Matt Breen

Sounds like Nottingham has really risen in the rankings over the course of this season. Looks like he could be a Top 100 type prospect. If so, pretty solid pick up for Oakland. Nice work dipping down to go after A ball players who aren't really on people's radars quite yet. Riskier, but the reward is higher.

I'm surprised people think we could get anything but some salary relief and a C prospect for Ramirez. A nice July doesn't negate an awful first half of the season (not to mention the latter part of 2014). Plus the guy is a bad baserunner at this stage, and his defense isn't much either (still has a strong arm, stops the ball hit in front of him - but to either side is anyone's guess). To me it's about getting A-Ram in a place to finish out his career with a little fun. I hope he stays hot for Pittsburgh, and helps beat the Cardinals. Whatever money we save (I see the Pirates are taking on $3M) - let's hope it goes to doing some good for the team and not a sequel to the Bud Selig Experience or a yacht for the owner.

Remake the franchise: - Gomez, Fiers (or Peralta), K-Rod for RHP Hoffmann, LHP Norris, C Pentecost (although health issues might preclude him) - Parra, Lind, A-Ram for LHP Newcomb, 3B Kubitza (we'd probably have to sweeten our end of this - lots of cash to start) - Lucroy to Seattle for Walker and other stuff - Or Luc to Houston for RHP Appel, 3B Colin Moran - Segura to the Mets for RHP Marcus Molina and 1B Dominic Smith (Mets would probably need a little more) All trades are starting points. You have a few assets to sweeten deals, including cash, Cotts, Maldonado (although I prefer not to unload our only veteran catcher), even Broxton (if we pay salary). And different trades could be made - just focus on high upside arms. They don't have to be major league ready - just get good players. Roster: Rotation: Walker, Norris, Nelson, Jungmann, Fiers or Peralta Relievers: Jeffress, Knebel, Blazek, Smith, Goforth, Jaye Chapman, M. Strong (LOOGY), Cravy C - Platoon Maldonado and either a veteran or one of our minor league guys for the next year or so. 1B - Rogers, Peterson could fill in (could add someone on the cheap as well) 2B - Scooter SS - Sardinas 3B - Kubitza LF - Davis CF - Schafer - give him one last chance over the next year RF - Braun The rest of 2015 and 2016 is a transition year. We will suck, but you let guys gain experience. See what of the young guys are starter material. Later in 2016 and 2017, you start to see the arrival of guys like Arcia, Taylor, Reed, Newcomb, etc. 2017 we are an interesting club. Lots of youth. Lots of upside. We've weeded out some of the lesser players. Long term players are maturing, gaining experience. 2018 we are potentially good. More young guys arrive. Players mature. Many start hitting their prime. No big contracts left so you can even sign a guy or two to shore up weak spots in the roster.

Gotcha. Totally missed that mistake. It's corrected now.

Not a big return if you strictly look at prospect rankings. MLB pipeline had these guys listed as 22nd and 19th, respectively, in the Astros org, but both are A ball players, who usually don't rank that high.

Thoughts on Gausman?

Observations, thoughts, surprises, etc.: 1. We've lost a lot of fringy type players - Rogers, Wren, relievers. I think it's a testament to the improvement of the system. There's nothing wrong with guys like Rogers or Goforth - only their ultimate value isn't that special. 2. Jungmann's placement is really iffy since a bunch of people simply didn't vote for him. Irregardless, he'll be gone, probably along with Knebel and maybe even Cravy. In the future, we can look at each player and determine if they are going to graduate in the near future and not include them in the poll. 3. Upside is big with the community group. I assume that's because a lot of us follow the minors and value that. 4. As I voted, I was happy to see the quality of guys as I went lower in the list. A lot of users made this same comment. Again, just shows you how much the system has improved. 5. Only nine players remain from last year's mid-season Top 20 list. One graduated, one was traded, two released, and the rest have just dropped down and been replaced by new talent. 6. We like our new stuff - Ponce, Kirby, Orimoloye, Clark, Diplan, Gatewood, Harrison, Sneed, Kodi, Lara - all added in the last 14 months.

Not really, I think you missed the meaning there. I read it as he believes Kodi is still a project and Kirby will likely jump past him. This is what I meant, but it didn't come across. I tweaked the copy - just made him (along with Kodi) one of the top two lefties in the system. How's that for a quick save.

