Matt Breen

We have now done a dozen Top 25 lists (actually the first list was a Top 20 - but close enough) over the course of almost four years. I thought it would be fun to see the top ranking each player got who qualified for the Top 25. There have been 72 players who have been part of the coveted Brewerfan.net Community Top 25. Below are all of them. In front of each player's name is the hight rank they achieved. After their name is the year (or years) they accomplished this feat. As you can imagine, some people have multiple years listed after them - such as Arcia who who was our top ranked player spanning over five or six polls and three different calendar years. 1 - Orlando Arcia (2014, 2015, 2016) 1 - Keston Hiura (2018) 1 - Lewis Brinson (2016, 2017) 1 - Jimmy Nelson (2014) 2 - Tyrone Taylor (2014, 2015) 2 - Gilbert Lara (2015) 2 - Josh Hader (2016, 2017) 2 - Corbin Burnes (2017, 2018) 2 - Brett Phillips (2015, 2016) 3 - Isan Diaz (2016, 2017) 3 - Brandon Woodruff (2017, 2018) 3 - Jorge Lopez (2015, 2016) 3 - Clint Coulter (2014, 2015) 4 - Kodi Medeiros (2014) 4 - Monte Harrison (2015) 4 - Lucas Erceg (2017) 4 - Trent Grisham (aka Trent Clark) (2015, 2016) 5 - Luis Ortiz (2017, 2018) 5 - Phil Bickford (2016) 5 - Devin Williams (2014) 5 - Tyler Wagner (2014) 6 - Tristen Lutz (2018) 6 - Mitch Haniger (2014) 6 - Corey Ray (2016, 2017) 6 - Jacob Nottingham (2016) 7 - Freddy Peralta (2018) 7 - Taylor Jungmann (2014, 2015) 8 - Taylor Williams (2014, 2015) 8 - Zach Davies (2015) 8 - Victor Roache (2014) 9 - Jed Bradley (2014) 9 - Mauricio Dubon (2017) 10 - Jake Gatewood (2014) 10 - Marcos Diplan (2016, 2017) 10 - Michael Reed (2015) 10 - Cody Ponce (2016) 11 - Hunter Morris (2014) 11 - Wei-Chung Wang (2015) 12 - Tucker Neuhaus (2014) 12 - Corey Knebel (2015) 13 - David Denson (2014) 13 - Nick Delmonico (2014) 14 - Adrian Houser (2018) 14 - Ryan Cordell (2017) 14 - Brandon Diaz (2014) 14 - Nathan Kirby (2015) 14 - Demi Orimoloye (2015) 15 - Tyler Cravy (2015) 16 - Troy Stokes Jr. (2018) 16 - Jason Rogers (2014) 17 - David Goforth (2014) 19 - Mario Feliciano (2018) 19 - Chris McFarland (2014) 20 - Brent Suter (2014) 21 - Trey Supak (2017) 21 - Jean Carmona (2018) 21 - Ariel Pena (2014) 22 - Kyle Wren (2015) 22 - KJ Harrison (2018) 22 - Keon Broxton (2016) 22 - Hobbs Johnson (2014) 21 - Yadiel Rivera (2015) 23 - Jorge Ortega (2015) 23 - Drew Gagnon (2014) 24 - Garin Cecchini (2016) 24 - Damien Magnifico (2014) 23 - Cy Sneed (2015) 24 - Jordan Yamamoto (2017) 24 - Carlos Leal (2015) 24 - Sthervin Matos (2014) 25 - Rymer Liriano (2016) 25 - Jon Perrin (2018) 25 - Miguel Diaz (2016) Players released, left system, or practically given away (20 players) Roache Jungmann Bradley M. Reed H. Morris Wang Denson Delmonico B. Diaz Cravy Goforth McFarland Pena Hobbs Johnson Yadiel Rivera Gagnon Cecchini Magnifico Matos Liriano Players traded (10 players) Brinson Harrison Wagner Haniger Cordell Rogers Sneed Yamamoto M. Diaz (was a Rule 5 pick) I. Diaz Players graduated to Milwaukee (7 players) Arcia Nelson Woodruff Davies Knebel Suter Hader Players still in Brewer system (36 players) Hiura Taylor Lara Phillips Burnes Lopez Coulter Medeiros Erceg Grisham Bickford D. Williams Ray Nottingham Peralta T. Williams Lutz Dubon Gatewood Diplan Ponce Neuhaus Houser Orimoloye Kirby Stokes Jr. Feliciano Supak Carmona Wren Harrison Broxton Jorge Ortega Leal Perrin Ortiz

