splitterpfj

I think, if Braun was using synthetic testosterone, he was not using it consistently, on a daily basis. Instead, I would suspect he used it on occasion, big doses for short periods, then off the stuff. I think that because there were no obvious changes to his body - at least not that we could see. The most common physical changes, besides obvious muscle gain, include balding, with increased body hair, acne, and shrunken testes. He didn't get huge, his hairline seems to be right where it started, and there hasn't been acne, unless it's on his back, where we wouldn't see it. As for shrunken twins, of course we don't know that, but if he used synthetic T consistently, his brain would recognize the increased level in his bloodstream, and it would stop sending hormones to his boys, which would normally be telling them to pump more T into his bloodstream. Basically, this would turn his testes off - it would stop sperm production. Sperm production is responsible for about 50% of testes' mass, which is why they shrink in testosterone abusers...they don't disappear, they shrink to about half their normal size, because sperm production is stopped. The only way I could see Braun using synthetic T without physical changes, is if he took it to get a lift, then stopped. That would prevent the obvious changes from occurring, but if he did take a short blast of the stuff, he would get the physical benefits, most importantly, the ability to recover from "wear and tear" faster.

I remember the reaction of so many fans, and I remember Gorman's own reaction - he was crushed. The trade never bothered me personally, I liked Gorman, but nothing more than that. I was at a game in '85 when Gorman came back with the Mariners...after his second home run of the night, the fans gave him a curtain call...he obliged.

Tonight, as I was walking toward the stadium, a scalper offered me two tickets in Section 224, for $5 each.

I think the Brewers did what a lot of fans hoped they would do with their first two picks - they gambled a little bit - instead of taking safer, high-floor types. Both of these kids have a lot of talent, but also a lot of development left ahead of them. I could see both playing a full year each from Appelton to Nashville, which would get them to Milwaukee in 2018.

I honestly don't know how to answer that. If this was his senior year, I'd have a clear idea where he'd be picked, but right now I think almost anything can happen. On talent, there are 8-10 teams that like him enough to draft him, but when you add in financial considerations, etc, that term "senior sign" pops up and you realize he might not go this year. I had no idea how many layers there were to the decision making process. Honestly, I think there are too many...see the best player, take the best player, sign the best player...but things just aren't done that smoothly.

I literally cannot believe this. I'd call this whole thing a joke, but jokes are actually funny. http://deadspin.com/report-a-rod-refuses-to-give-bosch-money-bosch-cuts-d-511597230?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_twitter&utm_source=deadspin_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

No matter what happens now, MLB loses. This has taken too long, and its been much too public, at this point, there's no good ending. Either this will prove baseball's testing process does not work, it will keep leading to more names which will never allow this to end, or it will end in a completely disgusting tie. Casual fans already don't care who's right, they just boo the guy on the other team, without regard for the alleged cheater in their own home uniform.

Adam McCalvy tweets...Nelson to AAA, Drew Gagnon to AA, someone to Milwaukee, but he doesn't know who yet.

Whether Braun did it or not, and whether he ever serves a suspension or not...this whole thing has been ridiculous. No matter what ultimately happens, nobody wins in this thing.

I don't think Melvin said anything groundbreaking today, he just said if he makes more trades this year, they won't be made to try to win this year. My first thought is, "I would hope not." If Aramis hits, he'll have plenty of value, he's good, he's proven, and he plays a tough position. The Brewers are already on the hook for his contract, so I would imagine they'd be willing to pay part of what he's owed, if it got them a better prospect in return. I would suppose it all depends on his health over the next six weeks, but I think there will be a market for him. Hart...he's only signed through the rest of this year, so whatever he does this season, he's a rental. If he hits, he'll have value as well, but since he's gone after two months, he'll get a potential player, not a potential star. Guys like K-Rod, Gonzalez, and Gorzelanny will have value if they continue to get guys out, adding one of them to a deal may help the Brewers out. Personally, I'll be watching Gallardo and Lohse the most. Neither one is pitching well right now, but both have proven they can get big league hitters out...if they're doing well in July, they'll have some value. In Gallardo's case, I'm hoping he has a good second half, allowing the Brewers to shop him next November. If he looks ok, he'll have plenty of value. Aoki is a really interesting case...I wouldn't blame the Brewers for keeping him here, but I would think plenty of teams would like a player with his skills, at his price tag. Whether the Brewers move anyone this season or not, I'm glad they're thinking of the future. There's some talent in the minor leagues, but there's plenty of holes too, adding more young, affordable guys is the obvious move.

It would depend on the date, etc, but sure, why not?

I'll be at the Thursday night game.

As I've said several times before, I'm a fan of Scooter Gennett, I think he'll stick in the big leagues....BUT...nothing about him suggests he'll be a big deal. I think he'll be the underdog fan favorite type that stat lovers perpetually want to replace. In any event, he's up now, and it'll be fun to see what he can do.

