matter.. Turang flat ran out of gas last year. Between his ill advised swing change and too little stamina, he was in trouble. 10 lbs of muscle and a return to LESS launch angle has him back to being a .280/.340 threat... And surprise! He is getting more hard contact resulting in extra bases.. Frelick needs to adopt the same approach again. His swing has gotten slow and long and he tops everything now. I see him with .300/.340 potential. Both of them are stellar defensively. Long time Brewers fans can sense the Yount/Molitor skills. Not the same, but contact and speed guys that can be dynamite place setters at the top of the order one day..

Dumb idea...

Theories. That's all it is. Do stolen bases help? Heck, yes! If the success rate is over 75%, you run. Once its established your team can run successfully, you're in the pitchers head. HE has to alter his game, opening up hitting possibilities. Also, with more fastballs destined to be thrown, a bunt can be devastating because your defense is back. Trying to manage with stats has been a mixed blessing. The misinterpretation of stats and the predictability of managers (CC being one of the worst offenders) married to analytics makes stats just as dubious as "gut feelings". The effect of speed is NOT totally quantifiable by a spreadsheet. The White Sox had a pitcher named Stan Bahnsen who was a solid pitcher. Had 6 consecutive seasons over 200 innings and had a 20 win season (41 starts!). My point is that he was a quality starter for a long time....BUT with men on base he was a different pitcher. If they could run, you said "uh oh, here we go". You only knew that if you watched games (Fun side fact, Stan won 18 the next year after he won 20 and had a LOSING record. 21 losses). He was a career .500 pitcher because he often crumbled under base runner pressure. He was the extreme, but he makes the point. Speed alone won't win a World Series, but like bunting used in the right spots, it keeps the defense honest and opens holes for hitters. I enjoy reading Bill James analysis, but those treating it with biblical adherence when managing rarely go all the way. The best lineups blend speed, power and on base reliability.

Tim Muma has every right to share his opinion and I respect that he tries to justify it with analytics, despite being completely incorrect.. Yeli did a solid job at leadoff but we had the worst offense in the league because of the lineup construction. He's far more valuable as a #3 or even a #2 (but Contreras has proven to be a stellar #2, so moving him would be counterproductive. What the author doesn't comprehend is that Yeli isn't in a vacuum. He's part of a lineup and generating runs is the goal. He will likely hit 100+ RBI in the 3 spot if he continues his rise. He can't be pitched to like Adames and Tellez were last year. He takes his walks and if a pitcher chooses to challenge him, he will often win that matchup. Frelick (and Mitchel, if we can get him back on the field sooner than later) are suited to leadoff.. Exit velocity is not a consideration for the leadoff hitter. Getting on base is. The bunt haters will throw out stats that appear to discourage bunting, but guys who bunt well or have good bat control (can use the entire field) are the most effective. Frelick is probably best suited, but I love that Murph gave Chourio a shot there right out of the box. Murphy gets it. Scoring runs is best accomplished using ALL the tools in the offensive toolbox. The very argument the author uses to knock Frelick and use Yeli at leadoff is exactly why Frelick SHOULD leadoff (Chourio is fine also). I surmise Frelick and Chourio should be leadoff and #5, pushing Adames to 6, where his power and ultra low OBP are most suited. Frelick and Chourio can swap spots based on pitching matchups. The plus to that (if Hoskins stays healthy and regains his form) is that we will have scoring potential from top to bottom in the order. Let's abandon the "bubble" analytics entirely (looking at dubious attributes like launch angles and exit velocity) when building lineups. They have value on a secondary level, but the goal is scoring runs first. This lineup has speed, youth and power. Yeli in the 3 spot with Hoskins and Chourio behind him protects Yeli and insures he'll see more fastballs. THAT'S the key to building a lineup. Adames could very well match last years number or improve them in the 6 spot, based on the increased on base traffic.. Once again, Kudos to Murph on his superior lineup construction over the previous years. My only fear is regarding the starters. IF they remain healthy, they may work out..but an average starter or better that eats innings would makes this team the Central favorite.

I'm aware he was sent back, but that was so he could continue to get regular at bats..