Matt Breen

BF.net is doing a community Top 20. I've broken this off the 'Power 50' thread so that we can start fresh. Rules: Submit your list of Top 20 prospects by posting it in this thread, or by sending me a message, by Friday, May 23. Please include 20 prospects, in order from top to bottom. Before you submit your list, make sure you have 20 names (not 19 or 21) - and make sure no one is listed twice. Also, if you're including Devin or Taylor Williams (or both), make sure you indicate the first name so I know who you want in a particular spot. I don't think we have any other players with the same last names, but indicate a first name if you think there might be any confusion. I will tabulate all the votes when done, giving 20 points to the top pick, 19 to the 2nd pick, and so forth. We'll post the results when done. Ultimately, it will be a Top 25 or Top 30, depending on the how many guys turn up in the voting. I'll include the player rankings, important stats, position, team, age and so forth. We can update it periodically. If a player is not considered a rookie by MLB, he is ineligible for this list. That means no Fiers, no Gindl, no Khris Davis, no Tim Dillard . Wang is ineligible for this list as well. The reason, as Splitter pointed out, is that the guy is either going to be on the team the entire season, or sent back to Pittsburgh. So let's just keep him off any list. So please, get your Top 20 list in before May 23. If there are any questions, please message me, or post in this thread. Thanks to everyone for participating. PS - Splitter, I'll get your list from the 'Power 50' thread - thanks for getting things started.

I doubt Bautista is going anywhere in the muddled AL East. Toronto is only a game out. The fans would go ballistic if they dealt their best hitter while still in the hunt for the playoffs. However, if the Jays fell out of it, I think it would take a couple of top prospects to get they guy. Start with Nelson, add in Coulter or Taylor - at minimum. Or maybe Thornburg or Smith from the big league roster.

That's called padding your stats.

Totally agree. I'd rather just let Gindl and Schafer play.

Noooo!!!!!!

Read the Deadspin version of the article: http://deadspin.com/mitch-williams-ejected-from-childs-baseball-game-for-ar-1574736005 It's not just Williams twitter posts, but comments from other people at the game. They said he was a dick.

This is pretty cool. http://brewers.mlblogs.com/2014/05/13/gomez-on-cover-of-sports-illustrated/ http://mlblogsbrewers.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/brewerscover051914.jpg

Interesting idea throw out by Tom Verducci to reduce arm issues - lower the mound. He argues that the velocity in which guys are throwing is a major contributor to TJ surgery. Lowering the mound will lower the stress on a pitcher's arm (claim experts). Also, it would help inject some offense into the game. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/mlb/news/20140513/jose-fernandez-miami-marlins-injury/

I was wondering what happened to a few Brewers from the past couple of years, and while looking them up, I ended up surprised at how many guys pass through the big leagues, even for a few games, every season. Here's a look at guys who have left the club since playing in 2011-13. Higher profile guys like Cory Hart aren't listed. Most everyone knows where guys like this are playing. Yuniesky Betancourt (2011-13) - Hitting .113 for Orix Buffalos in Japan. No walks and a .359 OPS (but only 65 ABs). Blake Lalli (2013) - Playing in AAA at Reno for Arizona. Burke Badenhop (2013) - Pitching well for Boston with a 3.00 ERA in 21 innings. Mike González (2013) - Pitching in AAA at Syracuse for the Nats. Brooks Conrad (2012) - Played briefly in Japan in 2013. Currently playing well for AAA El Paso (San Diego), hitting .314 with 7 HR. Randy Wolf (2010-12) - Released by Seattle at the end of spring training this season. Recently signed with the Marlins after a stint at AAA. Eric Farris (2011-12) - Plays for AAA Rochester (Minnesota). Mat Gamel (2008-12) - Released by Braves in February after another injury. Álex González (2012-13) - Released by Tigers in April after hitting .167. Travis Ishikawa (2012) - Cut by Pirates in April after they acquired Ike Davis. Now playing at AAA Fresno for Giants. George Kottaras (2010-12) - Made brief appearance for Indians this year, but has spent most of 2014 at their AAA club, Columbus. Kameron Loe (2010-12) - Pitching for KC at AAA Omaha. Edwin Maysonet (2012) - Playing for Somerset of Atlantic League (independent). Mike McClendon (2010-12) - After spending 2013 in Colorado Springs (AAA), now playing for York of Atlantic League (independent). Chris Narveson (2009-2013) - Pitching For Yakult Swallows in Japanese League. Juan Perez (2012) - Signed with Atlanta in March of 2014, but has yet to play in the organization. Mark Rogers (2010, 2012) - Released by Seattle after two games at AAA Tacoma. Josh Stinson (2012) - Played briefly, and poorly (7.15 ERA in 11.1 innings), for Baltimore this year before being sent to AAA Norfolk. Shaun Marcum - (2011-12) - Signed by Cleveland to a minor league deal this past off season. He is still recovering from thoracic outlet surgery. He has a May 24 out clause. Has not played in 2014. Vinnie Chulk (2012) - No record of him after being released by the Brewers. Erick Almonte (2011) - Played ball in Mexico in 2013, but no information on if he's playing anywhere in 2014. Brandon Boggs (2011) - Plays for Bridgeport of Atlantic League (independent). Brett Carroll (2011) - Plays for AAA Buffalo (Toronto). Mark Kotsay (2011) - Retired after 2013 season. He joined the Padres as a special assistant. Felipe Lopez (2011) - He has not played baseball since the 2011 season, but was reportedly pursing an opportunity to play ball in China this year. Casey McGehee (2009-12) - After spending 2013 in Japan, MacGehee is having a solid season in Miami, hitting .297 (.759 OPS) as the team's starting 3B. Sergio Mitre (2011) - After not playing since the 2011 season, Mitre signed with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in Japan last March. He hasn't pitched yet this season. Nyjer Morgan (2011-12) - Plays for Cleveland after a year in Japan. Wil Nieves (2011) - Is currently the backup catcher in Philadelphia. Jeremy Reed (2011) - Retired after 2012 season and has been named minor league hitting coordinator for the Milwaukee Brewers for 2014. Mike Rivera (2006-09,11) - Spent 2012 in Boston's system, but has not played since. Mitch Stetter (2007-11) - Retired this past spring due to lingering back issues. Tim Dillard (2008-9,11-12) - Pitches for AA Huntsville (Brewers). Takashi Saito (2011) - At age 44, is still pitching for the Rakuten Golden Eagles in Japan. Zach Braddock (2010-11) - Spent 2013 playing for Lancaster of Atlantic League (independent). Released in spring training by San Diego. Frankie De La Cruz (2011) - Pitching this season for Monterrey of the Mexican League. Sean Green (2011) - Last played at AAA in 2012. No news since. Mark DiFelice (2008-09,11) - Last played in the Italian Baseball League in 2012. He was named pitching coach last November for the Jamestown Jammers in the New York Penn League. Danny Herrera (2011) - Had Tommy John in 2012. Pitched for Long Island of Atlantic League (independent) in 2013. No word if he's playing, or intends to play, in 2014. Craig Counsell (2004,2007-11) - Retired after 2011 season. Currently is the Special Assistant to the General Manager for the Brewers.