I would say, "never." I get it, there may be a deal that would make sense, and almost every time, I'd say, "Do what's best." Once in a while though, there are unique circumstances, and I want my statue.

One of my best friends has been diagnosed with ALS. Holy crap.

The only thing I'll say is, I like Haniger more than that. I think he's going to be a little bit overlooked, because he wasn't a first rounder, and he doesn't have the huge power or speed that wins awards along the way. This wave's Corey Hart...he's just good at baseball.

Kiddo really kicked butt at the Pirates' predraft workout today. He faced three hitters - 2 Ks and a groundout, and he was 92-93 today. We'll see if it turns into anything next week, but I don't think he could have done any better than that.

My quick take on why teams might miss on a guy or two in the draft... http://www.baseballintheblood.com/?p=994

I think the Brewers have some future contributors in the farm system, but overall, the system simply is not good enough. I think the current state of the major league roster is a mirror of the minor league system. The top of the Brewers' lineup is ready to compete, but the bottom is terrible...not weak...it's terrible. The bullpen has done a great job, but the rotation has been terrible. When you look at the farm clubs, there are prospects down there for sure, but not nearly enough of them. Look at the records of those teams, and then look at the individual stats, you'll find some obvious prospects, but it's adding up to nothing, because the overall talent of those teams doesn't match their competition - just like what's been happening to the big club. I don't think they've gone over the cliff, I think it's a fixable situation, but I do think fixing it will require change. Texas does great in Latin America, we don't. St Louis has been consistently good at the major league level, through a variety of means. Right now, their farm system is great, but it wasn't always like that. When their farm system wasn't highly rated, they won big through trades...Jim Edmonds, Scott Rolen, Edgar Renteria, Adam Wainright - St Louis got those guys for the likes of Placido Polanco, Adam Kennedy, Mike Timlin, Braden Looper, and one season of JD Drew. Chris Carpenter was a free agent signing, coming off a missed season due to injury. For years, the Cardinals got key contributors in exchange for solid role players, and now, their farm system has moved to the top of the list. They won one way, and now they're winning another. There's not "one way" to get it done, but right now the Brewers aren't doing enough of anything to build success.

Homer, I don't think they canned the idea of drafting him, I think they moved him from, "Do we pay for him this year?", to, "senior sign, we'll talk to you next spring."

Thanks, Crew07. I don't know about pitch counts, I've never seen that on him. I've never heard anyone express concerns over his mechanics - as far as I know, he's never missed a start.

LE, I'm sure you're right, what they're weighing is, "Is it worth paying this kid enough to offset one year's college tuition, or should we just wait a year?" After my conversation last night, I really feel good about the kid's future, this scout didn't hesitate at all to tell me he's a real talent who will get a shot. In the long run, I suppose it doesn't matter much if he goes this year or next, and I'm sure there are some who would argue he would be better off by getting one more year of education before he plays pro ball, but I'm sure he'll be let down if he doesn't get picked this year. By all accounts, on talent and performance, he has earned a shot.

Imagine Jim Valvano's speech when he said, "Don't give up, don't ever give up." That's exactly how I see the top of the draft, "Don't reach, don't ever reach." I have no problem at all with a team drafting heavy for whatever their organization needs most, but I think they should start with talent, with draft grades, and go from there. If a great catcher somehow makes it to a team that needs infielders...take the catcher, and go from there. Once you get past the players your scouts like most, I think loading up hardcore on bats, arms, whatever, is fine.

I talked to a scout tonight who had read his team's report on the kid. He said, "He's definitely a pitcher, he profiles as a kid with a realistic shot at the big leagues someday." He told me he thinks most teams will label him as a "senior sign", which means, they'll wait until next year when his college eligibility is up, because he'll have no options and the price comes down. He said there is no doubt that this kid has the talent and the stats to be drafted, but he's a right-handed pitcher in D-II, so teams may decide paying him what it would take to buy out his final college year doesn't make sense, when you could just draft him next year. I have no doubt, the kid would sign if he gets picked, and I know that many of these teams are very serious about him, but I could see that happening. If it does, I'll play therapist, and remind him how one more year of free college is a wonderful thing, and there seems to be zero doubt that he'll be picked in 2014. I think he thought I would be disappointed to hear that, so he closed with, "Todd, guys like this make the big leagues, and guys like this who get drafted next year will reach the big leagues too."

Season Stats - Again, this is Division II College... 83 IP, W-L 7-4, 2.6 ERA, 56 Hits, 1 HR, 24 BB, 95 K, .191 Batting Average Against Last year, 82 IP, 2.2 ERA, 0 HR allowed, very similar BB/K Those are all the stats I have.