Medeiros

The 2015 Mid-Season BF.net Community Top 25 is complete. Thanks to everyone for participating. We had a record 35 ballots. Well done! Orlando Arcia captured 34 of the 35 1st place votes as he nabbed the top spot again. Four draft picks entered the top 25, including Trent Clark nabbing the #5 spot. Newcomers: Trent Clark, Nathan Kirby, Cody Ponce, Demi Orimoloye, Cy Sneed, Carlos Leal, Jorge Ortega Exited the Top 25: Wang, Goforth, B. Diaz, Wren, Bradley, Rogers, Denson Number of ballots: 35 Number of players on ballots: 57 Mr. Irrelevants (1 point): Austin Ross, Adam Weisenberger, Carlos Luna and Clint Terry Risers: Lopez (8 spots), Reed (10 spots), Fallers: Wang (15 spots), Goforth (15 spots), Wren (20 spots), Bradley (fell from 19th to off the list) Players with the best chance to graduate off the top 25 by end of the year: Jungmann (guarenteed), Knebel, Cravy If you see any mistakes, please let me know. I will update as needed. We'll plan on doing a new top 25 after the season.

#1 - Orlando Arcia, SS, Biloxi (AA), age 20. .309 BA, .353 OBP, .808 OPS. 874 pts (34 first place votes) - 35 of 35 ballots An outstanding 2015 campaign has landed the 20-year Arcia atop the BF.net fan poll (he snagged 34 of the 35 top votes). He has improved his batting average and slugging numbers all the while producing excellent defense. Arcia landed as Baseball America's #8 mid-season prospect as well #11 on John Sickels' mid-season report. Expect Arcia to be knocking at the big league door in the next year. #2 - Gilbert Lara, SS, ARZ (Rookie), age 17. .307 BA, .336 OBP, .732 OPS. 785 pts - 35 of 35 ballots The 17-year old Lara has held his own in Arizona, hitting over .300. If he can keep up the exceptional numbers, don't be surprised if Lara ends up creeping into some top 100 lists this off season, especially when his power emerges. The Crew have kept Lara at SS for the time being, but a move to 3B (or other position) is probably in the cards down the road. #3 - Kodi Medeiros, LP, Wisconsin (A-), age 19. 76.1 IP, 43 BB, 77K, 4.13 ERA, 1.270 WHIP. 736 pts - 35 of 35 ballots The funky throwing lefty was challenged by Milwaukee with an assignment to Wisconsin and he has not disappointed. Medeiros, only 19, has been erratic with his control, but has still managed to produce a respectable 4.13 ERA with more than a strikeout an inning. He's held lefties to a paltry .190 BA and has not surrendered an HR. Kodi's ceiling is really linked to how he can command his pitchers. #4 - Clint Coulter, OF, Brevard County (A+), age 21. .257 BA, .341 OBP, .762 OPS. 727 pts - 35 of 35 ballots On the surface, Coulter's numbers appear like a step back from last year's breakout performance, but look closer and in the context of the environment (the notoriously pitching-friendly FSL), Clint has been solid. His 11 HRs are 2nd in the league and his OPS is 14th. While his numbers aren't earth-shattering, they are a solid step forward. Coulter landed at #73 of John Sickels' mid-season list. #5 - Trent Clark, OF, ARZ (Rookie), age 18. .293 BA, .397 OBP, .863 OPS. 661 pts - 35 of 35 ballots The team's top draft pick in the June draft has not disappointed in his short time at Maryvale. Clark has perhaps the best hit tool in the entire system. Scouts don't see him producing a lot of power, and there's some question as to his ultimate position - CF or a corner OF spot. Either way, his sweet swing should carry him through the minor league system. Clark is the first rookie to be named on every ballot of a community poll. #6 - Jorge Lopez, RP, Biloxi (AA), age 22. 96.2 IP, 36BB, 92K, 2.70 ERA, 1.138 WHIP. 644 points - 35 of 35 ballots The improvements just keep coming for the tall right hander. Always a project when he was drafted out of Puerto Rico, Lopez has done exactly what the team wanted from him in 2015. He has shown consistency from start-to-start, improving his numbers in just about every way despite the better competition. Lopez's eight spot climb was one of the best improvements in the BF.net propsect listing. #7 - Tyrone Taylor, CF, Biloxi (AA), age 21. .259 BA, .312 OBP, .647 OPS. 604 pts - 34 of 35 ballots Taylor has dropped in our rankings after failing to step forward in his first taste of the upper minors (he even failed to make one of our posters top 25). Many felt Taylor's offense would improve once he escaped the FSL, but his numbers (power, BA, walks) have all slipped slightly this year at Biloxi. Scouts praise his defense and raw tools, but Taylor's fast track to Milwaukee has stalled a little. Taylor is still only 21, so a little patience is in order. #8 - Monte Harrison, OF, Helena, (Rookie), age 19. .299 BA, .410 OBP, .884 OPS, 14 SB - Helena .148 BA, .246 OBP, .493 OPS - Wisconsin 548 points - 33 or 35 ballots Harrison tumbled several spots in our poll after struggling badly at Wisconsin. However, the toolsy OF flourished after moving down to Helena. He still struggled with strikeouts, but the walks and speed returned (14 SBs). Unfortunately, Harrison recently suffered a broken ankle, ending his season prematurely. Harrison's lack of experience was exposed at low A ball, but the tools and skills are evident. #9 - Devin Williams, RP, Wisconsin (A-), age 20. 