The Brewers also recalled utility player Elian Herrera from Class AAA Nashville and optioned outfielder Caleb Gindl to that club. http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/259112571.html

Torn UCL for Fernandez. Man, that has to hurt. Such an important player for that team. http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/10926741/miami-marlins-pitcher-jose-fernandez-torn-ulnar-collateral-ligament-surgery-recommended

If no one else wants to do it, I would be happy to take submissions and tabulate results for a community Top 20 (or 30). I would think we could keep it pretty simple. Anyone can submit on a thread or via message their top 20 prospects. I'd record each submission, with the top pick getting 20 points, next person 19 points, etc. I'd just have to set up a time table to get submissions, and make sure people are clear on who is ineligible. We could then create a thread that one of the mods could pin to the top of the forum. I would list the players in order of our votes, add in where they are playing, position, stats - perhaps any important news about them. We could update the list periodically. Perhaps there's a better way to handle a community top 20. I'm happy to consider any other ideas. Again, if someone else wants to do this, that's fine. I'm just offering my time if no one else is interested. I'm not sure who would bless this set up, but if people are interested in me taking lead on it, just let me know and I'm happy to get started.

Totally agree. I'd rather take a gamble on a higher upside guy in A ball than more immediate (but mediocre) return. I know there's a tendency to want to fill holes at the major league level - and there's nothing wrong with that approach - but in order for our team to thrive long term, we need impact players. If you aren't offering elite talent, you won't get that in return if the guy is at or near the majors.

I think a top 20 is a good idea. When you start getting past that, it's really kind of hard to judge guys for most of us (well, at least for me). Top 20, I think, a lot of people can manage. It would be fun to have something again.

I wouldn't be surprised if this is the case. If Rickie moves to LF, the team has an incentive to keep him. He wants to get someplace where he can play 2B full time for half the season (or more) - and reestablish his value as a 2B. Also, the odds of him being any good in LF are not great. He may feel trying to play a position he has never played since college, without any practice, is a recipe for disaster - and thus only hurting him for next year. I think he's gunning to get out of town and to a team that will play him full time. I think for him, it's the best thing for his career.

What would Marco fetch in a trade? I'm not sure. If he started 30 games and kept his ERA under 4.00, you'd think someone would want him. However, when you look at the Fister trade this off season, I'm just not sure what he'd get in return. The Tigers return (at the time) seemed pretty underwhelming. They got a couple of spare parts (lefty reliever Ian Krol and utilityman Steve Lombardozzi) and a guy who wasn't even on anyone's top 100 prospect list (Robbie Ray - who's having a pretty good season and just got called up). Fister is a better pitcher, slightly younger, and with a longer track record. Perhaps it was the Tigers who simply didn't shop Fister around for a better return.

