And That

Instead of getting into the "he pitched great in this park but look at these other parks" thing, how about looking at some context-neutral stats so as not to worry about adjusting for each individual stadium? Chatwood's cFIP over the past two seasons is about 110, or below average. His DRA- last year was 103, below average and 95 this year, above average. His xFIP- this year is 100, exactly league average. Last year it was 106, worse than league average. Basically, he's about average, leaning slightly worse. I've been a Chatwood proponent in the past (I wanted to trade for him and sign Charlie Morton this offseason - sure glad we dodged that Morton bullet and got Feliz instead), and still would not mind signing him, though his walk uptick is worrisome. He has also to date not pitched more than 158 innings in a season, so there are continuing durability concerns. Have to love the ground balls and improving velocity, though.

I would have agreed... up to the point where Jeffress started a game. They passed on Jungmann to go with a guy they knew would give them 2-3 innings max. They also passed on Jungmann to give Wilkerson a shot. If Taylor is injured, it's another story, but saving that, the Brewers passed on him to start a reliever and use a starter as a reliever.

Methinks you underestimate him. Then again, Nelson has kind of been underestimated in general his entire post-collegiate career.

I'd hope that Hader is moved back into the rotation. Guerra and Jungmann (and Jeffress) are out of options - I can't see all three making it if none of them crack the rotation. I think it is somewhat telling that they aren't giving Taylor any sort of shot right now despite his options status. Would not be surprised to see him dealt this offseason before the 40-man rosters have to be set for the Rule 5 draft. Perhaps Guerra as well, for that matter. I am not comfortable with Wang and Webb as our only primary lefty options in the bullpen, or with Drake as the LOOGY, so left-handed relief is one of the few areas I would spend in free agency. Fernando Abad, Boone Logan, Clayton Richard, or Tony Watson would be solid adds. Swarzak is going to get paid by someone based solely on his performance with the Brewers post-trade. Whether or not the Brewers should meet that price is TBD, but I would not count on Swarzak being back.

Yes.

The center field scoreboard should just be a picture of the Marlins' home run statue.

How many stolen bases have been taken away in the past 20-30 years? You fall over while attempting a "defensive indifference", you're going to get tagged out. A stolen base is a stolen base. I am passionate about this.

Chacin, no thanks. Wilkerson, Freddy Peralta, even Jungmann deserve a shot first.

I asked Will Carroll about this, and he said that Anibal Sanchez is the best case labrum-tear surgery return example. No idea of the extent of Jimmy's injury though, as foamboy stated earlier, still a lot in play. It would truly break my heart - I've been a huge fan of Jimmy since the beginning and know what a great guy he is. He deserves better than this. All of that said, the DH is hot garbage. The two leagues should be the same - DH in neither. About this and defensive indifference also being hot garbage, you will never sway me.

The Astros (of all teams) have abruptly left a team stranded in the Appy League (same level as the Pioneer League). Rare opportunity for an even-year affiliate add. Have to hope the Brewers will bite. It is strangely, I think, a market inefficiency to not have more affiliates.

Colorado Springs was down 5-0 going into the bottom of the 2nd. They have scored 16 of the ensuing 18 runs.

The Cubs won the AZL crown. Barf.

2016: .394 2017: .393 Another bizarrely similar year-to-year stat for Garcia.

I've never agreed too much with the "a prospect needs to be x years old in y level of ball to be a prospect" - there are so many factors that go into each and every player's development that it is impossible to assign any sort of firm age-to-level meter for legit MLB prospects in general. Yes, very high end prospects tend to hit levels earlier but perfectly good, MLB-caliber guys like Dubon aren't always -4 or -5 years old for their level. Dubon will still be 23 when next season starts. Technically this was his 22 year old season. As for Dubon hitting terribly, he had a wRC+ of 90 with CS. Below average, sure, but "terrible" is hyperbolic. Edit: Just as a current Brewers reference, Neil Walker played in AAA as a 22-23 year old*. As a 22 year old, his wRC+ was 83, worse than Dubon. In his 23 year old AAA season, his wRC+ was 114. With the acknowledgment that their offensive/defensive skill sets are quite different, I'll take Neil Walker upside from Dubon. *He also made a brief appearance as a 21 year old, but his 2007 AAA season would actually be correctly described as "terrible."

