Matt Breen

Yeah, Diaz is a no brainer for hitter. At that point, it's between Hader and Woodruff for pitcher.

Kyle Wren has a 20 Power ranking. For him, it's going to be about batting average/OBP. He'll use his speed to get infield hits, stretch some hits into doubles and triples - but he's never going to have a good OPS. But he doesn't have to. He has get on base and play respectable defense, and he has a chance to contribute at the major league level.

Jhan Marinez has crossed the 50 inning threshold and is no longer eligible for future Prospect Polls.

“It was a complete waste of time,’’ said an American League scout, who spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about his assessment. “It was like watching an actor trying to portray a baseball player." http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/08/30/tim-tebow-baseball-tryout-showcase-workout-scouts-usc-reaction/89611816/

Sky Sox Rout Zephyrs 13-5 Reed drives in five to back strong Wilkerson start. By Aaron Cheris / Colorado Springs Sky Sox Colorado Springs Boxscore Michael Reed (1-3, BB, HR, 5 RBI) hit a grand slam, his HR of the season, to lead the Sky Sox to a win. Josmil Pinto (3-4, 2B, BB), Kyle Wren (3-5, BB), Nate Orf (2-4, 2B), Garin Cecchini (2-5, 3 RBI) and Aaron Wilkerson (2-3, 2 RBI) - yes, the pitcher - all had a multi-hit game. The Sky Sox pounded out 17 hits and drew seven walks. Colorado Springs Game Log

Don't forget the Producers, and Bonnie and Clyde.

Crazy to do this now, but it's fun. Next season's team on Opening Day: C - Maldonado, one of Susac/Pina 1B - Carter 2B - Scooter SS - Arcia 3B - Villar INF/OF - Perez LF - Braun CF - Broxton RF - Santana OF - 2 of Reed/Wren/Nieuwenhuis INF - Rivera or someone like an Elmore SP - Nelson, Davies, Guerra, Peralta, Anderson, Wilkerson or Jungmann waiting in the wings for Peralta or Anderson to falter RP - Torres, Thornburg, Knebel, Suter, Magnifico, Barnes, Marinez, lefty arm (Scahili?) Garza will be let go. This roster will change a lot as the season goes along.

Well, not a whole lot of success on our predictions this year, but it was fun to go back and see what people were thinking going into the season.

The way he acted and basically accused other's of botching the test he took when caught.. While other players have claimed ignorance as to how they took a banned substance, Braun went after a person... I am getting tired of reading this. The person who collected the sample did not follow the agreed upon process between the MLB and the MLBPA. So Braun had every right to go after him and was justified in doing so. Legally the MLB should have thrown this out before it even became public as the chain of custody for the samples did not follow the guidelines. We've hashed this out before in a lot of other threads, but if Braun had simply said, "We believe that there was an issue with how the sample was handled, and therefore it is inadmissible," then most people would have been okay with that. Instead he insinuated that the guy had done something purposely to screw with Braun. This was the big sin in people's eyes. He threw a guy under the bus - not just saying he had screwed up - but that there was some nefarious plot out to get him. I don't live in Wisconsin, but I can say that in talking with people where I live, they really don't care about the PED thing all that much. Everyone knows a lot of people have done it. What they remember is Braun going on camera, insisting he was innocent, and casting doubts on the integrity of the sample collector. He 'threw the guy under the bus' is the common thing I heard. Braun is seen as a coward who was willing to smear another human being to protect his own reputation (and it all came back to bite him big time). As I said, if Braun had come out and said, "I didn't do this. I believe that the sample is tainted - and therefore inadmissible - due to handling issues" - he would be okay. But he chose a different route.

If his contract is such a plus, why didn't anyone claim him? I mean, it was a chance to get him, so why not?

I have to say, I love roundabouts. I think they keep things moving so much smoothly and more efficiently. I also have to say that they can be confusing, and it's easy to get messed up, especially for one you've never gone through before.