Final: Biloxi 2, Mississipi 0 Ortiz Fans Eight in Home Opener, Shuckers Win Fifth Straight Ray Triples and Scores Both Runs in 2-0 Win By Spencer Siegel Biloxi Box Score Baseball in Biloxi began very well in Biloxi for the Shuckers. In the season's home opener, Luis Ortiz turned in an outstanding game, allowing only five hits and a pair of walks while tossing six scoreless innings. Ortiz would strike out eight batters while picking up the win. Josh Uhen and Nate Griep would throw zeros over the final three innings to preserve the 2-0 shutout victory. At the plate, the top of the order - Corey Ray and Troy Stokes Jr. - would provide the spark - getting four of the teams five hits (Ortiz would get the final hit) and scoring both runs. Biloxi is 5-1 to start the 2018 season. Batting Corey Ray: 2-4, 3B Troy Stokes Jr.: 2-3, BB, RBI, SB Pitching Luis Ortiz: 6.0 IP, 5 hits, 0 ER, 2BB, 8K, Win Josh Uhen: 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 2K Nate Griep: 1.0 IP, 0 ER, Save Notes Jake Gatewood has started 2018 with a 1-22 slump. The Brewers opponent, the Mississippi Braves, featured former Milwaukee farmhand Michael Reed. Reed had a double in tonight's game while going 1-4. Biloxi Game Log

How did Arcia not get down the line on the DP? He didn't hit the ball that hard. Was he not hustling?

The ump hasn't called the lower strike, but he's called the inside part of the plate. I think he's been consistent. I might not like some of his calls - but at least he's been consistent (as far as I've seen).

Lopez will be interesting to see. He could be a decent reliever. I'm not sold on Drake. He just seems too hittable. A 1.571 WHIP last year - worse so far this year. At 31, he pretty much is what he is. Barnes is frustrating. The talent is there, but everything just isn't clicking. Perhaps he needs some time in lower pressure spots to get his mind back in the right place. Or a spell in Colorado. I certainly don't want to give up on him, but he has been immensely frustrating.

I doubt after last night that anyone claims Hoover. I think he'll still make his major league salary if he is sent to the minors - so he'll accept the assignment. Of course, I might be wrong - that's just what I think.

That's eight walks. A team can sustain that. It just blows through the bullpen throwing that many pitches.

We are bad today because Barnes has walked 6 guys in 7 innings - and that's not counting the wild pitches. And Drake has walked 7 in 7 innings. Add in 15 erros in 11 games. That's just pathetic. There has to be some accountability with some of these guys. A trip to Colorado for Barnes. A DFA for Drake. Put the team on warning that these kinds of things can't keep happening. It's ridiculous.

Final: Biloxi 5, Montgomery 3 Big Inning Enough For Shuckers Fourth Straight Win Erceg's double helps Biloxi close out their first series win By Biloxi Shuckers Photo: Michael Krebs Biloxi Box Score Biloxi managed five runs despite having only five hits (and four walk) in a 5-3 victory of Montgomery. The Shuckers clustered their hits in the third inning, including back-to-back doubles by Corey Ray and Lucas Erceg, leading to five runs. On the mound, Cody Ponce was pitching okay (not great - just okay) until the fifth when he gave up three hits. He threw a lot of pitches and had uneven results. Thankfully, the bullpen (Nick Ramirez, Angel Ventura and Quintin Torres-Costa) shutdown the Biscuits over the last 4.1 innings to nail down the victory. Batting Lucas Erceg: 1-4, 2B, 3 RBI Jake Hager: 1-3, BB Dustin Houle: 2-2, BB Pitching Cody Ponce: 4.2 IP, 5 hits, 3 ER, 3BB, 5K Nick Ramirez: 2.1 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 1BB, Win Angel Ventura: 1.0 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, 1K Quintin Torres-Costa: 1.0 IP, 1 hit, 2K, Save Biloxi Game Log The Shuckers did all their damage in the 3rd inning, scoring five runs on four hits, a walk and a sac fly - the big blow a three-run double by Lucas Erceg. Biloxi Top of the 3rd Dylan Moore lines out to right fielder Nathan Lukes. Jake Hager walks. Dustin Houle singles on a line drive to right fielder Nathan Lukes. Jake Hager to 2nd. Corey Ray doubles (1) on a line drive to right fielder Nathan Lukes. Jake Hager scores. Dustin Houle to 3rd. Troy Stokes Jr. walks. Lucas Erceg doubles (4) on a line drive to center fielder Thomas Milone. Dustin Houle scores. Corey Ray scores. Troy Stokes Jr. With Jake Gatewood batting, Lucas Erceg advances to 3rd on a balk. Jake Gatewood out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Ryan Boldt. Lucas Erceg scores. Blake Allemand lines out to right fielder Nathan Lukes.