Final: Missoula 6, Helena 4 Helena Falls In Final Home Game Of 2017 Fourth consecutive quality outing from Gabe Friese spoiled as Brewers fall in home finale to Osprey By Garrett Greene / Helena Brewers *** Helena Box Score The ingredients of Helena's season have been for the most part equal parts lack of timely hitting combined with short bursts of bad pitching. That was the case again on Tuesday for the Brewers' final home game of the 2017 season, and penultimate final home game in franchise history. The offense did manage 9 hits, including KJ Harrison's 10th home run, but they were 1-6 with runners in scoring position and could not come back after losing a 2-0 lead in the 7th inning. As mentioned by Garrett Green above, Gabe Friese turned in yet another quality outing for the H-Crew. In what was likely his final appearance of the year, the undrafted 22 year old out of Kennesaw State threw 6 innings of run-less baseball, allowing just 2 hits and a walk, while striking out 2. His Helena ERA is 3.82, which would easily lead the Pioneer League if he had enough innings to qualify for the ERA crown. Overall, Friese has a 2.36 ERA in 53 1/3 pro innings, punctuated by a 48:5 K:BB ratio. It would be difficult for an undrafted pitcher to make a better first impression on his new organization. 30th rounder Cody Beckman, who did not allow an earned run until August 4th (in his 10th pro outing), has struggled a bit since and gave up 3 runs in the 7th inning. In a very small sample, the lefty has posted extreme reverse platoon splits, which is something to keep an eye on going forward. Beckman still has an excellent 27:4 K:BB, and an eye-popping (or more accurately, thud-inducing) 63.9% groundball ratio. Helena Game Log

The Brewers want to retain Davis after this year. If they add him to the 40-man now, they will have to remove him after the season and risk losing him. Berry will be removed from the 40-man as well, but I assume they don't care about losing him. It is perversely showing some faith in Davis by not adding him right now. Also, and I do not usually put much stock in this but this is the rare exception - I want an experienced guy as a pinch runner. I don't want a foolish baserunning mistake from a guy who is only there to be a base runner. I get your point, and it certainly isn't fair to Davis or Wren, but the Brewers are doing what they believe is best for right now, and for roster construction going forward. And it is in their best interests to do that.

Wren's career SB%: 77.1% Berry's career SB%: 81.1% Wren's MLB SB%: N/A Berry's MLB SB%: 96.4%

Berry is a lot faster than any of those guys. The point with Berry is to use him as a running replacement. He's also easy to take off the roster at the end of the season.

Jay Feliciano with a 9 RBI night so far for Helena.

Final: Billings 2, Helena 0 Brewers Swept By Billings After falling in 7-0 hole, Brewers unable to make up enough ground in 16-7 loss By Garrett Greene / Helena Brewers Helena Box Score One of those games where it's best to just not look at the pitching part of the box score. Or the defensive part. KJ Harrison hit his 9th home run on the year. Nick Roscetti, Gabriel Garcia, Antonio Pinero, and Jose Gomez all contributed doubles. As Jim mentioned elsewhere, the Helena offense is short-handed with transfers back to the AZL and no reciprocal moves to Helena. Payton Henry was forced into his first pro innings at first base as a result. Helena Game Log

AZL Cubs 9, AZL Brewers 6 AZL Brewers Boxscore It's hard to get too worked up about the AZL season, but there is a tinge of disappointment that a team that did so well in the regular season loses a game in the postseason, and that's all she wrote. The Brewers' defense contributed to 3 unearned runs, the pitching staff could not keep the Cubs off of the bases, and the offense couldn't keep up as the Brewers' season ends with a 9-6 loss. Brent Diaz, Kenny Corey, and Julian Jarrard each managed two hits to lead the way for the offense. Both of Diaz' hits were doubles, while Pat McInerney and Rob Henry added doubles as well. Phil Bickford started and unfortunately had his worst outing of the season allowing 4 runs in 3 innings of work. Branden Nunn allowed all three unearned runs to score in addition to an earned run in 3 1/3 innings. Tyler Thorne closed the season out with 2 2/3 innings of 1 run ball. AZL Brewers Game Log An unfortunate ending: AZL Brewers Bottom of the 9th Julian Jarrard strikes out swinging. Brent Diaz walks. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Pablo Abreu replaces Brent Diaz. Robert Henry doubles (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Jose Gutierrez. Pablo Abreu to 3rd. Jean Carmona flies into a sacrifice double play, center fielder Jose Gutierrez to shortstop Delvin Zinn to second baseman Carlos Sepulveda. Pablo Abreu scores. Robert Henry out at 2nd.