Sky Sox Defeated 6-1 By Dodgers Bullpen falters late as Sky Sox drop final game of road trip. By Aaron Cheris / Colorado Springs Sky Sox Colorado Springs Boxscore Damien Magnifico (0.2 IP, 3 hits, 5 runs) imploded on Sunday, ruining an excellent outing from Wei-Chung Wang (7IP, 5 hits, 1 ER, 0BB, 5K). Sky Sox hitters were, meanwhile, shut out by Jose De Leon over seven innings. The Sky Sox got one run in the 9th, but otherwise managed six hits and no walks (to go with 14 strikeouts). Nate Orf (2-4) and Garrett Cooper (2-4, 2 2B, RBI) led the Sky Sox batters. Colorado Springs Game Log Magnifico’s 8th inning collapse doomed the Sky Sox from any chance of coming back and winning this game. Okla. City Bottom of the 8th Pitching Change: Damien Magnifico replaces Wei-Chung Wang, batting 9th. Will Venable walks. Brandon Hicks singles on a line drive to right fielder Michael Reed. Will Venable to 3rd. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Drew Maggi replaces Randy Choate. Drew Maggi hits a sacrifice bunt. Will Venable scores. Brandon Hicks to 2nd. Drew Maggi to 1st. Micah Johnson singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Damien Magnifico. Brandon Hicks to 3rd. Drew Maggi to 2nd. Chris Taylor strikes out swinging. Austin Barnes singles on a ground ball to shortstop Yadiel Rivera. Brandon Hicks scores. Drew Maggi to 3rd. Micah Johnson to 2nd. With O'Koyea Dickson batting, wild pitch by Damien Magnifico, Drew Maggi scores. Micah Johnson to 3rd. Austin Barnes to 2nd. O'Koyea Dickson out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Lewis Brinson. Micah Johnson scores. Austin Barnes to 3rd. Pitching Change: Sam Freeman replaces Damien Magnifico, batting 9th. Corey Brown singles on a line drive to right fielder Michael Reed. Austin Barnes scores. Alex Hassan grounds out, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to first baseman Garrett Cooper.

Last car related item: Car gets into a turn lane without signaling - then signals once they get into the turn lane. What's the point? Signaling you were moving into the turn lane may have helped someone, but once you're in the turn lane, it's pretty much a given where you're headed. Okay, complaining done. Maybe...

Cars that rush to turn onto the road in front of you - even if there's no one behind you - and then proceed to drive slowly.

I wasn't sure he would clear waivers. If I had put money on it, I would have bet someone would put in a claim. But I guess not. Some have said if Braun was a free agent he'd get more than the $4-years/$76M he's owed (not to mention $15M is deferred) - but this show's there's skepticism about Ryan. Age and health are probably the biggest factors, but that no one claimed him demonstrates team's are being cautious.

Sky Sox Slammed In 5-1 Loss To OKC Sky Sox swept in twin bill as Hader suffers sixth loss. By Aaron Cheris / Colorado Springs Sky Sox Colorado Springs Boxscore Josh Hader was hit hard for Colorado Springs in a 5-1 lose. Hader gave up five runs in four innings of work, including a grand slam. Lewis Brinson (2-4, 2B) and Michael McKenry (1-2, 2B, BB) had good games, but the team as a whole managed only five hits and a pair of walks. Colorado Springs Game Log The Sky Sox were undone by a terrible 2nd inning. Oklahoma City had four hits and a pair of walks to go with an error and a passed ball. Okla. City Bottom of the 2nd O'Koyea Dickson doubles (25) on a line drive to left fielder Kyle Wren. Alex Hassan grounds out, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to first baseman Garrett Cooper. Micah Johnson singles on a line drive to left fielder Kyle Wren. O'Koyea Dickson to 3rd. Micah Johnson advances to 2nd, on a missed catch error by third baseman Andy Wilkins. Jack Murphy walks. With Brandon Hicks batting, passed ball by Michael McKenry, O'Koyea Dickson scores. Micah Johnson to 3rd. Jack Murphy to 2nd. Brandon Hicks walks. Lisalverto Bonilla pops out to second baseman Nate Orf. Drew Maggi hits a grand slam (2) to left field. Micah Johnson scores. Jack Murphy scores. Brandon Hicks scores. Chris Taylor triples (6) on a fly ball to center fielder Lewis Brinson. Yasiel Puig flies out to center fielder Lewis Brinson.