Final: Biloxi 8, Montgomery 2 Biloxi Box Score Thomas Jankins led Biloxi to an 8-0 shutout victory by allowing only four hits and a walk over seven innings. Brad Kuntz tossed two scoreless innings to preserve the shutout. Biloxi bats pounded out 11 hits - including three home runs - and walked nine times. The Shuckers scored in six different innings. Batting Dylan Moore: 3-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB, SB Lucas Erceg: 3-4, 2B, RBI, BB Trent Grisham: 1-5, HR Jake Gatewood: 1-5, HR Pitching Thomas Jankins: 7.0 IP, 4 hits, 0 ER, 1BB, 6K, Win Brad Kuntz: 2.0 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 0BB, 3K Notes Erceg is hitting .474 to start the season. Corey Ray has struck out 10 times in his first 20 plate appearances, while Troy Stokes Jr. has struck out 9 times in 19 appearances. Biloxi Game Log

Woodruff has thrown 7.0 inning this year - reaching 50 IP for his career. That will make him ineligible for our prospect list going forward.

Stokes Homer Propels Shuckers to First Win Five late runs send Biloxi to victory against the Biscuits By Biloxi Shuckers (Photo: Michael Krebs) Biloxi Box Score The Shuckers scored five runs late to break open the game against the Montgomery Biscuits - ultimately winning 7-3. Biloxi was powered by Troy Stokes Jr., who belted a three-run HR in 7th inning. The Shuckers got nice pitching performances from Zack Brown and Nick Ramirez. Batting Troy Stokes Jr.: 2-5, HR, 4 RBI Trent Grisham: 2-4, BB Blake Allemand: 2-5 Corey Ray: 1-4, BB, SB Pitching Zack Brown: 5.0 IP, 2 hits, 2 ER, 1BB, 7K Nick Ramirez - 2.0 IP, 0 hits, 0 ER, 1BB, 3K, Win Brad Kuntz: 0.2 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, 2BB Nate Griep: 1.1 IP, 2 hits, 1 ER, 2BB, Save Biloxi Game Log Biloxi broke open the game in the seventh with Troy Stokes Jr.'s three-run HR. Biloxi Top of the 7th Pitching Change: Austin Wright replaces Dalton Moats. Wendell Rijo walks. Corey Ray walks. Wendell Rijo to 2nd. Troy Stokes Jr. homers (1) on a line drive to left field. Wendell Rijo scores. Corey Ray scores. Lucas Erceg strikes out swinging. Jake Gatewood called out on strikes. Tyler Heineman pops out to shortstop Jermaine Palacios.

Brewers have 11 errors in 8 games. You just can't do that and expect to win consistently.

Houser is certainly a surprise - but it shows how highly the team thinks of him. If he's the guy the team thinks best fits - then so be it. Get him up and going. By the end of the year I could see a bullpen of Knebel (hoping he's back), Barnes, Houser, Williams and Hader. That's a lot of high octane arms. Add in Albers and Jeffress and Logan and Jennings. That should be pretty solid. Let's hope we don't have any more injuries going forward.

Dillard often gets moved around - going from the active roster to the IR. I'm guessing they just don't have a spot right now so they are doing some roster voodoo.