62.1 IP, 28BB, 61K, 3.18 ERA, 1.235 WHIP, only 1 HR allowed. 536 points - 35 of 35 ballots After an extended spring training, Williams arrived at Wisconsin and proceeded to have the finest campaign of his young career. Like Jorge Lopez, Williams has improved his game in just about every phase - exactly what you look for from a raw but talented player. The control is still spotty at times, but it's improving. Allowing only one HR all season is impressive. #10 - Michael Reed, OF, Biloxi (AA), age 22. .273 BA, .374 OBP, .419 OPS, 23 SB. 519 points - 34 of 35 ballots Reed spent much of 2015 hitting over .300, only to slump over the past month. He's still putting up some impressive numbers, especially the .374 OBP. Also, his slugging percentage is the best of his career, which is important since Reed will need to show some more pop if he's going to be a regular in the majors. It's been a steady march through the minors for Reed. At this point, he looks like a major leaguer - how much power he develops will dictate his future role. #11 - Taylor Jungmann, RP, MIL, age 25. 53 IP, 15BB, 39K, 2.04 ERA, 1.019 WHIP - Milwaukee 59.1 IP, 29BB, 54K, 6.37 ERA, 1.517 WHIP - Colorado Springs 498 points - 26 of 35 ballots A tale of two seasons. Jungmann struggled at AAA, but has thrived (not just thrived, but excelled) after his promotion to Milwaukee. The key for Jungmann is control. He's been erratic at times in the minors, but what we've seen so far in Milwaukee has been stellar. The big Texan has topped the 50 inning mark in his last outing, officially taking him out of rookie status. #12 - Jacob Gatewood, SS, Helena (Rookie), age 19. .232 BA, .285 OBP, .722 OPS - Helena .227 BA, .288 OBP, .592 OPS - Wisconsin 426 points - 34 of 35 ballots Like fellow sophomore Monte Harrison, Gatewood struggled when posted to low A- ball. A move to Helena has helped, as Gatewood is hitting for more power (11 doubles and 4 HR in 112 ABs). Making contact continues to be a huge problem for Gatewood, and fans will need to be patient with him. He has a ton of raw power, but harnessing it is going to be a challenge. #13 - Tyler Wagner, RP, Biloxi (AA), age 24. 99.2 IP, 28BB, 75K, 2.53 ERA, 1.154 WHIP. 425 points - 34 of 35 ballots Wagner has built on a promising 2014 season with an excellent campaign at Biloxi, even earning a one game call up to Milwaukee. Wagner is consistent and an aggressive pitcher who doesn't walk a lot of batters and limits HRs. He'll need to maintain all those attributes as he advances since his stuff is good, but not great. But for now, no one can argue with Wagner's results. #14 - Nathan Kirby, LP, age 21. Has not played this season. 402 points - 30 of 35 ballots An advanced college pitcher from Virginia, many thought Kirby would be gone before Milwaukee could take him in the competitive balance round. He sports a solid fastball to go with a good slider and changeup. A note of caution - Kirby waited until the last moment to sign Milwaukee, reportedly due to a previously unknown health issue. No matter, Kirby immediately becomes one of the top two left handed starters (along with Medeiros) in the system. #15 - Tyler Cravy, RP, Colorado Springs (AAA), age 26. 15 IP, 4BB, 9K, 3.60 ERA, 1.267 WHIP - Milwaukee 78.1 IP, 26BB, 66K, 3.79 ERA, 1.226 WHIP. 343 points - 29 of 35 ballots Cravy was one of the only starters to produce at Colorado Springs this season, which has earned him a couple of short stints with the big league club thus far. Cravy doesn't sport any great tools, but he has a nice array of pitches and shows solid control. Cravy could slot into the rotation in the future, or be long reliever. #16 - Marcos Diplan, RP, Helena (Rookie), age 18. 24 IP, 7BB, 26 IP, 3.00 ERA, 1.208 WHIP 338 points - 33 of 35 ballots Flashing a plus fastball, the slight Diplan (only 160 pounds) jumped to Helena this season and has done well, limiting his walks and striking out more than a batter per inning. Diplan has been somewhat forgotten due amid the additions of Medeiros, Kirby and Ponce, plus the emergence of Williams and Lopez (to name a few). Diplan fetched a $1.3M bonus in 2013 due to his superior arm. #17 - Cody Ponce, RP, Wisconsin, age 21. 