Sky Sox Start Twin Bill With 1-0 Loss Sky Sox held to three hits in extra-inning loss in OKC. By Aaron Cheris / Colorado Springs Sky Sox Colorado Springs Boxscore Ugly game for the Sky Sox hitters as they were held to three hits (all singles) and a walk over nine innings. Only Ramon Flores (2-4) and Nate Orf (1-4) managed hits. Lewis Brinson (0-4, BB) had the team’s only walk. Junior Guerra had a solid outing, giving up only a hits, two walks and no runs in 3.1 innings of work. Colorado Springs Game Log

Rosenthal confirmed that the Brewers and Dodgers discussed a deal for Braun before the trade deadline: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/08/rosenthals-latest-dodgers-brewers-braun-puig-d-backs.html Certainly something to keep an eye on.

I hate this so much.

Child labor laws are, without question, an issue when dealing with kids under 18. It's often just not worth the hassle for productions to deal with restrictions involved. Also, there's the fact that you don't have to deal with parents - again, that can be huge. But probably the biggest issue is simple maturity - both mental, emotional and physical. While every young actor is different, the difference in dealing with someone who is 21 vs 16 is often huge. Those five years (or 10 or whatever) can make a huge difference. The big thing is obviously experience. Those five extra years can make a huge difference in a person's on screen performance. They know their craft better, they know how to handle themselves on a set better, etc. And then there's the physical aspect of things. A 21 year old is - for the most part - physically mature. A 16 year old can change significantly in a few months (voice drops, grow three inches, etc.). I worked in video production for a number of years, and experience is really the biggest factor. You've weeded out the wannabes and no talents. And producing a commercial or a corporate video or whatever costs money - and bad actors - adults or kids - cost time and money in the end. Reliability was so crucial. It just takes time for anyone to learn to be a professional at any line of work. Acting is the same. There are some great young adult actors, but there are a gazillion bad ones as well.

Perhaps this is just an illusion, but it seems the team and the pitchers really like working with Maldonado the catcher. And as we continue to try and develop our young pitchers, I have a feeling that trust in Maldonado is going to keep him in Milwaukee for a while. The org is going to feel he'll be best at helping the young guys develop. Perhaps I'm wrong about this.

From the conversation, it sounds like he can do the same thing to some men as well

Colorado Springs vs Oklahoma has been canceled due to rain.

This is what 2016 and 2017 is all about. Finding guys who are part of the future. There's going to be hits and misses. That's part of the process. We can chalk Flores up as a miss - like Colin Walsh. But there's been some successes - Villar, Perez, Guerra, etc. And some 'in progress' guys, such as Broxton and Santana. One of the nice things about having a bad team is that you can give guys like Flores and extended look. So many teams can't do that, and give up on players quickly.

To take this in a horribly off-topic direction. My favorite wrestlers growing up were the "Killer Bs", they would put their black and yellow masks under the ring, and then strategically put them on so that no one could tell them apart. I remember a Wrestlemania where Koko B. Ware wrestled with them in a six man match, they still did the bit with the masks...even though Koko was easier to differentiate than the other 2. As a youngster, I thought this was the most hilarious thing ever. Your mentioning the Killer B's brought it all back, I thank you. Jumpin Jim Brunzell and B. Brian Blair. I remember watching them back in the 80s. http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/prowrestling/images/b/b1/The_Killer_Bees.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20091004215830