Looking at this deal it's kind of unique due to the player options. Options are often for the team - not the player. His 2018 salary essentially stays the same (he was getting $14M, but now gets $12M plus a $2M sinning bonus). So I'm just leaving this year's salary out of the mix. He would have gotten $14M no matter what. His salary from 2019-21 is $21M annually. He has a player option for $21M in 2022, and then another player option for $10M in 2023. He can make up to $5M more in 2023 based on at bats. That locks him in at a minimum for $94M over five years - covering 2019-2023. Blackmon turns 32 on July 1, so I'm going to call 2018 his age 32 season - which means his contract potentially goes through his age 37 season. I guess I'll say that it's a decent deal for Blackmon. With his 2018 salary, he's getting $108M over the next six years - $94M via the extension. I think the deal is okay for him because there would be several factors that could potentially depress his earnings if he was a free agent this off season. First, he could have a poor year, get hurt, etc. Second, at his age, teams are wary giving out 5+ year contracts. Heck, four year deals are hard to come by. So getting five years is solid. Third, some teams may not value him as much due to hitting so well at Coors Field. His home OPS the last three years: 1.023. His away OPS over the same time frame: .802. Another big year might have made a difference, but I think the combination of age and Coors Field made it a wise move by Blackmon. Yes, it only takes one team to offer crazy money - but as a lot of guys found out this past winter - those teams are becoming harder and harder to find. With a good 2018, he might have got more - but I'm not sure how much more. This way he locks in his financial and playing future. Knowing he's got a gig until he's 37 years old is a pretty enviable thing in this league.

The southern slang has certainly rubbed off on me. I've become somewhat of a cross between the two cultures. Funny story, one time I had a guy at a bar question my out-of-state ID and he called his manager over to look at it to verify. The manager happened to be from Wisconsin and proceeded to ask me three questions...what do I call a water fountain, what's a beer you can only get in Wisconsin and to name three Packers wide receivers. Once I answered, he goes 'it's legit' and walked off. great story.

I don't see Phillips or anyone being added by the Brewers for at least 6-8 weeks - if not longer. They've got Villar, Perez and Sogard to play 2B. They'll give them time to see if anyone seizes the job by playing well. They're not going to pull the plug on these guys after a couple of weeks. That's just too short of a time span.

I don't see Hiura being a factor for at least 1.5 years. More likely 2 years. They'll use this year get him back to working in the field. Next year get him there full time. I think it will take at least that much time to get it where he's comfortable in the field. Just my guess.

I would imagine Sogard's chance of sneaking through on waivers is likely better than Perez's. Perez offers more upside with the bat and more positional flexibility, plus he's younger and cheaper. Yeah, Perez is a player that can help a team. He's not someone to build around, but he's valuable to have on the roster. Personally, I'm okay with Perez. He is what he is. I don't want him getting a ton of ABs, but he's an adequate at several positions if needed. There's some solid value in a guy like him. I've talked about this in the past - as have others - one of the biggest issues the Brewers have run into is inadequate depth. In the past, we've devoted far too much playing time to players like Yuni, Cesar Izturis, Elian Herrera, Hector Gomez, Jeff Bianchi, Cody Ransom, etc., etc. A guy like Perez really helps a team avoid those black holes - even if he isn't that great.

What was the udder option? Letting him milk a contract for all it's worth knowing that he is injured? I'm laughing. Well done, Interwebs.

Got a link? Here's one: http://gatewayredbirds.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=62215 Need to go around page 20 to see the reactions to the Brewers' HRs. They actually weren't too bad. I think the game ended so quickly they didn't have time to stew about things. Definitely some angst about their bullpen (and manager).

Thanks. This is the 12th poll that I have overseen (I never thought I'd still be doing this) - and it gets harder and harder to keep things fresh. I try not to spend too much time writing up the blurbs. It is easy to write the same stuff over and over. Hence, the goofy anagram thing. I thought it was fun.

Also, remember that there are three guys who have a decent chance to graduate off the list by mid-season poll - which actually is 2/3 of the way into the season (at the trade deadline): Woodruff is almost guaranteed. Brett Phillips only needs 42 ABs to graduate. Taylor Williams could get the 45 days needed to graduate if someone falters or is hurt in the bullpen. That could open up several spots for the next poll. Although we have to remember that we will have some draft picks to add to the list (usually only the top 1 or 2 guys move into the top 25). And who knows what will happen with trades. We could add - or lose - prospects by the trade deadline.

http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/026/479/morans.jpg That photo never gets old.