17 IP, 2BB, 14K, 2.65 ERA, 0.882 WHIP - Helena and Wisconsin combined 271 points - 30 of 35 ballots Ponce fell to the Brewers in the 2nd round, and the club was happy to scoop him up. As an advanced college arm, he's been moved aggressively by the organization. Ponce has a variety of pitches in his arsenal, including a mid-90s fastball. He missed some of the 2015 college season due to tendinitis. My fearless prediction: Cody Ponce will be the top pitcher in the Milwaukee system at this time next year. #18 - Victor Roache, OF, Biloxi (AA), age 23. .220 BA, .309 OBP, .711 OPS - Biloxi .259 BA, .326 OBP, .773 OPS - Brevard County 268 points - 31 of 35 ballots BF.net fans like power potential, which means Victor Roache hangs onto a top 25 slot in our latest poll. In a second go around at A+ ball, Roache produced solid numbers in the hitting-starved FSL. A move to Biloxi has started slow, but the power potential is still there. Roache offers little outside of his power, so he's going to have to start producing if he wants to eventually reach the majors. #19 - Demi Orimoloye, OF, ARZ (Rookie), age 18. .328 BA, .348 OBP, .942 OPS. 232 points - 24 of 35 ballots Milwaukee's 4th round pick from Canada is a powerful, raw hitter with lots of potential. Many considered Orimoloye a potential 1st or 2nd round pick. Thus far he hasn't disappointed in his limited action, pounding the ball (almost half of his hits have gone for extra bases). Red flag: Orimoloye hasn't walked in 66 plate appearances thus far in 2015. #20 - Corey Knebel, RP, Milwaukee, age 23. 23.1 IP, 8BB, 22K, 3.09 ERA, 1.200 WHIP - Milwaukee 15.1 IP, 7BB, 22K, 4.70 ERA, 1.370 WHIP - Colorado Springs 224 points - 24 of 35 ballots Knebel has bounced between AAA and the big league club, showing he is destined to be a fixture in the Brewer bullpen for years to come. He has shown some wildness in the past, but those tendencies have mellowed this season. The organization has been cautious with Knebel, avoiding overuse after he experienced some elbow issues in 2014. #21 - Taylor Williams, RP, age 24. Has not played in 2015. 200 points - 21 of 35 ballots Williams slid down the BF.net top 25 list due to injuries in 2015. Entering spring training, the club was high on Williams due to his electric fastball, which hit in the upper 90s. It's not known if Williams will play this season, but count this as one of the biggest disappointments for the entire organization this year. Right now, the club (and fans) are simply hoping surgery isn't in the cards, which could sideline Williams not just for 2015, but maybe some or all of next season as well. #22 - Yadiel Rivera, INF, Colorado Springs (AAA), age 23. .250 BA, .281 OBP, .611 OPS - Colorado Springs .322 BA, .366 OBP, .818 OPS - Biloxi 127 points - 25 of 35 ballots A hot start at AA got Rivera a pass to Colorado Springs, where he's put up pedestrian numbers ever since. Right now, Rivera projects as a utility IF unless he can improve his hitting. Adding a little bit of power and walking a little more would help his cause, but for now, he looks like a light hitting middle infielder ticketed for utility duty. #23 - Cy Sneed, RHP, Brevard County (A+), age 22. 25 IP, 2BB, 17K, 2.88 ERA, 1.080 WHIP - Brevard County 77.1IP, 17BB, 67K, 2.68 ERA, 1.125 WHIP - Wisconsin 124 points - 20 of 35 ballots The Brewers 3rd round pick in the 2014 draft, Sneed has progressed quickly this year by posting excellent numbers between A- and A+ ball. He doesn't sport any great pitches, but Sneed avoids walks, and shows a mature and consistent approach as a pitcher. For Sneed, the challenge will be testing his stuff against advanced pitching in 2016. #24 - Carlos Leal, C, Wisconsin (A-), age 24. .314 BA, .376 OBP, .799 OPS. 108 points - 23 of 35 ballots Leal has flourished behind the dish after a stint as a pitcher in 2014. While he doesn't show much power, Leal has hit consistently well all year, and offers some hope at a position where the organization is lacking upside. While he's a little old for his league, Carlos will be an interesting player to watch going forward. #25 - Jorge Ortega - RHP, Brevard County (A+), age 22. 106 IP, 8BB, 53K, 2.21 ERA, 0.981 WHIP. 101 points - 16 of 35 ballots Welcome to the top 25, Mr. Ortega. That's what 8 walks in 106 IP will get you. Ortega is the stingiest pitcher in the system - he's never walked many, but this year he's been phenomenal, as his numbers attest to. He shows great control, allowing him to go deep into games (4 complete games). For all the success, it is important to note that Ortega is producing in one of the most pitcher friendly environments in baseball - the FSL. Also, he doesn't strike out many batters, so it will be fascinating to see how he does next season when he faces more advanced hitters. The Rest Wei-Chung Wang - 71 Troy Stokes - 51 Brandon Diaz - 47 Chris McFarland - 46 Joantgel Segovia - 44 Jason Rogers - 41 Nick Ramirez - 37 David Denson - 36 Hobbs Johnson - 29 Brent Suter - 28 Damien Magnifico - 27 Miguel Diaz - 26 Blake Allemand - 23 David Goforth - 18 Nash Walters - 18 Kyle Wren - 15 Tyrone Perry - 15 Tucker Neuhaus - 13 Dustin Demuth - 11 David Burkhalter - 11 Brooks Hall - 9 Ariel Pena - 7 Omar Cotto - 6 Franly Mallen - 6 Yerison Pena - 5 Nathan Orf - 5 Javi Salas - 2 Angel Ventura - 2 Austin Ross - 1 Adam Weisenberger - 1 Carlos Luna - 1 Clint Terry - 1 Stats were correct as of 7/21/15