I heard Francisco took up two spots in the parking lot with his car. And he once borrowed someone's soap - and never gave it back.

Winkelsas. Epic story.

My worry about Marco is his home run rate. The guy has been a successful pitcher the last few years (when healthy), but he has dangerously high HR rates. Otherwise, he has really solid stats (low walks, solid K rates). In 2012 and 13, he gave up a ton of HRs in the first 1/2 of the season, then settled down in the second half (in 2013 he gave up 14 HR in 69 innings pre all star break, 5 in 59 inning post break. In 2012, it was 11 hr in 51 innings pre AS break, and 7 in 87 innings post). This year he already has given up 9 HR in 43 innings. He's on pace to give up 42 HR. I worry that HR rate will only rise as he gets a little older and loses a little zip. Perhaps I'm wrong. Maybe his style of pitching will hold off the decline.

Agree.

This was brilliant. Walking Cano in the 3rd inning for no reason. Just awesome.

Here are the archives: http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/multimedia/tp_archive.jsp?c_id=mil&ym=200809 Here is his Gem on the final game at Miller Park: http://m.mlb.com/mil/video/v3567520 I will be at the game on Sat and will definitely give him a standing O I'll never forget that game. I took my son to it. Friends (big time Cub fans) had won two tickets to the game the week or two before. A couple of days before the game, they came over and said, "You'll appreciate these more than us." Braun's HR, CC's complete game - it was awesome. Then we stood in the stands and watched the Mets lose. It was pretty cool. I got to go to the last game of the 1982 World Series. We won, and I remember it pretty clearly (I was 18 at the time). But I didn't appreciate it at the time. I thought we'd have a lot more playoff chances in the near future.

Not just nothing, the Brewers gave him a $332,000 parting gift when they signed him to that contract and then cut him loose. I still am confused over that one, when it seemed Melvin was dead set to cut him anyways no matter how well Juan played in spring training or how poorly the gritty veterans played in spring training. The Brewers didn't sign Reynolds and Overbay until January, while Francisco was tendered a contract in December. So the club didn't know for sure that they'd have a replacement for Juan. But I think you're right - the club never really intended to go with Francisco at 1B. I think tendering him a contract was a safety net - just in case Melvin couldn't find a replacement. I bet the team thought that someone would trade for Francisco. His salary wasn't outrageous. But no luck. Personally, I'm not concerned we let Francisco go. He's a streaky player and a bad fielder. Reynolds is a streaky player, but at least his play at 1B has been solid. He's hitting .222 with a .786 OPS. That's about what you would hope for from a guy who had a .221 BA and a .759 OPS over the last three years. It's not great, but we can live with it. I just hope they keep Overbay on the bench more - he's gotten too much PT over Reynolds. As for Francisco, he may have topped Reynolds' stats if we had kept him, but he would have needed a platoon partner and his defense would have been terrible again. Juan needs to play in the AL. He can DH and fill in at 1B/3B on occasion. That's the perfect scenario for him.

No I don't think so, I think those writers are making somewhat of a statistical analysis based on his stolen base numbers and hitting profile. I didn't like him in CF, not that he was bad, he made all the plays he should, but he didn't make any plays you would think he shouldn't off the bat in either gap, not like a legitimate MLB CF would. And That and I had a discussion about him in the LRs last year and it was difficult for me to put my finger on any one thing that's a smoking gun, he just didn't look the part out there. He was like a much more athletic version of Brady Clark (and I don't mean that in a bad way), just that he was just more solid than he was spectacular. At the time I thought Haniger was a better CF and obviously having not seen either player in CF this year I still hold that opinion (Erickson went to Haniger first in CF as well when Taylor wasn't available for whatever that's worth). The Midwest League had a bunch of excellent CFs last year which may have skewed my perspective some but Reed looked pretty average for an A ball CF. Even with Taylor taking some bad routes there was an obvious separation between him and either Haniger or Reed in CF. Both Reed and Haniger didn't play many games in CF so admittedly the sample size was small, I probably saw Haniger in CF 6 times before he was bumped up and Reed 4 times over the course of the season. Michael is a smart player, has above average speed (though not as good as his SB totals would suggest), takes good routes in the OF, has a good arm, is great on the bases, and has a very good approach at the plate. The only thing he doesn't really have is power and I agree that if he could get in that 15HR/season range he'd be very exciting. Right now offensively he profiles as CF but defensively he profiles as corner OF. Could he be serviceable in CF? Absolutely, but I doubt any defensive metric would even rate him as average at the major league level. With good defenders on the corners who cover more ground than your typical LF/RF types it could work defensively. I guess the other way of looking at it is would the Brewers even care and just go for more offense (assuming of course Richardson & Taylor bomb out)? I don't know but Reed does provide some CF insurance in that respect. Thanks for the thoughtful and detailed reply. Appreciate it.

Some turds smell better than others. But their both still turds.