While he could be promoted to Milwaukee yet this year, Ramirez doesn't have to be added to the 40-man until after the season, if that's the route the Brewers wish to take to retain him. Also a strong possibility that he re-signs a minor league deal with a camp invite.

Final: Billings 2, Helena 0 Helena Blanked By Billings Bettinger's career outing foiled as Mustangs score two in the eighth, shutout Helena for second time this season By Garrett Greene / Helena Brewers Helena Box Score Yesterday's shutter-outers gets shut out. Nelson Hernandez, pitching for the first time in 12 days, blew Alec Bettinger's gem of an outing and cost the Brewers the game. To be fair, the offense did not do its part to back up Bettinger either, especially with runners on base where they were a meager 1-7 at the plate. Antonio Pinero and KJ Harrison both had two hits. Helena Game Log The return of Nelson Hernandez did not work out ideally: Billings Top of the 8th Pitching Change: Nelson Hernandez replaces Alec Bettinger. Alejo Lopez grounds out, shortstop Antonio Pinero to first baseman Alexandre Guenette. Montrell Marshall walks. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Zeke White replaces Montrell Marshall. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter J. D. Salmon-Williams replaces Raul Wallace. J. D. Salmon-Williams lines out to second baseman Nick Roscetti. With Jeter Downs batting, Zeke White steals (8) 2nd base. Jeter Downs singles on a fly ball to center fielder Jose Gomez. Zeke White scores. Miles Gordon singles on a line drive to right fielder Nic Pierre. Jeter Downs to 2nd. Stuart Fairchild singles on a ground ball to right fielder Nic Pierre. Jeter Downs scores. Miles Gordon to 2nd. Andy Sugilio flies out to center fielder Jose Gomez.

AZL Brewers 2, AZL Padres2 0 AZL Brewers Boxscore The final game of the AZL regular season gave the Brewers their second shutout on the year, and hopefully some momentum going into Sunday's night single-elimination postseason contest against the dastardly AZL Cubs. Jean Carmona provided some offense with his first pro home run. He's struggled in Arizona but the 17 year old is hitting a solid .266/.367/.406 between the DSL and AZL. Jesus Lujano got two singles, drew a walk, and stole two more bases. He fell one stolen base short of 30, but keep in mind that Lujano had about 1/3 of the plate appearances he would have received in a healthy full season of play. The returns of Tristen Lutz and Kenny Corey to the AZL lineup did not reap any immediate dividends as the pair combined to go 0-7. Lutz struck out three times and Corey drew a walk. Pitching was obviously the story of the day for the team, with Brendan Murphy, Mike Gonzalez, and Kadon Simmons combining to throw a 6-hitter. This was the fourth straight two inning scoreless outing for 4th rounder Murphy, which knocked his ERA down exactly in half from 12.38 to 6.19. Gonzalez finished up his season with his second straight scoreless outing (seven innings in total), and fourth scoreless outing in his final five games. As has been documented at length before, Gonzalez seems to shift from one extreme to the next, always seeming to give up more than 4 runs or no runs at all. He's a talented kid, and just turned 19. You'll first notice his 11.22 ERA, but there's more to the story than that. UDFA Kadon Simmons, who I haven't talked about much, pitched the last three innings and picked up his team-leading 5th save. Simmons is an athletic 6'1, 195, and does a good job of inducing ground balls, though he issued quite a few walks as well. With half a bazillion pitchers competing for jobs in Wisconsin next year, we'll see how it goes for Simmons, but there is something here. AZL Brewers Game Log Get up: AZL Brewers Bottom of the 8th Jean Carmona homers (1) on a line drive to right field. Jesus Lujano walks. Pitching Change: Tom Colletti replaces Vijay Miller. With Tristen Lutz batting, Jesus Lujano caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Luis Campusano to second baseman Eguy Rosario. Tristen Lutz strikes out swinging. Kenny Corey walks. Pat McInerney flies out to left fielder Hunter Jarmon.

Bernie Pleskoff has the Brewers in the lower half... of the top 3 organizations.