Didn't MLB do this during the strike season? And didn't the team with the best overall record, the Expos, not make the playoffs?

Segura!

Welcome to posting, BrewfanFDL. Thanks for getting involved!

My guess on Reed's ceiling at this time is probably a .290 hitter with modest power - 10-15 HR - .800ish OPS. Again, that's probably a ceiling. From what I've read, he's got a little bit of a long swing that produces a few too many strikeouts, but it's livable if he can keep up a strong walk rate. He profiles as a very good defensive corner OF. I don't know if he could be a full time CF - if he could, that would be a huge opportunity. At worst, Reed could be a really nice 4th OF - ability to play all the OF slots, gets on base at a decent clip. A lot depends on if the power can emerge. It's be coming along slowly - but he has been improving his slugging each season over the past three years. Let's hope it keeps improving. A .280ish BA, .360 OBP, 10 HR player with good defense is a starter in my book. I think that's where Reed can end up on a consistent basis.

No one should be untouchable. We are entering a rebuild/retool era. We should be flexible. To declare someone untouchable only limits your options. None of our players is so good or so critical to the team that we shouldn't consider moving them if the right offer came along. I'm not saying you should be eager to trade certain guys, but if you can make the team better, it's smart to consider it. I love Will Smith, but if Toronto calls and offers me Daniel Norris, I'm wise to make that move.

I will probably finish up calculating all the numbers tonight, so if you still want to vote, feel free. If I'm not done adding things up, I'll include your list. Watch for the final listing to be posting in the next day or two. Thanks everyone for participating. I think we had the best response ever.

I'm guessing 2016 happens first.

Gomez, K-Rod and Fiers for Hoffman, Norris and Pentecost. Something like that would be fun.

Carlos Ponce was a light hitting 1B/OF for Milwaukee in 1985. He hit .161 on 62 ABs in his only big league season. http://rackrs.com/Content/images/library/5325/CarlosPonce.jpg?maxwidth=680&maxheight=1000&crop=auto&bgcolor=fffaef&format=jpg&quality=100

Awesome. Thanks.

SomewhereInTime, I noted that you have Luis Sardinas on your list. He is not eligible. Do you want to add someone? I'll just bump everyone up a spot, but if you want someone for the 25th slot, just let me know. Thanks.

Plush, I just noted you have Jorge Lopez listed twice. You want to fix? Otherwise I will remove the second one listed and bump up everyone and add the person you listed as 26 th on your list. Thanks.

Last day to get your list in! Thanks.

The pain or rebuilding can be mitigated by having a strong plan in place to succeed down the road, and communicating that plan to you base. Some fans will be angry and walk away, but most people can accept the change if they feel like the end game is worth it.